Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Yup.”
“Why don’t you trust them?”
I wasn’t prepared for his answer. “Because they got my mom killed. They sent her into a dangerous situation, one where there was basically no chance she’d survive, and—” He took a moment to get his emotions under control before continuing. “And ever since then, I’ve had a lot of questions. I want to know what SPAM’s really about, and whether they’re endangering other superheroes, the way they endangered my mom.”
It felt like adjusting the focus on a camera and seeing Sam clearly for the first time. It wasn’t that he was paranoid, or a conspiracy theorist. He was a heartbroken son who’d lost his mom way too young, and he’d been trying to make sense of it ever since. Maybe he also wanted someone to blame, because anger was easier to deal with than grief.
Even though I felt confident our employer was on our side, it was important to show Sam I supported him. I took my phone from my pocket, picked up a butter knife, and started to pry off the back as I asked, “Do you know what a tracking device looks like?”
“I do. And in case you’re wondering, I already made sure the GPS was shut off on both phones. I just wish I’d gone through everything sooner. If they are tracking us, then they already know about this place.”
“Let’s see what we find.”
Sam stuck a stray lock of hair behind his ear and glanced at me. “I realize I’m probably way off base with all of this, but I hate sitting around feeling helpless. At least this way, I feel like I’m doing something to try to improve our situation.”
“I get it.”
He finished with his phone and moved on to the stun gun. When I noticed the way he was prying it open, I told him, “I’m not sure that’s safe.”
“Don’t worry. I took out the battery.”
“But it can also be charged by plugging it into an outlet, so it might be holding a residual charge.” As those words left my lips, a buzzing sound rang out. Sam yelped and fell backwards, and I leapt up so quickly that my barstool tumbled over.
I shouted his name and raced around the kitchen island. He was splayed out on the wood floor, and as I crouched down beside him, he murmured, “Ow.”
“Are you okay?”
“That hurt. But I barely grazed the wires, so I don’t think I got the full effect.”
“Want me to help you to the couch?”
“Actually, I think I just want to lie here for a minute.” I curled up on the floor beside him, and he said, “Thanks for not saying I told you so.”
“It’s taking a lot of effort.” That made him grin.
“I’ve been on a quest to convince you I’m not a total dumbass, but that probably took me back to square one.”
“I know you’re not, Sam.”
He rolled onto his side so we were facing each other and searched my eyes. After a moment, he asked softly, “Would you ever want a guy like me?”
“Yes! God yes. I’m the one who’s worried you wouldn’t want someone like me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because your ex is a big, beefy jock, and if that’s your type—”
“It’s not. We never fit together.” He reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine. “I know it’s not the best timing with everything that’s going on right now, but I like you, Andy, and I want us to be more than friends.”
“I want that, too. It’s scary for me to take the plunge though, because my love life has always been a huge disaster. I’ve been hurt so many times that at some point I stopped trying.”
“I understand, but please give me a chance, Andy. I’ll spend every day proving you can trust me.”
He was so sweet and hopeful. I remembered what Moira had said—be brave. With my heart thudding in my ears, I leaned in and kissed him. It started out light and tentative, almost a question. Sam answered by pulling me closer and deepening the kiss.
In the next instant, the attraction between us ignited.
I wanted him like I’d never wanted anyone or anything in my entire life. My hands were shaking as I stripped myself, and then he helped me as I fumbled to get his clothes off.
As soon as we were both naked, we began exploring every part of each other. I licked and kissed his neck and shoulders and chest while my hands slid over his smooth skin. He was absolutely intoxicating.
When he pushed me onto my back and started sucking my cock, it was all I could do not to come in two seconds flat. I propped myself up on my elbows, because I needed to watch him. Sam was totally lost in the moment, grasping my hips with both hands. He slid his lips all the way down my shaft, then pulled back to the tip before plunging down again.