WindSwept Narrows: # 1 Samantha Elliott

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Okay,” Sam dug deep and found some energy, pushing against the bed, dislodging him and moving to stand at the side of the bed. “Good. Outside. Shower first,” she refused to look at him. He was dangerous to a girl’s sensibilities and goals. The morning goal being a long steamy shower.

  She started the water with his laughter still ringing in her ears. Fragrant lather was sliding over her when she felt the cool air striking her, water streaming over her face as she turned toward the chill. Her eyes landed on the firm muscles and hair covered chest, rising slowly and tilting to the side.

  “Need your back washed?” Logan heard the hunger in his voice, setting the foil packet on the side and using both hands to roam through the soap and water. Her skin was like fine marble, his hands gliding warmly from her shoulders to her waist to the firm mounds of her breasts.

  Soap and suds and fragrance filled the steamy stall. Logan pulled his mouth from hers when she put two hands on his shoulders, pushing him firmly to sit on the wide tiled bench seat. She held the foil packet, using her teeth and opening it before bending over him. His head went against the tiles with a groan torn from his lips when she moved closer, straddling him. His fingers had been teasing her molten center seconds before she was positioned her body over his.

  He slid into her slowly, almost painfully slow as Sam guided herself, her knees spread and her hips moving in teasing rotation. He pulled her against him, nibbling one breast while his palm slid over their hot, steamy bodies to tease her sensitive spot.

  Sam felt her body tighten, her head thrown back when the powerful sensations became too strong, carrying her away in the cascading water and emotions. Her hands clenched his shoulders tightly, leaving small marks as she clung to him. Her hips slammed down hard on Logan. She felt his hands on her hips, moving her as he thrust repeatedly into her, his shout ricocheting around them in the steam filled shower.

  “Oh my goodness,” Sam exhaled raggedly. She straightened on his lap and met the lazy half open dark eyes. She sighed as her hand left his shoulder, one finger trailing around the sexy smile.

  “Yeah…” Logan’s hands moved over the slick behind nestled tightly against him. “I would have sworn I was too old to feel this good…you’ve gotten into my blood…my head…”

  “Is that so bad?” Sam asked quietly. “It appears to be mutual. I don’t think you’re ever too old to feel this good.”

  “No, Sam…it’s not bad at all,” Logan kissed her gently. Lifting her carefully and moving to stand up.

  Sam left the shower, wrapped herself in a towel and used another on her hair. She couldn’t see a reflection in the mirror. She found clean clothing, selecting a nice tee with a tank over top and a pair of faded jeans that she rolled to her knees. Comfortable walking sandals came last as she sat on the chair, brushing and pulling the long hair into a high ponytail. She collected their used clothing and tossed them into the washer. She was standing on the patio when she felt him move behind her, a cup of the coffee she’d started for him held between both palms.

  “Hard to believe there was such a strong storm last night. Do you think the construction had any damage?” Sam looked at him, watching his eyes scan what they could see.

  “Most of the external work is complete,” Logan answered seriously. “I think I’ll do a little walk around before we head out to find breakfast, though.”

  “You’re not a manager, are you, Logan?” Sam walked with him back into the suite, checking her pack and hooking it on her shoulder. He wore a light tee shirt today and jeans, his sunglasses hooked on the front of his shirt as he checked his phone, adding the key card to his wallet.

  He held his hand out and led her from the room, his sigh thick. “I’m not a manager. I’m one of the owners. The casino is my portion of the project.”

  “Are you good at it?” Sam watched him as they rode the elevator. Yes, she knew the answer. He was intense and determined. He would be very good at it.

  “I think I am. I’ve been in the business for about nine years now,” he pulled the sun glasses in place when they went into the main parking area, his head moving slowly to take in the ground and scattered debris from the storm.

  Sam was amazed at how large the entire project was going to be. A part of her itched to go inside the area designated to become the arcade, filled with games of all kinds. She was peeping over the blockade, a face aimed at Logan when he gripped the belt loop at the back of her jeans and hauled her away to continue their walk.

  “Hey! Sheffield! Let go! You’re putting a serious crease in an important part of me,” Sam growled, stumbling slightly when he started laughing and released her. She cleared her throat and adjusted her jeans, ignoring his palm and striding in the direction they were headed.

  She listened to him talk to someone, telling them of the heavy clean up ahead, authorizing overtime to come in today if they wanted to get things cleaned up for the crew in the morning.

  Sam reached for the door of the SUV only to find a large palm on the roof of the vehicle. She turned slowly, head tilted as his came closer, their mouths touching softly.

  “I’d be very happy to make certain the important parts of you are okay later,” Logan whispered hotly in her ear, stepping back and chuckling at the pink tinting her cheeks.

  “So,” Sam was busy taking in the sights as he headed them toward the highway entrance, north. “Where are we going?”

  “Thought we’d drive up around Seattle,” he said casually. “I’ll find a place on the way and get some coffee…you can get one of those evil things you slurped up yesterday.”

  She studied his profile. “You’re bribing me,” satisfied when he cast a quick glance in her direction. “Why do you feel the need to bribe me, Logan?” Sam asked sweetly, relishing being right in her guess.

  Chapter Five

  “Offering to buy your girl a coffee isn’t a bribe,” he defended, pulling the large vehicle into a drive through line. He placed his order and let her voice hers, since he really wasn’t sure of all the words.

  “I see,” was all Sam said, humming softly to the music and stretching out leisurely in the comfortable seat. She sighed and enjoyed the fresh air and delicious Frappuccino and let him think it over. His silence told her she was right.

  Once they left the highway, his turns and choices were deliberate. She took in the very large houses, the even larger fences and the way some drivers appraised them. Sam sat a little straighter.

  “Where are we, Logan?”

  They had taken a turn onto a long road, shrouded by high cedar trees, a black iron gate ahead of them.

  “Logan Sheffield,” he said clearly into the little box, very aware that Sam was upright and watching him closely. “Visiting my brother.”

  “Your brother lives here?” She exclaimed, taking in the long crescent shaped mansion stretching out along the ridge above the Sound.

  “He lives in a small part of here,” Logan corrected. “My parents live here and my grand parents. My sisters have rooms here, but don’t live here.”

  “Wow…it’s gorgeous…I love the architecture…it’s so delightfully random,” Sam let her gaze sweep the wide open lawns and garages to the edge. Flowers of all kinds filled huge parts with wide walkways in between. They parked near the end, a normal looking four door car near the almost house like portion. She watched Logan pull out his phone once he stopped the car and undid his belt.

  “Hey…it’s Logan…are you home?” He winked at Sam, watching her slide from the SUV and stride around to his door.

  “Logan! Great to hear from you. I heard dad say you were relocating. Where are you?”

  Logan pressed the doorbell. “Outside.”

  Ian pulled the door wide, surprise on his face seconds before he reached out and hugged his older brother tightly. There was about two inches difference in height, Logan being the taller.

  Logan saw the dark haired woman on the sofa at the same time Ian noticed the tall redhead just behind his brother. Both
turned to look in the eyes of the other.

  Logan held out his hand and found it instantly filled with the smaller, slender palm. He led the way into the house.

  “Hello,” Anya rose slowly from the sofa, favoring her left arm and offered her palm. “Anya Miller.”

  “Logan…and this is Samantha…Sam, my brother Ian,” Logan shook hands with Anya.

  “Hi…nice too meet you both,” Sam smiled brightly.

  “It’s been a couple years,” Ian said easily. “I heard you sold the casino?”

  “And am in the process of building another one,” Logan met his brother’s eyes seriously. “You have your bag here?”

  “Of course,” Ian instantly turned serious. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sam…sit over here,” Logan tugged on her palm toward one of the high kitchen stools, meeting her puzzled frown. “Don’t give me a face, woman. She’s got a bump and I just want to make sure we shouldn’t have taken her to the ER.”

  “A…Logan, I’m fine,” Sam protested, teeth clenched.

  “What happened?” Ian moved closer, pausing. “Does she bite?”

  “I’m claiming the fifth on that one,” Logan answered with a teasing wink at Sam. Enough of a distraction that she stopped frowning to blush. “Sam…please.” He heard her sigh and she turned her head for him. “We were on the beach. She slipped on some kelp and banged her head.”

  “Was she unconscious?” Ian probed and moved the thick hair aside.

  “Yeah…a few hours…maybe three…” Logan answered, trying to remember time frames.

  “Does this hurt?”

  “Ouch!” Sam yelped. “Stop poking at it…it’s much smaller than it was yesterday.”

  “When did this happen?” Ian held each eye lid, flashing the little light in her eyes.

  “Friday night,” Sam answered.

  “Headache?”

  “Not now…I did Friday…I took some Tylenol and went to sleep and it was gone when I woke up…the headaches, not the bump,” Sam looked at Logan with narrowed eyes.

  “Did you come to swim with us?” Anya decided it might be time to intervene. She uncurled the long bare legs from the sofa and stood up with a slow stretch.

  “There’s a pool?” Sam was immediately interested, deciding forgiveness was definitely a virtue she could indulge in. “We didn’t bring suits.”

  “I have extra,” Anya held out her palm. “Come with me. We will get changed and swim. There is even very nice hot tub and lots of sunshine today.”

  “So?” Logan asked when they were alone.

  “Probably a mild concussion,” Ian tucked the black bag back near the front door. “She seems fine. She didn’t mention a headache yesterday or today…the bump will take a few days to go down.”

  “Thanks,” Logan breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You’ve never brought a girl here before,” Ian mentioned, offering a cup of coffee, the sounds of females in the other room making him smile.

  “I can say the same for you,” Logan nodded and sipped the coffee gratefully. “Got spare trunks?”

  “No problem. We can even raid the kitchen…hell, cook is probably so bored, she’ll make us a picnic brunch,” Ian took out his phone and tapped in the number, making his request and chuckling at the reaction. He closed the small phone. “Yeah, I was right….food poolside within the hour.”

  “So? How do we look?” Sam entered the room with a brightly colored towel dangling from her fingers.

  Ian saw Anya wink at him from behind, her off shoulder one piece deliciously sexy. He laughed at the expression on his brother’s face and shook his head.

  “Logan…you’re embarrassing me,” Ian hissed through his chuckle.

  “I take it that’s an approval drool,” Sam said with a sigh, striding to Logan and kissing him softly. “It’s so nice to have a husband who appreciates a good swim suit.”

  Logan watched the twitching behind barely covered with deep green, the two pieces of fabric curving around and creating the illusion of a top over her breasts.

  “We will be at the pool, waiting,” Anya kissed Ian and followed Sam out the patio door.

  “Husband?” Ian swallowed the coffee with a slight choke.

  “Yeah…I think it was way past time, don’t you? That woman is not leaving these grounds in that suit,” he said flatly, shaking his head to clear the fog. “Shorts? Trunks? I feel the need for some cold water exertion.”

  “I know the feeling,” Ian agreed. “This way.”

  Sam sighed, her face tipped up at the sun beating down on them. “It is so beautiful here.”

  “I am coming to like it a great deal,” Anya agreed.

  “Your shoulder is bothering you,” Sam laid her towel out on a cushioned lounge, her gaze on her new friend. “How were you hurt?”

  “Idiot humans with guns,” Anya shook her head ruefully.

  “I understand. I’ve been too many places where you should just throw them into a pit and let them stone each other and keep them away from the sane people and children,” Sam stopped talking, staring into the water and wandering where the last sentence came from. Fortunately, she was spared from questions.

  “Anya!” Mark came running from the house, towel flying behind him.

  Anya smiled, watching the little boy skid to a stop. “This is my friend, Sam…this is Mark, Ian’s sisters son.”

  “How do you do, Mark?”

  “Did you come to swim?”

  Sam looked at Anya who was working hard to keep a straight face. Sam took a step toward the water. “I don’t know…you think it’s a good day for swimming?”

  For an instant, she thought his head would fall off from the strength of his nod.

  “Then we better swim…” She took his hand in hers. “Want me to toss you in?”

  “Yeah!” His little arms were up immediately.

  Sam laughed and took his hands in hers, swinging gently a couple times before letting him loose over the water. She was in immediately to surface with him.

  Anya watched the approach of the two brothers, their stride confident, their heads up and laughter deep and free. Ian pulled a chair beside hers.

  “I have been replaced,” she said softly, looking toward the giggling young boy being tossed about in the pool.

  “Hey, you gotta watch the kid, Logan…he moves in on your girl fast,” Ian teased, taking a running jump into the huge pool.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m safe,” Logan set his glasses on the towel and walked to the edge. “Hey, kid…you after my girl?”

  A squeal of delight broke free, little arms paddling wildly toward the edge.

  “Uncle Logan!”

  Sam leaned her arms on the hot concrete, relaxing with a long sigh. She watched Logan reach into the water and take Mark’s palm, swinging him gently and sending him splashing into the water. Logan took a big step back and several small steps forward, launching himself into the deep end of the pool.

  Anya moved more cautiously into the water, laughing and willingly pulled into Ian’s arms for a long kiss until it was his turn to occupy Mark.

  Sam felt the palm easing up her thighs, pale lashes opening a little to find Logan staring down at her, his head blocking the sun.

  “Hi there, handsome,” Sam lifted her arms and circled his neck.

  “Careful, babe, I gotta be able to walk in public,” he said when she wrapped her long legs around his waist and arms around his neck.

  “I suppose you’re right,” she reluctantly lowered her legs.

  It was inevitable that the occupants of the house would get wind of what was happening outside. Millicent and Tom Trent walked toward the large canopy set up near the pool area, a long plastic table being covered and filled with the spur of the moment Sunday brunch. The two silver heads were close together as they walked, murmuring to one another and taking in the new addition. They pulled two comfortable chairs close to one of the tables and watched their grandsons.

  Tom brought the news
paper with him, leaning back and reading lazily.

  Millicent smiled when Logan glanced in their direction. She saw his head drop, his lips moving next to the ear of the stately redhead. Together they swam to the side. Logan jumped to sit, climbing to his feet and taking the offered palms of the redhead. He pulled her gently to the side, handing her a towel as he rubbed briskly over his head and shoulders before dropping it back to the lounge. Sam attached her towel at her waist, her fingers in his as they walked forward.

  Logan met their eyes lovingly, hugging each warmly. “Gram…gramps…this is my wife, Samantha. Millicent and Tom Trent.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Sam gingerly shook their hands.

  “Logan, it’s so good to see you home again!” Millicent tightly returned his hug, her palm offered to Sam with a gentle pat from her other palm. She patted his face gently. “This is a new addition.”

  “The beard?” Logan chuckled.

  “He thinks it’s quite sinister,” Sam commented with a wink. “Makes him look intimidating.”

  “You don’t strike me as being someone he could intimidate, my dear,” Millicent said with a chuckle. “You’ve married? How delightful! Congratulations to you both! I…you told no one! What a wonderful surprise! Your parents don’t know?”

  Logan pulled two chairs close, stretching out with a relaxing sigh. “Gram…thanks and no, no one else knows. Sam and I are happy with that.”

  “Well, I’m so thrilled to see both our grandsons happy,” Millicent beamed a bright smile at the couple. “And we’re having a delightful Sunday brunch. Lemonade, dear?” She poured the pale lemon liquid into a tall glass for Tom, his attention on something he was reading.

  “Are mother and father in residence?” Logan asked carefully.

  “I believe your father is off golfing and I think your mother is with Shannon doing some shopping.”

  “Ian and Anya look good together,” Logan commented, striding to peer over the variety of foods being placed out. “Cook is still enthusiastic,” he said, listening to the grumbling in his stomach.

  “Oh, I’m sure the woman is ecstatic with requests to cook for you boys again,” Millicent laughed, taking a plate and beginning to find her favorites. “Come eat, Sam…so where have you two been staying? Tell us about your new venture,” she insisted curiously.