My heart breaks, hearing the despair in her voice.The months after my father died, I experienced an emptiness that never healed, and my chest aches, considering how she might experience the same.
"You'll always miss them, but the intensity will lessen, Sam, I promise."
When I notice her watery eyes, I walk over and hug her.Her arms wrap around my waist.I haven't had many warm hugs from my mother after my father's death.She was mourning herself and hadn't had it in her to comfort me.So, if I can help Sam by being here for her and hugging her from time to time, I'll do that.It feels nice.
"I miss her laugh and her voice saying my name," she whispers against my chest."What if..."She stops talking and swallows.
I hug her tighter."You'll never forget her, Sam.And it's okay if there are times you don't think about her.It doesn't mean you love her less.It's a simple part of moving on.And this may sound cliche, but it's true.They will always live in your heart.Your mom doesn't want you to stop living just because she's not here to experience it with you.She'll always be with you, looking over your shoulder, telling you she loves you no matter what."
I'm astonished at the waterfall of words leaving my lips and even more when I sense my eyes getting watery.Damn, where is this coming from?What is happening to me?
"You're a cool father, Cole."
I smile and place a kiss on the top of her head."Thank you.You're an amazing daughter, Sam."
"Why did you yell at Alisha yesterday?"
She heard that?Shit.
"Did it have to do with your father?"
I grab her shoulders and take a step back to observe her face."Why do you think it had something to do with him?"
"Because yesterday you became tense every time your mother brought him up.So I believe it pains you to talk about him."
A muscle in my neck tenses as a stirring sensation fills my chest.
"See?Right now, the muscles in your jaw are twitching," she explains while pointing to my face.
I rub my hands over my jaw.Damn, I've got an observant daughter who nailed it in one sentence.Every time I remember my dad, I sense physical pain.And when my mother mentions him, it hurts twice as bad, as it awakens visions and feelings of that night.I caress her upper arms while giving her a reassuring smile.
"You're right.I talk little about my father because it's a sensitive topic, even after all these years."
"Is it because of how he died?"
I let out a tense huff."Yeah, he died of a massive heart attack after we had a heated argument."
Her phone beeps."Oh, I'm sorry," she mumbles, taking a step backward and gazing at the screen."I-I gotta go.I'm meeting up with a friend from school."
Her eyes meet mine, and I nod."Good luck and have fun.I'll see you later."
Samantha grabs her school bag from the kitchen counter and waves, but just when she wants to leave the kitchen, she halts and turns to face me.
"Say hi to Alisha for me when she wakes up.And if she can't find her red heels, it's because I've put them by the front door."With an immense grin, she runs out.Guess nothing gets unnoticed by her.
I turn back and check my to-do list on my phone while finishing my espresso.I'm meeting up with Nick at eleven o'clock this morning.So plenty of time for a shower.
I walk back to the bedroom, but as soon as I enter, I halt and gaze at the sleeping beauty in my bed.My fingers itch when her dress shifts upwards, exposing the skin of her upper thighs as she turns.The urge to investigate every inch of her delicious body and make her come undone wants to take over.I shake my head.Don't.Just go take a shower.My feet move, but after three steps, I stop and turn.
"Fuck, you're a weakling," I mumble as I make my way to the bed.
I take a seat on the edge of the bed and admire her.Everything about this woman is exceptional.Her looks are extraordinary, but it's her personality that fascinates me the most.It has so many sides that it keeps me on my toes all the time.
Not able to resist, I lift my hand and touch the creamy soft skin of her calf.Slowly, I trace my index finger over the silky smooth surface towards her thigh.She lets out a fewmmmnoises which cause my heart to bounce in my chest.Oh, that is such an addictive sound.I need to hear it again.I place my full palm on her leg and caress her knee while waiting for her reaction.Her lips part, and my cock goes rock hard when she lets out a deep moaning sound.I quickly remove my hand from her thigh, bend forward, and whisper inches from her ear.
"Good morning, Alex."
Her eyes dart open, and her breath hitches as our eyes connect.Dear God, she's even more stunning when she wakes up.That fresh but sleepy gaze in her irises is fucking hot.
