by Hailey North
“Why the frown, water nymph?”
At the unmistakable sound of Flynn’s voice, Sami jerked, lost her floating balance and swallowed a mouthful of pool. She began to tread water. “What are you doing here?”
“Wild night. Slept over. What about you? Golden Boy around somewhere?”
Sami pursed her lips. “That is none of your business.”
Ruby charged toward Flynn, who knelt and petted her head despite her madly wriggling body.
Sami swam to the opposite side of the pool, but stayed mainly underwater. She didn’t feel like rising from its protective covering with her scantily clad body. Not with Flynn looking on.
On the other hand, he deserved to be tormented. She smiled, and her backside to Flynn, climbed slowly up the ladder, shaking the droplets from her hair. She raised her hands over head, stretched, then bent over and treated Flynn, should he be watching, to a shot of her derriere lifted high in the air. With a satisfied sigh, she reached for her towel and dabbed at her face.
“You really know how to tease a guy,” Flynn said, his voice growing nearer.
Sami turned, the towel in front of her body. He was right beside her, looking at her as if he wanted to swallow her whole. She gave him a full reprise of the sexy facial techniques he’d counseled her to use, saving the licking the drops of water off her lips for last.
“You ought to be arrested,” Flynn said.
“I believe you are the person trespassing,” Sami said. She’d had her moment of triumph, watching him salivate over a body he could no longer reach out and touch. She wrapped the towel around her, tucking the ends over her breasts.
“Kyle and William invited me to stay in the pool house as long as I want to,” Flynn said.
Sami wasn’t sure she believed him, but then Kyle did seem eager for Flynn to represent his band. She narrowed her one good eye. “And how long will that be?”
“I don’t know, Sweet Stuff.”
She stiffened. “Please don’t address me by that name.”
Flynn leaned close. “It suits you so well.”
She batted his hand away. “You know perfectly well that Chase and I are a couple now. If that wasn’t obvious to you last evening, let me make it perfectly clear. What happened between you and me never, ever happened.”
“You can’t get it out of your mind either, can you?”
He was standing way too close. She could almost feel his breath on her cheek. “I have to go,” she said. “I’m babysitting for Toya.”
“Golden Boy driving you there?”
“No.” She met his gaze halfway. “He isn’t here.”
“Ah,” Flynn said. “Then let me drive you.”
“I am perfectly—“
“Not with one eye. Didn’t one of that bevy of doctors tell you your peripheral vision is adversely affected when one eye is swollen as much as your right one?”
“Oh,” Sami said. “And I was planning to pick up the kids and bring them back here for the afternoon. But I certainly can’t endanger Toya’s children.”
“Happy to drive you.” He winked. “That is, if you think Golden Boy won’t get jealous.”
“It’s nothing to Chase if I accept a friendly offer of assistance.”
He cocked a brow. “Guess you should know. What time do we leave?”
“In about an hour. I need breakfast first. So do the dogs.”
“So does Flynn,” Flynn said. “I don’t suppose you’d toss me out an egg and a cup of coffee?”
Despite her annoyance at being saddled with Flynn, and the memory of what they’d done together in that one foolish night of passion, Sami laughed. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but Flynn had that ability to tickle her sense of humor. “Come on. I won’t leave you to starve. You can make the coffee while I shower.”
Ruby dogged their heels as they headed toward the garage and up the stairs. It was comfortable, walking side by side, not talking, and not feeling a need to chatter to fill the quiet. Inside, Sami started getting nervous, and quickly pulled the coffee beans out, one hand holding her towel in place.
“Go ahead and shower,” Flynn said in a quiet voice. “You can relax. I’m not going to follow you.”
Sami hurried down the hall, unsure whether she was more frustrated with his statement or with her own inability to stay away from a fire that had already burned her once.
Flynn watched Sami’s first few steps toward the bedroom and then performed a swift about-face. Out of sight; out of mind.
He wished.
He wished he could erase her from his thoughts. Then he could move on.
Flynn jerked open the refrigerator door, eyeballed the contents and pulled out a carton of eggs and a package of English muffins. Truth was, of course, he did not want to banish Sami from his mind or from his life.
He liked her. Enjoyed her company. Respected her opinions.
He just didn’t share her life goals.
Flynn cracked an egg into a bowl. Then another. And a third.
He and Cameron were the best of friends, but they had chosen differing personal paths. He cracked a fourth egg and tossed the shells into the disposal. So there. He could be Sami’s friend. He poured beans into the coffee maker, and set them up to grind and brew.
By the time he’d located a skillet and a stick of butter, he’d started whistling. Life was good. Even if he couldn’t hold Sami close, feel her sweet breath on his cheek, listen to her soft moans of pleasure, hell, he could deal with that. There were plenty of other women in the world for that pastime.
But there was only one Sami.
“Hey,” said the object of his mental fixation. “You’re making us breakfast.”
He jerked around in surprise. He’d figured she’d be a lot longer in the shower. “Yeah. Gourmet scrambled eggs.” He flashed a grin at her, thinking she looked about sixteen in her short shorts and tank top, her damp hair pulled into a pony tail. “Thought I’d go ahead and get a head start. Coffee’s almost done.”
“You are efficient,” Sami said. “And that’s a compliment.”
He made her a bow.
She put two mugs on the counter, and then searched in the refrigerator. “I think we’re out of milk for your coffee,” she said.
“I’ll make do with sugar,” Flynn said.
“What was that tune you were whistling?” She poured coffee as she asked the question.
Flynn shrugged. “Something I heard in my head.”
“I think you would be pleased with the results if you wrote down your tunes.”
Flynn kept his attention on the eggs cooking in the pan. “Pop those muffins into the toaster, will you?"
“Hmm,” Sami said. “Of course. And I’ll drop the topic about your music. No man or woman should be pestered about life goals before breakfast.”
He smiled at her, tossed the eggs around the pan and then moved them off the heat. When the muffins were done, they fixed their plates and carried their breakfast to the sofa.
Sami took a bite of the eggs. “Perfect,” she said. “Soft, not runny, and definitely not overcooked. You are a man of many talents.”
Flynn hoisted his coffee mug toward her.
“How are things going with Violet?” Sami asked.
“Good. I’ve signed her. She’s got a strong future and with her role in Cam’s film, she’ll hit the charts in a hurry.”
“I guess that means you met with what’s-his-name?”
As Sami asked her supposedly innocent question, Flynn definitely detected an impish expression in her eyes.
“Rod the…” He trailed off. “Sorry. Almost said something rude there.”
Sami laughed and put one hand over an ear. “Don’t make me blush.”
“Why ever were you flirting with that letch?”
“I believe I told you I was practicing the techniques you were generous enough to teach me.”
“Oh, yeah.” Flynn glanced away. She had told him that. Right before he’d swept her up in hi
s arms and carried her to bed. “Well, never mind that. Perhaps we should add discretion in dating decisions to the lessons.”
She laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t need any more lessons. Chase and I are perfect for each other.”
Flynn looked at his empty plate. “Right. Perfect.” That’s why That Guy was nowhere to be found when Sami needed a driver. He frowned and stood up. “I’m ready to chauffeur you when you’re ready to go.”
Sami jumped up from the sofa so fast Ruby started barking. Flynn was going out of his way to help her, so the least she could do was get ready to go quickly. She carried her dishes to the sink. “I’ll just get my purse,” she said and raced down the hall. She’d been so comfortable sitting next to Flynn, she’d forgotten about getting to Toya’s. It wasn’t like Sami to be so irresponsible. Why, she’d turned down an afternoon of sailing with Chase because she’d already committed to babysit for her friend. That was the responsible Sami.
She shoved her feet into sandals and collected her purse. Flynn was standing by the front door.
“Dogs in our out?” he asked.
“In. The caterers might be back cleaning up from last night’s party. And we won’t be long. Toya lives in West End.”
He nodded and opened the door, corralling the dogs while Sami walked out. Ruby kept up her barking as they descended the stairs.
“She takes getting used to,” Flynn said.
“She’s such a likable dog,” Sami said. “All she needs is constant love, reassurance and acceptance. And that’s not so much to ask after the rough life she’s experienced.”
“Constant love, reassurance and acceptance,” Flynn said, drawing out each word. “Isn’t that the prescription for all of us?”
Sami opened her car door, and then remembered she wasn’t driving. Heading to the passenger side, she said, “Can you think of a better one?”
Flynn slid behind the wheel, looking over at her with a funny expression on his face. “I think that’s the Rx you’re seeking. And not one you’ve gotten from Emile and Nathalie. At least not Nathalie.”
Sami sighed and slipped her sunglasses on her face. The day was too pretty and her mood too mellow to dive into those murky, emotional waters. “Drive,” she said.
They headed through the gates onto the roadway. “In all fairness,” Sami said, after a while, “I do think they love me. In their own way.” She should tell Flynn about her talk with them. He’d been by her side while she read the journal. And she wanted to share with Flynn. She lowered her glasses. “Emile confirmed that Philippe was my father.”
“That must have been a difficult conversation.”
“Emile was wonderful,” Sami said. She wrinkled her brow. “Nathalie not so much. But Emile and I, well, he’s different somehow. It’s as if having been released from the spell of secrecy he’s more emotionally open.”
“I hope it’s a new page for all three of you,” Flynn said. “With acceptance, which may be most important.”
“Being embraced for just being me? Without having to measure up to a set of standards and expectations?”
“Yeah, that.” Flynn took a hand from the wheel and before she knew what he was going to do, he patted the back of her hand. “I accept you, Sweet Stuff. Exactly the way you are.” He put his hand back on the wheel. “For whatever that’s worth,” he added.
Sami didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to rush to assure him his statement meant the world to her. Part of her wondered why she couldn’t have more, why Flynn couldn’t offer not only reassurance, but love.
Stupid.
Idiotic.
What was she thinking?
Sami gazed out the side window. “Take a right on West End.”
He followed her directions in silence. Sami indicated the turn into Toya’s upscale condominium community. Toya said she and her husband were house-hunting now that they had to prepare for another set of twins but the search had been put on hold once she’d been ordered to be on bed rest. Perhaps Sami could assist her. That thought perked her up and helped her think about something other than the disturbing feelings and thoughts Flynn’s words and his presence created within her.
How much simpler it would have been on the deck of Chase’s sailboat, with the breeze ruffling her hair and no worries crowding her mind. Except he’d invited Emile and Nathalie. Not a recipe for relaxation. Sami sighed.
Flynn pulled into a visitor parking spot. “Your destination, ma’am. Shall I wait in the car?”
She shook her head. “Come up and meet Toya.” She got out of the car. Flynn walked around to her side and they headed into the building. “Besides, we’ll need to drive her car back to my apartment.”
“Something gone wrong with yours?” Flynn jerked his thumb towards her Honda. “Drove just fine.”
“No child seats,” Sami said.
“What did you just say?” He’d stopped stock still.
“No infant seats.” She glanced at him in surprise. “The twins are three, Flynn. They can’t be bouncing around in the car.”
“By three I was riding shotgun in the back of a pickup.” He had a stubborn expression on his face.
“The times are a-changing, and it sounds to me as if the evolutionary development has been for the improvement of the species,” Sami said.
Flynn grinned. “Ah, that’s my Sami,” he said. “Love those sentences of yours.”
She narrowed her eyes, almost glaring at him. She knew he didn’t mean anything by his choice of verbs. She punched in the number of Toya’s floor.
“Not much of a building for someone with dogs,” Flynn said.
“Toya has cats. Three of them.”
“At least they don’t have to be walked.”
“I remember you telling me you don’t have any pets,” Sami said.
“Right.” He gazed around the small elevator. “This place reminds me of my condo. Perhaps it’s hanging out with Ruby in the middle of the woods that’s opened my eyes to advantages of other arrangements.”
“I had the impression you grew up in a country setting,” Sami said. Why else would he refer to pickups and big dogs?
“Country is one word for it,” Flynn said.
The elevator doors opened. Sami filed away his comment. She’d ask him about what he’d meant later. She was curious about the path of his life.
Why?
She lifted her hand to the door knocker at Toya’s and frowned. Flynn’s past or future was not her concern.
The door swung open.
Two pint-size toddlers hurtled against her legs. Sami gasped and knelt down to hug the twins. “How are my two favorite urchins?”
The boy pulled free of her hug. “What’s an urchin?”
“A child who likes to have fun,” Flynn said, before Sami could respond with a proper definition.
The boy grinned and looked up at Flynn. “I’m Jadon. Who are you?”
Flynn shook hands and introduced himself.
“That’s Mr. Flynn to you,” Toya called from the sofa. “And Ms. Sami. Respect your elders.”
Sami pried Jamila free from her knees and introduced her to Flynn, then moved the crew toward the couch, where Toya had taken up her daytime residence. The space around her was littered with phones, tablets and various remotes. “How are you feeling?” Sami asked.
Toya arched back and studied Sami’s face. “I think you should answer that question first.”
“I tripped,” Sami said. “Oh, and this is Flynn Lawrence. He insisted on driving me due to possible limited eyesight from the swelling.”
Toya gazed at Flynn, a long slow study. Apparently she approved of what she saw. “Flynn, bless you. If Sami hadn’t been able to take these two whirling dervishes off my hands, I don’t know what I would have done. My mother-in-law had to have a day off. And my husband is prepping for trial.”
“Happy to help,” Flynn said. “Anything you need me to pack in the car to take for the afternoon?” He grinned. “Their favorite toys?
Water guns? Swim gear?”
Sami looked at Flynn. He was such a natural. She had difficulty believing he didn’t have—or want— children of his own.
“You’re an angel,” Toya said. “There are two bags there by the door.”
“I’ll take those down first,” he said.
“You’ll need the keys,” Toya said. She pointed to the coffee table. “That’s the fob for my car, parking slot number 91. It’s a gray—“
“Don’t tell me,” Flynn said. “Volvo.”
Toya lifted her brows. “Smart, too,” she murmured.
He picked up the fob. “Be right back.”
No sooner had the front door shut behind him than Toya smacked her lips. “Honey, Chase better be one hot man if you’re going for him instead of this hunk. The man practically walks on water. Swim Gear? Water guns? He sure seems to know what kids are about.”
Sami sank into a chair near the couch. “He is good with kids.” Jamila jumped onto her lap. “Hey,” Sami said. “Do you want to go swimming with me?”
“And Mr. Flynn,” Jamila said. “He’s nice.”
“He is nice,” Sami said, “but he has to work this afternoon.”
“Aw, man,” Jadon said, kicking the bottom of the sofa. “Everybody always has to work.”
He scowled and crossed his arms over his scrawny chest.
Toya sighed. “That’s what mommies and daddies do, sweetheart. That’s what I’m doing this afternoon. But you and your sister will have fun with Sami. Remember she helped teach you to swim last summer?”
Jamila gazed up at her. Sami brushed her hair back from her face. “We’ll be at a different pool this year, but a very pretty one. And I have three dogs this summer.”
“Three!” Jadon ran to her other side. “Just like us. We’re three.”
Sami smiled. “Does it matter what time we get back?”
Toya groaned. “The longer the better. But six is probably a good time. They’ll need baths and dinner.”
Sami nodded. She’d probably be exhausted by then, and it wasn’t fair to ask Flynn to return from his afternoon plans to drive them back much later than six. No doubt he had a hot date lined up for the evening.
