Always Remember

pulling all the strings, controlling my reactions with a few simple words and touches.
    “Good, then you don ’t need a refresher course.” I kiss his jaw, the slight stubble there grazing my lips.
    “You know…” He pulls back, a thoughtful look on his face. “I think I forgot it all. Would you believe that?”
    I smirk. “No, no, I don’t believe that.”
    He shrugs a shoulder and tightens his grip on me. He pulls me forward a little, hooks his hands under my thighs, and lifts me up. I wrap my arms around his neck and link my feet behind his back.
    “Well, I want reminding.” He carries me from the kitchen to the living room, stopping in the living room.
    “Night,” he says to Lexy and Alec. They both turn and smirk.
    “Help,” I mouth to Lexy over his shoulder as Sam turns away. She shakes her head, giggling quietly. Alec winks and looks back to the television.
    So much for helping a friend out of a sticky situation, guys. Okay, so it ’s not sticky as yet, but I have my money on the fact it will be very, very soon.
    And that isn ’t the roaring flame in my stomach speaking, or the clenching of the muscles in my lower body. It’s my hopeful and smutty mind speaking. One hundred percent.
    He walks casually up the stairs, pushes his bedroom door open, and kicks it shut behind us. He crosses the room in a few long stri des and deposits me on the bed.
    My eyes travel up his body as he moves away from me, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it into the corner. Slob. The muscles in his back ripple as he stretches, and he ’s doing this deliberately.
    Two can play at this game, Mr. Edwards.
    The mattress squeaks as I get up, and his head twitches round slightly. The mirror is perfectly positioned that he can see my every move without turning – and I ’m gonna use this to my advantage. While hiding my smile, of course.
    I unbutton my cardigan and turn away from him, sliding it over my shoulders and down my arms. My fingers hook under the hem of my top and I slowly pull it up and over my head, revealing the lacy black bra I changed into before we left my flat.
    Mhmm. I said this was game fucking on.
    He swallows audibly across the room. The floorboards creak a little. I undo the button on my jeans and roll them down my legs, bending at the waist. I bite my lip and run it between my teeth, trying to hide my smile.
    Sam’s hands rest on my waist, warm against my skin, and I step from my jeans. As I straighten up, my bare back presses against his chest. He drops his head and kisses my shoulder, his lips dragging gently along my skin. His hands explore my body, cupping my breasts and massaging them softly. I let out a soft sigh and relax back into him, snaking one of my arms behind his neck.
    “You,” he breathes into my ear. “… are so beautiful, Jennifer Mason.”
    I turn my face into him and brush my lips against his. I shift my body round so my front is against his and I tangle my fingers in his hair. His mouth dominates mine as he pulls me closer to him, shuffling back towards the bed. He sits down, pulling me into his lap, and I straddle him. My body presses against him, my core rubbing against his erection, and tonight I need this.
    I need to be close to him. I need him to be close to me.
    And both of us need to not let go.

Chapter Sixteen

SAM

    “Are you sure?” Mum asks, putting her hand on the door.
    “Am I sure she ’s gonna freak out and kick my ass? One hundred percent,” I answer, looking into her soft brown eyes. “But I’m also sure that out of every girl I’ve ever been with, no-one is as perfect for me as Jen.”
    Mum ’s lips curve into a smile slowly and she opens the door. “Then let’s find you “the one.””
    I follow her into the jewellers, apprehensive but sure of the decision I’m making. I still have the burning desire to prove it to Jen – that this is it, that she is it. I still have the burning desire to prove it to the rest of the world.
    I know that when I find the ring and hand over my card to pay for it I ’m making a commitment before it’s even in Jen’s possession. I know that when I have a little box safely tucked away in my pocket there’s no going back.
    And that ’s how I want it. I don’t want to go back to the asshole I was this time last year. I don’t want to go back to being the guy wanting but never having. I want to carry on being the smug bastard that’s in love with the craziest, most beautiful girl I know.
    And that