Perfect Together (22 page)

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.

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 per
spiration 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.