Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
None of my behavior seemed to affect Sammy. She was bright and happy, smiling and talking with everyone. I could hear her laughter across the fields or in the stable as she played with the kittens. If I stopped just shy of the rolling door, I could spy her in the corner, the little black-and-white runt curled up on her shoulder as she worked. I tried not to envy the kitten being able to snuggle into her neck. I knew how soft that skin was and how good Sammy smelled right there. Like lilacs and springtime.
Friday afternoon, I was headed toward the stable, Maverick following, when Sammy walked out into the sunshine. My breath caught in my throat, and I had to force myself not to grab her, haul her against me, and kiss her until she was begging me to take her into the stable and fuck her.
Instead, I smiled and tipped my hat. “Howdy, ma’am.”
She laughed, a brilliant sound of light which made me smile again.
“Good job, Luke.”
I nodded, intending on going past her until she reached out, laying her hand on my arm.
“Luke?”
I stopped, trying not to feel the spark under my skin where her fingers touched me.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“You still taking me to the dance tonight? I can drive myself in if you prefer.”
Rachel had loaned Sammy her truck to get around in. Sammy went to see her and Tyler daily, and it was better than the suggestion Rachel had of Sammy driving an ATV. I wasn’t comfortable with that idea at all. The truck made me nervous, given Sammy’s small stature, but I was impressed by her ability and the ease with which she drove it.
But I didn’t want her driving into town alone to the dance.
“I’ll take you.”
“But you won’t dance.”
“No. I’ll introduce you, then probably walk around and catch up with a few folks. Head out to the field and stargaze a bit. You can text me when you’re ready to go.”
“You won’t dance with me or with anyone?”
“I don’t dance—ever.”
“Okay. What time?”
“We’ll leave at seven.”
“Will you have dinner with me before we go, or are you still avoiding me?” she asked, and I heard the underlying note of hurt in her voice.
“I’ve been busy, Sammy. Not avoiding you,” I lied. “But to take you tonight, I have to work straight through. I’ll grab a late lunch from Callie.”
“Okay,” she agreed quietly. “I’ll see you at seven.”
She walked away, somehow the light around her dimmer than before.
I didn’t like it.
I was in the middle of rolling up my sleeves when she appeared that evening. I almost swallowed my tongue. The Sammy I was used to seeing was gone. The woman I had glimpsed the day she arrived was just a shadow of how beautiful she was.
No more jeans. T-shirts. Carefree, straight hair. Boots on her feet.
She wore a dress. A girly, lacy, barely-to-her-knees, pink dress that hung off her shoulders, nipped in at the waist, and exploded into a fluffy skirt that flounced as she walked. Pretty, strappy heels adorned her feet, making her legs look miles long and sexy. She’d pulled her hair up and curled it. Lipstick made her full mouth pouty. Her eyes were large and luminous in her face with whatever she had done to them.
My cock was instantly hard.
I was instantly furious.
She clapped her hands. “You look awesome! I love the shirt—and is that, like, your dress-up hat?”
“It’s a clean one. And there is nothing special about my shirt,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Oh, but there is,” she insisted.
I looked down. It was a plain black shirt. I had put on fresh jeans and my hat was black, but that was it. She was just being over the top.
“Are you ready?” I asked, not commenting on her appearance.
She frowned. “Uh, yes.”
I grabbed my keys. “Then let’s go.”
The ride into town was silent. When we arrived, I did as promised. Introduced her to the mayor and his wife. The local big shots who always attended these things. Anyone else Rachel had mentioned. A few she hadn’t thought of. Sammy was polite and engaging, answering questions about her show and saying how thrilled she was to be working with Rachel and me. I ignored the looks I got from some of the women, their surprise to see me here evident. I didn’t make eye contact—that would only encourage them.
Finally, I touched Sammy’s elbow. “You okay on your own?”
“You’re really not staying?”
“No.”
She tossed her head in a gesture I now recognized. She was pissed and was done with me. “You can go home. I’m sure I can get a ride with someone.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you don’t think for me, jackass,” she muttered. “Just leave, Luke. You’ve ruined enough of my night as it is.”
Then she flounced away. She didn’t make it too far before one of the many admirers she’d already attracted stopped her and indicated the dance floor. Without a backward glance, she took his hand and kept walking. I pushed my way outside and grabbed a beer, heading away from the building.