River of Love(27)

A short while later her cell phone vibrated and she dug it out of her purse, smiling at Sam’s name as she read the message. My cold shower would have been more fun with you in it.

She hugged herself, feeling his soft shirt against her skin. Thoughts of what they’d done came rushing back, making her hot all over. The poor guy. She really had left him blue balled. But he hadn’t pushed or made her feel guilty. She wondered how many guys would have handled it that well, and then her mind reached further. Sam was used to sleeping with women the first time they went out—and more likely for many of them, the only time they went out.

That made her feel even more secure and special. With that in mind, she couldn’t help teasing him. She texted, If I’d known a shower was on the table I might have gone home with you.

His response was immediate. I can take another one. Come over.

She laughed as she texted, Can’t. My boyfriend wore me out.

She didn’t bother to look away from the screen, knowing it would vibrate seconds later, as it did. Better start working out to prepare yourself for next time. Your bf has a rep to maintain.

She wondered about that reputation, and if people—women—in town would revolt when they found out Sam was off the market. She texted, I won’t ruin your rep and let people know you were a perfect gentleman if you don’t ruin mine by saying I wasn’t a lady. Before sending it, she added, It’s your fault. That monster vibrator that you call a motorcycle is supreme foreplay!

Her phone rang and Sam’s name flashed on the screen. Her heart skidded to a halt.

“Hey,” she said nervously.

“How’s my girl?” His voice was low and husky, and her mouth watered like one of Pavlov’s dogs.

Wishing you were here. She swallowed those words, because she knew he’d drive right over and she’d be worthless at work tomorrow if he did. Besides, she should wait to sleep with him, shouldn’t she?

“Missing you,” she offered.

“Me too. So you like my bike?”

She heard the sexy tease in his voice. “It gives an enticing ride. But I liked who I held on to better.”

“I do like your answers. I had a really nice time tonight. I wasn’t sure if you’d enjoy Whiskey’s, but I wanted to share something special with you and I’m glad you went along with it.”

She leaned back, fidgeting with the edge of his shirt and smiling at his thoughtfulness. “I loved being there with you.”

He was quiet for a few seconds before saying, “Faith, that’s not the only reason I called. I’ve been thinking about this since I was at your place, and after your text, I wanted to talk to you about my reputation. I wish it would just go away. I hate knowing that what I did in my past has such a big impact on you. I really respect you for giving me a shot.”

“Sam.” Her heart swelled to constriction. She didn’t know how to respond. He was the most sought-after guy in town, and he was nothing like any of those other women thought he was. They may have gotten great sex—she swallowed the bile rising in her throat—but she had the best parts of him. His honesty and emotions.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he assured her. “I just wanted you to know. I never thought past what I was doing, and I never imagined I’d care so much about what anyone thought of my past. But I do. I care about the impact it has on you. I care about you, Faith.”

Ohmygod. There was that blatant honesty again.

“Don’t go reticent on me. Don’t get scared off. I know I’m coming on strong—”

“I’m not scared off. I just”—she closed her eyes tightly—“never thought I’d like you so much, so fast, either.” Ohgodohgodohgod. Honesty is scary. How the heck did he do it all the time?

“Faith?”

She heard relief in that one simple word. “Yeah?”

“Wish I could see the blush on your cheeks right now. Sleep well, sweet one.”

Faith lay in bed that night thinking about Sam’s reputation and wondering how she would feel when they eventually went out together to a restaurant or a bar in town. Wondering how Sam would feel. He said he didn’t want to go out in town together until he was sure she wouldn’t judge him based on the actions of others. That meant he expected it to be pretty uncomfortable. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine walking into Whispers on Sam’s arm. Her heart immediately went into panic mode, and her eyes flew open. She didn’t even want to try to picture it. Would she ever be ready for that?

Curling up on her side, she grabbed her phone and considered texting Vivian. She owed her a phone call, and she wanted to tell her she was seeing Sam, but Vivian would lecture her or remind her of all the things she’d said the night they were out.

She set the phone on the nightstand, putting off the call until she could give it her full attention. Closing her eyes again brought images of the night they’d taken a walk on the beach and the longing look in Sam’s eyes when her friends had dragged her away. Chasing the memory were images of Sam, shirtless and perched above her, looking at her like she’d hung the moon. He made her feel cherished and safe despite his reputation. He made her feel important.

She clung to those feelings, counting down the hours until she’d see him again.





Chapter Fifteen


SAM STEPPED OFF the porch of his lakeside cabin Thursday morning and waved to Nate as he climbed from his truck.

“Look what the cat dragged in at two o’clock this morning.” Nate hiked his thumb over his shoulder at Ty, getting out of the passenger side at a slug’s pace.

“Jewel must have loved that.” Sam shook his head. “Why didn’t you crash here?”

Ty stretched his arms out to his sides and yawned. “Thought you might have company. I’ve been staying at Shannon’s while she’s out of town, but Nate’s was closer.”

Sam would have loved to have had company last night. He and Faith had planned on meeting around nine, but she had gotten called into the hospital to assist with an emergency surgery. Having to make it through Wednesday with nothing more than phone calls and texts had been far rougher than he’d expected. He’d woken up with a severe case of Faith Withdrawal, and couldn’t wait to see her tonight.

“Where’d you go? The trails?” Sam asked. He and Nate both lived on the lake. Each had a couple acres of wooded property, and they kept it that way for privacy. Shannon lived in town, and Sam couldn’t imagine where Ty had gone that he thought Nate’s place was closer.

“Bonfire out on the ridge.” Ty pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and sank down to the porch step. The ridge was closer to Nate’s than to Shannon’s. It was a rocky landing at the edge of the mountain overlooking the river.

Nate and Sam exchanged a knowing glance. It wasn’t unusual for Sam and Ty to stay out all night, catch a few winks in the morning, then work a full day at Rough Riders.

“I texted you about it.” Ty squinted up at him.

“Yeah, I saw a text asking if I wanted to go out.” Sam had shot back a quick no, thanks. “Are you running with us?”

“Yes, he’s running with us.” Nate’s military side was coming out in more than just his tightly shorn sandy blond hair. “Come on, get your ass up. You can’t wake my fiancée at two and expect me to let your lazy ass off that easy.”

Ty shook off his hood and raked a hand through his long dark hair. He reached a hand toward Nate for help getting up. Nate shook his head.

Sam grabbed his hand and yanked him to his feet. “I’d let you crash while we run, but my little brother might go all army on my ass. Then I’d have to kill him, and none of us would get our run in.”

They’d been running the trails together for years, that is, whenever they were all in town. Nate had spent several years in the military, and Ty’s schedule was always erratic. Sam treasured whatever time he got with his brothers.

Ty shed his sweatshirt, and they took off down the road at a slow pace, giving Ty time to wake up. Within a few minutes they found their groove and fell into step along one of the four-mile trails.

“How long do I have to wait to get the scoop on Faith?” Nate asked. “Or are we pretending it’s not happening?”

All it took was the mention of her name and Sam felt a goofy grin forming on his face. “Oh, it’s happening all right.”

“I knew you had big ones, Sam, but seriously?” The surprise in Nate’s voice was palpable. “Cole warns you away from her, and the minute he’s out of town you home in? What’s up with that?”

“I think we know what’s up with him,” Ty teased.

“It’s not like that.” Sam ducked beneath the branch of a tree. “I didn’t ask her out because Cole told me not to.”

Nate scoffed. “No shit. We know that. You’ve had your eye on her for a long time. Hell, I remember a few months ago when you were at Tap It and she walked in with some dude. I thought you were going to strangle the guy if he made a move on her.”

Sam clenched his jaw, remembering that night. Faith had looked hot in a little black dress with her hair clipped at the nape of her neck like a sexy schoolteacher. The guy she’d been with looked like a pocket-protector-wearing dork. The antithesis of me. He kicked up his pace to get that night out of his mind.