Nantucket Romance 3-in-1 Bundle (18 page)

Her feet found the pedals, and she pushed off.
The driveway pebbles popped out from under the tires. She turned out on the road, the moonlight guiding her path. Her legs pumped hard, but the wind in her ears wasn’t enough to blow away her thoughts.

What were you thinking, Sam? Where was the distance you’ve learned
to keep? It’s one thing to let a man in your bed, quite another to let him
in your heart.

Stupid!

Now Landon knew how she felt. She didn’t have to say the words to speak the truth loud and clear. How would she keep him away until she left? She didn’t know if she had the strength.

Sam pedaled hard, not allowing herself to coast, punishing herself with the pain in her thighs. She took the corner onto the main road fast and headed toward town. Her lungs gulped fresh air. A sheen of sweat broke out on her stomach, but she kept going as if she could outrun her thoughts.

Landon’s words washed over her, but she pushed them away. Her mom once claimed to love her too, but where was she now? Where had she been when Sam needed her?

Needing someone was the act of a fool, and she was done with that.

The road turned to cobblestone, and she slowed her pace. The gears ticked as she coasted behind a Mercedes. A breeze blew in from the ocean, cooling her skin. When she reached the tavern, she pulled into the lot and parked her bike under the bright lamp.

A loud eighties tune floated out the door of the building, beckoning her. Someone laughed inside, a wild, loose laugh induced by too much beer. She entered the dark haven, stepping through the crowd to a seat in the corner. She wasn’t in the mood to socialize. She was in the mood to forget.

A server came over, a young kid with a Coppertone tan and a quick smile. “What’ll it be?” he asked over the music and chatter.

She started to order a beer, but on second thought decided on something stronger. “A shot of whiskey.”

“Sure thing.”

Sam watched him skirt a patron and slip behind the bar. Tully slid a bottle toward a woman. The woman reached into her purse as she stood, pulling out a wad of cash.

Money! You left your purse at home.
Sam’s mood plunged even further.
Great, Sam, just great.

The server approached with her shot and set it down on her table.

“Thanks.”

Sam looked at Tully and knew she’d have to ask the favor. She downed the shot, feeling the liquid burn its way down her throat, before she approached him. She smoothed her T-shirt and ran her hand through her wind-blown hair.

His face lit when he saw her, his eyes swinging down her snug shirt, then back up. “Hey, Sam. Good to see you.”

“You too,” she hollered over the music, taking a seat on the only empty stool. She leaned forward, and he came closer. “Listen, I have a little problem. I forgot my purse at home.”

He backed away and waved his hand nonchalantly. “It’s on the house tonight.”

Finally, something was going her way. She smiled her gratitude. “Thanks a lot.”

“Don’t worry about it. What can I get you?”

The whiskey was beginning to warm her insides. “Shot of whiskey?” He flashed a grin before turning to pour the shot.

“How you doing?” The man on the stool beside her wore an expensive shirt and a contagious laugh. He eyed her appreciatively.

“Not bad.” The truth was, she was feeling better already.

“You from around here?”

Sam shook her head as if she could make it true. “Boston.”

“Nice city. I’m from Hartford. Name’s Steven.”

Tully set her whiskey down and went to make a mixed drink.

She introduced herself to Steven, and when she finished her drink, he signaled Tully to bring her another. After her third shot, his conversation amused her, and her limbs were like cooked noodles. Tully stopped and chatted when he was able. Landon was a distant thought, too far away to reach, and the thought made her giddy.

When Steven left, Tully leaned against the bar, staring. “You have the most gorgeous set of eyes. Deep brown, with those amber spokes. Like you’ve got a fire going inside.”

Sam laughed, not sure why she found it funny. “And you have some really great green eyes.” She leaned closer. “I mean blue. Very nice.”

He reached up and touched her hair, tucking it behind her ear. That was funny too. Sam chuckled. She turned her head, and the room spun. She blinked. “Where’d everybody go?”

“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.”

Nineteen

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.
Where
are 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?”