Playing to Win

by Sami Lee

  She pushed her plate aside, now regretting all that cheese. “Let’s keep moving. We’ll hit a few more places and call it a day.”

  “Sounds good.”

  They stood and stacked their plates and empty glasses. As they left the cafe, another couple made a beeline for their vacated table. Jake placed a hand on the small of Libby’s back in order to steer her around them. The closeness meant the warmth of his body reached out and curled around her like a sultry fog. It cocooned her against him and completely muddled her brain.

  While they stood close, Jake leaned down to murmur in her ear, “For the record, no father worth anything leaves because his kid is spirited. He leaves because he’s weak and an asshole. That’s not your fault, Lib.”

  Libby’s breath backed up in her throat. Jake didn’t move away from her even though the other couple had passed and there was no need for him to stand so close anymore. To her horror, his words and the insight they revealed made the backs of her eyes sting. She didn’t look up at him, afraid he might see her emotions too well. Instead, she cleared her throat. “I know that.”

  He circled his hand on her back, the gesture one of comfort, not sexual titillation. The fact that Libby somehow managed to glean both from that brief touch confused the heck out of her.

  “Good,” Jake said before at last stepping away. He gestured with his arm that she should precede him. There was that graciousness again, accompanied by that boyish, rascally grin. Another confounding combination. “Lead the way, chickadee.”

  Note from Sami

  I do hope you enjoyed this book, I’d so appreciate it if you’d help others enjoy it too.

  Recommend it. Please help other readers find this book by recommending it.

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  If you love the book or leave a review, please email sami@samilee.com so I can thank you with a personal email. Your support means more than you’ll ever know! Thank you!

  About Sami

  Sami Lee is an award winning romance author who writes in various contemporary styles from sweet to erotic. She’s been an iBooks #1 bestselling author in Australia, has won ARRA’s book of the year award and has been a finalist in the Holt Medallion and EPIC awards for her romantic fiction. She loves wine, her family, wine, peaceful afternoons reading, cheese and wine. She lives with her husband and two stupendous daughters.

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  eBooks by Sami Lee

  Visit Sami's website at http://samilee.com/wordpress/ for more information

  Ashton Heights Fire, a Contemporary Romantic Suspense Series

  http://samilee.com/wordpress/bookshelf/ashton-heights-fire/

  1. Burning Up

  2. Giving Off Sparks

  3. Hot In Here

  4. Erica’s Choice

  Sunset, a Contemporary Romance Series

  http://samilee.com/wordpress/bookshelf/sunset-series/

  1. Chasing Sunset

  2. Sunset Knight

  Contemporary Erotic Romance, Non-Series

  http://samilee.com/wordpress/bookshelf/standalone-stories/

  Pleasing the Doctor

  Rendezvous

  Fijian Fling

  Seducing Mr. Wrong

  Manhandling

  Anthologies

  http://samilee.com/wordpress/bookshelf/anthologies/

  Down and Dirty

  Some Like It Hot

  Tropical Haze

  Sami recommends … Shelli Stevens

  Luck be Delanie

  Chances Are, Book 2

  Shelli Stevens

  Chapter 1

  “I like your tattoo,” a deep voice came from behind her. “The last time I saw it I was taking you from behind.”

  Delanie choked on the wine she’d just taken a sip of, her fingers almost crushing the stem of the glass.

  No. It wasn’t possible. Goosebumps broke out over her body even as quick heat spread inside her. She could feel the owl tattoo on her shoulder blade tingle under his gaze.

  What was more shocking? His words or the man who had just spoken them? God, it was a toss-up.

  She drew in a slow breath, afraid to turn around. Her heart pounded furiously beneath her breasts and her palms dampened.

  The coin she’d stolen from him six years ago hung on a pendant around her neck like a beacon. Thank God it was beneath the neckline of her sundress and well out of his view.

  “Do you remember that night?” His warm breath tickled her ear.

  Hot shivers raced down her spine as his words evoked images of the night they’d spent together. The air locked in her throat and she bit her lip, trying to halt the bombardment of erotic images.

  Of course she remembered. That night was a firebrand on her mind. But admitting she hadn’t forgotten could only bring trouble.

  It couldn’t possibly be him standing behind me, the silly voice of denial screamed in her head.

  Without turning around, she could sense the tall hardness of his body just inches from her. Could feel his blue eyes burning a trail over her.

  Another tremble wracked her body.

  Get yourself together, Delanie. You’re not a silly co-ed anymore. And he has no idea what you did the morning after your night together.

  She focused hard on the sparkling blue water that lay beyond the trees. She'd always heard Washington State was beautiful, and this island resort in the San Juan Islands was a genuine paradise.

  Funny how she’d considered herself a lucky woman getting invited to such a posh place. How wonderful that not only was she here to accept a donation to the Second Chances shelter, but to also consider an offer as the resort’s marketing director.

  Her lips twisted. She should have known. Paradise always had a price.

  “Still thinking about that night?”

  Annoyance pricked at his mocking tone. Knowing she couldn’t very well keep her back to him forever, she forced a bland expression onto her face and turned around.

  Her bravado slipped a notch the moment she saw him—because it was him—but she forced it back by lifting her chin higher. “I think you have me mistaken with someone else.”

  “Do I?” He lifted an eyebrow, his mouth twitching with obvious amusement.

  She swallowed hard.

  Grant Thompson looked just as good now as he had six years ago. Scratch that, he looked better. The tall, lean, college athlete had turned into a sexy grown man. His face was harder now, more angular with the loss of the boyish roundness.

  His hair, once more red than blond, had settled into something in between. But those eyes…those eyes were just as blue and piercing as they had been all those years ago. On that night she’d been stupid enough to bounce the bed springs with him.

  She felt the warming of a blush and bit her cheek.

  “Excuse me.” She stepped past him, but he reached out and caught her elbow, swinging her back around. Hot tingles raced up her arm where his fingers touched.

  “Wait, Lanie—”

  “Well at least you got my name right this time.” Her voice shook as she tugged herself free from his grip. She stumbled backward and eyed him warily.

  That heart-crushing moment would remain engraved in her mind forever. Right after bringing her to a sweet morning-after orgasm, the jerk had called her Janie. Janie! And then to add insult to injury, he’d fallen back asleep before they could even finish making love. Wait, sex. Of c
ourse a guy like Grant wouldn’t consider it making love.

  “I’m sorry about that.” Grant’s jaw hardened, all amusement vanishing. “That mistake caused a helluva delay in finding you.”

  “Sorry? As if that—” She broke off and narrowed her eyes. “In finding me?”

  He tilted his head and gave her a considering look. “Is that why you left so suddenly that morning?”

  Guilt stabbed low in her gut, and she reached to touch the pendant under her dress. Before her fingers connected, she jerked her hand away and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear instead.

  Careful, girl.

  “Look.” She let her gaze slip away from his. “I don’t know what kind of twist of fate brought us together, but I’ll catch the first ferry back to Anacortes.”

  “It was me.” He stepped closer, blocking her path back into the building.

  Her heart almost stopped at the three words. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m the twist of fate.” His mouth tightened. “Finding you was the first piece of good luck I’ve had in years.”

  She almost dwelled on the luck comment, but the fact that he was claiming to be the twist of fate resonated louder.

  The urge to flee increased and she shook her head, glancing around the patio. Her stomach clenched as she realized they were alone now.

  “Grant…” She ran her tongue over suddenly dry lips and his gaze darkened as he observed the small movement.

  “Lanie.” He stepped forward and she took a step back, her pulse jumping.

  “Delanie,” she muttered without thinking. “I haven’t been called Lanie since college.”

  “Fine. Delanie.”

  The waves crashed against the rocks below as he backed her up against the guard railing.

  “When does the next boat leave?” she queried, her heart fluttering harder in her chest. “I can arrange to be on it.”

  “You don’t understand. I don’t want you to leave.” His hands curled around the rail on each side of her body.

  The faint smell of soap and cologne tickled her nostrils and the heat of his hard body mingled with hers.

  “It took me six years to find you.”

  Six years faded to nothing with him standing so close. A tremble rocked her body, and her nipples tightened, chafing against the lace of her bra.

  She bit back a groan. “Please…”

  “The last thing I’m going to do is put you on a boat home, Delanie. We have a lot to talk about.”

  Her stomach dropped and her mouth went dry. Oh. God. He knew.

  His lips hovered just inches above hers and he used the tip of his thumb to trace the seam of her lips. The blood pounded through her veins and it became a struggle just to drag air into her lungs.

  All outside noise disappeared and their gazes locked. The vision of that night so many years ago ran through her head, trapping her in a vortex of memories and sensation.

  Her gaze moved to his mouth. She wanted him to kiss her. Wanted him to eliminate those few inches between them and cover her mouth with his. But that would be crazy. Ridiculous.

  Her eyelids drifted shut.

  “Ms. Williams, we can check you in now.”

  The heat of his body disappeared. She blinked her eyes open again and Grant had stepped away from her, annoyance clear on his face.

  “Thank you, Burton.” He shifted his attention from her to the approaching employee.

  Smoothing her hand down the front of her dress, Delanie tried to regain some of the composure she’d lost in the past few minutes. She had to be completely insane. Talk about a close call. She’d been fully prepared to let him kiss her.

  “Please remember that Ms. Williams is to be placed in room two in the north building.”

  Her gaze jerked back to Grant in surprise. Why was he ordering around the employee like he owned the place?

  The blood drained from her head and she gripped the railing to steady herself. Oh God. He probably did own the resort. Was Grant the sponsor who had seemed too good to be true? Was he the one offering her this job?

  Her stomach dropped and all her hopes and expectations disappeared.

  “Of course, the room is already prepared.” The employee gave a quick nod. “If you would just follow me, Ms. Williams.”

  Eager to put as much as distance as possible between herself and Grant, she hurried after the employee.

  “Delanie.”

  Her name spoken softly on his lips had her stumbling to a halt again.

  “Yes?” She drew her bottom lip between her teeth, glad her back was to him once again.

  “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “This is supposed to be business—”

  “I know.” Footsteps sounded on the patio and then he walked past her. “I’ll come by your room at six.”

  She stared at his retreating back, her eyes widening when he suddenly tripped and stumbled into one of the patio chairs.

  “God damn bad luck,” he mumbled before disappearing inside.

  Why did he keep bringing up luck? She shook her head and dragged in a deep breath, clenching her fists at her side.

  “Ms. Williams?”

  “Yes. Sorry, I’m coming.”

  * * * *

  Delanie stared out the open French doors of her suite. The cool breeze from the straits swept into her room, lifting the gauzy white curtains around her.

  The décor of the room ranged from white wicker furniture to a plush bed set high on the far side of the room.

  The resort was the ultimate paradise. It had also just become her personal nightmare.

  Grant Thompson. Just thinking his name made her knees a bit weak again. And she was not a weak in the knees type of woman. But nothing could have prepared her for the emotional punch she’d taken when she’d turned around to find him standing there.

  He wasn’t supposed to show up in her life again. Ever. Fate didn’t have that perverse a sense of humor. She groaned. Obviously it did.

  It had been one night. One night when she’d been young, stupid, and horny as any sorority girl in lust could be.

  She picked up her cell phone and debated who to call. She’d been spending more time with Franklin lately, but the idea of calling him made her stomach churn. Besides, it’d be a little weird to discuss her old lover with her current almost lover.

  Biting her lip, she called Second Chances, the battered women’s shelter where she worked. She pushed aside the immediate guilt over the fact that she hadn’t mentioned to her friend that she’d considered taking a new job. Not that it mattered now…there was no way she’d accept a job at a resort Grant owned.

  “Second Chances, how can I help you?”

  “Phoebe? Hey, it’s Delanie. Is it at all possible to get me on a flight back to San Francisco tonight?”

  “Tonight?” Phoebe asked sharply. “What do you mean? You just got there. I thought the invitation was for one week to relax, enjoy the resort, and discuss details.”

  “It was.” Delanie nibbled on her bottom lip and went to sit down on the plush bed.

  “Then what happened? This is the chance to mix business with pleasure. I would have killed for that opportunity. I mean the owner of the resort comped your entire trip and specifically requested we send you.”

  Yes, and now she knew why. It wasn’t just about a job and a check. She touched the pendant around her neck and exhaled heavily. It couldn’t be a coincidence. It just wasn’t possible. In fact, Grant had pretty much said so himself.

  Admit it, Delanie. He hasn’t forgotten that night any more than you have.

  “Delanie? Are you still there?”

  “I’m here.” She sighed, hesitating whether to bring up the situation.

  “Is the place just trashy or something? I mean the pictures looked great…”

  “It’s beautiful.” She closed her eyes. “The resort itself is absolutely stunning.”

  “Okay. Look, whatever it is, can’t you work through it? I mean they’re offering
to—”

  “It’s Grant.”

  Heavy silence met her statement. She could almost hear the wheels spinning in her friend’s mind.

  “Wait a minute, the Grant? The one you told me about?”

  “Yes. The Grant. He owns Athena’s Oasis.”

  “Well,” Phoebe’s voice sounded a little too bright. “That certainly makes things interesting.”

  “Umm, yeah, just a little.”

  “Does he know you took his coin?”

  “I have no idea,” she admitted and pushed a shaking hand through her hair. “But I have to admit I’m freaking out a bit, Phoebe.”

  “As well you should be. I mean if he found out and pressed charges, it could be considered a felony.”

  “Okay, not exactly what I wanted to hear right now,” Lanie grumbled. “And besides, that’s only if the coin is real…”

  “Exactly. And the guy at the antique shop said it wasn’t. So, nothing to worry about, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Plus, it was so long ago, he probably couldn’t press charges anyway.”

  “Of course.” There was another pause. “So, what’s going on? Has he been mean to you?”

  Mean? No. Made her want to rip off her clothes and have sex like she was in college again? Yes.

  “He hasn’t been mean. I just have to question his motives for bringing me up here.”

  “Wait a minute, it wasn’t a coincidence?”

  “No. He pretty much told me that he’s been searching for me for the past six years.”

  Silence. Then, “Okay. Well, then it’s simple. Get an earlier flight home, because the man is obviously nuts.”

  “But, Phoebe, what about Second Chances? We—”

  “Unless…” Phoebe’s tone shifted, turned more thoughtful. “Unless he’s just nuts about you. You did say you guys had this incredible connection that one night together.”