“Tina thinks maybe Matt has a thing for you.”
She looked at him in surprise. “She said that?” She laughed and shook her head. “Matt’s just staying here while his house is being built. He should be out of here in a couple of weeks or so. If I was having a thing with everyone some of the people in town thought I was, I’d be the most sexually sated woman in the universe.”
“And instead?” His gaze held hers with an intensity that captured her breath in her chest and made her wonder if she would ever breathe again.
“And instead if I thought about it long enough I’d admit that I’m lonely.” She felt the warmth of the blush that swept over her cheeks.
Still his gaze held hers and she knew she should look away but she couldn’t. A palpable tension simmered between them, a tension she hadn’t felt for years but recognized as sweet, hot desire.
“You look like a woman who needs to be kissed.” His voice was low and husky and swept over her like a caress.
“Mr. Sam, look how many I caught!” Macy raced up on the porch, breaking the moment between Daniella and Sam.
Macy sidled up next to him and held out the jar that sparkled with the flashing lights of a dozen fireflies. She threw an arm around Sam’s shoulder and leaned into him. “Aren’t they pretty?”
He looked stunned by the easy way Macy clung to him. “They’re really pretty,” he replied.
Macy smiled at him. “And you like me, Mr. Sam, don’t you?”
Uh-oh, Daniella thought. Apparently Macy hadn’t listened to their discussion in the car. “Macy,” she said in her best mom warning voice.
“Of course I like you,” Sam replied.
“I thought so,” Macy exclaimed. She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then stepped away from him. Sam still wore a look of stunned surprise.
Daniella stood, more than a little bit irritated with her darling daughter. “Time to go inside, Macy.”
“Okay, I just have to let them go.” Macy unscrewed the lid of her jar and released the lightning bugs. “Good bye, lightning bugs. I’ll see you another time. Good night, Mr. Sam. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
An hour later Daniella sat at the kitchen table sip ping a cup of hot tea. Bedtime kisses with Macy had included a mini lecture about not bothering the guests, but she had a feeling her words had gone right through Macy’s head.
Macy was going to get her little heart broken if she thought there was a chance that Sam Connelly might become her new daddy.
Daniella stirred a spoonful of sugar into her tea and gave a little shake of her head. She’d never seen Macy act this way with any other male guest. She was obviously more hungry for a male role model in her life than Daniella had realized.
Sam Connelly definitely stirred a hunger in Daniella. Warmth swept through her as she thought of those moments earlier on the porch. He’d looked like he wanted to kiss her and despite all the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea, she wished he had.
She hadn’t lied when she’d told him she was lonely. When Johnny had first disappeared there hadn’t been time for loneliness. Not only had she spent all her energy on trying to find out what had happened to him, she’d also needed to finish the work on the bed-and-breakfast so she could get some income streaming into the household.
In the past year she’d noticed the loneliness creep ing steadily into her life. She’d awaken in the mornings alone in her bed and wish there was a warm male body to spoon against hers.
There were times she sat at this very table and wished there was somebody seated across from her, somebody with whom she could share the little nothings of her day. She missed having somebody to watch the sunset with her, to hold her close on a stormy night.
A knock on the back door startled her and she looked up to see Jeff standing there. She got up and hurriedly unlocked the door to allow him inside.
“Hey, stranger,” she greeted him. “I was wondering what happened to you over the last couple of days.” She hadn’t heard from Jeff since the night that Samantha’s body had been found, when he’d eaten dinner with them.
“I had a conference to attend in Denver. I just got back this afternoon and heard about Samantha.” He kissed her on the temple and then sat in the chair next to where she’d been sitting. “How are you doing?”
She returned to her chair. “Okay, despite the fact that Jim Thompson has me number one on his list of suspects.” She smiled at the man who had been her husband’s best friend, a man who had proven his friendship to her over the years since Johnny’s disappearance. “I’m fine, really.”
“I spoke to Jim before coming over here. That man shouldn’t hold the office he does,” Jeff scoffed. “Now he’s wondering if maybe you make a habit of getting rid of people who are in your way.” He shook his head. “He’s thinks it’s possible you killed Johnny and stashed his body somewhere it would never be found.”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Daniella exclaimed. The whole thing was too ludicrous to take seriously.
Jeff reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let him railroad you. In fact, I think maybe it would be best that if Jim wants to question you again you direct him to me.”
Jeff was one of two criminal defense lawyers in the area, and the fact that he thought she might need him was daunting. She pulled her hand from beneath his and leaned back in her chair. “Do you really think I’m in danger of being arrested?”
“No. I think Jim is blowing steam because he doesn’t have any other leads. But I still think it best if you have as little contact with him as possible. We both know you aren’t one of his favorite people.”
“That’s an understatement,” she replied drily.
“I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing, if there was anything you needed.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him. Jeff was a nice man, and Daniella suspected he wouldn’t mind being more than friends to her. But it was never going to happen. She felt no sparks with him, nothing remotely romantic. “Go home, Jeff. You look tired.”
“I am,” he admitted, and raked a hand through his hair. “Conferences used to be about meetings, but this one was more about drinks in the bar and late nights.” He stood and she did, as well.
“I appreciate you stopping by,” she said, as they walked back to the door.
“Whatever you need, whenever you need it, you know I’m here for you,” he replied. For a moment he gazed at her as if he wanted to say something more.
“Good night, Jeff,” she said quickly, and opened the door.
“’Night, Daniella,” he finally replied.
As he went out into the night she locked the door behind him and returned to her chair at the table. It was a shame she didn’t feel anything romantic toward Jeff. He was a good man who would have made a good, supportive partner in life.
But he didn’t excite her; he didn’t make her heart leap when she saw him. The last thing she wanted was for him to speak of anything he might feel for her and ruin the easy friendship between them.
She finished her cup of tea, then carried the cup and saucer to the sink. She wished Jeff would find a wonderful woman and get married. He deserved to be happy, but she knew in her heart she would never be part of that happiness for him.
After placing her dishes in the dishwasher she turned around and gasped as she saw Sam standing in the doorway. Instantly her heart did a crazy leap. “You seem to make it a habit to startle me,” she said.
“Sorry.” He stepped into the kitchen, bringing with him a palpitating energy.
He was shirtless, and his dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d been in bed and for some reason decided to get up and had simply pulled on a pair of jeans. He was lean but his chest was well muscled, and the gleam in his eyes was every bit as hot as his body.
Daniella’s mouth went dry as she remained frozen in place. She swallowed hard, trying to get her bearings. “Is there something you need?” she managed to say.
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“Yeah, there is.” He walked toward her with slow, deliberate steps, his gaze never wavering from her. The closer he came to her the more her blood heated, finally reaching the sizzle-and-boil stage as he stood mere inches from her.
“I need that kiss we talked about earlier.” His husky voice was filled with a need that nearly buckled her knees.
Daniella knew the difference between right and wrong, and she’d always told herself that it was wrong to get involved in any way with her guests, but at the moment she didn’t care; she wanted to be wrong.
She didn’t answer him, she simply leaned forward and raised her head to invite his kiss. She’d expected something simple, something light, but when he reached a hand up to cup the back of her head and pulled her tight against his bare chest, she knew this kiss wasn’t going to be anything remotely resembling simple.
His mouth took hers with fiery intent, blazing a flame of desire in her that drove any other thought straight out of her head. She raised her arms around his neck, loving the feel of his warm, bare skin beneath her fingers.
When his tongue touched her bottom lip she was ready for him to deepen the kiss, and she opened her mouth and lost herself in him.
Their tongues swirled together in a sensual dance as his fingers tangled in her hair and his other hand slid slowly down her back. Against the strength of his body she felt warm and safe, even as the mastery of the kiss made her feel decidedly unsafe.
One hand remained at the back of her head while the other stroked fire down her back, coming to rest on her waist. She used both her hands to caress his broad back, loving the feel of sinewy muscle just beneath the skin.
All too quickly he stopped. He dropped his hands to his sides and stepped back from her. His chest rose and fell in a rhythm that let her know he was as breathless as she, and his eyes nearly burned her with their intensity.
“Good night, Daniella.” He turned on his heel and left her there, wanting more of him.
She released a tremulous breath and raised a hand to touch her lips. She still felt the imprint of his there, a sweet burn that tingled down to her toes.
As she left the kitchen and headed toward her bedroom she realized that Macy’s heart might not be the only one broken when Sam Connelly went home.
HE LEANED AGAINST THE tree where Samantha Walker’s body had been found and balled his hands into fists as a rage burned hot in his veins.
Kissing.
He’d seen them kissing, and the rage inside him welled up, tasting hot and bitter in his mouth.
She belonged to him, not to some guest who was here today and gone tomorrow. What was she thinking, letting that man put his mouth on hers, allowing him to pull her so close against him?
In all the years since her husband’s disappearance he hadn’t worried about her getting involved with another man. She’d been a devoted mother, an overworked business owner who hadn’t taken time for a personal life.
He should kill Sam Connelly for putting his hands on her, for encroaching on property that wasn’t his. He should kill him, but he wouldn’t. Sam was an FBI agent, and his murder or disappearance would create more problems that it was worth, bring more attention than he wanted at the moment.
No, he wouldn’t kill Sam Connelly, but it was time to take action. The disappearance of Daniella and Macy would also bring attention to the area, but nobody would ever find them and nobody would ever suspect him.
Once he had them he would begin a double life, going about his business as he always had but also spending his spare time with his new family. Eventually Daniella and Macy would love him, would realize they were a family and belonged together.
Yes, it was time he claimed what was his, time he claimed the woman he knew would make his perfect wife and the little girl who was his perfect daughter.
Chapter Five
Sam crept down the stairs as quiet as a shadow. Dawn hadn’t even begun to lighten the eastern skies, but he’d awakened and had felt the need to escape the confines of his room.
He’d been a damned fool to kiss her. He’d gone out of his way to find her in the kitchen just so that he could take her in his arms and taste her mouth.
Fool.
He reached the bottom of the staircase and paused, listening for any noise to indicate that anyone else was awake in the house.
Silence. It was even too early for the woman of the house to be awake. That was fine with him. He needed a little alone time to get control of himself and his emotions where Daniella was concerned.
He unlocked the front door and stepped out on the porch. The early morning air was humid but relatively pleasant. It was still too dark to see much of anything, but he went to the railing and stood facing outward, and drew in several deep, cleansing breaths of air.
It wasn’t just Daniella getting to him; it was Macy, as well. When she’d leaned against him the night before, bringing with her the scent of innocence and childhood, it was as if a laser beam of light had pierced through the darkness inside him. And when she’d kissed his cheek, he’d had a fleeting thought that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have a family.
Macy and Daniella were filling his head with crazy thoughts and he had to get control of himself. He remained standing at the railing until dawn began to break, streaking the sky with shades of pink and gold.
The official beginning of the day was marked by the rumble of a panel truck coming up the driveway. The side of the truck read: Ray’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service. The truck disappeared around the side of the house, obviously making a delivery to the back door, and that meant Daniella was probably up and around.
Still he was reluctant to go back inside, maybe be cause he wanted to so badly. He wanted to see her smiling face, smell the scent of her that was evocative of sweet flowers and summer nights.
He turned away from the railing, deciding to sit for a little while longer before heading back inside. He frowned as he saw that one of the wicker chairs was already filled. A baby doll in a box tied with a bright pink bow sat next to a small floral arrangement of pink carnations. They had obviously been left by somebody for Macy and Daniella.
He picked them both up and went into the house where the scent of fresh-brewed coffee filled the air. He heard her in the kitchen, apparently talking to the delivery man.
He set the items on the sideboard in the dining room and then went into the kitchen where Daniella was talking to a middle-aged man with oversized ears.
Her hair shone like spun gold in the first stirs of morning light, and he remembered how silky it had felt against his skin as he’d tangled his fingers in it. He consciously tried to will the remembered sensation away.
“I’ll need to double the order for towels next weekend,” she said, not seeing Sam in the doorway. “In fact, we should probably double the order every weekend until September. I’m booked solid until then.”
She seemed to sense his presence then, for she turned around. “Oh, Sam. Good morning.” Her gaze didn’t quite meet his, and he wondered if she was thinking about the kiss they’d shared the night before. “Sam, this is Ray, who makes my life easier by providing me clean towels and sheets. Every Monday morning he’s my favorite man.”
The tips of Ray’s ears turned pink. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Daniella,” he replied. “I’ll see you next week.”
As the man left, Daniella closed the door behind him and then turned to Sam. Once again her gaze didn’t quite meet his. “You’re up early. There’s coffee in the pot in here, so help yourself. I haven’t started it in the dining room yet.”
“I got up early this morning and stepped out on the porch to watch the sunrise,” he replied. “There was something out there for you and Macy. Hang tight and I’ll get them.”
He left the kitchen and retrieved the flowers and the doll from where he’d placed them moments before, then carried them into the kitchen and set them on the counter.
A tiny frown danced across her forehead as she looked
at the pink carnations. “About once a month for the last year we’ve found little gifts on the front porch. I guess we have a secret admirer.”
It was Sam’s turn to frown. “What other things have you found?”
“It’s almost always flowers for me and some kind of little toy for Macy. The first time it happened was just after I’d had a houseful of guests who had checked out. We found a candy dish and a coloring book and crayons on the front porch. I just assumed it was one of the guests who’d left them as a thank you, but then about a month later there were new presents left.” She shrugged. “It’s just one of life’s little mysteries that I figured would eventually be solved.”
“I don’t like mysteries,” Sam replied flatly.
At that moment the back door opened and Frank came in. “Good morning,” he greeted them both. “Gonna be another hot one out there today.” He looked from Daniella to Sam. “Uh, did I interrupt something?”
“No, not at all,” Daniella replied. “Sam was just getting himself a cup of coffee, and I need to get back to breakfast preparations.” She turned toward the oven, and Sam knew any discussion about mysterious gifts or anything else was over.
As far as Sam was concerned the discussion wasn’t over; it was merely postponed. He’d been around the place long enough to know that Daniella stayed busy in the mornings but usually had a little downtime in the afternoon.
Both Matt and Frank were in the dining room for breakfast, and the meal passed quickly with the conversation focused on the weatherman’s prediction of the possibility of nasty storms for the evening. No one seemed to want to bring up the recent murder.
Sam barely listened to the conversation, distracted by thoughts of his own. Once the meal was over he took his fishing rod and headed for the dock, needing time to process the jumble of thoughts in his head.
The sun was hot, the air oppressive, as he settled into the deck chair and cast his line in the water. He felt as if there was something simmering here, something just under the surface that nobody could see. Call it intuition, gut instinct or whatever, there was no question that Sam was disturbed, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on what exactly caused this newest sense of unease.
Scene of the Crime: Bachelor Moon Page 6