River of Love(48)

Yeah, she’d changed all right. For the better. She wasn’t skittish about their relationship, or untrusting. Sam made her feel loved, and special, and confident in all aspects of her life. They made a good team in every way possible. He moved with deft confidence and a seductive gaze locked on her, despite the many female eyes watching his every move.

She was unable to take her eyes off of the man who’d renewed her faith in relationships. And maybe even in herself.

His arm circled her waist as he lowered his cheek to hers and said, “God, I’ve missed you, baby.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, making her heart go all sorts of crazy.

“I’m glad you made it,” he said to Vivian, before pulling her into a hug.

Vivian made a dreamy face, eyes to heaven, mouth agape. “I take back everything bad I ever said about you,” she said to him.

Sam reached for Faith, bringing her to her favorite place, tight against his side. “Do I even want to know?”

“No,” Vivian and Faith said in unison.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Vivian said. “I see a super-sexy guy over there who needs ogling.”

Faith and Sam followed her gaze—to Tex.

“I have a thing for tats,” Vivian said before making a beeline for Sam’s employee.

“She’s also on a hiatus from men, so Tex is safe.”

“Tex is a big boy. I’m not worried.”

Faith wrapped her arms around Sam’s neck and went up on her toes for another kiss. “This is incredible. Are you happy with the turnout?”

He flattened his palm against her back, holding her close with a devilish look in his eyes. “I’m pleased with the turnout, but even happier that you’re here now.”

“We got here at five thirty, but it was already packed.”

“People showed up early. No biggie. Did you have fun with Vivian this afternoon?”

“Yes, and you know what the best thing is?” Before he could answer, she said, “I was worried about being jealous, but I’m not. Not even a little.”

“That’s good, because you never have a reason to be.” His eyes shifted to Cole heading their way. Sam draped his arm around her waist again, a smile forming as his brother joined them.

“Hi,” Cole said, leaning in to hug Faith, then embracing Sam.

Since the joint apologies the night of the impromptu bonfire at Sam’s house, things had been easy between Faith and Cole at work again, and tension had eased between the two brothers.

“Hi. Where’s Leesa?” Faith asked.

“She’s with our mom, Tempe, and Jewel. I swear they’ll be talking about our honeymoon forever.” Cole’s eyes skimmed over Faith’s shirt and then landed on Sam’s with amusement.

“Got something to say?” Sam challenged.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Cole admitted.

“They were Sam’s idea,” Faith said quickly, as if she needed to explain.

Cole held his hands up in surrender. “You don’t have to worry about me saying anything. I know better than to make a smart remark about your boyfriend.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” He’d teased her a few times about Sam unleashing her confidence to superhuman levels, but she knew it was all in fun, because the only people Cole teased that way were those closest to him.

“I’ll take care of that.” Sam fake punched Cole, who feigned a block and threw his own fake jab.

Standing up to Cole hadn’t been easy, but she was glad she’d done it. And seeing them horsing around like only family could, she knew their brotherly bond could withstand anything.

Just like us.





Chapter Thirty


SAM MADE THE rounds with sponsors and guests, ensuring everyone got his attention. Lira had done an incredible job of rallying previous sponsors and clients. Groups of climbers and rafters he hadn’t seen in more than four years had shown up, and several signed up for future trips. Sam solidified a handful of new sponsors, and Lira took care of gathering their information. She’d organized online sponsorship forms and set up a table with four laptops where sponsors and guests could sign up. She’d also prepared business cards with the site information to hand out as people left. Sam knew he’d made the right decision by hiring her, and he felt good knowing she and her daughter would have proper insurance and job security.

As the evening wore on and the crowd thinned, he followed the sound of Faith’s laughter to a blanket by the water, where she was sitting with Vivian, Jewel, Tempe, and Leesa. He made his way over and sat beside her. The girls silenced almost immediately.

“Did I interrupt?” he asked, chuckling to himself at the furtive glances they were trading.

“We were talking about you,” Tempe said.

Jewel smacked her hand. “Really, Tempe? You’re not supposed to tell him.”

He looked at Faith, who pressed her lips together like she was trying not to laugh. “What did you tell them?”

“Nothing. Well, not much,” she admitted.

“She didn’t have to tell us anything. Sam, those shirts? Shannon will get such a kick out of them.” Tempe lifted her phone and clicked off a few pictures.

He shook his head and laughed, but nothing could dampen this day. He had his girl by his side, a new employee, and the event was a great success.

“You took her to your cove!” Tempe said as she put her phone away. “That’s huge!”

“Christ,” he mumbled. It wasn’t a secret, but Tempe was a little too overjoyed with this news. He’d probably hear about it for weeks.

“I think it’s sweet,” Jewel said.

“And meaningful,” Leesa added.

“And romantic,” Vivian said, bumping Faith’s shoulder.

He felt oddly proud of all those things, each of which he’d teased Nate and Cole about when they’d fallen in love with Jewel and Leesa.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to leave you girls to discuss how incredibly awesome I am as a boyfriend.” He pulled Faith up to her feet to hug her and her drink spilled down the front of his shirt.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” She swatted at the mess.

He reached behind him and pulled it over his head. “Not a big deal. I’ll get a shirt from the office.”

Faith stared hungrily at his bare chest.

“Why don’t you come with me?” He looked over his shoulder and said, “I’ll bring her right back.”

“Yeah, right,” Tempe called after them.

“I’m so sorry.” Her hand brushed over his damp chest, his abs, and when she looked up at him, he couldn’t help but lean in for a kiss.

“No, you’re not.”

They hurried into the office, kissing every few steps. Once inside, their mouths crashed together. Faith’s hands moved over his back, and his moved under her shirt, earning a sexy moan.

“We can’t do this,” she said as he devoured her neck. “Oh God, that feels so good.” She panted out a few breaths. “We can’t…” He rocked his arousal against her. “Maybe we can.”

He leaned back and gazed into her lust-filled eyes. She’d become his world. The very air he breathed. Seeing her so torn between satisfying the fire burning between them and doing the right thing reminded him of the million reasons he’d fallen in love with her. She was as careful as she was naughty, and she was his.

“You’re right.”

“I am?” Her forehead wrinkled. She hooked her finger into the waistband of his jeans. “You sure?”

“Not in the least. But you’re probably right.”

The office door opened and Nate stuck his head in. “Dude—” He closed his eyes. “Sorry, man. I should have knocked.”

Faith turned beet-red. Sam groaned, gave her a quick kiss, and grabbed a shirt from a shelf in the closet where he kept extras. “It’s cool. We weren’t doing anything.”

Nate opened his eyes. “I’m really sorry.”

“I’m going to find Vivian.” She hurried out of the office.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass her.” Nate cleared his throat. “Or cock block you. Pull your shirt down, will ya?”

Sam looked down at his erection and tugged his shirt on. “Jealous?”

“Of that worm?” He scoffed.

“Is that what you’re calling pythons these days?”

Nate laughed. “A group of guys just showed up. One of ’em’s asking for you.”

Sam followed Nate out, scanned the area for Faith, and spotted her by the refreshments with Vivian. His mood brightened, as it did every time he saw her.

“Sammy!” Jacob Warner, a thick-bodied, blond-haired guy who had gone on a few trips with Sam a couple of years ago, shook his hand and pulled Sam closer, smacking him soundly on the back.

“Warner, how’ve you been? Still climbing?”

“Hell, yes. When I got the call about the barbecue, I had to come. Man, you changed my life.” His smile reached his dark eyes. “What you said to me after that climbing trip set me free.”


**

“HOLY SHIT, FAITH.” Vivian bumped Faith with her elbow, interrupting her conversation with Lira, and pointed up the beach.

Faith’s eyes locked on Sam. “I know. My man’s hot, isn’t h—” She clutched Vivian’s arm as the man Sam was talking to came into focus, bringing with it a surge of anger and hurt that nearly brought her to her knees. JJ.