by Sara Orwig
“Nothing. I was around Hack, but I was a kid myself, albeit a bigger kid than Hack. I’m reading about parenting and I’ll take a class.”
“Oh, yes. I should take a class in being a dad and we probably should go together to a class on childbirth.”
“I’ll be in California, remember?”
“You’ll come back to Texas to have your baby, won’t you? I’d think your mom would want you to.”
“She’s already talking and making plans as if I’d agreed to do so, but I haven’t.”
“It would be really nice to have a Texas birthplace.”
She laughed. “You get a gold star tonight for tact,” she said, unable to keep from noticing the open throat of his shirt, which revealed his chest and the thick mat of curly light brown chest hair that Lila knew from memory.
“Whatever you decide. I know I don’t have any influence on that one.” He set down his drink and crossed the room to pick up his coat and rummage in the pocket. He held out a package wrapped in shiny blue paper and tied with a big pink silk bow. “For you, darlin’.”
Surprised, she glanced at the small package and then looked at him.
“Go ahead, Lila. It’s a present for you.”
“Sam, you don’t need to get me presents and flowers.”
“I don’t need to. I want to,” he said as she opened the box. He sat down again beside her.
She placed the paper and bow on the coffee table and opened the box to see a gold heart-shaped necklace covered in diamonds.
“This is gorgeous,” she said.
“Open it.”
“It opens? It’s a locket?” She pulled it open and a tiny folded paper fell out. She picked it up to unfold it and read tiny print: “For our baby’s picture. Sam.”
“Sam, that is so sweet. I’m touched by this and I’ll treasure it.” When she snapped the locket shut, she turned it over. The smooth back was gold with the current date inscribed. “You have today’s date,” she said, glancing at him.
“That’s to remember the night we celebrated our little one’s arrival.”
Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck to kiss him lightly. “Thank you. It’s beautiful and that is just so sweet of you. Put it on me, Sam.”
He took it from her and set it in the box on the table. “I will put it on you, but not right this minute. Come here, darlin’,” he said, lifting her to his lap. “Ah, Lila, I’ve been wanting to bring you home with me and do this since you walked into the front room at the Double H hours ago.”
Her heartbeat raced while she looked up at him. His mouth was only inches away and the look in his blue eyes conveyed his intentions. As longing pulsed with each heartbeat, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m already caught in a tangled situation that I can’t control. May as well be hanged for a sheep as a goat, as the old saying goes,” she whispered.
His attention was on her mouth and she raised her lips to his. His kiss was possessive, seductive, fanning the flames of desire that already consumed her. She loved being in his arms, being held by him, kissed by him, returning his kisses.
How was she going to say no to him and keep him at arm’s length? At the moment, she didn’t want to, which was what had placed her in this situation. Why did they have this magic chemistry between them that she had never found with any other man?
Running her fingers in his hair, she moaned softly, longing for so much more from him, wanting another night of loving. She pressed more tightly against him, kissing him with the same passion with which he kissed her.
She barely felt his fingers moving on her, but soon cool air brushed her shoulders and the top of her dress fell to her waist. Sam leaned back to gaze at her with half-lidded eyes while he removed her lacy black bra. As he caressed her, she shifted up her skirt to sit astride him.
Placing her hands on either side of his face, she leaned forward to kiss him, pouring her desire, her feelings for him, into her kiss. Every move was a mistake, but at this point she didn’t care. She had had a wonderful time with him. He had hidden all the take-charge, chauvinistic, arrogant ways he had. Not once in the evening had he demonstrated any of them in a manner that had annoyed her. She hadn’t seen them at all. And without those ways, he was delightful, appealing, incredibly sexy.
“Sam, you don’t fight fair. You can be the most irresistible man.”
“I don’t want to fight you at all,” he whispered while his tongue followed the curve of her ear, sending tingles in its wake.
He leaned back to look at her, cupping her breasts in his hands. “You’re the most beautiful woman on earth, Lila. Each time I see you, you dazzle me and I want you in my arms,” he whispered before leaning forward to trail kisses over her soft breasts.
His words enticed her as much as his kisses. She couldn’t possibly believe him, but his declarations still carried a thrill of pleasure.
“This has already been lonely and difficult in some ways, Sam,” she whispered. “I want your kisses tonight, your arms around me, your reassurances,” she admitted, knowing there would be some really tough decisions and moments ahead.
“You don’t have to be lonely and have a difficult time,” he whispered between showering kisses over her. He raised his head to look into her eyes. “Lila, that’s your own doing and your own choice. I will do anything for you, darlin’,” he promised softly. “I’ll guarantee you won’t be lonely and you won’t be alone having our baby.”
The thrill of his promise was as devastating as his kisses. His mouth was firm on hers. Kissing her passionately, he made her ache for him and moan in pleasure.
Tugging his shirt out of his slacks, her fingers twisted free his buttons until she could push his shirt off his shoulders to toss it away. Running her hands over his chest, feeling as if she couldn’t get enough of him this night, she kissed along his throat, moving down while he caressed her breasts.
Her need built, burning like flames licking over her. She stepped off him, standing beside the sofa to pull him to his feet. He stood, towering over her even though she was tall. Her heart pounded with fiery longing and another shock: that he was causing her to fall in love with him.
When he swept her into his arms to kiss her, she locked her arms around his neck. Carrying her through the room into the hall to a downstairs bedroom, he set her on her feet and held her away from him to push her dress over her hips and let it fall in a soft pile around her ankles. “Lila, you take my breath,” he whispered. “You’re beautiful, darlin’.”
Lila kicked off her shoes while he continued to look at her in a long, slow perusal that made her quiver and sent her temperature soaring.
“Sam,” she whispered, fumbling with his belt to unbuckle it and pull it off. Wanting him with all her being, she unfastened his slacks, pushing away his briefs to free him.
She stood gazing at him as thoroughly as he studied her and then she knelt to stroke and kiss him.
Threading his fingers in her hair, he groaned. Her fingers drifted down his muscled legs, feeling the crisp, short hairs. Suddenly he slipped his hands beneath her arms to pull her up, wrapping her in a tight embrace while he kissed her hard, his tongue going deep.
Her heart raced. Heat pooled low inside her, a yearning for him that filled her. Tomorrow ceased to exist and yesterday had already passed. There was only the present with his kisses and caresses and endearments. For now, that was what she craved and wanted to give to him in turn. Another night of love between them that might mean something in her memories when this was no longer possible.
He picked her up to place her on the bed and began to shower kisses lightly below her ear, along her throat, moving down over her, caressing her, as if every inch of her was important to him, whispering endearments between his kisses.
“Darlin’, you’re gorgeous. Ah,
baby, you’re perfection, the most beautiful woman ever. Love, you can’t ever know what you do to me.”
His whispered words could make her feel as if she were the most desirable woman on earth, and how could she resist that? She knew he could not mean all of them, exaggerations in the throes of passion, but she liked having his hands and mouth on her, his words reflecting his desire.
“Sam, let’s make love. Come here,” she whispered, pulling him to her.
He moved between her legs, pausing to look at her. It gave her a chance to view him. He looked strong, virile, handsome. She caressed his muscled thighs and then tugged lightly on him.
“Come here,” she whispered.
As he lowered himself, he held his weight off her slightly while he entered her with deliberate slowness.
Gasping with need, she arched beneath him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Put your legs around me, darlin’,” he whispered.
She did as he wanted, holding him tightly, moving beneath him while he teased and increased the sweet torment until she was thrashing with need. “Love me,” she pleaded.
Finally, he thrust deeply and moved, rocking with her as desire built swiftly. He pumped faster and she cried out with pleasure.
“My darling,” she whispered, clinging tightly to him.
“Ah, love,” he ground out the words as they soared together and then she crashed.
“Lila, my love,” he gasped, thrusting deeply, shuddering with effort as he climaxed and finally lowered his weight and slowed. He gasped for breath as much as she. Blissfully, she ran her hands over him.
“Sam, that was perfect. Better than before. Everything was so wonderful tonight.”
“I want to make love all night. If I could do what I want, really, we would stay in this room for the next week, maybe longer.”
She scattered light kisses on his cheek and forehead until he rolled over, taking her with him. Their legs were entangled and he held her close against him as he brushed her long hair away from her face. She was damp, still breathing as hard as he.
“This is marvelous,” she whispered, half hoping he didn’t even hear her. She didn’t need to give him more encouragement, because difficulties lay ahead and their lovemaking would not do one thing to help avoid them.
He kissed her softly, trailing his fingers over her shoulder, along her throat and then combing them through her hair. “Darlin’, I want you in my arms.”
“As far as I’m concerned, tonight is a time to forget the difficulties and problems.”
“I’ll agree with that. Tonight is fabulous. It’s far from over.”
“Maybe,” she whispered, running her hand over his shoulder, feeling his muscles. While she snuggled against him, she ran her fingers over his shoulder again. “Where do we go from here, Sam?” she whispered, not really wanting an answer at this time. She was willing to give the night over to lovemaking and set their problems aside temporarily.
“We’ll go shower after a while. Right now, let me hold you close in my arms.”
“No argument here,” she said, rising on her elbow to kiss his jaw and throat. “You’re a handsome man and at the moment, we’re a mutual-admiration twosome.”
“Twosome sounds good, darlin’. Really good to me.” He pulled her closer against him. “Lila, it can be so fine between us. If we’ll each just give a little.”
“That’s a dream, but with all my heart I hope you’re right,” she said.
“Just try. If we both just try and aim for that as our goal, we should be able to achieve it,” he whispered. “We can compromise.”
“Are you going to take your own advice?”
He chuckled. “You’re a hard woman sometimes.”
“I believe being hard belongs to you,” she said, teasing him, and he smiled, kissing her forehead. She could feel his heartbeat against her. He was warm, solid muscle.
He held her close and they talked for a while before he carried her to his shower.
As she dressed, she turned to him. “Now, come put my beautiful new locket on me.”
“Sure thing,” he said, taking it from her and fastening it around her neck while she held her hair out of his way. He brushed light kisses on her nape and she turned to him.
“Thank you for the locket and for being so marvelous about everything.”
“You’re welcome, darlin’.”
“Sam, I should go home.”
“I guess you’re right. Go out with me again. The TCC has a singer tomorrow night and the chef will have a lobster special.”
“All right,” she said, knowing she was sinking deeper into later complications with him. “Actually, it’ll be our farewell, I imagine. I start back to work on Wednesday of next week and then I’ll be too busy for anything else.”
“That doesn’t sound good. You’re not overworked, are you?”
“I’m just busy. I’ll take care of myself.”
“Then we definitely go out tomorrow night. I have something special in mind.”
“Now I’m curious,” she said. “For now, though, I should get home.”
After the drive to the ranch, she faced Sam at her doorstep. He had his hands lightly on her waist. “Lila, this has been another one-of-the-best-nights-of-my-life evening. I can’t wait until tonight. It seems forever until I’ll see you again.”
She laughed. “Sam, you’ll get through the day without me.”
“Not easily. I’ll pick you up at six. I have something at the house, too, I want to show you, but tonight wasn’t the night. Tonight was purely celebration.”
“I’m getting really curious,” she said, wondering what he had planned and guessing she was in for another surprise with one of his gifts.
His arms circled her waist and he pulled her close and the kiss changed from casual to passionate.
When she stepped away, she tried to catch her breath. “I had a wonderful evening, as you know. Thank you for dinner, for my beautiful locket and thank you again for the flowers and for being so—” she paused, trying to think of something that would describe what he had done “—cooperative in your reactions.”
“I don’t think you really know me,” he said. His expression changed as he smiled. “But you will,” he said, and she had to smile in return.
“I can believe that one,” she said. “Good night, Sam.” She stepped inside and in minutes heard him drive away.
Switching off the lights left on for her, she tiptoed to her room. Instead of facing Sam and getting the arguments over and done, she had gone out and had a wonderful time and accomplished nothing as far as her future was concerned. Their next dinner she would talk to him about the future and their baby. Also, he had something to give her—some delightful, touching or sweet present that would make getting serious with him more difficult.
Just hours from now, she would be with Sam. Her heart beat faster in anticipation and she shook her head. She was already a little bit in love with him. She hoped it truly was a little bit, because none of their deepest feelings and individual beliefs would change. If he continued reacting as he had so far, she would fall more in love with him. Time would tell on that. Falling in love with Sam would be disastrous because somewhere inside that handsome, sexy, charming exterior was the male chauvinist, the take-charge character she had always known, and he would come out sooner or later.
In the meantime, excitement bubbled in her over the prospect of being with him tomorrow night.
It wasn’t even twenty-four hours until they would be together.
* * *
That night, she dressed in a sleeveless red dress that ended above her knees. She wore high-heeled red sandals. This would probably be the last evening she would spend with Sam, because she would be too busy once she started work. It was just as well. When her
job here ended, she would return to California—maybe until after the baby was born.
Sam was in a navy cotton shirt and navy slacks, and as soon as he picked her up, they drove to his home in Pine Valley. “Let’s go have one of your delicious ginger ales. I want to talk to you and I have something for you. Then we have reservations at the club—the TCC has a great singer tonight and a chef’s special of lobster and steak. If that doesn’t appeal to you, we can eat at my place. I was going to do this the other way around, but I think we’ll stop here first.”
“Fine,” she answered as she stepped out of the car, curious about the surprise. “Thank you for the gorgeous flowers that arrived today,” she said, thinking of the latest bouquet, a far more traditional arrangement of mixed flowers with huge red, yellow and white roses mixed in with tall, colorful gladiolas, tiger lilies and other assorted flowers. “You’ve impressed my family. Even Hack didn’t have any of his usual smart remarks.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“I haven’t shown Dad or Hack my locket yet, because Dad will have a million questions and he’ll think we’re serious. I’ll show him after I tell him he is going to become a grandfather.”
“You know how to deal with your dad, darlin’. You and Hack both do.”
“In spite of my morning sickness and seeing each other every day and living in the same house, neither Dad nor Hack has caught on that I’m pregnant.”
“Hack doesn’t surprise me. You’re probably wallpaper to him and he doesn’t even see you. Hack’s got teenage-kid things on his mind. Your dad—that’s different. Sometimes we see what we want to see.”
Startled, she was surprised by Sam’s answer. “You might be right.”
“Let’s have a drink.” At the bar in a family room, Sam got two ginger ales. He motioned toward the sofa and followed her to sit close, facing her. “All I’ve been able to think about today is you.”
She had no intention of telling him she could say the same. “That will pass,” she replied, smiling at him.
He raised his ginger ale. “Another toast to making memories and having a baby. Or making a baby and having memories,” he said, smiling at her.
