Foolish Notions Page 20

  Samantha rolled onto her side, dragging the covers with her. “It would’ve been better if you were in here with me.”

  “Make sure you’re home tonight. No yoga.”

  Samantha mumbled acknowledgement as she pulled the covers up around her neck and closed her eyes. “I thought you said you had to go,” she muttered.

  He nuzzled into her neck. “Sure, now that you have what you want from me you’re sending me away.” Her breath was still slightly labored. “What comes around goes around . . . remember that.”

  She opened her eyes and grinned. “Yes, I’ll remember. Did you get any coffee or breakfast yet?”

  He shook his head. “Only you.”

  “Then what more do you need? You should be completely satisfied.”

  “Never.” He tucked his cell phone in a pocket and made a mental note that his briefcase was wedged between the couch and the end table. “Getting enough of you isn’t possible.” He bent for one final kiss. “I’ll get something at the office. I have to go or I’ll be late. Dream about me.”

  She closed her eyes and mumbled. “I always do.”

  * * * * *

  Sitting at the bar balancing her checkbook, Samantha realized that her day had gone by like a beautiful dream. The night with James had left her invigorated and feeling like a completely new woman. It had been a while since she felt so alive. She had reawakened at seven, in his bed, and had taken a long hot shower in his bathroom. It felt good, she admitted, but she didn’t dwell on it. She took it at face value. She hadn’t felt this good in a long time; there was no reason to analyze it.

  Marie had received great news when she went in for her last check-up. Her cancer had responded so well to the treatment they weren’t going to do surgery. In fact, they couldn’t even see a shadow on the last MRI. How could the day possibly get better? She heard the front door open, then close, and her heart trembled in her chest. She wanted to rush to the door and greet him but knew she shouldn’t. Instead she allowed her body to quietly respond to him as she remained seated.

  James walked in with his arm draped around his mom’s shoulder. His smile grew when he saw Samantha. “Mom said her doctor’s visit was great.”

  Samantha glanced up. “Yes, isn’t it wonderful news?”

  “I think a celebration is in order,” he said.

  Marie looked over at him when he released her from the tight embrace. “My thoughts exactly. I’ve already made plans.”

  An expression of surprise crept across James’s face. “Really? What are we doing?”

  Marie looked from her son to Samantha. “I’m not sure what the two of you are doing. However, Helen is picking me up in fifteen minutes.”

  Concern etched its way into his face. “I really—”

  Marie cut in. “James, don’t tell me how it’s not good for me to go out. I went to the festival and I’m fine. Besides, I’ve stayed home all this time to please you. I’ve finished my treatments and the doctor says I’m healthy enough to get back to normal activity.” She looked over to Samantha. “Right, Samantha?”

  “Yes, but he did say do everything in moderation for the first few weeks.”

  James tossed his coat over the back of the recliner. “Where are you going?” He winked. “I hope it’s not bar hopping into the wee hours of the morning.”

  Marie smiled, happily. “I don’t know if you remember but I happen to be somewhat of a card shark.” She clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “My poor canasta partner has been on a losing streak since Louise filled in for me.” Her eyebrows shot up candidly. “Do you realize what this is doing to our overall points?”

  James shrugged, after taking out his cuff links and placing them on the edge of the counter. “I’m afraid I don’t.” He rolled up his sleeves.

  Marie dug around in her purse and found her lipstick. She moved to a massive mirror on the far wall. “Well, let me put it to you this way: If I don’t get back in it we aren’t going to make the TOC at the end of the year.”

  Samantha looked puzzled. “TOC?”

  “Tournament of champions,” Marie replied, before pressing her lips together and returning her lipstick to her purse.

  “Of course.” Samantha looked over to James, exchanging smirks with him.

  “There is a spaghetti feed down at the Rotary Club, so we’re leaving early.” She looked at James and pointed a finger at him. “Don’t lecture me about all the germs I might come across. I will disinfect everything I come in contact with. Thanks to those little wipes you got for me, it will kill ninety-nine percent of them.”

  James’s gaze narrowed at his mom’s patronizing tone. His intention had been purely directed on her health, not on inconveniences. “I’m serious about—”

  Marie pulled out the little square packet of wipes from her purse. “I know how serious you are, Son. I think I hear her now.”

  She blew them a kiss and left. “Don’t wait up for me.”

  When his mom disappeared, James came from behind. “Almost finished?”

  “Yep.” Samantha punched several more numbers into the calculator and wrote quickly. She dropped the pen and closed her checkbook. “Done.”

  “You have enough money in there to take me out tonight?” He nibbled on her ear as his arms encircled her.

  The contact was easy, intimate, and it drove her wild. She turned around in the chair and faced him. “Does a night of bar hopping into the wee hours sound inviting?”

  He noticed that her hair was down. Reverently he buried his hands in it. Starting at the crown, he combed his fingers aimlessly down its length. “Unless you have a better idea.”

  “I’m full of ideas,” she teased softly. Her fingers slid around his mouth, enticing him.

  “I like the sound of that.” His voice dropped. “I love being able to touch you whenever I wish.” His hand found the nape of her neck.

  “I can see that.” She smiled. “I also think part of it is that you like to have your way.”

  He stroked the area that throbbed with her very life. “I’m used to having my way.” His lips touched the area where his hands had just been. “Besides, I’m good at it.”

  “So you say.” She was watching him carefully. He looked as if he would eat her alive. She pushed at him. “This is the first time we’ve had the house alone. How about I make dinner? We can eat in that gorgeous dining room you never use.”

  He reached out and let his fingers glide between the valley of her breasts. “You know what I would love to do to this area right here? Kiss every inch of it.” He glanced up at her. “Slowly.”

  Samantha pulled his shirt from his slacks. Her hands moved evenly over the soft cream material, undoing one button at a time. Feather-light fingers ran across the dark hair on his abdomen. “You know what I would love to do to this area right here?” She bent down and ran her tongue around the rim of his navel, swirling it gently as she did.

  James’s head filled with beautiful thoughts as her lips traced over his skin. “Tell me.”

  Her voice was deep and sexy when she spoke. “Fill it with a hearty dinner.”

  He smiled as he opened his eyes and looked down at her. He had an appetite but it wasn’t entirely for food. “Food wasn’t quite what I was thinking.”

  All seduction vanished as she became serious. “I’m starved. I haven’t eaten since lunch and that was some tasteless substance at the hospital cafeteria.”

  “Since lunch?” He pinched at her waist. “I don’t want you to wither away.”

  She scowled. “I just might.”

  “Do I have time to take a shower?” He looked at his watch.

  Samantha nodded and began to pull items from the cupboards and refrigerator. She stacked them neatly on the counter. “But don’t linger.”

  James swatted her on the butt, playfully, as he left. “If I linger long enough will you come in after me?”

  “No, I’ll just eat your portion of dinner,” she yelled over her shoulder.

 
Twenty minutes later Samantha had dinner cooking and the table set. She took a few floral arrangements from the living room and placed them between the white tapered candles she had just lit. Dimming the lights, she went back into the kitchen to toss the salad.

  The wine glasses she retrieved from the hutch were an exquisite cut of solid crystal. She filled them with merlot. When James walked into the room he caught her off guard. He looked so tall, powerful, and elegant. She took in his essence and then had to remind herself to breathe when she realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled. Why was it when he walked into a room it was if he owned everything in it? No one should have that much confidence.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You can be intimidating at times.” She handed him a glass of wine as she took in his extraordinary scent. It was the same scent that had lingered on her skin all day, making it impossible for her thoughts to be on anything other than him.

  James took the wine and placed a kiss against her hand. His eyes rested possessively on her. “Do I intimidate you?”

  She blinked. “Sometimes.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re so intense.” Everything about him was intense. When he loved, it was powerful; when he was angry, it was destructive; and when he cared, it was done with endless compassion. He screamed intense.

  “You make me that way.”

  Her mouth curved. “You had it way before you ever met me,” she corrected.

  He shook his head. “I had nothing until I met you.” He traced his fingers over her face. “Dinner smells wonderful.”

  She had almost forgotten about it. She turned. “Wait until you taste this.” She pulled a tray from the oven and used a spatula to slide off a dozen stuffed mushrooms. She put three of them on a small plate and handed it to him. “They’re hot.” She turned to the sink to rinse a few dishes. “That’ll have to hold you over for a little while.”

  James bit into it, and then rolled it around in his mouth when it started to burn. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  She turned. “Didn’t you say that last night?”

  “I actually experienced it last night.” He moved to her and pressed his lips to the back of her head. Nuzzling her hair with his nose, he took a deep breath.

  Samantha took a step back, pushing him away with a gentle bump of her backside. “Will you let me cook?”

  He moved away and raised his arms. “By all means.” He snatched another mushroom off the plate.

  “Can you get the olive oil for me?” Samantha asked as she lifted the lid on the huge pot of boiling water. Avoiding a burst of stream, she dumped two handfuls of pasta into the water. She moved back to the counter and began to dice the mound of tomatoes; red, yellow, and green peppers; garlic; and fresh basil she had just washed and let drain in a colander.

  James retrieved the oil from the pantry and handed it to her; somehow he refrained from kissing her. It was almost becoming impossible to keep his hands off her. He plucked up his wine and went into the living room to turn on some music. The distance would do him good.

  As he popped in the CD and pressed PLAY, the music along with the aroma of the sautéing garlic filled the room. He sipped his wine and watched Samantha move about the kitchen preparing their meal. It was a domestic act that millions of couples did every day, but somehow it seemed exclusive to only them. He had thought he would never see her in his kitchen, their kitchen, again.

  Finding his way to the recliner, he put his feet up and watched Samantha as she took a huge green bowl and filled it with pasta. She moved to the stove, stirred a large pot of simmering sauce, and brought the wooden spoon to her lips. “I love to watch you,” he said.

  Samantha looked up. “Did you say something?”

  “I love to watch you.”

  Samantha licked the sauce off her lips as an unexpected flare of heat erupted inside of her. Just the look in his eyes made her so breathless she couldn’t speak.

  James savored the moment before he spoke. “I could never get tired of watching you.” He smiled. “Don’t blush. It’s the truth.” He crossed his feet at the ankles. “After last night, the last thing you should be doing is blushing when I give you a compliment.”

  “I’m not blushing. It’s hot in here.”

  “How hot?”

  She tossed some fresh herbs into the sauce. “Stop teasing me.”

  “I only do it because you look so cute when I do.” He took a drink and held it in his mouth for a moment, enjoying the flavor. “You’re lucky I’m across the room.”

  The wooden spoon she was using dropped. She retrieved it and looked toward him. “Not another word until I’m finished cooking.”

  * * * * *

  “Let’s go for a walk on the beach.” James looked down at his empty plate and pushed it to the side. “I can’t think of a better way to end this scrumptious meal.”

  Samantha nodded in agreement. “Sounds wonderful.”

  James scooted his chair out and offered his hand. He led her out of the house, across the deck, and down to the edge of the water. He curved an arm around her waist as they began walking the beach.

  “Look at the moon,” James said.

  Samantha looked out over the ocean. The moon was masked with an eerie orange haze. “If I hear a werewolf cry, I’m running back to the house,” she laughed.

  James pulled her closer. “You have no faith that I could protect you?”

  “I have faith that my legs could get me back to the house mighty fast.”

  He picked her up and spun her suddenly. His voice was a low teasing growl when he stopped. “Don’t make me show you how manly I can be.”

  She tucked her head under his chin and laughed again. She knew how male James was. There was no need for any type of demonstration. When next to him she felt like nothing could touch her.

  As James set her feet back on the ground he said, “Let’s go for a dip.”

  Samantha viewed her blouse and skirt. “I can’t swim in this.”

  James pulled her close. His fingers slowly undid the buttons on her blouse. “I agree. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your clothes.” He slid the material off, leaving her in a lavender bra.

  “You know that color is really starting to grow on me.” He traced a finger over the soft lace. The wind started to pick up. It covered their bodies in a cool, salty breeze that swept across the ocean to them.

  Samantha sucked in a deep breath as he teased her nipple.

  “What if someone sees us?”

  It was dark and the beach was deserted. “No one will see.”

  He found the zipper at the small of her back. The skirt fell to the sand, revealing a swatch of matching lace. He hooked a finger through the string bikini underwear. Moving his hand under the fine material and filling his hand with her buttock, he gave a gentle squeeze. “Remember what I said this morning?”

  Samantha nuzzled closer to him, enjoying the fact every time he clenched her bottom it pressed her closer against him. “As I recall, you weren’t there when I woke up.” She pushed her lower lip out in a sexy pout. “All I remember is being rather lonely.”

  “Lonely?”

  She nodded. “However, I do recall a little something. It’s vague but I do remember bits and pieces. It was quite early.” Her voice was sexy and teasing. “How about you give me a little reminder?” She puckered her lips and ran her tongue along them slowly, purely for his benefit. “Something to jog my memory.”

  James didn’t need any more of an invite than that. He slid his hand to the front of her panties and buried it in the soft curls. He worked the area gently, caressing until it became almost painfully sensitive. He deliberately took his time. He knew what she wanted and how she liked it. “Are you remembering anything now?”

  “It’s all coming back to me.” Her voice was nothing more than a whimper.

  “Glad to see you haven’t forgotten.”

  “Yes, it would be a shame if your effor
ts were wasted.”

  He nibbled on her ear. “What goes around comes around.”

  Samantha pulled herself away and boldly ran her hand down the front of his jeans. Her eyes were heavy with want. “And just what do you think is coming to you?” When James tried to reach for her she darted around him and dove into the surf.

  James was naked in seconds and following just feet behind her. When he caught up with her he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. “Going somewhere?”

  She laughed as waves crashed over them, sending them tumbling under the water. When she surfaced, James’s lips were hot against hers. He unhooked her bra, freeing her breasts. His gaze roamed over the soft mounds and then moved to her eyes. They glistened like the moonlight bouncing off the water. His heart tightened when he realized they weren’t sad eyes any more. He closed his eyes momentarily as their bodies bobbed with each swell. She was happy again. Somehow that was all that mattered to him.

  Samantha felt James quiver as he threaded his hand through her wet hair possessively. “What?”

  He just shook his head and pulled her closer to him.

  She smiled sweetly. “You drive me insane.” She pressed her body as close as she possibly could.

  “That’s likewise, Angel.”

  “Tell me,” she whispered in his ear. She wished that the moon would was fuller so she could see his expression. “Tell me. I want to know everything you’re thinking. Everything you’re feeling.”

  Overcome with emotion he nearly choked the words out.

  “There are no words. Remember?”

  Samantha’s appetite was just as insatiable for him as it had been the previous night. Her voice was a dark whisper on the waves. “Make love to me, James.”

  He couldn’t talk. He could only show. He ran his hands over her body, exploring each delicate curve that the water seemed to enhance. The exploration created a helpless sensation deep within him. For an instant everything stopped. His breath, his heart, and time.