Summon Toren(11)
“Samantha Lynn, when will you ever grow up? Get you a glass.”
Samantha straightened with a smile and wiped her lips on her sleeve then leaned and kissed the woman on the cheek. “Never, I hope.”
Toren’s heart raced eagerly. She was so full of life and fight. So genuine. Fascination took him once again and he wondered if her lips were cold from the water. She suddenly turned and faced him.
“What on earth are you gawking at? Don’t tell me you never drank from a fountain or water hose before. Same thing.”
A drop of water clung to her chin, tempting Toren to wipe it away with his own fingers. Trying to convince her he hadn't been staring at her was a foolish endeavor. “Sorry, I…just find you fascinatin’.” Might as well face the music, as the common human expression said.
Samantha's brows shot up and he realized his word choice probably wasn't all that appropriate at the moment. Maybe he should just bust out his shiny metal wings and finish ruining his opportunity at being perceived as a normal human.
“Well isn’t that the sugary sweetest thing to say to a woman you hardly know.” She rolled her eyes and stalked off, leaving Toren feeling a little confused.
He looked at Kassie who stood with a knowing smile, only he wasn’t sure what she knew. “This is the part where you thank me for the coffee and follow her so she can put you to work. Or use you.” She roamed her gaze over his body. “Hope you don’t mind ruining your clothes.”
Toren set the cup down on the counter. “Thank you, it was…interestin’.”
“Interesting? Okay, I can work with that. Get yourself out of here and you watch out for my Sammie, you hear? I got a loaded shotgun and I won’t hesitate to use it if I find out you were inappropriate with her in anyway. You behave yourself and mind your manners.”
Toren smiled before leaning and kissing her on the cheek the way Sam had. “Nobody will harm her and I won't do anything she doesn't want me to. That’s for damn sure.”
“Oh my.” She slapped his chest. “Scoot before you make an old woman swoon.”
Old? She was practically a baby. He tipped his hat and headed out, grateful Kassie seemed to like him.
CHAPTER FOUR
The first wispy flakes fell as Sam fired up the ranch truck. The thing always took forever to warm the engine enough to move so she headed back to the house to get her gear. Staying warm and dry would be the biggest challenge. Hopefully the new guy had his own stuff, because none of the hands were big enough for him to borrow from.
The slightest thought brought his image to mind, sharp and clear, as if she'd known him forever. Those eyes… silver gray tones that swirled as if in constant motion. Sam was willing to bet the man could convince anyone to do anything just with those eyes. But if, by some chance, that wasn't enough, his mouth would do the rest. Beautifully sculpted, mobile, sensual. Perfect. She'd never met him before but something about him seemed so right, so… safe.
The damn kitchen door nearly flattened her nose before she saw it, so engrossed in recalling every detail of the man's features. A flush of annoyance spread over her cheeks as she stepped into the kitchen. There stood the man himself, gently flirting with Kassie. Sam couldn't be genuinely aggravated with him, though, since the bright orange duffel bag she'd sent him after sat by the door and he waited as she'd instructed.
But watching the woman who had practically raised her blush and fluster like a teenager gave Sam an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. Especially when the reason for the behavior looked like that one. The man literally oozed sex from every pore and seemed entirely unaware of the fact. Whether he actually had no idea how his looks affected others, or he was just really good at faking it remained to be seen.
Either way, it was good to see Kassie smiling and aware of her femininity again. It was the first time in the four years since Ben's death that Sam had seen her blush from male flattery even though she'd had no shortage of attention from men in the past year. It looked like she might be ready to start considering life again, and if so, Sam owed Toren a debt of gratitude.
"Toren? Or was there something else you'd rather I call you?" She felt like a fool asking, but he hadn't given any other name, and she didn't have time to check references and fill out tax withholding forms.
He turned to give her his full attention, those silvery eyes doing insane things to her insides. The corner of his mouth lifted in a little almost-smile. "You can call me Toren, or nearly anything else."
Having that gentle flattery pointed in her direction left Sam uncomfortable. Men simply did not flirt with her, not even in a friendly teasing way. She needed to shut him down fast and let him know she wouldn't fall for that kind of bullshit. "Well, Toren, why don't you grab your gear and we'll head out. We'll be setting up hay and checking stock locations, so we'll be gone a while." She turned to Kassie with a little hidden wink. "Kassie, if you don't mind, maybe you could pack a couple of your experiments for us to take along, just in case we're out late?"