Sweeter Than Wine

by Hestand, Rita

  When he kissed her both last night and today, he felt as though something happened, something bonded, something cemented to him. Her kiss was nothing short of reckless abandon, exciting and enticing! As though coming together with her was as natural as breathing. How could that be? He wasn't seeking a relationship with this woman. Was he? No, of course he wasn't. But he knew he did want her. Maybe it was just the basic male instincts had kicked in.

  It had been a long time. Had he forgotten what it was like to be with a female. No, he hadn't forgotten, but he'd never considered himself a lustful man either.

  He watched the teenagers with amusement. He remembered how he had been at that age, young, vibrant, ready to take on the world.

  He frowned, the teenagers were doing everything but removing their clothes and making love. Given some encouragement, Sam could imagine that happening between him and Lacey. What had occurred between them was natural he knew that. Yet an adult should be able to control himself, he thought. He knew he couldn’t carry his desire any further unless she was completely willing.

  Lacey excused herself to the restroom and came out as he was paying for their meal. She reached into her purse and pulled out a ten, handing it to him.

  He looked puzzled. "What's this for?"

  "My dinner, I certainly don't expect you to pay for my food," She took one of the sacks from him and they walked outside together.

  "So we're going dutch too?"

  "Of course," she quipped finding a small table on the patio, she sat down and waited for him to join her.

  "How refreshing," his sarcasm didn't escape her as she eyed him contemptuously.

  "Don't let this burn your ego, Sam. I'm enjoying this little adventure no end, but I certainly don't expect you to pay my way. We'll split everything down the middle and that way, I won't feel indebted to you." She said, stirring some sugar into her tea.

  "Indebted?" He shook his head and glared at her, "For a meal?"

  "Don't look so incredulous. You are showing me a good time, and I'm enjoying it, but once you start treating me to everything…it becomes something else. We are both adults, Sam. You've got enough problems without me adding to them…I like you, I really do…."

  "You what?"

  "I've never experienced this much fun with a man before, but I want to go on enjoying it. I'm not going with you for a roll in the hay. I won't be your lover. At least that's not my intention. But we can be friends." She insisted taking a bite and turning to watch the teenage couple leaving hand in hand.

  "I don't think I ask you to be my lover," His indignation rose like bile.

  "Of course you did, back on the bridge, and I nearly said yes. However, that was before good sense prevailed. Sam," she looked him right in the eyes now, daring him to refute the truth of her statements. "I like you. I do. But I want to go on liking you. I want to remember this summer as a wonderful vacation, in which I spent with a charming man. You. I'm no one-night stand, any more than you are out here looking for a mate. So let's be sensible and put our raging hormones to rest."

  When his frown spoke anger, she shook her head and looked away.

  "Sam, please try to understand. We might be older, but I can still get pregnant. I don't want that, unless I'm married. I'm a teacher; I'm expected to uphold a few standards even today, and I don't want a few wonderful nights in bed with you."

  Lacy watched him as he stood up, insulted, enraged, surprised by her good sense, outraged by her lack of tact. He paced around her then looked at her, "I don't know whether to throw something at you or kiss you again."

  She laughed, a wonderful free laugh, a heady laugh.

  "Pardon me, Lacey, but I've met few women with your good sense. From now on, there will be no more hands on communication between us. I'll treat you like a man. I am sorry if I took the advantage. It isn't like me. Maybe…it's only because it's been so long…"

  Lacey's face changed suddenly to understanding, and she nodded, she eyed his hand, as though she wanted to touch it, but she refrained.

  "I'm sure your right. Now that we have settled that, let's figure out what we can do about lodging for the evening."

  Sam watched her every move, liking her shy but graceful movements. He liked many things about Lacey, and he hadn't a clue why. She irritated him as much as pleased him. However, there was a spark between them threatening to spread like a fire.

  Taking a deep breath he nodded and smiled at her, "We have two choices. We can return to our hotel, or find another inn."

  Lacey shrugged, "Well, it seems silly to go back to the hotel and then come back this way again tomorrow. Why don't we find something down the road, that way we won't be miles from the redwoods."

  "All right, we will take our chances then." He smiled. "You really are a good sport Lacey, and I'm sorry for taking the advantage."

  Lacey's smile didn't quite reach her lips, and he thought he saw a tremor in her hand, "There is absolutely nothing to be sorry about, now let's go find us a place before it gets too dark."

  * * *

  As Lacey grabbed his waist and hung on, she wondered how she had ever pulled off being so callus or cool. His kisses had shocked her, made her come to life, invigorated her, and made her want more of them. She seemed to turn into some she-demon when he kissed her, hungry for his kisses and touches too.

  Still, she couldn't tell him that.

  No, she was doing the right thing, putting a few rules up. It was fine to have fun, as long as no one got hurt. And she didn't want to be that someone. She had come an inch of letting Sam take that advantage, wanting him to. She was drawn to Sam's charm. However, letting him know it, would be detrimental to her heart. Sam wasn't seeking a relationship, and there was no future with this man. He had to remain nothing more than a friend. She refused to go home with a broken heart.

  It was almost dark when they found an off the road inn. Sam stopped, "How about this place?"

  "Looks great." She smiled wearily. "Let's try it."

  "Hey, you are tired. Let's go see if we can find a good nights sleep." He winked.

  Although he took her hand to help her off, she released it quickly.

  "I'm sorry," the innkeeper shook his head, "I've got one room and that's it." The short little man behind the counter said looking over the rim of his glasses at them.

  "How many beds does it have?" Sam asked his expression serious.

  "One King size bed, and I ain't got no rollaway." The man said as though exasperated at answering that question all day.

  "Conventions in town or something?" Sam inquired.

  "Nope, fishing tournament. We were booked solid, but one fella decided he wouldn't be staying. Something about his wife calling and them having a baby." The innkeeper shot them a look over his reading glasses. "So you want it or not?"

  Sam turned to Lacey, "It's your call?"

  "I don't think…." She began but he cut her off with a big smile.

  "Scared?"

  "Of course not," she turned beet red. "We'll take it."

  ***

  After Sam agreed to pay the first night, he gave the innkeeper a credit card and waited.

  "Fine follow me," the clerk said and led them down the hallway. "Don't you have luggage?"

  "We're on a motorcycle," Sam explained, "Besides, we're just site seeing. We have accommodations up the mountain."

  "There's a cycle bunch up by the reds now. You hurry up there tomorrow you might catch them." The man said, finding the room and turning the key to open the door for them.

  Sam took the key from the man and led Lacey into the room.

  The gigantic bed stared at them as they entered. Both of them looked then turned their attention away at the same time.

  The ocean view beckoned them from the window.

  "Look, did you ever see "It Happened One Night?" he asked, grabbing her hands and holding them out in front of her.

  "Sure," she began to smile. "Oh, yes, your right. We can build a tent to separate the bed sort of.
You can have your side, I can have mine." She brightened.

  "Good, that's settled. Now, I'll toss you for who goes first in the bathroom." He took out a nickel and was about to flip it, when she stopped him.

  "But I'm the woman, shouldn't I go first? I mean it is the gentlemanly thing to do."

  "Ah…but we are strictly pals, you aren't a woman to me, not any more. So we'll flip for it."

  "But…"

  He flipped, "Call it?"

  "Heads," she shook her head with disgust.

  "Tails, you lose, I go first," he said brightly.

  When she looked indignant he pulled her chin around, "Look Sparky, I don't take that long, anyway. Just a shower and shave and I'll be fine."

  "Sparky?" she screwed up her face at him.

  "Yep, that's what I’m calling you, Sparky. It seems to fit." He laughed. "Because around you, the sparks fly."

  She opened her mouth to object but he was already turning to go into the bathroom. "Be out in a jiff."

  ***

  Stomping her foot for a second she danced about in a mad fit. She couldn't believe he took her advice so literally. In addition, to cheat her out of the bathroom, that certainly didn't win him any brownie points.

  She saw a magazine laying on the nightstand and grabbed it. Flinging herself across the bed, she flipped through it. Her anger festered for a few minutes, and then she began to relax. She secretly chided herself. She wanted to have fun, didn't she? Sam was showing her how.

  Nearly asleep, she felt something nudging her leg, "Hey sleepyhead, the bathroom is all yours now."

  "Gee thanks," she mumbled and got up.

  She wouldn't be telling him how wonderful he smelled, or how much a shave improved his looks although the rough edges of a beard looked sexy on a man, and Sam was sexy. The man was lethal whether he shaved or not. In fact, she sort of liked that little stubble around his chin and mouth.

  "Take your time, I'll rig us something for the bed while you relax. Don't you worry; you won't even know I'm around." Sam insisted.

  She nodded, yawned, and headed for the bathroom when his next words stopped her, "You know, it was a great idea you had about keeping things just friends between us. Otherwise we might…"

  "Yeah, well, I'll be out later," she frowned and walked into the bathroom.

  "I'm just teasing you, Lacey; you are so easy to tease, and beautiful when you turn so pink."

  The tub was oversized, and the water she ran was almost hot. She sank into it after adding some bubbles that the Inn furnished. She closed her eyes and relaxed against the back of the tub. It felt like heaven.

  She heard Sam moving around in the bedroom, and it made her curious as to what he was doing. Only the water going cold got her out of the tub though.

  In her backpack, she'd managed to tuck a long t-shirt in and dressed again she joined Sam.

  Laughter peeled from her throat though when she saw the dividing blanket over the bed, just like in the movie. Except in the movie, there were twin beds, not one big single. "However did you manage it?"

  "Oh it took a little work," he huffed, then sat on the edge of the bed.

  "I can see that. Very clever." She smiled and went to her side.

  "Oh…I guess you are ready to turn in?" he muttered.

  "Well, I thought….we do have to get up in the morning if we want to make the redwoods tomorrow." She encouraged seeing his eyes travel the length of her t-shirt.

  "Yeah, I guess you are right." He had managed some pajama bottoms of his own she noted.

  However, when they both lay down, the bed sank a little and the blanket allowed both of them to see each other.

  "Better make some adjustments," he said, standing on the bed and pulling the blanket down further. She looked up and their eyes locked hungrily onto each other.

  She turned over, away from his side of the bed, so she couldn't see him.

  "Goodnight," she murmured.

  "Yeah, goodnight," he frowned and lay back down. This time they couldn't see each other.

  ***

  "So…what was she like?" Lacey lay on her side, turned away from him, she waited for his answers.

  "Who…?" Sam asked, his tone quiet, almost as though he was nearly asleep.

  "Your girlfriend." Lacey sighed, and waited for his answer.

  Sam was silent a moment, then he replied, "Who said I have one?"

  "A man like you, your bound to have one," Lacey felt something deep inside her care.

  She felt uncomfortable now for asking such a question. She shouldn't have asked. But she couldn't help it she wanted to know.

  "I suppose you miss her, that's why you kissed me," Lacey said somberly. "But what I meant, was what was she like, was she happy, fun loving, or more serious?"

  There was a long silence.

  "Lacey," he seemed to pause; "I didn't kiss you because I miss her." Sam almost chuckled. "I'm not engaged to her anyway. We're just friends…"

  "Did you want more with her?" Lacey probed further, as though the answers were important to her. She fingered the blanket as she waited for his answers.

  "No, not really." Sam's voice seemed softer now. "Actually, she was just a lot of fun."

  "I envy her that, being fun. How long did you go with her?" Lacey cried, real tears coming down.

  "A few years." He turned over toward her he didn't move the blanket.

  "A few years," Lacey asked, propped her elbows on the bed and raised up, disgusted with his lack of caring. "You went with a girl a few years and never got serious about her?"

  There was a long pause, as though Sam had never considered the question. He lay flat of his back now, staring up at the ceiling. "I guess I wasn't in love with her. Like I said she was a lot of fun."

  "Then why did you date her for so long, if you didn't care for her?" Lacey asked.

  "I don't know. It was convenient for one thing."

  "If I went with a man for that long, I'd expect an engagement ring." Lacey said almost as a suggestion.

  "Well, I figure you have to love someone to give them a ring." Sam replied.

  "And you didn't love her?" Lacey said her voice soft and caring.

  "I didn't love her."

  Laying flat and staring up at the ceiling Lacey shrugged, "I use to think about getting married, having children of my own. However, somewhere down the line, I guess I quit thinking about it. About the time my mother got so ill..."

  "Have you given up on good ole Howard?" Sam said softly.

  "There's nothing to give up on. You keep thinking there is." She laughed softly." It never really began." Lacey insisted. "I think I'll probably end up an old maid school teacher." Lacey smiled and stretched.

  "You have kisses sweeter than wine, how could you possibly end up an old maid school teacher?" Sam said quietly. "You're quite a woman, Lacey."

  "Thanks…" Lacey smiled widely. "Goodnight…"

  "Goodnight…"

  Chapter Six

  At breakfast the next morning there was a crowd in the lobby, all fishermen. Sam looked at them with interest. If Lacey weren't with him, he might be tempted to join the action. Fishing was a fun sport and very relaxing.

  One older man seemed quite interested in Lacey, smiling broadly as they strode through the lobby.

  "You ought to join us; this is the greatest sport in the world. The trophies are something too." The man winked.

  "Oh…I don't have any fishing gear, I'm afraid." Lacey smiled back at the man, as his smile grew broader.

  "Oh they'll rent you anything you need." The man came back with an answer as his gaze traveled her.

  Lacey smiled again, wetting her lips nervously, "Well enjoy…"

  "Thanks…" he winked again.

  Sam took her by the arm and led her into the restaurant, "What was that about?"

  "The man suggested I try the tournament." Lacey laughed as she took a seat at the nearest table.

  "Did you want to?" Sam nodded to the waitress, and then glanced at
her.

  Lacey considered it a moment. "I don't know. It would be wonderful to go home with a trophy of some kind I guess…"

  "And it isn't on a boat this time…" Sam smiled as his voice held a tinge of excitement. "A trophy might be just the thing to turn that Dean's head."

  "You sound like my cheering squad. Do you think we could register, at this late date?" Lacey asked, her gaze going around the restaurant.

  "We could find out. Let's have a good breakfast and see." He encouraged confidently.

  "I used to go fishing with my father a long time ago."

  "Really, in Texas?" Sam questioned ordering both of them coffee while they searched the menu.

  "Yes, in Texas."

  "We'll need just a couple of minutes, thanks." Sam told the waitress.

  The waitress nodded and went to another table.

  "Yes, but I was just a kid." Lacey explained, her voice growing with excitement as she spoke. "My father died some time back, I still miss him. Dad and I used to fish a lot. That's why I thought the boat trip would be so neat. But I never had any idea I'd be sick…"

  "Then we'll have to give this a try," Sam encouraged her again. "And a trophy is something physical to show all of them back home."

  "Okay, I'm game…" she said and glanced at the menu." However, if I’m going fishing, I'll have to have a good breakfast. I don't have a wardrobe full of clothes either."

  "Don't worry we can get some waders. That way, if you get wet, it won't ruin your clothes. Sound good." Sam skimmed the menu and set it aside, looking at her bright eyes this morning, her enthusiasm was catching.

  "Did you sleep well?" he asked moments later after they ordered a gigantic breakfast for the two of them.

  "I did, and you?"