Read Online Saving Sam (The Wounded Warriors Book 1) by Simone Beaudelaire, J.M. Northup - Free Book Online

his chin on her shoulder the way he liked to do, regarding her through her reflection.
    “I'm sorry,” he said again.
    “I know,” she smiled without the expression reaching her eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “No,” he said truthfully. “Not yet, but one day I will.”
    Amy turned to look at him. “Okay, but you don't have shut me out. I'm here for you.”
    Sam kissed the corner of her mouth, then embraced her tightly. “I know. Thank you.”
    * * *
    At five o'clock, Amy and Sam headed to the sports bar. Amy hadn't been wrong to be concerned about the noise. It was pretty intense, but with her little hand tucked into his, it didn't assault him quite so badly. He looked her up and down, thinking how sweet she was, and felt a twinge of guilt over the last night and the morning.
    Knowing Amy had enjoyed herself helped him to reconcile his feelings. It had been amazing sex, satisfying and sensual. Still, she was a good girl, and he knew their coupling had meant so much more than simply a sexual release. And if he were being honest, he knew that the reason it had been so good was because it meant more to him as well. He wasn't willing to name what he felt or to quantify what he knew existed between them, but it was time to let go of the guilt.
    Amy is my girlfriend. We're sleeping together
. That was normal, and though he couldn't do it today, someday he would give her all the love she deserved.
Lucky for me she isn't pushy and she forgives my failings.
God knows I have a lot of them
, he thought to himself bitterly.
    The last day with Amy proved he wasn't ready. Whatever it was that had happened in the shower was precisely why he had to wait. He had to rid himself of his demons before he could commit himself to her. She deserved the best man in the world, and he had a long way to go before he even came close to 'almost' let alone 'best.'
But even knowing that, you're still not going to let her go; you'll risk her for your own sake. Asshole.
    Sam walked her over to the table where Ray and his other friends were waiting. The closer they got to the table, the bigger the smiles became on the men's faces. No shock Amy's expression turned self-conscious, but it provoked completely foreign emotions in Sam. For the first time in his life, he felt protective, if not possessive, of the slim woman whose hand clung to his.
    “And here's the man himself,” Ray said. “And the infamous Amy. Didn't I tell you she was hot?”
    Amy blushed deeply and looked towards the ground. Sam knew she must hate the eyes on her, but he couldn't deny feeling pride in the appreciation his friends openly showed. Amy's humble nature and demure ways only endeared her to him more. Her inability to see how beautiful she was only added to her attractiveness. Looking into her lovely face melted all Sam's hard feelings away.
    “Yes, gentlemen,” Sam said. “This is Amy Owens, and before you get any ideas, she's mine. Amy, this is Ray, Jack, and Mike.”
    * * *
    This is big. Really big
. Much more than she had expected, and it strengthened Amy's psyche. Sam was putting a claim on her, publicly. She deliberately took herself back over the last twenty-four hours. He wanted her for his girlfriend, and she wanted that too. Amy longed to be someone Sam could be proud of. She loved him and that love made her strong enough to endure even the most uncomfortable situations.
    She squeezed his fingers and said, “Pleased to meet you all, and good to see you again, Ray.”
    She could feel Sam's hand stiffen in hers. He hadn't expected her to speak.
    “So, Amy,” Ray answered, not noticing the nonverbal exchange, “what do you do?”
    “I work at the Wallace Ranch. I'm kind of the… front desk person.”
    “What does that mean?” Mike asked.
    Her eyes shifted from the flirtatious Latino man to an unassuming, soft-spoken redhead in a pair of hideous, military issued eyeglasses. BCGs, she remembered Sam calling them. When she had asked him what that