by Kristi Gold
Confused and concerned, Andi opened the glove compartment and retrieved the invitation. The date was correct and so was the time, only Andi had decided to arrive a half hour later to shorten the duration. Surely the party hadn’t been so dull that everyone had taken their leave early. Or maybe no one had bothered to show. Not likely.
But if that were the case, she’d simply march up to the door, introduce herself to the new owners, maybe have a drink, then be on her merry way.
Andi opened the door and slid from the truck, cursing the tight black dress until her feet hit the ground. How she hated this kind of thing. Hated having to get all fixed up for the sake of some strangers.
When she entered the walkway leading to the front door of the sprawling stone house, a series of tiny lights lining the hedge snapped on. Very impressive, Andi thought as she stepped up onto the front porch.
After taking a deep breath, she pushed the bell, worried when she didn’t hear any noise coming from inside. No muffled conversations. Not even any music. More than likely she had been correct in her assumptions that either the guests were gone, or they had never come in the first place. Or it could be the party was in the arena. If so, surely some kind soul would direct her to the festivities.
Soft footfalls signaled someone was about to answer her summons. The door opened to a petite woman—obviously a maid—wearing a neat, black uniform and functional shoes. Andi coveted those shoes at the moment, considering she now wore the hated high heels.
“Welcome,” the woman said in a voice as soft as her gray eyes. “We’re glad you could join us, Miss Hamilton.”
She knew her name? Obviously the owners had done their homework, whoever they were. Andi decided to let the introductions unfold naturally. “Thank you. I very much appreciate the invitation.” And she very much wanted to get this over with and get out of there.
Once inside, Andi studied the lengthy corridor with awe as she followed behind the maid. The polished Italian tile beneath her feet and the ornate chandeliers above her head shouted big bucks. And so did the massive room that she entered, a room filled with fine furniture and tasteful treasures set about the room. A room that was completely deserted otherwise.
“Is the party in the stable?” Andi asked when she saw no sign of food or drink.
The woman only smiled. “He will be with you shortly to answer any questions you might have.”
“He who?” Andi asked, totally baffled.
“The master of the house, of course.” With that she disappeared.
The maid obviously had vagueness down to a fine art, and this was just a little too weird, in Andi’s opinion. Her first instinct told her to get out. Her second involved blatant curiosity.
Although she really didn’t sense she was in imminent danger, Andi shot a glance over her shoulder, making sure the path to the door was clear should she have to make a hasty escape. In the meantime she opted to do a little exploring around the area in search of some clue that might indicate who the mysterious “he” might be. Her gaze immediately traveled to the paned window to her right, or more accurately the glittering mobile that hung between the heavy parted curtains.
When she moved closer, she noted the individual crystals were replicas of planets flanked by tiny shimmering stars. Of course, she thought. Galaxy Farms. Very clever.
Unable to resist, Andi reached out and touched the tiny diamond-like stars, setting the mobile in motion. The gentle sway shot beams of color around the immediate area. Absolutely breathtaking, Andi thought. At least the mysterious owner had good taste, whoever he was.
“Are you still so fascinated with the stars, Andrea?”
Ten
Her hand froze midair at the sound of the familiar voice. The deep, endearing voice forever engrained in her memory, in her heart.
Andi shuddered, and a soft keening ring filtered into her ears. No way could this be happening again. Her mind was playing nasty tricks on her, playing havoc with her pulse. She was totally losing it. Sam had left. Gone for good. Forever.
But the reference to the stars…
Unable to turn around, she visually searched the room for some sign that she wasn’t totally nuts. Something that would indicate she hadn’t completely lost her grip on reality.
Then she saw it.
On a nearby oak table sat a photograph of a beautiful little boy, his adoring mother and dark, handsome father, holding on fast to each other. To any casual observer, they would appear to be any happy family. The family Andi had always wished for, and still did.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, immediately drawing in the familiar, welcome scent of the man whom she’d said goodbye to six days ago. Six long, torture-filled days.
“You did not answer my question, Andrea.”
How could she answer his question when she couldn’t begin to speak? How could she just stand there and not turn around to verify this was real?
His fingertips skimmed down her arm, and she shivered as if she were totally exposed. In some ways she was, laid emotionally bare once again because of his unexpected return.
“I think I must be dreaming at the moment.” Her voice sounded broken, unsure. Hopeful.
His warm breath fanned across her neck and cheek. “This is no dream, Andrea.”
Finally she turned around and met his dark, dark eyes. “What are you doing here, Sam?”
He showed a hint of a smile. “I am the new owner.”
Too surreal, she thought. Too, too surreal. “You’re telling me you’ve bought this place?” Suddenly it was all too apparent that this was Sam’s money and means at work. Sam’s way of trying to provide for her without asking. More than likely, he wasn’t back to stay. “If you think Chance and I are going to live here, then you—”
He held a fingertip against her lips to silence her. “I do hope you and Chance will decide to live here.”
“We already have a place to live, so we’ll do no such thing—”
“With me.”
“With—” she swallowed hard “—you?”
He slid his knuckles along her jaw in a slow, heavenly rhythm. Andi wanted to close her eyes but feared if she did, he would evaporate into thin air. “Of course we will keep your father’s place for Tess and Mr. Parker, and then our son if he so chooses to live there.”
Andi blinked once, twice. “I don’t understand.”
“It is very simple, Andrea. I’ve realized that my place is here with you and our son.”
How long had she waited to hear that? “But what about your duty?”
“My duty lies in my responsibility to you and to Chance. Admittedly it took me some time to realize this, but now that I have, I am hoping you will trust that I intend to stay. Always.”
Oh, how Andi wanted to believe him, but it was simply too good to be true. “You’ll have divided loyalties, Sam. You’ll miss your family.”
He circled his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. “You are my family now, Andrea. The rest will work itself out in due time.”
“Are you sure, Sam? Are you really sure this is what you want to do? Be with us, day in and day out? No one waiting on you hand and foot, just your average, everyday work?” Another thought crossed her mind. “What would you do here?”
“Other than work very hard to make you happy, I would establish this place as a premiere training facility. With your expertise and my eye for fine stock, we could be very successful.”
Regardless of her caution, Andi couldn’t contain her excitement. “Do you think maybe we could consider breeding?”
Sam grinned. “I would propose we put that at the top of the list.”
She pinched his side. “I meant horses.”
“I suppose we could breed those, as well.” He brushed a chaste kiss across her lips. “Then you are considering my suggestions?”
How easy it would be to say yes. How very, very easy. After all, wasn’t this what she had dreamed about for so long? Sam returning, for good. If it was, in
fact, for good.
She moved back, putting some distance between them in order to reclaim her emotional bearings. “The past few days I’ve ached to have you back, but I was getting by, the same as I did when you left the first time. But if you ever decided to leave again, I’m not sure if I would survive it the next time.”
“There will be no next time.”
He sounded so sincere, but one very important question still hounded her. “What about the woman you’re supposed to marry?”
“I have spoken with her, and she is very much relieved. It seems she has fallen in love with another man. I am pleased by that fact.”
So was Andi, but she still had more questions. “And your parents? What do they think about you staying in America?”
He sighed. “My father has not taken the news well. My mother is somewhat saddened by my decision, yet she told me she knew that when I was born in America, a significant part of my being would always remain in this country.”
Andi realized there were still many things she didn’t know about him. “Are you saying you have dual citizenship?”
“Technically, yes. My parents were traveling in the states on a diplomatic mission, visiting with various governors. My mother insisted on accompanying my father despite the fact she was only a few weeks away from delivery. I chose to arrive early on American soil. That is the reason I attended university here, to experience this place, this life.”
“But you’ve always preferred your father’s country.”
“I’ve always considered it my country, regardless of where I was born. If my father sees fit, I will visit there often, with you and Chance. But I consider my true home to be with you and my son.”
He seemed so convincing, every plan so well thought out. Then why was she still so scared?
As if sensing her reticence, Sam reverently touched her face and searched her eyes. “Trust me, Andrea. I give you my word that I will never leave you again. Never.”
“Do you promise?”
“With all that I am.”
This time Andrea’s heart told her that he meant what he’d said. This time she decided to listen.
She opened her arms and smiled through joyful tears. “Welcome home, Sam.”
In a sudden explosion of passion, he kissed her with a fervor that momentarily deprived her of the ability to breathe, to think. She didn’t want to think. She didn’t want to do anything but be with him, to prove that this was real, the offer of a home and his love. That he was real.
“Come with me,” he whispered softly and took her hand. She followed as if she had no will of her own, and that somehow seemed appropriate. Having strength of will seemed unnecessary. Following Sam to wherever he might lead her took priority over protest at the moment.
They walked through another long hallway and to an atrium filled with myriad plants at the rear of the house. One wall of windows provided a view of a large yard with a fountain illuminated in blue. Sam guided her to a plush chaise longue wide enough for two people. Once they’d settled on the edge, Andi turned her face to the glass ceiling that revealed a blanket of stars.
“This is so beautiful, Sam.”
“Our very own place under the heavens,” he said in a deep, sensual voice. “A place where we can make love regardless of the weather.”
She regarded him with a smile. “What? And give up the pond? We can’t do that. I’d miss getting eaten alive by bugs.”
He laughed. “That I will not miss at all, but I see no reason not to visit there for the sake of remembrance.” Suddenly serious, he caught her hands and held them against his pounding heart. “You honor me by your presence alone, yet I would be more honored if you would agree to be my wife.”
Wife. That one word staggered her soul, set her mind to reeling. She had always said she had no use for being anyone’s wife, and all along she had been lying to herself. She’d only wanted to be Sam’s wife, his life partner. Although she wanted to cry out yes! she didn’t. Not yet.
Leaning closer, she tickled his ear with the tip of her tongue. “Where’s the maid?”
“She took her leave soon after she greeted you, as instructed.”
“Good, because I’d really like you to convince me that agreeing to your proposal would be worth my while.”
He smiled a beautiful, endearing smile. “I see that you are determined to be obstinate.”
She slipped the first button on his nice white shirt that now sported a nice pink lip print on the collar. She’d always wanted to do that, and she planned to do much more. “I’m determined all right, but it has nothing to do with being obstinate, as you will soon find out.”
“So be it.” He attempted to turn off the nearby floor lamp and she stopped him.
“No,” she said adamantly. “No darkness this time, Sam. I want to see you in the light. Every detail.”
He reached behind her and slid the zipper down on her dress, his ragged respiration echoing in the room. “Anything you wish, Andrea. Anything at all. You only have to tell me and I will do whatever you ask. Tonight I am yours for the taking. Every night from this point forward, if you so desire.”
She desired to sleep with him every night, to wake with him every day, to work with him not only to build a successful business but also to make a secure, loving home for their son. For the remainder of her life.
But tonight she wanted once again to concentrate on showing Sam how much she loved him.
After undressing in a rush, they stretched out on the chaise facing each other. The mutual exploration began with tender touches and ended with fevered caresses. They took turns pleasing each other, committing to memory every detail with hungry hands. Then touches gave way to intimate kisses, leaving no parts of their bodies unexplored.
Feeling bold and brave, Andi nudged Sam onto his back and straddled his thighs, intending to take control over the situation. But awareness of what they needed to do suddenly hit her.
“Do you have any protection, Sam?” she asked.
He clasped her hips in his large hands and inched her forward, very close to dangerous territory. “Will you think I am insane if I ask that we do not consider that tonight?”
“You mean—”
“That I want nothing between us, but only if you are in agreement.”
“But I could—”
“Become pregnant again. I know.” He cupped the back of her head and brought her forward, then kissed her thoroughly before saying, “Nothing would please me more than to have another child with you. One that I would know from the beginning.”
The ultimate proof of his commitment, Andi decided. He would never leave her alone to raise another child, this much she knew. He would never abandon her this time.
Instead of responding with words, she lifted her hips and slowly lowered herself onto him. They kept their gazes locked as well as their bodies as they moved in sync.
It seemed as if they had never made love before, at least to Andi. Every sensation as Sam moved smoothly inside her seemed new, untried. Every passionate word he spoke to her seemed as if she were hearing it for the first time.
Watching his face and knowing her own reflected the same pleasure he enjoyed at this moment only heightened her desire, solidified her love for him.
When neither could hold out any longer, they came apart in each other’s arms. Came together in one act of love that would always be beyond compare.
After Andi collapsed against Sam’s chest, he told her, “You have yet to give me an answer.”
Andi rolled to her side to face him. “I’m thinking we have someone else to ask first.”
He raised a dark brow. “Our son?”
“Yes, although I can’t imagine he’d put up a fuss once we tell him you’re his father.”
“I am very much looking forward to that moment.”
Andi tucked her head beneath his chin and held him tightly. “In the morning.”
“I’d prefer to tell him tonight.”
She raise
d her head and stared in surprise. “Tonight?”
He cupped her breast in his hand. “In a while. I fear that I still have more convincing to do.”
Andi wriggled against him, eliciting a groan from Sam. “I believe you do, at that.”
By the time they reached the farm, it was nearing 11:00 p.m. Sam realized that his son could very well be in bed, but he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off Andrea, nor had she put up much protest.
Fortunately, the lights still burned bright from the kitchen window as they made their way to the entrance. Once they arrived on the top step, Andrea stopped him from opening the door. “Wait just a sec, okay? I want to have some fun.”
He cupped her bottom and pulled her to him, amazed that he was again aroused after such a brief time. Yet he probably shouldn’t be amazed at all. Andrea was capable of keeping him in such a state both day and night. “Are you not afraid that Tess might see us?”
She batted at his hand. “Not that kind of fun. I want to play this up with Tess. Boy, will she ever be surprised.”
No, she would not, but Sam decided against revealing that fact.
Andrea opened the door, and he glimpsed Tess and Riley Parker seated at the table.
“Hey, you two,” Andrea said. “I’d like you to meet the new owner of Galaxy Farms.”
Grabbing Sam’s hand, she pulled him forward. Tess and Riley did not bother to appear the least bit shocked, as he’d expected.
“Howdy, Sam,” Riley said. “Nice night out, ain’t it?”
“Real nice,” Tess said with a vibrant grin.
Andrea glanced at Sam, then at the couple, before affording him a stern, suspicious stare. “These two knew about it all along, didn’t they?”
“Now don’t get your tail in a wringer, Andi,” Tess said. “If Sam hadn’t told me about his little plan, I wouldn’t have tried so hard to convince you to go tonight.”
Andrea’s mouth opened, no doubt to deliver a protest. “That was not even nice.”
“But necessary,” Tess stated.
In hopes of calming her down, Sam wrapped his arms around Andrea from behind and pulled her against him. “I will make it up to you in some manner.”
