“Crowd always thins out around now.” He leaned closer. “What do you say we get out of here?” He gave her his Brad Pitt smile. “I can get someone else to cover the bar.”
She liked the idea. “Sure.” She fumbled for her purse on the stool, then remembered she didn’t have one.
“It’s on me, remember?” Tully removed his apron and went to talk to a server.
When he came back, she slid off the stool but got her foot tangled in the footrest. Tully caught her with firm hands.
“Steady there.”
She laughed and clung to his arm. His bicep was thick and hard. She squeezed playfully. “Not bad.” She remembered his buff physique from their date. “Goes with your six-pack.”
She kept hold of his arm as they left the tavern. The air was notably fresh after the smoke-filled bar, and she drew in a breath.
Tully led her around back, where he was parked. Sam worked hard to set one foot in front of the other, giggling when she tripped over a gap in the sidewalk.
She felt so good. She spun around in a Mary Tyler Moore move, laughing.
When she lost her balance, Tully caught her body against his. He was solid. His hair fell over his forehead, and his dark skin made his teeth look camera-perfect white. So handsome. “Hey, good-lookin’,” she said.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He held her to him. “I never did get a proper good night kiss.”
“Oh yeah.” She slid her arms up his chest and around his neck. “I suppose I owe you one, huh?” She felt bold and confident and good. In control.
He claimed her lips, and she kissed back. It was nice and easy.
When he pulled back, he took her arm and helped her into his car. Her head swam pleasantly, and she leaned it back against the leather headrest. He got in the driver’s side.
“My place okay?”
Sam closed her eyes, enjoying the swirling sensation. “Sure.”
L
andon picked up the copy of the
Inquirer and Mirror
and scanned the headlines, his eyes unseeing. Where was Sam? He’d watched out the window for the last two hours, waiting for her to ride up on her bike, waiting for the living room light to shine through the curtains.
But nothing.
Maybe he should look for her. What if a driver didn’t see her in the dark and hit her? He snapped the paper shut and tossed it onto the sofa beside him.
Max, his head resting on his front paws, gave a deep sigh.
His mind returned to the kiss for the hundredth time. Why had he moved so fast? He shouldn’t have told Sam he loved her. Should have known it would scare her away.
Landon stood and paced the small living room. He’d take it all back if he could just know Sam was safe. He longed for the day when a flashlight in her window told him everything was all right. Her well-being was more complicated now. Instead of her stepfather tormenting her, she had ghosts. And how could he fight those? The steel cage she had built to protect her heart kept him from reaching her, and the letter stirred it all up again. He shouldn’t have said anything. He should have tossed it like she asked.
He sank onto the couch where he could see her cottage. But tonight she’d let him hold her, let him comfort her. He’d do it the rest of her life if only she’d allow it. Why couldn’t she see that he wanted the best for her, that he’d do anything for her, that he would never forsake her?
Instead, she ran, she pushed, she fought. It was enough to make a man crazy.
His one solace came with the memory of the kiss. Yes, he kissed her, but she returned the gesture with so much fervor his knees had shaken. He remembered the feel of her soft lips responding to him and wanted to capture the feeling and lock it away in his heart.
She might deny it with her words, but hers hadn’t been the kiss of a friend. The way she looked at him, the way she touched him, told him more than words ever would.
Maybe that’s what had frightened her off. Maybe it wasn’t his confession of love, but the realization that she loved him too.
He breathed a laugh. A man could hope, couldn’t he?
He glanced at his watch and saw it was half past eleven.
Whereare you, Sam?
The phone pealed then, and he rushed toward it. Maybe she needed help. Maybe she’d blown a tire and was stranded somewhere.
“Hello?”
“Hey.” The sound of Scott’s voice punctured Landon’s hope. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”
Landon let out the pent-up breath. “No. Just sitting here.”
“Listen, I was working late tonight, and guess who I saw when I was driving through town?”
Landon straightened. “Who?”
“Sam. And she looked pretty toasted too, stumbling all over the place.”
“Where was she?” He would go get her. She couldn’t ride home on her bike like that. What was she thinking?
“Tavern parking lot. But she wasn’t alone, buddy.”
His thoughts jammed, and dread snaked its way along his nerves. “Who was with her?”
Scott was silent for a moment, and Landon squeezed the phone as if he could wring an answer from it.
“Listen, Lan, I didn’t call to rub it in. I just want you to see the truth before she breaks your heart, man.”
Too late. “Who was she with?” It was all he could do to control his tone.
He heard Scott sigh. “Tully.”
“I’ve got to go.”
“Wait, Landon.”
He walked across the room and shoved his feet in his tennis shoes. “What?”
“She was getting in his car, and she wasn’t exactly fighting him off, if you know what I mean. She’s a grown woman; she can do what she wants.” He paused for effect. “And clearly, she wants.”
“You said she was hammered.”
“She’s still a willing participant.”
“I’ve got to go.” Landon clicked the off button and tossed the phone onto the recliner. He flipped through the phone book and found Tully’s listing. A friend from school had lived on Tully’s street, and it was only a ten-minute drive. Five if he hurried. He grabbed his keys and jogged to the Jeep.
What was she thinking? At this hour Tully was undoubtedly taking her home, and Landon had no doubt what he intended to do to her there. The man had practically drooled over Sam in her bathing suit. He would take advantage of her drunken state and think nothing of it.
Landon’s tires spun as he backed out of his drive. He should’ve asked Scott how long ago he’d seen her. What if he got there and it was too late? He imagined Tully running his beefy hands all over Sam, and anger tore through him. He pressed down on the accelerator, breaking the speed limit.
Moments ago he reveled in the fact that Sam had responded to him, but apparently she wasn’t all that selective.
It made no sense. Why did she fight him so hard? Was loving him such an awful thing? Tully was nothing but a player out to use her, but she’d run from Landon’s arms to his. Is that what she wanted? To be used up and tossed away like an old rag?
By the time he turned onto Tully’s street, his fingers gripped the steering wheel hard. He drove through the residential neighborhood, slowing to read the street numbers. When he came to Tully’s, he turned into the drive. The bartender’s old Mustang sat next to the front porch, and a light burned inside.
Landon took the porch steps two at a time, then pounded on the wood door with the side of his fist. How long ago had they arrived? Were they in the bedroom now? He ground his teeth together and pounded again.
A muffled curse leaked through the door.
A fresh rush of adrenaline surged through his veins.
Keep it cool,Reed. Just get her out of there and go
.
Tully jerked open the door and cursed again. “What do you want?” His disheveled hair hung over his forehead, and his chest was bare.
Landon reined in the desire to slug his face. “I came for Sam. I’m taking her home.”
Tully squinted. “What?”
“Where’s Sam?” Landon pushed past Tully, his gaze sweeping the room. Not seeing her, he strode down the short hall.
“What’s your problem?” Tully was on his heels.
Landon came to the first door and looked in. The lamplight revealed Sam sprawled on the bed. She wore only her bra and shorts, her hair splayed across the pillow.
She saw him and sat up. “Landon.” Did he imagine the relief in her tone?
Landon started toward her, but Tully grabbed his shirt and jerked him back. “Listen, dude, you got no business here.”
Landon whipped around and pushed him off. “No. You listen. I’m taking her home.”
Tully pushed Landon hard. He staggered backward to keep his balance. “We were right in the middle of something, if you know what I mean. She doesn’t want to go home.” He tossed Sam a glance. “Do you, doll?”
Sam twirled a strand of hair in her fingers, watching it with fascination. She was like a little girl, vulnerable and innocent. When she turned her fawn-brown eyes on Landon, he wondered if they held a plea.
Landon glared at Tully. “She’s in no shape to make a decision, and you know it.”
“Get out.” Tully planted his feet.
He wasn’t going to get her out of there without a fight. So be it.
He charged Tully, landing a swing square on his jaw. Tully’s head whipped to the side. Before he could right himself, Landon jabbed his fist hard in his gut, driving the air from Tully’s lungs. It was like hitting a block of concrete, but Tully doubled over.
Landon turned to get Sam. He pulled her arm. “Come on, Sam.”
She looked up at him. Almost in slow motion, a sultry smile curved her lips. “Landon.”
He was going to have to carry her.
Tully charged him from the side. Landon flew into the nightstand, knocking the lamp to the floor. The room darkened. His head banged against the wall.
Tully jerked him upright and slugged him across the face. Pain exploded in his head. Before he could recover, Tully’s fist hit his stomach, knocking him backward over something. He hit the floor hard.
“Hey . . . stop.” Sam’s voice cut through the darkness.
His head throbbed, and he struggled to fill his lungs again.
Tully came toward him, a shadow in the dark. Landon swung his foot across the floor, sweeping Tully’s feet from under him. He fell with a thud.
Landon attacked, fists flying, hitting their mark. Tully fought back, but Landon planted a fist square in his face, and finally Tully stilled, groaning.
Landon stood and moved to the bed, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. “Come on, Sam.” He gathered her in his arms, breathing hard.
She curled against his neck, pointing back toward the bed as he walked away. “My shirt.”
“Never mind.” Landon stepped over Tully and carried her outside. He stood Sam on her feet and opened the car door. “Get in.”
She sat down but didn’t pull her legs in. She cocked her head and sighed leisurely as if she sat on the end of a pier.
He lifted her legs and tucked them inside the car, noting her bare feet. With a glance backward to make sure Tully wasn’t on his feet again, he shut the door and got in the other side.
With the turn of the key, he started the engine and backed out of the drive, his tires churning up gravel. Only when they were on the road did he remember to breathe again.
Sam turned in her seat and ran her hand down his arm. “You’re so strong.”
He tried to ignore the effect of her touch.
Just drive, Reed. She’sdrunk as a skunk and doesn’t know what she’s doing. Probably thinksyou’re Tully.
“Put on your seat belt, Sam.”
Instead, she trailed her fingers down his arm and gathered his hand in hers. She lifted it to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his bruised knuckles.
He swallowed.
She kissed his wrist, then his forearm, leading a trail upward. He tightened his other hand on the steering wheel.
“Your seat belt, Sam.” He braked for a stop sign and reached across, grabbing the strap. Her bare shoulders glowed under the moonlight.
“What am I thinking?” he muttered, dropping the buckle. He released his seat belt and tugged off his T-shirt.
It slid easily over her head. “Help me out here.” With some assistance, she poked her hands clumsily through the sleeves, and he pulled the shirt down, covering her. Once he buckled them both in, he put the car in drive and took off.
Sam turned toward him, her knees poking the console, and ran her fingers across his bare stomach.
“That’s more like it,” she said. Her fingers trailed upward.
His muscles tightened. She probably thought she was still on Tully’s bed. He grabbed her hand. “That’s enough, Sam.”
She laughed, a sultry sound he’d never heard from her. “What’s the matter, baby?”
Landon tightened his hold on her hand, ignoring her question.
“Party pooper,” she said, pouting. She leaned her head against his arm.
He relaxed, hoping she’d settle down now. His jaw smarted from Tully’s last blow, and he could feel his pulse in his temples. At least Sam was safe. He wondered how much she’d remember in the morning. Enough to feel foolish, no doubt.
Why had she run off and gotten drunk? Didn’t she know that never solved problems? It only created new ones.
He looked down where she rested her head against his shoulder. She turned and pressed a kiss against the flesh of his arm, setting a fire inside him.
Well, you wanted her to loosen up. I guess you got your way.
Little had he known she’d loosen up for someone else. He’d gotten to Tully’s in time to stop the jerk from taking advantage of her, but clearly, they’d gotten far enough.
He gripped the steering wheel.
Stop it, Reed. No point torturingyourself.
By the time he pulled into Sam’s drive, she was dozing. He turned off the ignition and eased away. “Sam. Wake up.” He wondered why he whispered.
She blinked in the darkness of the car, sitting up straight, looking like a lost little girl. Some of his anger drained.
“We’re home. Let’s get you inside.” When she didn’t move, he went to her side of the Jeep and took her in his arms, shutting the door with his hip. His T-shirt fell to her thighs, and her bare feet dangled toward the ground.
She buried her face in the curve of his neck. Her warm breath heated his skin, and her honeysuckle shampoo filled his senses. Part of him wanted to cradle her in his arms forever; the other part wanted to throttle her for being so careless. He didn’t understand. If being with him was so scary, why would she run straight into Tully’s arms? Into his bed, even? If he lived to be a hundred, he would never understand Sam completely.