by Lea Kinkade
Chapter 3
The following Monday, Samantha took her lunch to the park and sat in the shade of the big oak tree, eating her tuna-salad sandwich. She had brought her Kindle with her and planned to start a new erotic romance while she ate. Samantha loved erotic romances. She found hope in the heroes and wished she could find a man like that someday. So far, she hadn’t ended up with any heroes. Maybe she should go after the rakes.
As she settled under the oak tree, she heard a truck door slam nearby. Looking up, she saw Ryan Chisholm walking toward her with a rakish smile on his face. Speak of the devil.
“Just the pretty lady I was looking for,” he said with a smile.
“Oh, why would you be looking for me?” Samantha hadn’t been expecting to see the tall drink of water, and her body was betraying her right now in some major ways.
“I wanted to ask you out to dinner this week sometime. I’m off from the club on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Would either of those work for you?”
“I don’t think I’m ready to go out with anyone yet. I just moved to town a few weeks ago. I don’t really know anyone yet."
“That’s what the date is all about, darlin’. Getting to know each other.”
“I don’t think that would be such a good idea. Besides, if I remember right, your sister-in-law told me you were seeing someone already. I don’t really like being the ‘other woman.’” She really didn’t want to get involved with another rich playboy, and she definitely wasn’t going out with someone when he already had a girlfriend.
“Sheila and I are history. We broke up nearly three weeks ago.”
He sure didn’t let much grass grow under his feet before moving on to the next conquest, did he? She was just contemplating a plausible brush-off line when he spoke again.
“Tell you what. I’ll go get a deli sandwich from Mancini’s and I’ll bring it back here. We can talk over lunch. Get to know each other a little better. Then maybe you’d feel comfortable going out with me some night. What do you say?”
She looked at him consideringly. “All right. I’ll wait to start my lunch until you get back with yours. I only have an hour, though, so make it quick.” What was she doing? She knew nothing good would come of her getting any closer to this rich playboy.
“No problem, darlin’. They usually make up a bunch of their specials in brown-bag lunches. I’ll get one of them and be back in a few minutes.”
True to his word, he was back in less than ten minutes. Sitting down beside her, he moved in closely, crossed his legs, and used his lap as a tray to set his lunch on. It looked like the special of the day was a ham sandwich, chips, a pickle, and an apple. He also had a drink with him.
“So, what brought you to Deseo, Samantha?” Ryan asked after he had taken a bite, chewed, and swallowed.
Samantha had just taken a bite out of her tuna-salad sandwich and took the time to finish chewing and swallowed before she started speaking. She decided to give him a very generalized version. “I’ve lived in the Corpus Christi area all my life. I was getting sick of the daily grind. I wanted to get out of the city. I saw the advertisement that Celia had placed in the paper looking for someone to buy in to the flower shop, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Attempting to divert the conversation away from herself, she asked, “How do you like owning Chaps & Spurs? It’s very nice, by the way. Seems to be really popular.”
“Yep. The most popular club within fifty miles. We get people coming in from as far away as Corpus. We have a lot of rodeo memorabilia on the walls of the club. It’s almost like a museum of past and present rodeo history. Hard-core rodeo buffs really enjoy looking at all the stuff. We’re adding to it all the time,” he said with pride.
“So, did you and your brother ride in the rodeo when you were younger?” She noticed that his hair shone almost blue when the sunlight caught it just right.
“Yes, up until a little more than six years ago we both rode. We decided to get out while we were still relatively healthy.”
“Were you any good?” Samantha didn’t know why she was trying to draw this man out. She really had no desire to get to know him better. The wetness between her thighs and her dimpling nipples had nothing to do with how close he was sitting to her. It had just been a long time since she’d been the subject of a man’s undivided attention.
“We both held our own, darlin’. So, what did you do in Corpus? Were you a florist there as well?” He wasn’t subtle about turning the attention back onto her.
“Yes, I’ve been a florist for several years. For a short time, I owned a place called The Flower Shoppe. I sold my interest and decided to move here for a simpler life.” She was getting uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken and she knew that Ryan could see that.
“I sense a story there. But I’ll wait until we get to know each other better to hound you about it.”
“Thanks. I think.” She hoped her sarcastic response didn’t reveal that she was uncomfortable talking about herself.
They talked a little about the town and ate their lunches. When they were both finishing up, Ryan asked, “So, are you going to come in next Friday night and sit with the girls? My brothers and I get together from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to play pool and catch up with each other, but I’d love to dance with you afterwards. Do you dance?”
“I’ll probably be there. I really like your sister and sisters-in-law. I had fun last Friday. And, yes, I love to dance. If you’re there I’ll probably see you around.”
“How about you and I have dinner together Saturday night? I’d love to take you out somewhere nice and wine and dine you, darlin’.”
“I don’t think I know you well enough to go out on a date with you, yet. Maybe another time.”
“Okay, darlin’. We’ll get better acquainted on Friday night. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for the company. It was the best lunch I’ve had in quite a while.”
Blushing, she ducked her head and concentrated on putting her lunch away in her minicooler. “I’ll see you later, then,” she said as she started to walk away from the tree.
“Count on it, darlin’,” he said in that sexy, low voice of his.
As she walked away, she felt his eyes on her until she turned the corner, but she never looked back. Knowing Ryan watched as she walked away from him, she put a little extra swing in her step. Now why in the world had she done that? She did not want to get this man’s attention. Pushing him out of her head, she returned to work.
“Hey, kiddo. Have a nice lunch? I saw you sitting with Ryan Chisholm under the big old oak tree at the park. I didn’t realize you knew him.” Celia was about as subtle as a ton of bricks.
“I just met him Friday night. I went to Chaps & Spurs with Jordan, Jessie, and Taylor Chisholm. Met some of their other friends. Jessie introduced me to both Ryan and Ryder.” Samantha didn’t think Celia needed to know about the visceral reaction she had had to Ryan. She’d just keep that little nugget to herself.
“He and his brothers are notorious in town. Ryan and Ryder are called the flirt twins, and they totally deserve their nicknames. Don’t get me wrong. They would never hurt you physically. They do seem to go through a lot of girlfriends, though. I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt.” Celia looked like she’d rather be doing anything other than warning Samantha off of one of the sainted Chisholms.
“Don’t worry, Celia. I knew they were players the second I met them. I have no intention of being another notch on a Chisholm’s bedpost. It was just lunch. He saw me under the tree and invited himself to join me. He asked me out on a date, but I turned him down. I’m sure once he figures I’m not going to invite him into my bed anytime soon, he’ll give up and move onto greener pastures.” Samantha appreciated her friend’s concern. Little did she know how strongly Samantha disliked rich playboys.
“Well, as long as you know what you’re getting into. If you were looking for a bit of fun, though, you probably couldn’t go wrong with one of those
boys.” When Samantha looked over at her in consternation, Celia had the grace to flush. “Well, I may be older than you, but I’m not dead.”
Samantha gave the other woman a quick hug and then headed to the back to work up a few arrangements. Celia never ceased to amaze her. That comment about having some fun cracked her up. She couldn’t believe how much she liked Celia already. Since meeting her nearly two months ago, they had spent a lot of time together, both in person and on the phone. The older woman had been nothing but kind to her since the moment they met. Celia reminded her a lot of Sandy. Fifty-five years old and never married, Celia was still a very nice-looking woman with short, brown hair with flecks of gray and beautiful, moss-green eyes. She had aged well.
Samantha remembered the first time she had talked to Celia. She had felt a kinship to this woman that she hadn’t felt before except with Sandy. After the debacle with Michael, Sandy’s brother, Samantha knew she wanted to get away from Corpus Christi. There were too many unhappy memories there. She needed to find a new job and move so that she could get on with her life. If she was being honest with herself, she would admit that she no longer wanted to be someone’s employee. Sandy had given her a taste of independence, and she liked it.
She began looking for opportunities to invest her newfound wealth in a new business. She didn’t really want to learn a new business, but she knew that an opportunity to invest in an established florist business wasn’t going to magically materialize.
Samantha had been scouring both the Internet and the Corpus Christi paper for several weeks looking for a new business to invest in so she could earn a living. She had taken a part-time job at a local fast-food restaurant so she would have some money coming in to pay her bills. One evening Samantha was going through the business opportunities section of the Corpus Christi newspaper when she saw it. At first, she couldn’t believe it was true. Once she realized what she was reading, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed the number listed.
Business Opportunity. Opportunity to buy in, at a controlling share, to a well-established floral shop. Must be willing to relocate to Deseo, Texas, which is approximately 70 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas. This small city is unique and flourishing. Please, only serious offers need respond.
The advertisement ended with a woman’s name and contact phone number. She got voicemail. Samantha was sure her voice shook as she left a message that she had seen the advertisement in the Corpus Christi newspaper and was interested in talking to the owner about buying into the shop. She explained she was an experienced florist and was currently living in Corpus Christi. She left her cell phone number asking that the owner return her phone call as soon as possible.
The next day Celia Bach had called at five in the afternoon. Celia and Samantha had talked for nearly three hours, and Samantha had made plans to visit Deseo and Bach Florists the following day as she had the next two days off. On the off chance that the discussions would go well and she would need another day to talk with Celia, Samantha made reservations at a new bed-and-breakfast on the edge of Deseo that Celia had recommended.
When she drove back to Corpus Christi from her visit two days later, she had a signed letter of intent to buy a seventy-five percent interest in Bach Florists in her purse. Celia’s lawyer would draft the official contract. Although Samantha felt that this was just a formality, her experiences over the years had taught her not to take anything for granted, and she waited impatiently for the signed contract from the attorney.
Now, here she sat nearly two months later in a new city with a new business. Things were looking up. As part of the deal to become majority owner of the flower shop, Samantha had also negotiated to control the apartment above Bach Florists. It was a decent, two-bedroom apartment, and Samantha had decided to live there herself. The previous renter was getting married and had given notice that he would be out of the apartment by the time Samantha moved to town. Once the paperwork was signed, she’d only had to wait a couple of weeks.
Samantha’s thoughts drifted back to the delicious Ryan Chisholm. He was handsome as all get-out. Maybe being his girlfriend with benefits wouldn’t be a bad thing if she went into it with her eyes wide open. She hadn’t let a man get close to her since J.T. To be honest, she missed sex. She missed the closeness of being in a relationship with a man. She knew Ryan would be experienced and know how to treat a woman. He had that air about him. Samantha had heard things about Ryan and his brother, Ryder. Although it appeared they had dated nearly every woman in town between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five, nobody really had a bad thing to say about either Chisholm. They were talked about like they were little scamps rather than men who fucked women for a few weeks and then told them good-bye.
Samantha had noticed that all the Chisholm brothers were tall, dark, and handsome as all get-out. Except for some facial hair, and tattoos, they all looked enough alike to be multiples. They had skin the color of rich caramel that didn’t come solely from exposure to the sun. Samantha had met their mother, Cassie Chisholm, and knew they had Native American blood in them through her. She hadn’t met Alex Chisholm, their father, but she would bet he had Hispanic blood on his side of the family. Each of the brothers had high cheekbones and strong chins that hinted at this ancestry. They were all around six feet three and had lean muscled bodies. Oh, and they had these luscious lips and the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen on a man. Several of the brothers sported facial hair. Ryan was not the only one that sported a closely trimmed goatee. Samantha was a sucker for a man with a goatee.
In short, Ryan Chisholm was dark and steamy and looked at her with a sexual interest he didn’t even try to disguise. Samantha had been surprised when her dormant libido had woken up with a roar at the unmistakable interest he showed in her. It had definitely taken a liking to the man. That is, if her tightened nipples and the clenching of her pussy, whenever she even thought about the man, was any indication.
After Samantha closed up the shop and got up to her apartment, she sat in front of the television watching the news and eating leftovers. Thinking back on her day, Ryan Chisholm’s face and body popped into her mind. She couldn’t get her reaction to him out of her mind. He had to be the most handsome man she had ever met. And he was interested in her. She sat quietly for a while, watching television and lost in her own thoughts, trying to decide if she was interested in starting something with him. He certainly affected her in a physical sense, but he was from a rich family, so that lessened the attraction. Still, if she knew going in that whatever happened between them was based solely on sex, what could it hurt if she went out with him? Ryan Chisholm was chasing after her. Now, she just had to decide whether she was going to let him catch her or not.
Samantha knew from experience that rich men couldn’t be trusted for the long haul unless the woman was some society debutante, which Samantha definitely was not. Samantha was damaged goods. Her mother’s actions had made her tainted, and no man with a prestigious family would want her long-term. She wondered if it wasn’t time to take what she wanted in life, and to hell with happily ever after. The only person she could really count on was herself. The next time she got involved with a man, she would keep her heart out of the mix, and she would be the one to leave. Maybe that man should be Ryan Chisholm.
Chapter 4
Each day that week, Ryan sought her out at lunchtime under the big oak tree in the park. He always made sure she was okay with him joining her before he walked over to Mancini’s Bakery for the lunch special. He flirted shamelessly with her and kept asking her when she was going to put him out of his misery and go out on a date with him. They never seemed to have a problem finding things to talk about and had even had some heated discussions about religion and politics.
On Friday, Ryan again showed up at her oak tree to join her for lunch. Her eyes were drawn to his luscious ass and thighs as he strode away from her toward Mancini’s Bakery. Oh, Lord. The muscles in his back were so well defined through that thin T-shir
t. His tush was pretty spectacular, too. He was long, lean, and hard bodied. Mmm. Mmm. He looked back and he caught her ogling his ass and smiled a shit-eating grin before turning his attention back to where he was walking.
Samantha fanned her face with her hand. Surely it wasn’t that hot outside. She felt like she was burning up. Still red-faced, she pulled out her Kindle and continued reading a new erotic novel she had downloaded last night. After about ten minutes, Samantha decided not to wait anymore and got out her chicken-salad sandwich and a bag of barbecue chips. Samantha was just taking the first bite of her sandwich when Ryan strolled back up.
“Sorry, darlin’,” he apologized. “They were super busy.” He sat down next to her and pulled out a turkey sandwich.
* * * *
Ryan was enthralled. He had never been so attracted to a woman in his life. Sure, Samantha was beautiful to look at. It was hard to miss. She was built like a freakin’ Barbie doll. High, firm breasts, small waist, and hips that flared just right. Legs long enough to wrap around his waist as he fucked her. Her face was beautiful, with full lips just waiting to be kissed. Her eyes were mostly blue with a touch of violet in them. She had high cheekbones and a dainty nose and chin. Her long blonde hair was the color of corn silk and it hung in waves down to the top of her delectable, tight ass. Her skin sported a golden glow. He sensed an innate goodness to her and a sort of innocence in the way she talked. Shit! Was he a poet now? If he didn’t know any better, he’d say he was falling for the woman.