Safe at Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 1) (26 page)

“Yep.”

“Wait, I don’t have a stand.” She paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Or anything else for that matter. I didn’t really think about decorating when I moved here.”

“Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got you covered.” Spencer carried the tree into the house and Sam carried the stand in behind him. They set the tree up in the den, in front of the double windows.

Sam stepped back and clasped her hands in front of her, the fragrant smell of evergreen filling the air. “It’s perfect.”

“Good surprise?” He circled his arms around her waist.

“The best.”

He kissed her hair. “Okay, I’m going to go get the rest of the stuff. Be right back.”

Sam was beginning to forget what life had been like before Spencer. How had she lived without him for so long? Their relationship was easy and relaxed. He always knew what she needed.

She knew what she needed, too–him. When he came through the door holding two stacked boxes, she went to him. Her eyes intent on his. The boxes slid to the floor when she wrapped herself around him, hungry for his touch. He scooped her up in his arms without another word and carried her upstairs.

Every time he touched her, it excited him beyond any thrill he had ever known. There had been other women before Sam, he was no saint, but what had been good with others was great with her. What had started out hot and fast with someone else had ended just as quickly. With Sam, he understood longing for the first time. He ached to touch her, to be with her, inside her. He wanted to hold her and stroke her hair. He wondered if what he felt for her would ever lessen. It seemed impossible considering the way he felt right now.

She stood before him. A simple white lace bra and matching panties, standing out from her golden skin. His body reacted instantly. She reached for him, slowly tracing the lines of his shoulders with her fingers as he studied her. Each time they were together, he discovered something new. A new line of her body he longed to touch.

This wasn’t just sex. It was love making at its best. Touching someone and knowing them in the most intimate way. He put his lips to hers then and drank her in. When they were together like this, he lost sight of the rest of the world. Everything he wanted was right in front of him.

He laid her gently on the bed and continued to kiss her. Then his lips moved over to her ear and down her jaw. He worked his way down until his lips found her lace covered breast. He used his hands then to free her and caress her. She arched under him and his desire soared. All he wanted was to please her. If she would let him, he’d spend his life making her happy.

He kissed her hips, one, and then the other. A small moan escaped her lips as he resurfaced to find her face, then she pushed him onto his back. It was her time to sample and tease, and she did so with a skill that left him short of breath. When neither of them could hold on any longer, she straddled him and took him inside her an inch at a time until he said her name. Then, she rode him until they couldn’t talk or think any longer.

Chapter 32

Sam’s fascination of all things knitting grew as Ann’s latest project took shape. Ann’s fingers wound and weaved the yarn into a pattern. “Do you know what you’re going to wear to the party?”

“A tent,” Ann replied from her rocking chair.

“Very funny.”

“Okay, a red and green tent.”

“Well, at least you’ll be festive,” Sam teased.

“Exactly. Do you know what you’re going to wear?”

“I have the ever popular little black dress, but the shoes are the real statement piece. I have a weakness for them.” Sam thought longingly about the red shoes in her closet. “How do you do it?” She asked and nodded toward the olive green blanket Ann was currently knitting.

“Do what?”

“Have kids. You make it look so easy.”

Ann laughed. “It isn’t easy, but it’s wonderful. Being pregnant on the other hand, I’m ready to be finished with this part.”

“Is he going to be your last one?” Sam pointed to Ann’s stomach.

“I think so. I’m ready to run and play with the kids. Two kids is the perfect even number for us.” Ann rubbed a hand absently over her huge belly. “Do you want kids one day?”

“I guess, one day. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Spencer would make a good dad, you know?”

Sam’s cheeks flamed at Ann’s words. It was as if she’d been reading her mind. “Yeah, he would. He deserves to have the whole package.”

“He deserves to be with the woman he loves.” Ann sent Sam a knowing look and then changed the subject to what Santa was going to give Alex for Christmas.

They all knew she was barely keeping it together any time she was outside her own home and Sam hated it. She tried not to jump at shadows and noises, but she wasn’t always successful. Although Ann put up a brave face, Sam knew she and Jake had been double checking to make sure the doors were locked at night. Knowing the man who’d taken Jenny was still on the run left them all on edge. It was a lot to deal with for everyone.

“Does Spencer know you love him?” Ann asked breaking Sam’s dark line of thought.

“Yes.”

“You’re staying in town for him, aren’t you?” Ann put her needles down and looked up at Sam.

Sam nodded. As it turned out, Eric wasn’t wrong about her. She was selfish.

Ann smiled. “For the record, I’m glad you didn’t run.”

“I’m not so sure it’s the right choice.” Sam hugged herself against the breeze.

“Here they come.”

Looking out toward the road, they watched Jake’s truck clear the hill on the way to the house. Sam sighed and leaned against the railing. Having Spencer within eyesight lessened her uneasiness and helped ward off negative thinking. “Based on the smiles I can see through the window, it looks as though they had a good day at the lake.”

“I hope so. That gets me out of cooking. Jake will do fish and corn on the grill.”

“Sounds good to me.” Sam turned away from the railing and looked at Ann. “You know if you need anything, you just have to ask. Maybe someone to watch Alex or go to the spa with you. Really, it would be my pleasure.”

“Careful, I might take you up on that.”

Sam smiled and then watched as the guys climbed out of the truck.

“Hello, ladies.” Jake grinned and jogged up the front porch steps. He leaned in to kiss Ann, with one hand gently touching her belly.

“Dinner anyone?” Spencer said carrying the cooler.

“I take it, it was a good day?” Ann raised an eyebrow.

“The best. We had to get in one more good trip before it gets too cold.” He set the cooler down and crossed over to hug Ann and then Sam.

“Mom, you should’ve seen it. When we got there, there was fog everywhere. You couldn’t even see the water. It looked like something out of a scary movie.” Alex’s eyes grew wide and his hands flailed for dramatic effect. “Then the sun got hot and burned up the fog and then we got lots of fish. They never knew what hit ‘em.” Everyone laughed as Alex emphasized his last point by punching his fist into his palm.

“All right, mighty fishermen. Go wash up and let’s get all this on the grill. I’m starved.”

Ann, Jake, and Alex headed inside, but Spencer hooked his arms around Sam’s waist and hung back. “Doing okay?”

“Of course. You didn’t have to insist Ann needed my help with the nursery to get me over here.”

Unabashed, Spencer looked down at her and raised a brow. “Good to know you wouldn’t have put up a fight. It made me feel better to know you weren’t alone.”

“I know, and it was sweet of you to arrange it. You could’ve just said that though. I like visiting with Ann. She’s fun and easy to be around.”

He smirked. “Yeah, as far as sisters-in-law go, she’s not too bad.”

The Christmas Party was fit for royalty. Jenny’s parent’s house was a breathtaking plantation-style home. It could’ve come straight out of
GONE WITH THE WIND
. Cars lined the circular drive and from the looks of it, everyone in town was invited. The front porch wrapped around the front of the house and there was an identical porch for the second story. Red bows were attached to the greenery that covered the railings, creating a colorful display. A wreath hung suspended by a red sash over every window.

Sam tugged at her dress as she slid out of her car. Maybe she should rethink this. She could always make apologies later and go home.

“Sam, wait up.”

So much for making a run for it, she thought when Ann called her name.

“Hey, Ann, Jake. You guys look nice.” They joined ranks as they climbed the porch steps and waited to be received at the front door.

“You too.” Jake placed a steadying hand on his wife’s back. “Spencer said to tell you sorry again for being late. He’ll be here soon.”

Sam sighed, just glad she’d run into Ann and Jake. At least she wouldn’t have to walk in alone. Spencer had already called to apologize.

“What’s going on with him?” Ann focused on the stairs and held the railing for balance.

“Work emergency. Someone’s Christmas lights shorted and caused a small fire. He’s trying to finish repairing the damage so everything will look good as new by the time their family gets into town for the holidays.”

It was their turn to be greeted. Jenny’s parents looked different in their suit and dress. They were younger than Sam’s parents. Jenny’s mother, Jane, still had blonde hair just starting to look white at the temples and her father’s salt and pepper hair made him look even more refined in his dark suit. Jenny was the spitting image of her mother, but her laugh sounded like her father’s. The last time Sam had seen them had been at the hospital. They’d looked tired then, and almost ready to collapse from exhaustion. It was nice to see them again looking happy and welcoming.

“Ann, Jake, so good to see you.” Jane gave them each a warm hug. “It won’t be long now will it, Ann?”

“Not a moment too soon, if you ask me.”

“Sam, how lovely to see you.”

“You too, Mrs. Fillmore. You have a lovely home.”

Jane took her hand and covered their joined hands with her other one. “Oh, please call me Jane and thank you very much. You all go on in and enjoy yourselves.”

Her husband smiled and ushered them in, but remained quiet. Sam could tell Mr. Fillmore did the party to appease his wife.

The trio paused long enough to admire their surroundings. Sam had been right about one thing, everyone was there and dressed in their finest. Black velvet, green satin and even a red sequined gown could be spotted here and there. The house was lovelier than she’d imagined. The entrance floors were hardwood, covered by a beautiful Persian rug and a curved staircase flanked the room on either side. Moving slowly through the entrance and into the living room, Sam said hellos and made small talk with the people she knew, and she gladly accepted champagne when Jake offered it to her. It had been a long time since she’d been to a holiday party.

The atmosphere felt more like what she was used to. Shaking hands and kissing babies, is what Tyler would have said about the party. A place to make connections and be seen. Although on a much smaller scale than any party they’d ever attended together. The memory of him sent a pang of sadness through her, but it didn’t cut as deep as it once had. Time was beginning heal her wounds. Shaking her head, she tried to return to the present.

“You okay?” Ann asked from beside her.

“Oh yes, just thinking about holidays past.”

“Well, if you were wondering, holidays present just walked through the door and I think he noticed the dress.”

She followed Ann’s gaze to the doorway and saw Spencer. Her heart soared and then fluttered at the sight of him in a suit. He looked amazing. His tan face was smooth and his hair slicked down. He looked like an Italian model.

“As soon as this baby is out of me, I may have to borrow that dress and see if I can’t get the same look from the other Malloy.”

“You got it.” She returned, her eyes never leaving Spencer.

“Hello, ladies, and may I say how nice you both look.” He made a half bow making them both laugh.

“You can say it. We work hard to get like this.” Ann kissed his cheek and then made her way over to Jake.

“You really do look beautiful, Sam.” He gave her a brief kiss and then stepped back to survey her again.

Her curls were swept up into a disorderly twist with a few ringlets around her face and brushing her neck. Spencer reached out and twirled one around his fingers, then let his hand drop. A slight tremor spread through her. When he looked at her that way, all intensity and sex, it made her blood run hot. She could feel her cheeks burn under the weight of his stare.

“Who are those boys Jake’s talking to? I don’t believe I’ve seen them around.” She steered the conversation to small talk to try to regain at least a shred of composure.

Spencer smiled as though he read her mind. “Yeah, probably not. A couple of them live in LaGrange and one of them lives near West Point. We all went to high school together and each year the group of them goes out for a hunting weekend.”

“You don’t go with them?”

“Not always, Jake’s the fanatic. I’m going to go over and say hello to Jenny’s brother. I haven’t seen him since he came home for the holidays. Are you good here by yourself?”

“Of course. Go say hello. I want to see if I can find Mary.”

“I saw her on the way in, she was talking to Mabel.” They exchanged a knowing look and he kissed her gently on the lips before walking away.

Wanting to say hello to Mary, but not wanting to spend the rest of the night talking to Mabel, Sam decided it would be safer to head toward the buffet table. As soon as she starting surveying the food she realized how wrong she’d been.

“Hello, Sam,” said a familiar voice from behind her. Turning, she saw Susan, the lady she’d had the unfortunate run-in with at the church. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Oh?” Sam raised her eyebrows.

“Well, after everything that happened. You know, with Jenny and that whole nasty kidnapping business.” Susan spoke in an overly loud whisper. “I’m just surprised the Fillmore’s would want someone with your
associates
here.”