Craig had put his need to keep her small and earn more money than her before her need to get that huge contract. Grant, in contrast, cared little about money or fame. He earned enough to live well and afford a certain amount of luxuries, like a beach house. He had never longed for status or measured his success by the size of his banking account.
She now realized that only a strong, self-confident man like him could handle a strong and successful woman like her. Grant wasn’t threatened by the fact Samantha earned more money than him, nor that in society circles, she was seen as being more successful.
No, Grant placed value on things that really mattered. Honesty. Integrity. Authenticity. Things that were in short supply in the fashion industry. Most of the people she worked with were shallow and only out for themselves. They changed their opinion like putting on a new overcoat. Grant, in contrast, was solid as a rock. If he had formed an opinion, he rarely if ever changed it.
She pulled out her cell phone and tried to call him. When it went straight to voicemail, she sighed and tucked it back into her purse. The salesgirl at the shoe shop waved her goodbye, still beaming with a joy. I just made her day with that huge commission.
The thought of making another person happy warmed her insides, and she walked down the sidewalk with new confidence. Samantha’s eyes wandered around the shop windows as she strolled along without a destination in mind. When she came to a cute little boutique with t-shirts and beach paraphernalia in the window, she stopped and backed up. Perhaps I could get Grant a gift for his house. If he ever talks to me again.
She stepped inside the store, the bells attached to the front door tinkling her arrival. A display to her left caught her attention and she examined the beach towel tote bags more closely.
They came in six different colors and were like nothing Samantha had ever seen before. Folded up, they looked just like any other oversized tote bag – made of a bath towel. But they unfolded into a giant beach towel, with a colorful trim piece running along each long side, and the towel folded over on one end to make a pocket for a neck pillow.
It was such a cute and whimsical widget she had to purchase one in each color for Grant’s house.
“They would be perfect, wouldn’t they?”
Samantha whirled around, the sound of Grant’s voice startling her. He was there, standing behind her, and his smile deepened into laughter when he recognized her face. Her entire body ached with need and desire. God, I missed him. How did he get here?
Afraid that he might disappear into thin air, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and have him swing her around like he’d done on so many occasions, but then her doubts crept in and she stayed where she was.
What if he wouldn’t forgive her, and had come here for another reason? “Grant, I’m so sorry…I want to apologize…I tried to call you.”
“You did?” he asked, removing his phone from his pocket and scrolling through the phone log. He looked perplexed when her number showed up various times and then he shook his head at himself. “I accidentally put it on mute.”
“Grant, I am so sorry. I know that you were trying to help me, and I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did…”
He stopped her apology speech by pulling her into his arms, right there in the store, and sealed her lips with a kiss. The sound of someone clearing their voice from behind him made him release her. She looked over his shoulder to see an older woman staring at them both with disapproval written all over her face.
“Did you find something you wished to purchase?” the woman said.
Samantha blushed because of the nasty tone in the woman’s voice, but she was used to the brusque way New Yorkers talked to one another and didn’t let it faze her. That woman could disapprove all she wanted. Then she cleared her throat and answered, “Actually, yes. I did find something. I found the man I love.”
Samantha flung her arms back around Grant, a huge smile upon her face.
At the mention of love, the older woman’s scowl disappeared and she smiled at them both. “Congratulations! But might I suggest you take your little reunion somewhere more private. This is a family store.”
“Sorry,” Samantha said. “We’ll finish our purchases and keep the public displays of affection to a minimum.”
The older woman nodded her head and wandered off to help her other customers. Samantha turned back to Grant to see him watching her with a twinkle in his eyes.
“You found the man you love? And who would that be?”
Samantha boxed him in the biceps. “You are. And you know it.”
He was about to press her against his body with the happiest smile she’d ever seen, but she pushed her hands against his chest. “Not here. Or that woman will have us thrown out.”
“Okay, sweetie. But before we leave, I need you to help me pick out a gift for Allison’s birthday.”
“You came to the right person.“ She led him towards the part of the store that contained clothing. Samantha had seen the shop carried specialty brands, and she hoped to find Exuma. It was one of the trendy brands that everyone was raving about in New York. She’d modeled their newest line of beachwear and was thrilled when the pair of pants she had in mind was hanging right there on the rack.
“How about these?” she asked, pulling a pair of preppy pants from the rack in his sister’s size.
Grant looked at the colorful pants before asking, “People wear things like that?”
Samantha laughed at his look. “Trust me, these are all the rage. Allison will kiss your feet for buying her a pair of them.”
He took another look at the pants, with their big bold flower design, the low-rise gathered waist, and the light flowy fabric. Shaking his head, he said, “If you say so. Who am I to argue with a fashion model about what’s hot right now?”
“You aren’t to argue with me. Now, she needs sandals to go with the pants.” Samantha led the way back to the front of the store where a display held a variety of little strappy beach sandals. She chose a pair with a giant silver starfish covered in tiny silver beads on the top.
“What about these?”
Grant nodded.
“Do you know her size?” she asked.
“7.5 or 8. I guess.”
“We’ll take 8 – that’s my size as well, and in case they don’t fit, I can wear them.”
Grant looked at the sandals and then down to the heels on Sam’s feet. “You’d wear shoes without heels?”
Samantha laughed. “I would. Even I draw the line at wearing four-inch heels on the beach and in the sand. That’s a quick way to break an ankle. Now these – these are the perfect beach shoes. I love them and Allison will love them too.”
When Grant still didn’t look convinced, she sidled up to him, relishing the spark of excitement his nearness evoked and said, “Come on, Grant. Allison’s a twenty-two-year-old girl who loves colorful and fun things. She’ll adore your gifts.”
“Okay. Let’s get them.”
On their way to the cash register, Samantha stopped back by the beach towel display and selected one in each color.
“Why do we need six?” Grant asked.
“For when our siblings visit,” Samantha replied, piling the towels into his arms.
Grant grinned at her. “And here I thought our beach house would be a sibling-free zone.”
Samantha joined in his laughter. “As if we’d actually ever get away with that. It’s a great idea, but we both know it won’t fly with any of our siblings.”
Grant chuckled. “Tell me. It was a nice dream while it lasted.”
They paid for their purchases and then Grant took her hand in his as they strolled back towards Sam’s apartment. It was a few blocks away, but Sam didn’t mind the walk. Not with her current company. She was happier than she’d ever been. All because of the man by her side.
Chapter 22
Grant kept a hand on Samantha’s back as they reached her apartment and went inside. After holding her hand all the way back, an
d stopping for the occasional kiss, he was on the verge of exploding with desire. He needed her now.
She tossed her shopping bags to the side of the door and then he grabbed her around the waist, spinning her until she was flush against his body. He ravaged her mouth with hard and hungry kisses, slowly walking her backwards towards her bedroom.
When her knees hit the edge of the bed he released her mouth and stepped back to glance her over. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world. And she’s mine.
One hand slid down her taut stomach to the swell of her hips, while the other one touched her face. His thumb traced her lips, still warm and moist from their kiss. He removed her clothing one piece at a time, and his fire increased when she did the same to him.
Her hands were shaky and he had to help her to unbutton his pants. She licked her lips in anticipation of what was to come and quivered under his touch. When they were both naked, except for her panties and those killer heels, he crowded her once again, using his hands to mold her body to his, before looking at her reverently.
“God, you’re so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
Passion and love spread though his body and his voice was thick with desire when he said, “Sit down.”
Samantha did as he requested, and Grant squatted at her feet and slowly unbuckled her heels. He kissed the arch of each foot as he removed the shoe, and then made a path of ardent kisses up the inside of one leg, around the outside of a thigh, kissing her stomach and then the sides of her breasts before coming back to her mouth.
He took her lips in a kiss filled with promises and desire. Panting for breath, he broke away from their kiss and urged her to scoot up in the bed until her head lay on the pillow.
He slid her panties from her body and knelt between her knees.
“Grant?” Samantha asked.
“What?” he answered, kissing his way up the inside of her leg once again.
Her question dissipated as he found her core and placed kisses along her center, igniting both of their passions to a frenzy. When she grabbed his hair and pulled slightly, he surged upwards to take her mouth with his, made short work of donning the protection he’d left lying in easy reach, and then plunged into her wet heat.
Samantha moaned beneath him when he entered her, and thrust her hips into him, to bury him deeper inside her. He groaned. She felt so gorgeous, hot and wet, ready for him. Sliding in and out of her, he lifted himself up on his elbows, so he could watch her face – that beautiful face he’d wanted to kiss for as long as he could remember.
He sped up his rhythm, knowing, it would soon send them both to the stars.
Samantha wrapped her legs around his hips, arching into his body as the tide of pleasure continued to rise. Several minutes later, she screamed his name as with one final push, he took her body along with his to that place where pleasure and desire culminated in nirvana.
When they both regained their breath, Grant rolled onto his back and took her with him, pulling her against his side and kissing her temple. Her head was lying in the well of his collarbone and her breast pressed into his chest. She swung her upper leg across his body, as if she was trying to capture him.
“What happens now?” she asked.
Grant had been waiting for that question. She never had been to leave things alone for long. Not my Samantha. “I don’t know. We’ll figure it out as we go, Sammie. This is all so new for both of us.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” she told him, tipping her head up and kissing his jaw.
“You won’t lose me. Ever. We’ll work everything out. I promise.” He answered her kiss with one of his own, pressing her soft curves tighter against his body and taking her lips in an impassioned kiss that soon filled every cell in his body with heat and new desire.
“I have to fly back to Chicago tonight.”
“You do?” she asked.
“Yes. I have an important job tomorrow that I have to be there for.”
“You came here by plane?” she asked.
He couldn’t hide a grin. “Yes. It would have taken far too much time driving, you know?”
Samantha nudged him with her finger. “You did that for me?”
“Only for you. I desperately needed to see you. I was afraid I had lost you.”
She snuggled up against him, tracing her finger down his chest and his abs until she let it linger just above his groin. He shuddered under her touch.
“Now I love you even more,” she said. Then she rolled over so she was lying atop him. She kissed him again, rekindling his fire. Her knees fell to either side of his hips as she pushed herself up to a sitting position.
“You’re playing with fire, and I didn’t bring any more protection with me,” he cautioned her.
Samantha leaned forward to kiss him and moved her pelvis further down to touch his already hard length with her wet folds. Then she whispered in his ear, “We don’t need it. I’ve been on the pill since I was sixteen to help regulate my cycle.”
Grant opened his eyes wide and jolts of raw desire passed through him. She straddled him, giving him her most sensual smile, taking her breasts into her hands and squeezing them together.
The sight of her hardening rosy nipples above him and the anticipation of being inside her with nothing separating them was almost more than he could handle. In a rash move he took advantage of her position and joined their bodies once again, pushing through her wet heat and then urging her to ride him. His hands roamed her body, and once they had reached her shoulders, he pulled her towards him, so he could explore her breasts with his tongue. He licked and bit at her nipples, while she rode him as hard and fast as she could. I will never get enough of her.
Passion pounded the blood through his body and soon she gasped in sweet agony, her inner muscles convulsing around him. He followed her to the moment of ecstasy and exploded into her.
She came to lie on top of him and refused to move, wrapping her arms and legs around him, as if she had to cage him. He managed to glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand and couldn’t believe his eyes. Where had the time gone?
“Sammie, it’s high time to leave for the airport.”
She still didn’t move, and the only sign of understanding was a gruff groan. He gave her two more minutes, lying still, holding her tight, before he carefully rolled her off of him.
She said, “I already miss you and you’re not even gone.”
He broke out in laughter and kissed her nose. “I wish you could fly back with me, sweetie.”
“I wish I could too, but I have to make this shoot tomorrow. If I blow it one more time, my career is over.”
“Hmm,” Grant mumbled, and looked for his clothes scattered on the floor. He had to hurry if he wanted to catch his flight. Her voice startled him: “Are you angry at me?”
Grant looked at her and noticed she hadn’t even started to dress, but sat there on the bed, looking crestfallen. He gave her a puzzled look. “Why would I be angry with you?”
“Because I can’t come with you.”
Grant closed the distance between them, took her face between his hands, and met her eyes. “Sweetie. Of course I’m not angry. I understand how important your career is to you. I would never want to stand in your way. I want you to be successful and happy, and if being a model does that for you, you have my full support.”
Tears formed in her eyes and he added, “No way. You’re not going to cry now. Okay? I hate to see you crying.”
She sniffed, “Okay. Do you want me to come with you to the airport?”
He grinned at her. “I’d love it, but you might have to get dressed first.” His comment had her laughing again, which took a load off his mind.
She dressed in record time and they rushed downstairs to hail a taxi. All the way to the airport, her hand lay clasped in his and her head rested on his shoulder. I sure can get used to that.
Samantha kissed him, .“Thank you.”
“Thank me for what?”
&nb
sp; “For loving me. For coming here to get me. For not being intimidated by my temper. For…”
He silenced her with a kiss. “Don’t thank me, I’m the lucky one here. You could do a lot better than me.”
Now it was her turn to open her eyes wide in disbelief. “Why would you say that?”
“Look at you. Famous, beautiful top model. You could have any man you wanted. I’m just an ordinary guy.”
Samantha shook her head. “You’re not ordinary at all. You may not be rich and famous, but those things are shallow. You are so much more. You’re the only man who ever truly understood me, who has always supported me, and who has loved me even before I was famous.
“You’re the one who makes me feel complete, who is strong enough to accept me the way I am, but caring enough to call me on my weaknesses.
“You don’t need to keep me down, just to feel stronger and more successful yourself, and you definitely don’t need me as an adornment on your arm to brag.“
He was choked with emotion and pressed a kiss on her temple. He loved this woman and apparently she loved him just as much. I’ll make sure that won’t change in the next fifty or sixty years.
“I couldn’t wish for a better man than you,” Samantha said.
“That’s what your brother said.”
“My brother? Which one?”
“Guess,” he told her.
“Patrick? You talked with him about me?” She slapped him on the chest. “Why were you talking about me with my brother? And Patrick? Why?”
“He called me and your name kind of came up.”
Samantha furrowed her brow. “Patrick called you. Why?”
“He called to tell me he and Angela are getting married and asked me to be his best man.”
“They’re getting married? That’s great news.”
“You hadn’t heard?” Grant asked.
“I’ve been a little preoccupied with things in the last days. Several of my siblings have called me, but I haven’t listened to the messages or returned their calls yet.”
“Maybe you should do that.”
Samantha nodded her head. “I will. I promise.”
Explosion of Love (The Armstrongs Book 6) Page 9
