Twelve
Nicole kept Sara company in the pool while she watched her daughter play in the shallow end. Today was the first day of a heat wave—the temperature was due to hit over one hundred degrees by this afternoon—and the water felt good against her heated skin. Sara was warm and friendly, and now that Sam’s revelations had taken the sting out of their relationship, Nicole found that she liked his high school friend. More, she respected the other woman for surviving and thriving after all she’d suffered.
She glanced around, taking in the high fence and the heavy shroud of trees behind it, an unnecessary blockade since they obviously owned acres of land. No neighbors in sight. Nicole loved the house and the grounds, the lush greenery making everything out here as warm and welcoming as the interior décor and the owner herself. She couldn’t imagine not liking Sara’s husband either.
The sound of Sam’s phone ringing cut into the silence. He grabbed his cell, talking from where he lay on a lounge chair, eyes closed, as he relaxed. His chest was broad, his abs well defined, his golden skin spattered with just the right amount of hair, which tapered into the swim trunks he wore. The muscles in his arms and the obvious strength in his legs made her mouth water. He looked delectable, but the truth was, the outside was just packaging for the equally spectacular man within.
Every day that passed, she learned more about him. Not just a good cop, he was also a decent man, and he’d dedicated himself to her protection. For the first time since the eavesdropping incident outside her father’s office, she felt safe and protected. Because she trusted Sam.
“You’ve got it bad,” Sara mused.
Nicole cut her gaze away from Sam, her cheeks heating up at being caught staring. “It’s not like that between us.”
Sara’s eyes twinkled, her expression indicating she knew better. “It’s something because he told me ahead of time you’d be sharing a room. And I’ve known Sam for many years and he’s never brought a woman here. Never even mentioned one in passing. Not even when I’ve pushed and prodded for answers.”
Nicole studied the pretty blonde, surprised she didn’t resent her for being so blunt or intrusive. However, she knew now how much Sara cared about Sam.
“Yes, it’s something,” Nicole admitted, knowing it would be foolish to deny the obvious. “But he’s not into relationships. And coming off a broken engagement, neither am I.”
Without warning, a huge spray of water hit them both, and Sara turned toward her daughter. “Sammy, watch where you splash!” she called out.
“Sorry!” The little girl bounced up and down in the water. “Mommy, when can I go to Rebecca’s?”
Sara smiled at her daughter. “We’ll go after lunch.”
Satisfied with the answer, Sammy retreated back into her own world to play.
“Sorry about that,” Sara said, turning back to Nicole.
“Don’t worry about it.” Nicole liked observing the mother-daughter bond between these two.
The whole concept was such an anomaly in her life that watching them caused an ache near her heart, making her acutely aware of everything she’d lacked growing up. She wondered if she’d get the chance to be a mother, and if so, she was determined to do a better job than her own had done.
Sara pushed herself up onto the edge of the pool and Nicole joined her, their legs dangling into the water.
“Now where were we?” Sara asked. “Oh yes. You said Sam’s not into relationships. And I beg to differ. He only thinks he doesn’t want to get emotionally involved.”
Nicole glanced at the handsome, self-contained man on the lounge chair and sighed. “You have to admit he’s got good reasons to avoid one,” Nicole said, knowing Sam was afraid of being hurt again.
Sara raised her eyebrows. “So did I.” She swept her hand around, gesturing to the beautiful home and the little girl babbling to herself a few feet away, as if to say, But look what I have now.
“You’re miraculous,” Nicole said, meaning it in every way.
The other woman flushed. “No, I’m just a survivor. So I take it Sam told you about my first husband?”
Nicole nodded. “I hope that’s okay.” She’d hate to get him in trouble for betraying a confidence.
Sara met her gaze. “It’s fine. Sam knows I volunteer at the hospital, talking to domestic abuse groups, so sharing is what I do.”
Nicole stuck by her view of Sara being an incredible woman, but she wouldn’t embarrass her by saying it again. “I’m glad you and Sam are still close,” she said instead. Because Sara seemed like that rare person—trustworthy and loyal—and Sam deserved a friend like her.
She smiled. “The feeling’s mutual and I just want him to be happy. He’s refused to open himself up to the idea of love. It’s like he shut down, and to be honest, I was beginning to think he’d always be alone. But just the fact that he brought you here tells me he’s changing.”
Nicole shook her head, not wanting Sara to formulate the wrong idea about her and Sam. “I’m only here because I’m in trouble and we needed to get out of town for a few days.” Sam had mentioned that he’d been vague but honest with Sara about Nicole’s situation when he asked her if they could come stay.
“Well, he could have brought you to a hotel.”
“He tried. It’s racing season.”
“So why didn’t he choose another location?” Sara smirked, sure of her conclusions. “Instead he brought you here, to an old friend who knows him better than anyone. That tells me he’s more invested than even he knows.”
Nicole’s heart squeezed tight, longing and hope threatening to rise, and she ruthlessly quashed the emotions. Sam had made himself clear. No matter how attached she might be getting, and she’d be a fool to deny it to herself, she couldn’t set herself up for pain and heartache. They were neighbors. And when things between them ended, she’d have to live in his small town and make their friendship work.
“Sara—” Nicole wanted to stop the speculation and conversation, but the other woman was on a roll.
“Now, maybe you’re not ready for a relationship, as you said,” Sara went on. “Or maybe that’s an excuse because Sam told you up front that he isn’t interested in one. I don’t know. But I like you. And I like you with Sam.”
“Thank you,” Nicole said, not knowing what else to say.
Sara tipped her head up toward the sun. “I’m just calling it like I see it. Sam’s relaxed around you. He watches you and smiles when he thinks you’re not looking.”
“He does?”
It took every ounce of Nicole’s self-control for her not to turn around and sneak a peek at the man and see for herself.
Sara merely grinned.
Which led her to wonder what she’d do if Sam Marsden suddenly decided he was all in and wanted more. The answer, which she’d never admit to out loud, had her wanting to dive in and submerge herself in the pool.
Sam glanced over to where Nicole lounged at the edge of the pool, talking to Sara. Water droplets glistened on her sun-drenched skin, her dark hair a contrast to her paler flesh. She simply took his breath away, bringing up emotions he knew he’d have to deal with at some point, but not until the threat against her was gone.
As the women spoke, their conversation broken only by Sara’s reprimand at her daughter’s splashing, he caught discreet glances coming his way. He didn’t know what, specifically, they were discussing, but he could take an educated guess that he was the general subject.
“Women,” he muttered, amused despite himself, as he lay down and shut his eyes against the glare of the sun.
His mind kept replaying last night’s talk with Nicole, the revelation and discussion of things he’d avoided discussing or thinking about for years. Yet revealing himself to her felt right. And he was forced to admit that talking about his biggest failures in life helped ease the burden he’d been carrying for years.
He might not trust his personal judgment, but Sara had no such problem, even after Frank, and the result was a great marriage to a decent guy. Mark Stein owned a couple of luxury-car dealerships, hence this beautiful house and pool, and Sara’s ability to be a stay-at-home mom to her daughter. Sam couldn’t be happier for her, knowing what she’d gone through to get to this point.
His cell phone rang. At a glance, he saw it was his brother and he answered on the second ring. “Hey, bro. What do you have for me?” He’d given his brother the names of the Russian art dealers Tyler had passed on to him.
“I took the names you gave me to Cole, who went to his contact with the feds. They ran them through their database, and this is big for them. They want to set up a sting. Have Nicole wear a wire while talking to Robert Stanton. Once he confesses to money laundering on tape, they can leverage that information and get him to testify against the Romanovs. They want the big fish, which will take care of Nicole’s problem.”
Sam swore and glanced out at the pool. Nicole’s laughter rang out as she splashed with Sammy in the water. He couldn’t help but grin at the sight even as his stomach churned at the thought of asking her to do as Mike asked.
“I don’t like it.”
“And I don’t blame you, but you’ve got no choice.”
He knew that. “I’m not telling her until it’s time. She doesn’t need to worry or panic.”
Mike paused before answering. “That’s your call. But aren’t you worrying a hell of a lot about this woman? I know you look out for those who can’t do it for themselves. And you’re seeing her, that I know. But how involved are you?”
“It’s none of your business, Mike.”
“That’s enough of an answer. And I don’t like it. Look, she’s a nice woman and all, but given who her sister is, don’t you think that’s going to make Thanksgiving dinners awkward?”
Sam nearly choked on his own saliva. “Dammit, Mike. I’m sleeping with her, not getting married.”
“It always starts in bed,” Mike muttered. “Trust me. I know.”
“It’s not like you and Cara.”
Mike burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“That’s what I said when I was fighting myself.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“So I can tell Cole you’ll handle persuading Nicole to wear a wire with Tyler’s old man?” Mike asked, changing the subject.
“Yeah. But not until we’re back in town,” Sam said. “How’s Cara feeling?”
“Not good. Can you talk to her when you get back? I get the feeling she’s shutting me out. I don’t understand, but maybe you can get through to her?”
Sam knew what it took for his brother to ask. “Sure thing. Once I’m home, I’ll make it a priority.”
“Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”
Sam disconnected the call and joined the women in the pool, where he spent the next half hour having water fights with a six-year-old and carrying her around on his shoulders around the pool. More than once, he caught Nicole watching him, with an expression he’d never seen before on her beautiful face. He didn’t know what to make of it, but damned if he didn’t like it.
A little while later, Sara announced it was time for Sammy to take a bath, and then she could go to her friend’s house for the rest of the afternoon and for dinner.
The little girl squealed in excitement, dumped her uncle Sam, and ran for the house.
“Wait for a towel! You’ll drip water everywhere!” Sara took off after her, towel in her hand.
Nicole laughed, leaning her head back against the chair in which she sat. “Oh my God, she’s so cute.”
“A firecracker,” Sam said.
They lay in companionable silence, enjoying the afternoon, and he was glad Nicole was able to put her problems aside. And if she wasn’t, at least she was making an effort to enjoy as much as possible. He dreaded the time when they’d have to head back to reality, but that was a while off.
Sara stepped outside to tell them she was leaving, and she pointedly mentioned she wouldn’t be back until Sammy’s bedtime at eight.
Good friend, he thought wryly, letting him know he had the all clear. Which was perfect, because he couldn’t keep his hands off Nicole for much longer.
The sun beat down overhead and beads of perspiration pooled on Nicole’s chest. She groaned, knowing that the weatherman’s prediction of one-hundred-degree temperatures had to have come true.
“I’m roasting out here,” she murmured.
A few seconds later, she squealed at the unexpected cold shot of an ice cube trailing over her stomach. She bolted upright, but Sam’s firm hands pushed her shoulders back down.
“Shh. Let me cool you off.”
His husky voice aroused her in an instant and she did as he asked, relaxing back into the chair.
He outlined her bikini top with an ice cube, first tracing the band around her chest, then moving over the swells of her breasts, taking his time, leisurely caressing her skin.
The ice, a stark contrast to her heated flesh, melted on contact, leaving droplets of water in its wake, and she arched into the cooling sensations. Sam added texture to his ministrations, brushing his thumbs over her already distended nipples, awakening her nerve endings that begged for a harder touch, but he didn’t linger in any one spot.
Instead he retrieved another cube from the Lucite bucket and worked his way down her stomach, her muscles rippling and clenching at the icy trail he created. He outlined the top of her bikini bottom, sliding the ice along her lower abdomen, keeping his fingers in the mix, stroking her aroused flesh everywhere—except where she needed it most. Every touch, every brush of his callused fingertips might as well have been directly on her sex, because the tiny bud throbbed and ached as if he were physically touching her, and she arched her hips, seeking deeper contact.
Sam pressed his lips to her stomach, lapping at the droplets of water and kissing her skin. She moaned at the intimate touch, unable to hold back the sounds of pleasure.
Forcing her heavy eyelids open, she caught sight of his golden-brown hair, his face lost to her, buried against her.
“Sam,” she said, his name escaping, the word more a plea.
“Right here.” Which sounded like a promise, and moisture dampened her bottoms even more.
He hooked his fingers into the sides of her bikini and slowly slid the bathing suit down and off her legs.
Bared in broad daylight beneath the afternoon sun, she ought to be embarrassed, but she knew they were alone. And with his green-gold gaze darkened with desire, she didn’t care about anything except the pulsing needs of her body and his.
“So damn sexy,” he said, lowering his head to her body once more.
Only this time he slid his tongue directly over her damp sex and began to work her in earnest. No more teasing, his tongue slid over her outer folds, giving each one thorough, loving treatment, before sliding his tongue briefly over her *.
Her hips jerked and she gripped his head, centering herself, unable to hold still as the beautiful sensations built inside her. “Sam, God. Don’t stop.”
One long swipe of his tongue was her answer.
Then he grasped her thighs and slid his tongue inside her. She pulled at his hair, thrusting her hips against his eager mouth. He gripped her legs tighter, playing her body faster, flicking his tongue back and forth over her *, then easing off long enough for her to catch her breath, only to start up again.
He brought her close and pulled back, close and pulled back, until she writhed beneath him, a frantic mess of need, every nerve ending in her body screaming for the release he deliberately denied her.
Then suddenly, he nipped at her * and then pressed his tongue down hard and flat against her and she shattered, her body imploding in the most mind-blowing orgasm that seemed to go on and on, until she could swear she saw bright, colorful stars behind her eyes.
She’d barely come back to herself when a shadow loomed over her. Sam stood before her. He’d shed his swim trunks and his big, beautiful body stood poised at her entrance.
He glanced down at her and groaned. “The damned lounge chair is too low. I need to f*ck you and I can’t do it on that flimsy thing.” Before she could blink, he lifted her up and into his arms.
“Then get us inside,” she said in a husky voice she didn’t recognize.
He nodded and headed into the house, her still-throbbing heat rubbing almost painfully against his hard erection as he carried her to their guest bedroom.
She pressed her lips against his and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I could get used to being carried around naked by you,” she said, nuzzling her face into the sweat-slickened skin of his neck, reveling in his masculine scent and heat.
He stiffened at her words, but before she could react, he had her flat on her back, pulled her to the edge of the bed, and thrust home. He was big, thick, and she needed him inside her more than she’d realized. Her body tightened around him, pulling him in deeper.
She opened her eyes just as he slid out and thrust back inside. She felt him everywhere, and she moaned her approval. “More,” she said, arching her hips.
“You sure?”
She nodded.
He closed his eyes and took her harder, pounding into her with renewed determination. The muscles corded in his neck, his jaw set tight, and she marveled that she made him lose control this way. The very thought had her body reacting, and she welcomed the insistent pleasure that began building all over again.
As he took her hard, she was lost, and knew the last of her walls had crumbled. She’d always known she could fall hard for him even as she’d agreed to nothing serious between them. And as he played her body so well, bringing her over the edge once more, she took that final tumble into love.
Sam opened his eyes and watched Nicole’s face, taking in the soft expression as she came hard, again, for him.
“God, Sam, I’m still coming.” Awe and passion etched her words, his willing partner in every way.
He held on by a thread but wanted her to finish, to milk every last bit of her pleasure around his cock before he let go.
She arched, her body clamping around him, her inner walls rippling. With her gorgeous face open and honest as pleasure consumed her, his body tightened and her final cry triggered his release and he poured himself into her, pounding over and over until he was done, spent, gone.
He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily, until he felt her fingers sift through his hair. His heart beat hard in his chest and he knew it wasn’t just a physical response to phenomenal sex. Although it had been that.
The usual fear of commitment and ultimate rejection threatened to set in, and he fought it back. For right now, what they shared was solid. Not to mention how much she needed him to stand by her throughout this mess with Tyler’s father and his business.
He couldn’t predict the future but if nothing else, he could damn well enjoy the present.
A while later, they'd shared a shower, which had been a repeat of their earlier coupling, this time standing up in the small stall. Afterward, Nicole said she had a phone call to make, and he’d left her alone, giving her privacy, promising to find them something to eat.
Sam shook his head, unable to remember the last time he’d been with a woman, stayed to shower, planned to eat with her, then headed back to bed. If he wasn’t careful, he was afraid he’d be calling what he and Nicole shared a relationship.
Shit.
He turned his focus to the fridge in the kitchen. Sara loved to cook and she always had extra meals in the fridge. Sure enough, he found lasagna with a note to him to heat up whatever they wanted. It was easy enough to preheat the oven before heading back to let Nicole know they’d be eating in about forty minutes.
He walked down the hallway, pausing outside the bedroom door at the sound of Nicole’s voice.
“Yes, it’s Nicole Farnsworth. I’ve been on hold to talk to my sister, Victoria?” A pause, then, “No, it’s not our regularly scheduled time, but it’s our birthday—I mean, we’re twins. So I wanted to call and—”
Silence followed, while Nicole listened to the other person on the phone. “Yes, I’ll hold for her doctor,” Nicole said.
Sam leaned against the wall, surprised by what he’d heard. The whole day had passed and he hadn’t known it was her birthday. Her phone hadn’t rung. Nobody had called to wish her well. He ran his hand through his hair, remembering what she’d told him about her parents. How they rarely remembered she was around unless they needed something from her.
A painful knot formed in his chest as he thought of his parents and siblings, and the birthdays he’d had, both growing up and as an adult. Nicole’s utter isolation gave him a completely new appreciation of family. Of the love and caring he’d always taken for granted. He’d had no way of knowing, understood she wouldn’t be upset with him, but he doubted a belated Happy birthday would take the sting out of the day and wondered what he could do to make it up to her.
“Hi, Dr. Templeton. What’s going on?” Nicole asked.
More silence, during which Sam wondered what was happening with her sister.
“I thought . . . I mean, last time we spoke Victoria said she was getting better. That you were talking about giving her a day pass, to see—” Nicole’s voice brought Sam out of his introspection, followed by that damning quiet as she listened again, Sam thought.
“I see.” Voice lowered, Nicole’s pain and disappointment filtered through to Sam. “Sure. Okay, yes. Thank you for explaining everything to me yourself. Good-bye.”
A loud sob followed, and Sam pushed open the door without knocking.
Nicole spun around at the sound of his entrance and immediately wiped her eyes with her hands.
“Don’t pretend nothing’s wrong.”
She visibly stilled. “I’m fine.”
He shook his head and stepped closer. “No, you’re not. I heard your end of the call. Whatever’s wrong with your sister, you don’t have to hide it from me.”
“But—”
“But I’m here for you. End of discussion.” He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. Ignoring how his body lit up at contact wasn’t easy, but she needed more than sex to make her feel better now. “Talk to me.”
Nicole pushed out of his embrace. “My sister isn’t getting better. She’s fighting the meds, and when she told me she would have permission to come out on leave? That was her being delusional.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She let out a harsh laugh. “It protects your family from having to deal with her any time in the near future.”
She spun away but he caught her arm, halting her emotional retreat. “Hey! Don’t run away from me.”
She turned, her glassy red eyes kicking him in the gut.
“I’ve always dealt with Victoria’s issues and problems myself.”
He nodded. After she’d broken her engagement, she’d been alone. She’d chosen to move to Serendipity. Alone. And now she’d taken this hit from her twin, expecting to be—alone.
His heart broke a little more as he realized how solitary her life had been. He didn’t want her to be alone right now. Not when she had him.
“Come back here.” He extended his arms.
She hesitated a brief second, then launched herself into his embrace. He brought her to the bed and let her cuddle into him, stroking her hair as she cried.
“She’s in a good place,” Sam said of her twin. “You know she’s getting help, not out on her own, where she could possibly hurt herself.”
Nicole hiccupped in an attempt to catch her breath, and she managed a small laugh. “I know that. I do. I guess—” She trailed off, obviously not wanting to explain.
“Come on. Let it out.” His hand cupped the back of her head, urging her to talk to him.
She sighed. “I let myself start to think about the possibility that she’d come out whole and healthy, ready to live her life. And maybe then I’d have someone there for me always. Like sisters are supposed to be. Like family is supposed to be.”
He heard the hurt and disappointment in her voice and ached for her. “I get it. But you’re making solid friends in Serendipity, right?”
She pushed back, turning to face him, propping herself up with one hand. “I am. It’s still new, but I feel comfortable and welcomed.”
“What about your friends at home?” he asked, curious about her past life.
“They’re all caught up in the social scene I grew up in. I kept up appearances when I was working for Tyler’s mother’s campaign because I needed their support, but after I broke off the engagement and moved away . . .” She shrugged. “I didn’t keep in touch with them and vice versa.”
He reached out and rolled her on top of him. She was wearing an oversized T-shirt that hiked up on her thighs. And though he had on a pair of cargo shorts and a soft T-shirt, he was suddenly hot and felt overly constricted in his clothes.
“You’re brave, do you know that?” he asked, focusing on what was important and what she needed from him now, not his body’s aggressive demands.
“If you consider running away brave.”
He brushed her hair off her face. “I consider walking away from a life that didn’t suit you brave. Same with picking up and starting over in a new place.”
Her eyes warmed at his compliments.
“And holding all your problems inside? That’s pretty—”
“Stupid. Do not say brave.” She grinned, and he knew he’d broken through her sadness.
“Since you had your reasons, I suggest we let that one go.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“For what?”
“For not letting me get so deep into my own head that I forget all the good things in my life. And Sam?”
“Hmm?” With her body bracketing his, her scent teasing him, her feminine warmth arousing him, he was finding it harder and harder to concentrate.
“You’re one of those good things.” She tugged at his T-shirt and he shifted, helping her yank it over his head.
He tossed the garment onto the floor. She pulled at his shorts next, and those followed the same path. He removed her shirt too and discovered that she was nude beneath it.
“Oh, man,” he muttered, taking her in. Pale breasts stood in contrast to the rest of her now-tanned body, and he groaned at the sight.
He reached out and tweaked one nipple, and she responded with a soft moan. His cock twitched at the sexy sound. He maneuvered himself into a sitting position, intending to suck that tempting peak into his mouth, but she scooted down on him instead.
“My turn,” she murmured, and leaned close, swiping the head of his cock with a lick of her tongue.
He swore. Her pleasuring him was not what he’d had in mind when he set out to make her forget her troubles, but from the hazy look in her eyes, she was wholly focused on him and nothing else. So mission accomplished, he thought, falling back against the pillows at the same time she enclosed her mouth over his aching shaft and sucked him deep.
Buried in the moist recesses of her mouth, he felt the suction all the way into his balls before she released him, licked her way back to the tip and started all over again. He just might die if she kept up the rhythm. He’d never gone from zero to sixty so damned fast.
His orgasm threatened and everything inside him knew it would be the most explosive one he’d ever had. Maybe it was the way she focused on her task, licking and eating at him like he was the tastiest treat. Or maybe it was the way she gave of herself in the process. He’d placed a hand on her back and her entire body shook, letting him know she was enjoying this as much as he was. But he had the scary feeling that the only thing that mattered was the fact that it was Nicole selflessly giving him all those things, at a time when he should have remained focused on her.
Somehow he managed to pull himself out of her mouth, flip her over, and pin her on her back before he came.
“What’s wrong?” She lay beneath him, large eyes opened wide, mouth swollen and wet.
“Not a damned thing except I’m not inside you,” he said at the same time he rectified the situation, notching himself at her entrance and thrusting inside.
“Oh, Sam.” His name sounded like the deepest groan in the back of her throat, taking him impossibly higher.
“Look at me,” he said, managing to listen to the voice in his head directing something other than his cock.
She forced her heavy eyelids open.
He eased out of her, deliberately slow, wanting her to feel every last inch of him.
“Nic?”
He watched as she forced herself to focus. “Hmm?”
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said, before thrusting back inside.
Sam didn’t remember much of their joint frenzy to completion, but long after he collapsed on top of her, after they’d showered again and eaten dinner, and after she’d fallen asleep, he lay awake. And remembered the tears that moistened her face as he made love to her for the first time.