StudinTexas

by Calista Fox

  Sky gave a half snort. “Something wrong with that?”

  “Not at all. In fact, I’m really happy about it. Just wondering if it has anything to do with the former Marine you insisted you wanted nothing to do with. Did he kiss you last night? Is that why you’re grinning from ear to ear?”

  “You’re such a busybody, Reese. Really.”

  “Oh don’t play coy with me. I want all the juicy details. Even if I have to cajole them from you.”

  “You mean nag me to death.”

  Reese laughed. “I stick with what works.”

  “Well,” Sky said as she pulled the chocolate tulip molds from the oven, set the tray on the stainless-steel counter and inspected them. “I wouldn’t exactly call what Sam did to me last night kissing. More like he swept me clean off my feet.”

  She removed her oven mitts and let the shells cool while she prepared to whip up the raspberry mousse that would fill them.

  Continuing on—Reese her rapt audience—she said, “I hate to be cliché, but there were definitely fireworks. Over my head. Low in my belly. Other places we don’t need to mention in public.”

  Reese clapped her hands together and bounced on the balls of her booted feet, apparently overcome with joy. “I just knew it. From the time you said you were coming back to Texas, all I could think about was getting the two of you together.”

  Sky eyed her curiously. “Shouldn’t you be thinking about your wedding?”

  She waved a hand in the air. “Are you kidding? With all the desserts I’ve been eating lately, I couldn’t fit into a dress. I’ve got to lose at least ten pounds before I even think about stepping into a gown. Besides, Caleb has been busy with the horses, and I’ve been swamped with the inn. Which reminds me, I need to place an online ad for a marketing director.”

  “That’s a great idea. You need some publicity to bring in more guests. This place is too beautiful to be Wilder’s biggest secret.”

  “Agreed.”

  Sky popped the chocolate tulips in the walk-in cooler to harden, then went back to the mousse.

  Reese said, “So about Sam… What’s the situation?”

  She shrugged. “This is still pretty new, Reesie.”

  “Oh come on. Tell me what you think about it.”

  She couldn’t help but smile again. And her stomach flipped. Her heart fluttered.

  Tamping down the giggle that bubbled in her throat—Sky was not the giggling type, but she felt particularly lighthearted following that searing kiss Sam had laid on her earlier—she told her friend, “I’m not in a position to get involved with anyone, but I guess when lightning strikes, there’s not much you can do about timing. So I laid a few things on the line for him, just so he knows where I’m coming from. Where I stand.”

  “This sounds serious.”

  “I will say that I don’t think two people can kiss the way we do without calling it serious. Even this early on. The man jolted me to the core of my being. And if someone told me he’d never be kissing me again, I’d want to curl up in a corner and bawl my eyes out.”

  Reese pressed a hand to her mouth for several seconds. Then she said, “I know that feeling exactly. Geez, Sky. I am just so happy you came home to Wilder.”

  “Actually, I am too.” She reached for an icing bag and then rummaged through a metal container looking for the appropriate tip to swirl the mousse in the shells when they set.

  “So did Sam tell you about Charlotte?” Reese asked.

  “No.”

  “Hmm. Well, it doesn’t really matter. He’s long over her and she’s getting married. But he does feel as though he doomed the relationship because he kept her from his parents for so long. An understandable thing to do, given their rather vulture-like natures. They just love to peck at people.”

  Sky said, “I’m sure he’ll mention it if he feels it’s necessary. But opening up the ex-files isn’t always for the best.” She hated that she’d had to do it. Would have preferred to start something with Sam when she had a clean slate. Unfortunately, due to her current predicament, she hadn’t had much choice but to tell him about Mac.

  “I suppose you’re right. I would love it if Caleb knew nothing about Tommy.”

  “He turned out to be quite the horse’s ass.”

  “Did he ever.”

  They talked a bit more about how Caleb stepped in to save the day for Reese when it came to her unfaithful ex-husband, who’d spread some nasty rumors around town about Reese during their split. Then Reese dashed off to draft her online ad, and Sky finished the first round of desserts for the evening’s diners.

  She went to work on the second round—a rich carrot cake—with thoughts of Sam on her mind.

  After the dining room closed, Sky joined Reese and Caleb for a late dinner. Sam was nowhere in sight. Disappointment swept through her. Hadn’t he invited her this evening? Usually, she headed straight back to Luckenbach, given the drive. But she’d purposely stuck around tonight.

  Following their pork chops, she set a fresh cinnamon-apple pie on the table, with vanilla ice cream to complement it.

  She’d taken only one bite when Sam climbed the stairs to the deck and sank into the chair next to her.

  “Sorry I missed dinner,” he announced. He draped an arm along the back of Sky’s chair and leaned in close to say, “’Specially since I was looking forward to seeing you.”

  His words and the way he practically devoured her with his hungry gaze chased away her disappointment.

  “I made pie,” she told him. “Caleb said it’s your favorite.”

  “Good old-fashioned, all-American apple pie,” Sam said. “You just can’t beat it.”

  “Lucky for you, there’s still a few slices left.”

  Sam dug in. Sky was halfway through her own slice when she realized it was much too quiet at their table. She glanced up from her plate and asked, “What’s with all the tension?”

  Sam and Caleb exchanged looks. Then Caleb and Reese did the same, before she gave a slight nod of her head.

  Dread crawled through Sky’s veins.

  Caleb set aside his fork and said, “The reason Sam missed dinner, which I didn’t tell you about, is because he had some extra work to do. He spent the better half of the day making arrangements for a new horse.”

  Sam eyed his brother. “I told you to let her know I couldn’t get away for dinner after you left the stable.”

  Sky looked at Caleb. “Why would you keep this from me?”

  “It’s a particularly bad case,” Reese explained. “Caleb only just barely started to tell me about it and I just… I couldn’t listen anymore.” Tears welled in her tawny eyes. “We thought it might be best if you didn’t know about it at all.”

  Sky’s stomach roiled at the obviously dire situation. She pushed her plate away. “But you guys will fix him up, so…?”

  Sam did the same with his plate, not getting through his slice, either.

  Not a good sign coming from a dessert man.

  He said to Sky, “Just like some of the things you picked up on right away about me, darlin’, I saw immediately how attached you become to the horses at the ranch. Fortunately, all of our current ones are on the road to recovery. This new one, though… Well, he’s in real bad shape. We might not be able to save him.”

  “What?” Her heart fractured—and she hadn’t even met the horse yet.

  In a somber tone, Caleb said, “I might have to put him down.”

  “I knew you’d be upset,” Reese told her. “So I asked Caleb to not say anything.”

  “Well, I’m not the only one who’s upset,” she said as she glanced around the table.

  “True,” Sam concurred, “but it would be best if you and Reese stayed away from the med facility when we bring him in from Austin. Trust me, you don’t want to see this one, darlin’.”

  Caleb added, “I have an arrangement with a vet who takes on our more difficult cases and stabilizes them before they come to us. He’s done all he can, and h
e needs the space freed up in his facility. So we’re going to take on the horse and see if we can improve his condition.”

  “What kind of horse?” Sky asked.

  “Darlin’, the less you know, the better,” Sam told her.

  “This story really will break your heart,” Reese insisted with watery eyes.

  Sky stared at Sam. He sighed. Then he said, “Another Arabian.”

  Such beautiful, majestic animals. She felt sick to her stomach that someone had abused him.

  Sam leaned in close again and said, “Trust me, Sky. Don’t get involved with this one, because he doesn’t have much of a chance of pulling through.”

  She nodded. “I appreciate you sparing my feelings.”

  He kissed her on the cheek, obviously not even caring what Caleb or Reese might make of it. Then he told her, “Think about all the horses that survive. Even Midnight’s doing better, with your help. And Bells likes you coming around too. They all do.”

  She glanced over at Reese. “Are you okay?”

  Reese swiped at a couple more tears, then said, “This is the downside of rescuing abused animals. They can’t all be saved.”

  Her insides coiled. She looked back at Sam. He gave a slight shake of his head.

  “Don’t go getting any ideas.” He didn’t need to say anything more. She’d told him last night that he couldn’t save everybody. She’d said it flippantly. Now it left her unsettled to think it actually might be true when it came to this new horse, because she knew how seriously he took the ranch’s rescue mission.

  He and Caleb had to be hurting, knowing they might not be able to improve the horse’s condition. To have to put him down would weigh heavy on their hearts and their minds for a long time.

  And how much more traumatizing would it be for Sam, given the past demons he’d battled?

  The pretzel that was her insides didn’t loosen, but she forced a soft smile and said to Sam, “Maybe this horse will surprise you.”

  He’d said the same thing to her about Midnight…and they were making progress, right?

  Chapter Six

  Sam invited Sky to take a walk down by the lake after they’d cleared the dishes. The conversation had been stilted at the dinner table, with the mood turning sullen because of the new horse.

  Sky agreed to go with him, but she didn’t seem to have much to say. They strolled along the shoreline, Sam’s arm around her shoulders. The water lapped against the rocks and the moonlight sprinkled glittery rays over the placid surface.

  When his cottage came into view, she gestured toward it and asked, “Is that yours?”

  He nodded. “Want a tour?”

  “Sure.”

  He showed her the grounds, then escorted her inside. He’d worked with an architect to draft an open and spacious floor plan, with the focal point being the floor-to-ceiling, wood-encased windows and doors that showcased the lake.

  Sky stood in the living room, staring out the glass panes, and said, “This is so beautiful. With a view like this, I’m not sure I’d ever want to leave the house.”

  He grinned. “Caleb is some visionary, I’ll tell you that much. He saw all the potential this property offered and moved heaven and Earth to acquire it.”

  “I respect the fact that you two are so close. Supportive, not competitive.”

  “Well, when you meet our parents, you’ll know why we stick together. Beer?”

  “Please.”

  Sam popped the top off two bottles and carried them over to where she still stood, staring out at the lake. He caught her gaze in the reflection from the window and said, “You could stay the night. We don’t have to do anything. You’d be safe here.”

  She turned to face him and accepted the beer. She took a couple sips, then told him, “It is kind of late to be driving back to Luckenbach. And I already know I’d be safe here. You don’t have to reassure me.”

  His head dipped and his lips glided over hers. A whisper of a kiss. “Make yourself at home. You can take one of the guest rooms. Or mine, if you want. I’ll sleep on the couch. Whatever works best for you.”

  She stole a glance at the leather sofa and then said, “Looks comfy and cozy.”

  He let out a low grunt. “You wanna join me?”

  “Yeah,” she said without hesitation. “I do.”

  Sam set his bottle on an end table and did the same with hers. Then he brushed his fingers over her apple cheeks, loving the silky feel of her skin. He kissed her slowly, deeply. One of her hands slipped around to his back. The other gripped his upper arm, causing the muscles to flex.

  She dragged her mouth from his and murmured, “Show off.”

  He chuckled. “It’s purely involuntary. Every inch of me responds to a kiss from you.”

  “I’m right there with you, cowboy.”

  They kissed again, the languid and leisurely liplock gradually turning into a hot, intense one. Sam’s arms slipped around her waist and he lifted her slightly off her feet to carry her over to the sofa.

  He sank onto a cushion, bringing her with him. He leaned back and when she was sprawled on top of him, he broke their kiss and said, “Nothing feels quite as good as your body against mine.”

  Their tongues tangled and heat rushed through his veins, but Sam had vowed to take it slow for her sake. Yet he didn’t abandon kissing her. He just tried to keep his hands from roaming. It wasn’t too much of a hardship, considering she was pressed against him, her breasts nestled below the ledge of his pectoral muscles. And their kisses were hotter than hell. Sexy and sensual, with a healthy dose of mutual desire to fuel them.

  He cupped the side of her face with his hand and continued the erotic dance their mouths did. Their breathing turned heavy. His cock strained against the fly of his jeans. Every fiber of his being cried out for more, but he kept to his word. Their current situation didn’t rattle her cage. Something more than that might.

  He’d let her lead. As long as he could keep kissing her, he didn’t mind following.

  When she finally pulled slightly away and stared down at him with an arousing mixture of lust and admiration in her eyes, he could barely breathe.

  She said, “You might make me forget more than just my name.”

  He knew to what she referred. He told her, “I’d do anything to wipe that memory from your mind. And to make you believe in your heart it’d never happen again, if you were with me.”

  “I want to be with you.”

  Sam groaned. “Isn’t that just the best damn news I’ve gotten all day.”

  “I’d help you out too. If I could…”

  “I still don’t want you around the new horse, darlin’. Don’t even try to sweet talk me into it.”

  “I wouldn’t,” she admitted. “But there has to be something I can do.”

  “Keep kissing me.”

  She did.

  Sam had no idea what time it was when they finally rolled onto their sides, facing each other. He stretched an arm over his head and turned off the light, the only one he’d flipped on from the switch on the wall when they’d entered the cottage. Then he dragged the throw from the back of the sofa and draped it over them. His head rested on a pillow.

  “Snuggle up next to me,” he said as their legs twined and he wrapped an arm around her. He stroked her hair as her warm breath teased a sensitive spot on his neck.

  He was hard and wanting her, but he closed his eyes and found a huge amount of peace with the fact that she was here with him, safe and sound.

  For most of the night, Sam drifted in and out of sleep, his body wound too tight from sexual tension to allow a full slumber. He was also alert, his subconscious mind toying with the fact that Sky’s ex was still out there somewhere. Stalking her? Planning his next attack? Who knew?

  She stirred beside him and then he felt her warm lips graze his skin at the opening of his shirt. Her fingers curled around the material there.

  His low groan filled the quiet room.

  Her mouth explored the
exposed part of his chest and his groin tightened. So did his arms around her.

  “You’re awake,” she whispered against his flesh.

  Her lips brushed his throat and it did crazy-wicked things to him.

  “Just making sure you’re doing okay.”

  “I was out like a light,” she told him. “The first time in longer than I can remember that I wasn’t practically sleeping with one eye open.”

  He relaxed a little. She trusted him. She felt comfortable with him. She knew he’d do everything in his power to protect her.

  Sam whisked away a few loose strands from her face that had escaped her ponytail. He dropped light kisses along her cheek, her temple, her forehead. She burrowed closer to him. His mouth captured hers and they were back to the scorching-hot kissing that drove him wild.

  Her fingers worked the buttons on his shirt and then her palm slid over his chest. A nail gently scraped his nipple and his cock surged with desire. Her hand swept lower, to his abs. Without breaking their kiss, he yanked the tail of the shirt from the waist of his jeans. Her hand shifted around to his back, touching him intimately. Making him burn.

  Sam’s fingers threaded through her hair. She commanded his passion in a way he’d never experienced before. Charlotte had been timid, even somewhat demure. He’d been with other women with more assertive natures, but he’d never felt this strongly about any of them. Nor had he been so consumed with lust. And an internal yearning he couldn’t quite define, it was so foreign.

  When Sky eventually pulled away from him, she whispered in the dark, “I want you.”

  Sam’s entire being reacted to her words. And the need in her voice.

  But he’d made her a promise. “I don’t have to tell you that I feel the same. But darlin’, I’m in no rush. Don’t think I am.”

  “You’re a saint. And I want you.” She kissed him again.

  Sam rolled onto his back, taking her with him. She lay on top of him once more, and he reveled in his good fortune to have her in his arms.

  Against his lips, she muttered, “Touch me.”

  He groaned again. Christ, everything inside him was so tight and raw, it was a wonder he could think straight. But he managed to say, “You know I’d stop if you asked me to.”