A Bitter Coincidence

Chapter 8

Chapter 8.

Sam’s (P.O.V.)

The whole day at work I was jittery and nervous for the date I had with Skylar this evening. I offered to cook for her and I’ve never cooked for anyone besides my mother and even then that’s only been a handle full of times. I needed a recipe fast and help. I needed the one thing every boy wouldn’t admit, I needed my mother. So I dialled her from my office at the hospital. She picked up after the third ring.

“Sam, my dear. How are you?” my mother’s soft voice drifted from the phone and calmed me instantly.

“Hi Mum, sorry for the random call, but I need your help, it’s urgent.”

“I love random, okay hunny, what is it?”

“It’s a girl and I suggested on cooking her food at my place tonight and I can’t cook and now I’m nervous and freaking out.”

“A girl? You’re cooking for a girl? Who is she? You’ve never cooked for anyone before.” My mother, Vivian Anderson was getting more enthusiastic by each question. I sighed knowing she would never let this go.

“A girl I met a couple of weeks ago and I promise to explain it to you when I can, but right now I need help. What should I cook? I don’t know where to start.”

“Okay, first of all you need to calm down, it’s just a meal. What food does she like?”

“I think anything really, from what I can remember she’s never given a dislike to anything we’ve eaten so far.”

“Right, well, you could cook something simple yet satisfying, what about beef stroganoff, with pasta? Or lasagne with a salad, that’s always wonderful with wine, but it’s a lot to prepare. Perhaps a rice dish…”

“Okay, now I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know how to make all that from scratch, mum.”

“Jesus Sam, how do you live by yourself?” She huffed over the phone.

“There’s a thing called takeaway restaurants, maybe I’ll just order take out…”

“YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING! You offered to cook for her and that’s what you’re going to do. What can you cook?”

“Chicken and rice, Eggs on toast and porridge and I can Barbeque a few things.”

“You’re just like your father you know, okay, perhaps a Salmon Wellington, there’s a*****e I know that sells one that all you need to do is pop it into the oven and you have to prepare the sides with it. How is that? I’ll fetch it and ask Willy to place it in your kitchen before you’re home.”

“What sides? Chips? Crisps?”

“Oh for the love of God, Sam. No chips or crisps. Vegetables are usually appropriate with some potatoes, new potatoes actually, with a salad if you want. I’m guessing no starter? Is there a special occasion?”

“Okay cool, that I can handle. It’ll stick with the one meal for now. It’s just a date, mum. No special occasion.”

“Is she nice? Can you tell me a bit about her?” I sighed, knowing my mum wouldn’t let this go. I’ve never brought a woman home or to any events. My time with women were short and not really sweet, I kept them at a distant and they had a good time with a millionaire. But the hook ups and late night calls were getting a little too old. I never went further than a hook up, I was known to never date, so women never expected anything.

“We met around Easter, but it wasn’t official until she actually came to an interview here at the hospital for the designer position. She’s amazing Mum, she’s hard working, kind and funny. She’s… unexpected.” Just thinking of Skylar put a smile on my face.

“Oh Sam, I’m happy for you son. I hope tonight goes well, I really do. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Okay, well lets’ not get your hopes up, it’s just a meal mum.”

“You’ve never cooked for a girl Sam, you have never phoned me up asking for help with a date. If my assumptions are correct, she means more than any of the women you think I don’t know how you spend your time with. I want you happy Samson, if this girl can put a smile on your face then it’s not “just a meal.” Damn, why are all mothers right. Skylar put a smile on my face every day since that day in the park. Even before we officially met at the interview, I couldn’t stop my mind from wondering to her. I wanted this date to go well, hell I wanted a relationship with this amazing woman. However, it meant that I had to come to terms with my demons and insecurities. My mother continued “I can hear you brain clogging up with what I’ve said, so I’m going to leave you to your thoughts and get the food, if you need anything else, call me. I love you Sam, I hope tonight goes to plan.”

“Thanks Mum, I love you.”

“I love you more.” And with that she hung up. I had 6 hours before leaving work to go home and prepare the food and my apartment for Skylar. I’ve never cared about my apartment, simply because no one ever saw it. I’ve never brought a woman to my flat before, anytime I has s*x with a woman, it was either the car, their place or a hotel. Somewhere where I had control of when I could leave. I needed to make the night special, since we’ve been seeing each other, we’ve been going slow. I could lie and say it was to make Sky feel comfortable but it’s because I needed it too. I never thought of Sky as an easy f**k or someone I could throw away if I had to. I wanted to explore the connection we shared and I wanted things to be real and she seemed almost too good to be true. But tonight I’m hoping to get deeper into that wall I knows she built around herself.

When I got home. I found the Salmon in the fridge on a tray, with a note:

Cook this on 200 degrees for 40 minutes, new potatoes should be boiled and then add the herbs after. Vegetables should roasted half way to cooking the salmon. Have fun! xxx

I shook my head at my mother’s instructions, you wouldn’t think I was a 30-year-old man. After I placed the food on the hob and in the oven, I went upstairs to shower and get dressed. Deciding it was weird to wear my suit at home, I opted for jeans and a t-shirt. All the clothes I wore, I made sure they covered my arms, legs so my scars wouldn’t show. People didn’t know how to react to my burn marks, they were sympathetic towards me because most knew how I got them but when it came to touching or seeing them, they looked revolted. I hated them, after the accident they were nothing but a constant memory of that horrible day and they caused me physical pain sometimes too.

The itching, sensitivity and sometimes bruising was something I had to grow accustomed to for ten years. It was also why I changed the way I was with people, I have never till this day, taken my top off in public or during s*x with a woman, either before, during or after. They seemed to care before the deed but after time, women on occasion wouldn’t touch me on my left side or their face would look disgusted. It’s when I knew that women would always hate what was underneath and all they cared about was the face and how I would use the beneficial parts of my body. They knew not to touch me during s*x and I knew how to get them and myself off.

I never wanted anyone to see the vulnerable side of me. I was Samson Anderson, Son of the ruthless and fair Henry Anderson, who was a family man and was loved amongst his staff, friends and even rival companies. My heart hurt thinking of him, it hurt because he should be here enjoying time with his family. Feeling the dark cloud closing in around me I looked at the clock and saw it was 5pm and that Skylar would be here soon. Willy already informed me that Skylar has been picked up and they are already on their way. Feeling my stomach tumble, I realised that I’ve never been nervous or excited for a date as I am about this one. We were going to be inside my flat, away from public eyes and all I wanted to do was have her under me, to learn all there is about her.

Being in the kitchen for the last 20 minutes, I made sure the dinner was cooking and the salad was being prepped. I was currently cutting up the salad ingredients when I heard a hello from my living room. I made my way and found Skylar, standing looking around, holding a covered dish. She looked so beautiful, she was wearing a black satin midi skirt, with black ankle boots and a plain light pink, long sleeved cotton top. She had a body that doesn’t even compare to any of the women I have known and will ever know. I had a feeling she felt insecure about herself as she covered up a lot and I had this need to tamp down any of those fears. Her hair was tumbling down from a high ponytail and she glowed, wearing a beautiful smile on her face when she saw me. Before I could stop myself, I walked over to her and kissed her long and slow, making sure to have a taste of her before our night started. I could feel her heartbeat in her neck and it was beating really fast.

“Hey, I’m glad you’re here. What’s this?” I asked. Looking at the covered dish.

“I know you said not to bring anything over but manners are engrained in my brain and I had to bring something. So I made it last night, it’s cheesecake, toffee flavoured. I just thought…if you don’t like it, it’s okay, I’ll give to a shelter or George and Willy could eat it-.”

“I love toffee, thank you, you shouldn’t have but I can’t wait to eat it.” I kissed her again, she tasted like heaven and mint “come through to the kitchen, dinners going to be a little while longer, I hope you like salmon.” After taking off her coat and putting her belongings in the hall way, we got to the kitchen, and I noticed her admiring it and hoped she liked it. Why? I have no idea. Once we talked a bit more she suggested on helping with the salad and wouldn’t take no for an answer so she’s currently finishing up the tomatoes. She looks so comfortable in my space and I came to realise that I liked her here, my mind wondering what it would be like to wake up with her here, having breakfast and coffee, chatting about our plans for the day. I need to get my head out of my ass. I made sure to keep touching her whenever I was near, a simple touch on her hips and kiss on her cheek, each rewarded me with smile and giggle. It turned into a game because she touched me just as much, making sure she touched my arms, brushed up against my side and went on her top toes to kiss my cheek in return. Sometimes pecking my lips and I would peck her nose in return. The giggles coming from her alone made my d**k hard, I was in so much trouble.

Skylar (P.O.V.)

I sat back from the table, holding my stomach. “I don’t think I’ve eaten anything so good in my life. Don’t tell my Grammy I said that.” I laughed.

Sam was sitting opposite me from the table, pretending to zip his lips closed “my lips are sealed, I promise. And thanks, my mum kind of helped me decide what to cook.” He looked down at his plate, somewhat embarrassed by that confession.

“Well, thank your mum from me, please. It was a great dinner, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, want a tour around my flat?”

“Yeah sure.” I stood up and followed Sam around his apartment. The style of it was modern and not really a bachelor pad. He had art around in each room, spacious areas the housed modern technology and old fashioned furniture but it also was comfortable and homey. There was hints of the boy I knew was in there by his game room and old movie posters in his office. I loved seeing the laid back version of him, how enthusiastic he was about Back to the Future and Star Wars. He preferred vinyl music and loved watching movies on projector screens instead of the television. He was neat too, there didn’t seem to be a speck of dust in any of the rooms, or clothing or an item out of place, but you could tell it was lived in. Making our way back to the living room, we settled on the couch with our drinks and chatted some more. We sat close enough to be touching knees and we angled our bodies to face each other. He was leaning his arm at the back of the couch, his hand near my head.

“Are you all set for the meeting in Glasgow? What’s the meeting about?”

“Yeah, Seth has all the documents, it should be an easy in and out process. There’s various meetings to do with buildings, we have built and are currently still the owner of. We’re selling our share with another building to a company and hopefully designing another as well as marketing it.”

I love it, I love how Anderson corporation does a little bit of everything. Sounds like the fun never dies. Which part do you prefer?”

“What do you mean?”

‘Which part do you prefer doing? The building process, designing the area, the marketing aspect? What gets you up in the morning and excited about a project?”

He smiled at me “The marketing. I love designing the logo, the advert, the concept of starting something with thoughts and ideas. Watching it grow… everything. I originally wanted to go into marketing when I was younger. I was actually in university studying it but then… my dad… he- he died and… and here I am.” Sam looked around his apartment, like he was trying to find the answer to something. He looked so sad. I grabbed his glass and placed it on the floor next to mine, then moved at lightning speed, straddling his lap and wrapping my arms around his head, squeezing him with every muscle. He was still for a few seconds, before I felt his arms wrap around me, just as tight, holding each other together.

“Hold on, I need to hike my skirt up, ONLY because I don’t what it to split and right now, my legs are gonna break it. This isn’t a cheap shirt you know.” Sam laughed and I hiked my skirt up over my thighs, getting comfortable in hugging Sam again. We both sighed and stayed in this position for a awhile, I was so content with staying here forever. “Did you know, hugging actually triggers happiness from people. You can actually make someone feel better by hugging them for a few minutes.” His arm tightened around me and I moved my head to tuck it into his neck, his hair brushing my face, Sam doing the same to me. He smelt so good and I couldn’t help kissing a spot on his neck, It wasn’t anything s****l, just a gesture to say I’m here and listening.

“Thank you.” I heard Sam muffle from his position on my neck. I tightened my arms around him once more before loosening and leaning back so I could see his face. “You okay?” He nodded, looking up at me with a small smile. “Okay, my job is done, I’ll get off you before you lose your limbs, I don’t think your family would appreciate it if I crippled you.” Preparing on moving off him, only to feel his arms tighten around me. I looked at him, from my position we were almost the same height, Sam was all legs, so sitting down he didn’t seem as tall, but still taller than me, our faces almost aligned.

“You’re not moving Sky.”

“But I’m heavy, I’ll break you.”

“You’re not heavy at all. I think it’ll take a little more to break me, sunshine.”

“Yeah, just you wait. You’ll realise soon enough that you almost had a near death experience once your legs go numb and your toes turn blue.” I smirked at him, secretly hoping he’d let me go, feeling kind of insecure again. I could feel my heart rate picking up, my palms were sweating.

“Why do you do that? Joke about yourself but knowing you’re putting yourself down in the process.”

Wonderful. I just shrugged my shoulders and was conscious on not putting my full weight on him, I noticed my tattoo was showing on my thigh and that there was only Jeans and underwear separating my p***y and his c**k. I’m mindful I can feel the heat from him and it was soothing and scary all at once. I grabbed his shoulders to steady myself over him.

“Skylar, talk to me. Look at me.” I lifted my terrified eyes to his lovely gentle chocolate ones. “Tell me what’s going on in that mind of yours.”

I huffed. “I just…I’m not the skinniest of people, so far from it and I’m not comfortable…I don’t like what I look like Sam. I’m squishy, chubby and lumpy and I have marks and scars on my body. I’m not much to look at Sam, I didn’t realise how… intimate we were until after we hugged, I’m not used to being this close to a man.” His hands found their way to the top of my thighs and he lightly squeezed, encouraging me to continue. “I’m not attractive, hell I’m almost pretty on the best day and I eat a little too much and love sugar and hate exercise. I’m not interesting, I work all the time and hardly ever go out. I hate crowds and avoid clubbing, I repulse men Sam. How I’m here with you and why you’re here with me, wanting to waste your time with me, baffles me. It’s… it’s not fair to you that I feel like this and I think I’m just waiting for you smell the roses and tell me leave.” I knew my voice was quiet, so quiet I could hear Sam breathe.

Sam was just staring into my eyes, his brows furrowed and contemplating of what I confessed. His moved his right hand to my head and he tugged it forward to meet his, sealing our lips with a soft kiss. “I said that if you kept pushing me away, I’d kiss you every time, and I meant that.” He kissed me few more times, encouraging a smile out of me. “I told you that I don’t lie Skylar. To me, you are striking. Your hair is a lovely chocolate brown and in the sunlight, there’s hints of gold and red. You’re eyes are sometimes more green than blue but they change depending on your mood. I love how rosy your cheeks get and that I can see the blush move further down your body. Your body is soft and smooth, if I wanted a women with skin and bones, I would be, but I’m with you and I like all of you. Everyone has scars and marks, does that make you think differently about them?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then why would they think that of you?”

“People can be cruel Sam.”

“True, yes they can be. Was someone cruel to you?”

“It was a long time ago, but yes.”

“Tell me.” I hesitated and Sam noticed “tell me angel. Talk about it.”

“There was guy I met in university. We were on our way to sleeping with each other and the second he saw my body, he said a few choice words, he was disgusted. He left, I swear I saw smoke trail behind him.”

“He’s a dick.”

“Huh?”

“He’s a d**k. He didn’t deserve one second of your time and he royally f****d up. I’m sorry he did that to you sweetheart, but it was probably for the best, he didn’t waste too much of your time.”

“You don’t know what he saw Sam.”

“No I don’t, but hopefully, when you trust me enough I will and I can guarantee I won’t walk away, I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.”

We locked eyes and it felt like he was staring into my soul. “I can and I will. I love your curves, the sensation of your body pressing into mine. Feel me Sky.” He pushed me down on top of him, our crotches pressing together and I could feel how hard he was, his length a hot rod under me. I squirmed and licked my lips. Sam’s eyes dilated and filled with lust. “That’s all you beautiful. How I feel is because of you, we haven’t known each other very long. But I’ve never had this connection we share with other women, I’ve never invited a woman to my apartment, my mother and sister don’t count. I’ve smiled more in these last 2 weeks than I have in the last ten years and I look forward to seeing you whenever I can. I enjoy our time together and how goofy you can be around me. I’m asking you to trust me Sky, because if you can’t then we might as well cut this relationship off now.”

I grabbed his neck, stroking the sides with my thumbs, I noticed a slight stiffening of his posture at the change of movement, but carried on “I don’t want to cut it, I like you Sam. I like this.”

“Good, then I hope you know I won’t walk away from you because of the way you look. I’m not a 20 year old anymore. I appreciate a rare beauty when I see one and that’s all you sunshine.”

“Who knew you could be a poet Mr Anderson.” I grinned up at him. “I trust you, only if you trust me back.”

“I trust you Sky, more than anyone.”

“Then answer me something, why do you cover up? Why do you stiffen when I touch your neck or your left hand? When I spotted your scars before, you got defensive.”

He curled a lock of my hair around his fingers of his right hand “I was in an accident years ago, a fire broke out and I suffered from third degree burns on 50% of the left side of my body. For a while people wouldn’t touch me and they looked differently at me, they looked… repulsed. I’m self-conscious about the scars, they’re not pretty and I’m not used to someone touching them, let along caressing and kissing them like you have.”

“I don’t find your scars repulsive.”

“Exactly why I’m currently allowing you to touch them. If you were any other woman, your hands wouldn’t be anywhere near them. Women can be cruel too angel, I’ve had a few horrible words thrown at me too.”

“Tramps.” I snarled, making Sam chuckle “I mean it, the scars aren’t you’re fault. It was an accident. They're not something to be ashamed of and not something people should say shitty things about.” He just smiled up at me and kissed me on my lips, turning my head to get deeper. He gripped my thighs and back, so our chests and crotches had no space in between. I moaned and tugged his hair, while trailing my fingers over his neck, conscious of the scars yet somehow couldn’t stop myself from touching them. I could hear Sam hum in the back of his throat, our tongues going back and forth between us and before I knew it, our seating position changed and I was underneath him on his couch. Sam covering every inch of my body, his hips pressed into mine and I couldn’t help but tilt mine towards his, causing pressure on both of us.

Sam’s arms were caging my head in and his hands delved into my hair, probably causing a million knots that I was so happy with. Sam bit my lip and I sucked and bit his back in return, our tongues were playing a game, wanting nothing more than to feel each other. I also noticed how hot this was, my body was on overdrive. I rubbed myself on him in desperation and when he finally gave me the pressure I craved, I moaned so loudly I hoped the neighbours were deaf. Sam did it again, so I decided to move my hands from his arms and run them up and down his back, finally settling them on the bottom of his t-shirt. Moving my hands slowly, I snuck my hand up his naked back, feel a mixture of smooth skin on his right side and patches of scars on his left. This must have woken Sam up from his lust as he stopped kissing me and sucked in a huge breathe, causing my hands to freeze.

“I want to feel you Sam. I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I’ll stop.”

“No it’s not that. It feels odd, having someone touch me. I don’t want you feeling grossed out. That’s all.”

“Nothing grosses me out about you. I like you and your scars.” Sam kisses me again and this time, it was, as I would assume like he was making love to my mouth. Slow, caring and completely mind shattering. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.