by Lynn Hunter
The second glass went down much easier than the first. She supposed that’s how it went with cheap wine. As if mother nature felt her mood, it started to rain. Fine with her. She would just lay here on the sofa and watch Christmas movies. It was too soon in the year to celebrate Christmas but this particular channel liked to start off early.
The sun set and it was completely dark outside when she went into the kitchen to pour her third glass of wine. She was taking a sip and heading back to the spot she wallowed out on the couch when a knock sounded at the kitchen door.
It startled her so badly she jerked making her drop the glass and it shattered at her feet sending wine and glass shards all over her legs and kitchen floor.
She put a hand over her frantically pounding heart and turned to look at the kitchen door. She saw Sam through the glass of the door. What was he doing here? She scanned the floor for a place she could step without cutting her fee.
Sam rattled the door knob. “Don’t move!”
He left his girlfriend to come over here and boss her around? “Go away!” She yelled back and gave him her best frown so he knew she meant business. She glanced to her right and saw a fairly disaster free spot to step but when she tried to balance on one foot, she swayed then hastily put her foot back in place. Maybe she was a little buzzed. She should have eaten before the wine.
“Don’t move damn it! You’re going to cut yourself! Where’s the key to unlock the door?” He demanded.
She scoffed. She’d rather stay here all night than tell him where the spare key was hidden. With her arms out at her sides for balance, she tried again for the clear spot. She swayed slightly but managed to put her foot in the place she aimed for. Unfortunately, the other foot wasn’t as lucky and caught a piece of broken glass when she tried to put it down. Oh Lord, she felt like she was playing drunk twister. It would have been funny if there hadn’t been broken glass and blood. She watched stupidly as blood seeped out from under her foot. Looking around again, she knew she had lost the game.
“Don’t move, Lily! Where’s the damn key?” Sam barked through the window making her jump.
Lily bit her lip in indecision.
“Tell me or I’ll break the door down,” he warned.
Finally, she pointed to the door jamb above his head. Understanding what she meant, he reached over his head and found the key on the lip of the door frame.
Quickly unlocking the door, he strode in and slammed the door behind him. Without pausing in his stride, he slapped the key down on the island so hard it made her flinch. Forgetting about the glass, she started to step backward away from him.
“Stop!”
Before she could blink, he had her by the waist and plopped her, none too gently, on the island.
“Thank you. You can go now. I’ll clean up.”
He ignored her while he wet a towel in the sink and walked closer to her. He exuded masculinity and her heart stuttered then started beating furiously. He gently cupped her bleeding foot in his warm hand.
Lily pulled her foot away and snapped. “Don’t touch me. Leave Sam. I don’t want you here.”
His eyes flashed at her and he snatched up her ankle so fast it made her gasp. “I’m going to make sure you don’t have any glass in your foot,” he said in a frighteningly calm voice.
He wiped the blood and wine from her foot and then carefully probed the cut. His hands were rough on her soft skin and she broke out in goosebumps. He paused briefly in his inspection to take in her raised flesh. She tugged on her leg to try to get him to let go.
“No glass in your foot.” He went to the sink again and rinsed out the towel and came back to wipe the other leg and check it for cuts. “Bandage?”
“I’ll get-”
“Where are they?”
“I said-”
“Bandage, Lily!”
She swallowed down the urge to scream at him. “Hall bathroom.”
Without hesitation, he left the room and was back almost instantly. He was so confident in everything he did. She watched him walked towards her. He was so handsome. He smelled good too. Like the outdoors and rain. He was dressed in blue jeans and a crisp white t-shirt under a warm looking brown jacket. His dark hair was damp from the rain. Her eyes wandered over him and her eyes clashed with his. She blushed and dropped hers away, hating that he caught her staring at him.
She snatched the bandage away, “I’ll do it. You can leave now.” She didn’t want to look at him. It reminded her of that afternoon.
“So you can get drunk?”
“Yes,” she snapped “and you made me waste a whole glass of wine.” As she put on the bandage, he made quick work of cleaning up the mess on the floor.
She slipped down from the island and gingerly tested her weight on her foot.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m showing you to the door. I’m polite like that.”
“That wine must be making you brave,” he drawled.
Hot anger coursed through her. “What are you doing her, Sam? I didn’t ask you to come here. Leave or I’m calling the police.”
His jaw clenched and his eyes glinted. He moved quickly in her direction and showed no signs of stopping.
“I’ve had enough of your mouth, Lily.”
She held up a hand to ward him off. “Leave if you don’t like it.” Her voice started out strong but grew quieter the closer he got.
He stopped a breath away, “Where is Johnathan? Is he sleeping upstairs while you’re down here drinking yourself into a stooper?”
Her hand lashed across his cheek. The sound echoed, slightly buffered from his beard, through the kitchen. Lily couldn’t believe she did it. Again she acted on impulse. She clapped a hand over her mouth.
He clasped her wrist and yanked her to his chest, “Where is he?” he asked quietly.
“H-He’s at a sleepover,” she whispered shakily.
He let her wrist go and grabbed her arm, not hurting her, but not giving her any chance to jerk free and pulled her into the living room.
Lily tried digging in her heals, and he turned and tossed her over his shoulder. She could feel waves of anger coming off him. Fear climbed her spine. She stayed silent not wanting to make things worse. She just hung over his hard shoulder and waited. She didn’t have to wait long. Before she knew what was happening, he pulled her off his shoulder and pushed her face down over his lap as he sat on the sofa.
She gave a startled squeak and tried to sit up. He held her easily with his big hand in the middle of her back. The other hand came down hard on her upturned rear.
“Ow!” she flung a hand back to cover her behind. He quickly moved her hand out of the way and gave her another burning smack. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
He paused briefly and then flipped her over, tossed her onto her back and loomed over her. With her face flushed with embarrassment and breathing heavily, she scanned his face to gauge his mood. He inched closer and she threw up her hand to push against his chest. He grabbed both wrists and stretched her hands over her head. Lily felt utterly helpless. He leaned his body more heavily on hers and his clean scent filled her lungs.
“Don’t. You have no right to touch me like you did.” She grated out.
He raised a mocking eyebrow at her. “Didn’t you just slap me in the kitchen? If you want to act like a child, Lily, you’ll be treated like one.”
“This is my house, Sam,” she whispered.
“Not for long.”
He chest seized. That was a hateful thing to say. Why did he want to hurt her? “Why are you here? If you’re done manhandling me, you can leave.”
“I’m not done yet.” His voice grew thick.
She couldn’t take it. Lily didn’t know how to handle a situation like this. Tears burned the back of her eyes. “What do you want from me?” She whispered. Was he playing with her? Did he like having women hung up on him?
“You’re hot tempered. I never would have thought that about you.”
He murmured.
“I didn’t use to be. Please let me go, Sam. I don’t want this. I just want to be left alone.” She pleaded. His body was immovable, and to her dismay, her own body turned soft and her nipples pebbled. She squeezed her eyes tight trying to will away her body’s response to him.
“She isn’t my girlfriend, Lily. That’s what I came to tell you.”
Chapter 10.
Lily’s beautiful brown eyes opened to meet his and were filled with wary confusion.
“Will you listen to me if I let you go?”
Uncertainty filled her face. “I don’t have a choice do I?” She asked dully.
He shook his head slowly. “No,” he answered honestly. He would never let her go. He never felt so alive as had since meeting her. But, given half a chance she’d stomp all over him and toss out what was left. He had a feeling it had been a long time since anyone challenged her. If ever. He gave her a little more of his weight. Damn, she felt good against him.
“I’m going to let you go now. No more slapping.” He warned. Her eyes flashed at him but she remained silent. He supposed having her ass spanked stung enough she didn’t want another. He slowly released her wrists and ran his hand down her arm grazing the side of her breast as he brought his palm to her waist. She trembled slightly and he swelled painfully in his jeans.
He pulled her to a sitting position and stood up to remove his jacket.
“Don’t take off your coat. You’re not staying long.”
“Oh, I’m staying.” He tossed his jacket on a nearby chair and turned to face her with his hands on his hips “I’m trying to understand why you thought so little of me that you don’t want to hear an explanation before you write me off.”
A blush pinked her cheeks. He sat back down close to her. He wanted to soothe her, and he would, but first he had to do some explaining.
“That young woman you saw me with today is Willa-” She didn’t let him finish before she was on her feet.
“Damn it, Lily!” he was losing patience. “Sit down and listen. I didn’t come here to play games with you.”
She turned hurt brown eyes on him. With a hand pressed to her stomach, she said, “I don’t want to hear you say her name, Sam, it hurts. I’m not familiar will all of this.” She threw her hands up. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or say when I see you holding another woman. But, I won’t put myself in that position again. I’m a quick learner.”
He leaned in and snagged her hand. “She’s not my girlfriend. She and my brother throw sparks off of each other and today it made her cry.” Sam never wanted to see her hurt because of something he did. Her turbulent gaze clung to his eyes.
“She didn’t look like she was crying.” Lily murmured.
He gently tugged her to stand between his knees. “I don’t want her. She works as a driver for Glen. I like her. She works hard. But, I’ve never touched her before today and I sure as hell won’t touch her after today.” She wasn’t running off. Good sign. “You’re the only woman I want to hold and touch,” he tugged her hand again, “why do you think I keep coming back for more even after you keep throwing me out?”
Her plump, pink lips curled into a tentative smile. “Because you’re crazy?”
“Yeah.” His thumb swept across her hand, feeling her smooth skin. “I don’t want any else, Lily, I don’t have anyone else.” A flash of hope lit her eyes. “Did you come to the shop to see me?”
She nodded slightly and glanced shyly at him through her lashed. He took that as a signal. “Come here.” He slowly pulled her into his lap and draped her silky legs over one of his thighs. The feel of her soft bottom on his lap reminded him of their tussle.
“Did I hurt you?” He didn’t think he did. He just wanted to get her attention. She was a little wildcat and would definitely keep him on his toes.
“It stung a little.” She looked embarrassed “I’m sorry I slapped you. I’ve never hit anyone in my life.”
“Let’s try talking before you kick me out.”
Looking directly into his eyes she asked, “Would it matter what I said? Would you really listen? Or would you just bully your way in until I see things your way?”
With a heavy sigh, he said, “I’m probably going to try to make you see things my way, so I suggest you do everything I say.”
She gave a startled laugh and dropped her head on his shoulder. He felt the tension leave her body so he decided not to tell her he was serious. He rubbed his hand up her supple thigh loving the way she curled into him for comfort.
“I would have come earlier, but I had work to do that wouldn’t wait. I knew if I called you would hang up on me.”
“It’s alright. I was busy with Johnathan this afternoon. Then Glen came to pick Mom up for a date.” She paused. “I don’t think she’s coming back tonight.”
Sam knew it was hard for her to let go. “What were you doing before I got here?”
“I was drinking wine and watching Christmas movies. I love them.”
Time to lighten the mood. He gave her a pat on the thigh. “Hop up and I’ll build a fire. Go pour yourself another glass of wine. We’ll watch one together.”
She sat up on his lap and smiled, brushing her silky curls away from her face. “You want to watch one with me?”
Her face was so sweet and her complexion clear. What the hell was he doing? Even though she had a son, her innocence shined through. She practically glowed with it. And here he was, more than ready to take all that innocence away. “Yeah. I want to spend time with you. I think I keep saying that.”
She slid off his lap and started for the kitchen before turning back and pointing to a beautifully carved cabinet against the far wall. “That was my dad’s cabinet. He kept some whiskey and other stuff in there if you would like one.”
Sam’s chest warmed. She wanted him to feel at home. “Thank you. Would you get me a glass?”
With a beautiful smile over her shoulder, she left the room.
As Lily was getting glasses down from the cabinet when her cell phone rang. Her mom was calling. She already knew why and she didn’t want to answer.
Sam came into the kitchen to wash his hands and gave the phone a pointed look when Lily just watched it right. “Answer it.”
Glancing at the phone again, she slowly reached for it. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hello, how is your evening going?” She asked.
“Um…it’s going well,” she glanced at Sam and blushed. He raised his eyebrow at her. He was always doing that. “Sam stopped by,” she said. Sam gave her a gentle smile that made her warm inside. She didn’t understand why she wanted to please him or why she cared about his approval.
“Really? That’s nice.” Her mom said with barely concealed enthusiasm.
“Yes. Are you having a good time?” Lily asked as she watched Sam pour her a glass of wine and take it with his empty glass to the living room.
“Yes. We’re having a nice time. I haven’t been out in ages.” Her mom actually giggled.
“Have you been drinking, Mom?”
“A little, yes.”
“Mom-”
“Lily.” Sam’s deep voice came from the doorway and she glanced up to see his arms crossed over his chest and a frown on his face.
“Is that Sam?” Her mom asked.
Lily’s eyes fell away. “Yes, it is.”
“Glen wants to talk to him.”
“Oh..um..okay. Are you coming home?” She wanted to make sure she was taken care of.
“Hello?” Glen’s voice came through the phone.
“Uh… Hi, Glen.”
“Hello, Lily. How are you?”
“I’m all right. Glen, my mom shouldn’t drink too much-” Sam appeared in front of her with his hand out. With a huff, she slapped the phone in his palm and made her way to the living room and flopped down on the sofa. Yeesh, he was bossy without even saying anything. Looking over to the kitchen she felt happiness bubble. He fixed her troubled feelings just like sh
e knew he would when she went to the shop to see him. Maybe she should have stayed to hear him out this afternoon but the pain from seeing him with Willa was just too much. She was glad he came tonight to talk things through. It was crazy how he could make emotions go from almost devastated to feeling like life was great just from his presence. Also from knowing he wanted only her.
The fire he built made the room cozy and romantic. A pang of sadness tried to dampened her mood. There wouldn’t be many more intimate evenings in this house.
Sam turned the kitchen lights out leaving the living room bathes in the warm glow of the fire. He grabbed his glass from the mantle and made his way to the sofa. He had already taken his boots off and placed them by the fireplace.
The cushion dipped under his weight as he sat down and wrapped a muscular arm around her. “Sarah’s not coming home tonight.” His arm tightened around her as if he expected her to jump up.
“I sort of knew that already.” She sighed.
“Glen’s a good man. He’ll take good care of her. He said she only had one glass of wine.”
Lily reached for her wine and the remote to see what movie was starting next. “I’ve seen this one before but I like it. Makes me cry every time.”
Sam was quiet for a minute and then put a finger to her chin and turned her face to him. His blue eyes held hers captive. “She’ll be fine. I promise, Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Do you believe me?”
She really wanted to, and he seemed so capable of handling anything. “I’m going to believe you tonight, Sam. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“Okay, baby.”
They settled in to watch the movie. She finished her wine and he took the glass from her. Between the fire and the heat of Sam’s body, it wasn’t long before she dozed off.
When Lily woke, Sam was carrying her up the stairs. “Wait, I need my phone in case Johnathan or my mom call.” It felt so good to be in his arms. Maybe sometime soon, when she was alone again, she would ask him to stay.
He set her on her feet next to her bed. “Get ready for bed, I’ll go get it.”