“Truthfully,” Jordan said “I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. Do you?”
Sam shook her head. “No, I don’t. Not really.”
I grabbed her hand again to gain her attention. Once her pretty face looked up at me, I smiled at her. The bruises and cuts were almost gone, and her smooth skin looked shiny and new.
“We love you, you love us. Jordan and I love each other. We’re best friends, always have been, always will be. Does that mean there will never be bumps in the road? No, I promise there will be plenty, but together we will be rock solid, baby. Just trust in that.”
Sam blew out a breath she had been holding and nodded, as she beamed at us. As I looked at her and back at Jordan, I reveled in our mutual joy. We would have one hell of a future, and I couldn’t wait to get started.
Sam yawned, then cleared her throat. “So both of you will be leaving the day after tomorrow?”
We had explained to her that we had a mission and needed to leave. We couldn’t tell her any specifics, and I was glad for that. It would have brought up many more questions, and I wasn’t looking forward to telling her about my crazy father.
“Yes, we can spend tomorrow together, doing whatever you want, then Alex and I will need to leave early Friday morning. We should be back in a couple of days.” Jordan said.
“Okay, did you want to drop me at home tomorrow night?”
“No!” Jordan and I exclaimed at the same time.
“No,” Jordan said again. “I don’t think you should be alone right now.”
“But, Liz won’t be back until next week. I can take care of myself.” She winked. “I’m getting around much better now.”
“I know,” he smiled kindly. “But I’ll feel better if someone stayed with you, just in case.”
Sam stared at Jordan a moment before looking at me. I didn’t know what Jordan had planned, but I agreed that she should have someone around to help her if she needed. I nodded to Sam, and she sighed, showing her unenthusiastic acceptance.
“Okay.”
“Alex, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about this, but I had an idea. I think Bear should stay with her.”
I thought about it for a moment. Bear was a good choice. He was a member of the Alpha Division, and though his appearance was a little overwhelming, he was a good man. I trusted him almost as much as I did Jordan. He would take good care of Sam, and I knew he would be respectful as well.
I nodded to Jordan. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Sam looked back and forth between us. “Who’s Bear?”
I gave her my brightest smile. “Oh, you’ll like him, Sam. He’s as cuddly as a… well a bear, I suppose.” I laughed as her eyes widened.
Yes, he was exactly what she was thinking. Bear was a bear shifter. That was how he acquired his nickname. That, and his human form had an uncanny resemblance to a grizzly.
“Just don’t let his looks put you off. He’s a really nice guy, and he’ll be able to help you if you need it. You can trust him.”
She nodded and yawned again. She was obviously tired. The day had been long and eventful. I was getting tired myself, and nothing sounded better than wrapping my arms around Sam and holding her close as we slept.
“Why don’t Jordan and I clean this mess up, then we can go to bed. I think we could all use a good night’s sleep.”
Jordan and Sam agreed, and after the left over’s were put away and the dishes cleared, Jordan carried Sam into my bedroom, as I followed behind. He set her down and began stripping off her clothes. Sam didn’t protest. She was so tired, her head lolled to the side, and she could barely keep her eyes open.
Once she was completely bare for our viewing pleasure and her comfort, of course, Jordan and I stripped down as well and joined her in the bed. I pulled her close, so that her head rested on my chest. Her arm was lying across my stomach, but with her cast, it looked uncomfortable. I grabbed an extra pillow and placed it under her hand so that it was elevated.
Jordan climbed in behind Sam and wrapped his arm around her middle. His hand rested on the swell of her stomach, which in turn was touching mine. It wasn’t weird, though. I was used to being close to Jordan. We couldn’t share Sam without that happening.
We pulled the covers over us and settled in. It was nice and comforting to be wrapped together like a big puppy pile. More like a kitten pile, I snorted to myself.
“What can we do tomorrow?” Sam asked sleepily. Her eyes closed, and she was just on the cusp of sleep.
“Whatever you want, sweetheart.” Jordan murmured in her ear.
Sam smiled sweetly. “Can we go out? I’m so tired of sitting in this apartment.”
“I think that’s a great idea. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes. “Go to sleep.”
I listened to her breathing, waiting for it to become slow and deep. Only when I knew she was asleep, did I draw in a lung full of her sweet scent and let myself drift off.
23
Sam