Page 112 of Running to You

She told herself not to expect too much. To give him time. But her hands weren’t obeying her brain as they gripped his sweatshirt and pulled him closer.

He urged her lips open, probed her mouth. He tasted of toothpaste and smelled like pine and fear and…Sam. That unique scent that was his and only his.

Wrapping an arm around her, he shifted her against him, deepening the kiss, and passion exploded inside her. Not just desire, but love and tenderness and gratitude and a thousand other things she had no name for.

He ended the kiss with a groan, holding her close. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you.”

He set her back, held her eyes. “I love you, Eliza. I can’t lose you again.”

Oh, stupid tears. She told herself they were tears of happiness. Joyful tears.

She wasn’t going to think about the fear his words thrummed in her chest. Because she still hadn’t told him about Levi. And when she did…

His eyes narrowed. Was he nervous? How could he not know her feelings?

“Oh, Sam.” She couldn’t help the slight chuckle. “I’ve loved you every second I’ve been gone. I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry for everything, all of it. I wish I could go back. I wish…”

He pulled her against his chest again. “Let’s not do that. Let’s just go forward from here.” He stretched out his legs, and she lay beside him on the couch, resting her head on his biceps, loving the weight of his arm around her waist, the soft press of his lips against her temple.

“We should get some sleep.” And maybe a tiny part of her wanted him to stay with her, even if she knew it was a bad idea.

“I just want to hold you for a few minutes.”

She let herself relax and enjoy the moment. She had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but tonight Sam loved her. Maybe it would be enough.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Sam was very careful when he climbed out from behind Eliza on the couch. She made a little mewing sound that had his gaze flicking to the king-sized bed.

Yeah.

He needed to go. He turned the covers down, then lifted Eliza off the couch and settled her on the mattress.

Her eyes opened. And she smiled. Then frowned. “Um, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Just tucking you in, sweetheart.” He pulled the covers over her, kissed her gently on the lips, and turned the lamp off.

The door to the adjoining room was open just enough to light his way there. When he stepped in, Michael was reclining on one of the beds.

He set his phone aside. “She okay?”

“She’s sleeping.”

“You two didn’t…uh—”

“I don’t do that anymore.”

Michael’s lip tipped up on one side. “Good idea, until you get married, which might happen sooner than you’d imagined.” He gave the adjoining door a pointed look.

The words had Sam remembering the kiss, the feel of her body against his.

Yeah, that wasn’t helpful. He grabbed the sack of stuff he’d bought in Concord and disappeared into the bathroom for a shower.

Ten minutes later, dressed in a too-small T-shirt and scratchy sleep pants, he exited the bathroom. He needed to book them on a flight to Denver. He should have done that in the car on the way down, but Eliza had felt so good tucked up against his side.

Michael was back to scrolling his phone.