Landon stood and paced the small living room. He’d take it all back if he could just know Sam was safe. He longed for the day when a flashlight in her window told him everything was all right. Her well-being was more complicated now. Instead of her stepfather tormenting her, she had ghosts. And how could he fight those? The steel cage she had built to protect her heart kept him from reaching her, and the letter stirred it all up again. He shouldn’t have said anything. He should have tossed it like she asked.
He sank onto the couch where he could see her cottage. But tonight she’d let him hold her, let him comfort her. He’d do it the rest of her life if only she’d allow it. Why couldn’t she see that he wanted the best for her, that he’d do anything for her, that he would never forsake her?
Instead, she ran, she pushed, she fought. It was enough to make a man crazy.
His one solace came with the memory of the kiss. Yes, he kissed her, but she returned the gesture with so much fervor his knees had shaken. He remembered the feel of her soft lips responding to him and wanted to capture the feeling and lock it away in his heart.
She might deny it with her words, but hers hadn’t been the kiss of a friend. The way she looked at him, the way she touched him, told him more than words ever would.
Maybe that’s what had frightened her off. Maybe it wasn’t his confession of love, but the realization that she loved him too.
He breathed a laugh. A man could hope, couldn’t he?
He glanced at his watch and saw it was half past eleven. Whereare you, Sam?
The phone pealed then, and he rushed toward it. Maybe she needed help. Maybe she’d blown a tire and was stranded somewhere.
“Hello?”
“Hey.” The sound of Scott’s voice punctured Landon’s hope. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”
Landon let out the pent-up breath. “No. Just sitting here.”
“Listen, I was working late tonight, and guess who I saw when I was driving through town?”
Landon straightened. “Who?”
“Sam. And she looked pretty toasted too, stumbling all over the place.”
“Where was she?” He would go get her. She couldn’t ride home on her bike like that. What was she thinking?
“Tavern parking lot. But she wasn’t alone, buddy.”
His thoughts jammed, and dread snaked its way along his nerves. “Who was with her?”
Scott was silent for a moment, and Landon squeezed the phone as if he could wring an answer from it.
“Listen, Lan, I didn’t call to rub it in. I just want you to see the truth before she breaks your heart, man.”
Too late. “Who was she with?” It was all he could do to control his tone.
He heard Scott sigh. “Tully.”
“I’ve got to go.”
“Wait, Landon.”
He walked across the room and shoved his feet in his tennis shoes. “What?”
“She was getting in his car, and she wasn’t exactly fighting him off, if you know what I mean. She’s a grown woman; she can do what she wants.” He paused for effect. “And clearly, she wants.”
“You said she was hammered.”
“She’s still a willing participant.”
“I’ve got to go.” Landon clicked the off button and tossed the phone onto the recliner. He flipped through the phone book and found Tully’s listing. A friend from school had lived on Tully’s street, and it was only a ten-minute drive. Five if he hurried. He grabbed his keys and jogged to the Jeep.
What was she thinking? At this hour Tully was undoubtedly taking her home, and Landon had no doubt what he intended to do to her there. The man had practically drooled over Sam in her bathing suit. He would take advantage of her drunken state and think nothing of it.
Landon’s tires spun as he backed out of his drive. He should’ve asked Scott how long ago he’d seen her. What if he got there and it was too late? He imagined Tully running his beefy hands all over Sam, and anger tore through him. He pressed down on the accelerator, breaking the speed limit.
Moments ago he reveled in the fact that Sam had responded to him, but apparently she wasn’t all that selective.
It made no sense. Why did she fight him so hard? Was loving him such an awful thing? Tully was nothing but a player out to use her, but she’d run from Landon’s arms to his. Is that what she wanted? To be used up and tossed away like an old rag?
By the time he turned onto Tully’s street, his fingers gripped the steering wheel hard. He drove through the residential neighborhood, slowing to read the street numbers. When he came to Tully’s, he turned into the drive. The bartender’s old Mustang sat next to the front porch, and a light burned inside.
Landon took the porch steps two at a time, then pounded on the wood door with the side of his fist. How long ago had they arrived? Were they in the bedroom now? He ground his teeth together and pounded again.
A muffled curse leaked through the door.
A fresh rush of adrenaline surged through his veins. Keep it cool,Reed. Just get her out of there and go.
Tully jerked open the door and cursed again. “What do you want?” His disheveled hair hung over his forehead, and his chest was bare.
Landon reined in the desire to slug his face. “I came for Sam. I’m taking her home.”
Tully squinted. “What?”
“Where’s Sam?” Landon pushed past Tully, his gaze sweeping the room. Not seeing her, he strode down the short hall.
“What’s your problem?” Tully was on his heels.
Landon came to the first door and looked in. The lamplight revealed Sam sprawled on the bed. She wore only her bra and shorts, her hair splayed across the pillow.
She saw him and sat up. “Landon.” Did he imagine the relief in her tone?
Landon started toward her, but Tully grabbed his shirt and jerked him back. “Listen, dude, you got no business here.”
Landon whipped around and pushed him off. “No. You listen. I’m taking her home.”
Tully pushed Landon hard. He staggered backward to keep his balance. “We were right in the middle of something, if you know what I mean. She doesn’t want to go home.” He tossed Sam a glance. “Do you, doll?”
Sam twirled a strand of hair in her fingers, watching it with fascination. She was like a little girl, vulnerable and innocent. When she turned her fawn-brown eyes on Landon, he wondered if they held a plea.
Landon glared at Tully. “She’s in no shape to make a decision, and you know it.”
“Get out.” Tully planted his feet.
He wasn’t going to get her out of there without a fight. So be it.
He charged Tully, landing a swing square on his jaw. Tully’s head whipped to the side. Before he could right himself, Landon jabbed his fist hard in his gut, driving the air from Tully’s lungs. It was like hitting a block of concrete, but Tully doubled over.
Landon turned to get Sam. He pulled her arm. “Come on, Sam.”
She looked up at him. Almost in slow motion, a sultry smile curved her lips. “Landon.”
He was going to have to carry her.
Tully charged him from the side. Landon flew into the nightstand, knocking the lamp to the floor. The room darkened. His head banged against the wall.
Tully jerked him upright and slugged him across the face. Pain exploded in his head. Before he could recover, Tully’s fist hit his stomach, knocking him backward over something. He hit the floor hard.
“Hey . . . stop.” Sam’s voice cut through the darkness.
His head throbbed, and he struggled to fill his lungs again.
Tully came toward him, a shadow in the dark. Landon swung his foot across the floor, sweeping Tully’s feet from under him. He fell with a thud.
Landon attacked, fists flying, hitting their mark. Tully fought back, but Landon planted a fist square in his face, and finally Tully stilled, groaning.
Landon stood and moved to the bed, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. “Come on, Sam.”
He gathered her in his arms, breathing hard.
She curled against his neck, pointing back toward the bed as he walked away. “My shirt.”
“Never mind.” Landon stepped over Tully and carried her outside. He stood Sam on her feet and opened the car door. “Get in.”
She sat down but didn’t pull her legs in. She cocked her head and sighed leisurely as if she sat on the end of a pier.
He lifted her legs and tucked them inside the car, noting her bare feet. With a glance backward to make sure Tully wasn’t on his feet again, he shut the door and got in the other side.
With the turn of the key, he started the engine and backed out of the drive, his tires churning up gravel. Only when they were on the road did he remember to breathe again.
Sam turned in her seat and ran her hand down his arm. “You’re so strong.”
He tried to ignore the effect of her touch. Just drive, Reed. She’sdrunk as a skunk and doesn’t know what she’s doing. Probably thinksyou’re Tully.
“Put on your seat belt, Sam.”
Instead, she trailed her fingers down his arm and gathered his hand in hers. She lifted it to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his bruised knuckles.
He swallowed.
She kissed his wrist, then his forearm, leading a trail upward. He tightened his other hand on the steering wheel.
“Your seat belt, Sam.” He braked for a stop sign and reached across, grabbing the strap. Her bare shoulders glowed under the moonlight.
“What am I thinking?” he muttered, dropping the buckle. He released his seat belt and tugged off his T-shirt.
It slid easily over her head. “Help me out here.” With some assistance, she poked her hands clumsily through the sleeves, and he pulled the shirt down, covering her. Once he buckled them both in, he put the car in drive and took off.
Sam turned toward him, her knees poking the console, and ran her fingers across his bare stomach.
“That’s more like it,” she said. Her fingers trailed upward.
His muscles tightened. She probably thought she was still on Tully’s bed. He grabbed her hand. “That’s enough, Sam.”
She laughed, a sultry sound he’d never heard from her. “What’s the matter, baby?”
Landon tightened his hold on her hand, ignoring her question.
“Party pooper,” she said, pouting. She leaned her head against his arm.
He relaxed, hoping she’d settle down now. His jaw smarted from Tully’s last blow, and he could feel his pulse in his temples. At least Sam was safe. He wondered how much she’d remember in the morning. Enough to feel foolish, no doubt.
Why had she run off and gotten drunk? Didn’t she know that never solved problems? It only created new ones.
He looked down where she rested her head against his shoulder. She turned and pressed a kiss against the flesh of his arm, setting a fire inside him.
Well, you wanted her to loosen up. I guess you got your way.
Little had he known she’d loosen up for someone else. He’d gotten to Tully’s in time to stop the jerk from taking advantage of her, but clearly, they’d gotten far enough.
He gripped the steering wheel. Stop it, Reed. No point torturingyourself.
By the time he pulled into Sam’s drive, she was dozing. He turned off the ignition and eased away. “Sam. Wake up.” He wondered why he whispered.
She blinked in the darkness of the car, sitting up straight, looking like a lost little girl. Some of his anger drained.
“We’re home. Let’s get you inside.” When she didn’t move, he went to her side of the Jeep and took her in his arms, shutting the door with his hip. His T-shirt fell to her thighs, and her bare feet dangled toward the ground.
She buried her face in the curve of his neck. Her warm breath heated his skin, and her honeysuckle shampoo filled his senses. Part of him wanted to cradle her in his arms forever; the other part wanted to throttle her for being so careless. He didn’t understand. If being with him was so scary, why would she run straight into Tully’s arms? Into his bed, even? If he lived to be a hundred, he would never understand Sam completely.
He entered the house and strode through the darkened interior. In her room, he set her on her feet. She clung to him, sliding her arms around his back.
“Sam, let’s get you in bed.”
“Mmm.” She snuggled against his bare chest, kissing his flesh. She ran her hands over his back.
His mouth went dry. Get a grip. She probably did the same thingto Tully a few minutes ago. He pulled her arms away and reached behind him to flip on the lamp. Soft light flooded the room. He walked to the bed and pulled back the quilt. “In you go.” He took her hand, leading her to the bed.
The mattress sank as she sat, then she looked up at him slowly with a smile that fueled the fire under his skin. She tugged his hand, pulling him down beside her.
Her pupils were dilated, her eyelids half-closed. Her hair fell over one eye, and he brushed it back off her cheek.
She captured his hand against her face and turned, pressing a kiss into his palm, her eyes fastened on his.
Get out of here, Reed.
He made a move to stand, but she grabbed his shoulders. “Where you going?”
“Home.”
She lifted one eyebrow. “What for?” She pivoted to face him, one of her long legs swinging off the floor and across his lap. She straddled him, her knees planted on both sides of his thighs.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Stay, please?” Her eyes were like cruel pools of seduction, pulling at him relentlessly.
He felt her lips on his neck and swallowed. Have mercy. What was she doing to him?
“Sam.” He rasped her name. His hands found her waist and pushed back. He stood, lifting her with him, then lay her on the bed, tucking her legs under the quilt. He had to get out of there. Quick. “That’s enough, now,” he said.
She lay back against the pillow and stuck out her lower lip. With her hair billowed around her face, she looked like an angel. A very tempting angel.
He pulled the covers up to her chin.
She snuggled into the pillow, sighed softly, then closed her eyes. “Have it your way,” she mumbled.
She looked peaceful at last, lying there in her childhood bed under the same window she used to set her flashlight on. She was safe for tonight. He touched her flushed cheek with the backs of his fingers, drawing them downward. Her skin was like a dewy rose petal. So soft. So fragile. He would fight a hundred Tullys if necessary.
“Good night,” he whispered. Turning, he flipped off the lamp with a click.
Sam’s sleepy voice carried to him in the darkness. “I love you.”
Twenty
A throbbing pain in Sam’s temples snatched her from sleep. She turned on the pillow and groaned, laying her hand across her forehead as her mind slogged to wakefulness. Her eyes opened, then she swiftly shut them. She choked back a word she forbade Caden to say.
Sam turned her head, shielding her eyes against the morning light, and saw an empty space beside her. Where was Caden? Her watch read 9:47.
Her daughter had spent the night at Amber’s. Right. The thought relieved her. She wouldn’t have to get up and make breakfast.
Then she remembered the letter Landon found in Emmett’s drawer. The memory of his kiss washed over her anew. He’d told her he loved her. She’d run then, gone to the tavern and gotten wasted. The headache. It all made sense now.
Tully.
She had a dreamlike memory of being at his house. He’d poured her a drink. His bed. She’d been in his bed. He’d pulled her T-shirt over her head and tossed it over his shoulder.
Oh no. She put her hands over her face. What happened next? She didn’t remember taking off the rest of her clothes. She didn’t remember sleeping with him.
You probably didn’t do much sleeping at all, you idiot.
Sam groaned again and turned her head into her pillow. Did they even use birth control? What have I
done?
She tried to remember what happened after Tully removed her shirt. Think, Sam! But she couldn’t think at all with her brain beating against her skull. She dragged her feet from under the covers and sat up slowly, holding her head like it might fall off.
Her tongue was superglued to the roof of her mouth. How could she have been so stupid? She’d gone straight from Landon’s arms to Tully’s with only an alcohol binge in between.
You’d think you’d have learned this lesson a long time ago. Isn’tCaden reminder enough?
Sam’s shirt was wadded up around her waist, and she tugged it down, trying to gather the energy to go for painkillers.
She took another look at the blue T-shirt. It wasn’t hers. Its sleeves hung to her elbows, and the crewneck fell low on her chest. There was a gray paint stain on the hem.
Landon.
A flash fired in her mind. He’d been at Tully’s house. He’d—
Oh no. He and Tully had fought. She remembered Landon flying across the room and something crashing to the floor. What if Landon . . . What if he was hurt?
She jumped to her feet. Her head spun. Slow down, Sam. Whathappened next? What happened after that? She stood still, her balance precarious. She remembered being in Landon’s arms. He’d carried her into the house.
Sam’s breath released audibly. He couldn’t have been hurt too badly if he brought her home. She didn’t remember the drive, but that was okay. Landon was all right, and she hadn’t slept with Tully. That’s what mattered.
Thank God.
She took careful steps, exiting her room. Where was her purse? Had she left it at Tully’s? The bar? She had to get something for this headache. She entered the living room and saw her bag lying by the front door as always. She remembered leaving it behind.
Sam fumbled for the bottle of Advil, then emptied three into her palm. After she washed them down with a glass of water, she went back to her room and lay on top of the covers. It hit her fresh that Landon had come to her rescue.
How had he known where she was? Had she called? It was hard to say what happened when she could only remember snippets.
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