Chapter 48

Sam drew her into his arms and hugged her tight. Chan felt him kiss her on her forehead, and tears brewed in her eyes.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, chuckling. "Want to tell me something?"

His question stopped her short. She gathered her inner strength and made herself stop wallowing in her past. She sniffed a little and drew herself back from him.

"No. Nothing. The laundry?"

Sam didn't miss her change in mood or the fact there was something holding her back. Once again, he'd felt that darkness within her, a secret she held close to her chest. He felt the fear within her, too. What could she be afraid of?

Damn! He really wanted to protect her from whatever it was that scared the freaking daylights out of her.

"This way," he said, leading her out the door.

They came into the laundry room a few moments later, and Chan began putting her clothes in. She was hoping Sam would leave her to do whatever he was going to do, but he didn't. He even helped her put in the washing powder and then start the machine. Of course, she didn't need help with any of that, but it was very considerate of him.

They headed back out together and were on the landing of the second floor when Lilly came running out her bedroom door.

"Daddy!" she greeted him with delight.

Sam said, "Good morning, sweetheart. What do you want for breakfast today?"

"Pancakes!" Lilly said excitedly. "Chan wants to have pancakes, too, right?"

Chan chuckled. "Why not?"

Sam put Lilly back down and said, "Then you two darlings go and wait downstairs. I'll just quickly clean myself up."

"Okay," Lilly said, taking Chan's hand.

Once again, Chan was delighted he referred to her as one of his darlings. She smiled as Lilly led her down the stairs.

The two didn't have to wait long. There must be a secret to being a man in getting himself ready. Sam returned ten minutes later wearing a pair of jeans that fit his toned, muscular legs to perfection and a casual T-shirt that showed off his hot body.

Chan felt desire coursing through her being as she eyed him walking around the counter to the kitchen area.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?" she asked.

Sam shook his head. "Breakfast is my specialty," he said and winked at her.

Chan felt her heart skip a beat in reaction. God! He was handsome.

"You made us that wonderful satay yesterday, and now it's my turn to make you some pancakes." His smile was bright.

Chan felt like she wanted to throw herself into his arms and kiss him silly. Of course, that notion was indeed stupid, and she cleared her throat.

Lilly said, "Daddy makes the most awesome-est pancakes."

Chan laughed. "The most awesome-est, huh? Wow!"

On that note, Sam proceeded to show his pancakes were indeed the most awesome-est ever as Chan and Lilly watched him.

It was about twenty minutes later when the three sat around a table on the veranda and began their breakfast of pancakes with grilled bananas and crispy bacon, topped off with golden syrup.

"Mmm�� Delicious," Lilly said.

Chan took a bite and smiled. "Wow! I should call you the pancake king."

Sam chuckled. "Why, thank you. Hear that, Lilly? Chan gave me a title. I'm the pancake king."

Lilly clasped her hands together with delight. "You're the pancake king, Daddy. You're awesome!"

Chan laughed. She really enjoyed her breakfast with Sam and Lilly, and the view of the ocean was indeed spectacular. It was an ideal setting, them sitting around a table under the morning glow of the sun, the ocean breeze dancing about them, and breakfast itself was delicious.

Chan took a sip of her juice when she felt a hot, intense gaze on her person. She raised her head and saw Sam watching her, his eyes dark with desire. She caught her breath at the back of her throat in response. Her body shook just a little as she placed the glass of juice back on the table. Then she licked her lips and tugged her hair behind her ear.

Sam couldn't help himself. He leaned forward, buried his fingers in the thickness of her hair, and brushed his lips against hers.

Chan sighed in delight. He was gentle but firm, and when she opened her mouth for him, he plunged his tongue in. Her body squirmed deliciously as he explored her. He tasted wonderful, too, of pancake and golden syrup mixed with… Sam, and she was in heaven.

Sam was going insane, and he wondered how he was going to hold himself back the closer he got to her. He was about to go all out kissing the woman who had captured his interest since he'd first met her, when he held himself in check. They were with Lilly, after all, and he didn't want to do anything that wasn't child friendly.

When he terminated the kiss and drew back, he noted Chan was blushing intensely and her eyes were bright.

"Daddy?" Lilly's voice reached him. "Are you doing a date with Chan?"

Sam couldn't help himself and laughed. "Why do you ask?"

"'Cause you're kissing Chan," Lilly said. "You're only allowed to do that when you're on a date. Uncle Jeremy said so."

Chan subconsciously licked her lips and tasted the sweetness of the golden syrup from Sam. Suddenly, she felt the urge to kiss him some more.

Sam didn't miss the small tongue licking her luscious lips either. Shit! He wanted more. But not now. Now Lilly was present. Maybe later when they had the chance to be alone.

Lilly's next question made Chan want to run and hide.

"Did Uncle Jeremy kiss you when he did a date with you?"

Chan flicked her gaze to Sam and saw him watching her intensely. Oh dear! What should she say? The truth was Jeremy really did kiss her, but she didn't feel anything.

"Hmm…" She began, tugging her hair behind her ear, her eyes on the table.

"Lilly, sweetheart." Sam intervened. "That's a personal question."

"I'm sorry, Chan," Lilly said. "If he didn't kiss you, maybe he doesn't like you as much, not like Daddy. He kissed you, and you look real happy about it."

Chan's blush intensified, and Sam laughed.

When he managed to stop, he said, "Lilly, that's enough teasing Chan."

Lilly pursed her lips. "But I didn't kiss you on our date yesterday, either."

"That's all right, Lilly," Chan said. "I kissed you."

Lilly's eyes were large. "You did? When?"

"You were half asleep and asked for a cuddle and a kiss."

Still, Lilly wasn't satisfied with that answer. "But I still haven't kissed you… so I'm going to kiss you like Daddy kissed you."

Chan was a little shocked at that proclamation. "Lilly, you don't have to."

Lilly shook her head. "But I want to kiss you, because otherwise, you'll think I don't like you as much."

Sam watched with interest at the scene unfolding before him, a smile on his face. Chan, on the other hand, could tell he found her precarious situation amusing and he was enjoying the moment tremendously.

Lilly leaned forward and got ahold of Chan's face in both her small hands, which surprised Chan. Then the little girl planted a hard kiss on Chan's lips. She stayed in that position for a little while. Then once she was satisfied, she moved back.

"There," she stated. "Now you know I really like you." She turned to her father. "Isn't that right, Daddy?"

Chan sat there, dazed. She couldn't believe today of all days she was being ravished by both father and daughter. It was weird yet surprisingly wonderful.