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“I want to taste you, Roxi. I want your cream on my tongue. Come for me.”

That did it. She couldn’t hold it at bay anymore. She dug her nails into his head as she bowed her back and came with a scream of passion.

The tremors had barely stopped and he was on his feet, hauling her to him, slanting his mouth over hers. She tasted herself in his kiss and it only heightened her desire for the man. He removed her bra and she moaned as his chest hair rasped her taut nipples.

“Sam,” she said, dropping her hands to reach for the button of his jeans.

He took the hint and freed himself then covered his stiff length. Their breathing was coming sharp and shallow. He lifted her then lowered her upon his shaft.

“Yes,” she groaned as he slid into her in a fluid motion. This was what she needed. His thickness in her. His hands on her. Him.

“Legs around me, sweetheart. Tight.”

She did.

“Yes, that’s perfect.”

Then he began to move. Nothing slow and romantic. He took. It was hard and fast. His cock was driving deep, each stroke felt like he hit her cervix. One hand was fisted in her hair and he kissed her neck, nipping and sucking on it. She cupped his head against her, wanting everything he offered and more. She scored his head with her nails as he powered within her. Nearing another release, her moans grew louder.

He flicked a finger over her clit and it sent her over. She came hard. Body bucking with the intensity of it. Muscles tightening around his length, she fell back again when he erupted within her.

Heart pounding, she held on as he carried them to her bedroom and laid her down. She watched him in the faint light from the hall. He made short work of stripping off his clothes and joining her. He gathered her close and trailed a hand down her side only to stop on her ass.

“More.” His single word said it all.

She curved a hand along his cheek. “Yes.” Roxi rolled him onto his back and rose up over him. Like it had before, a hiss of pleasure escaped as he filled her. He reached up and took her hair the rest of the way down—it fell around her shoulders and he tossed the clip off to the side. With her hands on his chest, she began to move.

Chapter Nine

Sam walked beside Dean while they made their way through the grocery store. Christmas was two and a half weeks away and he was dreading leaving Roxi. He’d moved his stuff into her bedroom and they slept together every night. He was more than getting used to having her warm body beside him.

“How are things?” Dean asked as he paused his motorised cart by the cereal.

“Fine. Second Chances is all ready. The tree has been delivered and decorated. I’m going over tonight to help them start wrapping presents which were delivered there directly. The others will be delivered by the Marines.”

“I meant with you and Roxi, but I’m glad to hear things are going well there, too.”

“Me and Roxi?”

“Son, have you told her how you feel?”

“It’s not like that with us.”

Dean’s expression was one of pure disbelief. He put in his cereal. “Is that what you’re telling yourself? Because trust me, son, from where I’m sitting it’s a whole different story.” A shrug. “I told you, grandkids would be nice to have. And I want to know you’re taken care of.”

“I like her,” he admitted. “A lot.”

“Me too, son. I like her for you. Much better than Tracey.”

He didn’t want to talk about her. Not here. Not now. “I’m glad. How are things with you and Dean Jr?”

A fierce scowl crossed his face. “I’m beginning to see that boy is a lot like his mother. Selfish. Spoilt.” He shook his head in disgust. “Concerned only with himself. Those two with him are the same.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

He waved a veined hand. “Don’t apologise for something not your fault. Maybe if I had been there he would have turned out differently.” A disappointed sigh. “I’ll never know now.”

“Did he leave?”

“I suspect he will today. I told him yesterday I wasn’t changing my will. Well, not in the way he wants me to.” Dean fell silent as they made their way to the checkout line. After they’d paid and were back in his truck, Dean started again. “Have you picked up the things I want you to have from Laila yet?”

“I have them at Roxi’s. I haven’t looked at them yet.” He didn’t want to. Anything that reminded him that Master Guns was dying he tended to avoid.

“You know you and Laila are splitting my things.”

“No. I can’t take your things.”

The laugh was almost reminiscent of the healthy man. “I wasn’t asking your permission, son. I was telling you how it was going to be.” Dean touched his arm. “Look, Sam, you are my son in every sense of the word. Let me do this. You and Laila are my family. No matter what. I wish I could have adopted you and made it official but that wasn’t meant to be. None of it changes the fact that you are my son.”

Tears pricked his eyes. He wasn’t a man prone to showing emotions but he wanted to cry, hug him and cry some more.

“Just wanted you to know. I didn’t want to leave this world without making sure you know that while your name is Sam Hoch, to me you’re a Richardson. My son.”

“Thank you.”

Dean dropped the topic and they headed back to the house in silence. Sam put the items away, since Dean was tired and went to take a nap. Standing at a window, he stared across the space to Roxi’s house. A knock sounded on the door and he opened it. Roxi stood there in jeans and a pink shirt, with a brown leather jacket and hiking boots.

“Hey,” he said with a smile. “No work?”

“I have to work through the night so they sent me home. I saw your truck and came over to see how Dean was doing.”

He arched a brow. “Just Dean?” Sam pulled her in and shoved the door shut behind her.

“Well, not just, but mostly.” Her teasing grin was infectious and he felt himself responding.

“He’s sleeping right now. We just got back from shopping.”

“So.” She placed her hands on his chest. “That leaves us with an empty house for the most part.”

“You are a naughty woman.” Her grin had him kissing her. “Trouble.”

“Perhaps just a bit,” she agreed. “So, want some company or should I go home?”

He helped her out of her jacket. “Stay.”

She curled up beside him on the couch and he tucked her close. “Why are you working tonight?”

“We have a shipment arriving and since I just took over as head of security, I’m going to be there.”

“All night?”

She nodded against his chest but didn’t say a word. He knew she was tired. They’d stayed up until the wee hours making love. Brushing his lips over the top of her head, he didn’t say anything else and soon, she fell asleep. Although reluctant to leave her, he slipped free and laid her down on the sofa before covering her with a quilt.

About an hour later, his cell rang. Father O’Toole.

“What can I do for you, Father?”

“Do you have time to come down here? We’ve got a broken window.”

He stared at Roxi who slumbered on. “Do you need me to pick up a new one?”

“No, we have spares but I’ve just broken my wrist and can’t do it. I got back from the hospital to find it busted.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Thank you, son.”

He ended the call and crouched by the sofa. “Hey, wake up, Roxi.”

She opened her eyes and stared at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you keep an eye here on Dean until I get back? I have to go replace a window.”

She pushed up and nodded. “Sure thing, I got it. Are there meds I need to know about?”

He checked his watch. “Nope. I just don’t want him waking up and being all alone.”

“Sam, go. I got this.”

He gave her a quick kiss and got to his feet. “Thanks, Roxi.”

“I know how important he is to you. We’ll be fine. I just need a drink.” She walked to the kitchen.

Sam followed for one more kiss then headed out before he did something crazy like tell her he loved her.

* * * *

He’d finished repairing the window and was adding the caulking along the frame when he started shivering from the wind that whipped around. The temperature had dropped drastically in the small amount of time he’d been here. He needed warmer clothing.

Once he’d completed his task and had cleaned up the area, he said his farewells and headed off to Naval Base Kitsap. He showed his ID at the gate and asked for directions to their exchange. Then he went in and shopped. As he walked by the jewellery section, he paused then swung in and started looking.

“Sam? Hoch, is that you?” a voice called from behind him.

He turned and spotted a guy he’d been stationed over in the Middle East with. Brent ‘Killer’ Agers.

“Killer. Good to see you.”

“And you, man. And you.” They shook hands and Brent stepped back to glance between him and the display case he stood before. “Getting married?”

“No.” He could see the reason he had asked, though. When Brent had called his name, he’d been by the rings.
Is the thought of marrying Roxi really all that bad?
He ignored the question.

“Oh, so hanging out by rings is a common thing for you now? Looking to pick up a chick? I know some who hang out in hopes of snaring a man who will put a ring on their finger.”

“Common when my name is called by them. I’m not getting married. What about you? Did you get married?” He paused. “To Sherri, wasn’t it?”

Frustration filled Brent’s expression. “No, that didn’t work out. Apparently she had other ideas of being faithful while I was over there.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

A shrug. “Better I found out before I married her than after. I hope the bitch is happy now. I kicked her ass out when I got home. Not sure where she went or who she’s with.”

“And now you’re here?”

“Yes. Not for long, though. This is just kind of a stop-over before we get back to Twentynine Stumps.”

He nodded. That was the nickname Marines gave to Twentynine Palms base in California.

Brent seemed to size him up a minute before speaking. “Look, Hoch. I know you don’t do a lot, but there are a few guys from our old group here. We’re getting together tonight. It’d be great if you’d come along. If you have time.”

He thought about it. Roxi had said she had to work tonight, all night. Why not hang out with some guys he’d served with a while back? “Sounds good. When and where?”

Surprise replaced the earlier frustration on Brent’s face. “Cool. We’re meeting around twenty-hundred at the bowling alley. You know where it is?”

“I can find it. I’ll see you then.”

“You got it, Gunny.” Brent waved and walked off.

Sam turned back around and continued looking for something. Fifteen minutes later, he walked out with a small box in the bag and headed for his truck.

He drove back to the house and parked in Laila’s drive before hurrying inside.

It was quiet and for a moment there, he thought the worst. Then Roxi stepped into view from the kitchen and gave him a smile.

“Hey. How’d it go with the window?” she asked as she approached him.

Wrapping an arm around her waist and drawing her in for a brief kiss, he took a moment to relish the feel of her in his embrace. Lips pressed to her temple, he inhaled the intoxicating scent of autumn that surrounded her.

“Good. It went good. They’re all fixed up. And here? How’s Dean?”

“He’s fine. Got up for a bit then went to lie back down. I told him to save his energy, he was going to need it when he went with you to the Christmas thing at Second Chances. And he agreed. So he’s resting again.”

“Are you coming?”

“No, I work that night.”

Disappointment welled up in him. He’d wanted to celebrate Christmas Eve with her at his side. Or at least in the audience at his debut role as Santa.

“Maybe after.”

“Maybe.” She rested her head against his chest. “I have to go home and get some sleep or I’m not going to be worth spit tonight. I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks for watching him, Roxi.”

“Not a problem. I’ll see you.” She stepped away and headed for the door. He watched her rub the back of her neck as she moved. He wanted to help her relax. But that wasn’t all. He…slammed the doors on those thoughts.

“Roxi?”

“Hm?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. Get some sleep.”

“On my way.” With a slight wave over her shoulder, she grabbed her jacket and swung it on as she walked out.

He waited for Laila to come home. “I’m going to drop some things off and I’ll be back, Laila,” he said after she’d changed from work clothing and had checked in on Dean.

“No problem.”

It had started to rain when he left. Dashing to his truck, he unlocked it before he grabbed his bag of purchases then jogged to Roxi’s front door, letting himself in. The house was quiet and her Christmas lights were on—but then she had them on a timer—offering the only light.

He made his way silently down the hall to her bedroom and hesitated with his hand on the doorknob. Waking her was the last thing he wanted to do. Well, not entirely true, he wanted her awake but he knew she needed to sleep. Once in the room, he put the bag down near the door and gazed over to the bed. All the curtains were drawn, shrouding the room in darkness.

Unable to stay away, he made his way there and waited for his eyes to adjust better to the lack of light. She lay there, on her side, wrapped around the pillow he’d been using. Resisting the powerful urge to touch her he made himself walk away and shut the door behind him. He could deal with his clothing after she woke.

Back over at Laila’s, he sat on the couch and smiled as Laila and Dean played a game of chess. Dean had taught them both the game when they were younger. He had many memories of sitting outside at Laila’s house, on the back porch, playing this in the late summer sun.

“What’d Laila think of you being Santa?” Dean asked, moving his pawn.

“What? You’re playing Santa?” Laila’s shock was evident.

“Just filling in for Dean this year.”

Laila burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“I can’t imagine you as a jolly fat man who lets kids sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas.” She wiped her eyes. “Oh, this is priceless. I want to see this. Hell, I want pictures of this for I doubt I’ll still believe it even after seeing it.”