Читать книгу The Watson Brothers - Lori Foster - Страница 6

The silence was enough to squash her. Ariel didn’t want to look at Sam again, not when her first glimpse had shown him to be anything but interested. Horrified, yes. Shocked, yes. But not interested.

Unfortunately, whenever he was around, she couldn’t seem to not look at him. From the day she’d met him, he fascinated her.

It wasn’t just his awesome physique that drew her, though that was pretty eye-catching. He was tall, muscular, mean, and lean. He had the attitude of a man in charge, spoke as if he expected to be obeyed, and had confidence down to a fine art.

And it wasn’t just his incredible, look-into-your-soul blue eyes, so different from his brothers’. Sam had inherited his mother’s eyes, while both Gil and Pete looked more like their father with chocolate brown eyes. They all had inky black hair though, and thick lashes. They were all handsome—just in different ways. Gil was sophisticated, suave. Pete was fun-loving and playful.

Sam was all basic male, rough-edged and rugged and keenly capable of handling any lethal situation.

He was also a pretty nice guy, though his gruff manner and burdening responsibility often hid that fact. Best of all, he was a bona fide hero through and through. When his family needed him, he stepped up to the plate without complaints. On the job, he did what had to be done to make things right. His brothers looked up to him, his mother depended on him, and his fellow officers respected him. He was like Superman only real. And sexier.

Finally, with an uncertain laugh, Sam said, “Come again?”

Ariel cleared her throat. His tone of disbelief didn’t exactly bode well, but she’d made up her mind. “You know when I said I went to the bar to be sure?”

“Yeah, right. Sure there wasn’t anyone else—whatever the hell that means.”

“It means I wanted to be sure there wasn’t anyone else who appealed to me. But there isn’t. That’s the third bar I’ve been in this week.”

A thundercloud would appear passive next to his darkening expression. “You’ve been hanging out in bars?” His teeth actually clenched, fascinating her. “Do you have any idea what’s been happening around the area bars lately?”

She hadn’t, but judging by what he’d done tonight, she assumed some muggings were taking place. Because she didn’t want a lecture, she just shrugged.

His eyes turned red.

To pacify him, she pointed out her other visits. “I’ve also been to two nightclubs, the grocery, the park, and three concerts. Sorry, but there is no one else who appeals to me.” She drew a long breath and admitted the stark truth. “You’re the only one.”

At that moment, Sam looked to be choking on murderous intent.

“Say something.”

He didn’t, he just sat there, steam coming off his head while his face colored and his fists curled. Ariel honestly didn’t know if he fought the urge to take her or strangle her. Not that she was afraid of him. Never.

Sam protected people—he didn’t abuse them.

Because she and Pete had stopped by his house once, she knew where he lived. She pulled into the blacktop drive and turned off the car. She didn’t at first look at him, not when it felt like he was frying her with his gaze. When she finally worked up the nerve, she turned to him.

“Well?”

Through his teeth, he snarled, “Inside.”

Oh good. At least he wasn’t throwing her off his property already. She considered his grudging command a positive step. Slipping out of her car, she managed to hold her dress up, drop her keys into her purse, and close the door. Sam made no gentlemanly moves toward her, but then, he was badly beaten up.

She loved his old two-story house. It had a poured front porch complete with an overhang and wooden swing. The shrubbery was original and thick and outdated, but it made a nice contrast against the red brick. Enormous oaks lined the street and during the day, squirrels scurried everywhere.

At his father’s death, he’d inherited a large sum of money. She didn’t doubt that Sam could have afforded a posh, upscale home in an exclusive neighborhood. She was glad he hadn’t moved.

When she reached Sam’s side, he took her arm in an implacable grip and started her in a trot toward the front door. Some elderly neighbors in the house to the right hailed him, forcing him to stop.

“Evening Sam.”

Sam groaned, slowly turned and waved at the two people visible by their front porch light. “Booth, Hesper. What are you doing up this late?”

Ariel giggled. It was only eleven thirty.

“The dog had business to take care of. Her old bladder just gives her fits.”

Ariel’s giggle got caught in her throat. She looked in the yard and saw the most hideous creature she’d ever clapped eyes on. An obese bulldog squatted by a bush, turned to sniff, and then lumbered back to her owners, who praised her as if she’d created gold.

“Who’s your lady-friend?” Hesper asked with a nosiness reserved for the old or very young.

Sam leaned in close to Ariel’s ear. His hot breath teased her when he growled, “Stay here.” Then he moved away to the neighbor’s porch railing. They spoke quietly so Ariel couldn’t hear what was said.

Seconds later, both elders looked over at her with awe and horror. Ariel frowned. Just what had Sam told them? He returned, took her arm again and said, “Let’s go.”

“What did you say to them, Sam Watson?”

“Keep your voice down. This is a quiet neighborhood.”

His walkway could use a good sweeping, she decided as her toes kicked through scattered leaves. Even the porch was littered with leaves and acorns.

As if he knew her thoughts, he said, “A recent storm blew crap everywhere. I’ll get to it when I can.” Using a key, he unlocked the front door and held it open for her.

She stepped into the inky darkness, then felt his hands close gently but firmly on her upper arms. With bated breath, she waited for a kiss, but got bodily moved out of his way instead, so he could turn off an alarm. “Wait here.”

Left alone, Ariel tried to get her eyes to adjust to the darkness. When the lights blinked on, she squinted. “Why don’t you have a wall switch by the front door?”

“The light’s out and I haven’t had a chance to change it yet. I’ve been working overtime on the bar muggings. Let’s go to the kitchen. I have a feeling it might be the safest room.”

“Why?” She trailed behind him.

He gave her a long look. “No place to get laid.”

Refusing to let him derail her, Ariel grinned at his sarcastic wit. “There’s always the countertop. Or the table. Maybe even the floor—”

His rough palm covered her mouth. “That’s enough out of you.” She mumbled against his palm and he lifted his hand. “What?”

“Tell me what you said to your neighbors.”

His mouth curved in a sinful smile. “Sure. I told them you were a prostitute who’d ratted out her pimp, and I had to keep you close so he didn’t kill you.”

“Oh.” He expected her to be insulted, so she asked instead, “Have you ever been with a prostitute?”

“No.” He didn’t bother to hide his indignation at all. “Now behave for a minute so I can think.”

While his back was turned, Ariel pulled out a chair, sat down and lifted her skirt to examine her scraped, bruised knees. They hurt, but Sam was in much worse shape than she so she tried not to complain.

“Now about this…what the hell?” He’d turned with a scowl on his face, only to pull up with a different type of anger. “You said you weren’t hurt,” he accused.

“Just a little. Nothing serious.”

Muttering under his breath, Sam whipped off several paper towels, folded them, and doused them beneath cold water. He came to her and knelt down. “Hold still.”

Despite his order, she jumped when the icy towel touched her raw scrapes. “Sorry.”

“Damn.” He dabbed at both knees, removing small bits of dried blood, gravel, and dirt.

Before Ariel could figure out what he intended, he flipped her skirt up higher. “Sam!”

When she tried to shove her skirt back down, he caught both her hands in one of his and held them up and against her breasts, almost shoving her out of her chair. “Shush. I want to see if you’re hurt anywhere else.”

She had to brace her feet apart to keep from toppling over. “This is outrageous!”

Blue eyes lit like the hottest flame, he glanced up at her. “You sitting on my face was outrageous. This is just concern.”

Ariel gulped.

“Now be quiet.”

Mortified, her mouth snapped shut. She had sat on his face. At the time, she’d been so worried about protecting him she hadn’t paid much attention.

He found one large bluish bruise on her thigh. “How’d this happen?”

Ariel peered down at the mark. With both their heads bent, her blond curls brushed up against his silky black hair. “I don’t know. Maybe when I jumped on that guy’s back and we all crashed into the stairs.”

“Anything else?”

Since he was on his knees in front of her, more caring than insulting, she showed him her elbow. It was raw and stung every time she flexed her arm. His mouth flattened in displeasure. “I ought to turn you over my knee for that damn stunt. Look at you. You’re a mess.”

So much for caring.

“Let me get some ice; then I’ll fetch my first aid kit.”

“I don’t need you to doctor me.”

He had his back to her, digging in his freezer. “Tough. My house, my rules, so I’m doing it anyway.” Within minutes, he had ice crushed inside a damp dish towel and he pressed the freezing compress to her thigh. Ariel almost came out of her seat. The cold prickled so badly she tried to shove it away.

“Leave it,” he ordered, keeping it firmly in place until she subsided. He took her hand and put it over the compress so that she had to hold it. His commanding gaze bore into hers. “I want to see it there when I get back, you understand?”

“Yes sir.”

His eyes narrowed. “A show of respect from you at this late date is beyond suspect, so stow it.” Then softly, with exasperation, “I’ll be right back. Sit tight.”

Ariel leaned out of her seat to watch him trot from the kitchen, into the hall, and up the short flight of stairs to his bathroom. Once he was out of sight, she lifted the ice away and fell back in her chair.

None of this was what she’d expected. Not that she’d known what to expect, but worry over a few paltry bruises…She heard him returning and quickly replaced the ice pack, wincing at the bitter cold.

He eyed her when he reentered, his expression stern. “I hope you learned a few things tonight.”

“Yeah, that you’re surly when you’re hurt and that you don’t like women coming on to you.”

He moistened a gauze pad with antiseptic and again knelt in front of her. “Wrong. I’m not all that hurt and I love when women come on to me. I just don’t like little girls flirting when they don’t know what they’re getting into.”

Seething, Ariel said, “If you don’t stop accusing me of being a child, I’m going to—” She screeched when the antiseptic hit her scrapes, burning like a brand. Her legs stiffened and her hands gripped the sides of her seat.

“Sorry.” For once, his voice was gentle, caring. Sam leaned forward and blew his warm breath over her knees.

A new ache filled her, one of overwhelming sexual hunger. She’d wanted him since the first time she saw him. She remembered that moment in vivid detail. Pete had taken her with him to his family’s regular Sunday get-together. A storm had knocked a thick elm over in his middle brother’s backyard, damaging a fence. Sam was there, shirtless, sweaty, tanned, and so sexy she’d stood dumbfounded for several moments while he swung an ax, cutting up the fallen tree alongside his brother, Gil. The muscles in his strong back had flexed with each movement. His biceps bunched and knotted. His hands were big, lean, his strength undeniable.

“Ariel? You didn’t faint on me, did you?”

Taking a breath, she opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. He had one hand on her thigh, holding the ice pack there, the other gently touching her chin. The breath sighed out of her. “I want you so much.”

He lurched back as if she’d kicked him, jerking to his feet in a rush. “You look besotted, damn it. Knock it off.”

She couldn’t reply, could only stare at him with all the love and hunger she felt plain in her eyes. Please, she silently pleaded, and got a wary frown from him in return.

“Here’s a new rule. You have to be quiet while I finish this up. Understand?”

She stared.

“Answer me, damn it.”

“Yes, all right.”

He moved back to her cautiously. “Give me your elbow.”

This time she bit her lip when he swabbed the remaining cuts and scrapes. She didn’t want to be a wimp in front of him. She didn’t want him to feel sorry for her.

He finished off by applying ointment and some bandages. Then he backed up. “All done. Now.”

“Now what?”

“About this…wanting me business.”

There was nothing she could do but wait and see what he had to say.

Sam floundered, but finally bit out, “Wanna tell me why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you want me?”

Amazingly enough, when she came to her feet Sam backed up. Silly man. “Why wouldn’t any woman want you?”

“Ariel…”

She took two steps toward him. He took one more back, then planted his feet and refused to budge.

“You’re smart and dedicated and heroic and…” She shrugged, inching closer, more determined than she’d ever been about anything in her life. “You really are so damned sexy.”

She’d gotten close enough to touch him. Lifting one hand, she reached for his shoulder.

He snagged her wrist, his warm, strong fingers wrapping around the delicate bones. “Don’t curse. You’re too young for that.”

Enough was enough. She’d warned him, but he persisted in throwing her age in her face. With a smile of warning, she grabbed his neck with her free hand and went on tiptoe to reach his mouth.

“Ariel—” He tried to lean back, to turn his face away. But she’d backed him to the counter and there wasn’t much room for him to maneuver. She knew he didn’t want to hurt her and that gave her an advantage in their wrestling match.

Her mouth landed on his throat first and she licked the salty taste of his skin, groaned, and bit his chin.

“Goddammit…” He sounded very uncertain, pained, and he grabbed her other wrist. “You little—”

Her mouth smashed up against his. They both froze, but only for a second. Slowly, deliciously, with a purr of excitement, Ariel licked his lips. Her heart threatened to break through her ribs, it drummed so madly.

He brought her arms behind her back, but that only pressed her breasts to his chest, and since her dress hung open, she could feel his heartbeat, as wild as hers. She caught his bottom lip in her teeth and nibbled, all the while breathing hard with excitement, expectation.

And then he exploded. From one second to the next he’d been held immobile by her brazenness. But it wasn’t in Sam’s nature to be docile, to let anyone else take the lead.

Ariel found herself plastered against him from groin to breasts while his mouth opened over hers in ravenous demand. His tongue thrust in and he groaned low in his throat, the vibrating sound thrilling her.

He slanted his head and drew her even closer, still holding her hands behind her, straining her shoulders, almost lifting her off her feet. Her head was pressed back, leaving her mouth open and vulnerable to his. His whiskers scratched her chin, his erection pressed into her soft belly, and he tasted so good she didn’t ever want him to stop.

But he did. She was limp in his arms, merely accepting the onslaught of his kiss, unable to do anything else with the controlling way he held her. With a visible effort, he raised his head a mere inch and stared down at her. An incandescent hunger burned so brightly in his eyes, it almost frightened her.

He looked at her mouth, breathed hard for a moment, then growled low in warning, “You shouldn’t push me, little girl.”

The way he said that, it wasn’t an insult so much as an endearment. Getting enough breath to speak wasn’t easy. “You…You kept ignoring me.”

His hands tightened on her wrists, making her wince. He immediately loosened his hold, but didn’t release her. Every muscle in his big body was bunched. His eyes were bright, his cheekbones flushed, his mouth hard. “You were my baby brother’s girlfriend.”

“No, just a friend,” she gently reminded him.

“He still cares about you.”

“Not anymore. He’s seeing someone else.”

“You’re only twenty-four-fucking-years old.”

He sounded desperate, giving her hope. “I’m a grown woman, Sam. I know what I want. And I want you.”

His head dropped forward, almost touching her shoulder. She could feel his angry, hot breath against her throat, sending chills down her spine, building her sexual excitement to a fever pitch.

Necessary arguments crowded her brain. She had to convince him. “Sam? Look at it this way. It’s only sex, and you’re known for wanting sex.”

His head jerked up. “What the hell does that mean?”

“You have a reputation.”

“Several actually.” His eyes narrowed. “Which reputation are we talking about?”

She wanted to shrug, to act cavalier. It was well beyond her. “For mind-blowing sex.”

For three heartbeats he didn’t move; then he gave a rough guffaw. “I hate to break it to you babe, but I only give run-of-the-mill sex.”

“That’s not what I heard.”

“No? Who you been talking to? Besides me?”

That made her smile. Sam was prone to bragging. She’d heard him once when she’d come to visit Pete. He and his two brothers were in the backyard and didn’t hear her approach. Sam and Gil had been teasing Pete, accusing him of being a virgin, which Pete vehemently denied with a red face. Gil offered advice, but Sam told Pete he should come to a pro if he wanted to learn how to make a lady squeal in pleasure.

The graphic details she’d heard then had held her immobile in fascination. Even Gil and Pete had looked awed.

When Pete mentioned Ariel, Sam had froze up and changed the subject.

“Your family goes on and on about what a lady’s man you are.”

“Yeah, well they have to sing my praises because they’re family. Ask any lady, and she’ll tell you I’m a pig.”

“A cop.”

“No, I meant in bed.”

Ariel shook her head. “I’m not buying it, Sam. Especially not after that kiss.” Her voice went husky. “That almost did it for me right there.”

“Don’t.” He tightened up again, and then, slowly, a new light entered his eyes, one of challenge and determination. “So you want to get laid by the best, is that it?”

A trick question, if ever she heard one. “I want you.”

He looked down at her mouth. “I think you need to learn a few lessons.”

A shiver of alarm slipped up her spine. “A lesson?”

“On why you shouldn’t taunt bad-ass cops with ugly attitudes.”

“You do not have an ugly attitude.” She couldn’t really deny the bad-ass part. But she hated for him to downplay all he did for the community and his family. “You’re a good man—”

“And you assume I’m a good man in bed. Is that it? You want to use me to get your jollies?”

She started to say she wouldn’t care if he wasn’t good, but it’d be a lie. She wanted him, all of him, in every way, and fully expected him to be as excellent in bed as he was out of it.

He locked both her wrists in one hand and used the other to softly stroke her cheek. “You tired of twenty-something boys groping you, never quite getting you off?”

When Sam decided to be crude, he was a pro.

Those taunting fingers moved down her throat and across the top of her chest, just gliding, teasing. “Is that it, Ariel?”

She swallowed hard. What could she say other than to keep repeating the truth? “I want you.”

His long, rough fingers dipped lower, nudging the edge of her exposed bra cup. “So be it. But my house, my rules.”

At his agreement, her knees almost gave out. “What rules?”

So much wickedness and triumph filled his slow grin that she started to shake. “Rule number one, no one ever knows but us. I won’t have Pete hurt.”

Ariel was pinning all her hopes on the fact that once Sam quit denying his physical attraction to her, he’d quit denying his emotions, too. She was head-over-heels in love with the stubborn cuss, but telling him that now would blow what little progress she’d made, so she nodded. “All right.”

Rather than look pleased with her acceptance, his expression hardened even more.

While he stared intently in her eyes, his fingers curled into the top of her bra cup—and then stripped it down, leaving her breast bare. Ariel gasped.

He didn’t look down, but that big hot palm closed over her, kneading steadily, rasping her nipple while he continued to intimidate her with his molten stare.

The only sign he was affected by the touch was the flare of his nostrils, his increased breathing. “Rule number two. You do only what I say, when I say.” She started to protest and his fingers closed around her nipple in a tantalizing grip that silenced her in an instant. “I’ll make you come ten times, Ariel, but my rules stand.”

She nodded dumbly, but finally found her voice. “One thing.”

“You don’t get one thing. You do as I say.”

“It’s just a…a question.”

He considered that for far too long before nodding. “One question.”

“Do you want me?”

He tugged gently on her nipple. “I won’t have any problems keeping it up, if that’s what you mean.”

“No, it’s not what I mean.” She loved him. She wanted him to love her too only he had so many walls in place, so many responsibilities and he’d die before ever hurting a member of his family. She had a wealth of emotion in store for him, but she wouldn’t be used. If he didn’t at least want her, her, not just any woman, then she’d make herself walk away.

His hand was still at her breast, still teasing and taunting her nipple making it near impossible to think and speak clearly. “You…You’ve insulted me many times.”

“When?” He looked genuinely puzzled.

“You’ve made it clear that you consider me a nuisance and not too bright.”

His hand paused at her breast and his black brows pulled down. “If you’re talking about that little stunt you pulled back at the bar, you’re damn right—” He stopped, ground his teeth together, then admitted roughly, “You don’t own an ounce of caution, but I didn’t mean to say you were stupid. I don’t think that at all. But I was scared shitless for you. I don’t ever want to see you or any lady hurt.”

Relief made her weak. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Great. Don’t ever let it happen again. Now is that it?”

“Not quite.” He rolled his eyes, so she hurried through the rest. “You’ve insulted my body…”

“I never—”

“You said I had a skinny ass!”

He turned his face to the side and for one horrified moment, Ariel thought he was going to laugh. But when he looked at her again, tenderness filled his eyes. “You have a spectacular ass and once you quit trying to stammer out your explanation, I intend to devote about an hour to it.”

“Oh.”

“Enough said?”

“Yes.”

He turned her around, gave her a stinging swat on the butt, and said, “Go upstairs to my bedroom and wait for me there.”

“What are you…?”

“No questions. My rules. Just go.”

She started to recover her breast but he saw her and said, “Leave it.”

She nodded and, feet dragging, made the climb up the stairs. Her belly churned in excitement and uncertainty and so much more. Finally, Sam would make love to her.

She’d give him her body and her heart, and hope he accepted them both.

The second she was out of sight, Sam turned to the sink and slumped against it. Jesus, he was only a man and not all that sterling a man to begin with. How the hell was he supposed to tell Ariel no when he’d wanted her for months?

He opened his right hand and looked at it, then curled his fingers in, reliving the feel of her young, firm breast. Fucking her would be so sweet, so hot.

And very wrong.

But Ariel was set on having her own way, so he knew he had to do this, and do it right, or she’d never leave him in peace. If he didn’t take ultimate control, she’d have his balls in a ringer. Before long, he’d be on his damn knees asking her to marry him.

No. Hell no.

Pete would be hurt and he’d been hurt enough since their father passed away. He couldn’t do that to him. And if Pete was really over her, as she’d suggested? Well, she was still too damn young and far too innocent. Where he was dark, his work and his lifestyle ugly and edgy and uncertain, she lived a carefree life of sunshine and smiles. He couldn’t take that from her.

He gave himself ten minutes to get a grip on his control and to let her stew. While he kept her waiting, he took two aspirin and used an antiseptic swab to clean the cut on the back of his head. It burned like a son-of-a-bitch, making him wince in sympathy for Ariel. Her knees, her elbow…She could have been hurt worse, even killed if the asshole trying to rob him had had a weapon.

She was a danger to herself and to him, a giddy young woman with more bravado than common sense. What the hell did she think, putting herself in danger for him? If he let her hang around, she’d be forever underfoot, forever taking risks that no woman should take.

With renewed conviction for his quickly formed plans, Sam stormed up the stairs.

He found her sitting on the side of his bed, her feet together, her hands folded in her lap, her breast still uncovered. She looked wary and uncertain and flushed with excitement and so…ready, he broke out in a sweat.

Sam forced himself to stop in the doorway. Watching her, he began unbuttoning his shirt, then gave a grimace of pain as he pulled it off his wrenched shoulder.

“You’re hurt!” She shot off the bed in a flash, her soft hands fluttering all over him, finding bruises and swollen muscles, her damn tender touch setting him on fire.

“Sit—back—down.”

She blinked at his tone. “But you need the ice worse than I did. That ape hurt you. We should take you to the hospital….”

“Sit, Ariel.” She drew back, hurt and confused. “One of the rules,” he drawled, trying to soften his command. “You don’t touch me unless I tell you to. Now, don’t look like that. I’m fine, really. My own brothers have put worse bruises on me just horsing around. Trust me, I’m not being macho. It’s nothing that won’t heal in a day or two.”

She looked undecided, but fell silent when he dropped into a chair and unbuckled his ankle holster.

She stared at his small off-duty weapon, a .38 caliber five-shot revolver. He always had it on him when working undercover because his primary weapon, a .40 caliber Glock, would be too easy to detect. “You carry a gun?”

“That’s a…” He started to say stupid question, but caught himself. He really didn’t want her to think he considered her dumb. “I’m a cop. Of course I carry a gun.” And then, when he retrieved the lethally sharp knife from the other leg, he added, “Among other things.”

Her eyes were huge when he crossed to the nightstand and opened the bottom drawer. He lifted out a metal box, turned the key in the lock, and opened it. Once the gun and knife were safely inside, he relocked the box and pocketed the key.

Under normal circumstances, both weapons would have sat atop the box, but then, this wasn’t a normal circumstance—not by a long shot. And Sam never took unnecessary chances with safety, especially with his gun.

Shirtless, in his bare feet but with his pants on as a deterrent, he went to her. She looked adorable sitting there, all mussed and nervous and he felt like a conquering hero ready to ravish the innocent. It wasn’t at all an unpleasant or inadequate perception.

Using just the edge of his finger, he stroked her exposed nipple. It was puckered tight, a pale pink, and he wanted to draw her into his mouth. Why not? he thought. This was his show.

He caught her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Stand still.” With no preliminaries, he bent and covered her with his mouth, curled his tongue around her, and sucked.

She jerked hard and stepped back, almost falling onto the mattress.

Sam looked at her. “I said to be still.”

“Reaction.” She blinked hard. “I…I didn’t mean to—”

He again took her into his mouth and this time she moaned, stiffened her arms and her back and held as still as a statue. He suckled at her, loving her taste, the way she trembled, the desperate little sounds she made. Using his tongue he stroked her, teased, then sucked hard.

“Sam!”

“Shh.” He straightened to look at his handy work. Her nipple was now ripe, reddened, and wet. “This is cute,” he managed to say, his voice little more than a rumble as he flipped the material of her ruined dress, “but I think I’d prefer you naked.”

Her chest rose and fell, both from what he’d been doing and what he would do.

“I’m going to undress you, stretch you out on the bed, and taste you like that all over.”

Her lips parted. “All…?”

“Over. Don’t move.” He reached behind her for the zipper to her dress.

Disregarding his orders, she leaned into him and breathed deep. “You smell so good, Sam.”

He grunted at that, but didn’t push her away. It felt nice having her lean into him. “You find the smell of sweat and alcohol appealing, do you?”

“Your sweat, yes.”

He stripped the tiny sleeves off her shoulders and let them drop down to her elbows. He reached for the back fastening of her bra. The position put his cheek over her shoulder and he could feel her silky blond curls touch his ear, his jaw. Shit, now he was trembling.

“You don’t smell like alcohol though. Just like a man, like you. I’ve always thought you smelled good.”

“Another rule,” he said as he peeled the bra away, leaving her naked from the waist up. “No talking.”

“But…”

“No talking. You’re distracting me.” And making me crazy and I won’t be able to do this if you don’t quit.

She covered her breasts with her arms, making Sam lift a brow. “Change your mind?”

She shook her head.

“Then don’t hide from me.” He waited, wondering if she’d call it quits, half hoping she would, half praying she wouldn’t. “Make up you mind, Ariel. Anytime you want this to end, all you have to do is tell me. I’ll walk you to the door.”

She swallowed hard, drew a fortifying breath and let her arms hang at her sides.

He admired her courage. “It’s only going to get harder you know. If you’ve changed your mind—”

“I haven’t.”

But she would. Eventually. How far would he have to go before she cried uncle? No matter, he had to carry it to the bitter end. He had to ensure she wouldn’t test him again, because he wasn’t at all certain of his ability to resist her.

“All right, then.” He pulled the dress over her hips and let it drop. It pooled around her feet. “Step out of it.”

She did, accepting the hand he offered for balance. Left only in panties and sandals, she blushed bright pink. But Sam paid little enough attention to her face when her body was all but bare. His hands at her waist, he stroked her, from her hips to her ribs and back again. She was a little too slim, her curves understated. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

He didn’t get a reply, but then, he didn’t expect one.

He glanced up at her face. “You blond everywhere?”

Her color deepened.

“No, don’t tell me. I want to find out for myself.” Then, smiling into her shocked face, he whispered, “Take them off.”