Chapter 28

Jake stirred, feeling the light against his eyelids. He felt the warmth in front of him and tightened his hold. His hand felt the skin under his fingertips. His brain registered that it felt like silk.

Sam stretched like a cat under the hand against her skin.

Jake's eyes shot open. Oh gosh, he was on Wyatt's couch fondling his teenage daughter under the quilt.

He lifted his head and looked around, thankful that no one else was around to witness what he had done. As he lay there with Sam sleeping in front of him, he admitted to himself that her body next to his had felt wonderfully perfect.

He couldn't believe he had slept on the couch with her last night. Jake wondered how much trouble he was in with Sam's family.

Jake sighed.

Sam stretched again, pushing her body against his. Jake groaned. She stilled and then turned her head to look at him.

"You were here all night?" she was obviously as surprised as he had been.

"Yeah," Jake nodded. "I wonder if Wyatt's in the kitchen cleaning his shotgun."

Sam snorted. "I don't think he'd bother cleaning it if he was mad, do you?"

"He can't be pleased," Jake said.

"Nothing happened," Sam shrugged.

"I guess I should get home," he told her.

Sam sighed. "I wish you didn't have to."

"Brat, I can't move in," Jake chuckled behind her.

"Oh good, you two are up," Gram said cheerfully, surprising the two lying on the couch. "Jake, you'll stay for breakfast?"

Jake sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know…"

Sam gave him an elbow to the stomach.

"He'll stay," Sam told Gram.

"Jake?" Gram lifted her eyebrows at him.

"Yes ma'am," Jake nodded. "Then I need to get home."

Gram gave him a warm smile, surprising him before she went back the way she had come.

"See?" Sam sat up next to him. "If Dad was in the kitchen getting ready to kill you, would she have invited you to stay for breakfast?"

"Maybe they're waiting to fatten me up so they can cook my goose," Jake murmured.

Sam laughed so hard she started to cough. Jake rubbed her between her shoulders. When she was done coughing she gave him a small shove.

"I'm not a horse," she reminded him.

"Dunno Brat," he said looking down at her pajamas. "You look kinda horsey to me."

"Oh go neigh yourself," Sam pretended to grumble, falling back on an insult she had used when they were kids, and it was Jake's turn to burst out laughing.