Eleven
Sam waited until it was late at night before they headed out. He wanted anonymity and darkness. The timing gave Nicole the chance to organize herself, as well as talk to Aunt Lulu, whom she still felt like she was abandoning for the weekend. Aunt Lulu had no problem with Nicole’s sudden trip, understanding family emergencies better than most, she’d said.
While Nicole packed, Sam headed home to his place to do the same. He also took on the job of arranging for a place for them to stay. The goal, he’d explained, was to remain gone until they could return home to a quiet Serendipity on Monday.
To Nicole, it felt like running away, but he insisted on doing things his way. She let him. She’d been carrying the burden of information alone for so long, doing nothing but mull over what to do, so she was grateful to have someone else in charge for a change.
She’d hoped they could talk about what would happen next while in the car. She was afraid that by involving Mike and Cole, she’d lose any chance to get ahead of this mess, but as soon as they hit the highway, the day’s events caught up with her. Nicole fell asleep, dozing for almost the entire ride.
When she woke up, it was pitch black outside and the clock on the dashboard told her she’d been asleep for almost two hours.
“Hey, sleepyhead.”
She turned her head toward him. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you to your own thoughts the whole trip.”
He shrugged. “I can handle it. You needed the rest.”
She nodded. “Where are we?”
“Saratoga Springs.”
“Oh! Home of the horse races.”
“And a casino, and shopping, among other things. Unfortunately, I don’t want to be out in public. We’re better off lying low. Just in case.” In case someone followed them, she thought, but didn’t say so. She was just glad to be away with Sam.
Once off the highway, he drove back roads, seeming familiar with the route. Eventually he pulled the car into the driveway of a large house set back on a large chunk of property, and parked in one of two extra guest spots.
Surprised, Nicole turned toward him. “This isn’t a hotel.”
“No. It’s not.” He shut off the motor and climbed out of the vehicle.
She followed, stepping out into the dense summer humidity, meeting him by the back of his truck. He’d insisted on leaving what he termed her more conspicuous car in her driveway so no one, the Russians especially, would jump to the conclusion that she’d left town.
Sam slid his duffel bag over his shoulder, picked up her suitcase too, and started up the walkway to a set of double doors.
“Where are we?” she finally asked.
“At an old friend’s house.”
“Oh. It was nice of him to let us stay over.”
Before Sam could reply, one of the large wooden doors opened and an attractive blond woman answered the door.
“You made it!” She pulled Sam into a long embrace, obviously excited to see him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s good to see you, Sara.” He returned the hug without reservation before stepping back and studying her.
Nicole took the opportunity to do the same, struggling with the uneasy feelings she didn’t recognize as she took in Sam’s . . . friend. The woman wore a long, emerald silk robe that covered her appropriately, but it was obvious she had a long, lithe body in addition to the pretty face.
Sam finished with his appraisal and grinned before squeezing her forearm. “You look great.”
With the compliment, Nicole no longer had any trouble naming the emotion eating away at her. Jealousy, green and unwelcome, filled her at the sight of Sam and this woman.
Unaware of Nicole’s thoughts, Sara shifted her gaze away from Sam. “You must be Nicole,” she said warmly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Nicole’s face felt frozen as she replied. “I wish I could say the same.”
Sara shot Sam a chiding look. “When we were in high school, we used to call him Silent Sam. I see that much hasn’t changed.”
He merely arched an eyebrow her way. But he didn’t meet Nicole’s gaze, so he obviously knew he’d made a mistake in how he’d handled things.
“You had a long drive, so come on in,” Sara said, gesturing with her hands.
Nicole stepped into the entryway and Sam followed. Although the house appeared huge from the outside, and square footage-wise it probably was immense, the interior offered a more intimate and welcoming appearance. Hardwood floors and a country-styled area rug immediately bespoke a cozy home.
“Your home is beautiful.” Nicole forced a smile despite being blindsided by this woman and her obviously close relationship with Sam. “I appreciate you letting us stay here. Especially on such short notice.”
“Uncle Sam!”
Nicole turned toward the unexpected loud, female shriek that was quickly followed by the sound of feet pounding down the center staircase. A nightgown-clad child, more whirling dervish than little human, flung herself toward Sam.
He caught her easily and swung her around before setting her on her feet. “Hey, short stuff!”
Sara looked down at her daughter in Sam’s arms with such love in her eyes, Nicole couldn’t help but be affected, softening toward the woman who’d been nothing but pleasant to her. As Nicole had never been on the receiving end of that kind of look from either parent, Sara immediately won points with her.
“How old is she?” Nicole asked.
The child turned to Nicole and held up one full hand and one finger on her other hand. Her long brown curls hung in disarray around her flushed face as she smiled and said, “I six!”
“You’re a big girl.” Kneeling down to her eye level, Nicole met her brown-eyed gaze. “I’m Nicole. What’s your name?”
The child smiled wider, revealing two dimples. “I Sammy.”
Startled, Nicole swung her gaze toward Sam.
“I’m her godfather,” he quickly explained. But from the glances between Sara and Sam, there was more to the story, and Nicole’s stomach cramped uncomfortably as she rose to her feet.
Sara placed a hand on her daughter’s back. “Sammy, I let you stay up for your uncle. Now it’s back to bed, like we agreed. Say good night to our guests.”
“Good night,” she chirped cheerfully, practically vibrating with excitement that her uncle was here, making Nicole doubt the child would be falling asleep any time soon.
She was the cutest little girl and those big eyes probably let her get away with a lot more than just staying up late, Nicole thought, amused, despite the questions this visit had caused.
“I’ll show you to your rooms,” Sara said to Nicole and Sam, and Nicole’s stomach pitched in disappointment.
Sam had alluded to picking up where they left off earlier today, but Sara made it clear they wouldn’t be sharing one bed in her house. Nicole didn’t get the sense that Sara was mean, manipulative, or deliberately keeping Nicole and Sam apart. They were obviously old friends. Good enough friends that Sam was her daughter’s godfather. But where was her husband, Nicole wondered, disliking the jealousy pounding away at her.
Once Sammy ran up the stairs, Sara turned back to face them. “You guys can share the guest room downstairs,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I just didn’t want to mention it in front of Sammy.”
Relief swept through Nicole.
Sam nodded. “I know the way, so you can go on upstairs. We’ll catch up tomorrow.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks again for taking us in at the last minute.”
She studied Sam intently. “Hey. I owe you and you know it.”
He shook his head. “You know it’s the other way around.”
Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. “Mark should be back from his business trip on Sunday.” An obvious subject change. “He’ll be glad you’re here. You don’t visit often enough,” she chided, before turning to Nicole. “Make yourself at home. I’m taking Sammy to gymnastics in the morning and we’ll be back around eleven.”
“Thank you,” Nicole murmured.
“My pleasure. Night.” With a wave, Sara turned and headed for the stairs.
“Ready?” Sam lifted the bags, and Nicole nodded.
All the tight knots inside her had eased at the mention of one room, combined with her husband’s imminent return. But that didn’t mean Nicole wouldn’t have some choice words for Sam, for bringing her here without explanation or advance warning about this other important female in his life.
Once alone with Sam in the large bedroom, a pretty room set up for guests, Nicole unpacked her suitcase, using the empty dresser drawers for her clothes, and placed her toiletries on the counter in the bathroom. Sam, in typical guy fashion, said he’d deal with his things as he needed them.
She washed up and changed into a pair of boy shorts and tank top for bed, then opened the bathroom door and paused in the doorway. Sam had stripped down to his boxers and stretched out on the queen-sized mattress.
She couldn’t help but take in the sight, and her gaze slid over his tanned, muscular legs, up to the bulge in his boxer briefs, and over the flat planes of his stomach. Her nipples tightened and moisture pooled between her thighs, desire for him overwhelming everything else she’d been thinking and feeling.
Yes, she was so weak that despite the unanswered questions, despite her jealousy over Sara and her exhaustion from the day, he could make her forget everything but him. Her only consolation was that he studied her the same way, his hot gaze perusing every inch of her body as he leaned back against the pillows, one muscular arm behind his head.
But she refused to allow attraction to distract her. She wanted to talk, and she hoped he’d explain about Sara without her having to ask like the jealous woman she’d suddenly become.
“There’s a big pool out back, so you’ll be able to relax tomorrow,” he told her.
She blinked in surprise. “Seriously? That’s what you have to say to me?” She leaned against the door frame and folded her arms across her chest.
“As opposed to what?” he asked.
Dense man. “Like why aren’t we staying in a hotel, for starters.”
He raised his shoulders. “It’s racing season. I couldn’t get a room and then I realized it made more sense to stay with a friend where we’re not registered anywhere. No credit card, no trace.”
That made sense, she silently acknowledged. “Why didn’t you tell me ahead of time? You’ve never mentioned Sara before, yet she’s obviously a very good friend.”
His eyes narrowed at her tone and emphasis on that one word. “She is. We go way back to high school.”
Nicole sighed. Obviously he was going to make her drag it out of him. “So just who is she to you? And what’s with the I owe you, no it’s the other way around stuff?”
His gaze shuttered. “It’s ancient history.”
Hurt worked its way through her at his refusal to share. “Not so ancient it didn’t come up tonight.” Her heart squeezed further at his obvious intent to shut her out. “Look, I’m not the type to pry into things you don’t want me to know, but we’re here with your friend who knows about me while I know nothing about her.”
Nicole really resented him for putting her in this position. She really disliked being an outsider, a feeling she suspected would only get worse as the weekend wore on. Unless Sam let her in.
“Come here,” he said in a gruff voice.
She pushed herself off the wall and strode over to the bed, sitting down beside him.
He placed his hand over hers, and warmth traveled through her body at his touch.
“Sara and I have a deep history. As friends. I made a poor judgment call a long time ago that affected her life and I owe her. That’s all.”
That wasn’t all, Nicole thought, looking into eyes that held hidden stories and secrets. But it was obviously all he’d reveal tonight. They had a long weekend for bigger revelations. She hoped.
“I’m tired,” she said on an exhale, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and forget everything that had happened today.
He nodded in agreement. “It’s been a long day.”
“It has. And it’s my fault. I’ve brought a lot of drama into your life,” she said, feeling guilty for dragging him into her problems, which had ended up showing her just how it felt to be on the periphery of his life.
He tipped her chin upward until she met his gaze. “You bring a lot to my life. Period.” Those sometimes green, sometimes brown eyes held an intensity that affected her straight down to her soul.
She couldn’t help but believe him. After all, he’d stood by her through everything. Even when he hadn’t known if she was any different from her twin, he’d defended her against Cole’s accusations, and Nicole had trusted Sam to have her back. And he had. Their connection had been that solid.
But in the present, he fought any emotional bond with Nicole, and she’d accepted that that was how it had to be. Because being left at the altar had scarred him. Yet tonight she’d seen that he shared that kind of bond with Sara. Their relationship might not be sexual, but there was a trust and a commitment between them, and it hurt Nicole to know he wouldn’t open himself up that way to her.
She pushed herself away from him and rose from the bed, pulling down the covers on her side. He stood and did the same. Soon they were under the comforter together, but Nicole wanted the same distance between them physically that he’d put up emotionally.
“Night.” She grabbed her pillow and curled into a ball, facing away from him.
She heard the click of the lamp and the bed dipped and moved as he got comfortable, but he didn’t bridge the distance between them. A painful lump formed in her throat, but she forced herself to breathe slowly and soon she fell asleep.
Sam woke up with the same heavy feeling in his chest with which he’d fallen asleep. He also knew why. He’d botched last night, mishandling everything with this trip and hurting Nicole in the process. He really thought bringing her here would be good for them both. An under-the-radar place to stay and a chance to see his goddaughter. Why hadn’t he realized all the questions that would come up just by being here?
Because, as his sister Erin often said, he was such a guy.
Which meant he’d screwed up and now he owed Nicole an apology as well as an explanation. He could handle the apology better than the other, and that was saying something. He reached out only to find the other side of the bed empty. And cold.
With a groan, he swung his legs over the side. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Ten thirty a.m. Sam couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so late. Sara would probably be gone with Sammy to the little girl’s gymnastics lesson, so if he wanted time alone with Nicole, he needed to hurry.
He showered quickly and headed to find her. She wasn’t in the kitchen, although he did manage to grab a peach on his way out the back door, eating in a few bites. He opened the sliding glass doors and stepped outside, and his breath caught—having nothing to do with the damp humid air.
Nicole lay outside in a bikini, displaying a body that made his mouth water. Just because he’d seen her before didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate the view all over again. He started toward her, reacquainting himself with her long legs, curvy hips, breasts that more than filled his hands, and a face that stayed with him from the moment they’d met. Was it any wonder he was struggling with distance?
“You’re blocking my sun.” She pushed herself up to a sitting position.
He inhaled and caught the scent of coconut sunscreen. It was a scent he’d liked as far back as childhood. He liked it even more now, and his body responded to it in very adult ways.
He sat down on her chaise, taking up not just her sun but her personal space. He finished off the peach he’d been working on and rolled the pit into a napkin on the table before sliding in closer.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I need to talk to you before Sara gets back.”
At the mention of the other woman’s name, Nicole stiffened and pushed her back against the chair, away from him.
He hung his head. “And that’s why I’m sorry. If I’d told you about Sara before we came here, if I’d explained, you wouldn’t be so defensive now.”
“I’m not defensive.” She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “Fine. I am defensive. But do you blame me?”
“Not in the least. So hear me out?” He reached out and tugged on a lock of her hair. “How else can I apologize?”
Nicole sighed, feeling herself softening toward him.
He was here with the answers she wanted and the apology she hadn’t expected. “Okay, fine.” She relaxed and hugged her knees to her chest, giving him more room on the chair.
“First things first. Last night, when you said you were sorry you brought so much drama to my life?”
She nodded. “I was serious. We’ve gone from dealing with my sister stalking yours to money laundering and threats. I’m the reason we’re hiding out here for the weekend.”
He braced his hand around her ankle. “I don’t need an excuse to hang out with you, so no apologies. And as for the drama, do you think I chose my career because I like peace and quiet?” he asked on a laugh.
She smiled. “I didn’t know that meant you like it invading your personal life too.”
He squeezed her leg tighter. “I like you invading my personal life.”
“Liar,” she said softly.
His lips quirked in a grin. “Okay, you’ve got me there. But I’ll let you in anyway. No matter how uncomfortable it makes me.” He drew a deep breath. “Back in high school, there were four of us. Four best friends. Me, Jenna, Brett, and Sara.”
She leaned closer so she could absorb not just the story but his emotions about his past as well. “Were Brett and Sara boyfriend and girlfriend too?”
He shook his head. “Just friends. But after—after Jenna left me for Brett and they moved out of town, it was just me and Sara. Not in a romantic way or even a sexual one. We were really good friends.”
She nodded.
And he continued. “Long story short, I went to the academy in Albany and I met this guy, Frank Dalton. He and I became close. He seemed decent. I met his parents. I figured I knew him pretty well. I trusted my instincts and introduced him to Sara.” He drew another deep breath, his body trembling.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to relive it.” Nicole saw how difficult it was for him to talk about his past. It was enough that he was willing.
“You need to know,” he said, his voice strong.
“Okay.” She was grateful. “Okay.”
“Frank and Sara hit it off right away. They dated and next thing I knew they got engaged. He wanted to be a city cop and she was ready to leave Serendipity, so they moved to Albany.”
Nicole had seen the connection between them. “I bet you missed her.”
“A lot. Mostly because we lost touch.” His facial features grew taut.
Nicole glanced at his tense expression. “Why? That doesn’t seem like the Sara I met. Even two seconds in her presence and I could tell when she loves, she loves big.”
“Yeah. And she was there for me after Jenna left, so I couldn’t figure out why she would pull back and disappear from my life. Then one day, she called me. She was hysterical. She said she needed me so I got in the car and drove to Albany.”
“What was wrong?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Frank had been in a car accident. Drunk driving and he was in a coma.”
“Oh no!” Nicole reached for him, but he shook his head.
“There’s more.”
She could barely breathe, waiting to hear the end of the story. “When I saw Sara again, everything she didn’t want me to know came pouring out. From the day they married, Frank had been a controlling son of a bitch and when he drank, which was often, he was verbally abusive. He didn’t like how close we were and he cut her off from me, from anyone who could see what their life together was really like. I never saw that side of him or I wouldn’t have introduced them.”
“Of course not!”
“But I did. Because my personal judgment sucks, something I’ve proven twice over. And you know what they say about the third time.”
“Third time’s a charm?” she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“More like three strikes and you’re out,” he muttered.
Nicole knew better than to argue with a thinking pattern he’d had too long to believe in and let stick. “Did Sara blame you?” she asked instead.
Sam shook his head. “No. But she should. The night she told him she was pregnant, he was furious. They hadn’t planned for a kid. He wasn’t ready and—he hit her before taking off in their car. She packed, planning to leave, but she got a call that he’d been in an accident. And you know the rest.”
“What happened to her husband?” Nicole asked.
Sam glanced up at the clear blue sky. “He died of his injuries.”
“And she was free of him.”
He nodded.
“But you weren’t. Because you still blame yourself.”
He inclined his head.
It wasn’t hard to understand his thoughts. A man who was raised in a family of cops, who protected others, had felt like he’d failed himself and his best friend.
She met his gaze. “You have to see that Sara has remarried and clearly has a wonderful life. How can you be so hard on yourself?”
He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “When it comes to making decisions for myself or people I care about, my judgment is suspect.”
“Because Jenna betrayed you too? And you didn’t see it happening?”
“Both Jenna and Brett. And then Frank.” He clenched and unclenched his hands.
She placed her hand over his, stilling his movements. “That’s on them. The only thing that’s on you is being a good, trusting person.”
“Yeah, f*cking perfect,” he muttered.
She blinked in surprise at the vehemence in his tone. She wanted to crawl into his lap and tell him that to her, he was perfect. He was everything good and decent, especially compared to her own family, and she felt lucky to have him in her life. But from the tight set of his jaw, she sensed he wouldn’t hear her, let alone believe.
But somehow she had to convince him that not only did she trust him, but he could have that same faith in himself. Otherwise this push-pull sexually was all they’d ever have together. And she already knew it wasn’t nearly enough.
Macy prided herself on being smart when it came to men. Not so smart that she’d landed herself one for good, but smart enough not to be taken in by the jerks of the world. Until Tyler Stanton. Yes, she knew Tyler had only been spending time with her while pursuing his agenda with Nicole, but they’d grown closer. He’d flirted even after he’d promised not to. At the very least they were friends. And friends didn’t dump each other at an art fair and run off looking for another woman.
After getting a ride home from another friend and stewing for an hour after that, Macy decided it was time she got some answers from Mr. Tyler Stanton. He didn’t answer his phone, so she headed over to the Serendipity Inn. She pulled her little Mustang up to the house and parked on the street.
As she walked up the driveway and path to the front door, she waved to Joanne Rhodes, the owner, who was on her knees, weeding in her flower beds.
“Hi, Macy. How are you this fine day?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Did you get over to the art festival?” Macy asked her.
Joanne nodded. “This morning. I wanted to spend time with my flowers this afternoon. Here to see Tyler?” she asked.
“Yes. Is he in?” A stupid question because his car was parked in the extra spots in the back of the driveway, but she forced herself to make polite conversation before she could head in.
“Upstairs. I have to admit, he’s such a nice, polite man. I’m sad to see him go.”
Macy stiffened but forced herself not to ask her for details. Those she wanted from Tyler. She didn’t want to think he’d leave without saying good-bye, but after the way he’d dumped her at the fair, maybe she shouldn’t give him that much credit.
She managed a smile. “I’ll go talk to him.”
Gathering her anger as well as her courage, she headed inside and upstairs to his room. She knocked once and the door swung open.
The Tyler who answered the door didn’t look anything like the composed, put-together man she was used to seeing. Instead, his normally neat hair was messed, having apparently been attacked by his fingers, and his eyes were a bit wild, his focus clearly scattered.
“Macy.” To his credit, he sounded happy to see her.
“We need to talk,” she said, pushing her way into his room, only to see his suitcase open on the end of the bed. Her stomach plummeted at the sight.
She turned to him, folding her arms across her chest, pinning him with her most determined glare. “Tell me you’d planned on saying good-bye.”
Tyler stared at her, wishing he could give her the answer she wanted. But the truth was, he’d heard what Nicole had to say about not hurting her. He also knew there were people in town watching him. And he hadn’t wanted to put her in any danger. So he’d planned to go home, settle things with his father, then come back here and see what could be—with Macy.
“You. Suck.” She shoved his shoulder, her blue eyes flashing with hurt and anger.
He grabbed her wrist and met her gaze. “Yeah, I do. And you deserve a hell of a lot better than getting involved with me.”
She jerked out of his grasp and sat down on the bed. “We’re not involved, Tyler. Maybe there’s chemistry between us, but I’m not stupid enough to put any stock in you. Not while you’re here chasing after another woman. But I at least thought we were friends.”
“Oh, we’re friends.”
Chin high, she glared at him, but Tyler knew her better by now and he saw beyond the bravado and the words. Like it or not, they were both involved, more than either wanted to be. He’d just wanted to come back to explore it, no baggage holding him back from her.
“Friends don’t take off on each other without a word. We were together, looking at paintings, no mention of you needing to deal with Nicole. Next thing I know, you’re focused on her and leaving me—without a ride home. Not cool.”
No, it wasn’t. And he’d been so thrown by the Russian art dealers, he hadn’t once thought about the fact that he’d abandoned her there. One minute they’d been looking at landscapes, and the next his entire life and Nicole’s flashed before him.
“I’m sorry.” He drew a deep breath. “Like I said, you deserve better than to have to deal with me.”
Silence followed and he knew he’d lost her.
“I didn’t peg you for a coward,” she said at last.
If she knew what he was dealing with, she might cut him some slack, but he didn’t want her pity. “I’m going to ask you for something. Something I have no right to ask of you.”
“What?” she asked, sounding wary.
Rightly so.
“Wait for me.”
“What?” Her soft lips parted in question.
He took advantage, leaned in, and settled his lips over hers. His intent? To give her something to remember him by. To entice her to hold out for him, despite having given her every reason not to trust him or want him to return.
The result? One taste and she imprinted herself on him for good. She rubbed her tongue against his and with a groan, he pulled her up, wrapped his arm around her waist, and aligned his body with hers. He allowed himself this brief moment, holding her, feeling her, giving himself something to work toward when dealing with the nightmare back home. She softened against him, responding in ways he couldn’t have imagined. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her, but not now.
Not until he was completely free.
He braced his hands on her waist and pulled her away from him. “Wait for me,” he said once more.
“I don’t understand.” She looked up at him, eyes glazed, confusion quickly replacing desire.
He touched his forehead to hers. “It’s better that you don’t know. Not until I’ve put it all behind me.”
Her gaze narrowed. “You’d better not be playing me,” she warned him.
Which was exactly what he liked about her. He grinned and slid a finger down her cheek. “When I’m playing you, you’ll know it.”
Now, he thought, looking at Macy, he had even more incentive to head home and fix the mess that was his life.