by Dace Everan
She shook her head. “Sorry, Nurse Sammy, no rubbing of titties or massaging of pussy,” she replied, relaxing in the water.
Sam sighed, plopping on the edge of the tub, hands dangling into the water. “But I really hoped for that. You know, it’s why I took nursing,” he whined.
Paula laughed. “Funny. What else do you do?”
Sam shrugged, twirling his finger in the water. “Lila said your skin hurts after?” he asked.
Paula nodded. “For a week it will feel like I have millions of needles poking into me where I’m touched. That’s what set me off the other night. You were rubbing my back and it just struck, and I panicked.”
Sam nodded, studying her. “You’ve had this problem your whole life?”
Paula nodded. “I’m thinking it’s genetic. Mom had it. It’s how she died,” she replied, easing up. She didn’t want to discuss her mom. She missed her mom. She hugged her knees and rested her chin on them.
* * * *
Sam draped the towel around her. She squealed out. “Easy! Tender,” she warned. Sam eased his grip. She wrapped the towel around herself, sighing. “God, I missed my towels.” She hummed, grasping his forearm.
Sam winced. “Sure I can’t just carry you and coddle you a bit?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Nope, this is when you regrow your balls and let me take my first steps.”
Sam froze. “What?”
She smiled. “Take your big man-hands off and let me go. Can you please drain the tub for me? I’ll meet you in the living room. I need to get out of that room. Maybe tonight I’ll share my real bed with you,” she offered, walking from his arms, mentally giving herself a swift kick in the ass.
She’d just invited him into her bed. She should know better. The panic that struck her was near the panic she had reached the other night. She made herself calm. He wouldn’t do anything.
Sam stared at her back as she ambled slowly to the other room. This wasn’t her bedroom? He was allowed to sleep in her room? His lips widened in a grin.
Chapter Six
Paula settled on the edge of the bed, glancing around her room nervously. She could hear Sam downstairs piddling around, heard the click of her light switches. She pulled back the blankets. He entered her room like he owned the place, tall and confident. Her heart melted. She wished she could do the things he had done to those other women.
He helped her pull back the blankets. “I can sleep downstairs,” he offered, taking note of her nervousness.
Paula bit her lower lip in thought. She should send him away. He could move in the night and bang her and hurt her.
Sam smiled. “Too long, I’m sleeping here. It will feel good to lie flat,” he declared, shrugging his shirt off, unbuckling his belt. Her eyes were glued to him. Her tongue darted out and licked her lips, making them glisten. Anticipation and earnest want were the heaviest emotions on her face, in her eyes. Sam chuckled.
Paula blushed, closing her eyes. “Oh God, I’m a perv,” she uttered, easing under the blankets.
Sam wished he hadn’t laughed. The look in her eyes was amazing, the curiosity…the want. “Can I ask a question, sugar?”
Paula grunted. “Let me guess, ‘how’s the sex?’” She pulled the blankets up.
Sam pulled them back down, inching up her gown. “Yes.”
“Sucks,” she grumbled, lifting her arms as he pulled the gown off. She swallowed uneasily.
His gaze slid over her naked body. His hand caressed her bruised belly and his eyes darted to hers. “Does it hurt?” he asked.
Paula frowned. “The sex?” she blurted.
Sam held back the smile. “That, too.” He covered her.
Paula groaned. She wasn’t having this conversation with him. Sam flicked off the lights, returning to the bed and crawling in. Paula could feel him staring at her in the dark. “You don’t have to stay here.”
Sam shifted, bunching up the pillow under his head. “Nope, I don’t, but I will,” he replied.
Paula looked at him in the dark. His eyes were closed and he was releasing a long breath. She wondered what he was thinking.
His eyes shot open. “Go to sleep,” he ordered.
She stared at him for a moment then her gaze drifted away. It felt good to be home in her real bed.
“Night, sugar,” he whispered, voice husky.
* * * *
Sam woke with a start, mind blurry. He had fallen asleep, holy shit! He shifted, freezing. Soft warmth draped over him. His hand moved and his cock stirred at the wonderful handful of ass. She hummed softly against his shoulder and he couldn’t resist looking down at her. A smile surfaced on her plump lips. Her hips stirred and her hand buried into his hair. He swallowed, eyes closing. Tremors of lust reared through him.
Paula went still, a soft sigh escaping her. He tried calming his rampant feelings. He reminded himself he needed to hold back. He couldn’t have his way with her. He needed to find out what she could take. What her body could take. Her grip tightened on his hair. She released the most painful whine he had heard in his life. Her whole body shuddered then relaxed as she sobbed out. He grimaced. He didn’t want her having bad dreams while in his arms.
He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The neon-green read two a.m. It could be a long night. He looked down at her curled up on him and grinned. He hugged her lightly and waited for her to calm. When her breathing eased to a steady level, he closed his eyes. He could do this. She was safe right here in his arms.
The morning arrived and Paula was greeted with breakfast in bed, followed by a rather awkward visit with her father.
Sam stared at Blain. “Holy fuck, you’re her father?”
Blain raised his brows. “You know I had a kid. You know my wife died. I thought you would figure the shit out,” he replied, placing the flowers in a vase, heading up the stairs.
Sam stared at Blain’s broad back as he left the kitchen. Well, fuck, how the hell had he missed that?
Paula grunted. “Come on, Sammy. I’m fed, already hit the can, you can go! I promise I won’t do anything!” she whined, mouth clamping shut when her father appeared.
“Well, it’s good to hear Sam’s taking good care of you,” he replied, crossing to her and placing the flowers next to the ones Sam had brought her. Paula blushed.
Blain leaned over, kissing her forehead. “Sorry, I was in Vegas. Took Jazz a few hours to pinpoint me. Then Lila got a hold of me. She’s rather hormonal, said it was a bad one.” He settled on the bed, tugging the blanket up, tucking her in.
Paula growled. “Come on, Dad. Not a baby,” she grumbled.
Blain smiled. “Sorry I was late.”
Paula shook her head. “You shouldn’t have come. Lila shouldn’t have called. She should have called you back and let you know I was all better.”
Blain sighed. “She did. I was worried, though. She told me what happened.” He glanced over his shoulder.
Paula’s gaze followed his. “He didn’t do anything, Dad. I panicked.” She grimaced. Such a big baby. “My levels were low. I should never have taken his offer.”
Blain bent over, his elbows coming to rest on his knees. He and his daughter had been very open about the sex. She had questions regarding it and her condition. The fact that she was here today was a miracle in itself. Her mother had wanted to name her Miracle. He’d refused, told her give her the name she would have if everything was normal. Paula… He actually hated the atrocious name. He wished he had let Megan name her Miracle. Instead, she was Paula Miracle Kinston.
The first time she had had sex, he knew about it. The asshole she had given herself to had left her laying there bleeding. He had wanted to hunt the fucker down and kill him…real slow.
He rubbed his hands down his face. “I trust Samuel to be careful with you,” he assured her.
Paula nodded. “He didn’t do anything wrong, Dad. I fell, stupid me. He has a dungeon in his house.”
Blain nodded. “I know. I’ve been t
o a few of his parties.”
Paula slumped. Shit’s sake, even her father had been around him in the scene. Paula inhaled a breath. “Luke fired me. I wasn’t thinking when Sam challenged me. You know how I get.”
Blain chuckled, looking at his daughter. “You get that stupid trait from me.”
Paula smiled, nodding. She knew that.
Sam popped his head in. “Blain, you gonna be here awhile?”
Blain shifted his jacket off. “Yup, football game is on. Me and the girl will sit, eat chips and hang.”
Paula hooted, easing out of the bed. “Yay, get off my bed, Dad. We’ll move to the living room. I need to sit up for a while.”
Sam glanced at her. “Need some help with your shot?” he asked.
Paula shook her head. “No, run while you can.”
Sam smiled, thankful he didn’t have to administer another of those needles. He hated needles. “Be back in a bit.”
Paula nodded. “If I lock the door, you’ll find a way in, won’t you?” she grumbled.
Sam offered her one of his dashing smiles. “I excelled in B and Es in high school.”
Paula laughed. “Yes, I’m sure you did. Pick me up some munchies. Dad likes the tacos and dip,” she called.
Blain chuckled. “You just made a party out of it, hon,” he warned.
* * * *
Her dad wasn’t lying. When Sam returned, he had a duffel bag that he dropped in the hall, three bags of groceries, and his handsome brothers in hot pursuit. Lila, her daughter Kyla, and son Ty, with his friend Kyle, strolled into the living room.
Kyla kissed her cheek and smiled at her hair. “Nice cut, Aunty,” she drawled, hand gentle as it grazed the side of her shaven head. Paula’s long hair was cut in choppy layers on the other side. Shit, her Aunty Paula could pull off any hairdo.
Ty grinned, plopping down next to her, his friend close to him.
Paula raised an eyebrow. He was kinda cute. “Who’s the pup?” she asked.
Ty grinned, hugging Kyle in a headlock. “Kyle, meet Aunty She-Devil. Seriously, stay far away from her. She bites and bites hard.”
Kyle grinned. “Hello, Aunty She-Devil. Kinky.” He relaxed into Ty’s arms.
Laughter erupted in the room. Paula rolled her eyes. “Did you bring me chocolate, my favorite nephew in the whole world?”
Ty laughed, reaching into his coat pocket, pulling out her favorite. He glanced at Sam. “Hey, Sam!” he bellowed. Sam glanced at him. Ty held up the chocolate bar. “Will get you anything from her,” he shared. Sam saluted in thanks.
Paula scoffed, grabbing the bar out of his hand. “I’m not that easy!” she argued.
Lila snorted. “Yeah, you are,” she teased, following Sam into the kitchen.
Rick plopped down in her recliner, tossing a beer at Blain. “If I knew you were a dad, I would have…” He grinned. “Well, shit, I wouldn’t have cared.”
Blain chuckled, cracking his beer open.
Paula rolled her eyes. “Who’s the DD!” she yelled, looking at everyone. Rick had a beer, Jared, George, even Ty and her father all held beers.
Lila poked her head in. “I am.”
Paula narrowed her eyes. “You’re about ready to pop. You’re not driving a bunch of drunken people home.”
Kyle raised his hands. “I got it,” he called, cracking open a pop.
Paula nodded. “Good, everyone hand over your keys,” she ordered, holding out her hand.
George laughed. “If I knew it was that kinda party, I would have brought someone.”
Paula chuckled. “Next time, handsome,” she teased. George laughed, dropping his keys in her hand.
The afternoon was filled with loud cheers and laughter. Paula was shocked when Ty kissed Kyle on top of the head and the two basically cuddled on her couch. Whoa. She had just put a chip in her mouth and nearly choked.
Ty grinned at her. “Thought Mom told you?” he said later when she was out on her back deck getting some air.
Paula glanced up at him, shaking her head. “Apparently my nephew’s sexual preference is not my business,” she murmured. The thought hurt her. Why would Lila keep that from her? Ty was like a kid to her. Her heart winced. Ty sat next to her, and she noted he was careful not to touch her. She looked at him. He looked happy. “He seems nice,” she offered.
Ty chuckled nodding. “Yeah, he is.”
Paula chuckled. “Does your dad know?”
Ty snorted. “I no longer have a dad.”
Paula slumped. Of course Bill wouldn’t take to that. She draped an arm over his shoulder. “That’s okay, you have Jared.”
Ty smiled, nodding. “I do. He’s great.”
Paula nodded. “He is. I’m glad your mom has him. You and Kyla aren’t all weirded out that your mom is a having another baby?”
Ty shook his head. “Nope, we can’t wait. I’m betting a boy. Kyla says it’s a girl. I’m almost tempted to go with girl just because Jared wants a boy.”
Paula laughed. “I’m on the girl boat, too.”
* * * *
It was late when everyone left. Sam looked around the living room. Pizza boxes littered the place, along with empty beer cans and half-empty chip bags. “Those boys are pigs.”
Paula laughed. “That’s what you get for inviting your whole damn family over,” she chastised, already collecting empties.
Sam offered a sheepish smile. “Thought you would like the company. They were worried,” he admitted.
Paula nodded. “Yeah, fuck, someone could have told me about Ty! How the hell did I miss that?”
Sam chuckled. “Yeah, didn’t expect that, either,” he admitted, gathering the boxes and empty chip bags. Wow, they packed a lot of food down. “You get enough to eat, Paula. I can make something up? You didn’t eat much?”
Paula shook her head. “It takes a few days to get my appetite back,” she called over her shoulder, teetering as she bent to pick up a can.
Sam was next to her and had her in his arms before she hurdled to the floor. She groaned. “‘Kay, bedtime for me,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. She hated how weak she was, how fragile. Life wasn’t fair. She should be able to clean up her own place after a football game!
Sam eased her into his arms, taking her upstairs. He settled her into bed, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, turning her face away from him and letting the tears fall.
When Sam returned, she was deep asleep. He checked her temperature. Lila had warned him to keep watch of that. He studied her as she slept. Poor sugar. He couldn’t wait till she got better and back to normal. He didn’t like seeing her like this.
He dragged his finger along her cheek, watching her reaction. She didn’t cringe. Her skin must be getting better. He peeked at her stitches. They didn’t look as enflamed. He caressed her eyebrows. She was beautiful. High, arched copper brows, high cheekbones, and a small chin. He kissed the tip of her tiny nose. His eyes darted to her ears. How could he forget those ears? He wanted to nibble those till she squirmed and giggled.
Chapter Seven
It took another full week before Sam would leave her alone. She leaned heavily against her door, looking around the main level of her small home. She closed her eyes and his smell assaulted her senses. He hadn’t pushed the sex talk on her but she knew it would come.
She pushed herself away from the door and made her way back upstairs. Her dad had put her on a short shift. She hated when he did that. She shuffled through her clothes, brows furrowing at the box sitting on the floor beneath her work-wear. She knelt and opened it. A note lay on soft pink tissue paper. She flipped it open. For when you are ready to share what you can with me. Love, Samuel…
Her heart fluttered. She lifted the tissue paper and held up the rather modest teal lacy baby-doll. She raised a brow. He had bought her an outfit? Was this for his dungeon? Would he actually do those things to her? Her thighs clenched. Would he leave her laying there, bleedi
ng and crying? Of course he wouldn’t.
She glanced in the box, smiling at the silk teal stilettos. He knew his way to her heart. She plucked them out and tried them on. She squealed. They fit! Her mind flew. Would he be mad if she wore them now? Oh she so wanted to wear the heels. She slipped them on, grabbed the teddy, and returned to her bedroom.
She stripped and tried it on, looking at her reflection. Wow… Her eyes glowed in this outfit. Oh, she had the perfect choker to go with this. She dug through her jewelry drawer and plucked up the black choker with a teal diamond that sat just beautifully at the base of her neck. She assessed her image. She looked gorgeous. Even the marks from her needles didn’t affect the outcome of this outfit. She turned, looking at her ass, frowning. She backed closer to the mirror. Was that a bruise of a handprint on her ass? What the hell?
She laughed. She knew she had moved in her sleep and climbed on him somehow. She had woken one night and he had the largest, thickest erection she had ever felt. Her pussy dripped at that thought. He was huge. She caught sight of her wide, scared green eyes in the mirror. He would rip her in half. Her smile disappeared and she lumbered back to her closet. High hopes of the two of them together crashed violently to the ground. It would never work.
* * * *
Sam didn’t show the whole week. Not before work, not after work. He didn’t even call or stop by her house.
Paula furrowed her brows, staring in her open fridge. Surely he was just keeping his distance till she was ready? She couldn’t help but think of him. The man haunted her dreams. Her every waking thought was of him. Every time the doors at the club opened, she found herself gawking, hoping, praying it was him.
She rolled her eyes. She needed to stop thinking about him.
She slammed the door closed and crossed to her menu drawer. She would order takeout and watch T.V., zone and try to escape thinking of Sam, if only for a few mindless minutes.
