by Marin Thomas
“Kind of crowded in here,” Wade muttered.
Okay. She got the message. Nothing was going to happen between them tonight. The signals had been there earlier in the afternoon but Sam had chosen to ignore them—Wade had enjoyed the picnic at the pond, but he’d been agitated. “Is something on your mind?” She was more than happy to lend an ear if he wished to talk.
His eyes widened and she swore his expression mirrored shock. “No. Why?”
She shrugged. “You’ve been distracted all day.” Now that she considered it, he’d cast her several worried glances since the rain had begun.
“A lot’s going on at work,” he said.
So much for believing they’d grown close in such a short time. Throat tight, Sam stowed the Monopoly game in a cupboard. “I’m taking a quick shower, then I might read before turning out the lights.”
The gusty breath Wade blew out felt like a slap across the cheek.
Nightshirt and a clean pair of panties in hand, she slipped into the bathroom where she showered in record time, refusing to linger under the warm spray or she’d give in to the temptation to cry. Since meeting Wade her emotions had undergone an Olympic workout and right now she hadn’t the strength for more disappointment.
After shutting off the water she towel-dried and slipped into the nightshirt. She dabbed on face cream, brushed her teeth, then ran a comb through her tangled hair. Don’t be a quitter.
The stubborn streak she’d inherited from her father surfaced and she decided to try one more time for a romantic evening. She paused outside the bathroom door. “Wade, what do you say I make hot chocolate and we watch…” He’d fallen asleep on the sofa bed. She tiptoed closer, gently removed his glasses and placed them on the counter.
With a heavy heart she retreated to the bedroom.
If she was lucky maybe she and Wade would go all the way in her dreams.
WADE AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE of the night, hot and…bothered? The last remnants of his erotic dream, starring Samantha, faded, leaving him rock-hard and irritable. He swung his feet to the floor and groaned when his back muscles protested. He’d have been better off sleeping on the hard ground than the camping mattress on the pullout bed. The blurry glow of the microwave clock reminded him he wasn’t wearing his glasses. He patted the countertop until his fingers bumped the frames. He slipped them on, waited for his eyes to adjust, then wondered what the hell he was going to do at 1:00 a.m. in the morning.
Might as well take a shower and cool off. He snuck into the bathroom, stepped inside the stall, flipped the faucet to cold and soaped himself. The tepid water did little to relieve his arousal. Frustrated, he dried off, tied the towel around his hips and opened the bathroom door. Then froze.
What was that?
A sniffle? He inched toward Samantha’s bedroom door and held his breath. More sniffling. Had she come down with a cold?
Don’t be an ass. She’s crying.
He rested his forehead against the door and closed his eyes. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. A short while ago he’d yearned to make love as badly as she’d wanted to. He’d rejoiced that such a beautiful, sweet woman desired him. But his conscience had gotten the best of him. He didn’t dare make love when he hadn’t been truthful about her trust fund. Right or wrong, the blame for her missing money rested squarely on his shoulders—at least until he proved otherwise.
Her money isn’t the only thing holding you back.
He had a responsibility to his son. The divorce hadn’t been easy on Luke. If Wade and Samantha entered into a serious relationship, he wouldn’t be able to prevent Luke from becoming more attached to Samantha than he already was, especially when the boy’s own mother showed little interest in him. If things didn’t work out between Wade and Samantha then Luke’s heart would be broken.
What about your heart?
Wade admitted that his feelings for Samantha had moved past attraction. Past a sense of concern for her horse sanctuary and the trust fund. Past wanting to impress her. To make her happy. Wade had fallen in love with her.
Another sniffle echoed behind the door. To hell with telling her the truth about her missing money. To hell with his worry over Luke becoming too attached to Samantha. To hell with Wade’s heart falling in love with the wealthy cowgirl. He had to end Samantha’s tears. He rapped his knuckles against the bedroom door.
“Wh-what is it?” she sputtered.
He tested the knob, found it unlocked and poked his head around the doorframe. The bedside lamp cast a warm glow around the room. Samantha sat in the middle of the mattress, legs tucked to the side, her long, dark hair falling over her shoulders in disarray. Her nightshirt clung to her breasts, outlining their shape and fullness. Her legs were bare except for the scrap of pink lace peeking out from beneath the hem of the shirt.
“Sorry I woke you.” She wiped her swollen eyes with the back of her hand and offered a brave smile.
Her apology made his heart ache. Without considering the consequences he entered her room and shut the door, then leaned against it. “You should be sorry,” he said. The tiny catch in her breath excited him. “I’ve been dreaming about you.”
The tears stopped and Wade relaxed. “And this is what dreaming of you does to me.” Praying he wasn’t about to make a fool of himself, he loosened the knot at his waist and the towel fell to the floor.
Her gaze zeroed in on his rock-hard erection and he froze. Did he pounce? Did he ask permission? Help me, Samantha.
She came to his rescue, whipping the T-shirt over her head and flinging it across the room. Golden skin, round breasts and legs that went on forever—the real thing was far better than his fantasy. She shifted to her knees and held out her hand, beckoning.
An electric shock leapt up his arm when she placed his hand over her heart and lifted her face, seeking a kiss. Unable to deny her anything, he kissed her, showing her how much she meant to him. How much he wanted to please her. To rock her world.
“You’re incredibly beautiful.” He toyed with the scrap of lace clinging to her hips, his fingers stroking the soft skin. “Inside and out.” He pressed a light kiss to her bare shoulder.
Her smile eased the nervous tension in his gut and he stretched out next to her on the mattress. She shimmied out of her panties, then removed his glasses. “Wait.” He grasped her hand. “I’m blind as a bat without them.”
Snuggling closer, she purred, “Then you’ll just have to feel your way around.” She dropped the glasses on the nightstand.
His senses kicked into high gear—her tantalizing scent teased his nose. Her velvety skin burned his fingertips. Her soft sighs serenaded his ears. And her sweet taste filled his mouth.
Time froze as their fingers tormented and teased. Mouths feasted. He ignored his building desire, focusing on Samantha, ensuring his kiss, his touch drove her higher and higher until…
Samantha shuddered, and moaned, then curled into Wade and sighed. “That was incredible.”
If he’d been a rooster he’d have strutted atop the mattress.
“Your turn.” She sprawled across his chest.
“I don’t have any protection with me,” he confessed. After their first kiss on the porch swing Wade had considered stashing a condom in his wallet but had felt foolish at the idea, because he’d never expected—wished for—but never expected that they’d reach this moment.
“I have a condom in my purse.”
Did she always carry birth control in her purse? Or did she…
“I’ve wanted to make love with you since the day you helped dig the well.” She kissed him, her tongue sweeping across his teeth.
“Really?”
“Yep.” Another kiss. More tongue.
“Ah, Sam,” he whispered.
“It’s about time you called me Sam.”
“The condoms…” He was ready to explode.
She crawled over him, hopped off the bed and rummaged through her purse, offering him a sweet albeit blurry view of her shapely backside.
“Oh, good,” she said.
“What?”
“I’ve got three.” Then she pounced. Limbs tangled and heartbeats thundered. With slow, steady strokes he loved her, carrying them higher, cloud by cloud until they vaulted into the heavens among an explosion of stars.
AT 3:00 A.M. SAM AWOKE shivering, the air conditioner blasting her naked body. She tugged the bedcovers up, then spooned Wade, pressing her breasts to his back and wiggling her foot between his calves. Then she rubbed her nose in the curve of his neck and breathed in his masculine scent.
Making love with Wade had been incredible. His caresses, kisses and murmured endearments had melted her heart. In the aftermath of their lovemaking, while they’d struggled to catch their breath, Sam realized that Wade had been the first man she’d allowed herself to lose control with. She only wished this magical whatever that was happening between them had somewhere to go. She might wish for a long-term relationship with Wade but sweet little Luke stood in the way. She doubted Wade would entrust her with his son’s safety once he learned another child had almost died in her care.
What if Wade trusts you with his son and still wants to keep seeing you?
There was a small part of Sam that wondered if maybe with the help of a considerate man she could be a good mother. What if the memory lapses miraculously disappeared when she had to safeguard her own child? She’d never know, because she refused to risk a child’s well-being for her own happiness.
Sam would always be a liability in any relationship that involved a child. Her heart believed Wade would view her memory lapses and forgetfulness as minor inconveniences—until catastrophe struck, forcing him to choose his son over her. Sam intended to be grateful for these precious few moments with Wade and pray the memories were enough to last through her lifetime.
WADE GROANED AS SAMANTHA rubbed her luscious body against his backside. She’d blown him away with her enthusiasm in bed. Her soft sighs, lusty stares and bold touches made him feel like the king of kings. The world’s greatest lover. The Don Juan of rodeo cowboys. When Wade was with Samantha he forgot he wore glasses. Forgot he didn’t sport bulging muscles or walk with a swagger.
He wanted more.
Rolling to his back he curled his arm around Samantha and she snuggled closer, resting her cheek against his heart. The simple gesture made his throat swell. No need for words or confessions—they both understood they’d crossed a line they could never erase.
If only he’d been forthright with her from the beginning. He feared that after he revealed the firm had lost her money—make that he had lost her money—she’d accuse him of seducing her to smooth things over.
Tell her now. He would. As soon as she…
Samantha’s mouth traveled at alarming speed down his chest, across his stomach, over his hips and…oh, man. A few more seconds of her attention and Wade was on the verge of losing control. He reversed their positions, fumbled for a condom on the nightstand, then sheathed himself and slid inside her.
The notion that this gorgeous woman wanted him—Wade Dawson—drove him closer to the edge. He slowed the pace of their lovemaking, wanting to savor these moments, afraid of what would happen when they were both back in the real world.
Slow gave way to fast. The kisses grew wild, hot. The touches explosive as they raced to the finish line.
They floated back to earth to the quiet hum of the air conditioner. Their bodies, slick with perspiration, stuck together. Wade didn’t care. He would have lain with Samantha forever if his cell phone hadn’t gone off in the other room. “I’d better answer it.” He untangled their limbs and rolled out of bed. “Hello?”
“We’ve had a hell of a time connecting.”
Thank God his uncle had called. Tired of playing tag, Wade cut to the chase. “Where are you?”
“Mexico.”
“We need to talk.”
“I’m arriving in Tulsa on Monday. I’ll see you at the office.”
“You’d better be there or I’m handling this my way,” Wade threatened.
His uncle cleared his throat. “Not a word to anyone until we speak.” He disconnected.
“What’s wrong?” Samantha stood in the doorway, wrapped in the bedsheet. Hair mussed. Mouth swollen. Heavy-lidded eyes begged him to make love to her again.
“Nothing.” Another lie. He’d examine his guilty feelings later, not now. “My uncle’s returning from an overseas business trip on Monday.” He traced the curve of her jaw with one finger. “Now, where were we?”
She batted her eyelashes. “Want me to show you?”
He grinned. “Lead the way.”
A KNOCK ON THE TRAILER DOOR awoke Sam from a dead sleep. She bolted upright and searched for Wade—his side of the bed was empty. And cold.
“Good morning, buddy.”
“Hi, Dad. Where’s Miss Sam?”
Samantha’s heart warmed at the sound of Luke’s voice.
“She’s sleeping,” Wade said.
“Can I eat breakfast here?”
“Sure. Is Millicent joining us?”
“She made grits but I didn’t like them, so she told me to go eat with you guys in the trailer.”
Cupboard doors opened and closed. “How about cereal?”
“What kind?”
“Frosted Flakes.”
“Okay.”
Sam leaned against the headboard and continued eavesdropping on the two males.
“How’d you sleep last night?” Wade asked.
“Okay, I guess. Millicent doesn’t sleep.”
“What do you mean?”
“I woke up to go to the bathroom and she was sitting in her rocking chair in the dark.”
“Lots of old people snooze in chairs.”
“She wasn’t snoozing, Dad. She was talking out loud.”
“To who?”
“A ghost.”
Oh, dear. Sam forgot about Millicent’s midnight chats with her deceased husband. Time to come out of hiding before Wade got worked up over nothing. She dressed quickly—a shower would have to wait—and padded barefoot into the kitchen area. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She took a bowl from the cupboard and joined them at the table.
“Hi, Miss Sam. Did you know Millicent talks to ghosts?”
Her gaze collided with Wade’s and her breath caught at the warmth in his eyes. “She’s not talking to just any ghost,” she answered Luke. “Millicent converses with her husband.”
“Didn’t you say he died in the war?” Wade’s attention shifted to the front of her blouse and Sam’s breathing escalated.
“He did.” Fearing she’d launch herself into Wade’s arms if she didn’t get a hold of her emotions, she trained her eyes on Luke. “When an old person lives by themselves for a long time they become lonely. Millicent understands her husband is dead but she’s comforted by believing his spirit lives with her in the cabin.”
“I was right, Dad. Millicent talks to ghosts.” Luke shoveled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. “What are we gonna do today?”
“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” Wade scolded. “We’re heading back to the condo. You have homework to finish and I have business calls to make.”
The last traces of euphoria from their night of lovemaking evaporated at Wade’s statement. Sam wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the Dawson males. “How would you both like to see one of the horses coming to live at the ranch?”
“Cool! Can we, Dad?”
“The horse you’ve been working with at the SPCA?” Wade asked.
“His name’s Blue.” She smiled at Luke. “I’m eager to see how he reacts to children.”
“Let’s go see Blue, Dad.”
Sam offered her sweetest smile, drawing Wade’s gaze to her mouth. His eyes softened and she knew he was recalling their lovemaking. Please, Wade. Give us a little more time together.
“Why not,” he said.
Samantha’s spirits soared. “Let me grab a quick shower and then we’ll leave.” She disappeared into th
e bathroom before Wade could change his mind.
THE SPCA STABLES IMPRESSED Wade and surprised him at the same time. He had no idea there were so many horses in need of rescuing. Samantha introduced him to Nancy Parker, the facility manager, and after giving the group a quick tour, she left them watching the horses in the paddocks.
“Ready to feed Blue a carrot?” Samantha asked Luke.
“Sure.” Luke followed her to the horse.
Wade stayed out of the way, pleased by his son’s show of enthusiasm for an activity that didn’t involve schoolwork.
“She’s doing great, isn’t she?” Nancy Parker stopped at Wade’s side.
“Samantha you mean?”
The stable manager nodded. “She’s worked with the horses for months and has come a long way.”
Wade wasn’t following the conversation. “Samantha’s been around horses all her life, hasn’t she?”
“After the injury she suffered in high school, she’s had nothing to do with horses. Until a few months ago. I was surprised and pleased to hear she intended to open a sanctuary ranch.” Nancy motioned to a truck and horse trailer entering through the facility’s main gate. “That’s our new boarder. Gotta go.”
Wade studied Samantha with a critical eye, searching for signs of fear or trepidation as she and Luke petted Blue. He saw only confidence and self-assurance. And what injury had the SPCA manager been referring to? He hadn’t noticed any scars or evidence of old wounds when he’d made love to Samantha. The incident with the horse must have been a minor mishap or she’d have told him.
Just because the two of you made love doesn’t mean you’re privy to all her secrets. But he wanted to be.
Wade’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the number and grimaced. “Hello, Carmen.”
“I realize this is short notice,” Wade’s ex-wife said, “but I need you to keep Luke tonight. He doesn’t have summer-school classes tomorrow because of a teacher seminar.”
