I looked up. Her hair was wildly astray, semi-clipped into place but with loose strands everywhere. Her face was the real disaster, with running mascara (eyeliner?) everywhere.

“You still look beautiful to me," I said sincerely.

Sam flashed me a smile, but gestured for me to hurry up. I stood and followed her out the door. We went straight to the family room to collect her panties...

«+. only they weren't there.

“Looking for these?" a quiet voice sounded behind us.

Mother sat on a stool at the kitchen island, Sam's panties atop the granite countertop.

"You're home early again," I stated evenly, recovering from my surprise rather quickly.

Her eyebrows rose up.

“Is there a reason I shouldn't be here in my own home?"

I rubbed my forehead and sighed.

“Of course not, Mother."

Sam, hugging herself nervously, stepped forward and quickly snatched up her panties off the countertop.

“I'm so sorry," she muttered in embarrassment .

“No need to apologize. These things happen." Mother arched an eyebrow.

"I DO, however, hope you're using protection."

Sam and I looked at each other. For a brief second, I thought about denying that we'd been having sex, but Sam had been screaming “Fuck me!

Fuck me!" and "Your cock is so fucking DEEP!" - things like that. I pursed my lips and nodded to her.

Sam stared at the floor as she replied softly, "Yes, ma'am, I'm taking birth control pills."

“Good then." Mother nodded with satisfaction, the matter closed.

I sighed and said, "I need to drive Sam home."

“Of course, Matthew." Mother flicked her hand dismissively and returned back to her glass of wine and a hardcover book.

Sam tried to give her a bashful smile, but I grabbed Sam by the elbow and hustled her into the garage and then into the van.

“Ohmigawd," Sam exclaimed quietly as soon as she sat down in the passenger seat, burying her face in her hands.

“Relax. Don't worry about it," I assured her. "It's not a big deal."

Sam glanced out the window toward the door as I hit the garage remote.