by Jaci Burton
“That’s what I needed to know. Thanks.” Sam pulled her away from the ladder abruptly and she couldn’t help but squeal in shock. Laughing at her, he swooped her up in his arms and cradled her against his chest. Feeling a bit unsteady, she wrapped her arms around his neck for added support.
Big mistake. The heat of his body burned through her shorts and halter-top, lighting a fire within her that nothing but the touch of Sam’s lips to hers could extinguish. The amused look suddenly left his face, and his eyes smoldered with the same fire that was raging through her body.
His face was so close that with the barest of movements, their lips could touch. If she just leaned toward him a bit—
Suddenly she was upright and Sam released her.
“Thanks,” he said, the fire in his eyes completely extinguished. He turned away from her and headed back up the ladder. “Sorry to bother you. Now back to work for both of us.”
That was it? Hadn’t he felt it? The electrical charge, the heat between them when he held her? Jordan could still feel his touch. Her skin was on fire where Sam’s arms had held her. And now he was back on the ladder, completely ignoring her.
Dammit! This was frustrating.
* * * * *
All in all it was a great day. Sam managed to accomplish quite a bit around the house, even with Jordan so close. Even now he grinned when he recalled the look on her face after he pulled her off the ladder. Wide-eyed, she was flushed and warm to his touch. Her cheeks reddened, she licked her lips and all but issued a verbal invitation to kiss her.
Damn, he’d wanted to kiss her. That would have only been the start of it. Once he touched his mouth to hers, he knew he’d have been lost. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to put her down and walk away. He had a lot of experience with women, was pretty adept at knowing when a woman wanted him. Jordan wanted him, as much as he wanted her. But Sam wanted her to have a little more time to think about it. Enough time to ask for what she wanted, rather than him pushing her into it.
How much longer she would wait, he didn’t know. How much longer could he stand the torture? Not much longer at all.
Staying away the past few days was much more difficult than he’d thought it would be. Even with TNT business to keep him busy, thoughts of Jordan crept into his mind often during those days. He thought of her expressive face, how it revealed so much about what she was thinking and feeling. The sound of her laughter when she was happy and the sexy way she yelled at him when she wasn’t.
At night when he lay alone in his hotel room bed, he remembered the satiny feel of her skin. Softer than any woman he’d been with before, just gliding his fingertips over her was like touching a work of art. And the taste of her mouth, so warm and inviting. And her woman’s body, the way she responded when he kissed her, the way he knew she’d respond when he made love to her.
Which he hoped was damn soon because he was getting tired of having a hard-on twenty-four hours a day.
He’d made it a point to work wherever she worked today. If she was in the kitchen, so was he. If she was in the great room, he was there, too. Maybe his plan was driving her wild, but it was also driving him past the point of sanity. He was going to have to leave soon, or he’d be the one begging Jordan to kiss him, pleading with her to let him make love to her.
That wouldn’t do at all. This had to be her choice.
After he’d cleaned up the last of his work area, he headed into the great room to tell Jordan he was leaving. He halted at the archway, his next breath caught in his throat.
She was sound asleep on the large sofa, piles of her papers strewn across the floor in front of her. She lay on her side facing him, her knees drawn up against her chest. And she was shivering.
The window in the great room was open, the room significantly cooler now that the rain had brought a cold front through.
God, she was breathtakingly beautiful in sleep. Her face was relaxed, her lips slightly parted, and her breathing steady and even. Her cheeks were flushed despite the cold in the room. A rush of longing nearly buckled his knees. His pulse raced and his dick hardened. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to curl up behind her on the sofa, pull her against him, and stroke every inch of her body. The longing was so intense it took his breath away.
He approached her quietly, picked up a light throw that was lying over the back of the sofa and spread it over her. He started to turn to leave, then stopped when he heard a soft moan. The kind of moan that spoke of need and desire.
Did she want him, even in sleep? Was she dreaming of him right now, or was that just wishful thinking on his part?
He knelt in front of the sofa, watching her sleep. A stray auburn curl lay across her cheek, and he picked it up and tucked it behind her ear. She didn’t even budge.
Feeling bolder, he leaned over and placed a light kiss against the pulse in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. She moaned again, softly this time, but didn’t wake.
She looked vulnerable lying there sleeping, so relaxed and oblivious. Sam couldn’t seem to move, couldn’t make himself get up and leave, wanting only to sit with her until she woke. As he sat there looking at her, he was struck by a wave of tenderness he’d never felt for a woman before. Not even Penny.
He sat back on his heels in shock as the thought slammed into his head the same time it hit his heart full force.
He was in love with her. Despite her best efforts to push him away, Sam had fallen in love with Jordan. Sometimes she irritated him beyond the capability to think. Most of the time she was sarcastic and unpleasant, and thought little of him and of Magnolia. Yet she was also fiercely intelligent, witty, and possessed a great sense of humor when she chose to show it.
To say nothing of the warmth and passion she exhibited with him. A passion he knew she was capable of, even back in high school when he was rocked by that first kiss.
But falling in love with Jordan hadn’t been what he planned. Wasn’t what he wanted. God help him, now what was he going to do?
* * * * *
Jordan woke with a start and bolted upright. Her brain was fuzzy and she couldn’t quite place where she was. She blinked, forcing the dreamy fog from her mind. In the mist of her dreams she and Sam had made love, outside during the rainstorm, fat pellets dropping on their bodies and cooling the heat they generated with their passion.
Damn, she hadn’t wanted to wake up. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked around to gather her bearings.
Okay, she remembered now. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa in the great room.
She must have dropped off while reading. How long ago was that? The room had darkened, although whether it was the storm or merely dusk she didn’t know. The clock on the mantle indicated six-thirty. Too early for darkness, so the storm must be the cause.
In answer to her silent question, a flash of light caught her eye and she turned to look out the window. She placed her feet under her and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders, feeling chilled. Her cotton shorts and halter-top did little to ward off the unexpected drop in temperature.
How did she get the blanket? And where was Sam? Jordan called out but got no response. He must have left. After all, it was late. Ignoring the disappointment, she rose, stretched and went to close the window a little, peering out into the gathering darkness to see the heavy winds blowing leaves off the trees and causing the boughs to dip towards the ground.
She made her way down the hall into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee to help clear the cobwebs from her head. The storm pounded steadily outside, and remembering many stormy nights without electricity as a child, she set about lighting candles throughout the house. Then she’d see about starting dinner, while there was still electricity.
A pounding at the door startled her and she went to see if anyone was there or if it was just the wind. She peeked through the keyhole and spotted a drenched Sam. Hurrying to open the door, she braced it with her body as the wind all but threw him in the house. H
e grabbed the door from her and forced it closed.
“It’s a badass storm out there,” he said as he shook his head, sending water droplets flying everywhere around her. “Truck got stuck.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and grab a hot shower?” she suggested, noticing he was completely drenched and muddy from head to toe. “I’ve already got coffee going. Throw your clothes down and I’ll wash them.” She pushed him up the stairs before he could utter a response.
She poured coffee for both of them and placed Sam’s clothing in the wash. Then she remembered he didn’t have any other clothes here—what was he supposed to wear while his were drying?
Her answer came in the form of a mostly dry hunk of gorgeous man, wrapped only in one of her large bath towels.
“Sorry. Didn’t think I’d need a change of clothes, and since you ripped the others off me this is my only alternative. Unless, of course,” he said with a grin and exaggerated hillbilly accent, “Y’all would like me to parade around buck nekkid for ya.”
“No, that’s okay.” Jordan swallowed and tried to avert her eyes from Sam’s half-clad body. She couldn’t help but steal a few quick peeks as she placed their coffee on the table.
That towel parted in such interesting places.
Well that did it. Visions of Sam standing naked in the kitchen flooded her mind.
And what a vision it was. Strong arms, perfectly chiseled chest, legs like tree trunks and an ass to die for. Now as for the parts of him she couldn’t see, well she could conjure up a multitude of vivid images that made her body temperature rise ten degrees.
“Thank you, sugar.”
“For what?” For nearly drooling while watching him?
“For the hot coffee and the shower.”
“Oh.” Okay, maybe he wasn’t reading her mind. Good thing. “You’re welcome. I couldn’t very well let you stand outside my door wet and cold now could I? I wouldn’t leave a dog out in this kind of weather.”
“Have I just been insulted?” He cocked his head to the side and gave her a goofy grin, making her laugh out loud.
“Not yet. But it’s early.” Taking a seat at the table, she asked, “What happened out there?”
“Storm’s pretty bad. Miller Road’s washed out. Thought I could make it across, but the truck got stuck in the water and mud. I worked for a while trying to dig the back end out, but then the wash got too deep. Couldn’t call for help because I left my cell phone at the office. So I decided the safest thing to do would be walk back here and wait it out.”
He refilled both their cups while Jordan admired his towel-clad backside.
“I called for a tow while I was upstairs drying off, but they said with the washout it would probably be tomorrow before anyone could come by, since the storm is supposed to last all night and dump a ton of rain. So it looks like you’re stuck with me. That is,” he said with a disarming grin, “If you don’t mind me hanging out here for a while.”
The thought of being alone with Sam sent nervous flutters sailing through her stomach. But then again, this is what she wanted, wasn’t it? To have some time alone with Sam, to pursue their relationship, at least the physical part of it?
She managed an offhanded shrug, although her body was already double pumping adrenaline. “No, Sam, of course I don’t mind. I was planning on having dinner. Would you like to join me?”
“I’d love to. I’m ravenous.” Judging from the hungry look he gave her, she doubted he was referring to food. The thought caused her heart to quicken its pace.
In an effort to avert her eyes from Sam’s half-clad body, she started dinner. She reached into the top of the cupboard for spices, trying to grasp the oregano without having to use a stepstool.
“Let me get that for you,” Sam said as he pressed her against the counter. His naked chest brushed against her bare back. She stifled a moan at the unexpected contact, then bit back a gasp as he pressed his towel-clad lower body against her bottom. The towel was getting hard, too, or at least what was underneath had solidified considerably.
It was all she could do not to push back against him to see if she could feel what was hiding under that towel.
And why the hell not? Why not right here, right now? The evidence of Sam’s interest wasn’t hidden very well, and her panties were soaked, her nipples beading against her cotton halter.
Now was as good a time as any.
But he retreated before she could tell him what she wanted. Disappointment rushed through her. She closed her eyes, and took a few deep breaths to calm the utter frustration. She took a few moments to regain her composure and calm her shaky hands, then finally turned around only to find Sam once again sitting at the kitchen table.
“Thanks,” was all she could manage to say.
They drank their coffee and discussed the storm until the sound of a buzzer signaled his clothes were dry. Sam grabbed them and headed upstairs to change, while Jordan continued to mix the dough in preparation for biscuits. She was grateful he’d be fully clothed upon his return. Any more glances at him in that towel and dinner would either burn or take twice as long to cook. She couldn’t concentrate with him hanging around her in a half-dressed state.
“Can I help you with anything?” he asked as he reentered the kitchen.
Jordan turned to respond. Oh, this wouldn’t do at all.
He had dressed. Sort of. He’d put on his jeans but had left the top button undone, and hadn’t bothered to don his shirt. And the only thing Jordan could see near the top button of his jeans was tanned skin and a line of dark hair that disappeared inside, hiding the rest of him from view.
Oh Lord. No underwear. She took a deep breath and sighed.
She was in hell.
“Something wrong?” The corners of his mouth twitched. She knew better than to believe the innocent look he was throwing her way. Sam knew exactly what he was doing to her.
She gritted her teeth and tried her best to smile. “No, I’m fine, thank you.” He had roughly five more seconds to taunt her with his body and then she was going to pounce on him.
“Smells good in here. What are you cooking?”
Oh I’m just cooking up ten pounds of sexual frustration. Would you like some? “Spaghetti and meatballs with salad and homemade biscuits.”
“Sounds great. How about if I help make the salad?”
They worked together in companionable silence. Sam completed the salad, then helped form the meatballs and set them on the stove to cook. He found a bottle of wine while searching through the cupboards, and poured a glass for each of them.
They sat and ate, drinking wine and talking. Jordan was more comfortable with Sam tonight than she’d ever been before. Perhaps it was the wine. She consumed more than she normally would, making her feel warm and a little lightheaded. And then again, maybe it was because she finally stopped running, realizing there was nothing to be afraid of. After all, she had no future with Sam, and whatever happened between them would be temporary.
“Tell me a little more about yourself, Jordan.”
“What do you want to know?”
“About your life. Why you left. I’m curious, I guess, since I did the same thing. Except I came back and you didn’t. I keep wondering why.”
“Many people leave their homes when they grow up, Sam. Not everyone comes back.”
“I know that. But your reasons seem to have more to do with trying to run away from something, rather than trying to move toward something.”
She toyed with her wineglass, now empty. Sam leaned over and filled it up again.
“Why do you say that?”
“You’re afraid.”
“No, I’m not.” She dropped her gaze to her glass, unwilling to see the truth reflected in Sam’s eyes.
“Yeah, you are.” Tilting her chin up, he forced her to meet his probing gaze. “It’s not a bad thing. We’re all afraid of something. It just seems like your fear has to do with Magnolia, and I’m wondering what scares you so much abou
t living here.”
“It’s not really the town, it’s more like the memories.”
“Are they that unpleasant?”
“Actually many of them are. Other than Grandma, I don’t have many happy memories about growing up in Magnolia.”
At his confused frown, she said, “Come on Sam, you know all about my parents. You don’t need me to go into the details. Everyone knows the story.”
He stared at her for a moment, then rose from the table and grabbed their wine bottle and glasses. “Come with me.”
He moved them into the great room, situating them together on the large sofa.
“Not everyone has great parents, Jordan,” he said, draping his arm behind her. “That doesn’t drive people away. What is it that drove you out of here?”
Her reasons for leaving were no longer as clear as they once were. “Magnolia reminds me of my mother, I guess. Memories of her still linger. It’s embarrassing. When I was eighteen, I just wanted to escape the stigma of being Susie Weston’s daughter. As I got older, I didn’t want to face the memories, so I stayed away.”
“You think everyone here judges you because of who your mother was?”
“No, I think everyone believes I’ll end up just like her.”
As she looked into his eyes, Jordan didn’t see condemnation, only compassion.
“Is that why you’re afraid of men?” He ran his fingers lightly along her collarbone. Goose bumps broke out along her flesh as he continued to lazily stroke her shoulder and neck.
She stared out the window at the powerful storm. “I’m not afraid of men.” Not all men, just men like Sam. Men she could have feelings for, could care for, could fall in love with. Men who could break her heart.
“You’re afraid of me.”
“I am not afraid of you.”
“Are you afraid of this?” He slid his knuckles lightly up her neck and across her jaw, gently tracing her lips with the tip of his fingers.
“No.” Her breathing quickened and her heart began to race.
“How about this?” He leaned in and kissed her collarbone, blazing heat along the way as his lips followed his fingers, stopping at the corner of her mouth. He whispered gently, his breath caressing her cheek. “Are you afraid of this?”
