Sam took the box that was stamped with a pink Peony logo. He waited for Cooper to shake off his newly acquired coat of snow before following Jack inside. What greeted them could only be termed barely controlled chaos. Children ran, played. Parents kept a watchful eye, for the most part, happy to let them.
"What do you think?"
It was so much like the holidays when he was growing up. Sam felt a twinge. If he couldn't be with his own family, this was a nice substitute.
Sam turned to Jack and grinned.
"It feels like home."
LILA PUT AWAY her notes, the regret becoming harder to ignore. She wrote something every day. Sometimes pages, sometimes one line. From a young age, she recorded her thoughts, wrote stories. The only time she stopped was after her parents died. Her mother's encouragement was gone. The loving belief that Lila's dream of being a writer, wiped out in an instant. The muse that used to sit on her shoulder, whispering, was gone.
For a long time, Lila was sure it would never return. As time eased the pain of loss, the spark flickered to life again. Slowly, a bit here and there. Writing became a joy again. The dream of doing it full time was harder to regain. She was a businesswoman. Running Peony took all her time and effort. The yellow legal pads stacked in her desk drawer were filled with stories no one would ever see. Now when she wrote, it was no longer with ambition. She wrote because she had to, for herself.
Pushing back from her desk, Lila shut the drawer on her wayward thoughts. She had a party to get ready for. She planned to kiss a very sexy man. Hopefully, more than once. Looking her best was essential.
As a rule, Lila didn't linger in the shower. Tonight, she took her time. She washed and conditioned her long, dark hair. The body wash filled the room with the scent of vanilla. When she finally stepped out, grabbing a fluffy towel, she was smooth and silky from top to bottom.
Drying her hair was always a chore. Most days she didn't bother. A clip to hold it back and she was good to go. With thoughts of Sam floating through her head, she knew that would not do.
Lila pulled out her seldom-used blow dryer before plugging in the curling iron she bought last spring, only to forget about it until tonight. Out of practice, it took some time. When she was done, she stood back, critically examining her work.
Not bad. A little make-up, the right dress. She might not be able to compete with Sam's usual supermodel type, but those women weren't here. She was. Applying her eyeliner, Lila promised herself to do this more often. Why wait for a special occasion? It was easy to forget, in the day-to-day living of life, how good it felt to pamper and primp.
Her choice of what to wear was a no-brainer. In the back of her closet, tags still attached, was a dress. An impulse-buy one day when she was shopping with Rose, Dani, and Tyler.
The soft, jersey knit hugged her body like a dream, highlighting her curves in all the right spots. The forest green color brought out the flecks in her eyes that were exactly the same shade.
Her legs weren't long, but they were shapely. The dress hit her just above the knee showing off her nicely toned calves. Thank you, step class.
Shoes were a problem. In this weather, boots were practical. For tonight, high heels were mandatory. Again, easy decision. Being good friends with the hostess meant Lila wouldn't feel awkward showing up in clunky boots then changing into strappy sandals.
Lila gave herself one more look in the mirror, before heading out. Hair, nice. Makeup? Good — not clown like. Sparkly earrings, her mother's gold bracelet. The dress was a killer. She was as good as she was going to get. Hot. Yes, little Lila Fleming felt ready to seal the deal with Sam Laughton.
They could start with a kiss. She hoped they ended naked, sweaty, and highly satisfied.
"I KNOW YOU didn't expect me to accept your invitation."
Sam stood with Rose, sipping aged malt whiskey. His enjoyment of her home and family grew with each passing hour. The large, open living area was decorated with festive lights, illuminating banisters, mantles, doorways. Boughs of pine scented the room, a large fire crackling, adding to the festive atmosphere. His companion, her shoulder-length brown hair shining with touches of red and gold highlights, glowed brighter than any light. She was lit from within. That's what loving, and being loved in return, will do for you, Sam realized. It made a beautiful woman incandescent.
"No," Rose admitted. "When I invited you, I was certain this was the last place you'd want to be for Christmas."
"Should I apologize? Not only do I show up, I bring an uninvited guest."
Cooper and Edgar, Jack's large black dog of indeterminate breed, were getting along like old friends. A few tentative sniffs was all it took. Now, they were patiently letting three little girls decorate their coats with ribbons of various colors.
"Cooper fits right in. Knowing his story, I'd be mad if you hadn't brought him. As for you, my friend." Rose linked arms with him. "I said I didn't think you would accept. I never would have made the invitation if I didn't want you to."
"Ever regret turning down my many advances?"
"God no."
"Ouch."
Laughing, Rose squeezed his arm.
"I think your ego can take one woman not finding you irresistible."
"Mmm." Sam gave her forehead a friendly kiss. "It did make it easier when I needed to get on your case. If we were lovers, I might have hesitated."
"Ha," Rose said incredulously. "You wanted those songs for your movie. A little intimacy would not have stopped you. You bullied, Sam. Constantly."
"Didn't you write some songs that will live forever? Classics, Rose. Unconditional has been number one for two months."
"You don't get to take credit for that, Sam." Looking across the room, Rose's eyes got dreamy. "Jack was the inspiration. You should be thanking him. I know I do. Every day."
"I still say my gentle nudging helped."
"Gentle my…" She did a quick assessment of how many little ears might be around to hear Aunt Rose swear. Too close to call. "My rear end."
Seeing Sam's amused look, she explained.
"Little pitchers have big ears. They also tend to repeat everything I say."
Sam nodded. "Hence, rear end instead of —"
"That goes for you too. Curb the language while you're here."
"Got it. Gosh, dang and shucks only. I promise."
Sam mingled for the next half hour, his eyes constantly checking and rechecking the door. No Lila. He knew she was coming. Earlier when he was talking to Alex Fleming, someone asked about her. She was coming. Being Christmas Eve, she stayed open to catch the last minute shoppers.
"Sam. I didn't know you'd be here."
The enthusiastic slap on his back might have felled a slighter man. As it was, he did stagger forward. Unconcerned, Sam grinned, happy to see the man, no matter how he greeted him.
"Bobby."
At eighty-five, Robert Plank was robust, energetic, and as Sam's shoulder could attest, strong as a bear. His shock of thick gray hair would be the envy of a man half his age. He was friendly, a bit bawdy, and one of the richest men in the world. His money gave Sam the last boost he needed to make Wishes. Finding him at a Christmas party in Harper Falls, Washington was a big surprise.
"Thought a young stud like you would be spending the holidays in bed with a beautiful woman. Or two."
The last bit sent Bobby into gales of laughter, drawing smiles from everyone nearby. Bobby had an infectious personality, drawing people in as easily as he made money.
"I would have thought the same about you. Last I heard wife number six was history, making you free to play the field."
"I do like a beautiful woman. Plenty around here. I'm mighty fond of that one in particular."
Sam looked to where Bobby was pointing. Dani Wilde? Really? She was a looker, no doubt. All that white blond hair, her emerald green eyes. Put those together with a shapely body and a face that could grace the cover of magazines. Sam defin
itely saw the appeal. From their brief conversation, she seemed intelligent, friendly. She was also engaged to Alex Fleming.
"Nothing like that," Bobby assured Sam. "Though I appreciate the thought. No, that sweet lady is like a daughter to me. We met up about four years ago and it was love at first sight. Platonic love. I couldn't be happier that she's found a good man. Unlike me, that is a woman who loves once and strong. Lucky for Alex, he feels the same. If I'm too old to kick his ass, I wouldn't hesitate to hire somebody to do it."
"He's pretty hardcore, Bobby."
The older man's usually jovial expression hardened.
"When it comes to those I love, son, so am I."
Sam didn't doubt it for a minute. He shook Bobby's hand before wandering through the crowd. And a crowd it was. Half of Harper Falls must be here. It didn't matter to him that he was a stranger in a group of friends. Sam was a social being. He liked his own company, sometimes nothing else would do. This, though, was where he thrived. He liked people, all types. They liked him back because he was genuinely interested. When someone talked to him, he listened. A talent that came naturally to him.
He particularly liked the company of beautiful women. Rose's friends qualified and then some. When that beautiful woman was also extremely talented, he couldn't resist. Dani Wilde was a respected photographer. Her work was diverse, one time in a glossy fashion magazine, the next a gritty Newsweek feature.
"I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed your work over the years."
Dani, her green eyes even more spectacular close up, smiled at Sam.
"I can say the same. Rose complained the whole time she worked with you. I think we can all agree your butting of heads was worth it."
"Now if I could only get her to agree to record for me." Sam leaned in conspiratorially. "She has a voice that would sell a million records. Add to it the way she looks, she would be a superstar."
"Look at her, Sam." Dani tipped her head toward her friend. "She is a superstar without putting herself out in the public eye. She would hate losing her anonymity. The attention she's getting for Wishes is bad enough."
"Seems like a terrible waste," Sam said. He hated giving up, even when he knew Dani was right.
"Nobody that happy is wasting anything."
Sam was about to comment when he heard the name he'd been waiting for all evening.
"Lila."
The enthusiastic greeting came from someone in the crowd. Sam wasn't worried about them. His gaze zeroed in on the woman standing near the door. Lila. She took his breath away.
"Oh, no you don't."
Not taking his eyes off Lila's curvy perfection, Sam frowned absently.
"Pardon?"
"Hey." Dani snapped her fingers in front of Sam's face making him lose focus.
"What?"
"Stay away from my future sister-in-law, Sam Laughton," Dani warned. "Your reputation precedes you. Lila is a sweet young woman who doesn't need a wolf sniffing at her door."
"I resent the comparison," Sam said mildly. He glanced back at Lila. Mouthwatering, every inch. "No offense, but how do you know what Lila needs?"
"Meaning every woman could use a little of what you have to give?" Dani scoffed.
"Not every woman."
"God save me from the overinflated male ego." Dani took a deep breath then sighed. "I'm sure you would give her a nice whirl, Sam."
"I don't whirl women."
"You know what I mean. Look around." She spread her hands. "There are at least half a dozen unattached women here who would jump at the chance to be your Christmas nookie."
"Nookie? Jesus."
"Lila doesn't have the protective gear to withstand your maneuvers. Pick someone else," Dani urged. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Jilly Underwood sauntering over. "Except her."
Sam wasn't interested in the angular blonde bearing down on them, or Dani's reasons for warning him off. Her warnings about Lila were another matter.
"Exactly what do you think I'm going to do?"
He took Dani's arm, skillfully putting a couple dozen people between them and Jilly Underwood. He recognized that predatory glint in her eye and wanted nothing to do with it.
"I'm not saying you would deliberately hurt Lila. You need to understand. She's lived a relatively sheltered life."
"Sheltered as in former nun?"
"Laugh all you want, Sam," Dani told him. "I'm not the only one who will take exception at your interest. Her brother knows how to kill clean and hide the body."
Looking close, Sam realized Dani was only half kidding.
"You think your fiancé is opposed to his sister having some fun."
"Let's just say Alex is protective. If you lived here, had plans to be around, it would be different. Dallying with Lila then skipping out the next day? Not good."
"Dallying and nookie in the same conversation. That's a first."
"I'm serious."
"I can tell," Sam said. That was the problem. What Dani had to say was completely ridiculous, laughable. Unfortunately, he was the only one laughing.
"She is over twenty-one?"
"Yes," Dani sighed, knowing where this was going.
"Fully functioning both mentally and physically?"
"Not the point."
"We can safely assume hymen free?"
Dani gave in. She had to smile, damn him. Too charming for his or Lila's good.
"She has no experience with men who are so… experienced."
Sam could have stated the obvious. So what? If things went according to plan, day after next he would leave town with a very happy memory and Lila would stay — a little more experienced — equally happy. He wasn't worried about her feelings. He knew for a fact, you couldn't break a heart in forty-eight hours.
LILA SAW HIM the moment she entered the house. In her entire life, she had never been so sexually aware of another human being. Pheromones, hormones, good old-fashioned lust. She tingled. Her skin. Inside, outside.
Sam Laughton put every other man in the room to shame. He made her want to do things she'd only read about. She smiled. She was sure he would be an expert at every one of them.
She thought it wise to skirt around him for a little while until she got better control of herself. This was, after all, a family party. And her brother was here. Alex was getting better at treating her as an adult. Watching his little sister being sexually aggressive might be more than he would handle.
Instead, she sedately sipped a glass of white wine, chatting with Tyler and Rose.
"Your mother looks lovely tonight, Tyler," Rose said.
Tyler nodded, with a happy look on her face.
"See that hunky guy at the punch bowl?" she asked.
"The tall, slender man with the salt and pepper hair?"
"That's him. Seems the new doctor in town stopped at the beauty shop where mom gives manicures. He was there for a haircut, took one look at her, boom, the rest is history. I would say the man's intentions are definitely honorable."
"How do you know?"
"Because." Tyler gave Lila a wink. "No man hangs around for over a month, not getting any, unless he really cares."
"You're sure they aren't…" Rose searched for a delicate way of putting it.
"Doing the horizontal mambo?" Tyler laughed at the look the other two women gave her. This was her mother after all.
"Mom spent too many years with a man who treated her like crap. She was lonely even when she wasn't alone. If Dr. YumYum can coax her into bed I say more power to him, and way to go, Mom."
Since the topic was already sex, Lila casually asked a few Sam-related questions. Just to satisfy her curiosity. If she was going to sleep with the man, and she was, better to be well informed. She wanted him to leave town with a smile on his face. She wanted to be… memorable.
"I read that Sam Laughton knows a thing or two about pleasing a woman."
"Ha," Rose laughed. "He could write a book
. Volumes. Then teach a class using his own source material."
"Then the two of you…"
"Mamboed?" Rose shook her head. "Not me. The women I know who have, are practically legion. They like to talk, why wouldn't I listen? Not one negative review."
"None?" Tyler whistled. "Impressive."
"I know. It doesn't matter how good someone is in bed, he's bound to have one or two dud sessions. Even if it's just a woman with her nose out of joint. Not Sam. He's legendary."
"Good to know," Lila said, her heart rate elevating.
Rose and Tyler exchanged looks. They recognized an interested woman when they saw one.
"Lila, you need to get those thoughts out of your head. Now."
"What thoughts?"
Lila knew she was blushing; the heat in her cheeks was a well-known feeling. Maybe if she ignored her reddening face, so would her friends.
"You can't hide anything with that fair skin." Rose put a comforting arm around her. She wanted to be kind about this while still hitting her point home.
"Sam didn't invent the one-night stand; he just perfected it."
"Before you go any further, let me make something clear."
Lila stood up straighter; annoyed that even at her full height, in heels, both her friends topped her by several inches. To be fair to herself, Rose and Tyler weren't wearing flats.
"I think Sam Laughton is sexy. Who wouldn't? For anything to happen, the attraction has to be mutual." Mentally crossing her fingers, Lila outright lied to her friends. "That doesn't seem likely, does it? I'm wholesome. A glass of milk, if you will. Sam is lobster dipped in butter. Not an appealing combination, is it?"
This time Rose and Tyler didn't need to look at each other. Their thoughts were in perfect sync.
"Grab some water, your pants are on fire," Rose declared.
"Her nose is growing by the second," Tyler agreed.
"What?"
"Lobster and milk? More like sexy man meet sexy woman. Whoosh. Fireworks."
"You think I'm sexy?" Coming from these two women whom she both admired and envied, Lila found it the ultimate compliment.
"Are you kidding?" Tyler looked Lila up and down. "I came to terms with my lack of curves a long time ago. There was a time, my friend, when I would have killed for boobs like yours. Rose has nice ones, Dani's are great, but you, Lila are what straight men salivate over."
FIVE⁕MORE⁕MINUTES Page 12
