Her words caught in her throat when the palm of his hand scraped lightly against her breast, arousing her through the confines of her dress.
“No talking in the gym,” he whispered against her mouth.
Mariella wanted to tell him she loved him, but she cleaved against him instead. His grasp around her waist was a life preserver, a heart breaker. She wanted to possess him, but she couldn’t, and knew her deep emotions for him might never have the chance to be fully expressed.
She held back tears as he claimed her lips as his again. In him, in his kisses, she found heat and comfort, and a profound sense of belonging.
He broke the kiss, put his cheek against hers and began to sway.
“What are you doing?”
“Dancing,” he replied, his voice hot against her ear.
She planted a kiss in the concave at the base of his neck. “But there’s no music.”
“You know we can make our own, my love.”
My love?
Her heart melted anew at his endearment. With those words, she pushed aside any fears that what they were doing was wrong. Before she could ask him what he meant, his lips hungrily sought hers again, sending shivers down her spine.
Her heart began to pound at the thought of being with Sam right here, right now. Her desire for him blinded her to the dangerous possibilities, and also made her feel free. She wiggled suggestively against him, trying to imprint the memory of his length on her abdomen.
She moaned softly, knowing just continuing these motions would drive them both crazy, but was too absorbed by her love and her lust for him to care.
She had the vague sense that something was wrong, when she heard the low crackle of the shopping bag.
He seemed as oblivious to his surroundings as she was as he pinned her back against the wall and deepened his kiss, arousing her even more. She croaked out his name and tried to push him away, but his hold on her was too tight.
Suddenly they were bathed in light and she knew her life would never be the same.
“Well, well, well.” Leslie sneered. “This is most inappropriate.”
Sam’s grip loosened and she slipped out of his arms, tripping over his feet in the process.
Mariella and Sam glanced at one another, both squinting under the glare, and then at Leslie.
“What are you doing here?” Mariella blinked.
She wondered how long the woman had been there, and how much she’d heard, or seen.
Leslie crossed her arms and gave her a shocked, incredulous look. “I should ask you the same thing. But I’m not stupid. I saw what you both are doing here.”
Mariella rushed forth to try to explain, but Leslie stepped back and her heels almost got caught in the shopping bag.
She reached for it, but Leslie snatched it up and crushed it between her hands into a tight ball.
“Don’t bother. Just get out.”
Mariella’s heart pounded with fear. She glanced over at Sam. His face was impassive and he appeared unperturbed by Leslie’s appearance.
“You’re not being fair,” he said.
“I’m not being fair?” Leslie narrowed her eyes. “You don’t have the right to say that to me. Not anymore. I came back to get Dante’s uniform so I could launder it during the break, and what do I find?”
She pointed her finger at him. “You won’t get away with this. Neither of you will.”
“It’s not Sam’s fault.”
Sam took a step forward. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Watkins.”
Leslie backed away, like he was poison. “Apology not accepted. It’s clear that you’re not fit to coach our kids. I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it appears everything I’ve read and heard about you is true. You’re nothing but an international playboy.”
Mariella shook her head, even though she’d once accused Sam of the same thing.
“Leslie, don’t. Please. Let’s talk about this.”
She whirled toward Mariella and pointed at her. “And you were stupid enough to fall for it, for someone like him.”
“We weren’t hurting anyone, Mrs. Watkins.”
“Oh no? I disagree, Coach Kelly. And so will Principal Taylor.”
Mariella wanted to run into Sam’s arms and defend him further, but she didn’t dare. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
“What are you going to do?”
“You both should have thought about that before you brought your little affair onto school grounds.”
Leslie threw the crumpled up shopping bag at their feet and marched out of the gym.
Chapter 10
Mariella dug into a large bowl and started mixing the dough inside with her hands, ignoring the white cloud billowing around her elbows. She was up to her arms in flour, and in trouble. Tomorrow was Christmas and she really needed a miracle.
Ever since Leslie caught her and Sam kissing in the gym, she’d been baking. It was the only thing she could do to keep her from going mad as she waited for the phone call from the principal, demanding she resign from the PTA.
The resulting scandal could even cause Sam to lose his job, and she could also lose hers.
Over the past three years she’d worked so hard to build a reputation as a good mother and a loyal employee to the mayor. Every time she thought about what Gregory would think about her when he found out, she wanted to faint.
If Josh found out, he’d be so embarrassed he’d probably never want to go to school or speak to her again.
She was even scared to pick up the Bay Point Courier from her front steps, worried the headlines she might find would reveal her relationship with Sam in big, bold print.
But there were no calls and no headlines, which worried her even more.
Mariella sprinkled flour on a sheet of wax paper, and then slapped the dough on top, intending to knead all her frustration away. She’d tried humming, but even her favorite holiday carols on the radio couldn’t lift her spirits.
That night they’d hustled out of the gym. Sam carried half of Maisie’s linens, and she carried the other half because Leslie had completely destroyed the shopping bag.
He’d tried to reassure her and told her to stop worrying, and she accused him of being flippant about the situation. He did not try to kiss her. They got into their cars and drove their separate ways. Since then, she’d refused to talk to him and ignored all his text messages.
Perhaps it was a good thing he had gone home for the holidays; maybe then he’d realize that their relationship was doomed from the start.
Getting caught by Leslie was serious business, even if he didn’t think so. The threat of a scandal was something he dealt with all the time when he was playing pro. He was used to it, which is why he could take it in stride. Mariella kneaded the dough until her fingers hurt and placed it in a bowl to rise.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Josh!” she exclaimed, turning around. “Why didn’t you use the back door?”
Sam peeked his head in the room, and then stepped inside. “Can I come in, too?”
“We wanted to surprise you. Coach Kelly stayed in town.”
Mariella put one hand against her head, forgetting it was full of flour.
“You did?”
He gave her a casual nod. “Change of plans.”
When she shot him a questioning glance, he raised a brow as if to say “we’ll talk about it later.”
Mariella walked over to the sink and washed her hands.
“Nice apron,” he said in a humorous tone. “I would have brought mine, but I left it at home.”
Her red apron had brown reindeer made of felt, prancing on a snowy hillside. Each one had a sequined green collar and tiny jingle bells. It was a tradition to wear it while she was doing any baking during the holidays.
She glanced back a
t him and her face heated at the admiring smile on his face. Whatever tension was between them disappeared, and the pleasurable memories rushed back. Images of their night in his apartment danced in her head.
She turned toward the window, hid a smile and did a couple of little twists.
Ring-a-ding-ding. Ring-a-ding-ding.
“Mom, please,” Josh groaned and clapped his hands over his ears. “Not the bells.”
She turned and caught Sam’s eyes watching her body as she removed the apron and hung it across one of the kitchen chairs.
“C’mon. Where’s your Christmas spirit, Josh?”
She smoothed her hands on her blue jeans in an attempt to stop them from shaking under Sam’s gaze.
“It is almost Christmas, you know.”
Josh unzipped his hoodie. “Duh, Mom. I was shopping for your present and my ride bailed on me. I just happened to run into Sam, and he gave me a ride home.”
“I was shopping, too,” Sam said, and she detected a mysterious twinkle in his eyes.
“Both of you waited till the last minute?”
“Of course,” Sam said. “We’re men, right, Josh?”
“Right! Mom, where’s the wrapping paper? I want to wrap Emily’s gift.”
She thought a moment. “Upstairs in my bedroom.”
Josh went into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. While his back was turned, Mariella gave Sam a shy smile.
“Okay,” Josh said after a large swig. “I’m going to go wrap it up so I can take it over to her house later. She wants to put it under her tree.”
“If I don’t see you, have a merry Christmas, Josh.”
He nodded. “You, too, and thanks for the ride.”
Mariella waited until she heard Josh shut his bedroom door, and then motioned Sam to join her near the sink.
He went to her side immediately. “Heard anything?”
“No, and it’s killing me.” She folded her arms across her chest. “What about your boss? Did he say anything to you?”
“Right now Brian thinks I’m back in England. But I suppose he’d text if he wanted to fire me, which he won’t, and neither will Principal Taylor.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because the Titans are winning. Now, if we were losing, then I’d be in trouble.”
“How can you think about winning now?” She shook her head at the smugness in his tone. “You think this is all a joke, don’t you?”
He tried to embrace her, but she pushed him away.
“Don’t, Sam.”
She grabbed a wet dishrag and waved it at him. It was an effective weapon, and he stepped back.
“Why didn’t you go home like you’d planned?”
He was quiet as she furiously wiped away the flour from the countertop. Normally, she was very accurate and neat with measuring, but not this time.
“I couldn’t leave with things so up in the air.”
She paused her hand. “Between us or with Leslie?”
“Both,” he said with no hesitation.
“Very charitable of you.”
Mariella tossed the dishrag into the sink and washed her hands again, not sure why she was in such an irascible mood.
She wanted him to get out.
She wanted him to stay.
He let out a sigh as he sat down, and when she opened her mouth to protest, her heart resisted.
Sam looked so relaxed sitting in her kitchen, so warm and cozy in his black long-sleeved T-shirt and gray stonewashed jeans, it was as if he belonged there all along.
“What’s going to happen to us, Sam?”
“Nothing, I hope.” He shrugged. “Maybe Leslie had a change of heart.”
She rolled her eyes. “Ha. The woman doesn’t have one.”
Sam got up and put his arms around her waist, and she collapsed against him, no longer able to resist. Being away from him for two hours, let alone two days, was torture.
“Mariella. We weren’t doing anything wrong.”
“No, we were just doing it in the wrong place.”
“I know,” he admitted, nuzzling the top of her head with his nose. “This is all my fault. I couldn’t resist you. That’s why I couldn’t leave you right now.”
But what about later?
Mariella snuggled her cheek against his chest. She was glad he’d decided to stay in town. His apology meant he was finally taking her concerns seriously, which was a sign he cared about her. Too bad it was a little too late.
“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it. I’ve been so worried about everything.”
“You needn’t be. I told you I would take care of you. Why haven’t you returned my calls or text messages?”
She pulled away again. “Because I’m confused. Because no matter whether we got caught or not, this is wrong.”
“What? Us?” he asked.
She nodded, and he pulled her to him and drew his knuckle along her jaw.
“No way. This is right. We’re right.”
Mariella shook her head and refused to meet his eyes. “Not anymore.”
Releasing her, he leaned back against the counter. “What are you saying, Mariella?”
Her heart pounded in fear, but she couldn’t stop now.
“I’m saying we’re finished. It’s been fun, but we’re done.”
Sam’s eyes widened, and she was willing to bet this was the first time a woman had ever broken up with him, instead of the other way around.
He put his hands on her shoulders. “No. This will blow over, Mariella. For all we know, it already has.”
“Maybe it hasn’t.” She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the defeated look on his face, refusing to be persuaded. “Maybe it hasn’t even begun.”
“Look at me, Mariella.” He cradled her face in his hands and she opened her eyes again.
“I came back because we have something special and I want to protect it.”
She fought back tears as the meaning behind his words stirred her emotions. It was true that they had something special. So special she’d fallen in love with him.
How was she going to cope without him in her life?
But she’d thought it over and firmly believed that even though it would be painful, ending the relationship was the best course of action.
There was nothing she could do about her feelings, except try to stem the tide of their passion before it crashed into her heart, breaking it and her life into a thousand pieces.
She was rooted in California, while he had traveled the world. Their paths were divergent from the start, by thousands of miles, crossing continents and time zones. They were able to bridge the divide with their bodies, connecting in beautiful, sensual ways, but that would never be enough for her.
“You’d better go now, Sam.”
“Don’t you want my Christmas gift first?”
She stared up at him. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He left and retrieved a shopping bag from the front entrance to the kitchen where he and Josh had entered. With great flourish, he took from it a rectangular box, gift-wrapped in shiny gold paper and white sequin ribbon, with a card stuck on top.
“Before you cut me loose forever, I want you to open this box up tonight and then decide.” He lifted her chin with the pad of his thumb. “Promise me?”
She stared at the beautifully wrapped gift, terrified and curious at the same time, and tears sprang into her eyes.
“What’s the point, Sam? You didn’t leave for Christmas. So what? We both know you’ll be gone by Easter. And now with Leslie potentially telling the world, or at least everyone in Bay Point about us, I don’t see how this can solve anything.”
She tried to hand the box back to him, but he refused to take it. Finally, she set it on the counter, for fear
of dropping it, as he approached her.
Sam’s lips were inches away from hers, hovering close enough for her to turn away, and yet she couldn’t.
“Let’s be candid, shall we, Mariella? You’ve fallen in love with me.”
She couldn’t deny the truth of his words.
When had he first known?
It didn’t matter now. He did know, and she was blissfully relieved. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes as he peppered her nose with sensual, butterfly kisses.
“Isn’t it only fair to give me one last chance to prove that I’ve fallen in love with you?”
Sam brushed his lips against her mouth, tapped her tongue with his, and she was gone. As their embrace deepened, they became lost in one another and neither heard the wooden stairs creak.
* * *
Sam parked his car, locked it and saw Mr. Wexler walking down the stairs from his apartment.
“Good evening, Sam. Your mother emailed me. Wanted me to check in on you. She said you were supposed to be back in London for Christmas.”
He jingled his keys in his hand. “Yes, I canceled my flight and decided to stay here.”
“You might want to let her know. She sounded worried.”
“I left her several messages, but she tends to want proof. Hence, her sending you on a reconnaissance mission.”
Wexler chuckled. “I know. She’s tough. Questions every piece of Staffordshire I find for her. I’m surprised she doesn’t fly over and pick them up herself.”
Sam gasped half jokingly. “Don’t even suggest it because she would.”
“If you’re going to be around on Christmas Day, Lucy’s serves a nice brunch. Most shops and restaurants are closed.”
“Thanks. I may check it out.”
“I’d invite you for dinner at my place, but I tend to put on some holiday music, heat up a frozen dinner and kick back with a cigar in front of a fireplace. I’m not quite Scrooge, but close.”
“I’ll be fine. I may head down to San Francisco for the day,” he said, in an effort to get him off his back. He had other plans in mind.
“Been quiet upstairs lately. Everything all right?”
He gave the man an odd look. “Sure, why?”
“I don’t have Wi-Fi at home, just here. Makes it easier at tax time. Sometimes I stay late and scour the internet for my latest treasures. My computer is in an office at the back of the shop, right under your bedroom.” He flashed a wicked grin. “If it was a woman who changed your mind to stay home for the holidays, it sounds to me like she’s a keeper.”
Winning Her Holiday Love Page 14