Marly's Choice (Men of August 1)

“You brought me a beer?” Pleasure infused his voice.

“No, I didn’t bring you a damned beer,” she bit out, turning back to him and reaching into her large purse. “I did better than that. I made Cade stop at BK. That’s even better.”

His eyes lit up at the familiar bag, and he eased himself into a sitting position as Marly set the bag on the bedside table and wheeled it closer. Then she pulled out a large cola, poured it into his ice pitcher and set it beside him.

Sam dug into the bag, emitting pleasured whimpers as the smell of the Whopper with the works wafted across his senses. Within seconds he was biting into the huge burger, growling like a starving bear as he ate.

Marly sat down in the chair beside his bed, a smile crossing her face at his enjoyment. Sam was nothing more than a little boy in a man’s body. He wasn’t dominant like Cade, or intense like Brock. He enjoyed the simple things, and found laughter where he could. If there was one person she knew cared about her, it was Sam.

“Oh man, Marly, I knew you loved me the best.” He smacked his lips as he swallowed, then bit into another bite as he plucked several fries from the box and stuffed them in behind it.

Marly propped her chin on her fist as she watched him eat. Gusto. That described Sam. He did everything with gusto. Whether it was a ball game, a fight or a feast, he went after it with everything he had. She fought her blush as she wondered if he had approached sex with the women he had shared with his brothers in the same way.

“Do you have any idea how lousy their hospital food is?” he mumbled around the burger. Then he grinned. “Sorry hon. Forgot.”

Marly shook her head. How could he forget all the times she stayed in the hospital? It was usually him Cade hit for being in on whatever put her there. She frowned. She wanted to hit Cade. The man should be outlawed for being a nuisance.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing okay.” Marly felt tears gather in her eyes as she watched him. “I’m sorry about this, Sam. It’s all my fault.”

Sam frowned. “How?” he asked her around another mouthful of food.

“I know who did it, and why.” She wasn’t going to allow him to lie to her. Not Sam. She couldn’t handle it. “I know everything now, Sam.”

Sam sighed, plopping the last bite of burger and fries in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully as he stared at the ceiling. Several long drinks of soda later, he finally brought his gaze back to hers.

“None of us could have predicted what he would do.” He shrugged carefully. “I don’t blame you, Marly. None of this is your fault.”

“Did you know Cade was sleeping with me to keep me protected?” She had to know the truth. She had to know who was in on it.

Surprise lit his eyes, then amusement. “Oh yeah. I forgot. Cade’s dick gets hard for every damsel in distress he meets. Get serious, Marly.”

Marly lowered her head, relief rushing through her.

“I heard him talking to Rick Glaston. Rick told Cade to keep me in his room, and Cade said that was why I was there to begin with,” she told him softly, the pain of it still present in her voice.

Sam frowned. He sniffed thoughtfully, then pursed his mouth in consideration.

“And you believed it?” Sam asked her, narrowing his eyes on her.

Marly shrugged. “He said it, Sam.”

He belched softly, then leaned back, his eyes never leaving hers.

“He hurt you, huh?” He frowned at the thought of that.

“Yeah.” Marly lowered her head, her fingers picking at a loose thread in the knees of her well-worn jeans. “He did.”

“So you two had a huge fight, and you’re refusing to have sex with him, and he’s now on the defense trying to worm his way back into your pants?” Sam laughed at this, shaking his head. “I love it. I couldn’t have planned this one better myself.”

Marly’s eyes narrowed. “You sure that bullet didn’t travel to your brain, moron?”

He chuckled again.

“It’s perfect. See, Marly. Knothead has no idea just exactly how much he does love you. He’s been fighting it for years. Now, he’s gonna have to come off his little island long enough to prove it.” He nodded as though it had been his plan all along.

Marly blinked.

“You know, Sam. I’m real glad I’m not blood relation to you in particular, because you are certifiably insane. And I really don’t want to pass that gene to my children later.”