LESS THAN THIRTY minutes later, the doorbell pealed and Sam rushed to open the front door. She was gathered up into Kade’s embrace and kissed until neither of them could form a coherent sentence. She looped her arms around his neck. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He kissed her again. “Och, love, I missed ye.”
“I’ve missed you more.”
He grinned. “Not possible.”
“You’ve been apart for less than an hour,” Connall retorted as he pushed Kade aside and hugged Sam. “You two really should get a room.”
“If Kade didn’t have to pick you up from the airport, we would have,” Sam challenged.
Connall laughed. “Touché. How are you?”
“I’m great.” Sam grinned as Kade pulled her back against him.
Brodie and Angus had managed to slip inside and were speaking with their mates. Payton seemed a little warmer to Brodie since her scare, but Sam could tell she was still a little leery.
“Are your parents home?” Kade asked.
Sam shook her head. “No, they left a while ago. I’ll set the alarm and we can go.”
The group made their way outside so that Samantha could lock up and then she followed Kade to the car. They’d planned ahead and rented the stretch limo for the week, knowing they’d more than likely travel often as a group.
“I’m glad he’s back with you, Sam,” Connall said. “He’s been a pain in the arse.”
Sam laughed. “How is that even possible?”
“You have her fooled, it would appear,” Brodie complained.
Kade took Sam’s hand and smiled. “Absolutely. Like taking candy from a baby.”
Sam snorted. “Have you ever tried to take candy from a baby?”
“Admittedly, no.” He kissed her fingers. “But I’d imagine it’s about as easy as convincing you I’m perfect.”
The banter continued as the group climbed back into the limo. Sam noticed a darkness cover Connall’s face and she frowned. Within seconds, her phone rang and Dalton’s name came up. “Hey, Dalt.”
“Hey. Pepper’s mom was attacked.”
“What? What happened?”
Kade squeezed her hand and she gratefully took the comfort.
“We’re not sure,” Dalton said. “I’ve got a team going through the house now, but Pepper’s gotta be somewhere else.”
Sam sighed. “Bring her to the Gastonian. Kade booked the whole place and there’s plenty of room for her. Don’t take no for an answer.”
“I won’t.”
“Meet us at the hotel and we’ll all head to the restaurant together, okay?”
“Okay, great. Thanks.”
Sam hung up and sagged against Kade. “Pepper’s mom was attacked.”
“What did Dalton say happened?” Kade asked.
“He’s not sure. He’s got a team at the house now.”
Kade kissed her fingers. “We’ll protect Pepper, you know that, right?”
Sam nodded. “I know. The big issue is whether or not she’ll let you.”
“She won’t have much of a choice, Sam,” Connall said as the car pulled up at the hotel.
Kade slid from the back seat and then assisted Sam. She was pleasantly surprised that the rest of the group scattered, with the promise to meet up in an hour for dinner.
Kade gave her a lascivious grin and whisked her up to the penthouse suite, where she found herself kissed and undressed in record time. She didn’t come back to earth until they were forced to acknowledge the time.
Sam glanced up at the bed from her place on the floor, sprawled over Kade’s chest. “I remember that bed being quite comfy.”
He chuckled. “I do too. I’m looking forward to actually sleeping there tonight.”
Samantha giggled. “Me too.”
Kade’s phone buzzed. “Where are my pants?”
“Here,” Sam said and handed them to him.
He pulled his phone from the pocket and sighed. “Everyone’s waiting for us in the parlor.”
She kissed his chest. “Thank you for the quickie.”
He grinned. “There’ll be much more to look forward to after dinner.”
“Can’t wait.”
* * *
Kade and Samantha headed downstairs and met everyone in the foyer. They arrived just as Dalton walked in the front door with Pepper. Samantha planned to hug her friend, but hesitated when she saw Pepper catch sight of Connall.
Like magnets drawn together, Connall approached Pepper and smiled as he held his hand out to her. “Pepper, lass.”
“Yes,” Pepper said.
“I’m Connall,” he said.
“I’ll be damned,” Kade whispered.
Sam glanced up at him. “Are they?”
“They’re mates.”
Sam laid her fingers over her lips. “Kade, really?”
He kissed her temple. “Aye.”
“Well, that worked out just about perfectly, didn’t it?”
“Did it?” he asked.
“She has been my sister-in-heart since we were seven. Now, she’ll be my sister-in-law for real.” He grinned and Sam sagged against him. “I didn’t really need to say that out loud, did I?”
“Remember when I said I loved hearing your thoughts and secrets?”
She smiled up at him. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Intimately.” He leaned down and whispered, “I love you too.”
Sam leaned closer to Kade, reveling in his strong arms wrapped around her, and watched as her best friend started her own magical journey.
“Galdrastafir virðist ófullnægjandi á einhvern hátt (Magical seems inadequate in some way),” he whispered.
She glanced up at him. “It does, doesn’t it?”
“Tilvera högg með boltanum af eldingum vafinn í regnbogans.”
She giggled. “Exactly! Lightning wrapped in a rainbow.”
As he kissed her, Sam said a silent prayer of thanks. She’d found the man of her dreams and she couldn’t have been happier.