Chapter 1
Chloe
Oh, my God! I sat up, startled, in my bed. What the fuck? My dream was wild, and I fantasized about my son’s best friend. Okay, so he is sexy and dreamy and probably every girl’s fantasy come true. Sam has the most gorgeous huge blue eyes and his smile... I blush at the thoughts I was having.
It has been such a long time since I’ve had a sexual relationship. My husband is a vile alcoholic who brings tarts back to please him regularly. Do I care? Nope, I lost any sort of respect for him after I had Zander.
We were both young and made a mistake; I was 15, and I hadn’t been having my periods long. David was sweet, but at the age of 20, I should have known I was just a fling for him.
I met David at one of the fancy dinners they held to finalize a deal; I hated my parents, as they were so strict. Sometimes I didn’t think my mother even loved me. My dad gave me a sympathetic smile once in a while, but I was more of a burden on them from the beginning. Maybe it was because they always wanted a boy instead.
Already tears were forming in my eyes at the memories that my parents couldn’t wait to be rid of me; probably that’s why David is so broken as well? Both our families had money; and because of our families and who they were, they made an agreement that David and I were to marry as soon as I turned 18. I thought we could fall in love, but over the years he started drinking and going away on his business trips and meetings and we grew apart.
I’ve struggled over the years, battled with an alcoholic husband, and cried myself to sleep some nights wondering why I put up with everything. Time is my friend now as the clock ticks down to Zander turning 18. I promised myself I would divorce David after Zander turned 18. I couldn’t keep living this lie.
My parents disowned me and basically sold me off to David’s family, as I was young and stupid. I hated everything in my life apart from Zander; he was my shining light and the only thing which kept me going in my life.
I hardly made friends, as I don’t think I was allowed to, but I had to be beside David’s side at every function, playing the loving wife. Happy? I was fucking miserable. Only recently, I smiled more, all because of Zander’s friend Sam.
The door rang, and I remembered Sam was coming around. I wipe the bad thoughts from my mind. “Hi Mrs. Webber.” Sam greeted me with a smile that would melt a thousand hearts.
“Sam, I’ve told you before. Just call me Chloe.” I chuckle and place my hand on his back as we go through to the kitchen.
“Sorry Chloe, I still find it hard with you being Zander’s mom and all.” He glanced at me sideways and his cheeks blushed pink; he was cute.
“Right, what sort of party theme shall we have?” I try to concentrate on what we were here to do.
“Maybe a fancy dress?” He shrugged his shoulders.
“Aren’t you both too old for fancy dress?” I joke with him, nudging his arm with mine.
“You’re never too old for fancy dress.” He gave me a cheeky grin, and I found my heart skipping a beat.
“Okay, so what about a tuxedo and glamor party?” I leaned on the side of the kitchen worktop.
“How about a beach-themed party?” His eyes lit up as he gazed at me.
“You just want to see all the girls in bikinis.” I wiggled my finger at him, laughing as he turned bright red.
“No, not at all, only one girl.” His cheeks flushed scarlet now, and he turned away from me.
“Oh, so Sam, who is the lucky girl then?” I touch his arm in a friendly manner, but I’m sure I heard him take a sharp intake of air.
“I haven’t asked her out or anything.” Sam looked down, avoiding my gaze.
“You should.” I nudged his shoulder again. This time Sam turned, and his eyes gazed into mine before he gulped down air. He shook his head, but I knew he was hiding something.
“It’s a bit more complicated than that.” He ran his hand through his luxurious locks of hair.
“Oh, don’t tell me she already has a boyfriend?” I studied his face as he took a moment, chewing his bottom lip as he did.
“Yeah, something like that.” He sighed and I felt sorry for him.
“Aww Sam, you’ll find someone soon. I’m sure of it. You’re such a good-looking lad.” I put my arm around his waist and gave him a side hug, which he returned. Was it wrong of me to want to stay in the comfort of his arm being wrapped around my waist?
“How about a 20′s themed night with all the flappers and gangsters?” He suggests and licks his lips.
“Yes, that would be amazing Sam. We could put up the screen in the garden and play old movies as well.” I became excited at the idea and Sam joined in.
“Kit out your living room and bar area to make it look gorgeous with 20′s decor.” A huge grin came across his face.
“Yes, we did it. Now I’ve already got Zander’s birthday present. I was wondering what you had got him?” Sam hadn’t a clue the last time I spoke to him.
“Well, I don’t really know still.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“Come with me.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs. I led him to my room. My husband and I no longer sleep in the same room when he is home. He is either passed out drunk on the couch or, if he makes it up to his bed, he passes out there.
“Here, I got him tickets to his favorite band that’s coming next month. I got these, like last year, but I’ve gone and bought him a watch that he wanted now. Would you like to give him the tickets?” I handed him the tickets.
“Chloe, that’s amazing, erm...” He was dumbstruck and lost for words.
“You’re Zander’s best friend and I don’t want to be giving him loads of presents so, please Sam.” I held the tickets in his hands. We stood staring at each other, and a warmth filled me. I became turned on as his gorgeous blue eyes raked over my face. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. My body set on fire. As he pulled away, his eyes caught mine, and I about wet my panties.
“Wow, thanks, Chloe, this is amazing. He’s going to be so stoked at this.” His smile widened into a huge grin. The closeness between us ignited something in my body, and I found myself wanting to be around him.
“You’re welcome, Sam. You’ve been a fantastic friend to Zander.” I rub his arm. His gaze casts around my room; it’s only my stuff that’s in the room. I have told no one that David and I don’t sleep in the same room anymore.
“Sorry, but it’s a very feminine room?” Sam quizzically furrowed his eyebrows together.
“I... I don’t share a room with Zander’s dad anymore, not for quite a few years. His room is at the far end of the house, away from Zander and me.” It felt awkward telling him, but in some ways, I wanted him to know that I was basically separated from David, and we only lived together for the sake of Zander.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” His hand ran up my arm and he gulped nervously.
“I’m embarrassed to tell people.” I sigh and sit down on my bed, and Sam sits next to me. “We keep appearances up, you know, in front of people, but as soon as we are behind closed doors, we hardly speak to each other anymore.” David is a bastard and puts me down all the time. One reason Zander never brought many of his friends’ home.
“Zander doesn’t say anything.” Sam studies my face as he gazes at me.
“Yeah, he’s a good boy.” I smile and I find Sam’s gaze loving. We stare at each other a little longer.
“Well, if you ever need to speak to anyone, I don’t mind.” He places his hand on my thigh, which sends a tingle of electricity surging through my body. It’s been a long time since somebody touched me and I felt something; I placed my hand over his and squeezed it.
“You’re so sweet, Sam, thank you.” I almost leaned in to kiss him.
“Thanks so much again for these tickets. They are awesome.” Sam’s lips spread wide into a gorgeous smile
“We better head back downstairs.” I gaze at him, enjoying the closeness. Neither of us moves.
“Yeah, I think Zander will be back soon.” Sam glances down at our hands. His fingers squeezed my thigh, and my heart started racing.
“Hey mom, are you home?” Zander shouted out from the bottom of the stairs.
“Shit, I better hide these.” Sam leaps up and panics.
“Here, I’ll keep them in this draw till you need them.” Our hands touch again, and the same sparks ignite in my body. I shrug it off. I’m sure it is just because nobody has touched me in years.
“Thanks, Chloe.” Sam licked his lips, and I nearly wet my panties, the way his tongue ran along his bottom lip; I wanted to throw myself at him and kiss him.
“Up here, Zander, we’re just trying to hide your birthday presents.” I laugh out loud, trying to shake off the thoughts I had about Sam. Zander appears laughing in the doorway.
“Hey, Sam.” He slaps Sam on his back.
“Hey man, we’ve thought of a theme for your birthday.” He grins and rubs his hands together.
“Cool! What are you thinking?” Zander’s eyes light up.
I usher them both out of my room and down the stairs. “Let’s all make a drink; I could do with one.” After what had happened back there, I think I need more than a drink. How stupid of me to even think that a young guy like Sam would have the hots for an older woman like me.
“Do you both want a lemonade?” Zander checks with us.
“Yeah, cheers man.” Sam slaps him on his back.
“Perfect sweetheart.” I blew him a kiss.
Zander goes off to get us all some lemonade to drink. Sam and I headed out to the patio to sit down. I slide on my sunglasses and sit down on one lounger. I catch Sam taking a glance at my legs, then his eyes run up my body before he looks away as Zander comes out with our drinks. We ran through all the ideas for his party; he seemed to like the idea of a 20s theme.
“So, we’re all set for Saturday night, then?” I confirm with both boys.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a blast.” Sam sips his lemonade, smiling.
“I can’t wait.” Zander bounced in his seat excitedly.
“Yeah, my baby is all grown up and becoming a man.” I tease him.
“Aww... mom, don’t.” Zander blushed and shook his head as he rolled his eyes at me.
Sam jumped up. “Hey, I better go Zander, but I’ll see you later?”
“Why don’t you swing by later tonight? We’ll put on a movie or something. Have a couple of drinks?” Zander checked with me, and I gave him the thumbs up.
“I’ll let you know.”
“Ok man I’ll see you later.”
Sam heads off, and it’s just Zander and me. “What do you fancy to eat tonight, Zander?” To be honest, I couldn’t be bothered to cook, and if David comes in, I want to avoid him as much as possible.
“Can we order pizza in that way if Sam comes back, we have food for later as well?” Zander suggested.
“Yeah, why not.” Later on, we order pizza, and it isn’t long before Sam messages Zander to say he is on his way back over. I go open the door as Zander is setting down the pizza and plates.
“You must have smelt the pizza arrive.” I chuckled, but Sam had changed his top and I caught myself staring at him.
“Hey, Sam” Zander stuffs a piece of pizza into his mouth.
“Zander.” Sam gave him a wave. “Smells good.” The way Sam looked at me as he said those words, my cheeks heated with a blush, but it was what was going on in between my legs that had me clenching my thighs. This was wrong, so wrong.
“I’m going to put the movie on, mom are you coming?” Zander always asks me.
“What film are you putting on?” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Something scary.” He wiggles his spare hand as he makes silly noises.
“You and your horror movies.” I roll my eyes at him.
“Come on, Chloe, it will be funny.” Sam smiles and my heart thumps in my chest.
“I’m not sitting next to Zander as he always tries to jump scare me.” I stick my tongue out at Zander and both boys laugh at me. “Put it on and take the pizza through. I’ll get some popcorn and beers as well.” I let Zander have a couple when we are at home together.
“Here, I’ll give you a hand.” Sam comes towards me, his eyes sparkle, sending the tingling running through my body and igniting my core. I go retrieve a large bowl out of the Cupboard for the popcorn, Sam goes to grab some beers out of the fridge. I caught him checking me out again, for sure this time. My body flooded with sensations I hadn’t felt in years.
