by Anne Rainey
“The heart attack was a wake-up call for all of us,” River muttered. “Mom needs to slow down. She needs help.”
“No doubt, bro.” Sam was ashamed that he hadn’t noticed until it’d been almost too late. “We’re going to see that she gets it.”
“If we do this, then we’re going to need new menus, a bigger staff. New uniforms. More than Eddie to cook.” Brodix shoved a hand through his hair. “This is big, Sammy.”
“No joke there, it’s a huge undertaking. But I have some ideas how we can get some help with some of it.”
“You’re thinking about Julie,” Reilly surmised.
Vance quirked an eyebrow. “What’s she got to do with this?”
“She’s majoring in business, and I think she’d be a real asset through all this. In fact, I’m thinking of asking her to be the manager of the Blackwater Bar and Grill.”
“Makes sense.” Brodix grinned. “The Blackwater Bar and Grill… Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“Damn straight,” Sam growled.
“Speaking of Julie,” Brodix said as his gaze met his and held, “what’s this about you two going out to dinner last night?”
It wasn’t the abrupt change in topic that had Sam on alert so much as the tone. Brodix sounded jealous. Had he been into Julie? Sam had assumed Brodix had just been doing what he usually did when he was around a pretty woman—flirting.
Sam glared at Reilly. “Big mouth.”
Reilly stood and held up his hands. “Hey, don’t get all angry with me. He’s the one who asked if I knew her phone number. I told him that I didn’t, but you might.”
Sam turned his attention back to Brodix. “You were planning to call Julie?”
Brodix sat back and tapped his fingers against the countertop. “I thought about it. Is it a problem?”
“Yeah, it’s a problem,” he gritted out as he recalled the sight of her during her climax. “Julie is off limits.”
“Seriously? You just met her on Thursday! Jesus, you’ve gone out all of one time.”
Sam didn’t say anything, only stared. To his way of thinking, there wasn’t anything left to say.
Vance laughed. “Mom is going to have a heyday with this.”
“Whoa.” Sam’s gut clenched up. “I’m interested in Julie, yeah, but I didn’t say we were picking out matching robes.” He paused, then thought to add, “And if any one of you says a word to Mom, I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp.”
“Might not have to,” River said, smiling for the first time since their mother’s heart attack.
“What do you mean?”
“Julie’s at the hospital now, remember? Mom’s probably already gotten all the information she needs.” He chuckled. “The woman is better than a CIA operative when it comes to gaining intel on her boys.”
Sam groaned. “Christ, I never even thought of that.” Hell, he’d be lucky if his mother hadn’t already set a wedding date.
“If I were you,” Reilly said, “I’d get my ass down there before Mom gets carried away.”
“Like that time Vance brought home Shayla Riggs. Remember her?” River asked, punching Vance on the arm. “Mom was ready to break out the horse-drawn carriage and champagne flutes for the two of you.”
Vance stayed silent, but Sam saw the flicker of pain all the same. Sam remembered Shayla. She’d broken his brother’s heart. The others weren’t aware of how serious Vance had been for the girl. But Sam had known, and it still pissed him off to know how easily Shayla had found it to kick Vance to the curb.
“Before we end this meeting,” Sam said, changing the subject for Vance’s sake, “I need to know if we’re all onboard with the remodel.”
They all sent up their agreements. Reilly, River and Brodix high-fived one another. Vance sent Sam a look of thanks before he stood. “I’ll start working on the plans.”
“Good deal. I’ll talk to Mom, and we’ll go from there. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” his brothers said in unison.
When Sam arrived at the hospital, Julie was sitting next to his mom’s bed. They were laughing and carrying on as if they’d known each other their entire lives. He liked seeing his mom happy. He hadn’t seen her laughing much, not since their dad had passed. And it was good that Julie was so at ease around his family, but some part of him wondered if he held any importance in her world. The thought turned his good mood sour.
Sam cleared his throat. Both women glanced over at him. “Am I interrupting?”
“Sammy dear,” his mother said in her usual cheery voice as she held her arms out for a hug. “We were just talking about you.”
“That’s never good,” Sam muttered.
Julie smiled, and unless he was seeing things, Sam thought he saw the hint of a blush filling her cheeks. He wanted to go to her, to pull her out of the chair and give her a proper hello, but he didn’t have that right. She didn’t belong to him. One date, one hot as hell date—that was all they’d shared. When she gave him a puzzled look, Sam frowned, and he wasn’t even sure why.
“Sammy, stop glaring and come over here and give me a hug.”
Sam strode across the room and leaned down to kiss his mother on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better now that I’m to be released from this prison.”
“The doctor just came in and gave the okay,” Julie said. “Your timing couldn’t be better.”
“Good,” he said, not taking his eyes off his mom as he lifted away and took the seat at the bottom of the bed. “You do know that this doesn’t mean you’re going right back to your old diet and routine, right? It’s time to start eating healthier. You need to think of you for a change.”
“Yes, yes, so I keep hearing.” She pointed a finger at him. “You and your brothers have turned into a bunch of mother hens.”
Sam winked. “What can I say, we learned from the best.”
Julie stood, and Sam was able to get a better look at her. She wore a pair of tight, dark blue jeans and a white blouse. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and Sam thought she looked cute as a button. His cock went semi-hard as he remembered how good her pussy had felt in his palm, how sweet she’d tasted. Sam started to get up, then realized what he was doing and stopped. His mom had plans, he reminded himself. The marriage-and-white-picket-fence type. He was sure of it. Sam didn’t even know if Julie still wanted a second date.
Sam watched as Julie took her purse off the back of the chair and flung it over one shoulder. When she leaned down to hug his mother, Sam got a glimpse of Julie’s ass in the denim. Jesus, the woman was built.
“You’re leaving?” he asked.
She nodded. “Unless you wanted me to stay?”
Her gaze darted down his body and when she looked back up at him, Sam saw the way she bit at her lower lip, and her breathing had increased. Unless he was way off, Julie appeared turned on. It wasn’t anything obvious, but after their little make-out session on her back patio, Sam recognized the small telltale signs. He desperately wanted to take her in his arms and press her for a day and time when he could see her again, but as he glanced over at his mom, he saw the twinkle in her eyes. The one that said she’d already decided where they should register for gifts. He stayed firmly planted in the chair.
Sam remembered she’d asked him a question. “There’s no need to hang around, but I appreciate you coming by.”
“Okay,” she said in a quiet voice before quickly turning her attention to his mom. “Hanging with Wanda is always my pleasure.” The two women said their good-byes, and without another glance his way, Julie left.
“Sammy, if you were looking for an opportunity to stake a claim, that was it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The heart attack didn’t affect my mind, dear. I can see the way you two look at each other. And I know you took her out to dinner.”
Same raked his fingers through his hair. “Does everyone know my business these days?”
She ignored him as
only a mother on a mission could. “So, what gives?”
“A date, that’s all we’ve shared, Mom. One date.”
“Was it horrible? Did she get drunk and pass out?”
Despite his irritation at being grilled like a schoolboy, Sam chuckled. “No, she didn’t get wasted. We had a great time.”
She waved her hand impatiently back and forth between them. “Okay, and…?”
“And that’s all you’re getting out of me on the subject of Julie Rose.”
“If you insist. May I at least give you one small piece of advice? I promise I’ll let it drop.”
Sam snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second, but I’m listening.”
“Love is a risk, dear. No one knows that better than you do. The thing is, some people are worth it.”
An orderly came in and saved Sam from replying. He didn’t know what he would’ve said anyway except the truth, that Julie was worth the risk. Of that, Sam had no doubt. But would she feel the same way about him? One way or another, he needed an answer to that nagging question.
Chapter Seven
Since leaving Wanda in Sam’s capable hands, Julie had been parked on the couch attempting to catch up on all her television shows. Her usual Sunday ritual had always been homework and vegging in front of the TV. After rewinding the same scene for the third time, however, she had to admit defeat. It was no use, because her mind was on Sam. He’d been so sweet and oh-so-romantic on their date. Wishing on stars, who would have thought? And then he’d taken her clear to heaven with his skillful touches. God, she still burned from the feel of his fingers buried inside of her pussy. She knew he’d enjoyed every second of it too. His sensual words on the phone that morning had been proof of that. So was the hard-on she’d seen him sporting at the hospital.
When he’d called and woken her up, he’d explained that he’d wanted to hear her sleepy voice first thing in the morning. He’d said he hadn’t been able to sleep for thinking of her in his arms. He’d reminded her that she’d promised him another date. She’d ended up stammering, too excited to speak with any degree of intelligence.
Unfortunately, when he’d shown up at the hospital, he’d been back to frowning. She wasn’t sure what had changed. At one point she could’ve sworn he was going to cross the room and pull her into his arms, but he hadn’t. Julie wondered now if maybe she’d been imagining things. He hadn’t acted at all like the same man who’d called her that morning simply because he couldn’t get her off his mind. A knock on the door pulled Julie out of her gloomy thoughts.
“Saved!” Much more of that and she would’ve driven herself senseless.
Julie jumped up and went to the door. When she flung it open, she came face to…Carhartt. Ah, she’d know that black coat anywhere. Julie looked up. “Sam? What are you doing here?” Right about then she realized she hadn’t bothered to change out of her ankle-length red plaid flannel nightgown. And her hair was in rollers. Good God Almighty.
His gaze traveled down her body, then back up. His grin sent her blood rushing. “You like to be warm and cozy, huh?”
Embarrassment swamped her. “In my defense, it is five thirty on a Sunday and I wasn’t expecting company.”
He fingered one of her rollers and murmured, “I can see that. May I come in anyway?”
“Of course, sorry.” She quickly stepped back, but before she could take her next breath, Sam was pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her silly. He kicked the door shut behind him and pushed her up against it, then coasted his soft lips over hers. His tongue probed, demanding entrance. Julie wrapped her arms around his neck, then opened up and let him inside. He tasted good. Spicy and warm and so darn yummy. Julie knew she’d crave the taste of him.
When he pulled back an inch, he whispered, “I missed you.”
“Uh-huh,” she mumbled. Reality intruded when she remembered his odd behavior at the hospital. Julie pushed out of his arms and planted her hands on her hips. “Now wait a darn minute, Sam Jennings, if you missed me so much, then how come you were rude to me at the hospital?”
“Rude?”
She poked his chest. “Don’t dare deny it. You were frowning at me. Again. Heck, you barely acknowledged my presence.”
To her surprise, he looked shamefaced. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, but I still want an explanation,” she demanded.
He unzipped his coat and pulled it off, then slung it over the recliner. “It’s complicated.”
“I’m a real whiz with complicated issues.”
He looked pointedly at the couch. “Can we sit down?”
Julie didn’t say a word as she strode toward the couch and sat. He followed and took the cushion to her left. “Brodix wanted to call you.”
“He did? Why?”
“I assume to ask you out. I told him you were off limits.”
“Don’t try and tell me it’s because you were protecting me. Not this time. I won’t buy it.”
“No, my motives were totally selfish.”
“They were?”
“Yes. I don’t want to share you.”
“Why?”
He quirked a brow. “You’re just chockfull of questions today, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Stubborn,” he whispered. “No wonder Mom likes you so much.”
“Sam, I’m losing my patience.”
Without warning, Sam reached out and took hold of her waist, then hauled her across the couch and plopped her onto his lap. He cupped her chin. “I don’t want to share you because I want the right to call you my woman. Get the picture now?”
“And I’d like the right to call you my man, but that doesn’t explain why you were pouting today when I saw you at the hospital.”
His face went hard as granite. “I was not pouting.”
She reached out and flicked a piece of lint off his collar. “Call it what you like, but I still want to know why.”
“It threw me for a loop.”
“What?”
“Seeing you next to Mom’s bed, the two of you smiling together. She cares about you, and you care about her. I remembered at Thanksgiving how Brodix flirted with you. River was even a little taken with you, and that’s a big deal for River. He’s usually so closed up, barely lets anyone in. With you, he was at ease.” He wrapped a hand around her nape and pulled her closer. “Everyone has a part of you, except me.”
“Oh.” Julie didn’t know what to say. Sam had completely undone her with his stark confession. “Any thoughts on how to fix this little problem?”
“Give me a part of you, Julie. Give me the most intimate, sweetest part of you.”
“Yes,” she answered, her body suddenly ablaze with sensation. Caving in to his erotic demand was the easiest thing she’d ever done.
Sam’s lips drifted back and forth over hers before he gently pulled back. He was aroused. His fierce gaze and the hard length beneath her bottom testified to the fact. Her pussy throbbed as she imagined his thick cock stretching and filling her. Julie started to bring him back to her mouth, anxious for more, but he stopped her.
“What is it?” Had she done something wrong to ruin the moment?
“You haven’t been with many men have you, sweetheart?”
His question wasn’t critical, but Julie still felt like a lumbering giant in a china shop. “How could you possibly tell that from only a few kisses?”
His smile was gentle as he said, “It’s in the way you look at me. As if you want me in sixty different ways, but you aren’t sure how to go about it.”
Her gaze shot to his chest, unwilling to watch if he laughed at her. “I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to experiment.”
Sam tugged on one of her curlers. “Look at me, Julie.” She squared her shoulders and met his gaze. “How about you experiment with me?”
Oh, now she was starting to get the drift. She let a small smile slip as she asked, “You want to be my canvas, is that it?”
H
e chuckled. “Sort of. That’s what foreplay is for, to tease and play.”
“And if I do something you don’t like?”
“I’ll like it. As long as it’s you, I’ll like it.”
“And here I thought guys went for women who knew their way around a man’s belt.”
His hands smoothed their way down her back to her bottom. He cupped and squeezed her through her flannel gown. “I don’t know what other men want, nor do I much care. All I know is what I want, and I want you comfortable. For now, just let all your worries go, Julie.”
“That doesn’t sound too difficult.”
He pulled her closer until his cock was pressed into the seam of her buttocks. Julie moved her hips back and forth, teasing them both.
“Sweetheart?”
“Hmm?”
“How much is not much?”
Her stomach sank. “Oh, lord.”
“I need to know, are you a virgin?”
“No, it’s not like that. But I can count on one hand the amount of lovers I’ve had and still have a finger or two left over.”
His eyes shot wide. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” She pushed against him, not willing to be humiliated by her lack of experience no matter how badly she wanted him. But he was about as movable as a cement wall. He wasn’t budging. “Let me go.”
His brows drew together. “What the hell for?”
“Because I don’t need you staring at me as if I’m some sort of loser.”
“I don’t think you’re a loser,” he quietly explained. “I’m surprised, that’s all. I mean, a woman as smoking hot as you should have men lined up on her front porch.” He shook his head. “I’m glad they aren’t, because I seriously don’t share well with others.”
She squinted, still leery. “You don’t think I’m hopeless, then?”
He licked his lips and looked at her chest, as if mentally picturing her naked breasts. “You’re the furthest thing from hopeless, sweetheart. Sexy, delicious and overdressed, but not hopeless.”
Sexy and delicious, yeah, that works. She swallowed hard as his hands began to massage her backside. Sam had somehow managed to wiggle her nightgown higher, exposing her thighs in the process. His rough fingers there, teasing, nearly had her moaning, and he hadn’t even gotten to the softer parts.