Worth the Risk

by Jamie Hill

  "It would, it really would!” Mandy stepped to Sam's side of the room and nodded enthusiastically.

  Sam bit back a laugh as Sarah made a face at him.

  To Mandy she said, “I'll think about it. Go unpack your stuff and work on cleaning up that bedroom, please."

  "Yes, ma'am!” Mandy gave her a quick hug and started out of the kitchen. She turned back and added, “Thanks, Sam!"

  "Anytime.” He continued to sip his coffee as they watched the girl rush out.

  Sarah turned to Sam and placed her hands on her hips. “What was that all about?"

  He smiled and shrugged. “Not that mysterious. She obviously wanted to go for the whole five days. I can use the brownie points I get from siding with her against you."

  Sarah moved closer to Sam. “Is that the only reason you did it?"

  His smile broadened. “That's not even the main reason I did it. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

  "Um, I guess you don't.” She looked down nervously. “How about that breakfast? Bacon and eggs?"

  "Only if you'll join me."

  Sarah nodded and began pulling food from the fridge. Sam thought she continued to look nervous, and his watching her probably didn't help. When she dropped the butter, he stooped to retrieve it. “Let me help. I make killer eggs, I really do."

  She finally smiled. “Okay, sure. You do the eggs, I'll do the bacon."

  He glanced over her shoulder into the fridge. “Would you have any cheese in there?"

  "I think so. Check the shelf on the left."

  "Excellent.” Sam pulled out a bag of shredded cheddar and moved to the stove. She handed him a pan and he began making eggs. She stood next to him, peeling off strips of bacon and placing them side by side in her pan.

  "Shoot!” She jerked as grease splattered her hand.

  "I hate frying bacon,” he told her, leading her gently to the sink. He turned the cold water on and slipped the red mark under the stream. “I usually get the microwavable stuff."

  "Real is better.” She watched as he rubbed over her hand gently with his own.

  "Of course. And it's not that hard to make, when your mind is in the game.” He glanced at her.

  Sarah smiled. “Are you saying I'm distracted?"

  "I know I am."

  "Sam,” she began, “about last night—"

  "Great, wasn't it?” He stared into her eyes, daring her to say otherwise.

  Sarah looked down quickly.

  He glanced toward the door to make sure Mandy was nowhere in sight. He leaned in to Sarah and pushed her hair off her neck. “I can't wait to get you alone again.” He planted a gentle kiss at the nape of her neck before pulling away.

  Sarah looked conflicted, running her dry hand through her hair. “I—uh—not sure—oh heck, me too..."

  Sam laughed and touched her chin so she had to look at him. “Your bacon is burning,” he whispered.

  "Darn it!” She rushed back to the stove and flipped the sizzling strips.

  "Now my eggs, on the other hand, are going to be perfect.” He returned to his skillet and worked the eggs with a spatula.

  "The bacon is fine.” She nudged his side. “You'll eat it and like it."

  "That's what I hoped for last night,” he said casually, looking at the eggs.

  "Sam!” Sarah's face reddened.

  Mandy stepped into the kitchen and sniffed. “Wow, something smells good!"

  "My eggs,” Sam told the girl. “Your mother burned the bacon, but the eggs will be dynamite. Care for some?"

  She eyed him warily before admitting, “Yeah, sure."

  Sam smiled at Sarah and served up eggs for three.

  * * * *

  Sarah and Mandy cleaned house, went shopping for Mandy's trip and got Chinese carryout for dinner. Parking in her driveway, she noticed Sam's Jeep gone but still looked up to the loft as she walked past. Where is he on a Saturday night? Trying to put him out of her mind, she watched a movie with Mandy but kept glancing out the window when she thought she saw headlights.

  "Looking for something?” Mandy finally asked.

  "No, of course not.” Sarah settled back into the sofa so she couldn't see outside and put Sam out of her mind, for the most part.

  When the movie ended, Mandy hugged her and went off to bed. Sarah tidied up the front room and then the kitchen and decided to take the trash out to the container in the backyard. She tied the garbage bag and carried it out, where she noticed Sam's Jeep. That surprised her. She had never heard him pull in.

  She glanced up to the loft, but there were still no lights. Had he arrived home and gone straight to bed at barely ten p.m.? She lifted the lid to one trash can, shoved in the bag and jumped when she felt hands around her waist.

  "What are you doing out here in the dark?” Sam whispered to her from behind.

  "Geez, Sam! Don't do that!” Sarah slammed the lid on the trash can and turned to face him. “You scared the...” she trailed off.

  "What?” He grinned. “I scared the shit out of you? I scared the crap out of you? What, Sarah?"

  She felt her face redden, but that seemed to happen a lot around Sam. “Okay, you scared the crap out of me."

  His hands on her waist, he pulled at her body until she touched him. “You shouldn't be out here in the dark all alone."

  "I wanted to take out the trash.” She looked into his eyes.

  "You wanted to see if I made it home,” he countered.

  Sarah smiled. “You think highly of yourself."

  Laughing, Sam said, “No, just fishing for information. But I guess you told me what I wanted to know."

  "Okay, so I watched for you. I wondered where you were."

  He tightened his grasp on her waist. “Good to know. Now I'm wondering where your daughter is?"

  "Mandy's in her room.” Her breathing grew laboured.

  "Does her window have a view of the backyard?"

  "No, the side yard ... the other side."

  "Excellent.” He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Sarah's mouth.

  "Sam—” She pressed one hand against his chest. “I can't."

  "Sure you can,” he replied, his kisses trailing down her face to her neck. “Just for a minute, anyway."

  "Just for a minute?” Sarah considered that, but the feel of his mouth on her body quickly chased all thoughts away. “Hmmm, okay, maybe just for a minute."

  She let her hands roam through Sam's hair as his assault on her neck continued. Her head was spinning from the various sensations he tormented her with—tongue slowly licking, mouth torturously sucking and teeth nibbling and biting ever so gently.

  "Oh, Sam!” she whimpered, sure if he continued she'd never want him to stop. “Please..."

  "Please what?” He nipped at her collarbone. One hand snaked under her sweater and massaged her breast vigorously. “'Please strip my clothes off and make love to me right here and now'?"

  Sarah groaned. “Don't say things like that!"

  He grinned and brought his mouth to her ear. “I cleaned it up. I was going to say, ‘Please fuck me hard and fast until I can't see straight'."

  "Sam!” Sarah attempted to protest, but in truth his language only added fuel to the fire. No one had ever spoken to her in that manner, and Sarah shocked herself by discovering it sent shivers down her spine. She felt a definite dampness between her legs, and if it weren't for Mandy in the house she knew she'd be begging Sam to take her now.

  "I'm getting mixed signals from you, Sarah,” he teased, his fingers still tweaking her nipple.

  She looked him in the eye. “Bastard,” she muttered before pressing her mouth on his and kissing him firmly.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Three

  Sarah had never felt so wanton, and so good, all at the same time. Sam started to chuckle, but she wouldn't let him up for air. Her tongue forced its way into his mouth and explored every inch it could reach. She was relentless, and soon had Sam moaning.

  She
pressed her body against his and felt his erection bulge through his jeans. “I'm not the only one sending signals."

  He shook his head, wiping his brow. “Nothing mixed about my signals. I want you, Sarah. I want you bad."

  "I want you too,” she told him truthfully. “But nothing is going to happen with Mandy in the house. I won't do that to her."

  "Understood.” He looked into her eyes. “Mandy leaves in a few days."

  "She won't be gone that long and then she'll be back."

  "I know. But it might be long enough to scratch an itch."

  "I don't know.” Sarah took a step back. “I've never had casual sex before."

  "You almost did once.” He smiled at her. “But the more time I spend with you, the less casual it feels."

  "For me too.” She was afraid to admit it, but felt like she should. She wasn't sure she wanted a casual relationship, and he needed to know that.

  Sam scooped her hand in his and kissed the back of it. “Let's take this one step at a time. I'll meet you by the trash cans again tomorrow night, and maybe you'll let me cop another feel. By Wednesday we'll be so horny we might have to stay home from work and fuck after Mandy leaves."

  She hated that his filthy talk aroused her, but it did. Pulling away from him, Sarah headed towards her kitchen door. “One step at a time, you said. Tomorrow night, ten p.m., trash cans."

  "Give a guy a break, will ya, and leave the bra inside?” Sam smiled slyly at her.

  Sarah laughed as she went into the house.

  * * * *

  Sarah found her mind wandering to thoughts of Sam, even during church the next morning. She felt horrible that she couldn't keep her mind on the service, but the only thing she could focus on was Sam—and Sam's lips. The way his mouth curled up when he smiled, teasing her. The way his hands felt as they caressed her breasts. She shook her head. Definitely not appropriate church behaviour.

  Sarah got her mind out of the gutter long enough to finish the service and, as she walked out with Mandy, they spotted Sam sitting in the back of the church. True to his word, he wore a bright pink shirt with a navy-coloured tie and slacks. Sarah bit back her chuckle. He gave her a small wave, and she smiled and nodded back at him.

  Bailey had invited her and Mandy for lunch after church, and Sarah drove directly there. Surprised yet again to see Sam's Jeep pulling in the driveway behind her, Sarah paused beside her car, waiting for him. “What are you doing here?"

  "Bailey invited me. I'm a sucker for a free meal, in case you hadn't noticed."

  "I see.” She thought about that. Bailey never mentioned inviting Sam to lunch.

  "Well, come on.” Mandy motioned both of them towards the house.

  Sam extended a hand before him. “Ladies first."

  "Thank you.” Sarah stepped in front of him on the sidewalk. “Nice pink shirt."

  "Proving a point."

  "Not sure anybody noticed but me."

  "Are you kidding?” Mandy rolled her eyes. “Everyone noticed. Sam was the hot topic of the morning. Sally Riniker thinks he's totally hot."

  Sam raised an eyebrow. “Sally Riniker, eh? Which one was she, kid?"

  Sarah shot him a dirty look and answered for her daughter. “The fifteen-year-old in the third row. A little chubby, acne mostly under control, and a very sweet girl."

  "Hmmm, sounds like just my type.” Sam smiled. “Except the fifteen-year-old part. I need ‘em at least thirty to capture my interest."

  "There are a lot of nice thirty-year-olds at church, aren't there, Mom?” Mandy looked at Sarah. “Maybe you could introduce Sam to some of those younger ladies."

  Sarah and Sam both laughed and Mandy looked at them innocently. “What?"

  "You're right, honey,” Sarah patted her daughter's arm. “Let me think about it, and I'll figure out who we can introduce Sam to. You know how bad the memory is when a person gets to be my age.” She tapped on the front door and stuck her head in. “Everyone decent in here?"

  "Decent as it gets,” Bailey called back. “Come on in."

  Sarah looked at Sam and whispered, “I learned my lesson about walking in on them without knocking early in their marriage. Shocked the heck out of me, I can tell you that."

  He grinned. “She's almost nine months pregnant. I'm sure it's safe to walk in these days."

  Sarah snorted. “You don't know my brother and Bailey very well, do you? Always knock. Always, always knock.” She glanced at Bailey who waddled out from the kitchen. “Hi! How are you feeling?"

  "Like the Goodyear Blimp, only not quite as sexy looking.” She glanced down at her inflated stomach. “I don't think she's ever coming out, Sarah! I think she's content to stay right where she is."

  Sarah put her arm around Bailey's shoulders. “You're not even at your due date yet. She'll come out when it's time. I know these last few weeks are the worst.” She glanced at Mandy. “At least you had the good sense to come early. Two weeks before your due date, and plop! There you were."

  "An exceptionally bright baby,” Mandy said to Sam.

  "Sounds that way,” he agreed.

  "You make it seem so easy.” Bailey sighed and dropped into a chair. “The books and films we saw in birthing class weren't so cheery."

  "It'll be fine. You'll do great, I know you will.” Sarah rubbed Bailey's shoulders. “So where is my brother? If you tell me he's in the bedroom watching football, he's in trouble."

  "No, he's grilling steaks on the patio. Go on out, Sam, and grab a couple of beers from the fridge on the way. I'm sure Doug's ready for another one."

  "Sounds like a plan.” Sam raised his eyebrows at Sarah before heading into the kitchen.

  "I think I'll join them.” Mandy followed Sam. “I'm too young for any more of this childbirth talk."

  "Chicken!” Bailey called, then added, “There's pop in the fridge for you."

  "Thank you!” Mandy answered, and disappeared.

  Sarah smiled as she watched them go. “Mandy's finally warming up to Sam, I think."

  "Oh?” Bailey motioned to the sofa and Sarah sat. “I didn't know she ever had cool feelings towards him."

  "A little surprised that he was a man,” Sarah explained. “It took a while for her to get used to the idea."

  "How about you?” Bailey smiled. “He's a man—a very sexy man. Are you used to the idea?"

  "He's my tenant,” Sarah said properly. “Nothing more than that."

  "Too bad.” Bailey shrugged. “You're both missing out, if that's the way you see it."

  "What?” Sarah looked at her with surprise, but before they could talk more, Doug entered the room.

  "Hey, Sis! How's it going?"

  "Great. How are you?"

  "We are fantastic.” He leaned over and kissed Bailey's forehead. “Ready for our daughter to make her grand entrance."

  "Better enjoy sleeping now while you can,” Sarah teased him.

  "Oh, we talked about that. Our child is going to come out of the womb sleeping through the night. We've already got it planned."

  "Good luck with that!” Sarah responded, and they all laughed.

  "Steaks are medium-rare and the potatoes are done,” Doug told them. “You ladies ready to eat?"

  "Always!” Bailey held out her hands and Doug hoisted her from the chair.

  The weather was mild, so they ate on the back patio. Sarah was a little surprised to see how comfortable Doug and Bailey were with Sam. The three of them talked as if they'd been friends forever and chatted through the whole meal.

  "That was delicious, Doug,” Sarah finally said, pushing back her plate. “We can't thank you enough for inviting us."

  "Me too,” Sam added, rubbing his stomach. “You're spoiling me, two days in a row."

  Sarah glanced up at him. “Two days?"

  "Yeah,” Sam replied. “Bailey found out I can't cook and took pity on me. They invited me over last night too."

  Sarah looked at him for a moment, trying to figure him out. He seemed full of surpr
ises.

  "You can cook,” Mandy interjected. “Your eggs were great yesterday morning."

  "Eggs yesterday morning?” Bailey raised her eyebrows expectantly.

  "Mom made the bacon, only a little overcooked,” the girl added.

  "Is that so?” Bailey folded her arms across her chest and looked at Sarah teasingly.

  "He didn't have any groceries yet,” Sarah tried to explain, “and he happened to be passing by on his way to the store..."

  "But we ate all the pizza he left at our house, so Mom made him breakfast."

  Sam dropped his napkin on the table and smiled.

  Doug looked at him and said sternly, “Pizza?"

  Exasperated, Sarah blew air from her mouth, making her bangs flutter. “Amanda, have you ever heard the expression, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'?"

  "What?” Mandy appeared confused.

  "Uh huh, we see how it is,” Bailey continued to tease. “Pizza, breakfast the next morning, yep."

  "Stop it,” Sarah muttered, glancing around the table. “All of you."

  "What?” Mandy repeated.

  Doug stood up and shook his head. “I think I need to change the subject. Anyone else ready for another beer?"

  "You bet, thanks.” Sam stood and followed Doug into the house.

  Bailey and Sarah looked at each other. “Football?” Bailey asked.

  "Football,” Sarah agreed. “Oh well, he cooked, I guess I can clean up."

  "I'll help,” Bailey offered, but couldn't even get out of her chair by herself.

  Sarah tugged her sister-in-law to a standing position and passed her off to Mandy, with instructions to take her to an easy chair in the front room. She'd just begun clearing the table when Sam reappeared.

  "Let me get that.” He reached for the stack of dirty plates.

  "You don't have to. Didn't Doug find a game on TV?"

  "Oh yeah, but it'll still be there in a few minutes. I'd rather be out here helping you."

  Sarah looked at him for a moment then smiled and picked up some more dishes. She led the way into the kitchen, saying softly, “In that case, I might manage to misplace my bra tonight."

  "Hot dawg!” Sam whistled under his breath, and they both laughed.