Worth the Risk

by Jamie Hill

  He's a sweet talker. She didn't mind. Her ego, and a few other body parts, hadn't been stroked in years. “That feels good,” she sighed as he nibbled at her.

  "I want to make you feel good.” Sam reached under her sweater.

  Sarah froze.

  He looked into her eyes. “Do you want me to stop?"

  Thrills and shivers tingled down her spine. She barely knew this man and yet he held her intimately with one hand on her bare stomach. Every fibre in her being told her to ask him to stop. “Keep going."

  He reached for her sweater and dragged it over her head. As he suckled her neck he reached behind her to the clasp on her bra and unfastened it. The white cotton fell away, exposing her to him. “So beautiful.” He gazed across her breasts before gently touching them.

  His hands on her felt exquisite and Sarah wanted more—needed more. She raised her breasts to him and groaned as Sam lowered his face. He nuzzled between the full mounds before pulling one nipple into his mouth and sucking it. Sarah heard his small moan of pleasure and closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensation.

  He leaned her back on the sofa and unfastened the snap of her jeans. Working one hand into them, he delved under the panties and into the valley between her legs. Sarah bit her lip to keep from crying out as he slid one finger through her slick folds. She could feel his bulging erection through his jeans pressing into her leg, and she was desperate for more.

  "Take these off.” She tugged at his waistband.

  "God damn.” He reached for his own snap. “I want you, Sarah."

  His swearing registered somewhere in her mind, but she pushed the thought away as one of his fingers entered her. “Oh yes!” She bucked against him, unable to stop and think about what she was doing. Totally crazy and unlike anything she'd ever done before, she wanted to do it and think about it later. “I want you too."

  He almost growled as he removed his hand and yanked his jeans down so his erection sprang free. His length and size startled Sarah, and she worried for a moment about how long it had been. She briefly wondered whether she should ask him to use a condom.

  "It's okay.” He touched her face to reassure her.

  "It's been awhile."

  Sam smiled. “Nothing's changed."

  She looked at him. “Do you have any—?"

  "Oh shit! Of course. I'm sorry.” He rolled off her and reached for his jeans, when the phone rang.

  They looked at each other. “Ignore it,” he said, almost panting.

  "I can't.” Sarah looked stricken. “It could be Mandy ... or about Mandy.” She stood up and went to the phone, grabbing her sweater and holding it in front of her. “Hello?” She spoke hurriedly into the receiver.

  "Hi, Mom,” Mandy said perkily. “What are you doing?"

  "Nothing,” Sarah replied too quickly.

  "You sound funny."

  She sounded funny to herself, so Sarah tried to calm her breathing. “I just ran for the phone, no problem. What's up?"

  "I forgot to set the recorder to tape that movie we wanted to watch on the Lifetime channel. It starts at ten, can you tape it?"

  Sarah looked at the clock. Only nine-thirty? It felt so much later. “Of course. I'll take care of it."

  "Thanks. I'll be home pretty early, Dee has to go somewhere with her folks at nine, so they'll drop me off."

  "See you then, sugar. Have a good night. Love you."

  "Love you, too, Mom. Good night.” Mandy hung up.

  Sarah held the phone for a moment. No matter how much her daughter changed as she grew up, it felt good they could always say that to each other. She replaced the phone on the cradle and turned back to Sam slowly.

  He stood completely naked watching her. Sarah saw the little foil packet in his hand and she also saw his erection, full and thick. “I'm sorry,” she murmured, holding her sweater in front of her.

  "No problem,” he replied. “Everything okay?"

  "Yeah, she's fine.” Sarah looked around the room a moment, unsure of what to do.

  Sam picked up her bra and handed it to her.

  She took it, grateful that he seemed to understand her feelings. “I'm really sorry,” she said again.

  He shrugged and smiled as he stepped into his jeans. “I knew everything happened too fast, but I was enjoying it and I thought you were too."

  Sarah gave a quick nod as she dressed. “Yeah.” She straightened her sweater before she looked at him again.

  "Come here.” Sam held his arms out and took a step towards her. He drew her close to him, enveloping her in a hug. “I had a wonderful evening,” he whispered into her ear. “The first of many, I hope."

  "Sam,” she protested, the sting of tears threatening.

  He put a finger to her lips and kissed her temple. “Shhh. Now you're thinking too much. I know there are a gazillion reasons why we shouldn't get together, but I don't want to hear them."

  "A gazillion?” Sarah sniffed into his shoulder, chuckling through her tears. “Wow, that's a lot."

  "That's a hell of a lot. But I'm not going to let that stop me. I want you, and I'm pretty sure you want me. We'll give it a little more time, but it's going to happen, Sarah. It's our karma.” He pulled her head back gently and wiped her tears away with his thumbs before kissing her lips. “Count on that for damn sure."

  He wants me! The thought sent shivers down her spine. She let him kiss her one more time before she pulled back and smiled. “I don't know about karma, but you're going to have to stop swearing."

  "No.” He moved to her ear and nibbled the lobe. “You're going to have to get used to it. I like to swear—it's a rebellious-librarian kind of thing."

  Sarah laughed and squirmed as his tongue delved into her ear. I could use a little rebellion, she decided, not quite unhappily.

  "Just wait until you hear me during sex,” he continued. “I really like to talk dirty then.” He nipped at her neck.

  "Sam!” Sarah put her hands on his chest. “You need to go."

  He grinned and let go of her. “All right, for now. But I'll be back, and Sarah? It's going to be fucking fantastic.” Sam winked as he slipped into his shoes and headed out the back door.

  Sarah watched him go then went to lock the door behind him. She couldn't believe how close they came to making love, and she'd only known him for one day. She felt ashamed and embarrassed and hornier than she ever remembered feeling in her life. After setting the TV recorder for Mandy, she cleaned up the front room and got rid of all traces of Sam. She needed to do it, but it wasn't what she wanted at all.

  She wanted to climb the stairs to his loft and let him take her right there on the sofa—or maybe on the kitchen table. She and Ron had been adventurous, doing things like that in the days before Mandy, but that was a long time ago.

  There hadn't been anyone since Ron. There were dates, of course, but nothing that ever ended with more than a chaste kiss. When you have a child, you have to be careful about bringing men around, Sarah had always told herself, so she never did. But her child wasn't home, and Sam was definitely around. Sarah looked out the window to the loft one last time and knew, as much as she wanted it, she couldn't go to him.

  She washed up and slipped into a nightgown before climbing into bed. Still feeling on edge, Sarah knew she'd never sleep in this condition. Sex was a funny thing. If she didn't think about it, she didn't miss it. But now, reminded how wonderful it could be, she missed it like crazy.

  Her hand slid over her full breasts, down her flat stomach and settled between her legs. She slipped it under the elastic of her simple cotton panties and inhaled. She couldn't remember the last time she'd touched herself like this, but it seemed the wisest choice for her problem tonight.

  Her fingers slipped through slick folds and settled on her clit, which grew engorged and sensitive as she touched it. Sarah tried to think of Ron, but Sam's face came to mind. For a moment she felt guilty and hesitated before she realised Ron had been gone for many years. She had no reason to feel u
nfaithful, it was okay to think of Sam. She wanted to think about Sam.

  His deep dark eyes looking into hers, gazing over her as he removed her clothing. He seemed to delight in her naked body, and that thought sent shards of excitement down to her core. Sarah rubbed her clit again and remembered Sam above her, his firm, full erection jutting forth. She licked her lips thinking about drawing his fullness into her mouth and pleasuring him the way she felt sure most men wanted to be pleasured. She assumed, anyway, because Ron had been her one and only lover.

  She needed to stop thinking about Ron! She wanted Sam, and thought of his hands moving over her naked body before they came together as one. Sarah rubbed her clit faster, harder, and felt her release closing in. She pictured Sam's face as he kissed her, his mouth trailing down her cheek to her neck. It's going to be fucking fantastic, he'd told her, and remembering that sent Sarah's orgasm spiralling out of control and over the edge. She gasped and panted, shaking and quivering until she finally collapsed back on her bed. Fucking fantastic. Damn straight.

  * * * *

  Sam stood in the shower, letting the hot water pelt his back. He needed a cold shower but couldn't bring himself to adjust the temperature. The heat and steam felt so good, he knew he'd stand there until they were gone.

  They weren't doing anything to help his problem though. His cock was rock hard, almost painful. What the hell. He stroked his shaft up and down firmly. He and Sarah had been so close.

  He pictured her lying on the sofa, her blonde hair spread over the cushion. Her tits were ripe and full, pale in comparison to their dark brown nipples. Sam pulled on his cock as he remembered the taste of the firm buds in his mouth. He wished he'd gotten to taste everything he wanted tonight, and imagined spreading Sarah's legs and dipping his tongue into her sweet pussy. The vision sent hot streams of sticky jism pulsing from his cock into the shower drain.

  He leaned against the wall to support himself until his convulsions subsided. He wiped his brow before grabbing the soap and cleaning his body one more time. The hot water cooled, but it didn't matter—he was finally ready to get out. His tension released, Sam dried off with a towel and realised that his desire remained strong. He wanted Sarah in the worst way.

  Or the best way. Sam chuckled to himself as he reached for his clothes. He'd take her in any possible way at this point. He just wanted to take her.

  He knew Bailey hoped to set them up when she brought him to the small town of Perry, but Sam had remained cautious about the whole deal until he met Sarah. At that point caution flew out the window. He couldn't remember seeing another woman as beautiful and strong, yet in some ways skittish as a kitten. She seemed honest and straightforward, characteristics Sam found totally appealing, not to mention sexy as hell.

  Slipping into the T-shirt and shorts he slept in, he removed his ponytail holder and carefully untangled his long, wet hair. Occasionally he thought about getting it cut, but doing things that bucked the norm made him feel young and alive.

  That explained his pierced ear. He'd been drunk as a skunk that night, and the dare had been to get a smooth silver bar through the skin between his cock and balls. Sam came as close as the antiseptic wipe before he backed out and went with an earring instead. He still felt he'd made a good choice.

  After pulling his hair back and replacing the ponytail holder, he brushed his teeth and got ready for bed. One last look out the window told him that Sarah had gone to sleep, her house completely dark.

  He thought of her again as he climbed between the sheets. How angry would Sarah be when she discovered that he and Bailey knew each other from their college days? They had shared several classes but became really friendly when they both wrote for the University of Illinois newspaper, The Daily Illini. Bailey proceeded to get her journalism degree while Sam branched off into library science.

  He had never dated Bailey, mainly because of timing—they were always dating other people. Just as well, he thought, because Bailey seemed happy in her new life, with a husband and a baby on the way.

  Sam had come close to marriage one time, with a dental hygienist he dated for almost two years. One of them got cold feet, he was never quite sure which one, but they broke the relationship off amicably. To this day he couldn't floss his teeth without remembering her fondly. She was one hell of a flosser, among other things.

  He flopped over on his stomach and closed his eyes, thoughts of Sarah Stevens drifting back through his mind. Hopefully, he'd be making fond memories with her very soon.

  * * * *

  Sam slept in on Saturday, but strong rays of sunlight finally forced him to open his eyes. Even through closed blinds the sun beat down, and he pulled his pillow over his face to give himself a moment to wake up.

  Hearing voices outside, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. The clock said barely nine a.m., but that was a good two hours later than he usually slept.

  He dragged himself up and over to the window. Mandy waved to some people in a car which had apparently just dropped her off, and she headed into the house.

  Sam watched her go, wondering what kind of a girl called her mother from a sleepover at a friend's house. It still stung a bit that if the phone hadn't rung, he would have consummated his relationship with Sarah. He might even have woken in her arms this morning, although he doubted that, given how early her daughter returned.

  Get over it. Mother and daughter were obviously very close, and he needed to deal with that if he wanted a relationship with the mother. There would be time, he knew, and he was a better man for not pressing the issue with Sarah too forcefully. Next time. He didn't know exactly when or how they'd work it out, but it would happen eventually.

  His stomach rumbled as he dressed, and he put visiting the grocery store first on his list of things to do today. There wasn't a scrap of food in the apartment, not even the leftover pizza. He'd give his right arm for a cup of coffee, but he might have to skip it at this point. Shoving his keys into his pocket, Sam pulled the apartment door closed behind him and headed down the stairs.

  "Hey.” Sarah stuck her head out the back door. “Good morning."

  "Good morning.” Sam smiled at her. “How did you sleep?"

  Sarah chuckled and blushed. “I've slept better, I must admit, but I guess it wasn't too bad. How about you? Getting along okay in the loft?"

  "Kind of lonely."

  Sarah whispered, “Shhh,” and motioned towards the kitchen. “My daughter just got home."

  "I noticed."

  "Where are you off to so early?"

  "I'm in search of coffee before I hit the grocery store. I was going to go without it, but now I realise I can't face shopping without caffeine."

  "I've got coffee. Why don't you come in for a cup?” Sarah stepped back in the doorway.

  "You don't know how good that sounds. But I don't want to create a problem with—” He nodded towards the house.

  "Her name is Mandy.” She took Sam by the arm and pulled him into the kitchen. “Mandy, look who I found. Sam's dying for a cup of coffee."

  "Knock yourself out.” The girl nodded toward the counter and the coffeepot. Sam noticed the pizza box on the table, and Mandy held a piece in her hands. He tried not to drool from hunger.

  Sarah got a mug from the cabinet and filled it. “Do you take anything in it?"

  "No, black is fine. Thanks.” He smiled at her as he accepted the cup and sipped the steaming brew.

  "I bet you're hungry,” Sarah commented. “Can I make you some breakfast?"

  "I am a little,” he admitted. “A piece of pizza would be fine though."

  Mandy flipped open the box lid and Sam saw it was empty. “Sorry,” she said casually.

  He didn't think she sounded very sorry, but it was pizza for crissakes, and not that big of a deal.

  Sarah smiled sheepishly. “We're horrible—we love pizza for breakfast. I'm sorry, please, let me fix you something. How about bacon and eggs?"

  "Absolutely not,” Sam insisted. “You're not going
to eat leftovers and then cook for me."

  "You brought the pizza, after all."

  "What do you mean, he brought the pizza?” Mandy looked at her mother.

  Sarah hesitated and then answered. “Well, Sam bought it and offered to share with me since you were gone..."

  She evidently hadn't told Mandy that part. He could see why, the girl looked upset.

  "I was only gone for one meal!” Mandy stood up. “You couldn't eat by yourself one night?"

  "I intended to.” Sarah faced her daughter. “But then Sam showed up and he offered—what difference does it make, anyway?"

  "You need to get used to eating by yourself,” Mandy said stubbornly. “Maybe I should tell Uncle Doug they need to spend more time over here when I'm gone next weekend."

  "Don't you dare tell him that!” Sarah scoffed. “They're getting ready for the baby, just leave them alone. I'll be fine here without you. It was one meal, Amanda, for Pete's sake!"

  Sam sipped his coffee and spoke to Mandy over the brim of his cup. “So, where you going, kid?"

  "Youth Group National Conference in Urbana,” Mandy said without looking at him.

  Sam raised his eyebrows and glanced at Sarah. “That sounds nice."

  "It's always a lot of fun for the attendees,” Sarah replied. “I went last year as a chaperone, but I didn't want to go this year with Bailey so close to term."

  Clearing his throat, Sam asked, “How long is the youth group thing?"

  "Conference,” Mandy clarified. “Five days, but I can only go for three. Mom won't let me miss more than one day of school."

  Sarah added, “I wish they'd arrange for it to be in the summertime, but it's always in the fall."

  "So it's a church thing?” Sam asked.

  "Um, yeah.” Mandy rolled her eyes.

  Sarah looked at Sam apologetically.

  He smiled. “Geez, Sarah, don't you think for a church thing that Mandy could miss a couple days of school? I mean, she gets good grades and all, right? I bet it would be a piece of cake for her to make up the work."