“Take it all, Sam…and more…” he groaned loudly when she thrust down hard on top of him, pulling him as far as he could go and then retreating with a flash of lightening when she repeat the process. She rode him hard and demanding, their cries of delight and pleasure filling the room as they both tumbled over the edge.
Logan opened his eyes slowly, peering through the thick red hair, the scent of her apple shampoo making him smile. Somehow he found the strength to raise one arm, his fingers gently moving the strands of red to the side of her throat. He felt her move, felt her muscles contract as she tightened them to sit upright and slid to the side, falling back on the bed with a long, contented sigh.
“That has got to be the most wonderful feeling in the whole world,” Sam breathed happily.
“It is impossible to dispute that,” Logan agreed with a long sigh, reluctantly pushing against the bed and striding to the bathroom. Sam had managed to slide beneath the jumbled blankets by the time he returned. He noted the covers only shielded the parts he liked looking at. It was warm this evening, the sun setting slowly outside.
“Do you think sex is important?”
Logan managed to close one eye, looking down at her with a puzzled frown. He laid back on the pillows, held up on one elbow. She had taken the long strands of hair and coiled it behind her head, arms above her head and eyes staring at the ceiling.
“Where did that question come from?” Logan touched her chin, turning her face toward him.
“Not sure…you’ve surely had good sex in the past…”
“I’ve had sex in the past, yes,” Logan admitted slowly. “I’ve never had anything like what you and I have, Sam. To be honest, I keep thinking I’m dreaming.”
Sam rolled to her side to face him, her smile bright. “Oh, good…I’m glad. You’re really good at finding my spots….and it’s really good sex…not just acceptable…but really, REALLY good. I think it builds all day…”
“Hmm…and ends with my own strip tease…” he laughed at the faint flush in her cheeks.
“I don’t know how to explain it…you bring out the vixen in me,” she said, a little embarrassed.
“I find the vixen in you…” Logan took her palm, kissing the soft center. “Deliciously appealing…fiercely arousing…and incredibly, just plain sexy.”
“Anya teaches belly dancing,” Sam mentioned casually, squirming at the teasing feel of his beard on her palm. “I’m going to sign up and learn how.”
Logan told his thirty-six year old body it was impossible to be so turned on so quickly, yet the tension coiled in his lower body. The image his imagination conjured up of his redhead in scarves and bells, swaying and gyrating pulled a low growl from inside him.
“Oh, she’s letting me keep the swimsuit, too. She said it doesn’t quite look right on her so I’m going to go shopping with her and replace it,” Sam kissed him and wrapped her arms around the pillow with a contented sigh. “I talked to Anya today…things…memories came from nowhere…”
“Sam, that’s going to happen,” Logan said softly.
“I know…and they’re packed with emotion, so maybe that’s why they pop up at off times.”
“You know….whatever it is…we can handle it,” he promised fiercely, meeting the wide eyes with a kiss on her nose. “Go to sleep…I’ve got an early morning.”
Sam sighed. “I love you, Logan…very much,” she whispered before pulling the blanket closer. She didn’t see the stunned expression on his face and she wasn’t aware that she just managed to erase the doubt and confusion inside him.
The blankets were over him, he was warm and sated. The room was immersed in darkness, only yellow glow of the lamps outside breaking through the night. It was a long time before sleep claimed him. He’d heard those words before in his life, even murmured them a time or two. He leaned over, his mouth brushing her forehead softly, his gaze trapped on the full lips pulled into a sweet little smile.
All for him. His. Completely.
They talked. They joked. There was teasing and laughter.
There was passion. Hot, wild passion that he was unafraid of; a wild passion that she encouraged and welcomed. He finally realized he wasn’t afraid of being himself with Sam. He had literally found a woman as strong as he was, as passionate as he was and as committed as he wanted to be.
He was drifting off to sleep when his brain told him that the love she felt was what made the sex beyond good. He went to sleep feeling like he’d just seen the light bulb go off.
Sam had the coffee brewing, folding and stacking her clothes while Logan was in the shower. She missed her large desk top computer and the music stations she was accustomed to playing while she worked. She frowned at that thought, wondering when all of the silly little thoughts would get together and finish the puzzle. Well, she could fix that problem, she thought with a stubborn nod.
Logan managed to find her a couple good cartons that she loaded with all the kitchen things they had bought. He loaded the luggage cart and went with her to the dusty Range Rover.
“Sam, you know this could wait until I’m finished here,” Logan watched the taut end of her jeans while she climbed into the back of the Rover to move things around.
Sam scooted to the edge, her fingers up and on the perfect knot of his tie. Gentle fingertips traced a line around his beard before her mouth touched his softly.
“Logan…I’m a big girl,” she whispered sexily. “That’s why I get to wear the big girl panties,” she teased, jumping down and helping him put the things inside.
Logan couldn’t dispute that. “I’m very familiar with those big girl panties,” he replied, slamming the back of the Rover. “Okay, but I should be at the house by eleven. Be careful, Sam,” he said firmly, pulling her into his arms for a long, slow kiss. “Okay?”
“I promise…careful…” she smiled and gently smoothed out his tie. “You look all cute and businessy…very sexy and…commanding…” She kissed him once more. “You go off and be businessy…I’ll see you later.” She climbed behind the wheel, stopped from moving when he stepped back to the window, the pass card in his hand.
“Put this in your wallet. I’ll get another one. Just in case you need to get in here,” Logan watched her do as he said, nodding and stepping back, his hands in the pockets of her slacks, jacket pushed back.
“Businessy?” Logan looked into the side mirror of the SUV, frowning. He was responsible for a multi-million dollar project and the woman called him cute and businessy?
Even the tabloids wouldn’t believe the weekend he’d just lived through, he thought, a light whistle leaving his lips as he walked back to the suite to gather his brief case and computer. He threw his suitcase into the back of the SUV before going in search of Simon.
Chapter Nine
Sam found the address on her license and even found lots of parking. It was a nice old Victorian house on a dead end street. A very quiet place at seven-thirty in the morning. She shut down the Rover and pulled the keys free, lifted her pack and slung it over her shoulder. It wasn’t a large house. It had a small yard with a nice fence all around it. The key slid into the lock and turned immediately.
She could feel her heart pounding. Logan should be with her she thought at the same time her comment about the big girl panties came to mind and made her chuckle. This was her house. Her things. This was where her life had been. Judging by the collection of books and the tidy kitchen, she’d spent a lot of time here. There was a large file filled with letters and various types of correspondence. A nice desk top computer with speakers and printer filled the desk.
She lifted the stack of mail, wondering who put it there, but then realized it was only Monday. She probably left it there on Friday morning. A frown creased her lips. She stood in the center of the living area, turning very slowly to take in the entire room bit by bit. There were no photos of Logan. There were a few of her on the walls. Her, in places that were not local and surrounded by children of all colors and sizes.
She picked up a small jar off the bookshelf, a piece of metal pinging off the glass when she shook it, her eyes widening as she realized what the piece of metal was. She set the jar down.
There was room in the back seat and she quickly and efficiently began dismantling the computer, wires, cables and printer all put into the Rover before she wandered into the bedroom.
Thick quilts; light sheets and five large fluffy pillows on the rumpled bed. Somehow she knew that Logan had never shared that bed with her. Like most older houses, the rooms barely were big enough for the furniture you chose to stuff into it. She squeezed around the bed and pulled drawers open. She pulled a pair of short overalls free, added a couple plain tee shirts and found a drawer of lingerie. Sam felt her eyes widen as she pulled several very nice corsets from inside, a couple very lacey bras and some interesting short nighties. None of which looked like it had been worn much at all. The lace was stiff and the fabric smelled new.
She threw most of the bedding and pillows into the back of the Rover, making several trips and waving at a neighbor watching her intently.
Sam found a small box and filled it with things from the bathroom, her own soaps and shampoos; her toothbrush and perfumes; bath salts and razor. It fit nicely on the front seat of the Rover.
She wandered around the small kitchen. Nothing fancy, she noted. She had to smile at the collection of all different types of mugs and glasses; plates and silver of all types, as if they’d come from treasure hunting in thrift stores around the globe. She filled another small box with mugs and pottery that she knew came from various local craftsmen. She evidently liked pottery. Her fingers tracing the swirls of color and shapes that varied as much as the human form.
Sam locked the house, sitting behind the wheel of the Rover and opening the small address book she had gotten from her desk. She found the address she wanted, tapped it into the GPS and tucked the address book into her pack. She drew in a long, deep breath before heading out on the road.
It was a nice house. Low and sprawling, surrounded by large iron fencing with a keypad at the gate. Sam wasn’t surprised when her fingers moved over the keypad with instant knowledge, the number tapped in flawlessly. The gates moved inward silently, admitting her to the grounds. She was working up her courage and inhaled sharply when the front door swung inward.
“Samantha! Morgan, your daughter is here!” The woman exuded energy and vitality. The bright red hair was barely shoulder length and curled in wide, open ringlets around her face. Her lips were a bright red, her fingers waved with rings and a nice sparkling stone of bright green dangled around her throat. She rushed forward, wrapping her daughter close to her. “Samantha! I am so happy to see you!”
“Is everything alright, mother?” Sam hugged her tightly, a familiar feeling of peace surrounding her as she inhaled a sweet perfume that felt right.
“Oh, things are grand, darling! Just grand!” One hand waved expressively while she looped the other arm through Sam’s and led her into the house. “Darlene! Some tea and cookies! Samantha is here!”
“You’re acting like I’ve been away for eons,” Sam said with a bright laugh, entering the house and immediately feeling alive and full of life. Color swept through the inside as it did the exterior of Elizabeth Elliott.
“Sam!” A deep, hardy voice bellowed from the other side of the open patio doors. A tall, lean man came forward, pulling gardening gloves off and tossing them down onto the table before enveloping Sam in a bear hug. “Your mother was worried you wouldn’t be by to tell us goodbye!”
“Goodbye?” Sam looked from one to the other. “You’re leaving?”
“There,” Elizabeth waved one hand expressively in the air. “I told you she would forget…”
“The cruise, dear,” Morgan prodded gently, winking at her.
“I’m not going on a cruise,” Sam said carefully, hoping she wasn’t scheduled for a cruise.
“Oh, of course not, silly,” Elizabeth tugged on her daughter’s palm so she sat next to her on the large sofa. “We are…you bought it for us last Christmas?”
“Oh,” Sam sighed in relief. “Oh, of course…I’m sorry…I’ve got a few things on my mind lately…”
“I should hope so,” Elizabeth scoffed. “The police were here to see us. Because you left your car parked and didn’t get right back to it again? How ridiculous.”
“Yeah…there was that,” Sam said with half a shrug. Pale lashes narrowed a little. “So when does this cruise leave?”
“The day after Memorial Day, Sam,” Morgan shook his head, frowning slightly. “Is there something you want to talk about, Sam?”
“Something is not quite right,” Elizabeth put her hand out, beneath Sam’s chin and turning it to look at her closely. “Hmmm…I know my daughter very well…and…I think she has a beau, Morgan,” Elizabeth nodded with satisfaction when a flush of color filled Sam’s cheeks. “Hah! I knew it! Come on, darling, out with it! Tell your mother all about him…if he’s capable of that delightful color, I heartily approve!”
“Mother…really…”
“You never blush, Samantha Jean,” her mother chided warmly. “No matter. Are you happy?”
Sam nodded quickly, unable to hide her smile. She pulled her phone from her pocket, pressing buttons and holding it up to show her. She had snapped a few photos while Logan was dressing that morning and another few when he was outside talking to the construction people.
“Oh, my…” Elizabeth pushed her glasses up her nose and arched an eyebrow in appreciation. “Morgan…your daughter has wonderful taste. He looks tall. I love the goatee and moustache…very dignified and…dark looking.”
“He is…tall…not…not,” Sam waved her palm, ignoring the laugher from her parents. “He’s smart and funny and considerate…and I married him,” she said breathlessly, watching the hand holding the phone lower to her mother’s lap. “Friday morning.” Sam watched the surprise in a pair of green eyes that matched her own. Eyes that went to her father and then back on Sam.
“Married? My little girl?” Morgan sat beside his wife, a broad grin on his face. “Congratulations. When do we get to meet him, Sam?”
Elizabeth pulled Sam into her hug. “I am so happy for you, darling! The look on your face tells me all I need to know about him…he makes you smile,” her mother said with a contented nod. “And you love him.”
“Well, as the father, I require more information,” her father attempted to bluster. “So what’s his name? Where’s he work? Is he a republican?”
“Father!” She burst out laughing. “His name is Logan Sheffield and he is in the process of building a resort called the Windswept Narrows.” Sam told them proudly. “That’s where we’ve been. The only people in the hotel! In the honeymoon suite…it’s beautiful.”
“I’ve heard of that project,” Morgan said, stroking his jaw thoughtfully. “Very ambitious, very well financed. Smart design, too…catering to all aspects of the family, not just adults. Sheffield had a casino in Reno, I believe that’s what I read. Got it from nothing and built it up over eight years…made a fortune when he sold it. Well, well, well…”
Elizabeth watched her daughter closely. She liked the happiness she saw in her eyes. She happened to glance at her hands.
“No rings? I would at least expect a rock, Samantha,” Elizabeth tsked mildly.
Morgan hooted with laughter. “Awww, come on, Lizzie, you know Sam never cared much for bling. You got her at ninety-nine percent girl…it’s that last one percent you’re gonna lose out on.”
“I’m just not much of a jewelry person,” Sam said, picking up on her father’s comment. “I got earrings…”
“Oh, pooh…the ring isn’t for you, darling…it’s to show around and warn off predators. Which brings us back to the police issue…” her mother said flatly.
“We talked to the police yesterday afternoon,” Sam began carefully. “We only noticed the story in the paper…I was…ohhhhh…livid, to say the least. I asked them who
provided the ‘tip’ that I was among the missing,” she stood up and began pacing the large room, scowling and hands flying expressively.
“Oh, we guessed who it was,” Morgan said with a nod, his tone decidedly disapproving.
“We definitely did,” Elizabeth’s scowl matched her daughters.
“They wouldn’t come right out and tell me,” Sam told them. “But…I said…if I mention a name…and sure enough, the detective looked very uncomfortable when I asked if it was Carson Strang.”
“That man is the epitome of the old fashion snake oil salesman, Samantha.”
“Not only that, but he’s also extremely deaf and dumb,” Sam said flatly. “How many times in how many languages can I tell a person no thank you and they still ignore me? I really do not want to see what happens if he were to run into Logan,” Sam shivered slightly, her head shaking. “That would not be pleasant…”
“Heh-heh…at least not for Strang,” Morgan chuckled. “If Logan is half what he looks like, I’m betting he’d get a great deal of pleasure out of making sure he understood each and every word you uttered, Sam.”
“Dad…seriously…yesterday when Logan was reading the paper…his knuckles turned white, the paper wrinkled and believe me…why can’t a guy that intelligent and that…that…why does violence have to be the answer to an issue?”
“Samantha…are you honestly going to sit there and tell me…your only mother…that you never once thought how satisfying it would be to just flat out cold cock that idiot Strang?” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow, nodding in satisfaction at the expression on Samantha’s face. “I thought so. So don’t go making noise about men and their violence. Besides, it’s incredibly romantic that a man wants to defend your honor…”
“And their territory?” Sam said dryly, her head shaking ruefully. She sighed. “Okay…would you like me to bring him here for dinner? Or I can see about inviting you to the house for dinner? They have a great cook…”
WindSwept Narrows: # 1 Samantha Elliott Page 8
