by Kaira Rouda
“Hello you two,” Blake’s dad said, interrupting her fantasy.
“Hello Mr. Putnam,” Samantha said, giving Blake’s dad a kiss on the cheek.
“Tonight you two are split up, I’m afraid. But no worries, this evening should be over in a couple of hours,” Mr. Putnam said, extending his arm. “Samantha, allow me to escort you to your table.”
Blake shot a look at Samantha, and she could tell he was about to say something, but she jumped in.
“That’s fine. That’s how it should be. I’m sure there is a table for family, Blake,” Samantha said, squeezing his hand. She felt him relax, just by reassuring him that she would be ok.
“Yes, of course,” Blake said. “Thank you, Dad.” Blake motioned for his dad and Samantha to go ahead of him, and he shot Samantha a knowing grin.
Samantha was sure Blake’s dad could tell how attracted she was to his son, that her excitement, and anticipation, was obvious to everybody in the room. But she focused on small talk as Richard Putnam escorted her to a table filled with “the others”, non-family members including, unfortunately, Mark’s brother, Max, whom Samantha was seated beside.
“Here you are dear,” Richard Putnam said, pulling out her chair for her. The dining room was gorgeous, filled with red and white roses, exquisite candelabras, china place settings ringed with silver and white, crystal stemware and silver flatware all sparkling in the dim light. Everything was perfect, except for the fact that she would have to endure Max with his caustic comments about Blake coupled with his intense flirting.
“Thank you so much, Richard,” Samantha said giving Blake’s dad a hug as he deposited her at her seat while subtly moving her chair away from Max. She knew Blake would be furious about who she was sitting next to, but would he hold it against her again?
“Well, look who’s here,” Max said, his speech already slurred by the cocktails at the reception. “Miss Icy Hot, that’s who.”
Samantha couldn’t decide what to say to him, realizing the best response would be to ignore him. Instead she looked around the large circular table and smiled at all the other “others”. Unfortunately, Shelby was seated at the next table over, another table of others. She’d hoped the younger girl would carry the conversation. From the looks of her own table, Samantha looked to be the one who was expected to carry the conversation at this one.
First, she’d need to put Max in his place.
“Look Max, you’re a great guy, I’m sure,” Samantha said, as soon as Max and his entire body began to lean toward her. “But I’m here with Blake. I know you want to respect that. Blake is Avery’s brother, soon to be your in-law.”
“Look Sam,” Max said, still slurring his words. “I’m nothing to the Putnams and neither are you. You might think Blake likes you, but he’s just using you. That guy doesn’t “like” anybody, not even his own family. Ask them.”
The room rang out with the clinking of forks on crystal, and the words “toast” “a toast”.
Samantha tried to turn in her chair, to face the front of the room where Avery and her wedding party were seated, trying to turn her back on Max, trying to block out the words ringing in her ears. She knew how Blake felt, she’d experienced the passion of their embrace. She knew Blake wanted to end up in bed with her, and she wanted the same thing and more. The more part, well, that’s what Max was trying to make her doubt. Even as she could feel him leaning towards her, even as she felt his breath on her back, she forced herself to ignore him and listened to the toast.
“To Avery and Mark, may they enjoy the best of everything!” Denton said, his broad smile lighting up the front of the room. Samantha glanced over to the table next to her and watched as Shelby beamed. Those two were cute together, she thought. She wondered what people thought of her and Blake. They all knew she was seven years his junior, and that she worked for him. She hoped they didn’t hold it against her.
She realized she was thinking about Blake as if they were in a relationship, not on a make-believe weekend.
Blake stood to offer a toast, and Samantha felt his eyes connect with hers from across the room. “A toast, to my favorite sister, Avery. I hope you find happiness and a lifelong connection. Some relationships, no matter how they begin, are simply meant to be.”
Samantha felt his words inside her body, as if he was whispering into her ear, not projecting his toast across three tables.
“Mark, you know our family had our early doubts about you.” Blake said, pausing as uncomfortable laughter erupted in the room. “But you make Avery happy and as long as you continue to do that, the Putnams welcome you into our family. Cheers.”
“Asshole,” Max said, loud enough for Samantha’s entire table, and the adjoining table to hear.
“Max,” Samantha said, turning to glare at him. “That was a wonderful toast.”
Before she knew what was happening, Max was clinging his wine glass with his desert spoon.
“I’d like to follow that warm toast with one of my own,” Max slurred, standing up, almost spilling his half-empty glass of red wine on Samantha’s head. “When my brother started getting serious about a Putnam, I told him he was crazy. That family will eat you alive, I said. But Avery’s a nice enough girl, so what’s a guy to do? It’s hard to find that, right Samantha? A real man who isn’t just using you for a date? Well, cheers and good luck to the couple or couples!”
Samantha dropped her head, staring at her food. This was humiliating, she thought, unsure of what to say or do. She was sure of one thing, “You’re awful, Max,” she said in a low voice.
“What did you say Miss Icy Hot?” Max leered at her. “At least I’m not an asshole, I’m the only non-asshole here. In fact, you are an asshole, too. A gold digging asshole.”
The ugliness of Max’s words were sinking in, her humiliation deepened. She wanted to leave, but wasn’t sure she could make her legs do it. Blake bore down on the table. Samantha sighed in relief that he wasn’t just abandoning her.
Blake grabbed Max by both lapels, holding his face close to his own.
“You don’t talk to Sam that way. You don’t know her. You never will. You don’t know me or my family.”
Max struggled, then Blake released him. Max threw an awkward punch, but Blake countered and sent Max soaring backwards, where he sprawled on the plush dining room carpet. Blake leaned over him.
“Don’t insult Samantha and don’t try to strike at me with an insulting toast at my sister’s wedding. Get out or I’ll throw you out.”
Max sat up and sneered.
“You think you’re so…,”
Blake reached down to grab Max again, but both Denton and James were at his side, restraining him. “That’s enough Blake,” Denton said. “You made your point.”
“Get out of here, Max,” Denton said. “For good, or you’ll be dealing with all three of us.” And the three brothers stood together as Max, holding his face, hurried out of the room.
At the front table, Richard Putnam clinked his glass and said, “Please, everyone, this is my daughter and Mark’s evening. Let’s not allow this incident to ruin anything. Carry on.”
James and Denton walked back to the front as Blake took Max’s seat next to Samantha. Her head was in her hands, shame and shock mingled together. She noticed the sound of dinner party chatter was returning to the room. And then she felt him next to her, her body responded immediately, feeling better simply by his nearness.
“Sam, it’s ok,” Blake said in a low voice, his head next to hers.
His hand smoothed over her back.
“Please, Sam look at me.”
She dropped her hands from her face and stared into his blue eyes. She could see his jaw was tense with worry. He ran his thumbs along her cheekbone.
“Max has always disliked me. We knew each other in school. I’m sorry it spilled over to you.”
She caught his right hand and kissed his knuckles.
“Do they hurt?”
“A little,” he
said ruefully. “Out of practice.”
Her eyes filled with tears, tears she didn’t want to spill in public, not during Avery’s special night.
“Come on,” Blake said, pulling her to standing and then tucking her into him, folding her tightly into his side. She could feel his powerful bicep holding them together.
Together they walked through the impressive foyer and out into the beautiful Low Country night, full moon twinkling off the calm waters of the sound, the red and white striped lighthouse of Hilton Head Island visible in the distance.
Samantha had dried her tears with Blake’s handkerchief. They stood side by side on the wrap around porch, simply breathing in the night air, each of them lost in thought. There were words, possibly hard words to hear, but words that had to be said.
Eleven
“Blake,” Samantha spoke, knowing the words had to be said. “What did you mean the deal’s off?”
“What?” He sounded far away.
“In the library. You said the deal was off. Did you mean that if you and I have a…,” Samantha broke off because he hadn’t offered a relationship had he?
“If we,” she took a deep breath. She was an adult. She wanted to try for a relationship with Blake and keep her career at Blake Genetics. She had to be able to stand up for herself.
“You said you wanted me. Is that for just tonight on the island, or did you want to date, see where it goes?”
She had his attention now.
“Why would you think I would sleep with you only once?”
His hands were on her shoulders. He smiled.
“You have seriously underestimated your power over me.”
“But what about the merger talks and my job? If we date, you don’t expect me to leave Blake Genetics.”
“No.”
“But?”
“But nothing. It might be awkward sometimes, but we’ll deal with anything like that together. I knew I was right to pull your file. I picked you over Marlene’s first choice. I knew I shouldn’t give in to my impulse, but there was something about you,” he shook his head and smiled, self-deprecating. “There is something about you. I couldn’t…I can’t resist.”
Samantha stood on her tip toes.
“Then don’t.”
*
Blake stared down into her gorgeous, expressive eyes. Next to him on the porch, stood a woman different from any woman he’d ever known. She was smart, independent, an asset to his business, a history buff, and gorgeous. Everything he’d given up trying to find. He could even imagine letting her into his tightly guarded, very controlled life. He wanted that, he realized. He wanted her to change his life.
He pulled her close to him and briefly kissed her. Then he closed his eyes, and let his forehead rest against hers. He could feel emotion wash over him, every time she was close to him, and he no longer was sure he wanted to fight it.
“Well,” Samantha said, pressing kisses down his face until her lips were millimeters from his. “I guess we need to go back inside and join the festivities.”
“I’d rather stay here next to you,” Blake said, breathing her in. “I’m sorry for what Max said. It’s not true.”
“Which part?” Samantha asked, looking up into his eyes, loving the man she saw there, the crinkles next to his eyes, his slight smile he saved only for special moments, like this.
“The part when he said you were just a date. That’s what you were supposed to be. We were supposed to be faking it, but I can’t. Not with you. It’s probably the reason I pulled your file in the first place. I had planned on using you to just get through the weekend as quickly and easily as possible, and now I can’t stop thinking about you. I’ve been attracted to you since the moment I saw you in that meeting. I want you. I want to protect you. I don’t want us to end.”
“Oh Blake,” Samantha said, as Blake leaned down to kiss her, placing a firm hand behind her neck and gently brushing her lips with his. Samantha pushed her lips into his, wanting him, all of him.
Blake struggled to break off the kiss. “But you’re right, Sam, we have to go back inside. God this is hard.”
“Yes, it is,” Samantha said, smiling while placing her hand on his erection, visible through his suit pants.
“That’s what you do to me,” Blake said.
Her fingers traced his length, and he groaned against her lips.
“You are supposed to be helping me.”
“I am very helpful. Do you want to see what you do to me?” She asked playfully.
The front door opened and Blake’s mother appeared. “Dear, I hope I’m not intruding but we really need you back at the family table Blake. It isn’t right without you, son,” Evalyn said, firmly, more of a directive than a request, as she returned inside.
“You heard the woman,” Blake said, holding the door open for Sam. “After you. And, I’ll be after you later.”
*
Shelby hurried to Samantha’s side as soon as she rejoined her table. Max’s place setting had been cleared, as had his chair. All traces of him, and the incident had been removed by the efficient staff.
“Are you ok?” Shelby asked, hugging Samantha around the shoulders.
“Yes, I’m fine, just embarrassed,” Samantha said.
“Don’t be. Everyone thought he was a jerk, and now we all know he is a jerk,” Shelby said. “He’s just jealous of you and Blake. You two are so perfect together. Oopsie, I’ve gotta go eat.”
The rest of the rehearsal dinner seemed to last forever, at least for Samantha, who could not wait to be in Blake’s arms again. She barely touched the prime rib and potatoes, even though the meal tasted fabulous. Her stomach clenched at the thought of his hands on her body.
Finally, when the last toast was delivered and the bride and groom thanked everyone again, the dinner was over. Blake appeared as Samantha was standing up, wishing her table mates a good evening.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he whispered in her ear. “Come with me.”
Blake maneuvered the two of them through the dinner crowd and out the front door, making impressive time. Samantha noticed the bruise forming on his right hand, the spot where he made contact with Max’s face, but she didn’t mention it. She wanted tonight to be about just the two of them. Once they were outside, Blake hurried them down the stairs, leading her to a golf cart parked in the circular drive.
“For once, no driver,” he said, looking as happy as Samantha had ever seen him. He looked carefree and completely irresistible. “Climb in.”
Samantha slid into the passenger seat, and Blake hopped into the driver’s seat, and quickly, they were driving along a cart path bordering the ocean. It was another perfect moonlit evening, with a bit of a chill in the air.
Blake noticed her goose bumps. He stopped the cart, took off his dinner jacket and wrapped it around Samantha. The coat was huge, warm and smelled just like his cologne.
“Where are we headed?” Samantha asked.
“To a place where we can have a little privacy. Trust me, do you?” Blake asked.
“Yes,” Samantha answered, swallowing hard, anticipation and desire were building inside her, consuming her thoughts and words.
Blake shot her a devious grin as they rounded a corner and the Melrose Inn came into sight. Samantha looked at him, but didn’t say a word, not trusting herself. This was where the wedding would take place tomorrow, outside near the gazebo. But why were they here now?
Pulling the golf cart into a parking spot, Blake walked around to her side of the cart and offered his hand. She took it, and instantly, the connection zinged through her. They climbed the stairs to the grand inn, and walked inside to the front desk. Samantha admired the wide hardwood floors, the huge floral arrangement greeting visitors. The Melrose Inn felt at the once steeped in history, and very modern.
“Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Putnam,” the hotel clerk said, handing Blake a key with a wink. Samantha blushed and looked away, as Blake took her hand and led her to the main sta
ircase.
“We don’t even have luggage,” Samantha whispered, embarrassed. She was excited to be here, to be with Blake, but at the same time, she felt a bit like a hooker, walking into a hotel late at night, grabbing a room for a hookup.
“Relax,” Blake said as the reached the top of the stairs. Samantha followed him down a long hallway, and stopped when they reached the room at the end. He put the key in the door, and then stepped aside to allow Samantha to walk in first.
The room was a suite, with a direct view of the ocean, the moon framed in the center of the sliding glass doors that led out to their private terrace. Candles were lit throughout the sitting area and a dozen long-stemmed roses in a crystal vase adorned the coffee table.
“Oh, Blake, this is beautiful,” Samantha said, shrugging off his suit jacket and hanging it on the back of the desk chair. She crossed the room and slid open the door to the outdoor porch, noticing the gazebo below and then the ocean beyond. Blake came up behind her and pulled her into him. Samantha could feel his need, and she trembled with desire.
Blake began kissing her neck, gently, and then, quickly spun her around to face him. His lips found hers, pressing hard, parting her lips with his tongue, his need as apparent as her own. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lost in him, in this moment, feeling dizzy and excited, smelling Blake’s masculine scent and feeling his strong arms around her.
Samantha’s lips parted allowing Blake’s tongue inside. She heard Blake moan, as he held their kiss but bent down and scooped her up into his arms.
She’d never been carried literally by a man or carried away with desire, he could have taken her anywhere and she would have gone. Where he took her was to the bedroom of their suite, to a bed covered with red rose petals. He gently placed her in the center of the bed, her blue dress a beautiful contrast to the red rose petals surrounding her.
“Samantha,” Blake said, standing and staring down at her with an intensity, a longing that made her crazy.
