That she is. “I’ve been doing some work on her place.”
His father laughed. “Is that what they call it now-a-days? What happened to taking a woman out for dinner and dancing like I did to your mother?”
Sam didn’t want dating advice from his father. Things had changed in the past forty years. Not just the dating scene, but people weren’t rushing to get married by twenty-one anymore. A woman who was single at thirty wasn’t considered an old maid. There was nothing wrong with having a career. Hell, he respected Robin for having one. He liked her independence. She spoke her mind and wasn’t waiting for some man to make the decisions for her. Not that his mother was a total softy, but after college she stayed home as a housewife. Sam wanted someone who understood the issues he faced running a business. And then together, they would also share the struggles of running a home.
Damn. When did he start thinking about a home? He was happy just the way he was. There was no reason to start thinking about how or if Robin would fit into his life. What they shared was nothing more than a casual encounter.
Sam had many of those before, yet Robin was one he couldn’t stop thinking about. It was easy enough to explain. She’s different.
“Hey Dad, I got another call coming in. I’ll call you back.” That wasn’t a lie. Ron was ringing his phone.
“Hope it’s that girl.”
I wish it was too. But he needed to get off the phone now. He was worried something was wrong. “Got to go.” As soon as he ended the call, Sam switched over to Ron’s call. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, of course. Why?” Ron asked.
“Oh let’s see. You’re in the hospital.”
“Bored like crazy. My wife said if I’m going to call someone to complain to about my back aching, it should be you.”
Sam laughed. “If you’re calling to ask me to come and rub it, you better think twice.”
Ron said, “Hell, I’m not on that much pain meds. It’s just these nurses won’t cut me any slack.”
There was no doubt that Ron was going to be the patient from hell as far as the nurses were concerned. Ron was used to having his wife wait on him. That’s not how it worked at the hospital. Not the king of that domain. “Maybe you should watch TV and leave the nurses alone.”
“Great. First my wife, then the nurses, and now you. Let me guess, you’re too busy with that girlfriend of yours.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Sam stated.
“I don’t know about that. Rumor had it you sent up a team tonight to Tremont to wire her entire house tomorrow. What’s up with that if she’s not your girl?”
“I think there’s a football game on tonight. Why don’t you turn that on?” Sam suggested.
“Hey, I’m just calling you because you don’t need to stay here in Boston. Why don’t you go back with the guys to Tremont and finish the job yourself. You know you want to,” Ron said.
He was done. If everyone who called him wanted to talk about Robin, then he wasn’t answering his phone any more. When did everyone start thinking it was acceptable to discuss his private life and offer unwanted opinions? This was getting out of hand. But by tomorrow night, Robin would be all set and there was no reason anyone should talk about her again. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to see her.
“Ron, don’t make me call the nurse and have them double up on your meds.”
He laughed. “Not a bad idea. That nurse is a cute redhead. Maybe you can talk her into giving me a sponge bath too. Just don’t tell my wife or she’ll call and request some big hairy male nurse.”
Ron was all bark and no bite. The guy was so loyal to his wife. If not, he’d have set him straight. Sam might not be married, but there was nothing funny about cheating.
“Easy on those pain meds Ron or you might find you can’t tell the difference,” Sam warned.
“Shit. I hadn’t thought about that. Cancel the bath. I’m going to watch the game instead.”
“Good choice. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed. One of us has work tomorrow.” Sam wasn’t really sleepy, just tired of being on the phone. Usually his calls were business. Somehow everyone wanted to chat tonight and that wasn’t him.
When he ended the call he went into his bedroom and tossed the phone on the nightstand. There was only one call he wanted, and it didn’t come. If I don’t hear her voice in a day or two, I’m calling her.
It was funny. He knew she was okay, but with Robin, texting wasn’t enough. Hell, I’m not sure I can go that long without seeing her, never mind hearing her voice.
9
Robin had no idea what the hell had gotten into her. These guys worked for Sam. She had no right asking them to keep a secret from him. What shocked her more was the fact that they were more than happy to oblige her not-so-simple request.
Now as their work truck pulled up in front of Sam’s house, Robin wasn’t sure this was a smart thing to do. Yes, Sam had asked her to come back to Boston with him, but she had said no. When she changed her mind, she should’ve discussed it with him and not just shown up.
There was no way of knowing if he had another girl. There was no commitment between them and honestly, she’d never even asked. Robin would like to think that Sam wasn’t the type of man who’d have had sex with her if he was involved with someone else. Was going on what her gut told her really the wisest? Probably not. Then again, she really wasn’t using her head when it came to Sam.
“This is it,” the driver said.
Robin looked at the old brick building. No one had to tell her this was luxury living. The vehicles parked along the street cost more than she made in a year too. This can’t be Sam’s home could it? Had she missed something? Why was a guy living in a place like this doing electrical work in Tremont?
“Are you sure this is Sam’s place?” Robin asked.
“Unless he moved in the last twenty-four hours, then yeah, I’m sure. The lights are on. All you got to do is go and knock.”
The guy made it seem so easy. Knocking was easy. Explaining her being on his doorstep wasn’t. Of course what choice did she have right now? If she didn’t get out, the guys probably would tell Sam they had brought her here. That would be worse.
Getting out of the truck, she grabbed her overnight bag and thanked them for the lift. When they drove away, she went up the stairs and finally knocked. Please be happy to see me.
Robin stood there waiting, but no one came to the door. So she knocked again, harder this time. Once again, no answer. This was embarrassing. Robin had been so worried about what his reaction would be when he answered, that she never thought about him not opening the door.
Surely her last knock had been loud enough to be heard. She raised her hand to try one more time, but decided not to and let it drop to her side. Robin could always call a taxi and have them bring her to a hotel. Not like I can afford one here in Boston. “What was I thinking?”
“That maybe I was missing you as much as you were missing me?” Sam said from behind her.
“Sam. What are you doing here?” Robin asked.
Stepping closer he said, “Funny. I assumed you were knocking on the door because you knew I lived here.”
Robin blushed. “For the record, I’m not some crazy stalker.”
“I didn’t think you were.”
“Good. I came because…well…you had invited me and…”
“You had refused,” Sam stated. “What changed your mind?”
You said it. I missed you. “I wanted to come and say thank you. Your guys did a great job finishing everything early today.”
Sam stood now on the same step as her. He crossed his arms and said, “And coming to Boston seemed easier than calling?”
He wasn’t going to make this easy on her, was he? But that was what she got for just showing up. She should be glad he at least appeared to be happy to see her. I’d rather you be pulling me into your arms and kissing me senseless than all this talking.
“Well I notic
ed you had forgotten something at my house and thought I’d better deliver it. I didn’t want it to get lost.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the red squeaky nose and handed it to him. “You seemed fond of this.”
Sam took it and laughed. He gave it a quick squeeze then tossed it over his shoulder. “I’m actually much more fond of this one,” he said tapping her nose gently. “Then again, there are several things I missed and none of them are in that bag of yours.” Slipping an arm around her and pulling her up into his arms he continued, “Your lips for starters.”
She held her breath as his lips hovered only inches from hers. Kiss me damn it! She couldn’t stand it any longer. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she took the lead and kissed him.
He kissed her back, but not with the hunger she’d hoped. As she pulled back and loosened her grip, she looked down to avoid his eyes. Had she assumed too much? Was she wrong about the connection she had thought there had been?
“Why don’t we take this inside where I won’t need to worry about having to stop even before we start?”
“You mean you’re happy that I’m here?” Robin asked, even before they went inside.
Sam looked down at her. “If you didn’t come here, I’d have been forced to return to Tremont.”
She smiled as he took her hand and led her inside. But she wasn’t prepared for how grand even the entrance hall was. Don’t think about it. He’s still Sam even if he’s rich. Robin knew people with money, but not quite so intimately. How could someone like him be interested in anything more than a casual affair? I’m broke and he knows it.
Sam guided her to a large living room filled with leather furniture. What she was surprised to see was several bookshelves, each filled. There was even a book open by one of the chairs. She was tempted to ask what it was he’d been reading, but right now, it didn’t matter. There were other things she wanted to discuss.
“I was hoping that we could talk.”
“Talk?” Sam asked. She nodded. “Sit. I’m all ears.”
She took a seat on one end of the couch and he took the other. Now that she had his attention, she wasn’t sure where to start. The entire drive from Tremont, Robin had played this out. Did she want to talk about them or her business or…not talk at all?
Sam sighed. “Would you rather I go first?”
Robin wished she could let him, but then she might never say what she wanted. For her, it was important that she told him how she felt. It’d been so long since she felt anything like this. Whether the feelings were mutual wasn’t going to deter her from voicing hers.
It was something she and Barb had discussed on their longer-than-usual phone call after Sam had left Tremont. It was brought to her attention that she was holding on to a dream as though there was only one you could have. There was nothing wrong with altering it a bit. Chicago had been nice while it lasted. But this was a big country and it wasn’t the only big city either. “Why go back when you can move forward?” Barb had said.
Was Sam her future? She didn’t know. But there was only one way to find out. What better reason to take a leap than to follow my heart? Now all she needed to do was relinquish control and let things take their natural course.
“I’m good. It’s just that when it comes to anything with you, things seem…comfortable.”
Sam cocked a brow. “That is one way to describe it.”
She nodded. “I can’t really explain it, but when I think about you or I’m near you, you’re like a magnet drawing me in. And when we connect it…”
“Feels right?” Sam said. “I’m feeling the same way. Last night all I did was think of you. I’m glad you decided to come. But how did you get here?”
Sadly, he knew she didn’t have the funds to make this happen on her own. And he’d also been at her house long enough to realize the car her aunt had left her, might not make the trip either. It was in worse shape than the house had been.
“Well, that’s a funny story. See, you sent your guys to finish the work. They got done early and I kind of asked them if I could…tag along on the way back.”
“Those bastards didn’t even call me. Nice.”
“Don’t be angry with them. I told them I wanted to surprise you.” Robin didn’t want them to get in any trouble for assisting her.
“I’m not angry at all. If I’d have known you wanted to come, I’d have gone and picked you up myself. Hell, if I didn’t have things to take care of here, I would’ve drove back to Tremont last night.”
Robin smiled and knew he wasn’t teasing her. But then she remembered why he was back in Boston. “How is Ron?”
“Recovering. He might even be released from the hospital today.”
“That’s great news.”
“It is. But you didn’t come here to talk about Ron.”
“No I didn’t. I came because I…couldn’t stay away any longer.”
Sam smiled and said, “Then you won’t mind if I scoot you over here near me?” He reached an arm out and pulled her closer to him.
Giggling she replied, “I’m sure we can get a lot closer than that.”
Robin had intended to say a lot more, but really, what was the point right now? It was clear that they wanted to be together, and more than just physically too. The words would come, eventually. When the time was right.
“How’s this?” he asked as he pulled her onto his lap.
Wrapping her arms around his neck and wiggling closer she said, “Better, but how about this?” Robin leaned over and kissed his check. Sam ran a hand up her leg and stopped when he cupped her breast. A shiver ran through her and she added, “Oh, that’s nice too.”
“Maybe I need to refresh your memory on how good it can be.”
Grinning Robin said, “I might need to be reminded a few times.”
Before claiming her lips, Sam said, “My pleasure.”
And mine as well.
* * *
“God, I missed you,” he said hungrily into her mouth.
Without giving her a chance to respond, he claimed her lips again. This time her body quivered in his arms. Sliding his hands around her back, he pulled her closer so her firm breasts pressed against him. The fire in him was even stronger than the first night. It wasn’t as though it had been months, or even weeks, since he’d tasted her, but it felt like an eternity.
Although he had no issue with making love to her on the couch, he wanted someplace he had more room so they both could enjoy each other to the fullest. Holding her tightly, he got up off the couch and headed to his bedroom. Robin continued tracing kisses down his neck and only enhanced his out-of-control hunger for her. Sam reached with one hand and opened the door. He kicked the door closed and only put her down once they were at the foot of his bed.
He hadn’t forgotten one thing about her, especially not how sweet she tasted. He wanted, no needed, all of her. He continued exploring her mouth with his while his hands fumbled with the button, then the zipper, of her shorts. As he slipped them down so they lay on the floor at her feet, Robin was pulling off her shirt, only breaking contact to lift it over her head. He couldn’t strip his clothes fast enough either.
“Robin, I’ve missed holding you.”
Moaning as he nipped her neck she said, “Show me…how…much.”
The need to taste every inch of her was driving him mad. Kissing her lips hungrily one more time, he dragged his lips from hers only to move them across her jaw, then to the curve of her neck. Exploring and tasting her soft flesh as he licked and nibbled his way across her collarbone, he thrived on her soft whimpers.
“Sam, please,” Robin begged, her hands gripping his shoulders. Her eyes were dark green and full of want. A soft cry left her as he broke contact long enough to remove what remaining clothes they had on. Perfection. It was the only way to describe what he saw when he looked at her.
Wildly running his hands over her ribcage, he needed to feel every inch of her. Her nipples were begging for his attention. Of course, by
the feel of her skin warming to his touch, so was the rest of her body. One thing at a time, sweetheart.
Sam picked her high up in his arms so his mouth easily had full access to her breasts. Taking one nipple in his mouth, he flicked it with his tongue, and then pulled at it gently with his teeth.
Robin arched her back, offering him the other breast, moaning loudly. When he bit it lightly, she arched closer to him, calling his name, barely a whisper. I’ve never needed anyone like this.
He knew why. What he felt for her was not based on sex, although it enhanced the chemistry between them. Was this love? Hell, he didn’t know. It wasn’t a word he’d ever used before. But his feelings for Robin were…intense, if nothing else.
“You’re so damn beautiful.” His lips trailed up her throat, kissing, caressing, and nipping gently until they once again claimed hers, and he plunged his tongue into her mouth wildly while one hand slipped between her legs and began caressing her.
“Sam.” She breathed his name into his mouth, making him explore even deeper.
His body pulsing with need, he held her securely with one hand as he urged her legs apart, running over her delicate slit. “Damn, you’re so wet.”
Arching her back she begged, “Please, Sam, I…” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Meeting her gaze, he slid one finger deep inside her. She sucked in her breath and dug her nails into his shoulders. He lifted one of her legs to rest on his arm so he had full access to all she had to offer. He entered her with one finger, then two, as his thumb stroked her clit. Faster, deeper, until she was practically screaming out in pleasure. His movements grew faster and more urgent until her body finally clenched around his fingers. She shuddered, and clung to him as she released her hot juices.
He didn’t give her any time to even catch her breath, and stepped closer to the bed and laid her down in the middle. She was still panting as he walked to the nightstand and pulled out a condom from the drawer. She welcomed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. Kissing her deeply, he then pulled away, kneeling between her legs, taking in the beauty of her body. God, just looking at her drives me wild.
Turn Me On Page 8
