She brought her legs up in the chair, sitting Indian style, then leaned her chin on her palm. “I know about you and my mom.”
He liked the fact that she got right down to business, just like her mom would. “Does she know you’re here?”
“No. She’d ground me for life.”
“I’m glad she told you.”
“Mom and I have a pact not to ever lie to one another, but I couldn’t tell her that I was coming here.”
Sam slammed his brows together. “This might not be a good time to break that pact.”
She shrugged a slender shoulder. “I don’t think I have a choice. You see, I have to save her from making a big mistake.”
“If your mom is about to make a big mistake, maybe you should discuss this with her?” He didn’t mind speaking to the girl, but he also didn’t want to overstep any boundaries. The last thing he needed was Cassie angry because he’d meddled in her private life.
“I think it’s okay to involve you because your already involved.”
He volleyed with a chuckle, realizing maybe Anna did know pretty much everything that happened between her mom and him. “What big mistake involves me?”
“After my mom divorced, she dedicated herself to me and her work, and that’s all. And then she came back from Florida and she was smiling again. Problem is, she thinks she has to protect me like I’m still a little girl, but I’m not. I don’t want to be the reason why she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
He leaned forward, settling his elbows on his knees. “I think it’s very mature of you to come here and speak for your mom, but what you think she wants and what she truly wants might be two different things.”
She gave her head a shake sending tendrils of hair smacking her cheeks. “I know her, Doctor Saxour.”
“Please, call me Sam.”
“Okay, Sam, trust me. I know her. Call this an intervention of sorts.”
He lifted a brow. “An intervention?”
“Yes. Do you like my mom?”
Put on the line, he cleared his throat. “Yes, very much.”
“Do you want to date her?”
“Yes.” He was definitely in the hot seat.
“If what you’re saying is true, then be at my house at seven tonight.”
“Anna…”
“Just be there. Okay?”
Sam realized the teen wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Okay then. Seven.”
9
Anna, I’m home,” Cassie called out as she stepped into the foyer. There was no answer. Placing her keys and purse on the table, she stopped at the bottom of the stairs and called again. Nothing. She turned and looked into the dining room where platters of food and candles were set up on the table. “Anna! I’ve told you not to leave the candles lit.”
As she stepped up to blow the flickering flames out, she saw the note sitting next to one of the plates. Cassie read…
“Mom,
Don’t be angry with me, but I know more of what you need than you do. I’ll be at dad’s for the night.
Love, Anna.”
Cassie had no clue what she should be angry about, but if the place settings for two were any indication…
The doorbell rang, completing her thought.
Opening the door, her heart picked up in speed. Sam was the last person she expected to see, but there he was, standing on her doorstep, a bouquet of red roses in one arm and a bottle of wine in the other. He smiled, showing off a set of dimples. “Your daughter asked me to bring the wine because she’s underage and can’t purchase alcohol.”
Caught off guard, she took a second to gather her wits enough to answer. “Anna set this up with you?”
He nodded. “You have one smart, persistent daughter.”
“Yeah, and manipulative.”
His smile disappeared. “Look, if this isn’t okay with you…”
“No, it is okay, I just wasn’t expecting this. Come in.” She took a step back so he could pass. She’d missed him, realizing more now than ever just how much. After several attempts of calling him over the last few days, she’d resigned herself to the idea that he didn’t want to see or speak to her again.
“These are for you.” He handed over the bouquet.
She sniffed the floral scent of the flowers. She loved red roses. “Did my daughter tell you to bring these too?”
“No. Those were my idea.”
“I’ll go put these in some water and if you want to place the wine in the bucket to chill, that would be great. I think I saw a bucket already set up on the table.”
Stepping into the kitchen, she grabbed a crystal vase from under the sink, ran water in it and quickly arranged the flowers. She peeked around the corner into the dining room, watching Sam. He looked magnificent in a blue button down and black slacks that showed off his thick thighs and nice bottom. Never in a million years did she believe that she’d have Mr. Sexy standing in her house. Taking a step back, she looked down at her blouse and simple skirt. She certainly wasn’t dressed for an intimate dinner. Anna could have at least warned her to dress in a more…well, sexier outfit.
Hurrying up the stairs, she rushed into her bedroom and came to a sudden stop. Laid out on the bed was a new dress with a note attached…
“Mom,
I picked this out. Wear it.
Love, Anna.”
Cassie picked the dress up. It was absolutely beautiful. The blue would bring out the color of her eyes and, although it was a bit more ‘showy’ than she normally wore, it would certainly make Sam melt. Glancing toward her closet, she could settle on mediocre or the killer dress.
She couldn’t disappoint her daughter.
Undressing, she stepped into the dress, zipped it and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The cut was perfect and showed off her curves nicely. Maybe she should have Anna pick out her clothes from now on.
At her vanity, she fixed her makeup, applied lipstick, and slipped into heels, then went back downstairs where she found Sam standing in the dining room, patiently waiting.
*****
Sam wasn’t sure he’d ever witnessed a more beautiful vision in his life. Cassie had changed into a dress that was fit to make a man crazy. She stood in the doorway, one hand on her tilted hip and a smile that could cure diseases. He knew from firsthand that she was capable of doing lots of amazing things to his body.
“You look incredible,” he said.
Her brows lifted. “I’m not sure whether I should be angry or disappointed that Anna had planned all this without me knowing.”
“Personally, I think you should be quite pleased.”
She strolled to the table and took a seat. The low cut vee of the neckline showed off her ample breasts pushing upward. His cock twitched, but he had to maintain control. He wasn’t sure where this dinner was heading, but he needed his questions answered before he gave into the need again.
He pulled out one of the chairs across from her and sat down. “Can I pour you a glass of wine?” he offered.
“Sure. I’d love one.”
As he busied himself working to remove the cork from the bottle, he stole glances at Cassie. He couldn’t get over how much he’d missed her, and not just sexually. He’d missed her smile, her laughter, and her no-nonsense attitude. The hair on the back of his neck stood as she shifted and met his gaze. Once the cork was out, he poured each of them a glass.
“Cheers.”
“Cheers.” She looked over the display of platters. “Let’s see…we have lasagna, salad, and rolls.”
“Sounds delicious.” He sat his glass down and tented his fingers, looking at her over the tips of them. “But honestly, I didn’t come here just for the food.” Right now, a little plain talk was in order. He couldn’t ignore the issue any longer.
“Okay, then.” He didn’t see much surprise in her expression. She probably expected this.
“I respect your feelings, but I want to be a part of your life, Cassie. I want to date you and find out where
this fascinating affair lands us.”
“Okay.”
He blinked. “Okay?” Did he need his ears cleaned?
“Yes, Sam. I said yes. These last few days have been horrible without you. I was trying to protect Anna when she doesn’t need anything but the truth.”
He got up, came around the table and pulled her out of the chair. “Will you go to the movies with me tomorrow night?”
She laughed. “Of course.”
“And will you see me the next day? And the next day? And every day thereafter?”
“Yes. Yes. And yes.” She cupped his cheeks. “By the way, I want you to be the first to know. I won’t be running for a second mayoral term. I’ve decided I’m going to do something that sparks my creative side. Do you see me opening a coffee shop or restaurant? Or a pottery shop? Maybe even taking over the duties at the theater. Heck, wherever life takes me.”
“Wow! You actually are thinking of not planning your next move?”
“Yes. See what you do to me?”
“I see you doing anything that you put your mind to.” He kissed her lightly.
“We have the house alone for the weekend. I think it’s time you sleep in my bed.” She took his hand. “And that starts now.”
Not the end, but only the beginning…
Dirty as Hell (#2) and Smooth as Hell (#3) coming soon!
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn’t crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit: www.rhondaleecarver.com.
Find me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Here are some other wonderful selections by Rhonda Lee Carver
SECOND CHANCE SERIES
Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)
Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)
Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)
Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)
Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)
Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8, Second Chance Cowboy Series)
RHINESTONE COWGIRLS SERIES
UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
SECRET PRESSURE (Book 4, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
RESISTING PRESSURE (Book 5, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
COWBOYS OF NIRVANA
Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)
Ropin’ Trouble (Book 2, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Smoke. Fire. Cowboy (Book 3, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Kissed, Spurred, & Valentined (Book 4, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Cowboy is Mine (Book 5, Cowboys of Nirvana)
The Discreet Cowboy (Book 6, Cowboys of Nirvana)
A Perfect Cowboy Daddy (Book 7, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Roman’s Choice (Book 1, Saddles & Second Chances)
Letting Go (Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World)
Legacy (Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LPQYXT/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Have you read Cowboys Forgive (Book 8, Cowboys of Nirvana)?
Here’s a sneak peek…
CHAPTER ONE
“Jessa! Jessa! Jessa!” The crowd cheered.
“Hey! How y’all doing tonight?” She received whistles, claps and screams in response. Pushing back her signature rhinestone cowgirl hat, she took a seat on the stool under the spotlight and positioned her guitar.
“I love you, Jessa!”
“I love you too!” She looked out into the ocean of smiling faces and her heart did a triple loop like always. Being on stage never got old—tiring, yes, but never old.
Thrumming her fingers down the strings of her 12-String Acoustic, the crowd roared, vibrating the stage. A teenager in the front row jumped up and down, swiping at her streaming tears, then swaying back and forth as if she might faint. Several fans stretched their arms out, trying to touch Jessa, but beefy security blocked their attempts.
“Who’s ready for a slow tune? You might all know this next one as my latest number one hit, but how many of you knew this is a tribute to all those rough and tough, good-looking fellows known as cowboys? Who’s gonna help me sing Cowboys Forgive?”
More screams. More swaying. The roof on the fairgrounds stadium rocked.
“He stole my heart back in the day and gave it away…” The crowd sung along to the popular tune.
Finishing the last set and waving goodbye to the applauding crowd, Jessa Garvey slipped off the stage and handed her guitar to her manager, Wade Comer, who stood just out of sight behind the red curtain. Her bodyguard, Bruno, stepped from the shadows and crossed his arms over his chest, showing off thick arms in his black T-shirt. She’d hired him, or rather, Wade had, last year when a fan had snuck past security and made it into her dressing room. Jessa wouldn’t have minded, but the man had been stark naked with her name tattooed across his chest. He’d asked her to marry him just as security had rushed in, taking the nudist down to the floor in a windstorm of limbs and…well, other unmentionables. She still wasn’t quite used to having Bruno following her everywhere, always watching. He didn’t talk much and she could count on one hand how many words he’d said to her since he was employed. Wade believed Bruno’s silence made him better at his job. He’d worked in Secret Service before he took the position with her, but she wished he’d left his uptight attitude back at the White House.
Her cowgirl boots clicked on the worn planks of the wood flooring as she headed the opposite direction to the back of the building where a car waited for her. Her boots were certainly made for walking…at least for a break that was well-earned. She’d given this careful consideration and realized she wasn’t leaving the Wyoming fairgrounds until she saw one cowboy on the back of a bull. On the road eleven months out of the year, she missed seeing worn Wranglers and dusty boots.
“Where are you headed?” Wade bellowed, following close behind her. The tone of his voice didn’t go unnoticed. After several years together, his gruff attitude didn’t bother her as much as it had at first. Most of the time she brushed him off or stuck earphones in to sound him out. In his defense, he was the reason why she’d made it famous—also the reason why she’d been on the road non-stop for five years. He’d found her singing in a backwoods bar in Texas when she was only twenty-five and living off beans and rice. A year after signing him on, her life did a complete tailspin. Before she realized it, everybody knew her name and she couldn’t go anywhere without fans asking for her autograph.
Success came with sacrifice.
She’d dedicated herself to her fans.
But she was growing tired.
Last month at a venue in Chicago, she’d lost her voice and the doctor had prescribed rest. She’d relaxed a few days, but she’d had places to be, music to sing. There was always somewhere that required her presence. She’d lost count of how many differe
nt venues she’d sung at in the past year. Life was blurring.
It was time for a break. Not one night. Not one week. A vacation to recharge her internal battery. So, after going around and around with Wade, they’d compromised. She would finish the month’s scheduled concerts, and then she would be free, so to speak.
Two weeks away from the studio, the stage, and the public eye sounded like paradise. Her vocal chords would certainly thank her. She could catch up on writing her music. Sleep late. Eat ice cream.
“Are you going to answer me?” Wade sighed.
“I’m going out to watch the rodeo.”
Just as she’d suspected, he’d have something to say. “You can’t go out there alone. You’ll have everybody and their brother on your tail. Take Bruno with you at least.”
She glanced at her bodyguard who was five feet behind them. His brawny, bulldozer-like physique could part any crowd. “You don’t think being followed around by Hulk’s twin might grab some attention?”
“You’re paying him for a reason. Drawing attention to him means people won’t be as likely to mess with you.”
Jessa didn’t want to be followed around by her manager or bodyguard. She understood there were times she needed each of them, but today she just wanted to enjoy the rodeo like she used to before things got complicated in her life.
“You can’t do this! It’ll be like a mob out there. Can you at least think of your well-being?” Wade groaned.
“I am thinking of my well-being. I want to have some fun.” She continued on, glancing further down the hallway to the exit. She spotted the security crew of three men, each dressed in yellow shirts and red caps, standing around in a semi-circle, monitoring the metal double doors.
“I have an idea,” she said with a wink and a smile.
“What are you doing?” Wade asked.
Hot as Hell (Studs in Scrubs Book 1) Page 7