Free Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) by Tracey Jane Jackson Page B

the doorman was friendly and grinned at the ladies as he held the elevator door for them.
    “Alan, this is Dr. Moore. She’ll be on thirty-two,” Payton said.
    “Aye, Miss McFadden. I’ll watch after her.” He turned to Sam. “Welcome.”
    Sam smiled. “Thank you.”
    Once they stepped off the elevator, Payton led Sam down a long hallway. She slid the key into the lock and pushed open the door. “Here you go. If there’s anything you need, let me know and I’ll make a note.”
    Sam walked into the apartment and her mouth gaped open. Old met new in the large room. Floor-to-ceiling windows faced the university and the jogging path Kade had shown her earlier. The apartment was tastefully furnished with slim-lined and classic furniture. There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Payton called one of the bathrooms an en suite…the one Sam would have referred to as the master…but either way, the place had plenty of room for her and Pepper.
    “It’s beautiful, Payton.”
    “So you approve, then.”
    “Of course I approve. I can’t imagine who wouldn’t.”
    Payton smiled. “Excellent. Is there anything you’d like changed?”
    Sam shook her head. “Nothing. It’s exquisite.”
    Payton’s phone rang and she answered it. “Hello, Dr. Gunnach. Oh, yes, we’re here now. Yes, she’s very happy. Yes, she is happy with it. I’m uncertain. Shall I ask her?” She pulled the phone away. “Would you like to join Dr. Gunnach for dinner?”
    “I actually thought I might unpack and then order in. Is there a pizza place close by that delivers?”
    “Yes.”
    “Great. Then I think I’ll order in and take a rain check on dinner.”
    Payton nodded and relayed the message to Kade before hanging up. “Let’s head on over to the hotel so we can get you checked out.”
    * * *
    Samantha loved her new place. After she’d checked out of the hotel, her bags were delivered to the apartment and she went about unpacking. Payton had left her the number to the local pizza place and once she’d taken a shower and dressed in sweats and a tank top, she ordered a large combination. Gluttony, she knew, but she was surprisingly hungry and at least she’d have some left over for dinner tomorrow night.
    The doorbell pealed and Sam grabbed her purse and made a run for the door, her stomach growling. She pulled the door open as she rifled through her wallet. “What do I owe you?”
    “Nothing.”
    Her head whipped up and she found Kade holding a pizza box and a bottle of wine, grinning on the threshold. He was entirely too gorgeous to be legal.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Pizza delivery guy isn’t working for you, eh?”
    She laughed. “I don’t tip unless you’re wearing the hat.”
    “Ah. I’ll remember that next time.”
    Sam waved her hand. “Come in.”
    She stepped aside and Kade walked in. Sam noted his jeans and soft long-sleeve tee. Totally opposite of the buttoned up suit he was wearing today. He was even better looking, if that were possible.
    She glanced down at her sweats. New though they were, they were still sweats. She wore no make-up, and her hair was pulled up into a scrunchy. She groaned.
    “Um, how did you…”
    “Know what kind of pizza you liked?” he finished.
    She raised an eyebrow. “I was going to ask how you got hold of my order, but we can go with that.”
    He grinned. “They accidentally delivered to me.”
    “Oh? I’m sorry. I must have given them the wrong address.” She rummaged in her purse. “I wrote it down. It’s somewhere in here.”
    Kade chuckled. “No, Samantha. I live here too.”
    She let out a nervous squeak and then cleared her throat. “Excuse me?”
    “Down the hall. We’re on the same floor.”
    She let out a relieved breath. “Oh. Right. Sorry. I didn’t know.”
    “No worries.” Kade glanced back at her. “Do you drink wine?”
    She nodded as she closed the door. “Religiously.”
    “I hope you like red. If not, I have white at my place.”
    “No,