Colonial Offer (The Sampson Series Book 1)

by Lane,Lena

  “You wound me, Sarah.” He placed his hands over his heart, feigning an ache.

  “Well, Scott,” she teased again, still speaking faintly, “tell me your tale and I’ll see how truthful you sound.” She shrugged. “Maybe, if it’s good enough, I’ll believe you.”

  “Oh, I don’t have a story.” He grinned. “I just wanted to know if you’d believe me.”

  She nodded with a smirk. “Nice.”

  The next hour and a half went far too quickly for what should have been a dull class on foreclosure properties. Forcing themselves to keep their volume low, Sarah and Scott joked about various things, all of them irrelevant to the lecture they should have been listening to. With Scott sitting next to her, Sarah found it impossible to pay attention to the class. Sarah found him not only sexy, but witty and charming, as well. It was wrong for a single man to have all those qualities. If she wasn’t careful, he was a heartache waiting to happen.

  “Are you ready for the test?” Scott asked when the lecture had ended and everyone was standing up to leave.

  “Goodness, no!” She told him. “You know perfectly well that you distracted me through the whole thing. I blame you.”

  “Me?” He shook his head. “Nope, you can’t pin this on me. I was a perfect student. I even took notes.” He flashed his handout to show her the doodles he’d drawn on the edges.

  “Nice,” she nodded. What could she say? Changing the subject, she said, “I’m very sorry about yesterday, by the way.” They had started making their way to the exit, following the other realtors, all going in the same direction, bumping into one another.

  “No worries, it happens.”

  “And,” Sarah’s shyness had returned but she forged ahead, “I’m looking forward to seeing you again on Saturday.” She snuck a quick glance at him. “Thank you for being flexible. Hopefully we won’t have any other issues.”

  “Being flexible is part of the job,” he told her.

  Once outside, they walked side by side until they had to go their separate ways. Sarah was reluctant to see Scott go. This had been the best boring class she’d ever taken for credits. But at least she had Saturday to look forward to. She couldn’t wait.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Another Storm

  The thunder rolled above and the lightning flashed ahead as Sarah drove to the house. Apparently, she had no luck when it came to Oak Hill. She was very close to telling Bobby it was just not meant to be, since fate kept putting obstacles in their path to see this place; they should just try to find another home. Although the prospect of seeing Scott again made her heart speed up a little. It was the only thing she was looking forward to.

  As it was during her first trip here, the rain was pouring down, and she wasn’t looking forward to stepping out into it. She hadn’t replaced her umbrella yet. She should have but there’d been no time to go shopping for nonessential things like stupid umbrellas. With pursed lips, she parked next to Scott’s SUV. Dear Mother Nature, could you please give me a break? I would like to make it to the door without turning into a drowned cat. A rumble of thunder was the response to her thought, soon followed by a bolt of lightning not too far in the distance. She sighed deeply and shook her head.

  The closest entry to the driveway was the front door. She would have to tell Scott that not having a quicker way inside was a design flaw the architect would need to address for future constructions. This setup was just not working for her. Besides, this was New England. Any family that would need five bedrooms would also need a lot of groceries. And trekking groceries in through the front door in the middle of a New England winter was just not practical.

  Without any other choice, she opened the car door and felt the cold rain pelt her. At least she’d given her attire some thought and wasn’t wearing a white blouse this time. Instead, she had on a navy suit, with matching top. Which was a good thing because she’d need to get out of her wet jacket as soon as she was inside. Trudging her way to the front door, she stepped carefully onto the pavers that marked the walkway. Two steps leading to the front door, her sandal slipped and she fell onto the wet grass. “Well, shit…” She mumbled. Just my luck… She sighed and stood up, hoping against hope that Scott hadn’t witnessed her fall. Embarrassed, she continued to slog to the front door.

  Just as she reached the top step, Scott opened the door. “Do you always bring rain wherever you go? Or am I privileged?” He stepped back to allow her to enter and closed the door behind her.

  Sarah grunted in reply. She wiped the water from her face and shook her hands as she walked into the foyer. She was, once again, dripping wet. Her top and jacket were sopping from the rain, the skirt drenched from her fall. Though he was his usual blond god of gorgeousness, she felt too uncomfortable to pay him more than a passing glance. Ignoring him for the moment, she fought with her jacket, trying to take it off, but it was winning. It clung to her, refusing to let go. Awesome.

  “Let me help you,” he said. He stepped behind her and tugged at the blazer. After a few pulls, it finally gave way. “Victory!” He cried as he handed it back to her.

  “Thank you.” She sighed as she held the wet garment. Today was supposed to have been the perfect day. For two days, all she’d thought about was seeing Scott again, even if it was for business. But here she was, looking like a wet dog. Certainly not at her best. Tempted to throw her sandals, she took them off and calmly put them in the same spot as last time.

  Oblivious to Sarah’s disgruntled thoughts, Scott said happily, “You’re welcome.” A sweet smile lit his eyes and she forgot why she’d been annoyed. “You should go towel off, I don’t want you getting sick. Come on.” He led the way into the dining area, where he took his jacket off. Casually, he threw it on the back of a chair. “The half bath is this way, if you remember.” As he walked past her, she caught a hint of his cologne or aftershave. Its crisp scent made her want to follow him, wherever he went. She followed a step behind, watching his tight butt as he led the way. Afraid of getting caught staring, she looked up just as they got to the bathroom.

  After hanging her wet jacket on the door, Sarah used a towel to dry off. The shirt she wore today may not have been white, but it was still clinging to her body, leaving nothing to the imagination. She pulled at it, willing it to dry quickly. But it was no use. She put the towel back and was about to leave when her phone rang. She looked at the ID and grimaced. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Sarah forced herself to sound chipper as she answered, “Hi Bobby. What’s going on?” She shook her head in disbelief as Bobby told her that they couldn’t make it. Again. Swallowing her anger, she replied as politely as she could, “Okay, give me a minute.” With a calm she didn’t really feel, she left the bathroom to ask Scott if he would be available a week from today.

  “Whatever you want, honey,” he replied with a devious smirk.

  She didn’t know if the smirk meant he found her predicament amusing, but suspected it had more to do with her revealing attire, which he seemed to be enjoying just a little too much. It wasn’t difficult to notice where his eyes were roaming. She spun around and walked away, still speaking on the phone. Once her conversation with Bobby was finished, she returned to the bathroom for her jacket.

  “Another wasted trip. I’m so sorry,” she told him as she returned to the foyer. “See you next week?”

  “There’s no need to run back into the storm. Why don’t we wait it out?” He undid the cuffs of his shirt, then rolled up his sleeves. The blue-striped shirt looked divine on him and made his eyes even more striking than usual. “This storm isn’t supposed to clear up for a couple of hours, but I’m happy to stay until you’re dry and comfortable, however long that may be. We’ll figure a way to pass the time somehow.”

  A blush crept over her cheeks as she remembered the last time she’d been soaked—and exposed—in front of him. “That’s very sweet of you,” she told him, blinking nervously. She didn’t know if she was reading into his comment about the
passing of time somehow or if he really meant more than he was saying. Either way, the thought of spending a couple of hours alone with this man sent a thrill through her. What could they possibly do together?

  An image of what his naked body might look like caused the dragon in her tummy to wake up. That would certainly be a fun way to pass the time. She blinked nervously at his chest, picturing his firm nipples, imagining the pale hair he may have, or how sinewy the muscles would feel beneath her palms. It would be all sharp angles and hard abs, probably a full six-pack. She gave herself a mental shake to clear the image. If she continued with those thoughts, she might just lead him into one of the bedrooms and have her way with him. The thought brought a smile to her lips.

  “C’mon, I’ll give you the grand tour anyway.” Scott was walking toward her, and her belly tightened in excitement. Even his forearms were sexy; it just wasn’t right.

  She wanted nothing more than to spend time with this beautiful god but she hesitated. First, she was freezing. The central air was not helping, and she was very uncomfortable in her wet clothes. Second, her top was clinging to her body, making her feel just as exposed as the first time she came to this house. Crossing her arms, Sarah looked at Scott, wondering what she should do.

  As if reading her thoughts, he said, “There’s no need to hide. I appreciate the look.” He gazed at her chest with unabashed desire. Then he stepped close to her, and she was forced to look up at him. Without her heels, he was several inches taller than her.

  There were two ways to handle this situation. The first would be to hide in embarrassment and add this day to a long list of things she’d never live down, a moment forever engraved in her memory as one of complete humiliation. Again, the nerves in her belly grew to the size of a dragon, which flapped its wings with the thrill of shame.

  The second would be to accept the circumstances. They were what they were, and worrying wouldn’t change the fact that her wet shirt was drawing so much attention to her chest. Nothing Sarah could do at this point would change that. The dragon settled within her as she forced herself to stay calm. Besides, he wasn’t bothered by it. He’d said he was enjoying the display, and if the look in his eyes said anything, it was that he was speaking the truth. If he didn’t care, why should she? So she went with it. Rather than being insulted by his blatant dismissal of decorum, she laughed. “You slut!”

  The blue eyes danced with mischief and humor. “Guilty.” He placed his hand on her back leading her farther into the house, the simple touch sending a thrill through her. Scott took her into the living room and left her long enough to turn on the electric fireplace. “Perhaps we could sit here a bit while your clothes dry.”

  “Huh, I should have headed here first!” Sarah stood close to the fireplace and began to tug at her top, hoping to help it dry faster.

  Distracted, she didn’t notice him approach until he was directly behind her, his hands at her waist. “Here, let me help.” He tugged at the hem of the shirt, lifting it up.

  “Wait, what?!” She crossed her arms, holding the top in place. It was one thing to have a formfitting layer on, it was another to be completely exposed, naked, in front of a stranger, not to mention a fellow agent from another company. What kind of professional would do that?

  “Don’t worry, no one comes here without my knowing.” He was pulling her back against him and she could feel the heat radiating from his body. She yearned to lean into it.

  She looked at him over her shoulder, unsure of what to do. Never in her life had she ever been naked with a stranger, not even kissed a stranger. There was no doubt that she saw hunger in his gaze. It was lust, pure and simple. “Scott, what are we doing, exactly?” Sarah’s voice cracked with nerves but she needed to know what he was planning, what he was thinking. What did he expect from her?

  “We aren’t doing anything, Sarah.” He stepped back breaking contact. “We’re just allowing your clothes to dry so you don’t get sick.” He gave her a sweet and understanding smile. “I promise not to ravage you until you give me permission.”

  Sarah’s eyebrows went up, but her lips betrayed her attempt at propriety by lifting at the corners. “Until I give you permission?” She allowed a grin to come through. “You’re a confident one, aren’t you?” And he should be. The man was a walking blond god brought down to give mere mortals a taste of heaven. Where the hell did that thought come from?!

  “You are a beautiful woman, Sarah. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.” Ignoring her question, he stepped close again and began to lift her shirt off.

  And she let him. Not only did she let him, but she raised her arms to make it easier for him. How could she deny him? After all, how many times would she be offered an opportunity like this? To be in the same room with a gorgeous man like this? This type of man didn’t want plain Janes like Sarah. They wanted perfect models, thin, tall, elegant. Besides, dropping her wet clothes didn’t mean they’d be having sex. It just meant she’d be a little bit more exposed than usual. And she was really cold. She shivered.

  When he’d taken her top off, he placed it carefully on the table in front of the fire. He then stepped in front of her, wrapping his arms around her waist to grab the zipper of her skirt. Staring at his throat, she placed her hands on his shoulders and held on. Her belly was tightening with nerves and her pulse was racing. The sound of the zipper jolted her, and it hit home that she was about to lose another layer of clothing in front of a stranger.

  The skirt fell onto the floor with a thud and she was now standing there, in nothing more than a white lacy bra and pink cotton, bikini-cut bottoms. Oh, my God, cotton panties… I will definitely not be playing the lottery tonight. Unable to look him in the eye out of embarrassment, she allowed her forehead to fall against his chest, her soft nervous giggles muffled by his shirt.

  Soothingly, he rubbed her back in small circles with both hands, as he rested his chin on top of her head. Each stroke produced chills along her flesh. His hands slowly drifted down until he was rubbing her lower back, the top of his long fingers sweeping over her butt. She rested her cheek on his chest and heard his strong heartbeat beneath.

  Whatever he was doing, she loved it. Sarah closed her eyes and stepped closer to him, feeling the warmth of his long, solid body and his hands on her back. She ran her hands down to his elbows, caressing his hard biceps as she went, savoring the feel of him.

  Never in her life had she imagined a moment like this. Being held by a gorgeous stranger as he caressed and rubbed her, warming her up. Despite the inner voice that cried she should probably be embarrassed, he made her comfortable. In a few moments, he’d made her feel beautiful; he’d even said so. And nothing in his tone made her believe he’d been anything but honest. This was one of the strangest moments she’d ever experienced.

  “Are you warmer?” He asked over her head, still holding her.

  “Yes, much, thank you,” she whispered into his shirt.

  “C’mon,” he said, stepping back. “I promised you a tour.”

  Sarah looked up at Scott, realizing she had been practically laying on this man and stepped away from him, ignoring how her body craved his warmth. Of course, now she was almost completely exposed, though he seemed nonchalant about it, picking up her skirt and placing it beside her top. Doubt crept in. Settle down, if you were at a beach, this is basically what you’d be wearing anyway. Appreciate how you’re no longer freezing from wearing wet clothes. She forced her hands to relax by her side. Right, right. “Lead the way.” She smiled. This would be so much easier if I weren’t so bare. Maybe it’d be easier if we were on more even footing. Scott had taken two steps into the kitchen area before she called to his back, “Wait… Wait a minute, please.”

  Another shiver went through her. Now that her source of warmth had walked away, she was cold again. He turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised in question.

  “I must admit, I’m very uncomfortable.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m very close to
being stark naked, while you—” she gestured at his form “—are very covered.”

  A slow, wicked smile lifted his full lips and his blue eyes flashed with lust. “Whatever you want, honey.” He walked back into the living room area, stopping a yard away from her. “If you want me naked, so be it.”

  Oh, my God, what have I done…? Sarah was about to tell him that this wasn’t what she’d meant, but the words got stuck. The truth was, she wanted to see him, all of him.

  Slowly, he lifted his shirt from inside his slacks, flashing hard abs as he went. He then began to unbutton his shirt, uncovering bits of hard chest as he moved top to bottom. His skin was smooth. His pale hair caught the light—so pale, it was barely visible. As he threw the shirt over the back of the couch, his tawny skin and rippling muscles mesmerized her. His long fingers reached for the flap of his slacks.

  Sarah was aching to touch him, to feel his skin and hair against her fingers, to discover just how hard his muscles were. She was so aroused, her insides clenched, and she could feel the dampness pooling between her legs. Forget the cold. Now she shivered with expectation. She squeezed her thighs together and then heard the sound of the zipper.

  In a panic, she spoke quickly. “Wait, stop.” Sarah’s hand went up and she closed her eyes. Still, her mind envisioned the slacks coming down, his body bare. She drew in a deep breath. “I didn’t mean for you to…” She looked up at him and blinked quickly before closing her eyes tight again. “I didn’t mean that you should…” She couldn’t say the words aloud.

  “But you’re right, Sarah.” The slacks fell with a swoosh. “It wouldn’t be very fair, would it? For you to be walking around without clothing while I am still in mine?”

  Sarah opened her eyes in a panic and groaned at what she saw. Beautiful, strong, hard, and very well endowed, she noticed, as she stared at the dark boxer briefs. Her eyes ran the length of his legs and relished every inch of him as he bent over to pick up the pants. Without a hint of self-doubt, he placed the pants with the rest of his clothing, now wearing nothing more than underwear and socks.