Seducing Sam

by Verdenius, Angela

  A quick shower and Sam was in his boxers, all ready for a relaxing time lying back against the pillows on his bed and reading. Unfortunately, his book wasn’t where he’d left it on his bedside table, so he had to go on a hunt through the house, eventually finding it in the kitchen next to the bread bin.

  He could have sworn he’d left it on the bedside table.

  Shrugging, he returned to his bedroom. The breeze through the open window was making the blind rattle against the frame. While partially closing the window, he noticed that Carly was in the same position, leaning against her fence.

  It was unusual for anyone to be out this late at night, and he wondered if anything was wrong.

  Returning to bed, he started reading, but somehow his attention kept straying to the woman across the road. Was she still outside? And why? Had her husband or partner, he still wasn’t sure which Ed was, not come home? Was she waiting for him?

  When he turned his lamp off, he couldn’t help but cross to the window and peek out once more, feeling a little foolish but unable to stop himself. Carly was gone, the place she’d been leaning against the fence empty.

  Shaking his head at his own stupidity, Sam returned to bed. It wasn’t his business.

  ~*~

  It was driving her nuts. Leaning on the mop, Carly watched the elderly woman check the corners of the room that she’d just mopped for the second time.

  “I’m sure there’s dirt in that corner.” Mrs Hadley bent down close to squint at the corner.

  “I’m sure there isn’t,” Carly said.

  Mrs Hadley rubbed her arthritic finger on the floor. “There’re marks.”

  “Your fingerprints, perhaps?”

  Mrs Hadley glared at her. “Are you trying to be smart?”

  “Just pointing out a fact.” Carly looked pointedly at her wrist watch. “I don’t have time to do this floor for a third time, Mrs Hadley. I have other clients to get to.”

  “Oh yes, always in a hurry. I pay for this service, you know.”

  Oh yeah, Carly knew, just as she knew every place she went to had a time limit. She was hired to clean, shop, and take otherwise house-bound people to the bank, not to spend all day with them. It was a fact that services were spread across the needy in the community, and her time at Mrs Hadley’s was done for the day. Overdone, actually, by at least twenty minutes.

  “I’ll rinse the mop and put it out the back to dry,” she said.

  “I still think it could do with one more mop.”

  About to retort a little sharply, Carly saw the sadness in the elderly woman’s eyes and bit her lip. There was no doubt Mrs Hadley was lonely and seeking to find a way to keep Carly lingering. She had no right to take her tiredness and lack of sleep out on the woman.

  Reining in her impatience, she softened her tone. “Mrs Hadley, it’s clean. I have to go, I’m sorry.”

  Disdainfully, Mrs Hadley sniffed.

  “You have every right to ring the office and ask for me to be replaced.”

  “What? No!” Mrs Hadley straightened her stooped shoulders. “No, you’ll do, I guess. I’ll just finish that spot myself.”

  Carly had no doubt the spot wouldn’t be touched, because there was no dirt in it, but nor could she afford to have a guilt trip run on her, no matter that she understood the true reason for the elderly lady’s nit-picking.

  Rinsing out the mop, she placed it against the side wall of the house where it resided. The clean mop bucket went beside it, and then she was back in the house retrieving her small shoulder bag and bidding Mrs Hadley farewell.

  Once in the car, she entered the time in the client time sheet and checked the book for the next client. It was old Mr Justin’s shopping day, and as she pulled into the driveway she found him waiting for her, his bags in his hand and a beam on his face. Going out shopping was the highlight of his week. She grinned at him and waved, and he was in the passenger seat in no time.

  By the time Carly had finished for the day, all she wanted to do was crawl inside and forget people existed. Yes, she liked her job most days, but the demands could sometimes eat at her, especially when mentally she wasn’t in any frame of mind to be at the beck and call of people.

  At the Gold Link Nursing Association office, she returned the work mobile phone to the basket with the others. Maddy, one of the RNs, was sitting at a nearby desk filling out paperwork.

  Looking up, she smiled. “Rough day?”

  “I’m wearing the signs, huh?”

  “No smile, shadows under the eyes. It shows.”

  “Let’s just say I’ll be glad to get home.”

  “Me, too. Mike is taking me out to dinner.” At Carly’s blank look, Maddy explained, “My husband.”

  “Oh. Nice.”

  “Maybe you should get your husband to cook tea tonight, seeing as how you’re tired.”

  “Don’t have one.” Carly gave her a small wave. “See you around the traps tomorrow.”

  “Bye.”

  Glad that Maddy didn’t press the matter, Carly made her escape, getting into her own car and driving home. On the way, she dropped into Ed’s shop.

  “Where’s Crusher?” she asked as she walked through the door of the garage.

  Huggie looked up. “Hi to you, too.”

  “Sorry. Hi. Where’s Crusher?”

  “In the office.”

  Sitting down on one of the stools, Carly looked at the motorcycle. She didn’t know much about them except that they were noisy, sometimes big, you were either a bike person or not, and some men in leather looked sexy.

  Huggie didn’t look sexy. He just looked mean, though his looks belied his personality. One only had to look at the photo of him with his dainty wife and twin boys that he carried proudly in his wallet to know. The love was plain on his face, and Carly knew his wife, Lisa. She had the big giant wrapped around her finger and it was she who disciplined the twins. Huggie was too soft.

  But if you didn’t know him personally, Huggie was scary.

  Putting down the spanner, he regarded her. “You’re not sleeping well again.”

  Carly shrugged.

  “Maybe you should get something to help you sleep.”

  “Nah, I’m fine.”

  He frowned. “That bastard isn’t worth it, Carly, you know that.”

  “I know, and he’s not the issue.” Talk about lying. Or sort of lying.

  “If you want to talk-”

  “I don’t,” she interrupted hurriedly. “But thanks. I’m fine, honestly.” Before he could pursue the matter, she stood. “Where’s Ed?”

  With a grunt, Huggie picked up the spanner. “In the main office talking to a client.”

  “I won’t interrupt him. I’ll just get Crusher and take him home. See you, Huggie.”

  Getting the dog from the office, Carly caught a glimpse through the glass of Ed talking to a woman as skinny as he. Tattoos wound up one of her arms and she was almost flat-chested. But her smile seemed genuine and her eyes were smiling when she met Carly’s glance fleetingly through the glass.

  Carly nodded to her, snapped the leash on Crusher’s collar and led him from the office to her car. He sat on the front seat on the way home, head up, tongue hanging out, eyes bulging a little as usual. Pulling into her driveway, she stopped the car and opened the door just as she caught sight of a flash of ginger bounding from her garden.

  In a flash, Crusher leaped past her and was in full pursuit, yapping ferociously.

  “Oh, no!” Dropping her bag, she sprang after the dog. “Crusher!”

  Crusher tore across the road and through Sam’s gate, Carly running flat out behind him. Sam’s ginger cat whirled around to face Crusher as soon as it got through its gate.

  “No! Crusher, no!” She dove for the leash trailing behind the dog, only to feel it slip through her fingers.

  A deep voice bellowed, “What the hell…?”

  The ginger cat swore and sprang at Crusher, the dog realised it wasn’t going to cower the cat and
was, in fact, under attack, and he swung around, yipping and howling. The leash tangled around Carly’s ankles and she hit the ground.

  Regardless, she managed to grab the lead while looking frantically around for the cat. She was just in time to see Sam scoop up the spitting, ginger cat. He ran for the house, pushed the cat safely through the open door and slammed it shut, before he came bounding down the steps and across the lawn to her.

  By now, she was sitting up and trying to untangle the leash from around her ankles. Her injured hand throbbed from where it had made contact with the ground.

  Crusher was still whimpering.

  “You dumb arse,” she said.

  Sam crouched by her side. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Feeling like a fool, she squinted up at him. He looked so cool and calm, and here she was, hot, sweaty, and sitting on his lawn. He’d have had to see her go arse over tit, and that in itself was humiliating. “Sorry about your cat. Is he okay?”

  “SJ is fine.” Reaching out, Sam took the leash from her and deftly untangled it from around her ankles. “But you don’t let your dog run loose, do you?”

  “Of course not,” she replied indignantly. “He saw your cat and slipped past me, but that was an accident.”

  “Okay.” Holding the leash, he looked at Crusher, his eyes widening slightly. “That’s Crusher?”

  “You know his name?”

  “Yeah, I heard your husband call him.”

  “My husband?”

  “The bloke you live with.”

  “Oh, Ed’s not my husband.” Carly brushed her hands on her thighs, turning her wrist to inspect the Primapore on her hand. It was still intact.

  “Sorry, partner.” Sam studied Sam. “Er…this dog’s a little small to be called Crusher, isn’t he?”

  Carly couldn’t help but smile as she looked at the tiny toy Chihuahua. “Ed’s warped sense of humour.”

  “When I heard him call Crusher the other night, I had visions of a Rottweiler or something.”

  “Crusher wants to be a rotty when he grows up.”

  Laughing, Sam transferred his gaze to her, his eyes warm and making her feel as though his sole attention was focussed on her. “Sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine.” Refusing to sit on his lawn any longer, she started to get up.

  Immediately Sam’s big hand was at her back, the other under her elbow, guiding her up with an ease that was astounding. The warmth of his hand went right through her cotton shirt to her skin beneath, and for a brief second she actually leaned into his hand, feeling his fingers spread out.

  His hand was so comforting, so steady, so sure…

  Realising with a shock what she was doing, she abruptly stepped away, almost immediately missing his hand.

  Fool. Sam doesn’t go for girls like you.

  And why would she care? God, she’d just been badly bitten once, why would she even think such a thing?

  Shaking her head inwardly, she plucked the leash from Sam’s other hand. “Thanks for helping. I promise Crusher won’t be back over here.”

  “Now I know how small he is, I won’t be so worried about SJ.” Sam grinned. “I’ll be worried about Crusher.”

  She just couldn’t help it. The smile curved her mouth in response to his genial amusement. “Don’t worry. Crusher is so scared now of your cat that he won’t step foot out of the front gate.”

  “Ah.” Bending down, Sam rubbed Crusher’s tiny head.

  Cripes, his hand was almost bigger than the whole dog.

  When he straightened, she caught a whiff of soap and fresh deodorant. He’d obviously just showered.

  “Rough day at work?” he queried.

  “Hmmm?”

  “You look a little tired.”

  Geez, she must look like shit for everyone to notice. Reaching up, she pushed a stray strand of hair that had escaped the confines of her ponytail behind her ear. “Yeah.”

  For several seconds they looked at each other. She didn’t know what to say, yet strangely enough, she was reluctant to walk away. But Sam was obviously busy, because he glanced down at his watch and took a step back.

  “I better go.” Carly smiled at him. “Thanks again, and sorry for scaring your cat.”

  “No worries.” He smiled back but made no move.

  Feeling a little self-conscious, she turned and walked away, hoping grass stains weren’t on her pants. That’s all she needed to emphasize her generous backside. Though why she should care, she didn’t know.

  But there was one thing…

  Stopping, she turned back to find Sam watching her. “Um, Sam?”

  “Yeah?” He took a step toward her.

  Probably thought she had something vitally interesting to tell him. Now she cursed herself for even stopping, but she might as well just say it. “Ed’s not my partner.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, we just share a house.”

  As though he’d care. But being Sam, he just smiled that friendly smile as though he was genuinely happy to hear it. “Okay.”

  Feeling a complete idiot, Carly turned and walked back to her house. On the way she glimpsed Debbie standing beside her BMW, her hands on her hips while glaring at her. No doubt the barking, hissing and yelling had disturbed her peace.

  Talk about putting on a performance.

  Sighing, Carly took Crusher into the house before retrieving her handbag, locking the car, and finally shutting herself inside the house, wondering why she’d found it so important to tell Sam that Ed wasn’t her partner. As if he’d care.

  At a sudden thought, she groaned. She hoped he didn’t think she was trying to flirt with him by telling him about Ed. Oh God! How humiliating would that be?

  Perfect way to end the day, idiot.

  A small pile of letters lay on the table where Ed had put them when he’d come home during the day. The writing on the top one was enough to take her thoughts from Sam and pull them elsewhere unpleasantly.

  Tossing her bag onto the table, she ripped open the envelope and looked at the receipt inside. Her last rent receipt for the flat she’d been in previously. The old flat, her old job, her old life. And just like that, everything came back into focus. She had a new life now, a new job, a new home. Life continued

  By the time Ed came home, she was showered and dinner was almost ready. He came in beaming.

  “Got a date,” he announced.

  “You have a date?” She was stunned.

  “Yep.”

  “Wow. Are you sure that’s wise?”

  “Of course it’s wise. Why not?” Grabbing a jug of homemade iced coffee from the ‘fridge, he poured a glassful. “Got to get back in the saddle, as the saying goes.”

  Carly wasn’t so sure.

  “Hell, Carly, we’ve got to move on.” He frowned. “I saw the envelope.”

  She shrugged. “Nothing important.”

  “Hell, yeah. You’re dead right. Nothing important.” He greeted Crusher, picking the little dog up and letting him lick his ear. “Hey, sport. You been a good boy?”

  “No, he’s been a bad boy,” Carly said. “The numbskull took off after Sam’s cat until SJ showed him who’s boss.”

  “Oh.” Ed grinned at Crusher. “Big, bad cat beat you up?”

  “Let’s just say he put on quite a show of howling and whimpering.”

  “That’s the way to get the ladies’ sympathy.”

  “Debbie wasn’t impressed.”

  “Debbie can kiss my skinny arse.”

  “Lovely.” Carly turned the burners on the stove off. “Well, I guess you won’t be wanting tea, seeing as you have a date.”

  “Are you kidding me? We’re meeting for drinks at seven. Of course I want dinner first.” Ed sat down at the table. “Serve, wench.”

  Rolling her eyes, Carly started to dish up the food. “Anyone I know?”

  “Nope. Just met this woman at the shop today.”

  “Ah. Does she by any chance have tats
up one arm?”

  “You know her?” Ed’s brows rose.

  “I think it was her I saw when I picked up Crusher.”

  “Oh. Well then, yes, that would be her. Name’s Charlie.” He eagerly eyed the heaped plate of food she placed before him. “She’s really nice.”

  “I hope so.” Sitting down, Carly picked up the fork and started eating.

  “She is. I have a good feeling about her.”

  “Don’t fall too hard, too fast.”

  “Geez. I just met her. We’re not engaged or anything.”

  Carly arched one brow.

  “I’m not going into this too fast,” he assured her. “It’s just drinks, a get-to-know-you. All right?”

  “All right.”

  Ed pointed the fork at her. “You worry too much.”

  “And you don’t worry enough.”

  “And that’s why we share a house. We balance each other out.”

  “One of us is balanced, at least.”

  “Tough words.”

  “The truth always hurts.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Carly.”

  “Okay, Uncle Ed.”

  “Exactly. Respect your elders.”

  Carly flipped him the bird.

  “I could ground you.”

  “I could sit on you.”

  “Peace.” He held up the victory sign.

  Carly laughed. “That’s always your answer when you’re beaten.”

  “I know when to stop fighting. One of us has to be mature.”

  “Glad you noticed.”

  “I think we’re starting to circle the wagons again.”

  “True. So, how’s the shop going?”

  His expression grew pained. “Really? We’re going to talk about my successful business?”

  “I’m just looking for a change of topic.”

  When his eyes gleamed suddenly, she eyed him with foreboding. Ed’s eyes gleaming was never a good sign.

  “So, Sam,” he began.

  She looked blankly at him.

  “He’s good-looking.”

  “Are you switching teams?”

  “He’s not my type. I like females. However…” Ed wiped his piece of steak through gravy. “He could be your type.”

  “My type?” Carly’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Sure.”

  It was ludicrous. Sam would never go for a girl like her, and besides, she wasn’t interested in men right now. “Okay, let’s change topic again.”