She heard him shift, then a big hand closed gently around hers and he gave a little tug. “Look at me, honey. Please.”
What could she do but obey? Heart hammering, a tingle spilling down her arm from where his big hand held hers, Carly looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Sitting there with his handsome, surfy-boy face and body, that silky hair tied at the nape, the hint of tiredness in his face, the kindness, she felt her insecurities come crashing back.
Jerking her hand from his, she slid it safely in her lap and lifted her chin. “What happened was amazing, but it doesn’t mean you have to feel sorry for me and date me for awhile before politely calling it quits.”
Sam looked like he’d been slapped. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped in genuine shock.
It was probably the first time in his life he’d ever been brushed off by a woman.
Carly stood up. “Bye, Sam” Crossing to the counter, she paid her bill in silence before walking outside, her heart breaking, her mind whirling, and the instinct to run and hide riding her hard and mercilessly.
Starting down the footpath with a lump in her throat and her cheeks burning, she hadn’t gotten far when a large hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her to a halt. The heat from a big body close behind seeped through her.
It didn’t necessitate a look over her shoulder to know it was Sam, but it did reveal his expression.
He was furious. It actually made her quake. His eyes glittered, his mouth was pulled into a grim line, and a muscle ticked in his jaw.
Sam angry? That seemed almost impossible.
Before she could even voice a query, he ordered quietly, “Get in the car.”
“What?”
“Get in the car.”
“No, I-”
“Now,” he growled. “Before I forget that we’re in a public place and I carry you there.”
Now that was an impossibility. The ludicrousness of his threat almost made her laugh. “Sam, really.”
“Get in the bloody car, Carly,” he ground out from between clenched teeth. “Now.”
Unnerved by this side of Sam, she glanced behind him to see Melanie standing curiously by the door of the café. A customer pushed past her and reluctantly she followed him back inside, but not before she cast them another enquiring glance.
One muscular arm slid around her back and with a squeak, Carly jumped. “Sam!”
“You either get in the car under your own steam, or I’m carrying you there.” His eyes narrowed.
Good grief, he’d actually been about to carry out his threat! The thought had her breaking out in a shiver of appalled desire.
It also had her quickly moving towards his car, his arm an unyielding band at her back, his hand at her hip, long fingers curving around almost possessively.
At the car they stopped, and she tried again while he leaned past her to open the passenger door. “Sam, this is ridiculous. Just because-”
He swung it open and stood to one side, silent and furious. In that second he almost appeared dangerous. She scoffed at herself even while a shiver went down her spine.
Sam, dangerous? Sweet, patient, easy-going Sam? How stupid, how… She almost flung herself into the seat, totally nonplussed when he leaned in, one hand braced on the headrest while he grabbed the seatbelt and clipped it securely in place.
One searing look of warning and Sam withdrew, shutting the door with quiet deliberation. She could only watch as he strode around the car, noting even in her frazzled state that he appeared cool and calm to anyone watching.
Unlike her. She actually placed a trembling hand on her chest to ensure her heart wasn’t trying to escape. It sure felt like it was knocking frantically against her sternum.
The driver’s door opened and he slid into the seat, clipping on his seat belt and starting the car, checking the road before reversing out and pulling into the sparse, Sunday morning traffic.
Silence filled the car and she chewed her bottom lip, uncertain what to do or say. The anger was still emanating from him, and going by the tick in his jaw, it hadn’t abated.
Instead of heading for home, he turned onto a road that led towards the beach.
She cleared her throat and he shot her a narrow-eyed glance, making her bite her lip again and looked away.
The road curved, the sea coming into view as he pulled the car into a parking bay which looked over the ocean. Turning off the engine, he stared in silence at the blue water before unclipping his seat belt and turning to face her, his gaze searching, fury still evident.
Lifting her chin, she met his gaze almost defiantly, refusing to back down even while she swallowed nervously.
“Why would you say something like that to me?” Sam finally demanded.
“Like what?”
“Accusing me of wanting to date you, to be polite, before ditching you?”
“Because…”
Silently he waited, not helping, the grimness in his expression unflinching.
She looked away.
“No,” he said. “Look at me. If you’re going to accuse me of something, then you look at me. You look me in the eyes.”
“Fine.” Carly unclipped her seat belt and swung around to face him fully. “A man like you doesn’t go out with a woman like me, Sam. I know you’re trying to make up for what happened.”
“Make up?” he repeated incredulously.
“Yes. But you don’t have to. It happened, and I don’t expect more from you, I don’t expect-”
“Expect?” Sam gripped the steering heel hard enough that his knuckles went white. “Have I led you to expect anything?” He ground his teeth together. “Did I promise anything? Did I try to make excuses yesterday, or even today for that matter?”
“No, but…” Stopping, she sucked in a deep breath before lowering her voice, speaking soothingly, just wanting the whole unpleasant episode over. “Sam, it’s all right. It-”
“Stop right there,” Sam ordered.
Not wanting to antagonise him further, she obeyed.
It was his turn to inhale deeply. She watched as he looked at the ocean. Removing his glasses, he placed them on the dashboard and rubbed his face with both hands, cupping them across the bottom half of his face for several seconds before pulling them away to place on the steering wheel. Drumming his thumbs on it, he stared out at the blue water.
Carly fidgeted in the seat, twining her fingers together and squeezing her hands between her knees. What was he thinking? How had they even gotten to this stage?
A full minute passed in silence.
“Right.” Sam turned to face her. The fury was gone, the anger still remained, but he was once again in control.
Though, to be truthful, Carly had to acknowledge that even in his fury he’d been controlled, driving responsibly and not letting it make him reckless. Not lashing out at her, either, not even yelling and swearing. In fact, his quiet, controlled fury was more nerve-wracking.
Especially when it was aimed at her.
“Right,” Sam repeated, once more drawing her attention from her thoughts. “It seems I didn’t do it right the first time. Carly, I want us to go out together. Date. I don’t intend to dump you after a polite time, I’m not trying to make up for anything, I don’t intend to hurt you, and I’m definitely not easing my guilty conscious. Do you hear me?”
“Yes.” She had to bite her lip to stop the ‘but’ from following.
“Do you believe me?” When she glanced away, he reached out to grip her chin gently but firmly, turning her face back towards him. “Carly, do you believe me?”
That damned lump was back in her throat. “No.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m…you know. And you’re…” She flapped a hand at him. “You know.”
He gazed intently at her. “Tell me what I am.”
“God, Sam.”
“Tell me.”
“Fine. Fine!” She jerked her chin from his fingers. “You’r
e hot and gorgeous, you’re built like a woman’s wet dream, you’ve got those surfy-boy good looks, and you know it because women beat a path to your door all the time. Beautiful women.” When his lips tightened, she folded her arms and shook her head. “Tough if you don’t like it, Sam, but it’s the truth.’
“I guess so.” There was disappointment in his voice as he eased back slowly to look out the windscreen.
The flare of anger seeped from Carly and she slumped back in the seat. Putting her elbow on the window sill, she leaned her head against her hand.
“Is that all?” he asked quietly.
“No, Sam,” she replied tiredly. “You’re sweet, you’re kind, you’re gentle. You have a tough cat you adore, you love your garden. You love life. You’re easy-going, good natured, and to be with you is peaceful.” She blinked back a tear. “You make me smile and laugh. You scared me back there, I admit it, but even then I knew you wouldn’t hurt me. It’s not in you. You’re the kind of bloke who lends a hand, who doesn’t care what people look like, you like them for who they are, not what they have.”
In her peripheral vision, she saw him look at her.
“You’re you, Sam,” she finished. “You’re you.”
“But I’m not good enough for you.”
“Good enough?” She actually gaped for several seconds before adding, “Oh, you’re good, all right. Good at making a woman feel special. But I’m not special.”
“I think you’re special.”
“Sam.” She sighed.
“I need air.” Opening the door abruptly, he got out and walked around to the front of the car, leaning his backside on the bonnet and thrusting his hands into his pockets.
Even from the back Carly had to admit he cut a mouth-watering figure. The sea breeze stirred his ponytail, the sunlight picking out the gold strands. His shirt fluttered slightly, pressing against his body on one side, moulding deliciously to his muscles.
But he was tense, his usually slightly slouched, easy posture when he was relaxed gone, the air of tranquillity definitely not evident.
Guilt poured through her. She was the cause of it, however unwittingly.
Feeling lower than a snake’s belly, she got out and walked around to lean back against the car beside him. Folding her arms beneath her breasts, she stared out at the sea, wondering how to make things better.
The silence stretched out for several long minutes.
Sam took long, deep breaths, tipping his head back slightly and closing his eyes. The sun played along the straight line of his nose, tracing his lips and jaw, and she had to fight to stop herself from doing the same.
She was still looking at him longingly when he turned his head suddenly and opened his eyes, his gaze locking with hers.
“Sam,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry. I’d never hurt you for the world. You’re such a nice bloke.”
The sudden flare of heat in his eyes startled her.
In fact, it had her tingling from her toes to her secret places, making her breath catch and her blood give a surge of heat in response.
“You think so, do you?” His voice was low, almost sultry.
Uh-oh. “Um…yeah?”
He leaned a little closer. “Is that a question or an answer?”
She knew she should lean back in an unspoken gesture of reproof, but she couldn’t make herself. “An answer?” She almost squeaked it.
“And that, right there, is exactly why-”
“Sam! Sammy!”
“Fancy meeting you here, Sam!”
With an uncharacteristic curse, Sam closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the heat was gone.
She felt the disappearance as keenly as if he’d physically stripped it from her.
“Sam!”
All expression left his face as he looked around towards the voices.
Carly looked past him, her heart falling as two bikini-clad beach bunnies ran up. Their lithe bodies glistened with water, their wet hair clinging to their skin. The bikinis barely hid their proudly displayed slight curves.
“Hi, Sam.” Smiling, the blonde stepped close.
Too close, Carly thought, and had to stifle the urge to shove her away.
“Jean,” Sam greeted.
“I see you worked last night.” The pert little brunette had her hands behind her back, almost shyly, but her eyes devoured him, scanning shamelessly across his body.
“Hi, Hilary. Yeah, Simon was sick.”
“Oh, bad luck. Anyway, you coming for a swim? A surf?”
“Nope. Just shooting the breeze with my…friend.” Reaching out, he touched her shoulder. “This is Carly. Carly, this is Hilary and Jean from work.”
Ouch. Friend. Well, she’d said she wanted friendship only, so no sense being hurt by his admission.
“Hi.” Carly gave a little wave.
Hilary and Jean barely glanced at her.
Hilary moved closer, one hand coming out to rest on his forearm, her hand so tiny and slim against his much brawnier limb. “So, Sam. Why don’t you take your shirt off? Enjoy the sun?”
“Seems such a shame to cover up that body,” Jean teased.
“Sorry, girls. I didn’t bring swimming togs.”
“Pooh, you don’t need togs.” Hilary winked. “You’re wearing undies, aren’t you? They’ll do.”
“Sorry, no.”
“Oh, come on.” Jean pouted.
Carly rolled her eyes.
“Who’s going to see? There’s no one here but us three.”
“And Carly.” Sam jerked his thumb in her direction.
She gave them another small wave. “Hi, again.”
Sam glanced briefly at her, a twinkle in his eyes that had her instinctively grinning. His gaze dropped to her mouth, his eyes darkening, but then Hilary pulled on his arm.
“Sammy, come on. It’s beautiful weather. We can have a swim, go to my house-”
“Or mine,” Jean put in hastily.
Ignoring her, Hilary continued, “You can shower off there. We’ll make a day of it, you and me. What do you say?”
By now Jean was shooting her little glares in-between smiling up at Sam. “Or we can go to my house and have a barbecue lunch.” Shifting in front of him, she leaned forward, blatantly showing-off her wares.
Carly waited for her breasts to pop right out of the bikini top. She was almost embarrassed on their behalf. Geez, could they be any plainer in their desire to have Sam to themselves?
And could she be any plainer in her spark of jealousy? Curling her hands into fists, she hugged herself a little tighter. To be truthful, the sight of their lithe bodies in cute bikinis so close to Sam’s tall, muscular frame was not only making her jealous, it was also making her feel self conscious.
Seriously, why would Sam want her when he had such beautiful women throwing themselves at him?
Intending to start walking away, Carly straightened, only to stop when Sam’s hand shot out to wrap around hers. It was either try to tug away or stay still. There was no doubt that Sam wasn’t going to let her go, and no way was she going to embarrass herself by fighting. Not in front of the two beach bunnies.
Hilary’s gaze dropped to where Sam’s hand held Carly’s, and when she looked up at Carly, the disbelief on her face was priceless.
Jean looked her up and down incredulously before looking back at Sam.
Then they simply dismissed her as though she wasn’t there.
“So, Sam,” Jean said, “How about it? A swim? We could even go skinny dipping. Who’d know?”
“We would.” Hilary giggled.
“No.” This time there was a definite thread of steel in Sam’s tone, one that surprised the two women, going by their taken-aback expressions. “I’m here with Carly. I’ll see you both at work.”
“Oh, but Sam-” Hilary began.
“Bye, Hilary, Jean. Have a great day.” He looked at them steadily.
Surprised, Jean and Hilary looked at each other, back at Carly, and again at Sam.<
br />
Sam tugged Carly closer, and not wanting to embarrass him, she did as bidden, even though she still cringed a little when her breasts nudged Sam’s arm.
She wasn’t sure who was more shocked when his arm slid around her waist to draw her right up against him. Jean’s mouth fell open, Hilary could only stare, and Carly’s breath caught.
Sam smiled. “See you both at work.”
“Sure,” Hilary finally murmured. “Okay.”
“See you, Sam,” Jean added.
They both walked away with several backward glances, whispering to each other.
Snugged up against Sam, his arm around her waist, Carly slid her gaze from them up to his face.
He was watching their retreat and immediately she felt a pang, knowing he was feeling her overly-generous curves while watching two beautiful, slim women walk away.
Before she could say anything, he looked back down at her, his expression bleak.
“Oh, Sam.” Her heart went out to him. Even while it hurt, she said, “Why don’t you go with them? I can make my own way home.”
“And that, right there, is why you’re so special.”
Confused, she blinked.
The bleakness disappeared from his eyes to be replaced warmth. “You care, Carly. You really care.”
“Well, of course. I don’t want to see you hurt.” Even while it seemed to tear her apart.
“Carly, you said women throw themselves at me. Some do, and they see me as a piece of meat. A nice body and a pretty face, but that’s all they see. They don’t see me, Carly. You do.”
That flustered her. “Oh, I’m sure that’s not so, that-”
“You heard them. It wasn’t ‘Hi Sam, how are you?’ ‘Sam, you look tired.’ It was ‘remove your shirt, go in your undies, let’s skinny-dip’. They ignored you, and all they wanted was me to screw them.”
That last statement had her mouth falling open.
“I’m not blind or deaf,” he stated quietly. “I know people see me as an airhead at times, the stupid surfie who loses things.”
“Oh Sam, you’re so much more than that.”
“And that’s the thing, Carly. You see that. You care about me, you don’t chase after me.”
“So I’m kind of a novelty, really.” She tried to smile.
His arm moved, his hand slipping low to curve over one buttock, making her tingle in places that had no right to tingle. “I’m not a violent man, and I don’t believe in hitting women. But you, I could spank quite easily.”
Seducing Sam Page 16
