“I feel guilty having this when Angela doesn’t anymore.”

He kissed her. “Don’t feel guilty. She wouldn’t want that.”

“Can’t help it.”

“I know, babe, but we’re still here, and we still have each other. We have to celebrate every second we have together. Spencer’s death is a reminder of how quickly things can change.”

“I don’t want anything to change. Ever.”

“I don’t either. I’ve got everything I could ever want or need as long as I have you and our family.”

Since there was nothing more she could do for her sister that night, Sam decided to take what Nick was offering and try not to feel guilty about it. Being with him this way always made her feel better, even when she was heartbroken.

He rendered her defenseless with soft kisses and softer caresses that cleared her mind of everything that wasn’t him and them and the magical connection that never failed to amaze her. As he kissed her neck, he worked her T-shirt up and over her head.

The cool air over her stimulated flesh had her nipples standing up at full attention as anticipation curled through her.

Nick never disappointed, giving both her nipples his full attention as he pressed his hard cock against her core. He knew all her secrets and had her straining toward release in a matter of seconds. She wouldn’t have thought that possible with her heart and mind in such turmoil but leave it to him to thoroughly distract her.

When he moved even lower, removing her pajama pants and underwear and nudging her legs apart with his broad shoulders, she was so ready that it took only one stroke of his tongue to send her soaring. Every part of her was fully engaged in the waves of pleasure that rolled through her one after the other. And then he pressed into her, stretching her to the absolute limit as he filled her so perfectly.

After the emotional overload of grief that had marked her day, Nick had shown her once again that together, they could get through anything. He proved that again as she climbed toward a second release, this time with him.

He came down on top of her, and Sam wrapped her arms around him, wanting to keep him there for as long as she could. Breathing in the familiar scent of him, she knew a moment of peace for the first time since Sunday morning. “Thank you for this.”

“Always my pleasure.”

“I don’t mean the sex, although that’s great, too. I mean this. Us. All of it. I love my kids and my family and my squad, but you… You’re the one who makes everything else possible. Please don’t ever leave me.” Before Nick Cappuano, she’d never said such a thing to any man. Before him, she’d never felt this way about anyone.

“I’m not going anywhere, love, and I should be thanking you. I had nothing until I had you, and now I have everything. It amazes me that I thought my life was great before I reconnected with you. That was just okay. This is exceptional.”