Play for Me (7 page)

“I don’t know,” Sam whispered back her faces inches from
him. Their eyes were locked in a quiet conversation and Ian bent down and
gently kissed her lips. It felt so nice Sam didn’t want him to stop, but he
did.

“I couldn’t resist,” admitted Ian as he fondly tucked a strand
of hair behind Sam’s ear. “I think you’re kind of nice. Very nice.”

“You’re very determined,” said Sam ruefully and she broke
the hold he had on her. Ian refused to let go of her hand.

“Jordan has done a great job in raising his little sister.”
Ian was smiling. “You’re no pushover and I like that.”

“No, I’m not a pushover, even though you did see me with
half my clothes off.” Sam would not let Ian see the emotions he had just
stirred up. She would always remember that kiss. If he kissed her again, there
could be a problem. It could be the one kiss that would lead her over the edge
and she’d do something she would regret.

“No,” admitted Ian. “I won’t ever forget that. But when you
wear a bikini…”

“I don’t do bikinis,” said Sam rather sharply. “Not unless I
drop a couple hundred pounds.”

“Get serious,” scoffed Ian. “You’re too skinny as it is.
What is it with women and their bodies? I’ve never met a woman who liked her
body.”

“Women are like that,” explained Sam. “We see all of these
magazines with models who are picture perfect…”

“You mean airbrushed,” finished Ian.

“Whatever, but we grow up thinking in order for a man to
like us, we have to look like that.”

“So, you still believe that crap?” asked Ian, amazed. “Why
would you think that?”

“Because I’m thirty-years-old and I don’t have a boyfriend?”

“It’s not due to your looks.” Ian glanced at her before
continuing on, “I think you’re afraid to get close to anyone.”

“Is being a shrink your second profession?” The words were
out before Sam could stop them, but Ian had hit on the truth.

“Touché,” whispered Ian. They walked on without saying
anything.

“You’re right,” said Sam finally. “I’ve been hurt one time
too many. Damn, I hate it when you’re right.”

“So, Miss Uptight,” drawled Ian as he put his arm around her
waist. “What does it take for you to get over this, um, problem?”

“Someone I can trust. Someone who really likes me for me.
Someone who isn’t after my older brother.”

“Trust can take time,” admitted Ian. “But so far, I like you,
and believe you me, I am not after your brother.” Sam rolled her eyes.

“Whew, two out of three isn’t bad,” laughed Sam.

“Let’s just say, and you know this is hypothetical.” Ian
stopped to face Sam. “How can I gain your trust?”

“First off, it’s a cosmic thing. I read people really well,”
explained Sam.

“Do you think we have this ‘cosmic’ thing?” Ian looked at
her closely.

Sam studied him for a moment. “Yeah, I think we do. But then
I’d want to know you better, see how you act in several situations. If you beat
kids and run down old ladies. Or better yet, you can be charming and lovely to
me, but kick dogs and cats.”

“My dogs would be very upset with me if I did that,” offered
Ian. “My cats would scratch me alive.”

Sam chuckled. “Okay, you pass on that one. What about old
people?”

“My granny would kill me.” Ian chuckled and then turned
serious. “But I do have some issues with my parents, which I’m working on.”

“I can understand that,” agreed Sam. “I’m in the same boat.”

“So, how am I doing?” Ian looked at her with a beseeching
gaze.

“Pretty good so far, but I’m not going to bed with you
tonight,” laughed Sam.

“I didn’t expect you to. Which is why I like you. A woman
with morals.”

“But I don’t surf.” Sam looked over at Ian.

“Would you watch me surf?” asked Ian.

“Of course I would,” offered Sam.

“You’d have to wear a bikini,” said Ian with a straight
face.

“Ugh. I knew there was a catch to this whole thing.” Sam
threw her hands up.

“What part of your body are you ashamed of?” asked Ian in
disbelief. He could not find a thing wrong with her. From what he saw, she had
no ugly scars or anything to be ashamed of.

“It’s embarrassing.” Sam turned red.

“What? Why are you blushing?” asked Ian, puzzled. “From my
point, of view there is absolutely nothing wrong with your body.” He squeezed
her shoulders. “Nothing at all.”

“Let’s change the subject, please?” Sam tried to pull away,
but Ian held her fast as they walked to the street.

Sam followed Ian as he flagged down a cab. They sat close to
one another still holding hands

“What are you doing tonight?” asked Ian.

“I promised Jett that I’d look at his computer, and set up
some sort of strategy. But right now, that doesn’t sound like much fun.” Her
phone rang and she checked the display and smiled. “It’s Jordan.” She answered
the call, “Hey bro? What’s up? Where are you?”

“I’m in Los Angeles, and will be for a couple of days. What
are you up to? How did your interview with Jett go?” asked Jett.

“Actually, it went pretty well,” said Sam trying hard to
ignore Ian’s hand on the back of her neck, his fingers casually caressing her. “I
really think he liked me. But I met another friend of yours.” Sam turned to
look at Ian’s smiling face. “Ian Andrews.”

“Ian? He’s a really nice guy. How did you run into him?”

“We both had appointments with Jett. Me, for my interview,
and Ian for Jett’s house in Maui. As a matter of fact, I’m with him now. We’re
on our way back to the hotel.”

“Put him on,” asked Jordan. Sam handed Ian her phone.

“What’s up, Ian? How long are you in town?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Jett’s got all these changes
he wants done. How long are you in town?”

“Until Friday. How about dinner tonight? I hope my little
sister isn’t pestering you too much. Do you think you could put up with her a
little longer?”

“No problem. Meet us at the hotel and we can decide where to
go.”

“Sure thing. But, really, Is Sam doing okay?” asked Jordan.

“Yeah, she’s cool.” Ian handed the phone back to Sam.

“I’ll meet you and Ian around seven for dinner. I’m pretty
tired so we won’t stay out long.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Sam cheerfully. She ended the call
and turned to Ian. “You okay with me hanging around for dinner?”

“I'd hoped you would,” said Ian as he smiled. “It’s that
trust thing I need to work on with you.”

Sam glanced at her watch and saw the time read five o’clock.
“Tell you what, Ian. I’m going to my room to change and maybe catch some winks.
Why don’t I meet you and Jordan in the lobby?”

“I don’t get to take a nap with you?” Ian looked
disappointed.

“You know better,” laughed Sam. They emerged from the cab
and were swiftly escorted inside. Ian kissed Sam’s forehead as he dropped her
off at her room. Sam went inside with a big smile on her face. This had been an
almost perfect day. Could she be falling in love? She couldn’t wait to tell
Deb!

Ian watched as Sam closed the door and lingered for a few
minutes. Half tempted to knock on her door and plead to come in, Ian sighed. He
knew he had a way with women and could usually score really well, but Sam appeared
to be different. He wanted to treat her with the respect that she so deserved. Whistling
softly, he entered his room and his phone rang. Hoping for Sam on the other
end, Ian cringed in disappointment to hear Jennifer’s voice on the other end.

“You never called me back,” said Jennifer, her voice low.

“I’ve been busy with Jett.” Ian’s voice sounded flat. “As a
matter of fact, I’m going out to dinner with friends tonight, so I can’t talk
long.”

“Did Jett like your plans for the house?” Jennifer tried to
keep him on the phone.

“Yeah, he did. Look, I have to go. As a matter of fact, I’m
checking to see if I can change my ticket to come home on Friday instead of
tomorrow.”

“But Gayle and Tim’s party is tomorrow night, and you
promised you would go. Ian, please.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got business here I have to take care
of. Besides, I never promised I’d go. You were the one who made the plans
without asking me.”

“But they’re our best friends.” Jen’s voice grew louder.

“No, they are
your
best friends, not mine. We’ve been
over this a million times,” stated Ian angrily.

“But I thought you liked them. Ian, what is going on with
you? You probably didn’t have time to think about what we talked about, did
you?”

“I have,” said Ian no longer cared about being kind. “I like
you as a friend, but that’s it.”

“But I thought you really loved me. We see each other almost
every day. Why are you trying to run away from me? Look at all we’ve been
through!” cried Jen.

“We see each other every day because you come over all the
time, even while I’m working.” Ian did not need this conversation now. “Listen.
Please. We are just friends. I like you but I don’t love you.”

“Just for sex, that’s it?” asked Jen bitterly. “Am I your
whore, Ian? Is that all I am?”

“Stop it right there. I never promised you anything. We both
agreed to have sex as adults. We had fun while it lasted, but, Jen, you’re
pushing me and I don’t like it.” Ian felt his frustration growing.

“Well, I don’t like being treated like a whore.”

“I have never treated you unkindly. You have no right to say
that.”

“I never want to see you again. I pity the poor woman you
start dating. You’re nothing but slime, Ian. Slime.” The phone clicked loudly
in Ian’s ear.

“Damn!” Ian went to the wet bar and poured a healthy shot of
scotch. He hated fighting but he knew Jen had been hell bent into railroading
him into something he didn’t want. Where did she get this idea? Ian then
thought of Sam. Would she act like Jen? He mulled it over for quite a while. No,
she wouldn't. First off, she had said no casual sex, and Ian knew she meant it.
Second of all, he couldn’t see Sam as clingy. She had an independent streak to
her he admired. But they had plenty of differences too, but that’s what made
her attractive to Ian. No, he didn’t know Sam well, but from what he did know,
he liked her. What would she say if he told her about Jennifer? Would she not
trust him then? He needed to talk to someone because Jen had made him feel
lousy. Women! Ian glanced at his watch and noted the time. He quickly made a
few phone calls, but still couldn't switch his reservation. Damn! He hopped
into the shower, changed clothes and went downstairs to the bar. His eyes lit
up with relief when he saw Jordan sitting at the bar.

“Hey, Ian.” Jordan waved him over to the bar. “I’ll let Sam
know where we are.”

“Give her some time. I need to talk to someone.” Ian slumped
on the stool next to Jordan.

“It’s not Sam? Is she bugging you?” Jordan looked concerned.

“Not at all. I can’t say enough nice things about Sam.” Ian
ordered a drink and then turned to Jordan. “Am I a prick? Tell me honestly.”

“Damn, what brought that on?” Jordan looked at his friend,
waiting for an explanation.

“Women. I’ve been seeing this chick at home, maybe for about
a year. Ran into her at a bar and we started talking. She likes to surf and
rock climb like me. We start making arrangements to go places. Next thing is
the sex. She says she’s not looking to settle down, and neither am I. She
starts to come over every day and hang out. She’s cool, but I don’t love her,
you know?”

“Bro, you don’t have to go any further,” laughed Jordan. In
his best female voice, Jordan mimicked, “Why don’t we move in together? Don’t
we have something special?”

“How did you know?” said Ian astonished. “I mean, that’s
happened to you?”

“Way too many times for me to count. It’s why I’m single.” Jordan
stretched his long legs out into the aisle and smiled at Ian.

“Man, it’s like where do they come up with these things?” Ian
shook his head. “I’ve always been upfront and honest with her, and then she
twists everything around.”

“How old is she?” asked Jordan.

“I don’t know.” Ian looked genuinely confused. “I never
asked. I guess maybe thirty or something?”

“That’s pretty bad,” said Jordan with a smile. “I bet it's
her biological clock ticking.”

“My luck.” Ian shrugged his shoulders. “She's just a friend.
I think I remember more about meeting you than I did her.”

“Women are sensitive about that,” explained Jordan. “I
should know. Between my sister and my mother…”

“Bunny. Sam told me.” Ian couldn’t let that one pass.

“Bunny is quite the character,” said Jordan ruefully. “She’s
got my dad wrapped around her fingers so I know all of the little female wiles
she uses to get her way. Thank goodness, Sam is nothing like her mother. I mean
they look like they could be sisters, but they are poles apart when it comes to
their personalities. Sam is a straight shooter. Calls them like she sees them. The
guy she ends up with will be lucky.” Jordan smiled while looking into his beer.
“I guess that’s my problem. I want my woman to be just like Sam.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve only known her for a
couple of hours, and she’s a really nice person.”

“She’s my sister.” Jordan smiled but it didn’t reach his
eyes. “Anybody who would hurt her, I’d kill them.”

“Even Jett?” Ian had to know.

“Even Jett,” confirmed Jordan. “Speaking of Sam, there she
is.” Jordan turned his head to greet her.

“You two started without me?” Sam came up to them from
behind and laid her hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “I have been standing in the
lobby waiting and waiting, and then I thought maybe they’re in the bar?”

“Sorry, punk,” said Jordan affectionately. He stood up and
whistled at Sam. “You get prettier and prettier every day.” He admired her
sundress and three inch high heeled sandals. She really had grown up.