Look into my heart, p.31
Look Into My Heart, page 31
Cynthia blinked back the tears she felt were about to escape. No one has ever put the care of their heart in her hands so sincerely, so lovingly. The room may have been filled with twelve other people, but it felt as if only the two of them existed. She knew he was waiting for her reply and her fears of expressing her love for the man next to her dissipated. A small smile creased Cynthia’s lips. “I don’t know what I’ve done to be granted such an honor. But I accept it and promise to protect your heart with every breath I take.” She looked away from Samuel for fear she would throw herself into his arms and revealed in the love she knew awaited her. Looking around the table she declared. “I’ve never known what it was like to have a family. I’m thankful this year has granted me the pleasure of meeting yours. Thank you for having me.”
Sally smiled and glanced at her husband with loving eyes. Joe gracefully nodded his acceptance and stated, “You are welcome into our family.” He then looked around the table and smiled lovingly at his family. “Well, let’s eat so these two can have the privacy it’s very clear they need.”
“I say let’s clear the table and watch them go at it,” Matt laughed. Opal smacked him on the head from one side as Ruby hit him from the other. “Ouch, Ouch… I just said what all of you were thinking.”
“Yeah, that might be, but you were the only one stupid enough to speak it aloud,” Timothy laughed as he reached for the macaroni and cheese. Everyone begin grabbing different entrees and piling their plates, with the exception of Samuel and Cynthia. They continued to stare at each other with the promise of what’s to come.
Chapter 39
After spending a respectable amount of time after dinner, Samuel and Cynthia took their leave. As they walked to the car each was very aware of the eyes that were watching from the window. “Shall we give them something to really talk about?” Cynthia asked with a mischievously sensuous smile.
He was using all the discipline and control learned from the SEALS to keep his hands and lips from her since the speech at the table. But since she opened the door, why the hell not. He grabbed her around her waist and greedily captured her lips before she could catch her breath. Laughing she wrapped her arms around his neck and matched each stroke of his tongue until she could stand no more. When they pulled apart Samuel turned towards the house and in the window stood his siblings with signs with a score of 10 written on paper. Only Matt scored them an 8 and wrote a message “I’m better.” Samuel and Cynthia laughed and got into the car.
♡♡♡
It was only a fifteen-minute ride across town to Cynthia’s condo, but it seemed like an eternity to the couple in the vehicle. Samuel was so preoccupied with the things he planned on doing with the woman sitting next to him, that he did not notice the Ford that was following at an unsuspicious distance behind them. Nor did he notice the black Chrysler Crossfire following the Ford. Samuel pulled into the garage and parked next to the Mercedes given to Cynthia by LaVere’ and turned the lights out. He stepped out and opened the door for Cynthia. Taking the keys from her to open the door their hands touched. He could feel the heat from her radiating through the gloves covering her hands. They stared at each other for a moment before he turned and unlocked the door. Once the door closed behind them there was no hesitation. Samuel pulled her to him and continued the kiss he reluctantly brought to an end earlier.
The kiss was so intense Cynthia began unraveling her layers of outer clothing. The coat, hat, scarf and gloves were all at their feet, and their tongues were still intertwined. The heat between them flared to that of an inferno when Samuel’s hands touched the skin under her sweater. There were still too many layers of clothing between them, she pushed his coat from his shoulder, and broke away long enough to pull his mocked turtle neck over his head. Her hands began to roam from his waist up to the muscled rippled chest. When she reached his nipple she gently kissed one and then the other, that’s when she heard the low growl in his throat. He ran his hands through her hair and pulled her lips back to him. His reaction to her touch thrilled her in a way she could never explain in words. The feel of his bare chest against her body melted all thoughts of waiting any longer. She unbuttoned his jeans and pulled at his zipper brushing across the mountain of his arousal, which she could not resist squeezing. “Samuel,” she whispered against his lips. He dropped to his knees leaving a trail of kisses from the crest of her breast down to her navel. His hands expanded around her waist and continued over the soft mound of her rear. He returned the lovable squeeze as he circle the inside of her belly button with his tongue. Suddenly he hunched back on his heels and stared at her body from her toes up to her eyes. There has never been a time when Cynthia was self-conscious about her body. But there was something in the way he was looking at her that made her think twice. The first time they made love was spontaneous. This time they both knew where this was leading and it gave her time to think. Was she attractive enough for this man? Does he like what he sees? Could she handle a rejection from him?
It was only there for a moment, but it bothered him to see fear in her eyes. He sat back on his heels looking up at the sexiest woman he had ever seen, with or without clothes. When her hands went up, it appeared she was trying to hide her body from him. Why would she need to do that? He’d seen her body before. There was no way in hell she could be ashamed of what stood before him; she was perfection. He reached out, ran his hands down her thigh, feeling the heat from her body through the jeans that remained on her topless body and unzipped her boots, one at a time then held her legs as she stepped out. He set the boots aside and pulled her down to the floor with him. Watching her reaction to his touch was enough to make him harder than a steel nail and he wanted her with an unexplainable hunger. Taking his time was the move to gain the optimal response he wanted and patience was needed. He pulled his hands away and caressed her with his stare.
“If there was a word to describe your worth, it would be priceless. If there was a word to describe your beauty, it would be exquisite. If there was a word to describe my love for you, it would be endless. There is nothing for you to fear from me other than being loved.” He reached out, took her hand, and brought her fingers to his lips. “Will you take a life long journey with me Cynthia?” He asked as he succulently kissed the tips of her fingers. Putting each into his mouth and sucking them as a child would a lollipop. “Would you spend the rest of your life with a man you have known less than a month, but promises you a life of happiness?”
When he reached the thumb on her hand she breathlessly responded, “Yes.” Placing her arms around his neck he slide her beneath him and began stringing kisses all over her body. Each touch of his lips claimed an ownership of her body that burned down to her soul. “Love me Samuel, love me now.”
In reply to her plea he moved directly to her lips and proceeded to kiss every fear from the very soul of her. He wanted her to feel the depth of his love down to her toes. Rising he picked her up and carried her to the chase lounge where he gently placed her, followed by his more than ready body. Brushing her curls aside he glazed into her eyes he knew he would give his life for her. His manhood fit snuggly in her center. Although the jean material each of them wore was between them he could feel her drawing him to her, and that was just where he intended to go. It was at that moment he sensed another presence in the room.
Nothing or no one could have prepared her for the feeling stirring inside of her. It was more than the usual anticipation of having sex, it was the unfamiliar anticipation of making love to someone she suddenly found herself in love with. Unlike Gavin, whom she knew she had a connection with, this man had her entire body on fire, waiting for something she had never experienced before. As her hands continued to roam over the magnificent muscles in his back, she heard him ask, “Why are you here?” Confused by his question, she opened her eyes just as he tucked her body securely beneath his.
“Is that anyway to greet your brother?” Shocked to hear another person’s voice in her home Cynthia attempted to escape the grasp Samuel had on her body to see who was there, but the struggle became useless.
Samuel exhaled sharply and kissed her lips, “Stay put, I’ll take care of this.” He then turned in the direction of the figure walking towards them. “That’s close enough,” he almost growled. “Grab my shirt by the door.” He looked back to Cynthia with a gentleness that quickly covered the anger that laced his voice a second earlier. “Hold those thoughts, sleeping beauty.”
Before she could answer a man that stood just as tall as Samuel with the same features of the other Lassiter men she met today, smiled down at her. If it was at all possible the man was more handsome than any of the others including Samuel. “I can see why it took my brother a moment to realize I was in the room. Your beauty would distract the hell out of a saint.”
Returning his smile, she attempted to reach out to take the shirt he was holding out to her, when Samuel snatched it from his hands and demanded, “Turn around!”
The man smirked, “Sure,” then turned his back to them. Samuel then sat up and hesitantly pulled the shirt over her head. He stopped at the crease between her breast and placed a kiss there, and then pulled the shirt completely down. Cynthia shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. Her body expected to be quenched of it’s thirst for him, but that was not to be. However, there were a few questions on her mind.
“How did you get into my house?”
The man turned and extended his hand to her as she sat beside a very disturbed Samuel. “Joshua Lassiter” he smiled as she slowly reached out and shook his hand. “It’s all in a day’s work.”
“You break into people’s homes for a living?”
“Sometimes,” he smiled. “One day I’ll explain, but at the moment you two have visitors outside your door.”
Cynthia reached over towards the lamp on the table to turn on the light, but Samuel stopped her. “How many?” he asked as he stood and pulled a weapon from his boot and then walked over to the window.
“Two in the third vehicle down the street. I followed them and you from Momma’s house. I wondered why you had not picked up on them while you were driving, but I can see why.” He continued to smile at Cynthia, who remained seated on the sofa.
Samuel walked over and stood between them, “Do you like your teeth?”
“I do,” Joshua replied.
“Stop smiling at her and I’ll let you keep them. Where are you parked?”
“Out back. It’s a clear path.”
“Cynthia I need you to pack a bag.”
“Wait a minute. Why?”
“I’ll explain later. Right now I need you to pack a bag. You’re staying at my place tonight.”
She heard his reply but was not sure she wanted or could comply with his request. Looking from the serious look on Samuel’s face to the amused look on Joshua’s the reason for his request still was not clear. “Will your explanation include why your brother broke into my home?”
Raising an eyebrow at the woman that did not move as he commanded he replied, “Whether it does or does not isn’t important. I need you to pack a bag now.”
Placing her hands on her hips and giving him the look of death the staring match pursued. Joshua took a seat at the bar smiling, he really wanted to see who was going to win. The look on Samuel’s face clearly showed he was losing his patience, so it was not a surprise when he bent over, picked her up over his shoulders and advanced towards the terrace door. Joshua opened the door then began to tie a bandana over Cynthia’s mouth to cover the scream he was sure was about to escape. He then ran back to the front door, picked up both coats and followed his brother out the door.
Chapter 40
Brian was enjoying the last of Martha Harrison’s coconut cake when his cell chimed in. Shaking his head, he knew the peace of the day was too good to last, he answered the call. Listening attentively to the caller, he suddenly began laughing aloud. The others in the dining room turned in his direction just as he stood to leave the room. “I understand the anxiety you are experiencing. Women can be infuriating, but you wanted this one. Now that you have her, what are you going to do with her?”
“For the time being she will be at my place. I need you here with her until we can clean up the situation at her place,” Samuel replied.
“We who?”
“Absolute is with me.”
“You don’t need backup.” He placed his glass on the table to prepare to leave. “I’ll be at your place in ten. Do me a favor; control him. The last time he was around, he blew up half the city.” Brian placed his phone back into his pocket; he made his excuses and walked into the family room looking for James. He found him next to Ashley looking lovingly at his wife who was attempting to play twister with her younger cousins. He whispered in James ear and stood to find Ashley and Tracy staring at him. “What?”
“Did you saying something about Cynthia?” Ashley asked Before Brian could answer Tracy walked over and stood next to Ashley with a questioning look in her eye and JC in her arms.
“How in the hell could you have heard what I said from over there?”
“Our hearing is good,” Tracy replied with an expression showing she was still waiting for a response.
Ashley shook her head disregarding the conversation. “Stop stalling. Is Cynthia okay? We’ve been worried about her all day. Why didn’t she come over?
“Yeah and where is she?” Tracy added.
“Cynthia is fine Ashley. Why don’t you come have a seat for a while?” James requested.
“I don’t need to sit down, James, I’m fine.” Ashley replied with a wave of her hand. “Well where is she Brian?”
“Where is who?” JD asked as he walked into the room.
“Cynthia,” Ashley and Tracy replied in unison.
“At the Lassiter’s,” he replied.
Surprised by his answer, Brian glanced in his direction. “How did you know that?”
“I spoke with Pearl earlier, she mentioned it.”
Smiling at each other Ashley and Tracy shrugged their shoulders, “Okay.” Tracy retook her seat and Ashley continued on her quest to win at Twister.
Pleased with the woman now off his back, Brian looked to JD. “James will fill you in. I’ll be in touch.”
♡♡♡
By the time Cynthia walked into Samuel’s home, she was furious and it was clear who that anger was directed at. Samuel had to secure her during the ride to his place which thoroughly entertained Joshua. Once inside with Cynthia on his shoulders, he turned to the right towards the bedroom as Joshua followed behind. “I don’t think I have ever seen anyone this angry. I think you have done it this time, big brother.”
Samuel turned and stopped, with Cynthia beating on his back. Would you mind taking a seat in there?” He pointed to the great room area.
“No, I don’t mind. That’s a nice piece of ass in those jeans, man. I’m just saying.” Joshua threw his hands up in the air, turned and walked into the kitchen.
Entering the bedroom, Samuel closed the door behind him and set a fuming Cynthia on his bed. She immediately stood and reached for the object around her mouth. Before she could remove it, Samuel took her hands and held them gently behind her back, as he stood in front of her. He looked down into her eyes and spoke softly. “Cynthia, I am going to remove the scarf, but I need you to listen.” She stomped on his foot with her spiked heel boots and he flinched. He then laid her across the bed and he followed, positioning himself on top of her and wrapping his legs around her to hold them in place. “Listen,” he repeated a little more forcefully. She stopped wiggling beneath him and exhaled angrily. He waited for her to settle down. When she did he attempted to answer some of her questions. “I have to go back to your place to handle some business. I brought you here because I know you will be safe. I would not survive if anything was to happen to you. Loving someone more than I love myself is new to me and I’m going to make some mistakes. But know, I would never do anything to make you unhappy even for a moment. Will you forgive me?” He asked as he kissed the right side of her neck. He looked down into her eyes as he lifted his head. The anger was subsiding. She turned her head to give him access to the left side of her neck. He kissed it gently while releasing her hands he removed the scarf from her mouth. He kissed each side of her lips and then proceeded to dissipate her anger completely and meticulously.
Lovingly staring into his eyes, she asked, “What’s happening Samuel? I thought this was over.”
“I don’t want you to worry about it. I will never allow anyone to harm you.”
A loud knock came to the door. “Hurricane?”
“Hurricane?” she questioned.
“I’ll explain one day.” Samuel closed his eyes and dropped his head to her chest. Another knock sounded. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He looked at her then stood and pulled her to her feet. “I’ll be back.”
Suddenly worried, but not quite sure why, Cynthia grabbed his hand as he walked away. “Are you going to be in danger?”
Shaking his head, “Not at all.” He squeezed her hand, walked over and opened the door. She followed. They walked into the great room to find Brian standing at the window and Joshua in the kitchen eating. Samuel walked over and spoke quietly to Brian then turned to Joshua, “Let’s go.” He stopped at the door as Joshua walked out and turned to Cynthia. “Don’t worry.”
She went to him and kissed him, “I’m not.” He walked out and closed the door behind him. Cynthia turned to Brian who was looking at her strangely. “Interesting outfit. That’s a big shirt to fill, don’t you think.” She looked down at the long sleeve mock cashmere turtle neck that ended below her knees. “I think its fit for a queen,” she smiled.
Chapter 41
Samuel and Joshua returned to the complex Cynthia lived in. They parked outside the entrance and walked to the area Ryan used as a stake out. Behind the cover of the trees the three discussed the situation.
