Chapter Eight

SAMI

We fell onto my bed in a tangle of arms, legs, and kisses. Was this really happening? Cord’s hand reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sent sparks flying through me, but I couldn’t let myself feel like this. Not after this long. Could I? Was it safe for me to let go and trust him again?

“I always wanted a family,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I thought you knew that, Sami. I wish you would have trusted me enough to tell me about the baby yourself.”

I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump that had formed in my throat. “I know we talked about getting married and having kids someday. But I also knew how important going to college was to you. I was so afraid to tell you I was pregnant, especially since you had just left. I never wanted to be the reason you didn’t get your degree.”

His gaze held mine, intense and unyielding. It was like he was peeling back the layers of my defenses, leaving me raw and exposed before him. And yet, the touch of his gaze was so achingly familiar.

“Maybe I could have handled it better,” I admitted, my voice trembling. The admission tasted bitter on my tongue.

He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me gently.

“Baby, you did the best you could. It wasn’t your fault that my mother lied. I’ll deal with her later. Right now, I want to make up for all the years I’ve been away from you. If you’ll let me.”

He hesitated, seeming to grapple with a whirlwind of emotions. His fingers traced a path along my jawline, igniting a trail of fire in its wake. And then his other hand came up to cradle my face, forcing me to meet his gaze head-on. His fingers were warm and tender against my skin, and I found myself lost in the man I never stopped loving—no matter how hard I had tried.

“I missed you, you know,” he continued, his voice a careful blend of longing and regret. He was so close. I could feel his hot breath against my lips.

Tears welled up again in my eyes, threatening to spill over yet again. I was surprised I had any left, but the longer I lay in Cord’s arms, realizing this wasn’t a dream, the more all the feelings I’d kept bottled up tumbled out. “I missed you too,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Every single day.”

He let out a shaky laugh. “I just wish…I just wish I had done things differently. Knowing what I do now, I would have tried harder. I would have showed up on your damn doorstep.”

His thumb gently wiped away a tear that had escaped its confines and was making a path down my cheek. My heart pounded in my chest as he dipped his head lower until our lips were just a breath apart. The air between us was electrifying, as if we were standing on the precipice of something monumental.

“I wish I had fought for us,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

My heart squeezed painfully at his words. “We were young,” I said, softening my tone in an attempt to soften the blow. “We made mistakes. God, we were barely adults and didn’t know what to do.”

He nodded, an acknowledgement of our shared past, our shattered dreams.

“But we’re here now, and things are different.” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

I nodded, not trusting my voice to cooperate. His hand slid from my cheek to my hair, fisting gently in the loose curls. His other hand slid down to hold my waist, pulling me closer to him until there was no space left between us.

The anticipation was almost unbearable, a tangible entity that stood between us like an unspoken promise. When his lips finally met mine, it was like coming home after a long time away. His lips were warm, intoxicating, a familiar taste that sent me spiraling down memory lane. I reached up, tangling my fingers in his hair as our mouths moved in sync, a dance we both remembered despite the years apart.

His kiss was soft, tender, a question hanging in the air. I answered with equal intensity, assuring him that this was what I wanted, what I had always wanted. His arms tightened around me, pulling my body flush against his. The feel of his heartbeat against mine was eliciting feelings I hadn”t known were still there.

He pulled back slightly to look into my eyes, studying my expression as if trying to read the emotions reflected there. His hands slid from my hair down to my shoulders, fingers mapping out the shape of me as if committing it to memory.

“I don’t want to be away from you any longer,” His words were hushed and heavy with emotion.

“W-what?” I asked, voice shaky but sincere. I looked into his soulful eyes and saw the man I loved years ago—the one who I thought broke my heart. But, it wasn’t him after all. It was his mother who’d kept us apart.

His face softened. “Our past may not have been perfect, but I want you to know something.” His voice was a husky whisper. “I never stopped loving you, not for a moment.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “You...what?”

“I never stopped loving you,” he repeated, more firmly this time. He gently wiped a loose hair off my face. “Even when we were apart…especially when we were apart. No one could ever fill the hole in my heart that was left by you.”

The intensity of his gaze sent tremors down my spine. A part of me wanted to pull away, to protect myself from the pain that could follow, but every fiber of my being longed for his touch, his presence. His gaze flickered down to my lips before he leaned in and closed the distance between us. His kiss was soft and lingering, filled with unspoken promises and regrets.

Cord pulled away and stared deeply into my eyes. “Sami, this might sound crazy. Hell, it feels pretty crazy, but can you give me another chance? Can we try this again?” He asked as he pulled away, his thumb lightly grazing my cheekbone. “The only person I’ve ever thought about is you. All I’ve ever wanted is you. I never want to be without you, or Camden, ever again. Will you let me make up for lost time?”

I looked into his eyes and instead of answering him, I slammed my lips against his.

His eyes smoky with desire, his hands made their way down my back. “God, how long I’ve dreamed about this.” His voice was gentle yet filled with a deep longing. I realized then just how much he had missed me, maybe as much as I’d missed him.

“Me too,” I replied, leaning in to capture his lips with mine once more. His hands found their way underneath my shirt, and I shivered as his cold fingers brushed against my warm skin. The feel of him was intoxicating; my knees felt weak and all I could focus on was the wonderful feeling of being in the arms of my lover once again.

Our lips moved against each other hungrily now. I tangled my fingers in his hair, and he groaned against my lips, pulling me closer to him. All thoughts of heartache and past mistakes seemed to evaporate in the heat of our shared desire. His lips trailed down to my neck, nipping lightly before soothing the sting with his warm tongue, leaving me gasping for air. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum as he pulled my blouse gently over my head, his hands expertly maneuvering their way. The fabric fell to the floor with a soft rustle, the cool air of the room making me shudder.

Reaching around my back, he unhooked my bra and pulled the straps down my arms, his eyes drinking in the sight of me as though starved. The intensity of his gaze caused heat to pool deep in my belly. I grabbed his shirt and tugged it off him with his help. The broad shoulders and firm chest I’d always loved were still there, but there was a new hardness to him that sent shivers down my spine.

“Sami...” His voice wavered as he said my name, his desire evident.

“Shh.” I placed a finger over his lips, silencing him. With a mischievous smile, I moved my hand down to unfasten his belt, his breath hitching as I did. My fingers danced over the fabric of his pants, feeling the hard lines of him underneath. I pressed my body against his, igniting a primal need within us both. He groaned low in his throat as I slowly slid the zipper down, his eyes dark with desire. The tension between us was electric, our bodies yearning for each other desperately.

Pushing him backward, he drank in the sight of me again as he undressed, revealing himself. He lowered his head to my stomach and covered my flesh with soft kisses, working his way down and running his fingers underneath the edge of my panties, teasing me. A moan escaped my mouth before he slipped them down my legs and tossed them aside. His hands began roaming my body again hungrily, setting my skin on fire where he touched.

“Sami,” he gasped as I moved against him, the sound of my name on his lips making me wild with desire. I whispered his name back to him like a holy promise, our bodies beginning to move together in an intimate dance that was as old as time itself.

We surrendered entirely to our passion, giving into one another. He pushed apart my legs and opened myself to him, his hard cock grazing against me as he inched closer.

The anticipation was maddening, each touch sending exquisite shivers coursing through my body. He lingered at my entrance, his hot breath fanning against my neck as he whispered sweet promises in my ear. “Sami,” he rasped again, his voice filled with raw, unrestrained desire.

I tilted my hips up to meet his, reaching between us to guide him into me. The feeling of him stretching me, filling me completely was like coming home. A surge of pleasure rolled over me, making me gasp in complete pleasure.

He groaned, his head falling into the crook of my neck as he started moving. Every inch of him was hard and defined against my softness. Our bodies moved in a synchronized rhythm, clashing and grinding deliciously. His thrusts grew faster, more urgent. We were lost in a whirlwind of sensation and intoxicating passion. More moans escaped from my lips as I clung onto him, feeling the coil within me tighten. I didn’t know if it was the connection between us, or the primal need to feel his body on mine once more.

With each thrust, he drove me closer and closer to the edge. My mind was spinning, my body trembling beneath his. I could see the strain on his face as he fought to hold back his own release.

“Cord,” I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper. But he heard me, his eyes flashing with unspoken promises.

“I’ve got you, Sami,” he said, his voice hoarse and breathless. He dipped his head down to capture my lips in a searing kiss, stealing away my breath as he quickened his pace. With a shuddering cry, I came undone beneath him, my body convulsing with pleasure. His name was torn from my lips as I felt him follow me over the edge, our bodies trembling together through the aftershocks.

He collapsed against me, both of us gasping for air. We were sweaty and sated, our bodies spent from the exertion. I could feel his heart pounding in sync with mine—just like it always had.

***

There was something about a man straight out of the shower that was a temptation I couldn’t resist. Well, something about my tall, handsome Cord that was a temptation too far. He grinned at me with that magical smile of his. I couldn’t believe how much I wanted him again, even though we’d made love at least three times already throughout the course of the night. Neither of us had slept a wink, we were too busy talking and loving each other, connecting again with our bodies and souls.

I ran my hand along his flat stomach, admiring his athletic body. When I looked up into his eyes, the way he was looking at me stole my breath away. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. I tugged the towel loose as he backed me up to the wall. Our bodies collided, but I didn’t mind it one bit as he pulled at the clothes I’d just put on.

Soon, I was as naked as he was, and his hands were on every inch of me. I couldn’t get enough. As our lips met, I could feel his body shudder with desire. Our passion was like a raging fire, consuming every inch of us. I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own as he pulled me up to wrap my legs around his middle.

His hands moved down from my hips, leaving sparks and trails of fire in their wake. He gently caressed me, and I knew that our love was real, just as real as I’d always known but hadn’t let myself believe since Camden was born. My breath hitched as Cord kissed me deeper, his tongue exploring my mouth with a sense of urgency. I could feel myself becoming hotter with each passing moment, my body begging for the pleasure that only Cord could provide.

He broke away from our kiss, looking into my eyes with a mixture of adoration and need, his hands now under my bottom. His hips and his hands pinned me in place, supported me as he looked straight into my eyes.

“I can’t get enough of you,” he whispered, his lips moving along my jaw to my ear. “I want to be inside of you every moment of the day and night.”

“I want you, Cord. I want all of you,” I answered, my hands around his face, my thumb toying with his bottom lip. He made me feel beautiful just by looking at me. He smiled and I smiled back as his head dipped down. Cord’s lips brushed against my neck, sending shivers down my spine. He planted light kisses along my collarbone, making me moan softly. His hands traced the curves of my body, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

I knew what was coming next, and my heart raced with anticipation. The anticipation of his touch, the heat of his body against mine, the sound of our breath mingling as we explored each other’s bodies as though for the first time.

“I need you again, Sami,” he said softly, guiding me to the bed. But he didn’t push me down to the middle of the bed. Instead, he sat me on the edge of the bed and got down on his knees. “You don’t know how many times I’ve dreamt of touching you, tasting you, over the years.”

I held my breath as he moved his head, taking one of my nipples into his hot mouth. I held his head there, enjoying the sensation as he tugged deep and hard, making sure I felt him. My hips ground against him, and I had a hard time not leaning back to brace my palms on the bed. But Cord anticipated that and guided me back, letting me do as I pleased.

His lips were warm and wet against my skin, leaving me shivering as he moved down my body. I could feel the heat building between my legs, the anticipation growing with every touch. He kissed and licked his way down, teasing me with his tongue, until his face was just inches from the place where I wanted him most.

“Is this what you want, Sami?” he paused, his thumb moving up to touch my clitoris, pressing into it until I bit y bottom lip and closed my eyes as pleasure swept through me. “Is this what you need, baby?”

The pleasure was almost unbearable, but I wanted more. Cord’s free thumb rubbed against the sides of my thighs, scattering my attention, but my pleasure remained focused on where his other thumb pressed into me. Then, I felt the warmth of his breath, a gust of wind that promised satisfaction, and his tongue delving into me.

I arched my back, my fingers clawing at the sheets beneath me, as I surrendered completely to his touch. His tongue danced, his fingers stroked, and I could feel the tension building deep inside me. Suddenly, Cord stopped, leaving me hungering for more. He looked up at me with those soulful brown eyes, his lips glistening with the taste of me. I reached down to touch him, to urge him on, but he only shook his head.

“Not yet,” he whispered, his voice low and gravelly. “I want you to feel this. I want you to know how much you mean to me.”

He stood up and pulled me to my feet, his hands still on my body, guiding me to turn around, one knee up on the bed, spreading me open to him. With a gentleness that belied his hard exterior, he bent over and kissed me there, his tongue curling into me to gather all of my sweet juices up.

He didn’t linger there, however, and I couldn’t help but swivel my hips at him, mewling with need when he moved to stand up behind me. I needed more, I wanted more. But I should have known he wouldn’t leave me wanting more.

“I want to be inside of you, Sami. I need to feel you around me, to know that we are one.”

I couldn’t deny him, not with the need that was gnawing at me. I waited, patient, as he moved behind me, tilting my hips to just the right angle. When I felt him pressing at my entrance, when I felt him pushing against me, I whimpered because I wanted to push back, but he had one hand on my hip, holding me in place.

“I’m going to make you feel good baby, but you have to be patient, darlin’,” he said loud enough for me to hear, but I could hear it in his voice, the way he had his jaw clamped down.

“Please, Cord, I need you,” I begged, my voice a soft whisper.

He kissed me gently, his lips brushing against mine. “I’m here, Sami. I’m here for you.”

With a deep breath, Cord pushed into me, deep, fast, taking my breath away. I felt my back relax, but my hips pushed back to meet him, to take more of him. I loved feeling him slide inside me. A low moan escaped my lips as we connected, his shaft filling me completely.

He held me in place for a moment, his hands on my hips, as we both adjusted to the feeling of being one. Then, he started to move, his hips slowly pulling back and pushing forward, creating a delicious friction that sent shivers of pleasure racing through me.

“Oh, Cord, that feels so good,” I moaned, my voice catching in my throat as his hand moved around my stomach. I knew what he was doing but that didn’t stop the anticipation as his hand slid lower, down between my thighs, to a place that made me cry out in delight. “Oh, my sweet Cord, the things you do to me.”

“Not half what you do to me, Sami, I promise you that,” he answered. As his hand slid down, I felt his fingers tease me, caressing my sensitive skin as he searched for the sweet spot that drove me wild. I arched my back, whimpering with need as his fingers finally found their mark, his thumb rubbing against my clit in a rhythm that matched our lovemaking.

He brought me up, against his muscular chest, his left hand on my left nipple, teasing it, as his right middle finger teased me elsewhere. I could feel my body tightening, the pleasure building up inside me as his fingers danced around and on me. I think I forgot how to breathe as the sensations flooded my brain.

Suddenly, he thrust deep into me, his shaft sinking deep, and I cried out in pleasure. I was on the edge, relief in sight, just a breath away, my hips bucking and grinding against his hand.

“Cord, baby, I’m going to...,” I moaned, the words lost in the haze of pleasure as my body began to tremble, the orgasm washing over me like a tidal wave of sensation. It was unlike anything I’d ever felt before, the pleasure so intense that it left me gasping for air.

“That’s it, Sami. Take me with you, baby. Take me with you,” Cord groaned, and I felt him swell inside of me. That did something to me, made something twinge deep inside and I felt my walls clamp down around him.

The intensity with which we found our pleasure this time was greater than the times before, leaving us both breathless, spent, little more than two bodies melded together. I cried out as the pleasure continued to surge through me and I heard Cord gasp. He was finished, but he still found pleasure in my pleasure.

He pulled me into his arms when my breath calmed, holding me close and soothing me until I could open my eyes again. “You okay?”

“I’m more than okay, Cord. I’m yours,” I answered, kissing him softly. The best part was, I knew he was mine, too. Forever.

***

I stood at the stove, humming as I cracked eggs into a mixing bowl, preparing to make French toast topped with sliced peaches and a dusting of powdered sugar. Cord had taken his cup of coffee to the porch out back, and I could see him through the window sitting in a lounge chair. I’d left the window partially raised overnight to let in the fresh air, since I didn’t like to run the air conditioning unless the house really needed it.

I couldn’t remember feeling this happy—waking up in the arms of the man I loved to a bright, beautiful morning full of sunshine and promise. I’d received a text from Heather letting me know that the kids were doing great and still getting along beautifully. She’d even offered to keep Camden as long as I needed her to. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.

Putting down the mixing bowl, I opened the refrigerator to grab the 3 lbs. bag of peaches I’d picked up at the farmer’s market. The sound of Cord’s voice startled me, and I glanced toward the window. He wasn’t speaking to me, however; he was talking into the speaker of his phone.

“Nathan, glad you picked up. Cord here,” he said.

“Well, hello there,” came the deep baritone on the other end of the line. “How are things down in the great state of Texas? More importantly, how are things going in terms of our little gentlemen’s bet? Have you been able to convince Sami to give you another chance yet? Or are you going to owe me half a million dollars in less than 48 hours?”

The bag of peaches fell out of my arms and hit the floor with a smack. The bright orange fruit spilled out and rolled across the floor in all directions. I stood motionless, frozen in place with shock at what I’d just overhead.

Startled, Cord glanced up from his phone and met my gaze through the window.

And then I ran.

***

“Sami, wait!” Cord cried, catching up to me in the foyer. Grabbing my purse from the side table I fumbled through it trying to find my keys. But the angry tears falling from my eyes were making it difficult.

“Don’t.” I sputtered when I felt his touch on my bare forearm.

“Please,” he begged, placing his fingers gently under my chin. “Look at me, Sami.”

Reluctantly, I allowed him to turn my face towards his. When our gazes locked again, I saw desperation in Cord’s eyes. But was I just imagining it? If what I’d heard was true, Cord had been playing me all along like I was nothing but a coveted chess piece. If I fell, then he would win. But the person who would lose most of all was Camden.

“How could you?” I asked, agony searing my heart like the blade of a knife. “Was it all a lie? Was I just a game to you? Who are you, Cord Romero? Where is the boy I once loved?”

Cord reached to cup my opposite cheek with his left hand and stepped closer to me, bringing our faces within inches of each other. “I’m right here!” he said. His voice cracked with emotion and tears began running down his cheeks.

“Please, let me explain. I was just talking to a business rival of mine, Nate Hale, who I actually respect a great deal. We have a good, healthy rivalry going, and I think he’d agree that we both push each other to be our best. If we weren’t catering to the same market, I’d probably be friends with the guy.”

I nodded. “I get that, but where do I fit in?”

Cord took a deep breath. “The truth is that I lost some money to him in a poker game. He offered me a wager to get it back, telling me all I had to do was go home and convince the one who got away to take me back. To be honest, deep down I know I used it as an excuse just to see you again. Sami, my heart never healed after losing you. All these years we’ve been apart, I buried myself in my work to avoid thinking about you, remembering what it was that I’d lost. I called Nate to tell him that I was going to give him the money even though I’d won the bet, because money doesn’t matter to me. Hell, I’d give away my entire fortune if it meant sharing a life with you and our son. You and Camden are the only things that matter, Sami. You’re all I want. Tell me you believe me.”

Staring into the eyes of the man I’d loved since as far back as I could remember, I knew what he said was true.

Trembling, I reached up and brushed a tear from his cheek.

“Cord, are you sure about this? I…I don’t want to move to New York. I don’t want Camden to grow up in the spotlight, with paparazzi following us everywhere.”

“I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life,” Cord replied. “I want to move back here, where I belong. I can work from anywhere. And I will move heaven and earth to make sure you and Camden are protected, and that he can grow up as a child should, out of the public eye and with his parents by his side.”

“I love you, Cord Romero,” I said.

“And I love you, Sami Hartley,” he answered and lowered his lips to mine. Our kiss was deepening when the ringing of a phone interrupted us.

Cord reached into his back pocket and took out his phone. Glancing at the number displayed on the screen, he frowned and answered the call, lifting the device to his ear.

“Cord Romero,” he said. A moment later the color drained from his face. “I’ll be right there.”

“What is it?” I asked, sensing instantly that something terrible had happened. “What’s wrong?”

“That was a paramedic,” he whispered. “Mami is being rushed to the hospital for what looks like a heart attack.”

“Oh my God!” My hand fluttered to my heart.

He shook his head. “I can’t believe this. I’m so angry at Mami for keeping us apart I could scream. But she’s my mother and she raised me.”

“I know,” I said, taking his hands in mine. “I forgive her, and I hope you can too. I’m sure she was just trying to protect you and thought she was doing the right thing. She’s just a mother who loves her son, after all.”

“Sami, I don’t deserve you,” he replied with a raspy voice. “Will you come to the hospital with me? I understand if you don’t want to though.”

I reached again for my purse. “I will go to the ends of the earth with you. Let me find my keys.”