Chapter 17

Cameron

Once we have eaten andcleaned up, we move outside to sit around the fire pit in the backyard. According to Craig, he and Kenny installed the outdoor space shortly after they moved into the house. Even though they spend most evenings together on the front porch swing, Aubrey wanted an outdoor space to share with family and friends.

Holding my hand, Samantha steps into the seating area first. She pulls me toward the bench seat, but I stop in front of the oversized chair. When I resist following her, her brown eyes turn to me. I sit in the chair, give her hand a tug and pull her into my lap.

Samantha pushes against my shoulder as she giggles trying to get to her feet. “Cameron, I can’t sit in your lap all night.”

I hold her in place. “Sure, you can.”

She wiggles and my cock responds. I tighten my grip on her, bringing my lips close to her ear. “Sit still, beautiful, or we’re going to have to make a trip to the barn.”

Her breath catches and when her eyes meet mine, I can see a flicker of desire. She relaxes and settles against my chest. My hand caresses the outside of her thigh and I place a lingering kiss just below her ear.

Craig sits opposite Samantha and I in the other chair, while Aubrey settles into Kenny’s side on one of the couches. She whispers something to Kenny before starting the conversation. “So, the fair opens next weekend. What can I expect?”

Craig and Kenny share a look before Craig grins and takes a swig of his beer. “The normal fair things. Games, rides, livestock shows, exhibits.”

It’s quick, but I see Aubrey wink and I know she’s about to rile up my cousin. “Oh, I hope they have that ride that spins you around. You know the one with the big red things you sit in? What was it called?”

Samantha smiles as the name comes to her. These two truly are partners in crime. “The Tilt a Whirl! I used to love that one when I was a kid.”

Kenny laughs and shakes his head. “Don’t even think about it, Blondie. There are only two rides you get to ride, the carousel and the Ferris wheel. You can play games until your heart’s content or hang out in the booth, but that’s it.”

Aubrey pouts. “You’re no fun.”

Kenny leans over and kisses her cheek. “I’m plenty of fun, but you know I’m not taking any chances with you and our little melon.”

Hearing my cousin refer to their baby as a fruit strikes me funny. “Did you just call your baby a melon?”

“Yeah, why?”

I laugh and shrug. “No reason, I’ve just not heard anyone refer to their baby as a melon before.”

Samantha laughs and holds her hand up before Aubrey can explain. “I got this. When Aubrey first found out she was pregnant, they started reading a what to expect book which gave visuals of what size your baby is each week. Peanut, blueberry, strawberry, and so on. Since they don’t want to know what they’re having they use the fruit and vegetable reference.”

“Makes sense,” I say as Samantha settles back against my chest once again.

We talk and laugh well into the night, telling stories about growing up in Blossom Creek while Aubrey tells us what it was like growing up in the city. Relaxed against me with her head on my shoulder, Samantha yawns. I kiss her forehead. “Sleepy?”

A sleepy smile appears on her face. “Mmm, maybe.”

I chuckle as I shift in my seat and tap her leg. “Come on beautiful girl, let’s get you home.”

Samantha stands and I hold on to her hand to make sure she’s steady before rising from my seat. I wrap my arm around her waist and she leans into me. Warmth fills me as her arm slides around my waist as well.

I turn my attention to Kenny and Aubrey. “Thanks for dinner. See you in the morning.” I catch my brother’s gaze. “See you at home.”

Craig pushes up out of his chair. “I’m going to head out too. Thanks for tonight. Night, Sam.”

She waves sleepily. “Night all.”

We walk to my truck with Samantha tucked close to my side. I open the passenger side door and Samantha climbs into the center of the bench seat and fasten her seatbelt. I walk around to the driver’s side and slide behind the wheel. I buckle my seatbelt; put the truck in gear, and head out on the highway with Samantha’s head resting on my shoulder.

Her hand rests on my thigh and I raise it to my lips placing a soft kiss on the back of it before returning it to its resting place on my thigh. “Did you have a good time?”

She nods. “I always have a good time with Aubrey. I’ve never had a friend like her before.”

Her comment surprises me, but I let it slide without dwelling on it. “Yeah, Kenny’s got a good one for sure.”

Her hand begins to slide slowly up and down my leg. “I can’t believe how comfortable and relaxed I was sitting in your lap.”

I smile and glance over at her as I pull into her driveway. “I liked having you there.”

Pulling my truck to a stop I turn off the headlights and kill the engine. Samantha clicks the button on her seatbelt and then mine. I shrug out of the shoulder strap as she crawls back into my lap. “I like being there.”

The air between us sizzles as her brown eyes search mine. My hand caresses her cheek as I lean in closer, her breath mingling with mine. “Samantha, I need to kiss you.”

“Yes, please,” I hear her whisper and it takes all the control I have not to claim her like I’ve wanted since the night I took her out.

My thumb skates across her full bottom lip. “Not here. Not like this. I want our first kiss to be one you remember fondly. Not like horny teenagers in my truck.” Disappointment and confusion fill her eyes as I open my truck door. After our conversation this afternoon, I can’t say I blame her. But before I leave here tonight, she’ll understand how much I want to pursue her and explore the feelings I have for her. I offer her my hand. “Come on.”

Reluctantly she places her hand in mine and I walk her up onto the porch to the front door. She reaches for the screen door and my hand covers hers. Glossy brown eyes meet mine and my heart clenches at the thought that I’ve hurt her.

“Samantha, I said I didn’t want to kiss you for the first time in my truck. I didn’t say, I didn’t want to kiss you.” My hand cups the back of her neck as I step closer eliminating any space between us. I run my nose along hers and I feel her breathing accelerate, my lips a mere breath away from hers. “Can I kiss you now, Samantha?”

Her eyes flutter closed and the second she whispers, “Yes,” I softly brush my lips over hers. Samantha melts against me and I tighten the arm I have around her waist. As her hands slide up my arms, I deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue along the seam of her lips and coaxing her mouth open. A soft moan escapes her as my tongue glides along hers, and the sound goes straight to my dick. I take a couple of steps until Samantha’s back is against the house, and the evidence of my desire for her is pressed against her belly. I drag my mouth from hers and trail kisses along her jaw to nip the delicate lobe of her ear.

“I knew it,” I whisper roughly as my lips taste the soft skin of her neck.

Breathless, Samantha holds my head in place as I make my way down the column of her neck. “Knew what?”

“Once I kissed you, I wouldn’t want to stop.”

A strangled laugh escapes her, and my lips find hers once more. When the kiss ends, I rest my forehead against hers.

“I hope that alleviated any doubts you had about me wanting to kiss you.”

Her red swollen lips tip up in a soft smile. “Yeah, it did.”

I tilt her chin up and softly kiss her again as I grin. “Good, because I’ll be back tomorrow for more.”

Samantha melts against me. “I can’t wait.”

I drop another kiss on her plump lips. “Now let’s get you inside before your dad chases me off with a shotgun.”

Samantha laughs. “No chance in that, he loves having another guy around to talk to.”

“Good to know.” I give her one last lingering kiss. “Goodnight, Samantha.”

I wait outside the door until I hear the lock click before heading to my truck. As I reach for the door handle, I see the light in her bedroom come on. A moment later Samantha draws back the curtain and appears in the window. She smiles giving a wave of her fingers and I wave back before climbing in my truck to head home.

When I get home,I’m surprised to see Craig is still up watching a baseball game.

“Hey. You waiting up for me?” I drop my keys on the table next to the door and take a seat on the couch.

“Nah, kind of got a second wind after I got home so I thought I’d watch a game and wind down.”

Atlanta is in Boston tonight playing a game, which due to a rain delay should have ended hours ago. By the looks of the stands and being its Friday night, the spectators are all in to see the game through.

“We should make plans to go see a game next season.”

Craig chuckles as he stretches out his legs. “I have a feeling next year’s going to be a lot different than you think.”

I have an idea of what he’s talking about, but I’m curious to hear his perspective. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, by the time the season gets rolling next year, Kenny and Aubrey’s baby will be almost nine months old, and you and Samantha are either going to be knee-deep in finalizing wedding plans or newlyweds.”

I raise a brow at him. “Getting a little ahead of yourself, don’t you think?”

Craig stands from his seat and stretches. “Not based on what I saw tonight. You and Sam are a good match. Hell, I already love her like a sister, you might as well make official.” I huff a laugh as he slaps me on the shoulder. “I’m going to head to bed. See you in the morning.”

I shake my head. “Night, brother.”

Craig walks to the stairs and stops as his foot lands on the first step. “Hey, Cam. Before you think about starting a life with Sam, you might want to work on the demons you’re fighting.”

“I’m not…”

He shakes his head. “I still sleep across the hall from you, remember? I don’t know what happened, but I’m here if you ever want to talk. If you don’t want to talk to me, find someone you can talk to.”

I nod in recognition of his words, and he proceeds up the stairs leaving me sitting alone in the living room with even more to think about now.