Before We Kiss

by Susan Mallery

  Jack toasted him. “Way to give back.”

  Sam ignored that. His instinct was to say no. Or, hell, no. But then he remembered how he wanted to connect more with the community. He wasn’t like Jack or Kenny, but he understood finances.

  “Sure,” he said. “I’ll do it.”

  Kenny raised his eyebrows. “That’s a surprise.”

  “I can’t help being brilliant, bro.”

  Everyone laughed. He took another drink.

  The champagne was good, but the company better. They didn’t have as many times like this anymore, Sam thought. The four of them together. He wasn’t sure why. Was it because Taryn had Angel? Was she the one who pulled them all together? Which meant if either of his friends ever fell for someone, they’d drift even further apart.

  He glanced at Kenny. The other man had a thousand reasons to never trust his heart. Or maybe just one. The biggest one possible. Losing a woman was one thing, but to lose a child. And the way it had happened... Sam shook his head. His friend was one strong guy. He’d kept going and managed to fool nearly everyone into thinking he was fine.

  Jack, on the other hand, never let anyone get close. There was always a wall around his heart. Sam knew why and respected his friend’s reasons. Some things were never going to be okay. Some burdens were too big to survive. Jack did the best he could and faked the rest of it.

  Sam’s gaze shifted to his only female partner. A few months ago he would have been comfortable explaining why she was alone. Only she’d found the right guy and he’d never seen her happier. Watching Taryn in love made him long for what he’d always wanted. A wife. Family. A traditional lifestyle in a place he liked surrounded by good people.

  Fool’s Gold offered that. He wasn’t fitting in as quickly as Jack and Kenny, but he was okay with that. He was more reserved with his feelings. He knew he was welcome here. But that was only a piece of what he wanted. There was also the matter of the wife and kids. Of trusting a woman enough to give her his heart.

  For a second he thought of Dellina. From what he could tell, she was exactly who she seemed. Warm, loving, honest. She didn’t play games and she wasn’t out to win. She’d given up her own dreams to take care of her sisters. He liked her. A lot. She was smart and funny and when they were in bed...

  He took a sip of champagne to hide his satisfied smile.

  But there was more to love than sex. There was trust and he didn’t think he had it in him. Not yet. Not after what had happened. How was he supposed to believe that she wouldn’t turn into God knew who in a few weeks or years. He would never have guessed Simone would write a tell-all. Or that his demure, soft-spoken girlfriend would sleep with each of his best friends. Or that the girl he’d fallen for in college would stalk him, slash his tires and end up moving across the country to avoid him. With his luck with women, his next one true love was going to be a hermaphrodite.

  Better to be alone and be safe, he told himself. As he always had tried to do. But for once, the price of that safety seemed high. Maybe too high. Which left him with a difficult dilemma.

  * * *

  DELLINA HESITATED BEFORE walking into Jo’s Bar. She loved meeting her friends for lunch, and having the Score party behind her meant she had a lot to celebrate. What made her stop for a second before pulling open the door was her concern that everyone would take one look at her and know something had happened. Something amazing and wonderful and...

  Even as she tried to get annoyed, she couldn’t help smiling. Aftershocks from her time with Sam continued to ripple through her. Just when she thought she had recovered from their incredible lovemaking, she got a little ping from somewhere deep in her belly. That sensation made her remember and remembering made her want to do it again.

  She had loved being with him, she thought. Well, loved what they did together. She didn’t love the man. She was susceptible, not foolish. She wasn’t looking for love and Sam thought all relationships ended in disaster. What she meant was—

  “Hey,” Larissa said, coming up behind her. “I heard you were a wild success. I’m sorry I missed the party.”

  Dellina opened the door and stepped inside. “Me, too. I could have put you to work.”

  Larissa laughed. “You say that like I should be scared, but I spent the weekend with my mother and sisters. Trust me, you have nothing on them. My mother’s campaign to get me married and pregnant continues.”

  As always, Larissa was casually dressed in an oversize T-shirt and yoga pants. Her long blond hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and she had on athletic shoes. She was tall and lithe and moved with the grace of a natural athlete. As a kid, Dellina had preferred books to sports. As an adult, that hadn’t changed.

  “Do you get along with your family?” she asked as they walked to the large table in the middle where Patience and Isabel already waited.

  “I do,” Larissa told her. “Mostly. It’s not so horrible. It’s just I’m the oldest and my two younger sisters are already married.”

  Dellina realized she was kind of in the same position. While Fayrene wasn’t married, she was settled with Ryan.

  “They both already have kids,” Larissa continued. “The pressure is on for me to settle down and produce grandchildren. I finally had to threaten to never speak to my mom again to get her to stop.”

  “Intense,” Dellina murmured, thinking she wouldn’t mind a little pressure from her mother. Or complaints or any kind of conversation at all. Because that would mean they weren’t gone. Not that she would say that to her friend.

  “You did so well,” Isabel said as they approached. “Congratulations. Everyone has been raving about the party. It was fun and went smoothly. Brace yourself—you’re going to get a lot of business out of this.”

  “That would be nice,” Dellina said. “I like to stay busy.”

  She pulled out a chair. Larissa sat next to her.

  “The people seemed really nice,” Patience told her. “They came into my store and tipped really well. I appreciate that.”

  Dellina grinned. “I’ll pass on your approval.”

  Noelle hurried in and joined them. She hugged Dellina. “You kicked butt! Yay you. I can’t tell you how much your people bought at the store. It was a very happy Saturday for me.”

  Before Dellina could respond, the door opened again. Taryn and Lark walked in together. Dellina felt herself starting to blush. Oh, no. Not Lark. She would take one look at Dellina and know instantly what had happened. Dellina looked for an exit, but before she could find one, the other two women had joined them.

  Taryn hugged her. “My new favorite person ever. You were fabulous. Everyone had a great time. The weekend was perfect. You’re a goddess.”

  “I wish,” Dellina murmured. “But I did enjoy the corporate aspect of it.”

  Taryn settled next to her. “You should look for more accounts like that. What about CDS? They have those corporate weekends but it’s really just about the obstacle courses.”

  “She’s right,” Patience added. “Justice has to work with the companies all the time, telling them what’s in town and where to stay. He really doesn’t like it.” She leaned forward. “You should get together with him and talk about coordinating a package or something. Where he can just give them your name and you can pull meetings together.”

  “I’d like that,” Dellina admitted. Plus, if Sam was able to show her what she was doing wrong with her bookkeeping, she might be more financially successful. And wouldn’t that be nice?

  She smiled at Lark, thinking a distraction would keep the other woman from reading her aura or whatever it was she did. “You were brilliant. Everyone loved your lecture.”

  “That’s true.” Taryn grinned. “I’m sure there was a lot of sex happening in the hotel that night.”

  “I hope so.” Lark reached for her water. �
�It’s so nice when a couple who’s been together for a long time finds a new level of sexual energy and compatibility.”

  “Where do you go next?” Larissa asked her.

  “New Orleans. Reggie and I will drive there. We’ll have a week on our own, then have a small seminar. Only five couples who want to experience the ultimate pleasure.”

  Dellina felt her eyes widen. She glanced at Isabel, who looked about as startled as she felt.

  Patience’s mouth formed a perfect O. “So you show them what they should be doing?” she asked, her voice sounding slightly incredulous.

  “Yes. We start with some basic techniques, then quickly go through to the more advanced positions, breathing and pressure points. Each couple will have an opportunity to make love in front of us so we can offer suggestions.”

  Even Taryn looked startled at that one. “I don’t think I would be up for the pressure.”

  “There’s no pressure,” Lark told her. “We’re there to be supportive. Sometimes one of the partners can have a little trouble getting aroused. We have ways of dealing with that.”

  Larissa leaned toward Dellina. “I can’t decide if I want to ask what they are or stick my fingers in my ears and hum.”

  “I know. It’s really scary.”

  Jo walked over and discussed the specials, then handed out menus. Other people arrived to have lunch. A few of the women had small children with them.

  During the lunch hour, there was a play area set up in one of the corners. Mothers with toddlers could lunch and watch their kids at the same time. Lark looked over at two little girls sharing a miniature stove.

  “I remember when my girls were that small,” she said wistfully. “We were all so happy. I breast-fed them until they were ready to move on to a glass. Both my girls waited until they were nearly four, but Sam wanted a sippy cup by the time he was eighteen months. He was always independent.” She smiled at the memory. “I encouraged my children to be naked as much as possible, to be comfortable with their bodies, but Sam wouldn’t have it. He insisted on getting dressed every day. Such a little man.”

  Dellina had a feeling that next up would be Lark reminiscing about the time she walked in on Sam in the shower or something. Honestly, the woman had no boundaries. Sam’s personal life and preferences should be respected, not the subject of casual conversation.

  “Did any of you know Mayor Marsha has a dog?” she asked, in a not very subtle attempt to change the subject.

  Jo returned with their drinks in time to hear the question. “No, she doesn’t.”

  “I agree,” Isabel said. “I’ve never known her to have a pet.”

  “Well, she left an adorable Pomeranian with Fayrene while she’s in New Zealand.”

  Taryn’s knowing gaze settled on her face. Dellina figured Taryn had guessed what she was trying to do.

  “You think she has a secret pet?” Taryn asked.

  “I don’t know. Caramel is very sweet and highly socialized. She was a big hit this weekend. The kids loved her.”

  “She was lovely,” Lark said. “And the right size for travel. Maybe I should talk to Reggie about getting a little dog. He or she could go with us on our trips.”

  “I’m working with an organization that might have to do a chiweenie rescue,” Larissa said. “They’re small.”

  “Chihuahua and dachshund?” Lark asked. “An interesting blend.”

  “They’re cute,” Larissa told her. “There’s a woman being investigated. We think it was a regular breeder situation that got out of hand. That can happen.”

  Taryn sighed. “Yes, Larissa is very good at finding causes. Remember when you hand-fed imprinted swan babies?”

  “Cygnets,” Larissa corrected. She nodded. “Their mother had been killed and a family took them in. But then the cygnets imprinted on humans and there were five of them, so I took in a couple.”

  Taryn leaned toward Dellina. “What she means is she volunteered and Jack ended up with baby swans in his living room.”

  “Cygnets.”

  “Whatever.”

  Dellina nodded, not that interested in Larissa’s need to rescue the world. Of more importance to her was the fact that they weren’t talking about Sam anymore. More specifically, that Lark wasn’t blabbing about her son to anyone who would listen.

  * * *

  THEY GOT THROUGH lunch without any more oversharing. Dellina told herself to be grateful and simply move on with her life. Only she couldn’t stop thinking about all Lark had said about Sam. Not just during this meal, but every other time they’d spoken. She wasn’t angry, exactly. More frustrated. As they all walked out of the restaurant, she pulled Lark aside.

  “What is it?” the other woman asked.

  Dellina tried to tell herself it wasn’t her business. That she shouldn’t get involved. Only she couldn’t seem to help herself.

  “I’m sorry. I know this is just my opinion, but you can’t keep doing that,” she said quickly. “Talking about personal things. It’s fine when it’s your business. You have every right to share as much as you want. But not when it comes to Sam. Maybe the girls, too, but certainly him.”

  Lark frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “You say things that make him crazy. Like talking about when he stopped breast-feeding and that he wouldn’t run around the house naked.”

  “But he was a charming child.”

  “I believe that, Lark. I know you love your son, but talking about him that way is intrusive and disrespectful. He wouldn’t want you to do it. I can’t figure out if you simply don’t understand that or if you don’t care about his wishes.”

  She paused to wonder how deeply she’d stepped in it. “I get that you’re a warm, loving family. I wish my mom was alive to drive me crazy. You obviously care about your kids a lot. But Sam is different from you. He needs his boundaries to be respected.”

  Lark’s blue eyes filled with tears. “I’ve upset you, Dellina. I’m so sorry.”

  “This isn’t about me. It’s about Sam. Why can’t you see that?”

  Lark sniffed. “Look at you, standing up for him.” She hugged Dellina. “I’m so glad he has you on his side.”

  Dellina hugged her back, even as she wanted to shake her. “Lark,” she began.

  The other woman shook her head. “Not another word,” she said. “I understand everything.”

  But Dellina knew there was no way that was true.

  * * *

  KIPLING KEPT HIS breathing even. He knew the argument for painkillers. That being in pain stressed the body and impeded healing. It made sense medically, but the information wasn’t the issue. Instead he had to deal with what was happening in his gut. The knotted anger and helplessness that had nothing to do with broken bones and damaged organs.

  Shelby had left for home. Her mother had taken another turn for the worse and Shelby wanted to be with her. Kipling had told her to go—he knew she would, anyway. But leaving meant putting herself in danger. She would walk into the house of a monster and there was no way he could protect her.

  In a twisted way, not taking his pain medication made him feel as if he was in control. Something his coaches would tell him was bullshit. But right now, it was all he had.

  He shifted slightly on the hospital bed, then hissed out a breath when the fire ripped through his body. Moving was never a good idea. Not at this stage. Not until he’d healed a little more. Which meant Shelby was totally on her own.

  Before he could rail at the unfairness of the situation, his hospital door opened and an old lady stepped in. She was of average height, with white hair and blue eyes. She wore a jacket over dark pants and pearls around her neck. Pearls? In a hospital in New Zealand?

  “Hello, Mr. Gilmore,” the woman said. “I’m Marsha Tilson.”

  “
I don’t give a shit who you are, lady. I’m not in the mood to give autographs, so get out of my room.”

  Instead of leaving, or even seeming upset, the old woman pulled the visitor’s chair closer and sat down.

  “How are you feeling?”

  He raised his good arm and motioned to the pulleys and casts, the drip lines and the beeping monitor. “How do you think?”

  Her expression turned knowing. “You’re not taking your pain medication. I understand why. I hope you understand your logic is flawed.”

  She was American. Probably mid-sixties. With her lack of accent, he would put her from the West Coast, maybe. Or Nevada or Colorado. The one thing he was sure of was that he’d never seen her before.

  “Get out,” he said, turning away from her. “Just get the hell out of my room.”

  “I will. I promise. But first I need five minutes of your time.”

  He sighed. What the hell. It wasn’t as if he had anything else going on today. He closed his eyes and hoped he could fall asleep while she talked.

  “I’m the mayor of Fool’s Gold. That’s a town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Our town is in California, not too far from Sacramento. We’re at twenty-five hundred feet, so we get all four seasons, but none of them are especially brutal. There’s good skiing up the mountain. Not that you’ll be doing that for a while.”

  He turned back to face her and opened his eyes. “I really appreciate your support.”

  She lightly touched the fingers sticking out of his cast. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gilmore, but we both know the truth. You’ll never ski professionally again. While that’s very sad, you did win two gold medals at the Olympics a few months ago, and over the years have won nearly every major event in your sport. So if you had to go out, better to do so on top.”

  “Thanks for the tip,” he said. “I feel much better now.”

  “You don’t, but you will.” She drew in a breath. “I’d like to offer you a job. Not now, of course. You have some healing to do. But later. We’re going to be starting a search and rescue group in Fool’s Gold. I’d like you to run it. You’ll be outdoors much of the time, yet connected to a community. The best of both worlds, so to speak.”