Marry Me (Lyrics and Love Book 1) Read online

  “Let’s grill. I can make a salad and a side, and you can make steaks.”

  “Sounds good, babe. I’ll text Dave in the morning and let him know,” Sam says, squeezing me tight before we both drift off to sleep.

  I’m in the kitchen, finishing up the pasta salad when I hear two knocks on the front door, and then it opens.

  “We’re here, put your clothes back on!” Dave hollers out as he and Meg walk inside. I laugh, remembering Sam saying almost the exact same thing when we walked into their house the other night.

  “I’m in the kitchen,” I call out. “Come on in.”

  “Good to see you, Lauren,” Meg greets me when they walk into the kitchen.

  “Good to see you guys again. How was your weekend?”

  “It was good, really good,” she says, looking up at her husband with a smile on her face. I can see the love they have for each other rolling off of them in waves. Knowing the heartache they’ve been through breaks my heart, but I’m glad they came out the other side of it stronger and more in love with each other than before. He bends down and places a kiss on her lips before stepping away, out onto the patio where Sam has already started the steaks.

  “How long have the two of you been married?” I ask, realizing it never came up the other night.

  “We just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in May, but we’ve been together for about fifteen years. We met in college and have been inseparable ever since. Well, I take that back. We became inseparable once we started dating. That happened a few months after he broke up with one of my roommates.” She laughs and looks toward the patio door to where her husband stands, talking to Sam.

  “Congratulations!”

  “Thanks. It’s been a good ten years, for the most part. We’ve had our trials, some really low lows, but also some really high highs. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, individually and as a couple, and I wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else.”

  “I’m so glad you have each other. Sam told me what happened, and I’m so sorry you guys went through all of that.”

  “Thank you, we miss him every day. I stop and think what kind of little boy he’d be like often. What it would be like to have a toddler running around ruling our lives. Whenever I see a little boy about his age, I smile and picture him doing the same things. It took me a long time to cope and not break down anytime I was around kids, especially ones his age, but I’ve gotten much better with it in the past year or so. Just took time to grieve and heal.”

  “I’m glad to hear that you’ve found a way to do that,” I comment, as the door opens and the guys step inside.

  “The steaks are done, did you ladies want to eat outside?” Sam asks.

  “Sure, let me just grab everything and we can head out.”

  “Can we grab anything for you?” Sam offers.

  “Yes please, here’s the salad and pasta salad.” I hand over the bowls. “Dave, if you can grab everyone’s drinks, I can grab the dishes.”

  We make our way outside, all taking a seat around the table and digging into the food. We chat about our trip to the beach and what else we’ve done while I’ve been in town. We finish up dinner, and relax around the table, enjoying each other’s company.

  “Well, we have some news,” Meg says, looking over at Dave with a small smile on her face. I notice the shift in both of them and they silently communicate whatever it is they are about to tell me and Sam.

  “We’re pregnant,” she finally says, a shaky smile filling her face. I immediately look at Dave to see a similar expression on his face.

  “That’s amazing news! Congratulations!” I almost yell.

  “I’m so happy for you both,” Sam adds. “When are you due?”

  “I’m just about thirteen weeks now, so I’m due around mid-February. So far, everything looks good.” Meg pauses and looks over at Dave, a huge smile on both of their faces. He reaches over and rubs her belly before clasping her hand in his own.

  “My doctor is going to watch things closely toward the end, and has warned me already that I need to be prepared for either an induction or scheduled C-section as early as thirty-seven weeks, if they feel I need the baby to come a little bit early,” Meg explains, dropping her other hand to her itty-bitty baby bump that I can totally see, now that she’s announced the pregnancy.

  “Will you find out the sex?” I ask, not knowing if they found out before.

  “Oh yes! I’m a planner and need to know,” Meg replies, and the guys just laugh.

  “When do you get to find out?”

  “Usually around twenty weeks. My next appointment is when I’m sixteen weeks, and I’ll be able to schedule the big ultrasound when I’m at that appointment.”

  “That’s so exciting! You’ll have to let me know once you find out!” I tell her excitedly.

  Our conversation stays light and cheerful after the baby news. I can’t believe how giddy I am for them. After knowing everything they’ve been through, this baby will be such a blessing to them. I’m just sad to know that we—well, at least, I—won’t be around to see the baby grow up. I feel like I’ve been friends with Dave and Meg for years, not just a few days. I don’t know if it’s the bond that Sam has with them or just how quickly they accepted me into their little group, but I’m really going to miss them when I head back home, and Sam hopefully follows me not much longer after that.

  25

  Sam

  Lauren is quiet after Dave and Meg leave, the reality that she’s leaving in the morning setting in. We’ve had such an amazing week together, and I don’t want it to end. I’m hopeful that my transfer will go through quickly, and we can be together all the time in just a few weeks, maybe two months, at most.

  “I’m so happy for them,” she finally says, breaking the silence.

  “Me too. I can tell they are trying to stay as positive as possible, but when you’ve lived through what they have, it’s hard not to think about all the ‘what-ifs’ the entire time.”

  “I can’t even imagine what it must be like for them. But I just know they’ll both be great parents.”

  “That they will be. They’d planned for Meg to stop working back when Jack was born, but with the stillbirth, she ended up going back to work after awhile off. I think she needed something to fill her time and mind. So, I’m sure they’re considering the same thing this time, as well.”

  “We’ll have to plan a trip back here for after the baby’s born, to see them. I’m choosing to think positive, that your transfer will get approved.”

  “I think that’s a great idea,” I tell her. “Would you like something else to drink?”

  “A glass of wine would be perfect,” she answers as she gets up from the couch. “I’m going to go finish up the little bit of packing I have left to do before morning.”

  After grabbing our drinks, I follow her into the bedroom and hand her the glass of wine before I sit down on the bed, watching her.

  “Need any help?” I offer after a few minutes.

  “I think I’m good, just making sure everything’s going to fit correctly. I’ll still need to put in my bathroom stuff in the morning.”

  “When you’re done, I was thinking we could go curl up together on the couch and watch a movie, or some TV if you prefer,” I tell her as she zips up the suitcase and moves it to sit along the wall on her side of the bed.

  “I was thinking we could cuddle in bed.” She winks at me.

  “That will work, too,” I toss right back at her as I pat the bed next to me.

  She climbs on the bed and leans against me as I sit up against the headboard.

  “Is this what you had in mind?” I ask, leaning my head against hers.

  “Not exactly.” She turns her head, knocking mine off of hers so she can look up at me, the heavy look of desire written all over her face.

  I drop my lips to hers for a moment, not giving her the deep kiss she’s searching for. “What is it you had in mind?” I ask against her lips.
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  “Less clothes, more skin.” She nips at my bottom lip.

  I roll us over so she’s lying flat on the bed and I’m positioned over her. I’ve got all my weight pushed up and off of her, hovering a full arm’s length from her body.

  “You’re beautiful, you know that?” I tell her, hoping she believes that completely. I’m not expecting an answer, as it was more of a rhetorical question. I take my time scanning her body with my eyes. I want nothing more than to strip her down and fuck her until she can’t walk the next day. But I also want to take care of her and cherish her, protecting her against everything in life.

  “Can you kiss me now?” she asks finally.

  I drop my body weight down onto my forearms and bring one hand up to cup her cheek, staring into her eyes for a few moments before I give her what she’s asked for. It starts out light and easy, and slowly morphs into something deeper, something more.

  We don’t rush anything. I think we’re both trying to savor this, since it’s our last night together until either one of us goes to visit the other or I get my transfer and move back home for good.

  It takes awhile before we start stripping each other out of our clothes, but once we do finally get each other naked, I quickly grab a condom from the bedside table and roll it down my cock. I line myself up with her pussy and thrust my way in, not stopping until I’m deeply seated inside of her. A few cries of pleasure ring from her lips as I still inside her.

  I start rocking in-out-in-out at a slow pace. I bring my lips back to hers and claim her mouth with my own. No rush to the end; I want to savor every second of this night. Make it last until the next time we see each other, however long that might be.

  I wake up before Lauren the next morning, wrapped around her naked body. I’ve only had her in my bed and arms for the past week, but I’ve already grown to expect her there. I’m going to really miss having her here, in my everyday life and bed each night.

  I stay as still as I can, just memorizing the feel of her against me. What her skin and hair smells like against my own. The pull to wake her up so we can have one last time to make love, to last us for the next few weeks or possibly months, is strong. I’d gone into last night thinking it was going to be the last time, but I just can’t stop myself from kissing along her exposed neck until she’s stirring awake in my arms, turning to face me.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper against her lips.

  “Good morning,” she murmurs before I slant my lips over hers and kiss her hard.

  I roll her under me and slip inside her, swallowing her moans as I kiss her. I start out slowly as we both wake up. Lazy morning sex—who knew it could be so amazing.

  “Damn, baby, you feel so good,” I grit out, as I start to increase my thrusts. I push up and then drop my head down to suck a nipple into my mouth.

  I sit back slightly on my knees, watching as I drive in and out of Lauren, then come to a stop.

  “Fuck!” I yell.

  “Wh-what’s wrong?” Lauren sits up abruptly.

  “I forgot a fucking condom. No wonder it felt so different, so fucking good. I’m so sorry, Lauren.”

  “Sam.”

  “Shit, I didn’t—”

  “Sam!” she yells, to get my attention.

  I look up at her, feeling so guilty for forgetting. I know she can’t be on birth control and as much as I look forward to babies with Lauren in the future, now is not that time.

  “It’s okay, Sam. Don’t beat yourself up about it. I got wrapped up in the moment just as much as you did. Put one on now and we can move forward. If, for some reason, anything was to come from it, we’ll deal with it. We love each other and while a baby now would be a little sooner than I think either of us planned, it wouldn’t be the end of the world either,” she states as she reaches over and grabs a condom from the nightstand and hands it to me.

  I take a deep breath and quickly put it on, then get back to making love to this woman, thinking the entire time, how in the hell did I get so lucky to have her in my life and to have her love.

  26

  Lauren

  “Ready?” Sam asks me after we finish our quick breakfast. I need to be to the airport for my flight in about thirty minutes and after his sexy wake up this morning, we spent a little longer in bed and the shower than I’d planned. So, a quick breakfast it was. Thankfully, I’d pretty much packed everything last night, only needing to toss in my bathroom things, and my chargers and such.

  “As ready as I can be,” I answer somberly.

  “Don’t be sad, baby. We’ll see each other again soon,” he tells me, trying to cheer me up. “And in the meantime, we’ve got technology to keep us in touch.” He winks at me.

  “I know, I’m just going to miss you. Miss kissing you and the feel of your arms around me each night. I’m going to sleep like shit the next few nights, missing you next to me in bed.”

  “Me too, babe, me too.”

  Sam loads my bag into his truck and I bring out my carry-on bag. I’ve got my kindle all charged and ready to go to help me drown out my sadness of leaving Sam behind, not knowing for sure when I’ll see him again.

  We drive, hand in hand, all the way to the airport in silence. Neither one of us is ready for this trip to be over. I’m so glad that I came and that we made these strides in our relationship, solidifying what we are and how we feel about each other in this aspect. The physical connection we found together is like none other, and it makes me excited to see where we can take things as our relationship progresses.

  Sam pulls into the short-term parking garage and quickly finds a spot. We silently climb out of the truck, him grabbing my suitcase and me grabbing my carry-on bag. I sling it over my shoulder and come around the front of his truck, slipping my hand into his as we walk toward the ticket counter level.

  I make quick work of checking my bag and dropping it off. We slowly walk toward the security area, knowing we have to say goodbye on this side of it.

  Sam pulls me off to the side, into a little alcove that gives us a bit of privacy. He cups my face in his hands and brings his forehead down to mine.

  “I’m going to miss you so damn much, Ren,” he says, placing a kiss against my forehead. The intimacy of that kiss has me falling deeper in love with him.

  “Ditto,” is all I can tell him without the sadness taking over and the tears spilling out. I take a few breaths, calming myself before I attempt to speak. “When do you think you’ll hear about the transfer?”

  “Hopefully by the end of this week, if everything goes to plan, but sometimes these things can take forever. But as soon as I know, you’ll be my first call.”

  I look down at my watch and more time has slipped by than I thought. “Shit, I’ve got to get going. I don’t want to miss my flight. Well, I wouldn’t mind staying here with you a few more days, but you know what I mean,” I ramble on.

  “Babe,” he says, stopping me, and then kissing me. “You’ll be fine. Now promise you’ll text me once you board and then once you land. I’ll call you tonight once I’m home from work, as well.”

  “Okay.” I give him a shaky smile before I lean up to kiss him again.

  “I should go,” I say as I break the kiss, pulling him in for a tight hug.

  “I love you,” he whispers against my neck.

  “Love you, too,” I reply as we break apart and step out of the alcove. He keeps hold of my hand until we reach the end of the security line, pulling me back in for one last hug and kiss.

  “I love you,” he whispers against my lips again, and I giggle.

  “I know, you just told me that a few seconds ago.”

  “I know, I just needed to say it again. Make sure you don’t forget,” he says before I step away from him, breaking our full body contact.

  I take a few steps down the roped-off security line, thankful it’s pretty empty. I look over my shoulder to him, blowing him a kiss, and mouthing, “I love you” to him. He smiles at my gesture and watches as I r
each the front of the security line and through the checkpoint. As soon as I’m through, I walk over to the hall I’d be able to exit from to wave, and blow him one last kiss before I force myself to head for my gate.

  Thankfully, my flight home is pretty uneventful. I text Sam right away, letting him know I made it safely. Now, to just wait for him to call me once he’s home tonight. He wasn’t sure if he’d be slammed at work or not, after taking off the past few days with me in town.

  I make it home and get my things unpacked and laundry going right away. I’ve got another week before I need to get my classroom set up for the school year, so I plan to enjoy the remainder of my summer break.

  “Hey!” Mom greets me as she comes in from the garage, setting down the bags of groceries in her hands. “How was your trip?”

  “It was great! Do you have more bags to come in?” I ask.

  “Yep, just another load,” she says as she walks back out to the garage. I step out with her and grab a few of the bags, then shut her trunk once she’s got everything out.

  “So, tell me all about it. How was Sam?”

  I think for a few moments, not quite sure how to put into words how amazing the past week was.

  “He’s great. We’re great,” I tell her, blushing a little. My mom and I have always had a great relationship, but discussing my sex life with her has never been our thing. I’m sure she knows it’s part of my life, but it’s not like we’re over here drinking wine and discussing our favorite positions.

  “What did you guys do?”

  “We went on a few hikes and oh my, was it beautiful. I got to meet some of his friends and see where he works. We went down to the Outer Banks for one night, and spent almost two full days down there enjoying the beach. His friends, Dave and Meg, were super nice. I felt like I’d known them my whole life after just one visit. We had dinner together twice, and at the second dinner, they told us they’re expecting.” I go on to tell my mom a little bit of their story as I help her put away the groceries.