Games (Timeless Series) (45 page)

He eyed Gus. “You and Berta did.” As immigrants, they’d traveled much farther, all the way from Norway. At least Abby had been able to visit her family now and again. Unlike Gus and Berta. Besides, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t known about his plans to leave Virginia before they married.

His friend nodded. “
Ja
, but my wife wanted the opportunity America offered as much as I did.”

And Berta loves you, he thought wistfully. His and Abby’s hadn’t been a love match, but they’d been good friends in the beginning of their marriage, which is how he liked to remember her. That’s the woman he grieved for. He loved his new home. His thoroughbreds thrived here,
and so did his children. Abby was the only one who hadn’t.

When the horse neighed, Colin realized he’d stopped stroking his neck. Nuzzling closer, he whispered, “You’re a champion, aren’t you?” He was breeding faster and stronger animals. Zeus was just the beginning.

“
Ja
,” Gus said, turning to lead the stallion back inside. “It’ll only be a matter of time before this brute makes you famous. He’s one of the best runners I’ve ever seen.”

Following, Colin grinned. “Which will be soon, I hope.” His entire future was riding on all the horses in this barn, but this one was special.

“He’s definitely gaining more speed day by day. But the mare he sired might just give him some competition.”

“Good. He’ll have plenty of incentive to run faster.” Thinking of all he’d achieved in ten years, Colin’s grin spread. His dream was coming to fruition. It really was too damned bad that Abby couldn’t be here to experience his small gains.

At this point, they neared the stall Libby and Nathan were cleaning. Colin ignored the same sense of protectiveness that crept over him every time he came close. A few feet away, he stopped to observe the lad.

Gus looked at him with questioning eyes.

His nod indicated Libby. “He looks so young.” And scrawny, he thought. A stiff wind could easily blow him over. “But he seems to be pulling his weight.”

Gus
grunted an assent. “Actually he’s pulling a hell of a lot more than his weight and shows promise. He’s worked wonders with Nathan. I only hope he’s as good with horses as he claims. It sure would be nice to have a decent hand who understands equines.”

Colin sighed. “His small size will be an asset for training, but I’m just not sure how effective he’ll be if one of the stallions acts up.”

“Don’t count the lad out yet,” Gus said. “You saw how quickly he eased Smithers’s overridden horse. He’s got a gentle touch. We both know it’s not the size. It’s the heart and spirit of the man that horses respond to.”

Wiping the sweat off his brow, Colin couldn’t argue that point. “Damn, it’s a hot one today,” he said, changing the subject. “What do you say to a quick dip in the spring to cool off?” Most of his men utilized the spring during the summer months.

“You don’t have to ask me twice. Definitely makes working in this heat more bearable.” Gus started toward the stallion’s stall. “I just have to finish with Zeus.”

“I’ll help.” Colin used his thumb to point to the stall behind him. “Those boys have been working like fiends. They could probably use a swim too, don’t you think?”

“
Ja
. They definitely deserve a break.” Gus kept walking. “I’ll tell them on the way out.”

~

“We’re going swimming at the spring.” Gus came up behind Libby and his voice startled her. “You boys can take a break and join us.”

She turned and stared at him as if he’d grown an extra head. “We’re
, um, we’re…almost done.” She glanced down so as not to reveal her rising panic. Libby still wore her vest to aid in her deception, but it was like having a forest fire on her back. Her breasts pretty much disappeared behind it, but the second she took it off, her ruse would be up. There was no possible way she could go swimming. “We’ll finish here and meet you there.”

Gus nodded and then met up with Colin, who waited a few feet away.

The minute the two were out of earshot, Libby turned to Nathan. “What happens if we don’t go swimming at the spring?”

“I
dunno.” The boy shrugged. “I ain’t never been before. But it sounds like fun.”

“We can’t go.”

Nathan scrunched up his nose. “Why not?”

“
’Cuz we were supposed to go fishing, remember?”

Nathan nodded.
“Oh, yeah.” A sly grin made an appearance.

Libby returned his smile. “And while we’re fishing, we can take our own swim.” She’d just keep her clothes on. Nathan would understand. Then at least she could rinse off the stench of the day in order to feel normal again.

As soon as they completed raking the straw, Nathan grabbed her hand. “C’mon. We gotta tell Pa we’re going fishing. I hope he won’t mind.”

As they neared the spring, it was all Libby could do to hold herself back from jumping into the inviting pool of water. The desire to cool off and to rid herself of grime and the scent of
eau de
horses was too overwhelming to ignore. Except, that would just raise questions, which would lead to other questions.

Colin stepped onto the bank in all his glory. Water sluiced off his shoulders. Droplets ran down the length of a well-built chest, going lower all the way to… Libby’s breath hitched in her throat and she forced her focus higher. She knew she was practically gawking, but he had a gorgeous body. His muscles bunched as he wiped drips off his face and hair, holding her rapt attention.

“Come join us,” Colin called. Her gaze slid to his eyes and Libby couldn’t look away from that same heart-stopping stare. “The water’s great.”

She was tempted to do exactly as he requested. Thankfully her senses returned just in the nick of time.
Good grief!
Heat engulfed her face.
Remember, Libby, you’re an engaged woman who has no business drooling over some Adonis-like model who lives in the past. Don’t look at him.
She cast her focus at her feet and cleared her throat, struggling for an intelligent reply.

“We’re
goin’ fishin’ instead,” Nathan piped up, saving her from making more of an idiot of herself. “Is that OK, Pa?” He turned to look at Gus. “We’ll cool off at the fishin’ hole.”

“
Ja
.” Gus emerged from the water, drawing Libby’s focus. And even though he was just as well built as Colin, seeing his blue-eyed gaze or watching water sluice off his back did nothing to make her heartbeat falter. “Fishing sounds like a good way to spend the rest of a lazy afternoon.”

Libby glanced from him to Colin.

Colin’s grin widened. “If we didn’t have so much work, we might be inclined to join you.”

“C’mon, Libby.”
Nathan reached for her hand and tugged.

Still red-faced and unable to articulate a decent farewell, Libby offered a quick smile and waved. The entire time they walked away, she felt the heat of the two men’s gazes on her back. But only one gaze concerned her.

Maybe sticking around a day or so wasn’t such a good idea. Unfortunately, the thought of making it home right now was just as unsettling.

Amazon Link to Time Will Tell –
http://amzn.to/10zmPM0

Below is an excerpt from
TEMPTATION,
where Parker Davis, Simon Harrington’s partner in GAMES, meets his match in the Lady Penelope Lytton, who is running from her past and traveling to America under the name of Penny Layton.

Days turned into a week. The weather cooperated and graced them with clear, blue skies and steady winds. The ship progressed, but not quickly enough for Parker.

True to his word, he’d stayed away from the enchanting Miss Layton as much as he could. The only time he allowed himself in her presence was during meals or when on deck with the bevy of activity or seamen surrounding them. Those times proved the hardest to endure, because the fascinating woman would hold them all spellbound with stories of her adventures with her two friends in their younger years. She’d have them laughing and jesting in no time. Most of the men, including him, were half in love with her, yet all stayed within the bounds of propriety. If someone said or did something she disapproved of, she had a way of cutting him to the quick with a word or a look.

Parker was no more immune to Miss Layton now than that first night and went to great lengths to avoid her. If he happened to find himself alone with her, he’d offer an excuse and leave. He’d long grown accustomed to the steady arousal he felt around the lovely lady, easily hiding the desire ever present and humming through his system. Still, every now and again, a yearning would overtake him and he’d have to fight harder to ignore the stirrings, especially if she happened to catch him secretly watching her.

She’d then bestow a knowing smile, as if speaking directly to him, telling him she knew his thoughts and was amused by them. More and more, the desire to wipe that siren’s grin from her face to replace it with one of pure pleasure pervaded his senses. He could barely eat, could barely think, and when he slept, his dreams were erotically disturbing. Dreams in which she would come to him and yield all that he wanted. He’d wake up in a cold sweat, fully aroused, and with urgent need—one that would never be filled. 

It was this need that had him standing on deck at the stern of the ship, seeking solace in the middle of the night. Staring into the black waters and seeing nothing but darkness because billowy clouds covered the light of the moon, Parker wished for home. The journey was more than half over, yet every day spent on board the ship was agony.

He turned at a noise and spotted the only thing that could make his nightmare worse step onto the deck. He bit back a curse as the object of his desire floated toward him.

“You shouldn’t be out here,” he snarled, in no mood to confront her. Raging desire coiled in his gut, waiting to spring forth at the slightest provocation. He was tired of fighting it.

“I couldn’t sleep and came out for a breath of fresh air. My cabin was too stuffy.” 

Her soft, melodious voice filled the space around them, wafted unseen through the air forming invisible tentacles that reached out and wrapped around his soul. Ignoring the siren’s pull, his tone became more vicious. “I’m warning you, ’tis a bad idea to be out here alone like this.”

She paid no heed to his warning, walked serenely to the railing instead and flashed a smile.

“Well?”  He didn’t bother to keep the harshness out of the word.

“Well what?” She lifted her chin at a stubborn tilt and met his gaze.

“Why aren’t you leaving?  Are you goading me?”

“Maybe.”
  Her soft chuckle knotted his insides. Mocked him. “I’m not afraid of you Parker Davis.”

“Then you’re a foolish woman. I’d be more than afraid, were I you.” 

She moved to stand beside him, so close he felt her shrug. His hand clenched into a fist to keep from reaching out and touching her. He could barely make out her features in the moon-hidden night, but he didn’t have to see her to know she looked like an angel who’d come to earth to make his life a living hell. The dark that dulled his vision sharpened his other senses. He caught a whiff of her essence, flowery with a hint of muskiness. The scent more than made up for his lack of sight.

“Then, foolish I’ll be, for I find I like being in your company and you’re always avoiding mine.”  Her clipped English accent invaded his senses further and sent more signals to his groin.

“There’s a reason for that,” he hissed. “You pretend innocence, but you have to know this is not a good idea.”

“I feel safe enough with you,” Penny said, offering another shrug, her gaze remaining on the black waters. “I’ve never been one to run from mischief, and I know I’m skirting convention, that I shouldn’t be here with you, but here I am.”

Parker closed his eyes, sending up a silent prayer. He should just walk away. As much as he knew he should leave, he truly didn’t want to. She held him spellbound as usual, the urge to find out more about her—to see what was deep inside of her—too great to subdue. Instead of leaving, he opted to satisfy his curiosity and asked about the subject that interested him the most, her fiancé. “So, you’re to be married?”

“Yes. I am,” she replied in a voice filled with relief.

“Tell me about your intended.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Whatever you wish to tell me.”

Penny thought for a moment. “Well, he’s handsome and funny and we get on well.”

“I should hope so,” Parker said, grinning at how unenthusiastic she sounded.

“Why’s that?”

“I would hope you get on well, if you’re getting married.”  When she shrugged and didn’t add anymore to the conversation, he prodded, “That’s it?  That’s all you have to say about him?”

“He’ll be a faithful husband?”  At his bark of laughter, she grinned and said, impishly, “What more would you have me say?”

“That you’re madly in love with him and can’t wait ’til you’re together.” 

“Of course I’m madly in love with him and I can’t wait until we’re married.”

Amused, he chuckled softly, remaining silent. The clouds shifted. A sliver of moonlight escaped, illuminating the deck. He kept his focus on her before hers returned to the water. In the added moonlight, he’d caught a glimpse of ambiguity. He sensed something else. Annoyance. She obviously didn’t like that he saw more than she wanted him to see. At this point, he doubted she had such a fiancé waiting.

After several uncomfortable moments, she lifted her chin higher, purposefully seeking his eyes, her glare turning defiant. “What?” 

His smile deepened. If the lovely Miss Layton had any idea of the vision she presented to him, with her hair flowing freely and her night clothing covering but not hiding her luscious curves, she’d run from him. The thought of nothing impeding what he craved underneath her night rail and dressing gown was too heady to imagine. His calm restraint amazed him. Schooling his errant thoughts, his gaze roamed over her features.

“He’s not the love of your life,” he taunted, if only to wipe that sudden appearance of overconfidence from her face. “I realize that now.”

“Oh?”  Like quicksilver, her expression changed to one of vast amusement. Still, she quickly lowered her eyelids, clearly uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

Parker bit his cheek to keep from laughing outright. “Yes. I’m certain of it.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“Your eyes tell me so every time I gaze into their fiery depths.”

“That’s preposterous. My eyes say no such thing,” she said, dismissing the idea with the wave of her hand.

“Liar,” he whispered, leaning closer. “I bet if I could see them now, they’d be shouting.”

“No.” Shaking her head, Penny took a step away. “You speak in riddles.” 

To stop further retreat, Parker gripped her face with a thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at him. He smiled, noting in those oceanic liquid pools what she couldn’t hide.
Attraction. “Then, how about what this tells me?” he murmured softly, just before his lips descended, covering hers.

He tamped down a raging hunger and kept his pace unhurried for one simple reason, to quell her concerns. When Penny narrowed their distance, Parker swallowed triumph. Need, want and desire exploded inside him when her hesitant hands reached around his nape.

She kissed like an innocent angel, and God help him, he wanted more. Softening his lips, enticing her to yield all to him, his tongue slid inside her mouth. Her moan floated somewhere above him, unleashing more yearning. By their own volition, his hands found her breasts, cupping their unbound fullness. His fingers stroked and circled. Her nipples hardened into nubs and another soft moan sent a shot of lust straight through him. He groaned in pure delight.

Desperately, he fought to keep his rampant yearning in check, for he had no intention of letting her bolt. Not now when she was exactly where he’d dreamed of having her since the moment he’d spied her that first night on board ship.

He continued, leisurely stroking with his hands, and using his lips, mouth and tongue as expertly as he could in efforts to mark her with this kiss. Branding her, so that she’d somehow remember him. Finally, before he lost all reason, he tore his mouth away. He glanced at her face and what he could see in the darkness had him closing his eyes, reaching deeper for control.

Disappointment and confusion were evident in her passion-filled gaze. The innocent look laced with the heat of desire, sent another jolt of need pulsing through him. Ignoring the longing to lay her down on the deck and have his way with her, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, gaining more control.

“Now I know so,” he whispered seconds later. His chin rested on her head; her dainty body nestled in the circle of his arms. “You’d never kiss like that if you loved another as you claim.”

She stiffened and tried to pull away, but he held her steadfastly in place.

“Please, release me,” she begged, her voice barely loud enough to carry over the splash of the water hitting the boat.

Parker heard self-loathing in her tone. Recognized it because it’s what he felt for himself at this very moment. He’d promised Lucas and for one crazy moment he’d almost given into his need to have her. For one crazy moment he’d lost all
honor.

“I’ll let you go, but not before imparting my warning. I gave my word you’d be safe from me, and I’ve no intention of going back on my promise. Be wary, Miss Penny Layton, for I only have so much restraint and your taunts have already pushed me beyond those restraints.”

“You lay the blame for this on me?”

“No. I took what I wanted just now, and I know I’m more at fault; but I only finished what you started. Leave it alone. Don’t keep pulling the tail of the tiger unless you’re willing to ride because if you don’t stop, I can assure you, you will receive the ride of a lifetime.”  When she didn’t move and stood silently staring at him as if he’d grown a second head, he nodded toward the stairs. “I suggest you go back to bed. Leave me be and I’ll return the favor.”

Finally, she found her wits and scurried off as if the devil was after her. Perhaps she was wise to run, he reasoned. At that moment, he did feel much like Satan wanting to seduce an angel of God. He turned his gaze back to the water and sighed.

It would be a long, lonely night.

Temptation
, the third in the Timeless Series, is due out in August 2013.

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Sandy Loyd is a Western girl through and through. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she's worked and lived in some fabulous places in the US, including South Florida. She now resides in Kentucky and writes full time. As much as she loves her current hometown, she misses the mountains and has to go back to her roots to get her mountain and skiing fix at least once a year.

A
s a sales rep for a major manufacturer, she’s traveled extensively throughout the US, so she has a million stored memories to draw from for her stories. She spent her single years in San Francisco and considers that city one of America's treasures, comparable to no other city in the world. Her California Series, starting out with Winter Interlude, are all set in the Bay Area.

Sandy is now an empty nester.
Time Will Tell is the first in a series of connecting historical romances as well as a couple of contemporary romances. To date, she has published eight books besides Time Will Tell—four contemporary romances and four romantic mystery/suspense /thrillers. She strives to come up with fun characters—people you would love to call friends. And we all know friends have their baggage and when we discover what makes them tick, we come to love them even more. She doesn't skimp on the romance. And because she loves puzzles, she doesn't skimp on intrigue, either. Yet whether romantic suspense or contemporary romance, she always tries to weave a warm love story into her work, while providing enough twists and turns to entertain any reader.