Shadow of Sin (The Martin Family)

by Kincade, Parker

  Caleb grabbed the glasses and found Samantha sitting in the middle of his bed. A warmth filled his chest. She looked as if she belonged here, in his space, his bed.

  Dressed casually in jean shorts and a T-shirt that hugged her curves, she sat cross-legged, her gaze intent on the laptop as her fingers flew over the keys. “Someone busting your balls?”

  He leaned a shoulder against the archway. “How much did you hear?”

  “Not much, but over the years I’ve grown accustomed to the tone you use when you’re annoyed.”

  “I’m sure you have,” he said dryly. “What’re you working on?”

  “Hmm?” Her fingers kept working as she finally spared him a glance. “Oh, a friend of mine has a non-profit and I’m helping him with some funding paperwork.”

  “Him?”

  “Yeah, Mike Harris. He runs a youth home outside of town. You know him?”

  Prominent businessman turned savior to Austin’s youth? “Heard of him. Decent guy if the rumors are correct.”

  “The rumors are very correct. He’s the best of the best. I swear the man’s a saint.”

  An uncomfortable feeling tightened Caleb’s gut. “Are you two close?”

  “We’re friends, colleagues.” She sighed and closed her laptop, giving him her full attention. “I do a lot of work for local charities, fundraising and such. Was there something specific you wanted to know?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

  There was a hell of a lot he wanted to know, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of cornering him. He shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m curious about you, that’s all.” And there were more pressing issues Caleb wanted to discuss. “You about done here?”

  Her mouth eased into a sexy grin and he went rock hard, instantly imagining her on her knees as he pumped between those succulent lips.

  “You’re insatiable,” she accused. Then, as if she’d just noticed the extra glass in his hand, “You brought me tea?”

  “When it comes to you, I am.” He moved to her. “And yes, I thought you might be thirsty, what with all the heavy typing you’ve been doing in here.”

  “Ha, ha.” She took a long drink before reaching to set the glass on the side table. She moved the laptop out of the way before stretching, cat-like, across his bed, arching her back until her breasts strained toward the ceiling. “So, tough guy, is there a reason you interrupted my work?”

  Caleb was, again, struck by her beauty. He’d had her more times than he could count over the last few days and it still hadn’t been enough. He feared he’d never get enough.

  She moved her hands over her breasts, caressing over her nipples with her thumbs until they were sharp peaks. She moved down her torso to her waistband. Her stomach flattened further as she rolled her hips, creating space for her hand to slip inside her shorts.

  Caleb groaned, wanting nothing more than to strip her naked and fuck the shit out of her. If they’d had more time, he’d already be balls-deep inside her. “As much as I love how you think, darlin’, we don’t have time for that now.”

  He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when her hand stopped its downward movement. If she’d gotten any closer to touching herself, he’d have lost all restraint and they’d end up missing the fundraiser all together.

  “Why don’t we have time?”

  Damn her wandering hands. His mouth watered as she cupped her breasts, raising them in offering. “Stop. Damn distracting woman. I’m taking you out tonight and you’ll need something to wear. We need to go shopping.”

  She looked playfully skeptical as she propped herself up on her elbows. “You mean you’ll actually take me outside where it’s unsafe?”

  “What do you mean? You went out yesterday with Amanda. What do you say? We can’t stay locked up in here forever, right?”

  “Shopping?”

  “Yep.”

  “I’m sure I have something at my place that’s appropriate. What’s the dress code?”

  Caleb laughed. Of all things, he hadn’t expected Samantha to argue about shopping. He remembered she did a lot of pro-bono work; maybe she was concerned about money.

  “It’s on me,” he assured her. “Whatever you need for tonight.”

  Clearly not the right response.

  She jumped from the bed and was in his face in a heartbeat. “I can buy my own clothes, thank you very much. I just don’t see the need when I have perfectly good clothes at home.”

  Caleb shook his head, forever baffled by this woman. Unable to do anything else, he pressed his lips to hers, swallowing her surprise.

  He loved kissing her. She gave as good as she got, always fighting him for control. Not this time.

  She melted against him and he felt her give over to the pleasure of their kiss. He urged her lips open, nipping and teasing as he circled her tongue, drawing the very taste of her into his mouth.

  He took his time, enjoying the feel of her. His hands curled around the curve of her ass, his fingers digging into the denim that hugged her soft flesh.

  He released her, breathless, aching, and cursing the clock. Maybe he should let her pick something from her own closet. It would be much faster and then he’d have time to get her naked now.

  No. He didn’t understand it, but he was overwhelmed with the desire to see her in something worn just for him. He rested his forehead against hers, unwilling to break contact just yet.

  “It’s just a dress, sweetheart.”

  “How about I let you buy me lunch? We’ll talk about the shopping.”

  Caleb chuckled, confident he’d won the battle. “Deal.”

  * * *

  Shopping with Caleb hadn’t been quite the nightmare she’d expected. Samantha stared at herself in the mirror and smiled. This was the fifth one she’d tried on and he still wouldn’t tell her why she needed a fancy dress. But jeez, the man had good taste.

  Samantha swiveled her hips, testing the flow of the material around her thighs. The gorgeous black dress was held up by thin wisps of jewel encrusted silk. Its neckline dipped and hugged her breasts, raising them into impressive cleavage. The fabric held tight to her sides, only to flair out into a skirt that barely hit her mid-thigh. Paired with three-inch heels, her legs would look amazing.

  What she wouldn’t give to have those heels right now, before she went out and modeled for him again. They’d definitely be sexier than the flip-flops she was wearing.

  Samantha had never been much of a shopper. In fact, she avoided places like this as much as she could. Reminded her too much of things best forgotten. Not to mention the fact that most of her clients were non-profit organizations or people who couldn’t afford other legal means. Oh, she took enough high paying gigs to pay her bills, and there was always the trust fund her grandfather had left her, but it was inappropriate to walk into a woman’s shelter wearing Armani.

  She frowned into the mirror. Was Caleb serious about buying her a dress? In her experience, a man didn’t buy a woman something so personal unless they wanted something. Since she’d already fucked him nine ways to Sunday, she couldn’t imagine what was left for him to want. She wouldn’t allow him to pay for her outfit, so it didn’t matter anyway.

  “What do you think of this one?” She faked a runway walk out of the dressing room, hoping she didn’t look like a complete idiot.

  Caleb’s gaze darkened. He shifted in the straight back chair that looked far too delicate under all those muscles. “Come closer. Let me see you.”

  Samantha laughed as he stood. He took her hand and turned her under his arm.

  “Mmm, mmm.” He whistled. “That dress could make a man jealous of fabric.”

  “You? Jealous?” Samantha shuddered at the desire in his eyes. He looked her over as if he owned every inch of her. Instead of being angry at his possessive look, she felt powerful, strong. No man would ever own her, but she was starting to think belonging to Caleb wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Even if it was temporary.

  She swept a hand over her belly and l
ooked at him through her lashes. “Is this what you had in mind?”

  Caleb sank back into the chair and urged her between his knees. “We’re gettin’ close, sugar. There’re a few things I need to check first. Turn around.”

  Her breath hitched as the heat from his hands surrounded her hips. If he leaned forward, he could rub his face between her breasts. The way he eyed her, she knew he was thinking the same thing.

  She glanced around, hoping they didn’t have an audience. She’d done a lot of things in her life, but sex in public wasn’t on her bucket list. Still, her body warmed at the idea of Caleb’s hands on her, inside her. He’d yet to do anything inappropriate, damn him, but she still felt naked under his gaze, as if he knew all her secrets.

  She turned slowly and straightened her back, waiting to see what he did next. A gentle touch along her spine caused her to shiver. Her nipples hardened to tight peaks. As one hand trailed down her back, the other trailed up the side of her thigh.

  “Your skin feels like velvet. So soft, I can’t help myself.”

  She was barely aware of the hand squeezing her hip, focusing instead on the hand that eased under the hem of the dress, teasing the back of her thigh. She stopped breathing all together when he reached the curve of her ass; her eyes drifted closed as he traced the rounded edge.

  “Open your eyes, Samantha. Look how beautiful you are.”

  Lost in the seduction of his touch, his voice, Samantha opened her eyes to see her reflection in the mirror. Her complexion carried a slight blush, not from embarrassment, but from arousal. A stray auburn curl tumbled into her eyes as she tilted her head and wondered what it would be like to see herself through Caleb’s eyes.

  Did he see beyond the surface? Was she just the woman he was currently sleeping with, or did he see more than that?

  Questions hell bent on driving her crazy.

  “I think I like this dress, sugar,” he murmured.

  Her knees wobbled as he trailed a finger over her silk covered pussy. There was no hiding how wet she was. Not with his fingers pressing against her most intimate flesh. He traced the outer edge of her panties, teasing her with the idea that he could slip inside at any moment and no one would be the wiser.

  “Oh yeah, I definitely like this dress.” He pulled his hand away so abruptly, Samantha snapped her head around, searching for signs he’d been caught caressing her. They remained alone. “The question is, do you like it?”

  She turned back around, resisting the urge to straddle his lap. “It has its advantages, but I’m suddenly thinking I owe you a surprise.”

  He grinned. “How’s that?”

  Samantha was taken by how easily he smiled around her now. “You are surprising me with a night out … where, exactly?”

  He shook his head. “Nice try.”

  “Right. So, I’m not going to tell you which dress I’m going to buy. And wipe that scowl off your face right now, Caleb Martin. You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you pay for it. Or the shoes.”

  He playfully smacked her ass. “Then I’ll look forward to seeing which you choose, as well as peeling it from your body later tonight.”

  She’d look forward to that as well. Mentally adding sexy lingerie to her list of things to purchase, her anticipation of the night ahead grew by the minute.

  “I agreed to let you buy me lunch, so I hope you’re hungry. ’Cause, I’m starving.”

  “I could eat.”

  His heated glance warmed her to her toes. She tossed him a wink. “I’m counting on it.”

  Chapter 13

  With Samantha’s purchases secured in his newly repaired truck, Caleb drove them to a quiet restaurant at the edge of town. The afternoon had slipped away before they slid into a booth.

  Caleb signaled the waitress and ordered two cold beers as Samantha stifled a yawn. Lack of sleep was starting to wear on her. Not that she was complaining. Caleb made going without sleep a worthwhile experience, but, at some point in the near future, she was going to crash hard. Caleb must be used to it, because he appeared more relaxed than she’d ever seen him.

  She still couldn’t believe she was here with him. That she’d seen him naked, felt his hard length inside her. He’d whispered words in her ear that made her hot, mastered her body like no other, and each moment was burned into her brain for all time.

  Her heart was history. It scared the crap out of her. If Caleb said jump, Samantha was terrified she’d ask how high? Too many years under her father’s roof had taught her how that would turn out.

  Amanda’s words came back to her in a rush.

  Caleb is not your father, Samantha. If you can’t realize that, let him go.

  She wanted to believe it. Wanted more than anything to let her guard down. If she hadn’t known the kind of man Caleb was before, the time she’d spent with him had proven he wouldn’t hurt her.

  Let him go. Could she really do it? Did she have a choice?

  “You still with me?”

  Samantha glanced up. Caleb reclined back, his gaze locked on her as if he wanted inside her head.

  “Sorry. Zoned out for a second.”

  “Are you okay?”

  She was touched by his concern. “I’m fine. A little tired, if you want to know the truth, but otherwise, no worries.”

  “Do you want to go home? There’s still time if you’d like to take a nap before we go out.”

  “Do I look eighty?” she joked. “I know you aren’t talking about taking me to my home, and you know there won’t be any napping if you take me back to yours.”

  It pained her to remind him if their situation, but she couldn’t go on like this. For her own sanity, clear lines needed to be drawn. She’d have a hard enough time going back to her life when this was over; her heart didn’t need anything else to cling to. Like the thought of a home with Caleb.

  His jaw tightened. “If you want to be left alone, all you have to do is ask.”

  “So, you’d let me go home then, alone, if I asked?” Oh, he walked right into that one.

  The tic in his jaw worked overtime. “Alone? No. Not a chance.”

  His arrogance should’ve pissed her off, but the truth was, it made her feel safe. He made her feel safe. “Lighten up, Cay. I’d actually prefer not to be alone right now. Call me crazy, but I think you’re starting to grow on me.”

  His eyes sparked with amusement. “In a good way, right? Not like a fungus or something gross you’d like to be rid of?”

  If he kept that charming shit up, he’d find out sooner, rather than later, how much he’d grown on her. She kicked off her flip-flop and teased her foot up the inside of his calf. “Definitely in a good way.”

  He reached down and grabbed her ankle, bringing her foot to rest between his legs. She wiggled her toes, felt his cock begin to swell behind the denim. His hand pressed against her foot until she couldn’t move, his gaze blazing hot as his tongue dashed across his lips.

  “Trouble,” he mumbled. “That’s what you are.” He loosened his grip, but didn’t release her. He cupped her foot in his hands and pressed his thumbs against her arch.

  “So you’ve said. Time and time again.” She dropped her head back and closed her eyes, luxuriating in the feel of his hands on her, massaging her, relaxing her.

  “I’m curious about you.” His voice drifted through her haze.

  “Curious about what?”

  “Everything. How you grew up, how you became a lawyer. What makes you, you.”

  In the past, the only time he cared about what she was doing was when Alec or Amanda were involved. Even then, he’d only cared about them. Never her.

  She peeked an eye open. “You act as though I haven’t been around. You could have learned all about me if you’d only paid attention.”

  “I’m paying attention now.”

  She sighed and pulled her foot from his grasp. “And why is that?”

  He surprised her by reaching across the table to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “Doe
s it matter? Past is past. Can’t change it. Best to let it go.”

  “Is that right? Just let it go, huh? I suppose you haven’t held on to anything in your past, have you?”

  “We aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you. I’m at a disadvantage, remember? You know about my family, now I want to know about yours.”

  “Do you watch the news?”

  “Yes.” He drew the syllable out, watching her suspiciously.

  “Then you know everything I do. Probably more, because I tend to hit mute at the mere mention of my father.” Not entirely accurate. Mute … turn off … same thing right?

  “And that’s what I want to hear about. The news doesn’t tell me why you never talk about them. Why you’re on your own.”

  “I’m a grown woman. Why wouldn’t I be on my own?”

  “Very funny. Don’t avoid the question. Why don’t you see your family?”

  Samantha sipped at her beer as she thought about how best to answer his question. She hadn’t become close to Amanda or Brandon until after the plane crash that had taken the lives of their parents. She hadn’t known Caleb before he’d joined the military. She’d seen him a time or two when he’d come home on leave, but she couldn’t expect him to have known anything about her back then. He rarely spoke to her and when he did, it was short and sweet. Just enough not to be rude. After those first run-in’s, she’d not seen him again for a few years. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought he’d been specifically avoiding her.

  Once he’d come home for good, she’d wondered if he resented her part in helping Amanda through her grief—when he, Brandon, and Alec had been ineffective in that regard.

  For Caleb, Samantha had been an outsider.

  The Martin’s were a tight, loving family. Samantha had met Caleb’s parents, not long after she’d left her own.

  Sophia Martin had been a quiet, gentle woman who loved to cook and take care of her family. Samantha had never heard her raise her voice, but, oh lord, could that woman drop the smack when Samantha and Alec got into trouble. Sophia could’ve made a saint feel guilty—with just a look, they’d have been begging forgiveness at her feet and swearing to never sin again. And Samantha should know. She’d been the recipient of those looks from time to time when she and Alec were in high school. Sophia had a kind heart, had treated Samantha like one of them, like family. Samantha would always love her for that.