"Oh he understood, but he still refused me the job? He hoped I understood. At least that was his last words to me," she queried. "I don't think he realized what a challenge he put before me, either."
"Do you have a camera?"
"I bought a little camcorder, yes. I wanted to bring the girls some pictures back."
"Great, when you go back, you'll have mountains of pictures to share with your teacher friends and word will get out that Ms. Lacey Malone has indeed been around. And you won't have to surf or snorkel to do any of the things we'll do."
"When will we start?" she asked sipping the coffee the waitress had brought her.
"As soon as we finish breakfast."
"Am I dressed appropriately?" she asked. "I'm afraid my vacation wardrobe doesn't consist of much."
"You're dressed great, and I have an extra helmet too, so not to worry," he smiled.
"Umm, I've never ridden a motorcycle, is there any instructions?" she asked timidly.
"Not really, just lean with me on the turns, relax, and hold on," he chuckled.
"I can do that."
They ordered and talked pleasantly for a while, "You said you wanted me to go with you, to meet this family. Is it your new family?"
"So to speak, I've never met them before. I thought with you along, things wouldn't be quite as tense."
"Are you tensed up about meeting them?"
He stirred his coffee slowly as the waitress brought a refill.
"A little, I'm sure they don't know any more about me, than I know of them. Well to be honest they don't know as much. I hesitate to enter their lives."
"Perhaps before we go then, you should give them a call, sort of warn them."
Sam thought about that, "You might be right. I'll have to see if I can find their numbers in the phone book. I haven't planned this out yet. I don't know how I want to approach them, or even if I should."
"In all your life, you never suspected that you weren't your father's son?" Lacey asked as the waitress delivered her coffee and she blew on it before sipping.
"No, he treated me as his son. Loved me, took care of me. He made no difference between my brother and me. Our….coloring was a little different, and once I began looking at myself I realized I didn't look like any of them. But it's not something you normally question, is it?"
"No, I guess not. Your mother didn't tell you anything?"
Sam hesitated, "She was dead a long time ago, and no, she never said anything either."
Lacey looked at him with compassion. "It must be very hard for you. Obviously you had feelings for this family all your life and now…this."
"All these years not knowing blew my mind. Not once had I suspicioned anything like this. My brother….knew about it. However, he said it made no difference to him whatsoever. He'd been raised with me all his life and considered me family, especially now that they are both gone. But I told him I hoped he understood that I had to at least meet my half sister too."
"Did he tell you about them, your father? Did he tell you what happened? Anything…"
"No, this was an admission as he was dying." Sam set his spoon in the saucer and glanced about.
"I'm not sure what I'd do in your shoes. I mean, of course you would want to meet your real family, what is left of them, but I don't know. But it would be sort of awkward, especially if they never suspected either."
"My sister lives here in Oregon. That's why I'm here. I plan to meet her before my vacation is up."
"Wow, sounds like something you hear on one of those TV reality shows."
"Yes it does. I hope you don't mind going with me. I just figured it might be easier this way."
"Are you going to tell them right off, who you are?" Lacey asked.
"I'm not sure. I’m not at all sure how to handle it." Sam sighed. "…but our little mini vacation will give me time to figure it out."
She smiled. "I've never done anything like this before. I mean you’re a stranger."
"Like what?" Sam smiled back.
"Going off with a stranger. People back home would think I'd lost my mind."
Sam stared into her eyes, "Lacey, after what I've just told you, I consider us friends."
"Oh, I didn't mean offense, but…"
"What If I'm a serial killer or something?" Sam laughed.
"Well no, I think I'm a pretty good judge of character, but Howard would say I was crazy."
"Howard?"
"The dean, Howard Newcomb."
"Ah, I detect a love interest here Lacey…."
Lacey blushed. "Not really. There's no love on his part, that's for sure. He hasn't so much as paid the tiniest bit of interest in me in the past three years. Howard is well aware of his sex appeal, and can have his pick of women."
"Maybe, but you've paid attention to him, haven't you?"
"I respect him; I think he's handsome, intelligent. Oh, okay, he's gorgeous and yes I've paid attention. However, it's done me no good at all. He doesn't know I'm alive. I've made up my mind to forget Howard Newcomb. You can only waste so much of your time on a dead horse, so to speak."
"Let me guess, business suits, maybe even glasses, brief case in hand, have I pegged him right?"
"Very close, yes, he's tall, brown hair and eyes, and when he smiles he's quite handsome."
"Well, at least I'm not his clone." Sam smiled.
After finishing, he paid the tab and escorted her into the parking lot. And there it stood, all shiny and black, a big Harley.
"Will I need anything?" she asked.
"Not today, today we'll just do some general site seeing along the coast; tomorrow we'll go see the Big Reds."
"In case I forget to thank you, thank you," she smiled. "It's really very sweet of you to do this for me."
"You are very welcome Lacey, now relax, we're going to have a little fun." He pointed toward the bike. "And maybe having a little fun will help me too."
"I hope so. I really do."
She admired the chrome and gadgets as he watched her. "Okay, put your feet on the pegs, and hold on to me, not too tight, just for security. We'll go slow, there are a lot of winding mountains around here, we'll grab some lunch later and make a picnic, how does that sound?"
"Sounds great." She said and she straddled the motorcycle and tentatively put her hands around him.
"Hang on Lacey; we're going to see some great scenery today. Nothing too wild, I promise. Okay?"
"Okay."
He started the cycle and she grabbed him a little tighter, he handed her a helmet and she strapped it on. "Another thing, either put your shield down, or close your mouth, because bugs love us."
"Oh…okay."
She slid the helmet on, feeling as if she had gone into a cave. The wind whipped at her face and she hurriedly closed the shield. They went through a long winding road that took them deep into the forest area. She felt like Alice in Wonderland, as he guided her through some of the most beautiful parts of America.
Lacey felt freer than she'd ever felt before. She found herself relaxing as the ride smoothed out. She had nothing to worry about, the way he handled the cycle. He knew exactly how to handle the machine.
He pointed out different locals as they went. Lacey knew most of the history of this area and she found everything refreshing especially when she looked at it from his viewpoint.
After a couple hours, he pulled over to a small old station and got them something to drink. Lacey was thirsty and it felt good to stretch her legs.
"It's as beautiful as I imagined it would be, maybe more." Her gaze swept the countryside.
"There's an old swing bridge down this way," he pointed as he crossed the highway. "Come on, are you game?"
"Sure," she laughed. "Why not."
"Get your camera ready, because this is a particularly beautiful spot."
The camera was around her neck and already ready to shoot.
They walked for a long time, discussing the vegetation, the weather, and nothing important.
Lacey let down her guard. She'd never imagined enjoying herself doing something like this, but perhaps it was the company, and not the scenery, she decided.
"There it is," he pointed after a few minutes of walking along a small trail...
It was very old and long and was made of nothing more than wood and rope.
It looked interesting. There was a gentle creaking in the air, as the bridge swayed just a tad. Water rushed below creating a soothing operetta.
"Want to try it?" he challenged.
"Is it safe to walk on?" she asked.
"That's what it is for, come on," he smiled and grabbed her hand.
His smile was infectious and his challenge fun.
Lacey squashed the thrill the smile gave her, and took his hand as he guided her across the bridge. The boards creaked louder as they began making their way across. She felt the gentle sway of the bridge beneath her.
Half way out, he stopped and leaned over the bridge. The wood and rope provided a lean-to for them. "What do you think?"
She looked down at the river below and watched the water bubble from the rapids. White water splashed against the rocks.
"Wow, it's something. I mean, I'd have never found something like this on my own, I'm sure of it. Thank you for bringing me here."
He took out a coin and handed it to her, "Go ahead, make a wish, they say if you don't tell your wish for a whole day, it'll come true."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Kidding? This is a special bridge. Not publicized by travel journals. It's like a big well kept secret. So when one crosses it, they should at the very least make a wish upon it."
"How long ago was it built?"
"Probably before the 20th century. They don't make bridges like this any more."
Wanting to get in the spirit of it all, Lacey smiled and took the coin. She closed her eyes for a long time and then it happened. It was crazy, it was stupid, but her wish was for another kiss.
She flipped it and it went over falling for a long while before it hit its target.
"Now, what did you wish for?" he asked with a curious glance.
"Oh…but I can't tell you, it won't come true if I tell you," she bubbled with enthusiasm.
"Uh. You believe that hogwash?" he asked playfully.
She frowned momentarily staring into his face. "Is that what it was?"
Their eyes locked on each other, "No, I'm trying to get you to tell me what you wished for. I'm trying to trick you, Lacey. Aw…come on, I'll race you to the other side."
"Race me? Run on this?" she questioned.
"Scared?"
"Well, what if I get my foot caught? Or worse still what if I fall"
"Then I'll just have to pry it loose or pick you up." He laughed.
"On you mark…go," she laughed and sped in front of him. Trying to close the distance so he couldn't get in front, she held both sides of the ropes. But he crawled beneath her and tried to squeeze between her legs. She yelled, but he kept going, knocking her to the flat boards. He fell on top of her.
"Are you hurt?" His question was real and concern laced his voice.
"No," she answered staring up into his eyes. Suddenly she started laughing. She laughed, so hard she was crying. He looked down and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her silly. Her wish had come vibrantly to life.
Laughter turned to moans of pleasure as he sought her lips repeatedly. "Kissing you is getting to be a very addictive habit with me, Lacey."
She tried to think, tried to stop, but the feel of his lips on hers was like magic and she didn't want to stop him. She'd never been this free in her life. Never experienced such wild abandon with a man. He kissed her as if she was some inviting woman, a new and exciting sensation. He moaned as his hands came up under her t-shirt. As he continued to tease her lips, she forgot to stop him due to the pleasure he evoked. One flick and her bra came open. Objections were never on her mind. The sheer joy of kissing a man without regret made her moan with new pleasure.
Before she realized it, his hands had covered her breast, and were making such erotic motions with the palm of his hand. The peaks of her breast hardened against his sensuous torture. She moaned again.
His lips swept downward, slowly. Agonizingly slow. Was that her hips that sprung up to meet his hard passionate thrusting? She suddenly felt his manhood warm and hard against her lower belly. Sensations rocked her into a temporary lull of happiness.
When the moistness of his mouth covered first one breast then the other, she clutched him and moved her hips toward him, in answer. There was no thought to reaction, just raw feelings that had never been broached.
Suddenly the bridge swayed to one side and he raised his head to look into her love drugged eyes. "Lacey, we're on a bridge, in the middle of it, we can't make love here."
It was as if he woke her from a wondrous sleep. She opened her eyes and saw that they were in open view. How could she have let him do this? How could she have consented to his love making out in the open like they were. Or anywhere for that matter. Ashamed and embarrassed she tried to get up, tried to fasten her bra. Tried to find a shred of dignity to the situation.
Make love? Dear God, is that what they were doing? She'd only met the man a few days ago and here she was consenting to …what?
"We need to go," she said abruptly, as she scrambled clumsily to her feet.
"Lacey, wait." he began, but she was already going back the way she had come.
Her face was crimson; she could feel it with her hands. She had never in her entire life let such a thing happen.
Why now? Why with this man? It made no sense. How could she lose all rational thought with a stranger?
"Lacey, I'm sorry, that got out of hand." he began as he caught up to her.
Becoming rigid, she turned to face him, "Yes, yes it did. And it will not happen again. Now, let's have a picnic and go back to the hotel, I've had quite enough site-seeing for one day."
"I didn't plan that," he began.
"Of course you didn't. You brought me out in the wilds, acting the perfect gentleman. I must be completely insane to let…"
"Stop it." he caught her arms. He looked deep into her eyes." Nothing happened. It was a kiss, a harmless kiss. I didn't take you." He corrected looking directly at her.
"A harmless kiss, we practically made love on bridge in broad daylight. My God, I must be insane," she wailed.
"I don't know why it happened. At least be an adult and realize you were a willing participant. After all, there's no harm done."
"Adult?" she suddenly realized all her indignation was silly, childish. It was only a kiss. The fact that his hands roamed freely over her, possessing her, was merely a response. It would be ludicrous to make an issue of it, unless it meant something. Lacey squashed her feelings entirely.
Looking at him now, she realized how upset he had become too, "I'm sorry, I'm making more of it, than I should. You're right. Let's have lunch. But from now on, I think we should try a little more restraint. After all, we aren't a couple of wild teenagers needing to grope each other. Let's be adults, as you put it. I'm not out for a romp in bed with you. And you aren't using me to replace your lover. So let's call a truce, and begin a hands off policy, what do you say?"
He looked at her in shock. He certainly hadn't expected that from her obviously.
He seemed speechless.
He nodded. "Okay…yeah, I guess you're right." He raised his hand and looked deep into her eyes, "It will never happen again on my honor, unless you want it to."
She nodded stiffly, "Good. Now, what's for lunch?"
He looked around and a slow smile spread across his face, "There's a chicken place down the road, sound good?"
"Yes, chicken sounds great." She tried her best to sound normal but deep down inside her; she knew she was far from feeling that way. That kiss had shaken her to the core, broke through all the built up fences she had long ago enforced on herself. Made her realize just how human she was and how
vulnerable.
"Would you like to camp out in the woods, or eat at the restaurant?"
"Maybe the restaurant, ants can be annoying." She explained as though she had to have an explanation.
In her mind she replayed the kiss a million times, trying to rationalize why she had responded so blatantly, but she didn't know the answer. But another little voice told her the answer, his kisses were sweeter than wine. She enjoyed it!
She knew getting involved with a man on vacation could be detrimental to her own heart. She couldn’t allow it. She wouldn't be his good time, she deserved better than that.
Lacey felt herself weakening when he came closer, "Now don't over react, but I think I need to put something back in place first."
He reached around her, bringing his face close to hers, and began fastening her bra. She held her breath, and willed herself not to melt against him. What was this pull she had for him? When he was near, she wanted to be in his arms. That realization shook her. Had she lost all sense?
What power did he hold over her that he could entice her so easily? It made no sense.
"There," he said in a low whisper as he moved slowly away from her again.
"T-thank you," she said breathlessly.
"You know, you're quite a woman, Lacey." He smiled seductively at her.
She tried to smile, tried to accept the compliment. However, knowing she'd put restrictions on their actions, she had to use her head.
"I'm starved, how about you?" she finally managed when the glance went on too long.
"Okay, let's go," he motioned for her to get on the back of the cycle and they took off down the highway again.
Riding was a reprieve, from having to say anything, having to explain, having to ignore this new tension between them.
Chapter Five
At the Express Chicken restaurant they encountered a long line of people. Sam watched with amusement as one woman couldn't make up her mind what she wanted, one lady had four kids and couldn't get their orders straight, a man stood impatiently waiting for his order, and a teenage couple were standing in line making out. He watched them and his whole body went through the reactions of his kiss with Lacey. The kiss had sparked a fire he still hadn't put out. He didn't know why he reacted that way. It puzzled him. He wasn’t a man with raging hormones, nor a teenager. He was an adult. So why had red hot desire taken over? What mattered most is he had scared her too. How could he do that? Coming on too strong with a woman he hardly knew.
Sweeter Than Wine Page 4