Just Perfect (14 page)

“No, Lily.  It
will
last.  No other option.”

“Are you sure everything's okay?”  She sensed he wanted to
talk about something. “Is there something you want to talk about?”

He shook his head.  “So you'll have Thanksgiving with us?”

“I'm sure that's fine.  With the way things are going with
Glen, Mom will want him there.  Jake too of course.”

“Glen spent Thanksgiving with us a few times before.”

“Well, sounds good then.”  Other than feeling nervous about
meeting his mother.  What if she didn't like her?  Would it bother her that she
already had a child?  She wouldn't let anyone be unkind to Johnathan.  “Do you
think she'll like me?”  Lord, she was pathetic.  She wanted to be a strong,
confident woman.  The truth was she wasn't confident at all.  She was wary of
everything that was different from her everyday routine.

“She'll love you.”

Still worried, she could only nod.

“You have a lot in common with her.”

“How so?”  She wanted as much information as he would give.

“She was a single mom when she met the man she's married
to.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.  It was just the two of us when she met Alan.”

“He's not your dad?”

“No.  My dad left us when I was about Johnathan's age.”

“I'm sorry.”  What made people do horrible things like
abandoning their family?

“Things turned out a hell of a lot better than they would
have if he stayed.” 

“Well, Samson Fuller.  Your mom did a great job with you. 
You turned out pretty good.”  She bumped him with her shoulder.

“Thank you.  You're not so bad yourself.”  He growled and
gave her tickling kisses on her neck.

His thumb grazed her cheekbone. “You'll like her.  Don't
worry.  Everything will be fine.”

His mouth brushed over hers before he thrust his tongue
deep.  Both his arms came around her and held her tightly.  Within seconds, she
was panting and trying to press her tightened nipples against his chest.

Remembering her son and mom were upstairs, she turned her
face away. “Sam, we can't do that right now.  Someone might come down.”

His warm hand made long sweeps of her body from ribs to knee
and it felt so good she wanted to purr.

“I left you needing to come yesterday.”  His voice grew
husky.

“It's okay.”  The tips of her ears burned with
embarrassment.

He lifted his head. “It's okay?  Hmm.  Were you a bad girl
last night, Lily?” He pushed her to her back and settled himself heavily on top
of her. “Did you touch yourself?”

“N-no.”

“No?”

She shook her head.  Were they really talking about this?

“So you still need it?  I could slip my fingers inside you
right now and you'd come for me?”

“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

He immediately attacked the zipper on her jeans.

“No! Someone might come down.”

He groaned and dropped his head to her shoulder.  Bringing
her hand to his hair, she tried to soothe him.

“I know it's frustrating.  I'm sorry.” He might find her
living situation an inconvenience.   She doubted he would want to schedule sex
for the rare occasion Johnathan was on a sleep
over. 
Sam was a grown man if he wanted a woman he could go out and get one.  She
didn't want him to feel obligated to her because they already slept together. 
It would kill her to lose him, but she didn't want him to resent her either.

“Sam?” Her insides clenched “I know my living situation
isn't ideal.  I won't be upset if it's not convenient for you.”   Lily couldn't
believe she got the lie out in a steady voice.

He jerked his head up and his eyes burned into hers.

“You wouldn't be upset?”  He asked darkly.

That was the wrong thing to say to him.  Unsure how to
defuse the situation, she patted his chest.  “I just want you to be happy.” She
gulped. “Us not having privacy is frustrating for you.”

“Is it frustrating for you?”

Lily had to think about it.  Would saying yes mean she was
unhappy about her son and mom?  She wouldn't change being with them for
anything.  Even if it meant losing Sam.

“I wouldn't change my situation.  I love my family.”  If he
didn't understand then, she didn't need to be with him but that didn't stop her
from wanting to cling to him.

“I love my family too but I wouldn't hesitate to hide away
for a few hours to be with you.”

“I won't leave my son to have sex with some guy.  What kind
of mother would that make me?”

“Some guy?” 

“Yes.” She snapped. “What kind of mother would that make
me?”

“A satisfied one?”

“If you don't like the way my life is, Sam, you don't have
to deal with it.”

“So defensive.” He tangled his fingers in her hair. “I never
said I couldn't deal with it.  Calm down.”

She stiffened. “I'm not defensive.”

He scowled at her and sat up.  “What do you want out of this
relationship, Lily?”

What did she want? “I guess... um..I suppose I never really
thought it through.”  She took a deep breath and sat up. “To be honest, when I'm
with you I don't think about the future.  All I can think about is that moment.

He just stared hard at her like it would make her say what
he wanted to hear.  Was he deliberately misunderstanding her or had she hurt
his feelings?  She assumed it was a little bit of both.  Were men usually this
sensitive?

She tentatively reached for his hand. “Sam. This is new for
me and there are so many things going on right now.  Sometimes I don't know if
I can handle one more new thing happening in my life.”  His eyes narrowed on
her face.  “I
am
glad I met you, though.  I wouldn't change that.”

She must have said something right because his tense body
relaxed.

***

For the first time in his adult life, Sam was unsure how to
handle a situation.  He made so many mistakes with Lily.  Every time he was
with her he was lying.  He needed to tell her about the house soon. But damn,
he really didn't know how she would react.  She just said she didn't think she
could handle one more thing happening.

He would think about it for a few days.  Maybe an
opportunity would arise. He felt her soft fingers run up and down his arm.
“Sam? You look upset.  Did I say something wrong?”

Hearing the worry in her voice, he lifted her by the waist
and brought her to his lap, burying his face in her hair and breathing deeply.

“Lily, I have to tell you something.”  He let his eyes roam
her face and then rest on her beautiful brown eyes.  To him, her eyes look like
warm maple syrup.  He never wanted to be without her.  He wanted to hold her
like this forever.

“What, Sam? What do you want to tell me?”  Her small hands
rubbed his shoulders.

He swallowed a lump in his throat. Sam was so worried about
being rejected by her that he manipulated her life to suit him.  When did he
become so insecure and pathetic? If anyone else did this, he would say they
were a worthless piece of shit.
Damn
.

“You're making me worry.”  She started to scoot off his lap
and his hands clamped down on her hips.

“It's okay.  I just wanted to let you know I want this
relationship to work.  If we don't have much privacy right now, it's fine. 
We'll work it out.”

The smile she gave him made him feel like a world class
asshole.  She tucked her head under his chin and rested quietly.  He never
realized he was the type of man who would lie to get what he wanted. What was
it about this woman that made him so desperate to her?  Sam knew she belonged
with him.  He felt it in his bones.  But if he didn’t handle this right she
would hate him.

Over the next three weeks, they fell into a comfortable
rhythm.  Sam and Glen spent most evenings at the farmhouse.  Sam even brought
his brother, Dean, on occasion.  Dean was fun to be around and Johnathan
thought he was hilarious.  It was nice to see Sam with his brother.  They looked
so different.  Even their mannerisms were different.  Where Sam was broad and
muscular with dark hair and blue eyes, Dean had a lean strength with blond hair
and green eyes.  Sam was calm and controlled and Dean was the life of the
party, always making everyone laugh.

She even met most everyone at the shop including Willa, who
Lily turned out to really like, and the big scary Rick, who had a surprisingly
gentle smile.

On Halloween, her mom stayed at the house with Glen so they
could watch a movie and have dinner.  Lily was a little envious.  She hadn't
been alone with Sam since the one time they had sex.  She wanted him.  She
seemed to be in a perpetual state of arousal especially when he was around.

She made plans with Candace to take the boys trick or
treating in a large neighborhood in Falls.  With her little ninja master in the
backseat, they drove to town to pick up their trick or treat partners.  Candace
seemed unsure about going, but Lily managed to talk her into it.  She still
didn't know what was going on with Derek's mom but maybe she could get her to
open up.  They could both use a friend.

“What is Derek going to be for Halloween?” 

“He's going to be a ninja, like me.  We're going to get lots
of candy.  Hurry up, Mom!  All the little kids will get the good stuff!”

“It's not even dark yet, kiddo. I’m sure there will be
plenty of candy.”

They pulled up to Candace's apartment and she was already
coming down the stairs with
her
little ninja.  Derek and Johnathan
started talking excitedly about the upcoming evening. Derek's voice was quieter
but no less enthusiastic.

“Hi, Lily.  Thanks for picking us up.”

“Of course.  It'll be fun.  I hope you don't mind but I have
to stop by Sam's shop so he can see Johnathan's costume.”

“That's fine.” She smiled but Lily could tell a change in
plans made her nervous. 

“I bet he won't even know it's me!”  Johnathan said. “We
look like real ninjas, Derek.”

Lily and Candace shared a laugh. When they got to the shop,
Johnathan jumped out of the car. “Sam!”  he yelled to the shop. “I bet you
can't tell it's me!”

Lily chuckled and started to get but paused when Candace and
Derek stayed seated. “Come on Candace.  Everyone here is very nice.”

“We'll wait here.”

“Can I go with Johnathan, Mom?”  Derek rested a hand on his
mom's shoulder.

Candace's eyes got panicked and she looked at Lily as if she
didn't know what to say or do.

“It's safe here. I promise.  I wouldn't bring Johnathan otherwise.'

Candace studied the shop where Johnathan disappeared. “We'll
go in for a minute Derek.”

On the walk to the shop, Lily heard Johnathan's excited
voice and Sam's quiet chuckle.  When he spotted her, his eyes grew warm.

“Hi there.” He greeted.

“Hi. I hope we're not interrupting work.”

“No.  We're closing down for the night.”  He put his arm
around her and kissed the top of her head.

She loved the way he smelled, even after working in a shop
all day, he smelled good.  Like the outdoors and a rich scent that was his
alone.  Her breasts grew sensitive and achy.  Actually, her breasts seemed to
always be sensitive and achy since meeting him.

“Looks like we're being invaded by ninjas.” Ricky deep voice
sounded behind her.

She turned to face him. “Hi, Rick.  Yes. You're being
invaded by ninjas.  They've come for all your candy.”

“I wish I had some to give you guys.”

“Sam, Rick, this is my friend Candace and her son Derek.”

Candace’s eyes grew wide as she took in Rick’s hulking
frame.  Lily should have prepared her.  Seeing Rick for the first time was a
shock. Just a few weeks ago she'd been almost as uncomfortable around men. 
Almost.

Sam didn't extend his hand to her. “Nice to meet you,
Candace.  You too Derek.” Candace merely nodded still staring wide eyed at
Rick.

“Hi Rick. You like our costumes?  Do we look like real
ninjas?”  Johnathan asked.

“Yeah, little man you definitely look like real ninjas.  I
was scared for a minute.”  Rick looked like his usual scary self with his bald
head and muscles.  She doubted he had ever been scared a day in his life.

“C'mon Derek, let’s go find Dean and try to scare him.  I
bet he has candy.”  Johnathan bounced up and down next to Sam.

Derek didn't run off but stood silently next to him mom.

Surprisingly, Candace let her son go. “Go ahead, honey. 
Don't be long.”

Derek hesitated.  He clearly wanted to go but hesitated to
leave his mom.

“Go, Derek, it's okay,” Candace encouraged.

He slowly followed his friend but glanced back over his
shoulder at his mom.  She smiled encouragingly and after scanning the area, he
trotted after Johnathan.

“It's nice to meet you, Candace.” Rick held out his hand to
her.

She reluctantly laid her hand in his massive hand.

“Rick looks scary, but he's pretty tame,” Sam said lightly.

Candace looked doubtful and Rick smiled. Lily felt terrible
for putting her friend in an uncomfortable position.

“We better go Sam. It's almost dark.  I'll call you
tomorrow.  I'm not sure what time we'll be home tonight.”

Johnathan and Derek came back in the shop.  Each holding a
candy bar laughing as Dean trailed behind them.

“Hey,” Dean started, “these two ninjas robbed me of the last
of my candy bar stash.  I don't know how I'm gonna get through the night
without my sugar fix.  I need to go home and find a costume and go trick or
treating with you, Lily.” He paused in his stride when he saw Candace. “Hello there.”
He turned a charming smile her way. A smile that she completely ignored.

Lily laughed when Rick rolled his eyes. “This is Dean,” he
said, “stay away from him. He's dangerous.”  That earned him a startled look
from Candace indicating she thought Rick was the dangerous one.  He was so big
and mean looking.  He probably frightened her half to death.

Dean put a hand on his chest. “I'm offended, Rick.  I'm as
harmless as a kitten.”

“More like a tom cat. Hey, Lily.”  Willa approached their
group. “Look at ya'll ninjas.  You two 'bout gave me a start.”  She placed a
hand over her heart for effect.

“You think we'll be able to scare people when we trick or
treat?”  Johnathan asked her.

Willa considered the two boys thoughtfully and tapped a
finger to her chin.  She planted a hand on her curvy hip. “I don't know about
scary but ninjas are real stealthy like.  When you go out tonight, nobody will
ever see ya'll comin'.  You'll be come and gone with that candy before they can
say “boo”. They won't hardly even know you were there.  Yes, sir, those are
some real clever costumes for candy getting’.”

The boys puffed their chests out with pride in their choice
of costumes.

Dean huffed. “You just told two seven-year-olds to steal
candy, Willa.”

Willa flushed. “No, I didn't.  I was tellin’ them how cool
their costumes are.”

“Yeah. Right before you told them to sneak up on people and
steal their candy when they weren’t looking.”

Willa's panicked eyes met Lily's and then jerked over to
Candace.  “I didn't mean it like that.  I'm sorry.  I was just -”

“It's okay Willa.  Really.”  Lily touched her arm. “The boys
knew what you meant.  And it was just what they wanted to hear.”  What was
Dean's deal?

Willa seemed to relax but still looked embarrassed. She
smiled at Lily. “Ya'll have fun tonight.”  She turned and walked away.

Silence followed and Dean watched her leave.  He looked
regretful but clenched his jaw and shook her head.

“We better go, Lily.”  Candace's quiet voice cut through the
silence.

“You're right, let's get going.”  She slid her hand into
Sam's. “I'll talk to you tomorrow.”

“I'll walk you to the car.”

As they made their way out of the shop, Lily noticed Rick
following closely behind Candace.  What was up with that?  Didn't he realize
how uncomfortable she was?

“Mom?” Derek asked his mom. “Can Johnathan stay the night?”

“Of course, but it's up to his mom.”

Both boys turned puppy dog eyes on Lily. “You don't have any
clothes, kiddo.  Or a toothbrush.”

“It's fine.  He can borrow a pair of Derek's pajamas and we
have a few new toothbrushes.”  Candace assured.

“Well, if it's okay with you...”

“It absolutely is.”

“Yay!”  Johnathan cried and Derek just smiled before jumping
into the back seat to make plans.

Lily turned to Sam. “I'll call you when I get home.”  Sam's
eyes heated.  She assumed he was anticipating a night alone with her. 
Butterflies went crazy in her belly.

“Drive safe.' He murmured.

“I hope to see you again, Candace.”  Rick opened the door
for her friend.  Candace paled again.  Lily knew that most shy women blushed
when men spoke to them, but Candace turned deathly white. 

Her friend didn't answer Rick, she just slipped into the
passenger’s seat quietly. 

Lily stole a look at Rick.  He backed a few steps away from
the car and waved before returning to the shop.  Looks like things weren't just
changing for Lily.  They might be changing for her new friend too.

Trick or treating was a success.  Their little ninjas made
out like little bandits.  After leaving the shop, Candace relaxed and they
laughed together as they watched their sons having fun.

She took everyone to Candace's apartment and the boys dumped
their bounty out so they could go through it.  After a hug and a promise from
Johnathan to be good she left.