He levered up onto his hands and let loose. He thrust and withdrew, fast and hard, stealing my breath and then launching me over the edge.
He let out a feral growl. “Fuck... yes... Kate...”
When it was done, we lay breathless. I’d had a few good orgasms in the past, but nothing like that. Too bad this was only a one-time thing.
“Will you stay the night, Barley?” he asked.
“Barley?” Did he really forget my name?
“Wheatly, Barley.”
I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t the first time people had used grain puns on me. “I won’t stay if you’re going to call me Barley.”
“Kate. Will you stay?”
I liked the way my name rolled off his tongue too much. “I thought this was a hookup.”
“I don’t know about you, but one time isn’t enough. No ties. No commitment.”
I turned my head to look at him. “Just a night of sex?”
He nodded. God, his green eyes were gorgeous.
“Okay.”
One night turned into the entire weekend. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I didn’t want to leave. It wasn’t just the sex that had me wanting to stay, though.
Sam was funny and sweet and smart. He was from a prominent rich family, but he didn’t put on the airs that so many rich people did. When the weekend ended, I was head over heels in love with him.
Luckily for me, he was too.
By Thanksgiving, I’d moved in with him, which turned out good for Janell as Tyler moved in with her. When May rolled around, my plans to find a job with my family’s company had changed. I was going to New York with Sam.
His graduation happened first, and then a week later, I had mine. After my graduation, he took me to the beach where he got down on one knee and proposed.
There weren’t many times in my life where I felt incandescently happy. Not just in the moment, but like I’d feel like it forever.
When Sam proposed, I knew my life was set on a course for a lifetime of bliss.
The week before we were to move to New York, we were packing up the condo when there was a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it.” I went to the door and opened it. A woman about my age stood on the other side. I knew from photos that Sam had that she was his ex, Sandra.
She bit her lip in nervousness. “Is Sam here?”
I opened the door. I suppose it was cattiness that had me wanting to slam the door in her face. No woman liked to have the ex show up. It created self-doubt.
Especially since Sam’s stories about her were always positive. They didn’t fight. She wasn’t a bitch. Their relationship ended simply because it petered out.
“Sam,” I called. Then to her, I said, “I’m Kate. Nice to meet you.” I reached out my right hand to shake hers. At the same time, I pressed my left hand over my heart, making sure she saw the engagement ring. Catty, I know.
Sam entered and stopped short when he saw her. “Sandra.”
“I need to talk to you.”
He looked at me like maybe I’d know why she was there. I didn’t.
“Sure. Come in.” He motioned to the living room that was filled with boxes, but the couch was still sittable.