“Miss?” He asked utterly confused.
Haley jumped. “Ooh, Neville, you scared me. I hope I didn’t wake you.” She didn’t even pause as she spoke with him. “Have a seat.” She gestured to the little used stools near the island she was working on.
He stopped and studied her a moment. “Did you get any sleep at all, Miss Haley?”
She shrugged. “Enough. Although, I doubt I’ll have the energy to run this afternoon.” He was still standing. “Please sit. I would love the company. And I have some ideas to share with you.”
Reluctantly, Neville pulled out the nearest stool and sat on it. “What are you making, miss?” He recognized many of the ingredients, but couldn’t understand how they were being used.
Haley giggled. “Well, I’m kind of working on a few things here.” She shrugged. “I love cooking, but my kitchen at the apartment has left me less than inspired. I didn’t think Sam would mind me putting this one to use. And,” she added conspiratorially, “the more cooking I do, the more money we save on take out.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Didn’t Mr. Davenport tell you to use the cards, miss?”
She sighed. “Yes, Neville. But honestly, just because he has money doesn’t mean it needs to be spent. I’m frugal. I live a simple life. I don’t need all this.” She gestured about.
He smiled admiringly. “You are very different.”
“I’m not sure what that means, but I hope it was a compliment.” Before he could respond, the oven timer beeped and Haley walked over to inspect the contents. “Mmmm,” she said, inhaling deeply. “Perfect.”
She removed several trays of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from the ovens and laid them out on newspaper while Neville watched. Turning, she moved to the back counter and stirred the contents of the crock pot. She seasoned the food with fresh ground pepper and sea salt. “A roast for tonight,” she explained. “Oh, could you put some potatoes in at three, please?”
“Certainly, miss.” He stared at her in amazement. “So, you have dinner simmering, and baked cookies this morning?”
“Well, I had time,” she explained. She moved to the last oven and opened the door. “I hope you like these,” she said. And in an instant, breakfast was placed on the plate she had already set before him. “I’m getting together a care package for Sam to tide him through the day until we bring dinner to him tonight. Will this do?”
Neville merely nodded, dumbfounded.
“Thank you, Neville,” Sam said as he stretched and rose from his seat. “This wasn’t necessary. I can eat in the cafeteria if I get hungry.”
Neville straightened. “I know, sir, but Miss Haley had everything prepared before I woke up this morning.”
Sam studied the contents of the box before him. She had labeled everything and included microwave-reheating instructions in case the food cooled too much before he was able to consume it. “Popovers, cookies, sandwiches, egg casserole, and fruit salad,” he read off the labels. “She did all this?”
Neville nodded.
“Is it any good?” He asked, studying the older man for an honest appraisal.
“The best I’ve ever eaten, sir.” He looked his employer in the eye.
Sam shook his head, marveling at her ability. Then a thought occurred to him and his brow furrowed. “What time did she get up?”
Neville stiffened. “I can’t say, sir. But I think she was up a good while before I was.”
Sam frowned. “Well, tell her that I really won’t need anything sent over for dinner. This is more than I can eat in two days.”
Neville sighed. “I’m afraid, sir, that she already has dinner simmering in the crock-pot.”
“What am I going to do with her?” Sam asked both impressed and dismayed.
“May I suggest you marry her, sir? I can’t imagine anyone better.” He straightened, realizing that his comment was a bit out of line.
“Neither can I,” Sam murmured as his eyes began to shimmer.
When Haley arrived bearing dinner at six, Sam wrapped her in a bear hug. “Thank you for everything. I’m very popular with the nurses because of you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
“Your cookies were a hit. Don’t worry, I gave you full credit.” He smiled widely.
“Oh, really?” She smiled warmly.
“Yup, I told them the woman I’m going to marry made them.”
Her eyes widened then she relaxed. He had to be joking. Who said things like that except in jest? “You are really quite funny,” she said with a smile.
His smile faded slightly. He studied her a moment. “Haley, why don’t you sit? I swear you look like a woman about to keel over. Are you working too hard in my absence?”
“I didn’t sleep well,” she mumbled as she focused on doling out plates of food for them.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. “Is it because I wasn’t there?” She didn’t answer, but as he leaned his face against her cheek, he felt warmth rush to her face in response.
A week passed. A week filled with fresh baked food, innumerable phone calls, and sleepless nights. Companies had begun to contact them in response to their mailings. And suddenly, Haley, who had been lonely and bored for so long, was busy every second with the new challenges she faced. As much as she tried to let him alone to focus on Adam’s recovery, to not bother him with work, the time came when she discovered she had no choice.
“Sam,” she began tentatively while they dined on Coq au Vin she had made. “There’s a company looking for an agency to help launch their new product.”
“What’s the product?” He asked as he stared at Adam’s comatose form.
“It’s a sports drink.” She shrugged.
“Did they send samples?”
“An entire case.” She studied him for a moment. “Here.” She passed him a bottle filled with purple liquid from the cooler beside her.
He studied the packaging, the label, and at last opened the cap to sniff it and take a long drink. He swooshed it around in his mouth for a moment before swallowing and she watched curiously. Was he serious or playing?
Finally, when she couldn’t take it any longer, she asked, “Well, what do you think?”
“Not bad. What do you think?”
“Well, I liked it well enough to think we should compete for the account.” She shrugged.
“Do you think you could come up with something?” He stared at her intently, waiting for her response. He trusted her implicitly.
She paused. “I thought we might work together like we have in the past.”
He tilted his head to the side, glanced first at Adam, then Haley. “I’d like you to give it a shot first.”
“By myself?” She asked bewildered.
He leaned over and took her hand. “I’ve been watching how you handle all of this, Haley. You are amazing.” He smiled. “And you should know that Neville gives me regular reports as well.” She sighed and opened her mouth to speak. “He thinks very highly of you. But we both have one concern. And if I let you loose to create this campaign, you must promise me you will remedy it immediately.”
She was silent for a moment. “What is your concern?”
“You aren’t sleeping, baby.” He reached over and pulled her out of her chair, over to him. He cradled her in his arms and rubbed his hand along the side of her face, until at last he cupped her cheek in his hand.
Her eyes closed as she pressed herself closer to him. She was too weak and tired to protest. What had happened to her stamina? She used to be able to accomplish so much on so little sleep, yet now the toll was clearly visible after one short week. “I’m fine,” she argued.
“No, you’re not,” he insisted. She shook her head against him, her eyes still closed. “I have half a mind to take you home and put you to bed properly,” he added, hoping for a response.
Haley’s eyes opened wide. “What does that mean?” She whispered.
“Why?”
He swallowed. That was all she had to say? He had just admitted his desire for her, his need to be close to her, and she merely wanted to know why? He faced her once more, met her questioning gaze, and waited for her reaction.
As Haley stared into his eyes, she saw something there she hadn’t recognized previously. His look was so intense, she was torn between being drawn in and fleeing. But what would she be running from? This was Sam…Sam who had never been anything but kind to her. Sam, who showed her every way he knew exactly how he felt about her. He gave her hope for a future that might even include him. She closed her eyes.
“I just need you, Haley,” he murmured into her hair. “This has been the longest week of my life. I want to be with you every waking minute of the day. I want to fall asleep with you close beside me every night. I have too much time to think here.” He saw the look in her eye. “Please don’t run. I’m not trying to frighten you. I would never hurt you.” He was running out of words, seemed unable to convince her of his good intentions.
“Take me home,” Haley whispered in his ear, surprising even herself. “Make me yours completely.” He pulled away to study her face, to see if he had heard her correctly. “I’ll give you what you need,” she added, a sudden surety in her voice.
He stood quickly, with Haley still in his arms. He set her on the floor rather abruptly and grabbed her hand while heading toward the door. She tugged back and he could see her looking at the open perishables on the table. “Leave it,” he urged.
Ignoring the signs posted along the corridor, Sam whipped his cell phone out of his pocket and flipped it open. “Meet us out front,” he commanded.
Patiently, Haley allowed herself to be dragged to the elevator, then through the hall, and finally out the front of the building where Neville stood ready to open the car door for them. They climbed into the back. Haley first, sliding across the back seat, but once Sam settled in, he reached for her and dragged her onto his lap.
He wanted to be gentle with her. He knew he had to take his time, move slowly, and take care not to frighten her. But at the same time, he had to reconcile that with his need to have her close. And he couldn’t get her close enough. From the moment she had admitted her willingness to give him what he needed this night, he had moved to ensure she couldn’t over think this, couldn’t change her mind.
He had her on his lap, pressed against his chest. And he kept cradling her against him as his hands moved feverishly over her body. Every part of her that he came in contact with was squeezed and kneaded.
Haley’s body was on fire. He seemed to be discovering her and rediscovering her. Every time he touched her and tugged at her clothes she felt as though flames were lapping at her skin. She burned and tingled all over. How long was it going to take before they were at last alone together in his room?
After what seemed like hours, the car finally pulled to a stop in the driveway before his front door. Like so many times before, Sam carried her in. But this time she was wide awake for it, well aware of what was in store for her. Silently she kept reminding herself that this was Sam and she wanted this. It wasn’t going to be like before. And so far it wasn’t. She just had to keep her eyes open.
Swiftly, Sam ascended the stairs, kicked at his bedroom doors until they popped open and ever so gently laid Haley on the bed. He had been silent the entire ride, he didn’t trust himself to speak. He was too afraid that he would ruin the moment, lose her when he said the wrong thing. He brushed her gorgeous copper curls away from her face and turned to close the door. Sam began to undress as he crossed the room to return to her side. His shirt was the first piece to be discarded. By the time he stood beside her once again, he was working on his jeans. And Haley just laid there and watched.
The room was bathed in the dusk, the only sliver of light provided by the streetlight outside that had recently flickered on and snuck through the plantation shutters. He stopped when he was wearing nothing but boxer briefs. He was afraid that if he went any further he would frighten her for sure. Instead, he turned his concentration to pulling back the comforter and sheets, then depositing Haley on the bottom sheet. She was still wearing her ill-fitting work clothes and an amazing pair of black heels. And that’s where he started. He grasped one delicate ankle and deftly removed her shoe, tossing it over his shoulder without a thought as to where it might land. Her toes curled in response and his mouth countered with a half-smile. He repeated the procedure with her other foot.
Reaching under her dress, he expected to follow her stockings up to her waist, but instead discovered they stopped at her thighs. He felt himself grow harder at the realization. Suddenly, removing the stockings was no longer a priority and he turned his attention to her dress. It easily slid over her head and when he had finally flung it carelessly away he gasped at the sight of her in her matching black bra, bikinis, and thigh highs. And that was when he felt her stiffen and suck in her breath.
She’s not like all the other women, he reminded himself. This is more than nerves. And finally he admonished, take your time with her!
Pausing, Sam climbed into bed with her that instant and pulled the covers over them so she wouldn’t be self-conscious. He had seen her but for a moment in the half light, yet he knew that image would not leave him any time soon. Slowly, he pulled her against his side and wrapped his arms around her. Sam inhaled the scent of her skin and hair, clean and floral, welcoming him like spring.
Haley curled around him for warmth and stability. She knew that his closeness would warm her body and his arms wrapped around her would soothe all of her unwarranted fears. She hadn’t, however, anticipated her reaction to his erection pressed against her stomach. She shivered uncontrollably.
“I’ll try not to hurt you, Haley. I’ll go slowly. You can tell me to stop if you need to.” He was gazing at her with warmth and passion, rubbing her arms and her side. Haley could feel herself growing moist. And soon Sam would feel it, too. He had made short work of her bra. She hadn’t even felt him remove it. His hand paused over the scar and he traced it.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you. I wish I had known you then. I wish I could have been there to protect you.” He knew it was unrealistic and impossible. He just wanted her to know he’d change her past if he could.
An instant later, he was kissing down her stomach, his hands around her waist, and she realized that ever so slowly her panties were inching their way down her thighs. And he was so gentle that she let her eyes close. Instantly, images of the past came rushing toward her. Her eyes flew open again.
As if he understood, Sam touched his hand to her face and stared into her eyes. “It’s just me,” he murmured, “just me loving you.”
Immediately, Haley was drawn back to the present, reassured and warmed by his words. He laid his hand across her lower abdomen and she swore he should be able to feel it pulsating and burning, feel the agony she was currently enduring. If he did, it didn’t show. Slowly his hand moved until it cupped her, and as he kissed her, she felt his hand slowly part her thighs and one finger entered her.
They gasped in unison. “You’re so wet, baby,” he murmured into the side of her face. “God, I want you.”
Haley could tell. She could sense the need growing in him. She could feel it in the way he was touching her, the way he was burning her with his hands, his eyes, his tongue. And she knew she needed this, too. As much as she tried to convince herself that this was for him in his time of need, she knew that really, she ached to feel loved. She had to have this amazing experience to erase and blot from her memory the terrible one she had before.
They moved together naturally. She had felt his hand urging her thighs apart and she had readily opened at his suggestion. In one fluid movement he had slid his legs between hers and pressed his body
against her. The warmth and pressure of having him on top of her made her moan.
“Am I hurting you? Am I too heavy?” He asked alarmed.
“No,” she purred.
He studied her face as he moved so that he was pressed against her warm wet entrance. Her eyes, which had been half closed, flew open and she braced herself. “You’re not ready,” he said quietly as he showered her with kisses.
She wanted to protest, to tell him that she felt ready, that she wanted him in her more than anything. But she couldn’t quite remember what she intended to say once his mouth met hers. She relaxed against him, felt his body melt against hers. And then, before she realized what was happening, he was entering her. There was a brief biting pain that caused her to inhale sharply followed by an indescribable fullness.
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