by Cathryn Fox
And he had no intention of letting her go. He needed physical contact. He needed to feel her. Taste her. His hands fisted gently in her tangled curls. His lips crushed hers in a kiss that was hungry with dominance.
Samantha tried not to respond. But her efforts proved futile. Her lips parted of their own volition; his tongue easily teased its way inside. When his hands moved from her hair, to slide down her spine and press her body tight against his, she could feel his heat defrost her resolve.
“I don’t understand,” Samantha whispered when he finally lifted his mouth.
“It’s quite apparent that you have never had a jealous man on your hands before.”
“Jealous?” She stiffened. “You were jealous because Janine was there with –” She was again interrupted rather effectively by Adam’s mouth.
“Janine? She has nothing to do with this – with us.”
Her forehead pressed against his. “I am very confused,” Samantha sighed wearily.
“I think we’d better have a talk.” Adam easily lifted her up into his arms and settled her on his lap on the living room sofa. “Damn, you’re shaking.” His eyes stayed on hers. Watching. Wondering. Anxious.
“I’m just cold.”
He reached over and pulled the comforter around, cloaking them in an intimate cocoon. His knuckles caressed her cheek. “You’ve had quite a day. Towards the end, my name was probably taken in vain.”
“Quite a few times.”
His lips twitched. But he felt her relax in his arms, and the trembling had stopped. “I took my name in vain, too.” Adam’s fingertip followed a sensuous path from her chin, along the side of her jaw, to curve across her cheek. His thumb wiped away a damp spot. “You’ve been crying.”
“I got soap in my eyes when I washed my face.” Her words sounded false even to her own ears.
Adam arched a brow. Without her eyeglasses, she looked fragile, ethereal in the soft light. He exhaled a deep sigh. “I got blindsided tonight.”
“Blindsided?” She shook her head in confusion and tried to ignore the calamitous effect being this close to him was having on her nervous system.
“I’m pleading temporary insanity. I spent the entire drive whipping myself into quite a state that made all logical reasoning impossible. I had an overwhelming urge to knock that musician flat when I saw him with his arm around you. And then…what the hell was with that kiss.”
“I have no idea. Something Janine said ticked Brian off and the next thing I knew…wham!” Samantha protested. “I was lucky he didn’t turn out to be some raging drunk when I spilled his drink all over him. And I was not trying to pick up a man,” she added firmly, remembering Janine’s sardonic comment.
“I know. But I didn’t see it like that and transferred my jealousy into anger over your driving.”
“Which is absolutely perfect,” she insisted quickly, “I would never drink and drive after what happened to me.”
“I heard you yell your driving record.” His fingers combed through her hair, pushing the thick, slightly damp curls off her face. “Why didn’t you wait and return to the table with Janine? What caused you to leave on your own like that?”
Samantha began fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. “We had another one of our less than cordial discussions in the ladies’ room. Some days I do not play well with others. I got defensive and walked out.”
“You can usually handle Janine. What did she say that got you so upset?”
She just shook her head. “It wasn’t anything.”
“Samantha Logan…talk,” he commanded, forcing her chin up and examining her features in the murky light. “Didn’t you tell me to just ask you questions?”
“Fine. Fine. Fine.” She exhaled a huff, but avoided looking at him. “Well, she said the judge is putting pressure on you to spend time with me. That she overheard the two of you talking tonight at the office.”
“The only thing she could have overheard was Hal giving me directions to your class and the Grotto. My car has a GPS but I needed addresses. So anything else was a figment of her malicious imagination.” He tried to distill the anger in his voice but knew he wasn’t successful. “No one tells me what to do or whom to do it with.” Adam’s lips quirked, “isn’t that part of your only child syndrome?” He tapped her nose. “Next?”
Samantha successfully ignored his jibe. “The rest is probably a girl thing. But whenever I’m around Janine I can literally remember every mean thing anyone ever said to me. I know it’s all high school crap, but up pops every time I was embarrassed or humiliated or called four-eyes. And, trust me, there were more than a few. For some reason tonight, my protective armor developed a gaping hole. Apparently I am the cause of all known troubles in the universe. Next, she insulted my wardrobe and my glasses.” Her finger poked his shoulder. “I told you I wasn’t dressed for that restaurant.”
“You looked gorgeous, I love your glasses. Janine resembled an ostrich ready to molt.” Adam held up a palm to stop her interruption. “I’m sure her outfit was right out of Vogue but frankly, it was ridiculous. Next? And stop making that face.”
“Okay, I admit it, I developed a giant inferiority complex tonight. Usually I can handle her mean-girl digs but really, all that royalty? I swear most of her princesses were on Mimi’s pajamas. All those lords and ladies, or, pardon me, sirs and ladies. Then the duchess and duke of –”
“Duke of…” Adam hitched a breath, his jaw dropped. “So that’s what you were singing and humming: Duke of Earl!”
She gulped. “I was singing and humming?”
He nodded.
“Out loud?”
He nodded again.
“It wasn’t just in my mind?”
He shook his head.
“Oh, dear,” Samantha closed her eyes, completely mortified. “Do you think they heard me?”
His laugh turned into a cough. “No, it took me a while to figure out why the band suddenly sounded so…so–”
“Awful?” Samantha’s expression was contrite. “I’m not allowed to sing. Or hum.”
“So I’ve been told. You really weren’t that off key.”
“You are such a liar.” She shivered when his hand skimmed up her bare leg to rub the side of her exposed thigh. Her head tilted. “Is there really that much royalty in Monaco?”
“They don’t parade around in their crowns and velvet robes. Janine pulled all those names out of a magazine.”
“What about your mother?” Samantha didn’t disguise her interest.
“Mom doesn’t have a crown, she does have a very elegant robe,” he winked, “a bathrobe. She does know who’s who, but she’s involved in a lot of international charity work. You’re probably wondering why she lives there?” At her eager nod, Adam smiled. “After my father died, she traveled a lot with some of her friends. She kept returning to Monaco, as she says: it beckoned. She’s happy and that’s all that matters. I visit her; she visits me. I think she has a man in her life. She’ll introduce us when she’s ready. I’m happy about that too.”
He squeezed her thigh, liking the soft skin and the taut muscles. Samantha had gorgeous legs. And he wanted to feel them wrapped around his hips. He cleared his throat and concentrated on getting more answers. “Since we’ve disposed of all that nonsense, what’s next?” Adam’s shivered at her low growl. “Oh, boy, that does not sound good, come on…come on.”
Samantha let all her concerns tumble out. “First of all, I am not trying to honey-trap you, nor did I ever try to honey-trap her father. I would never, ever get pregnant to trap a man. I know how to protect myself. I get a birth control shot that’s good for three months. Just had it, never miss the date. I have no diseases. I don’t sleep around. I don’t go to bars. I don’t pick up men. I haven’t even dated anyone in two years. And if you think I am nothing more than a four-F’er, you are in for a big surprise. What are you doing?” When Adam’s hand moved from her leg to his belt, Samantha tried to slide off his lap.
&nbs
p; “Stay put,” came his brusque order. “I’m just getting my phone to hit the Samantha app that I’ve linked to a translator button, because honey, I have no clue. First, that zerbert thing, which I tried looking up but I have no idea how to spell. Then there’s your only-child syndrome charge, which I will partially admit to. I even downloaded the urban dictionary. Then the miniature golf, windmill winds and now this, I’ve made an app just for you. So is that the number four or…?”
Samantha couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled up, but she did stop his hand. “I’m an app? That is so sweet.”
“Sweet, hell, what does it mean,” he eyed her suspiciously. “I’m getting the feeling I just got insulted. Again.”
“You, a marine, don’t know what a four F’er is?” At his furrowed brow, she tried to look prim. “My dad, who was army, told me. The four F’s are: find, feel, fuck and forget.”
“I am insulted.” Adam gave her a gentle shake. “And what crude language, Miss Logan!” Then he slanted a wicked grin. “Besides, we marine’s condensed that down to a three F’er. We leave out the feel.”
“Really? So that’s not your hand feeling its way up my bare thigh?” Her expression seemed to dare him to contradict. When his fingers walked back down to cup her kneecap, it was her turn to smile. “I didn’t say you had to stop.”
He leaned his forehead against hers, and then he whispered. “Ooh-rah!” Adam suddenly frowned. “For the record, I never thought you were setting a honey-trap. Andrew, however, had better wear a full body condom with Janine. Her trust fund is running low and she just keeps spending.”
Samantha digested that bit of information with interest. “Well, I’m not setting any kind of a trap. And for the record, I’m not sure I even like you that much.”
“Really?” He noticed that she had successfully unbuttoned his shirt, and her fingers were playing amid the mat of dark hair on his chest. “I’m going to try and be positive. What do you like about me?”
Her mouth puckered in contemplation. “Well, you have a very deep, sexy voice and, okay, you are a good kisser –”
“Am I better than that puppy?”
“Hmmm…slightly.” Her lips quirked, but she avoided his eyes. Suddenly, she realized she had undone his shirt and was caressing the mat of dark hair on his chest. Actually reveling in the strength of the muscles that flexed lightly under her fingertips. She moved to refasten the buttons when his voice and hand stopped her.
“Leave it, I like you touching me. Even if you don’t like me all that much.” His hand cupped her chin, lifting her face to meet his. “Why haven’t you dated in the last two years?” Adam watched her lips tighten. The uneasy look in her eyes, told him that she was holding something, some emotion back.
“Fine. Fine. Fine.” He winked, mimicking her phrase. “I’ll go first. I’m not going to lie, you had me crazy in lust from the moment I met you and I did spend all last week trying to forget you. It didn’t work. You know damn well that there’s something more going on between us. I am not looking for someone just to hook up with, fuck and forget.
“And since I am a marine, I’ll man-up and give full disclosure so we can move on. I have not been interested in having an exclusive relationship with anyone, ever. Until I met you. Frankly, I’ve been so busy with the ranch and building a stable, that it’s been…hmm…nearly a year since I’ve been with a woman.
“I have always used a condom, just because of that honey-trap danger. Not that I was ever concerned about it with you. Say,” he gave her grin, “I guess that does mean I’m a virgin that can be thrown into a volcano.” He registered her slight smile and continued. “I just had a complete physical, healthy as a horse, no communicable diseases.” Adam tilted his head. “See not so hard. Your turn. You mentioned something about an accident, were you badly hurt? I got the vague idea there was more to that story.” When she started to shiver against him, he tightened his embrace and the blanket. His tone was gentle. “Tell me, Sam, just so I don’t make the same mistake.”
“I was the one who made the mistake.” She thought about adorning the truth but decided against it. The whole truth was important. She had never even told her sister the truth of what happened. But Adam needed the truth. Deserved it. What had he said…so we can move on? And she did very much want to go forward with him.
Samantha cleared her throat, twice, taking comfort from the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. “I was just finishing up my paralegal certification, waiting for the exam results. Dad had died six months before, Lucy was back in grad school, so just like now, I was on my own.
“There was a seminar on campus sponsored by the FBI, so I went. Big turn-out, the two speakers were great. I joined the line of students wanting to get more information. I was handed a packet and a card to fill out. I was heading for my car, when I heard my name; it was one of the agents. He suggested coffee and more conversation. For some reason, I hesitated, had a little prickle up the back of my neck. But then I thought, what could be safer? FBI, security checks, polygraphs.” Her hand made a fluttering gesture but she steadfastly avoided his eyes.
“So, one thing led very slowly to another. He was based in the Albany field office. We saw each other daily and,” she cleared her throat again, “after six months, almost every night. He kept saying he wanted to talk to me about something. I stupidly thought engagement. I mean what else? I was gullible and I think in love with being in love.
“Talk about being blindsided,” she shivered again, liking that both his hands instantly gripped her shoulders, giving support. “It was two in the morning; loud voices coming from his living room woke me up. I pulled on a robe and went to see what was going on. His partner was there. I thought it had to do with the case they’d been working on, but I was the case.”
Adam cocked his head. “You were the case, I’m confused.”
Her voice turned sarcastic. “Well, while the marine creed is Semper Fi; their personal creed was: Truth, justice and let’s have a three-way. ’Cause, Samantha, honey, we share everything. You’re a bit boring, so pick a safe word, and we’ve got a box of fun toys, and…” She cleared her throat again. “I let them have a few choice words. But no apparently didn’t mean no and things were getting heated. They were angry. They were two big men. So I just…just…grabbed my jacket off the chair, I didn’t even have shoes. Luckily my wallet and car keys were in my coat pocket.
“I was so…so…well, stupefied and…and…shocked…and…okay, the boring part didn’t help. I mean really, group sex might work for some but it wasn’t even on my fantasy list. I should not have driven, I was not focused. I wasn’t speeding, but my reaction time was slow. Normally, I would have been able to avoid the drunk driver but… I think the only thing that saved me besides the seat belt was the fact I was driving my father’s old Buick which was built like a tank, so I didn’t break anything. I was just twisted, pulled, bruised, battered…” Her voice trailed off, Samantha exhaled a heavy sigh. When Adam was silent, for what seemed like an eternity, she chanced a look at his face. His expression had her shivering. She pulled away but found she was held fast.
“Do they still work in the Albany field office?”
His words were delivered in a tone that scared her. “No. Why?”
“Murder comes to mind. Fuckheads! Share you? What the hell?” Adam gave her a gentle but sharp shake. “Get it through your head right now, I am very selfish. I have no intension of sharing you with anything but a PEZ dispenser. Hell, I should have decked that fucking law student tonight.” He inhaled a deep controlling breath. “From now on, it’s just you and me. I want no more worries about you pairing up with musicians, lawyers…”
“Me? I’m not pairing up with anyone but you. And what about you?” Samantha’s palm lightly hit against his broad shoulder. “Footloose in New York City all week? Tons of glamorous women throwing themselves at your feet…”
“I just step over them,” he grinned. “My colleagues have been chiding me all week a
bout being all work and no fun.” Adam became serious. “Trust me, that’s all I ask.” His forehead leaned against hers. “Besides, I don’t need a box of toys!”
Samantha spoke against his mouth. “I’m sure you don’t.” Her tongue traced his lips, teasing them apart, nibbling lightly.
His hand moved to the back of her head, pressing her closer so their intimate connection wouldn’t be broken. His mouth slanted for a tighter position, his tongue seduced hers. He swallowed the soft little moan that escaped her throat. He loved the way her body melted perfectly against him.
Samantha could feel his hard, large erection bulging bigger against the front of his trousers. She couldn’t deny how easily she was aroused. Her core pulsed with heat when his thumbs teased her erect nipples beneath the thin cotton nightshirt. She pulled away and tried to maintain some semblance of poise, her hands flattened against his chest. “Listen, I –” she cleared her throat. “I’m not a spontaneous person so…”
“I’m getting the feeling you’re sending me out into the dark, chilly night all alone?” At her nod, he gave her a crooked grin. “That’s fine, I’m a patient man.”
“Then I’m sure the cold air will do wonders for you,” Samantha lightly patted his groin and ignored the look he sent that said do that again! Sliding off his lap, she grabbed up his jacket, untied the arms, and pulled him up off the couch.
Adam slid his arm around her waist as they walked toward the door. “I’ll come by early tomorrow and pick you up for the wedding.”
“You don’t have to do that Adam, it’s really way out of your way and—” His mouth effectively stopped the flow of words. “Would you please stop telling me what to do,” he chided her gently. “Just make sure you’re ready on time.”
“I am one member of the female sex who is always ready on time,” she staunchly informed him.
