Wanting Forever (A Nelson Island Novel) (18 page)

He tore his eyes away from her and grabbed two large mugs from the cabinet above the coffeemaker. He realized he had no idea how Aston took her coffee. Oh well, he’d just bring a little of everything. He poured the steaming coffee into her mug and grabbed a carton of creamer from the refrigerator. He also took hold of some sugar packets and carried the whole arrangement into the bedroom on a tray.

He sat the mug on the nightstand next to her, then kneeled beside the bed. He just watched her as she slept, the rays of sun streaming in the window landing on her face as she breathed in through her parted lips. Her dark tumble of hair splayed on the pillow under her, and her arm was slung across her bare chest.

She was the single most gratifying sight his eyes had ever taken in, and the fact that she was lying in
his
bed caused his heart to beat faster than it should. As did the thoughts from the night before.

Aston stirred, turning her head toward him. Her mouth stretched open in an adorable yawn, and Sam couldn’t prevent the corners of his mouth from twitching into a smile.

“Sam, stop it,” she admonished. “I don’t have to look to feel you staring at me. It’s embarrassing.” She peeked an eye open to look at him. “For you. Not me.”

He chuckled. “Good morning to you, too, Princess.”

He reached out to brush the hair away from her face, and her body tensed in response. He let his fingers trail down her cheek, stopping to grab hold of her chin. He leaned in and planted a kiss on her full lips.

“Don’t tense up with me this morning,” he whispered. “Last night was incredible. Everything’s different now. Whether we’re ready or not.”

Aston opened both of her eyes. “I know that, Sam. I just didn’t know if it was going to be a good change for you.”

He continued to stare at her, transfixed.

“I’ve never tackled anything, Sam, that I didn’t think was going to be a success. This is no different. We can do this. I know we can.”

“You’ve been awake for five seconds. Don’t you want some caffeine before we conquer the world together?”

She finally smiled, letting the gesture brighten her entire face. “You brought me coffee?”

He reached out for her mug, handing it to her as she sat up. The sheet fell away from her body, and Sam experienced an immediate reaction in his groin. His boxer briefs did nothing to camouflage him, so he stayed kneeling. He kept his eyes trained on Aston.

“Let’s go to the beach today,” he said.

“You can’t handle me all day in a bikini, Waters,” she said.

“We’ll never know if we don’t try.”

She nodded, keeping her eyes glued on him as she sipped her coffee.

“If I don’t get up now and take a shower, I’m not going to let you leave the house today, much less put on clothes.”

He rose, turning toward the bathroom. He turned back and bent, capturing her lips with his.

He kissed her deeply, toying with her lips until they were swollen, and then gathering the bottom one into his mouth to suck it lightly. His tongue tangled with hers, and then urgently, deepening the kiss as his hands went up to cup the sides of her face.

When Sam pulled back, he stared into her shocked blue eyes. “Everything
is
different. I know that, and I want it.”

As he strode toward the shower, he mumbled to himself.

“Two sugars, spoonful of cream.”

“What?” Aston called from the bed.

“Your coffee. I’m memorizing how you take it. Because I plan on making it for you a lot.”

Sam hummed to himself in the shower, already missing Aston’s body pressed against his. But they had time for that.

Today he’d come clean with everything. It was time to let go of the past, move on, and really start living again. He was going to tell Aston the truth about Duck Creek and about Ever’s father. Tonight. He knew he’d have to go back, set everything straight with Ever and the sheriff. He would do that.

Whatever it took to start this life he now so desperately wanted here in N.I.

An hour later, Sam was enjoying the feel of Aston’s arms around his waist and her thighs snugged against his as they rode his motorcycle to the beach. His extra helmet fit her perfectly, and the sexiness with which she donned it and a leather jacket on top of her bathing suit cover-up left him speechless. When he parked in a small lot outside a private stretch of ocean where Aston had instructed him to go, he helped her off the bike with one hand.

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re made to be a biker chick?” he asked her.

“Nope,” she answered. “That’s my first time on one of these things.”

“You’re kidding,” he said. “You like to walk the line between wild and perfect. I assumed you’d been on the back of tons of bikes, or driven one yourself.”

“You assumed wrong. I was with Princeton forever, remember? I wasn’t jumping on the back of guys’ bikes.”

Sam nodded and wrapped an arm around her while they strolled onto the sand. “Good. I’m glad I was your first.”

They spread out a large blanket Sam had stowed in the storage compartment of the motorcycle, and stretched out on top of it. Sam stared out at the waves crashing onto the silky golden sand.

“I’d never seen the ocean before I came here,” he admitted.

“Really? That’s crazy to me. I can’t imagine that. I’ll always want to live by the ocean. I need it like air.”

“It’s beautiful,” answered Sam. “I understand why you want to keep it close to you.”

“It’s not the only thing I want to keep close to me, Sam,” she said, reaching out for his hand.

He intertwined their fingers, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. “Last night was the best night of my life.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I know I came here for a reason. I thought it was to lie low while I figured things out. But now I know that every road, every crazy twist and turn my life has taken in the last few months, has led me here. To you.”

She smiled, meeting his eyes. “I’m glad you realized that, Waters. Because I feel the same way. We’re going to be good together. Meeting you has changed things for me in a huge way. I thought my life was headed in one direction, and I was going after it with a single-mindedness that didn’t leave much room for anything else. I never pictured my future together with Princeton, not really. I just assumed we’d be together forever. When you walked into my life, as hard as I fought it at first, I knew I couldn’t stay with him. That forever in my mind had changed. Now I can’t wait to share my future with you. We’re going to do such amazing things together. Even my dad agrees.”

Sam laughed. “He’s saved my life. I still don’t understand why he puts so much faith in me. Dating his daughter might be a different story, though. I have no idea how he’s going to feel about us.”

“I already know how he feels. He didn’t come right out and say it, but he likes the idea of us together. I got the distinct impression that he saw it coming before we did.”

Sam nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe you’re right.”

He leaned across the blanket and kissed her, capturing her lips completely with his.

“I have some things to tell you about,” he said when he pulled back.

“You can tell me anything,” she promised. “After I enjoy my day at the beach with you. Let’s go cool off!”

Shoving him aside, she took off for the waves, giggling. “Ready, set, go!”

He caught up with her quickly, gathering her into his arms and continuing to run for the water. She squealed, twisting in his grasp.

“Stop squirming around,” he said. “Or I might drop you before we get to the ocean.”

“Waters!” she screamed. “Stop!”

He threw her unceremoniously into the rollicking waves, diving in after her as the cool water cut off her screeches.

They both rose from the froth with a breathless gasp.

“You monster!” Aston cried, smoothing her dark hair back from her face.

“You liked it,” he said, playfully splashing her as he slid toward her.

His hands found her hips under the water, and he pulled her toward him. She reached for him, running her hands over his hair and settling her arms around his neck.

“I like a lot of things,” she whispered.

Their lips met, and it was salty and sweet and a little electric all at the same time.

She pulled back, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “If you’ve never been to the beach before you came here, then you probably haven’t…” she trailed off.

His eyebrows shot up at her insinuation. “No, I haven’t.”

She let her arms fall from around his neck and found the elastic to his board shorts underneath the water. He tensed as she tugged.

“You’re so bad,” he murmured, nibbling at her earlobe with his teeth.

“Am I?” she asked, the picture of innocence. “Do you want me to stop?”

She took his very willing erection into her hands.

“No,” he choked out. “Don’t stop. I love it when you’re bad.”

“Good,” she said. She guided him slowly toward her, wrapping her legs around his waist. “This is going to be fun.”

He grunted when she pushed herself onto him and began to take him for a ride. He let his head fall back.

“Holy hell,” he muttered. “You’re gonna kill me.”

I
t was dark when Sam’s Harley roared into the long drive at the Hopewell ranch. He killed the engine when he saw Reed standing by the side of the road, waving his arms frantically.

“What is it?” Sam yelled, jumping off the bike. “Are you okay? Is someone hurt?”

“No,” Reed said breathlessly. “Fuck, Sam. You weren’t answering your phone. Dad is keeping them busy up there, but—”

“What are you talking about? I left my phone at the tack house. Keeping who busy?”

Aston pulled off her helmet, grabbing her brother’s shoulders. “Reed! Is Daddy okay?”

Reed shook his head, trying to catch his breath. “He’s fine. You guys don’t understand.”

He cut his eyes back to Sam. “The sheriff’s department is here. Dad had to let them go through your stuff at the tack house. It’s about something that happened back in Virginia.”

Reed’s eyes were huge. Sam could tell he was scared, so he stood up straighter and grabbed Reed’s shoulders.

“Reed,” he said firmly. “It’s going to be okay. It’s just a misunderstanding. I can explain it.”

“Explain what, Sam?” Aston asked.

Before he could speak, they heard the gravel crunching in front of them. Sam looked up, and the sheriff he saw at the house two months ago now marched toward him with several armed deputies.

Their guns were drawn, and pointed at Sam.

“Freeze!” the man in front shouted. “Don’t move. Put your hands in the air, and back slowly away from Miss Hopewell.”

“Luke!” Aston screamed, stepping forward. “What the hell are you doing? Why are you here for Sam?”

The sheriff glanced at her. “Step back, Aston. Now. This man is wanted in Virginia.”

“Wanted?” Aston gaped at Sam, her mouth dropping open. “If he’s wanted, then there must be some sort of mistake.”

Gregory Hopewell came jogging up, pushing past the sheriff stopping adjacent to Sam, Reed, and Aston.

“Look, Luke,” he told the sheriff. “We’ve known each other for years. You need to take my word on this. Sam is a good kid. He works for me. Put the guns away, and let’s go inside and talk.”

“Can’t do that, Greg,” Luke answered, never taking his eyes off Sam. “Someone called in a tip to check him out, and we found an APB on Sam Waters. We’re told this man is very dangerous. I have to follow orders and bring him in to be transferred.”

Sam placed his hands on Aston’s shoulders and moved her behind him.

“Okay,” he said, putting his hands up. “I’m doing this. I’ll go with you.”

One of the deputies rushed forward and grabbed Sam’s wrists, pinning them behind his back with some force. Sam winced.

“Stop!” Aston screamed. Tears streamed down her face, and her hair whipped wildly around her head. One shoulder of her cover-up drooped, exposing the skin there. “He didn’t do anything!”

Gregory placed his hands on Aston’s shoulders and shot a grim look at Sam. “I know you want to clear this up, Sam. But don’t say anything. We will get a lawyer down to you right away, and this will all get cleared up.”

“What’d he even do?” Reed shouted.

“Sam Waters,” Luke began. “You are under arrest for the murder of Graham Allen.”

Aston collapsed against her father. “No, no, no! What? Sam?”

She buried her face in her father’s collar while he murmured in her ear. Reed just stared at Sam, shaking his head.

“You have the right to remain silent,” Luke continued.

“Shut up,” Sam told him. “Aston. Princess, listen to me! I told you, this is a misunderstanding. Remember when I told you earlier there was something I wanted to talk to you about? This is it!”

“That’s convenient,” one of the deputies muttered.

“Look at me, baby,” Sam pleaded. Aston’s eyes, red-rimmed and bloodshot, met his. “You are my future. I promise you, I will clear this up. And then we will be together. Just hold on for me, Aston. I want you. Hold on for me.”

The deputy who handcuffed Sam began dragging him toward the car. Sam bent his knees, trying to release the deputies hold on him so that he could turn around and look back at Aston.

“Sam!” Gregory shouted. “Go with them. Just go. I know you’re innocent. A lawyer is on the way. Go, son.”

“Make her listen!” Sam shouted as the deputy shoved his head down and into the cruiser.

He watched Aston sob into her father’s shirt while the sheriff’s cruiser drove away. His heart clenched so hard he thought it was going to arrest, ceasing to beat. None of this mattered; the truth didn’t matter—not if he lost Aston. He wanted a life with this woman. A forever. He had it all right there in his grasp. And then his stupid sacrifice had to catch up to him before he could make it right.

“He murdered somebody, Daddy,” Aston said again. Settled on the couch in the great room with a blanket and a mug of tea her mother had brought her, she stared off into the stone wall. “He
murdered
someone.”

“Aston, stop saying that,” Reed snapped.

“Aston.” Gregory cut in. “What did you do with Sam today?”

“Why?” Her voice was as dull and glum as she felt.

“Just humor me.”

“We went to the beach,” said Aston.

“And I know I’m your father, but humor me here as well. I noticed you weren’t in your room this morning. Did you spend all last night with Sam?”

“Daddy!” Aston wailed.

“Gross,” Reed ventured.

“Aston?” Gregory waited.

“Fine. Yes, Sam and I had an epiphany last night. Not that it matters now.”

“It matters, Aston. That’s my point here. I know this man. So do you. You probably better than me. He didn’t murder anybody.”

“But Luke said—”

“He didn’t murder anyone, Aston. Search your heart here. When you find the right answer, you can join me at the station.”

Gregory left his spot leaning against the wall and strode for the door.

“Call Marshall Cane,” he called over his shoulder to Lillian. “Sam needs a lawyer,
now
.”

“I’ll call him,” Lillian answered, following him out of the room.

Reed glanced over at Aston, who was now staring at the doorway through which her parents had just passed.

“He’s right, you know,” Reed said, his voice quiet.

“I know,” Aston whispered. “It’s just…crazy and complicated now. Maybe Sam and I aren’t right for each other. I mean, of course he’s not a murderer. But there’s obviously something huge he neglected to tell me here. Right? I can’t think of a single thing I’ve kept from him. And he’s kept a gaping secret from me. Does that sound like a recipe for a happy future?”

“Aston.” Reed sighed. “You hold everyone to an insane high standard sometimes. No one can live up to it. You are not perfect. Sam is not perfect. Together? You are perfect. So put your anger aside and just remember that. He needs you right now.”

“Reed! I needed him to be honest with me. Do you know what this is about?”

“No,” Reed answered. “But I’m sure as hell going to show my support for him, and give him a chance to tell me.”

“You’re going to the station?”

“Damn straight. Do you want to come with me?”

Aston thought about Sam’s face when he was being dragged to the sheriff’s vehicle. She was all he was worried about. He could be about to lose his freedom, and he was worried about whether or not she was okay. She owed it to him to be there for him. Maybe he didn’t tell her the truth right away. But he’d planned to. They had been through a lot in the short time they’d known each other, and she hadn’t always been open to hearing him out. And he had experienced a complete heartbreak with Ever.

Of course she was going to be there for Sam now. He needed her.

“Yeah,” she answered. “I do. Let me shower and change first. Then we’ll go.”

When they arrived at the station an hour later, Gregory greeted them.

“Glad you made the right decision,” he whispered in her ear. “I wouldn’t have fought for him if I didn’t believe in him.”

“Me, too,” Aston said. “Where is he? Is he okay?”

“Greg.” Luke appeared behind a tall counter. The sheriff’s department was brightly lit, with clinical white walls and a gray cement floor. Aston pulled her hoodie tightly around her, shivering with the coldness of the place.

“We’re getting him on the road,” Luke said.

“What the hell, Luke?” Gregory shouted. “Why are you rushing this? He barely got to talk to Marshall!”

Luke shook his head. “Because there’s a murderer in my county, Greg. And I want him out.”

Aston’s stomach dropped, and nausea rocked through her body. “You’re sending him back to Virginia? Tonight? I thought that wouldn’t happen until tomorrow at least.”

Luke shook his head, refusing to meet her eye.

Marshall Cane strode out from the back of the building, coming up behind Luke at the counter and then opening a countertop to enter the waiting area. His short white curly hair was in perfect condition, his gray suit impeccable. Even at ten o’clock at night.

“They’re loading him up,” he announced. “He’ll be back in Virginia by morning. I can represent him, Greg. It will be an open-and-shut case, if what he’s told me is true. It was a bad situation, but I can definitely help him.”

Gregory Hopewell sat down with a large exhalation, the relief evident on his face.

“Can we see him?” he asked Luke.

Luke shook his head. “It’s too late.”

Aston stood, yanking Reed’s arm with her as she went. “Come on, Reed.”

“Where we going?”

“We’re going to Virginia. Tonight.”