CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
It was less than an hour later when Sam confidently strode into the coffee shop where Riley was nursing a hot chocolate. A strange request on a warm day like today but they’d made it for her without complaint. She’d paged through her e-book but had trouble concentrating so she’d tried her social media, but even that seemed dull and uninteresting. Luckily he was here and she could find out what had happened.
“That didn’t take long.” She searched his face for a clue as to the outcome of the meeting with his ex but dammit, he was doing that actor thing again. She couldn’t tell if he was happy or devastated. “Are you…finished?”
Sam nodded and held out his hand to help her up out of her chair. “We had a good talk. How about we get back to the city?”
A good talk. Okay, that sounded promising. Riley was an optimist at heart.
“What–?”
He shook his head, his gaze sweeping the little coffee shop. “Not here, babe. Let’s wait until we get home.”
She wanted to protest that she couldn’t wait that long, but if he could wait almost twenty years for closure she could wait until they got back to the city. She didn’t want to, but she’d do it.
They slid into the back seat of the rental and she couldn’t stop herself asking one question.
“I know we’re going to talk about this when we get home but…are you okay?”
Flashing his patented Hollywood smile, he pulled out his phone and began to tap out a text.
“I’m fine. It’s all going to be fine.”
A good talk. Fine.
Not exactly the most scintillating of descriptions, but she held tightly to them as they drove back to the city. The driver didn’t even glance in their direction, all his attention on the road, but she understood why Sam wanted to keep quiet until they could be alone. Big ears were everywhere and what they said today could be front page in a tabloid tomorrow.
It was only when they were in the sanctity of their own home that he finally spoke.
“Trish and I talked. She’s felt guilty all these years because of what she said that night. She apologized.”
Riley sat down heavily onto the couch, falling back against the cushions. Was that it? All the angst that he’d held inside, all the self-doubt and blame, and it was gone? Poof! Because of one little conversation with his ex? Trish had apologized and all was right with the world.
I’m not ready to make nice yet.
“And what was her reason for blaming you? Or did she even give one?”
For some reason her query made Sam smile. “She did give one. A pretty good one, actually. How about I get you some ginger ale and tell you all about it?”
She hadn’t even realized that she had her hand over her stomach. Her anger with Sam’s ex had churned up the acid in her tummy, making her nauseous. A state she was becoming used to.
“I hope it’s a decent explanation. She made you feel like a horrible person all these years.”
Sam handed her a glass and then sat down next to her. “She’s been feeling pretty shitty all this time, too. Once she explained it, I understood why she lashed out at me that night. It all made sense.”
“It doesn’t make it right,” Riley muttered, taking a gulp of the ginger ale. “An apology doesn’t give you back all the years in between.”
Crooking a finger under her chin, he turned her face so she had to look up into his blue eyes. The tenderness in his expression and the love she saw there made her heart ache. She reached up and ran a finger down his face and over his jaw, enjoying the feel of the stubble under her fingertips.
“You’re going to be the best mother ever. You’re not only protective of our little one but you’re protective of me.” Leaning down, he lightly pressed his lips to hers and lingered until the kiss deepened. A shiver ran up Riley’s spine as he pulled back only to quickly kiss her again, leaving them both smiling. “Let me explain and I think you’ll understand too.”
* * *
“So do you get why I accepted her apology?” Sam asked when he’d finished telling his story. “There was nothing to be gained at this point by resenting her or holding a grudge. We both did the best we could at the time but hell, we were basically kids. I don’t think our lives turned out so bad under the circumstances.”
That was true…but…
“You could have had a family much sooner,” Riley pointed out. “You could have forgiven yourself a long time ago.”
“Maybe.” Sam seemed to consider her words. “First, a lot of that guilt was channeled into my career. I worked hard and was ambitious. If I hadn’t had it, who knows where I’d be now? Everything happens for a reason, right? As for having a family sooner, I think that waiting for you was an excellent idea. I’m older, more mature, and ready to make compromises with my career. I can’t imagine loving anyone else but you.”
Her cheeks were red hot at the passion and desire in his gaze and her own body responded immediately, the room suddenly feeling much too warm.
“About those compromises…” There were still a few items they needed to get straight. “I don’t think you should retire. You love acting and producing.”
“I do, so that’s why I’m not going to retire.” Laughing, he dropped a kiss on her half-open lips. “You were right. I went overboard and wasn’t thinking straight. I do, however, want to take some time off after the baby is born. Maybe a year or so. Then we’ll work it out together. I need to find some work-life balance that will make sense for our whole family. I wouldn’t mind having a few more kids later.”
“Let’s take them one at a time,” she protested but secretly the idea sounded kind of wonderful. A real family with Sam. “We can talk about that later after we have this one.”
Grinning, he jumped up from the sofa and headed into the bedroom. “Whatever you say, honey. Just hold on one minute. I’ll be right back.”
Amused by Sam’s departure, Riley relaxed for the first time that day. Maybe in several days. They’d both been on tenterhooks waiting for his meeting with Trish and now it was over and done. They had nothing better to do than go forward and live their lives. It was a relief and she hadn’t realized just how stressed she was until it was gone.
Sam re-entered the living room holding a candle and a lighter. “Give me a minute to set the mood here.”
He set the candle on the coffee table and lit it before helping her off of the sofa and leading her to the giant windows that overlooked the skyline of the city.
“It’s the best romantic atmosphere I can put together on short notice, but this city has never let me down, Riley. I was here when I found out that I got the part in the first Thunder movie and I was also here when I realized that I loved you. So it only seems right that this city is witness to this.”
“What are you–”
Falling to one knee, Sam dug out a small black velvet box from his pants pocket. She hadn’t even noticed it was there, but she was sure it hadn’t been earlier.
Oh my stars. This is for real. He’s on one knee. This is an honest-to-God marriage proposal. What am I going to say?
Her heart was beating a mile a minute and she could barely breathe. She had to lock her knees to keep from falling into a heap on the floor.
Idiot. Yes. I’m going to say yes. I’m not crazy.
“Riley,” he began, his hand capturing hers and lifting it to his lips, brushing the knuckles. “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could be. You’ve stood by me and supported me. You’ve loved me and cared for me. Hell, you even love my mother. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife and spending the rest of our lives together? I’m not asking because of the baby. I’m asking because I can’t imagine a life without you. Let’s be that team that we’ve talked about and build that family. I’ll be the best husband I possibly can to you. I promise.”
He was a man of his word. She already knew that. It wasn’t going to be easy. There would be catty co-stars and ugly gossip. They’d have to learn to juggle schedules and make compromises. They’d fight and make up.
She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Yes.” The word came out choked as she blinked back the tears. Happy ones. “Yes. I’ll marry you, but I only have one request. Well…two, actually.”
His smile was blinding and he rose to his feet, lifting her off of hers and swinging her around in a circle. “You name it. Anything you want.”
“I’d like to get married before I show too much. Just because it will be easier to find a dress.”
“Done,” he stated, dipping his head so he could kiss and caress her neck. Her eyes almost rolled back into her head when he found that special spot that had her trembling in his arms. “What’s the second?”
She had no earthly idea. Every thought had been driven out of her brain until only one remained. But it was darn good thought.
“Take me to bed.”
She’d figure out the other thing later.
* * *
Somewhere between the living room and the bedroom Sam had managed to slip the engagement ring on Riley’s hand. She lifted it up to take her first look and it took her breath away with its beauty and simplicity. An emerald cut diamond shone brightly, catching the light as she turned her hand this way and that. It was perfect.
“Do you like it?”
His tone sounded nervous but he didn’t have any need to be. It was exactly what she would have chosen. Almost. She wouldn’t have selected a diamond so large, but the style was on the mark.
“I love it.” She held up her hand for his inspection. “I think they’ll be able to see that rock from space, though.”
Laughing, he brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I doubt that. It’s not that big, actually. Five carats is about what Nate got for Paige and Max got for Carrie.”
It looked freaking huge to her but she wasn’t an expert in Hollywood engagements. The ring honestly didn’t matter. She didn’t need one. All she wanted was Sam.
“Well, I think it’s gorgeous but I would have been happy with a simple wedding band.”
“We can have that too,” Sam promised, pressing her back onto the mattress. “Two gold wedding bands, one for you and one for me.”
The ring was forgotten as his lips met hers. This time there was no frenzy, no hurry. With Paula out of the house for the day visiting friends, Riley and Sam had all the time in the world.
Touch. Taste. Explore.
Gentle fingers teased off her clothes, the fabric whispering against her skin as it slid to the floor. Hands glided over bare flesh, hot kisses were pressed against her abdomen, his tongue lapped at a pebbled nipple.
The room was filled with moans and sighs, the musky aroma of seduction heavy in the air. For a long time they were content to kiss, letting their hands and fingers catalog sensitive spots on their partner’s body. Riley learned that Sam was slightly ticklish under his arms, and he learned that running his tongue along her lower back made her clutch the sheets with pleasure.
“Now, Sam,” Riley breathed impatiently. Never in her life could she say that she’d craved a man’s touch until now. She couldn’t get close enough, wanting him on top of her, inside of her, his larger frame making her feel small and feminine.
His cock nudged at her entrance and she widened her legs to accommodate him, wrapping them around his waist as he pressed forward. His face was a mask of concentration but his eyes closed when he was in all the way. Her walls clenched, drawing a groan from deep in his chest.
His thrusts started out slow and lazy, his lips worrying a puckered nipple until her body was bowed off of the bed. Before long their movements became more focused, his strokes faster and harder. Her hips lifted to meet him over and over as the pressure built inside.
She ran her tongue over his salty skin, burying her head in the crook of his neck as her climax ran through her. It was heat and stars and fire and electricity all rolled into one amazing orgasm.
“Riley,” Sam whispered when his own release hit. She watched his expression change from pain to pleasure and then to contentment. He collapsed on top of her but immediately rolled onto his side taking her with him.
Even then they couldn’t seem to stop touching each other, their fingers busy stroking damp skin and whispering silly, romantic things. Sam talked about the future, telling her all the wonderful things they were going to do and she listened, enthralled at the mere idea of spending her life with him.
“I love you,” she said huskily, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. It seemed so important that he know, but how could he not? It was so strong inside of her it had to show. Did she look different now? She felt different. Happier, more complete. They were becoming that partnership she’d always dreamed about. “So much.”
“I love you too, honey. We’re going to have so much fun. I promise you.”
There would be fun, and fights, and love, and sex, and a baby, and maybe more children. They’d travel, and work, and sleep and love some more. They’d live each day and some of it would be good and some of it bad. That’s the way life worked. No one was promised smooth sailing.
As long as they had each other, they could handle the storm.