Catching Sam: Book 2 of 5: The MacDonald Brothers

by Emily Matthews

  CATCHING SAM

  The MacDonald Brothers—Book Two

  Emily Matthews

  First Edition published March 2021

  Copyright © 2021 Emily Matthews

  EPUB Edition

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to others.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Sam MacDonald sat in a downtown sports bar, knowing exactly how this night would end.

  “I don’t know why I let you talk me into shit like this.” Sam sat across from his brother Jake, watching the Knicks game on one of fifty big-screen TVs mounted on the wall. It was the finals, and Sam thought they were both interested in rooting for their home team, but Jake clearly had other things on his mind.

  “Because you love me and want to spend time with me?” Jake asked innocently, batting his eyelashes.

  “You invited me to come watch the game and have a couple of beers. You didn’t say anything about going out to do it.”

  “What? I didn’t know you were a hermit now. We are having beers, and we are watching the game.” He took an obligatory glance at the nearest TV.

  “I’m watching the game. You’re watching the woman at that table over there.”

  Jake’s gaze snapped back to Sam. “What?” he asked, cupping his hand around his ear and pretending he couldn’t hear. Sam rolled his eyes.

  “You better be careful, bro, or you’re going to die alone. It won’t kill you to get out and meet some new people,” said Jake. It didn’t take long before his eyes wandered back to the woman he’d been checking out.

  “I swear if you leave me…” The words no sooner left Sam’s mouth when the woman got up to go to the bar. Jake was hot on her heels. “Shit,” Sam muttered into his glass. “I’m gonna kill that kid.”

  Sam was only three years older than Jake, but he’d taken on the role of father early in life, and it was hard to let go. He’d become the man of the house at fourteen after their father passed away unexpectedly. Since that day, he’d been looking after his mother and four younger brothers.

  How this night ended would be no surprise. Jake would meet a woman, make up some bullshit excuse to leave with her, and Sam would get stuck with the bill and no ride home. This was why he hated going out with Jake.

  Jake was chatting it up with the woman at the bar, and Sam could hear her raucous laugh from across the room. He wondered how she could breathe in her painted-on jeans. His brother had the oddest taste in women.

  Resigned, he took another swig of his beer and turned his attention back to the game.

  “You like the Knicks or the Blazers?” a female voice cooed. He smelled her before he saw her. The overpowering scent of flowers made his nose itch.

  “The Knicks.” Jake had also failed to mention it was ladies’ night, which meant hardly anyone was here to watch a game.

  “Oh, of course. Because you’re from New York. Duh, Amy,” she said, apparently referring to herself in the third person. Annoying.

  “What makes you think I’m from New York?” Sam asked, even though he knew the answer.

  “Everyone knows you’re from New York, Sam. You are Sam MacDonald, aren’t you? Most eligible bachelor in Seattle?” He could see she was beginning to doubt herself at his lack of reaction. She blinked furiously, as if bringing him into focus would clarify the confusion.

  “Oh, no. I get that a lot, but my name’s Ted. I’m the night manager at the Bellevue Target.” He felt bad lying, but the white lie seemed nicer than telling her to bug off.

  “Oh.” Her smile fell. “Well, still, do you mind if I sit and watch with you?”

  “Sorry. My brother’s coming right back, and then we’re leaving.” He offered a weak smile. This was her chance to bail without looking like a jerk, and she took it.

  Muttering “Nice to meet you,” she hurried off as quickly as her sky-high heels would take her. Guess beer with Ted wasn’t as enticing as beer with Sam MacDonald.

  When the commercials started, he glanced around the room and landed on the woman who had accompanied Jake’s new friend. She was looking at her watch, tapping her foot, and no doubt wondering how long she had to wait before she could leave her friend.

  She stood out from the other women at the bar. Her legs and cleavage were covered, her heels were only two inches rather than four, and her makeup was subtle, not slathered on with a trowel. There was an air of class and dignity about her. He got the impression she was a professional of some sort. Maybe a lawyer. Bright blond hair fell in waves below her shoulders, soft and touchable. Something a man could run his fingers through without getting all tangled up in hairspray.

  They made eye contact, and she gave a sympathetic smile. She had blue eyes—blue like his mother’s hydrangeas. He smiled back and rolled his eyes. She chuckled and shrugged her shoulders in a what-are-ya-gonna-do kind of way.

  Was she flirting? Probably, but that was nothing new to Sam. He’d inherited his father’s good looks, and women were always coming on to him. The money didn’t hurt either.

  Sam’s problem wasn’t that he didn’t like women. He liked most of them just fine. His problem was that he didn’t trust them.

  As a well-known entrepreneur and co-founder of one of the most successful companies in the country, if not the world, he didn’t want for much. As one local magazine described it, he had more money than God.

  He also had a horrible track record of miscalculating intentions and incorrectly deciphering motives. At least when it came to women. He’d been burned too many times to count, and it had left him with a cynical streak the size of Texas.

  Thirty-eight was getting up there, though, and while he often thought about finding a woman he could settle down with, meeting one who was interested in more than just his money was proving impossible. And the more money he made, the harder it got. It was a vicious cycle.

  His best friend, Phil, recently mentioned an article he’d read, touting matchmakers for the ultra-wealthy. But Sam wasn’t that desperate. Yet.

  He didn’t like sleeping with women he didn’t care about. His mother raised him better than that, but holding out for true love would mean a life of celibacy. And that wasn’t a sacrifice he was willing to make. He’d landed somewhere in between and maintained a few friends-with-benefits relationships. Mostly very wealthy women who were in the same boat he was—waiting to find someone more interested in love than money.

  Jake returned a little out of breath. “Hey, so, Sherry really wants to see my patrol car. I’m gonna take her back to my place, so she can check it out.” He said it with a straight face, which made Sam laugh out loud.

  “Your patrol car? Do chicks actually fall for that?”

  Jake winked but was unfazed.

  “Well, you’re predictable, if nothing else. How am I supposed to get home, jackass?” Sam asked.

  “Call a cab. Love you, bro!” Jake punched him in the shoulder and turned to go.

  “Be safe,” Sam admonished. Jake gave him a thumbs-up as he walked away.

  Sherry was waiting by the door, fluffing her hair and applying more lipstick. Sam just hoped she didn’t charge Jake in the morning.

  He glanced back to the table where Sherry’s friend had been sitting, but it was empty. A quick scan of the crowd found her at the bar trying, in vain, to get the bartender’s attention. It was a busy night. She’d need to show a lot more cleavage to have any hope.

  He took a final swig of his beer and set the glass on the table. What the hell? he thought and got up.

  CHAPTER TWO

&n
bsp; Sam approached the woman from behind. “Are you trying to get another drink?” he asked, leaning in to be heard over the noise.

  She turned to face him, and her eyebrows shot up. “Are you talking to me?”

  He nodded.

  “Oh, um, no. I’m trying to ask for a phone. Mine’s dead, and my cousin couldn’t be bothered to let me use hers before she ran out of here. Ugh, I didn’t want to come here in the first place, and then she ditches me the first chance she gets. So rude!” She plowed a hand through her hair and gave a loud huff.

  “I know the feeling,” Sam said. “Here, use mine.” He pulled out his phone, punched in the code to unlock it, and handed it to her. She stared at it blankly.

  “I guess I need a phone number, huh?” She laughed. “Could you find me a number for a cab company? I don’t want to go searching around on your phone.” She handed it back with a smile, her straight, white teeth gleaming in the dim light.

  She didn’t seem to recognize him, but he’d fallen for that trick before.

  “You have a preference?”

  “No. I just got into town yesterday and don’t know anything about the area. In fact, it just dawned on me, I don’t even know Sherry’s address. I’m staying with her until my place is ready. How the fuck am I supposed to get home?” Her pale skin immediately turned red.

  Sam laughed. So, classy, but down to earth. He liked it.

  “Do you know what the neighborhood’s called?” He almost offered to call his driver, but decided not to play that card just yet. If she was from out of town, maybe she really didn’t know who he was, and he could get to know her on his own terms.

  “Does Redmond sound right? No, wait. That’s the city. I know it’s down the street from a big grocery store and close to a school. Oh, God. What a nightmare.”

  “Well, Redmond is a city and a pretty big one at that. Hold on.” He pushed a button on his phone and waited. “Hey, dumbass, Sherry’s cousin needs her address to get home. Call me as soon as you get this.” He clicked off and then texted the same message.

  “My brother’s not answering. You want me to try Sherry?”

  She shook her head. “Everything’s on my phone. I don’t even know her phone number. I guess I need a charger more than a phone.”

  “Have you eaten dinner?”

  “Huh?”

  “Food. Have you eaten yet?”

  “Oh. No. We hadn’t gotten around to ordering before your friend hijacked my cousin.”

  “He’s actually my brother, but don’t hold that against me. Let’s eat while we wait for Jake to call back. I’m starving.”

  “Well, all right. Thanks for helping me.”

  “Not a problem. My brother can be an idiot.”

  “He’ll get along great with my cousin then,” she mumbled.

  Placing his hand on her back to guide her through the crowd, he was pleased to learn he’d been right about the softness of her hair. It was silky smooth under his fingers. He grabbed a couple of menus from an empty table and handed her one as they sat. She made a sour face at the salad side, but her eyes lit up when she flipped it over to the burger side. He chuckled.

  “Hey, what’s your name?” he asked.

  “Annie.” She went back to studying the menu.

  “I’m Sam.” The omission of his last name was intentional.

  “Nice to meet you, Sam.” She went right back to the menu, indifferent to his attempt at conversation.

  “So, where are you from?” He was a little surprised she hadn’t recognized him. She must’ve lived somewhere remote.

  “San Francisco.”

  San Francisco? And she didn’t know who he was? Impossible. Half of his company was situated there. He spent several weeks a year there. He wasn’t a vain person, but he was a realist.

  He, his partner, and their company were in the news constantly and had been for years. Nine out of every ten homes in the U.S. used the software programs his company produced. And, as much as he hated it, he was a household name. That she didn’t seem to know him was suspicious.

  Doubt crept in. Was she playing him? He mulled it over and decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she lived somewhere else before San Fran—like under a rock.

  “I’m starting a new job on Monday, and my place won’t be ready until sometime next week. Sherry’s the only person I know up here, but I’m thinking I should have just found a hotel in town.” She must have decided what she wanted because she finally looked up at him. He’d been wrong about her eye color. They were more turquoise than blue. Gorgeous as hell.

  “You two aren’t close, then?” He waved to get the waitress’s attention. She’d been watching him and headed over immediately.

  “Not really. We don’t have much in common. Could I please get a mushroom burger, fries, and a Diet Coke?” She smiled at the waitress.

  “Sure. And how about you? What would you like?” There was a double meaning in her question, and Annie covered her mouth to smother a laugh. Sam took it in stride.

  “That sounds great.” He smiled at Annie. “I’ll have what she’s having. Thanks.” He wasn’t rude, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested in what the waitress was offering.

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” She turned to go with a huff.

  “You get that a lot?” Annie nodded to where the waitress had just been standing.

  “Huh? Oh. No more than anyone else.”

  “Yeah, right. So, you come here often?”

  “No. My brother tricked me into coming. I thought we were going to hang out at his place and watch the game. I should have known better, but I guess it won’t kill me to get out every once in a while.”

  “A homebody? I’m the same. Give me a comfortable chair, a good book, and some quiet music over this scene any day!”

  They chatted until their food arrived and then dug in. “Oh, man. This is good,” Annie said reverently around a mouth full of food. Her eyes rolled in ecstasy.

  Sam liked that she wasn’t self-conscious. That she didn’t mind getting her hands dirty and making a mess out of a burger so big she could hardly get her mouth around it. Most women he dated would order the most expensive thing on the menu and then pick at it while they complained about calories and fat grams. Not this one.

  Of course, he wasn’t technically dating this woman. She didn’t even know who he was. What a freeing feeling that was.

  She finished half the burger and most of the fries before she gave in. “I can’t do it. Too much food.” She groaned. “You want the rest?”

  “Oh, no. I barely finished mine. Good call, though. That was a good burger.”

  The waitress returned to ask if they wanted refills on their Cokes. “No, thanks,” Annie said and then looked at Sam, who was shaking his head. “Looks like we’re done. Could I get the check for the drinks my friend and I ordered over at that table? And I’ll take the check for our meals too.”

  “What? You don’t have to do that. I’ll get the check.” Sam was as surprised as he was appalled. He wasn’t sure he’d ever had a woman offer to buy him dinner, but he was damn sure he wouldn’t allow it if she had. Maybe it was old school, but he’d asked her to dinner, so he should pay.

  “It’s the least I can do. You’re helping me out of a real jam.”

  “Be right back.” The waitress spun on her heels and left before they could hash it out.

  Just as Sam was about to protest, his phone vibrated. “Maybe that’s Jake,” he said, pulling the phone out of his pocket. “Ah-hah!” he exclaimed, glancing at the text. “An address. We’re in business. You want me to call the cab now?”

  “Woo-hoo! Yes, please. You’re a lifesaver, Sam.”

  As he called, the waitress came back with the bill. Sam and Annie both grabbed for it.

  “You are not buying dinner,” he said.

  “Oh yes I am,” she replied.

  “Oh no you’re not.” They sounded like five-year-olds.

  “Oh yeah?
Watch me.” She snatched the portable card scanner from the waitress and swiped before Sam could do anything. Short of wrestling it out of her hands, she didn’t leave him a choice but to concede. By the time they’d settled up and finished their Cokes, the cab was waiting outside.

  “Mind if I drop you and then take the cab home?” Sam asked.

  “Of course not.” They climbed in and gave the driver the address. In the darkness, the air grew thick. Her hand lay inches from his, and he got the vibe that maybe she was a little interested. Hoping he was reading the situation right, he reached over and took her hand. She tensed for a second but didn’t say anything and didn’t pull away.

  Her hand felt good in his. Soft and cool. It had been a long time since he’d just held hands with a woman. He laid his head back and closed his eyes, absent-mindedly stroking her thumb with his.

  The tension grew with each passing minute. She was stroking him back, and their grip tightened in unspoken longing. Finally, they arrived.

  “Can I walk you up?” Sam asked. This was not normal behavior for him. He never moved this quickly, but he’d been drawn to her from the moment he first saw her at the bar. He felt reckless.

  “Oh, sure. I guess so?” She bit her lip.

  Sam asked the driver to wait as they got out. No outside lights were on, so they walked cautiously to the door and then stood in the dark.

  “Sherry probably won’t be back for a while,” Sam speculated.

  “Thank goodness I thought to ask for a spare key,” Annie said, fishing it out of her purse and fumbling to get the door open. Her hair was shimmering in the moonlight, and when she looked up, his groin tightened with want.

  “I know this wasn’t officially a date, but I sort of feel like it was. Do you mind if I kiss you good night?”

  “I, um, well, no. I guess not.”

  “Just to be clear, no, you don’t mind? Or, no, don’t kiss me?” he asked, needing clarification.

  “No, I don’t mind.” She laughed nervously.

  He put one hand on her hip and the other he entwined in her hair behind her neck. He moved in slowly, but when his lips finally found hers, fireworks went off. It started soft, but when she leaned in to him and moaned, the kiss went from zero to sixty in a red-hot flash. Before he knew it, she was guiding him into the empty apartment. Lips still locked, teeth clicking, tongues mating, they made it past the threshold and shut the door.