"I'm more cautious about who I let into my life, who I let close. Intimacy is, well ... tough. Like I said, I have the scars to prove it."
Justin had robbed Daisy of her trust in men, and shaken her foundation of faith in others. He'd damaged her ability to love, and sapped Daisy of her strength and self-esteem. But the one thing Sam could really kill Justin for stealing was Daisy's self-confidence as a woman.
"Show them to me. Let me try to heal them. When did you really leave him?"
"It was a night when I arrived home late from the shop. I'd stayed after closing to prepare for the town bazaar that was taking place that weekend. This was a few weeks after Justin had hit me the first time. Honestly, I'd been thinking about leaving him. I threatened to if he ever hurt me again, and he believed me, or seemed to. Justin acted so apologetic for hitting me that night, and for everything else he'd said. I believed it wouldn't happen again. I never thought he would hurt me the way he did. I thought we had something special, something real."
Daisy stroked a hand over her ribcage. Settling it over her heart, she continued. “I knew he would be out with the guys at a bar a few towns over, so I decided to stay late and finish up. I told him I'd call him, and he acted like everything was fine."
Sam pulled her close, fitting her to his chest with his arm around her back.
Daisy tensed under his hand as she continued. “When I got home, the lights were on, which didn't surprise me since I'd left them on earlier. I didn't think Justin was home since he hadn't called me. But he was."
Sam kissed her temple. Daisy put her arms around his shoulders, holding onto him. Her body shuddered as she drew in a breath. Sam held her even closer as her hands gripped him tighter. “He's not here,” Sam reassured. “It's me.” His lips fluttered over her forehead and her damp cheeks. “There's only us here, baby.” He took her mouth in a thorough but gentle kiss.
Daisy relaxed against him, but Sam didn't loosen his hold. Eventually she continued, but not before lifting her gaze back to his. “So when I came in, Justin was furious. He started right in, yelling and screaming at me for being late."
Daisy paused and drew in a long breath. “We got to arguing. Justin moved so quick, I reacted instinctively. I thought he was going to hit me—so I ... I ... I hit him instead."
Her breath caught as tears flowed down her cheeks and onto his shoulder. Empathy for Daisy and rage at Justin expanded, filling Sam's chest. This Justin wasn't a man, just a coward who pretended to be a man.
All Sam could do was hold her as her torrent of tears soaked his skin, her words pouring from her just as fiercely.
"That really set him off. He slapped me so hard, I fell to the floor. He kicked me a couple times-I don't’ know how many. I could taste the blood in my mouth from the kick he sent into my nose. I got to my knees and he yanked me up by my hair."
Daisy began to tremble again in his arms. Sam crushed her even harder. “I kicked out at him. I got away-tried to leave the house, but he was so much faster. I managed to make it to the kitchen. I was going to head out the back door, and cut across the yard to get help. The Andersons lived right next door; I knew they'd call the police for me. But I didn't even make it outside. Justin grabbed a knife, and started stabbing me."
"Oh God, Daisy.” Sam held her tightly, seeing her at the mercy of this man. “Honey, I'm so sorry. So sorry."
"He got in a few more jabs.” She pressed her hand to her side. “I finally got outside and started screaming. Tim Anderson came out and Justin threw the knife down and ran off. Betsy Anderson called an ambulance and the police. I pressed charges, they put a warrant out for his arrest, and I got sent to the emergency room."
Sam made a mental note to thank the couple before he left town. “How did Max and Sherrie react?"
Daisy wiped her face with a napkin. “Max was furious, and Sherrie too, but she was on assignment. Max wanted me to stay with him, but my damn Porter pride wouldn't let me. I went to a shelter in Austin for a while. When I finally decided to stop hiding in fear, I came back to Wayback, going against what the social worker advised. But I couldn't leave my home, my family. Of course, everyone in town knew by this time, so I couldn't hide anymore. When Max heard a rumor that Justin was back, he and a friend went looking for him. They found him, and turned him in, but he managed to escape. I haven't seen him since that night."
"Have you ever tried getting close to someone again? Or even wanted to after what you went through with him?"
Daisy pulled back and glanced up at him, her thick dark lashes framing her soft azure gaze. Her tongue darted out to trace her lips. “I have, but I haven't found anyone I could trust. I wish I could just keep it physical, impersonal, but I can't. I need more.” A sparkle came into her eyes as she gently stroked his cheek. “Why? Are you offering? Sure you want to get wrapped up with someone like me?"
Sam grinned and covered her mouth with his.
Daisy moaned and leaned into the kiss. Breathless, she said, “I'll take that as a yes."
"I didn't think you'd need me to answer after what I told you last night. And oh yeah, I'd love to get wrapped up, tied together, and twisted around you for as long as we both can stand.” Sam trailed biting kisses down her neck. She shivered in his arms. “I'd love it if we could be melted together, but I think we'll burn one another alive, and not be able to be pulled apart. Not complaining, but we'll need to take it slow."
"So what are we going to do about this?” Daisy resituated herself in his lap to loop her arms around his neck. Sam could feel her heart beating rapidly against his chest.
"I know you need more, I understand that,” Sam said. “And I want you to know I can give you more. But I don't want to rush you. So let's start with this. Can you trust me enough to not hurt you?"
This time, Daisy initiated the kiss. Her tongue slipped into his mouth to tease and stroke. “Yes, Sam, I think I can. It's like you said last night. We haven't known each other long, but I feel something with us that I can't explain. I'd like to see what it is, and where it might take us."
"When?” Sam asked without hesitating. He stood, setting Daisy on her feet.
She swayed, grasping his arms for support. She couldn't believe how easy it had been for her to finally open up to him. She felt lighter somehow, cleansed, and invigorated all at once as she slipped her arms about his neck, and poured all of her need into her kiss.
"How about right now?” Daisy suggested. The words sounded right to her ears as Sam met her passion with his own. Daisy trembled as she felt the intensity of his need. Yes, she could trust him. She saw everything she wanted, right there in his eyes.
As she'd relayed her story, Sam hadn't regarded her with pity, but compassion, consideration, and strength. He understood, respected, and accepted her for who she was. Without him saying another word, Daisy knew he would be just the same as a lover. That was what made up her mind to take his hand and follow him back to her car.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twelve
Daisy felt pretty calm considering that they were driving to her house to make love. Her nerves hummed in anticipation as they sat in Sam's car, their sexual energy crowding and overflowing the small space. As he drove, Sam grazed his fingertips of one hand over her neck, through her hair, then down her breast and side. He continued on to her hip, and slid beneath the seatbelt to caress her stomach. He finally stopped at the top of her thigh, awakening feelings that had remained tethered for so long.
She shivered as a welcome heat pooled between her legs when his hand crept closer. The muscles in her stomach and lower body flexed and stretched. Her breaths quickened as the once-familiar pull of desire beckoned.
They didn't rush when they got out of the car. Sam rounded the back of the car and wrapped his arm about her shoulders, his lips nuzzling her neck. Together they walked up to the porch of her two-bedroom ranch-style house, unhurried and at ease, as though it was something they did routinely.
"You're quiet,” h
e remarked, his hand coasting up and down her arm as his mouth explored her ear. “Not thinking of backing out on me, are you?"
Daisy gasped as his teeth nipped at her lobe. His hand left her arm to settle about her waist, a breast within reach. “Ahhh, no.” She sighed as he rubbed her hardened nipple through her top. She bowed back against him, fumbling her keys in her hand, dropping them to the porch. “I don't think I could stop now if I had to."
He bent down with her, his hips nestled into the small of her back, his erection burning itself through her spine and into her being. His hands explored her waist, hips, and legs as Daisy retrieved the keys and shakily unlocked her front door.
"Glad to know that. I'd suffer some serious withdrawal if I couldn't know what you taste like under those clothes and that vanilla scent you wear."
Daisy closed the door, then dropped her keys and purse on the table nearest the front door. She partially opened the blinds to chase the darkness from the haphazardly decorated space. Sam stood in the center of her small living room, seeming to fill it.
"I've been tasting flavors in my mind since last week, but I know none of them will come close to the real thing."
Daisy couldn't stop the nervous laugh from escaping as she opened the last of the blinds, sending soft light angling over the sofa where he stood. Perfect. There would be no hiding for either of them here, no secrets.
That was how she wanted this first time with Sam to be—revealing, real, raw, and honest. If he really cared for her as much as he said, then she wouldn't hold anything back, no matter how dark, or how painful.
"That's such a corny line, but I don't really care."
"Maybe it was,” he admitted sheepishly, sitting on her patched, baby-butt smooth, second-hand suede sofa. “But it was the truth. I've been dying to kiss your skin and taste every inch of you, to see if you melt and burn under me and how you move over me."
Sam stood and guided her to him, pulling her on top of him on the sofa. “First things first.” He methodically began removing the hairpins that held up her tight bun. “Beautiful.” He threaded strands of hair through his fingers, lifting them to his face.
The pins fell silently to the carpet and between the couch cushions as his hands massaged her neck and moved up through her hair to her scalp.
Daisy leaned back in his arms, letting Sam pamper her. “Sure you're not a masseur on the side?” she purred. He had wonderful hands, and knew how to use them to ease the tension from her muscles and nerves to make them feel heavy like thick molasses. He glided them from her scalp and down the corded muscles in her neck and shoulders then around to deftly undo the small buttons of her business-casual gray top. He exposed the skin of her throat and breasts, and the black lace bra beneath, igniting her skin with his skillful touch.
Daisy fought the urge to cover herself as his hands moved lower, cupping her breasts through the thin material of her bra, then dipping his finger under the lace to score her bare skin. Seeming to sense her hesitation, Sam distracted her with a long lingering kiss, his lips and tongue plundering her mouth as his fingers found and squeezed her firm nipple, sending an arrow of desire straight to her center.
Pulling her arms from her top, Daisy started undoing the buttons of his shirt, dancing her hands down his broad shoulders to his side, and over his muscular chest. She ran the dark hair through her fingers, finding and rubbing his nipples, which hardened under her touch. Laying her back against the soft cushions of the couch, Sam leaned over her. His mouth followed the path of his hands. His lips, teeth, and tongue found the pulse point at the base of her throat and the sensitive spot at the side of her neck, making Daisy shiver and writhe as he continued heating her skin.
His lips brushed the two-inch scar on her left breast. Sam's breath fanned the ridge as his darkened gaze looked up to meet hers. Daisy's hands stilled over his stomach, just above his belt, waiting for him to pull away in disgust, but he only kissed it tenderly.
"Baby, I'm so sorry.” He kissed the scar again, and moved lower down her chest to her side where three other knife wounds marred her skin. He kissed each one in turn. “They don't matter, though. You're still beautiful to me."
Daisy's breath caught and heart skipped as she fumbled with her bra, her hands trembling as she unclasped the hooks. She'd seen the honesty in his gaze. There had been no revulsion, no discomfort, just adoration.
Finally, after tugging her bra off, she lay back. Her full breasts with their coral nipples were bared to Sam's touch. His hands reached her belt, as his mouth returned to suckle first one nipple then the other. Daisy moaned as he took them into his mouth, his teeth testing their firmness, then his tongue soothing and branding them.
Daisy lifted her hips, letting her slacks slide down her legs, then kicking them to the floor. Cool air struck her heated skin. Sam stood and removed his pants, after reaching into a pocket. He set a handful of condoms on the table beside the couch. He bent down to Daisy, who kicked her skimpy black satin panties into a ball to join their other clothes on the floor.
"I figured you'd either wear silk or satin,” he said, bending down to her, capturing her mouth.
Sam smoothed his hands up her legs to the nest of curls at the apex of her thighs. She was so beautiful, just as she was, lying naked before him, willing to accept his touch.
Daisy took him in her hand. Sam's breath hissed through his teeth as she skillfully stroked him, threatening his control. He wanted to take his time and pleasure her, but he wouldn't be able to last long if she kept this up.
Sam grabbed her hands, linking her fingers with his own as his mouth traveled down her stomach. He scooted down her body. His hand caressed her intimately, parting the coarse curtain of curls, feeling her wetness as he slipped a finger between the plump lips, fingering her deeply. Daisy cried out, her inner muscles clenching tightly around him. “You caught me on one of my lazy days."
She quivered under him as he moved lower still to her musky center.
Her legs parted even further. Sam released her hands and positioned his shoulders between her spread thighs, then lifted her to his mouth.
Daisy gasped as he sampled her. Her fingernails dug into his arms, her legs were draped over his shoulders as she arched up, into him.
"Even better than I imagined,” he said against her heady skin. “Like spicy cream."
His tongue teased her clit, circling and flicking the ripe, sensitive nub, then moved deeper still. “S-Sam p-please,” she panted, scratching at his arm, her eyes widening as her head thrashed about on the pillow. “S-Stop this, p-p-please. I want you inside me, now!"
Sam ignored her plea as he brought her closer and closer to release. She screamed his name as she came, her legs clenching about his shoulders, her body shuddering as she shattered.
She wrapped her hands in his hair and pulled his mouth from her. Sam licked his lips as he crawled up her body. “Delicious. Can I have more?"
Daisy pushed his hands aside as he reached for one of the condoms. “Not a chance. It's my turn now,” she promised. “I'm going to make you wish you hadn't teased me. Hang on there, soldier."
Daisy forced him onto his back. Leaning over him, she straddled his thighs. Her hair fanned across his stomach and thighs as she took him into her mouth. She licked the length of him, circling the head and base with slow heavy strokes, almost snapping his control.
Sam watched her through passion-clouded eyes as she finally took the condom and guided it onto him with her hot wet mouth. Her heat scorched him. As the rubber slid into place, she pinched its tip between her fingers.
Daisy positioned herself over him, then slid down and took him inside her, her muscles stretching. She groaned and rocked back on him. “Ahhh, God this feels good."
"I'm yours, Daisy. Take what you want. I'll give you everything.” Sam didn't know if she saw past his words to the heart of them, but he didn't care. She was sweeping him along in the moment, moving faster and faster on him. With her flushed dewy skin, tussled hair,
and passion-fevered eyes, she rode him, driving them both gasping over the edge.
As evening faded into night, they slept, content in each other's arms, their passion spent.
* * * *
When she woke, Daisy replayed Sam's words. She knew he wanted more, and she thought that she just might have more to give. Being with Sam had given her so much more than she'd bargained for. He'd restored much of the self-confidence she'd lost, and was slowly helping her rebuild the rest that Justin had destroyed. It wasn't hard for her to imagine herself being happy with him. Feeling completely secure would take time, but she had plenty of that.
She was surprised when Sam insisted on taking her dancing, but it felt right to go out with him, to be seen in public together. As they pulled into the full gravel parking lot of the Blue Bug Saloon, Daisy spotted Max's truck parked a few rows down. Many of her friends were probably inside since it was ladies’ night. They'd be mixing and mingling with the tourists arriving in town for the weekend rodeo.
"Hi there, Daisy. How ya'll been?” Barney, a long-time employee greeted them as they walked in. Tyler, the bouncer on duty that night, stood at the older man's side, his dark, observant gaze scanning the room as he nodded to them.
They headed into the overcrowded room with patrons cramming the large dance floor. The Razorbacks, a local band, played a hot country song, while the waitresses and bartenders worked steadily to fill orders. It was the norm for a Thursday, everyone falling into the familiar chaotic rhythm of the first busy night of the week leading up to the rodeo.
"Howdy, Daisy.” Warren Black, a local cowboy known for picking fights, sat with two of his pals. He gestured for them to sit with them.
Sam gave the guys a quick once over, then took her arm to lead her away.
"Aw, come on, darlin',” Warren snickered. “We're not good enough for you to sit with? Got just enough space for you, and that nice little ass of yours.” He patted the space next to him. “Your little man can go sit somewhere else."
Delighting Miss Daisy [Wayback Texas Series] Page 8
