The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) (12 page)

She'd just wait for Sam to return. He'd been an awesome instructor in bed. Her body tingled as she recalled all the glorious things he'd done to her. She didn't think he'd steer her wrong on what to do afterwards.

Who knew? Maybe he'd want an encore performance. Tori took a mental inventory of the condition of her newly deflowered body parts.

Leaning back on the pillows, she smiled.
Oh yeah.
She wouldn't mind a repeat performance either. Maybe not right this minute, but certainly in the not-so-distant future.

***

The next several weeks flew by for Tori in a whirlwind of going to classes, working at the animal shelter and most importantly, seeing Sam whenever time allowed. Raenell spent most nights out with Joe, thus cooperating and encouraging Tori to see Sam as often as possible.

They went out to dinner at least once a week, but most evenings when Tori didn't have too much homework and Sam could leave his mother on her own, they ordered take out and ate at Tori's apartment, spending the rest of their precious time together in bed.

One cool evening in late October, Tori was on her way home from the animal shelter. She was running low on cash and stopped at the ATM. When she got back in the car, it wouldn't start. She tried the key again. Nothing happened. No sound, no click, no nothing.
Well, damn.

She was supposed to meet up with Sam for a late dinner. Right. That wasn't going to happen. She pulled out her cell phone and called him. "Hey, listen . . . something's wrong with my car. I'm going to have to cancel tonight."

"What's the matter with it?" His deep voice on the other end made her heart squeeze tight as always.

"I don't know; I'm not a mechanic. It won't start. I'm going to call a tow-truck--"

"You don't have to do that. Where are you? I'll take a look at it."

"You mean, you'll come and rescue me? Like a knight in shining armor?" she teased.

"I don't know about knights in armor," he said with a low chuckle that made her stomach flutter. "But I do know a thing or two about cars."

"Really? A computer guy like you knows about cars? You have some hidden talents you haven't shared with me yet, mister."

"Oh babe, we've barely scratched the surface. I have a whole lot more I'd like to share with you.
A whole lot more
." The suggestive timbre of his voice tugged low in her gut. The nuance of his words shimmied up her spine, reminding her of all they'd already shared, tantalizing her imagination at the implied intimacies they still needed to explore.

"Tori? Are you going to tell me where you are? I can't rescue you if you don't tell me what part of town you're in."

She shook away the erotic images crowding her brain, cleared her throat and gave Sam the address of the bank.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled in beside her in the parking lot. Tori stood leaning against her car and watched him unfold his long-limbed body from his small red convertible. She couldn't believe how just the sight of the man could send her heart racing into hyperdrive.

Sam walked up to her and smiled. "Sam's Roadside Assistance, at your service. Ready, willing and able to help you out."

"I know you're ready and willing--
oomph!
"

He jerked her against him to steal a kiss. Tori found herself plastered along the length of Sam's very ready and willing body. "The car, Sam, the car. Can you fix it? Do you know how?"

"Ouch." Sam put his hands on her shoulders and set her away from him. "You really know how to stomp on a guy's ego, don't you?"

"Oh, Sam. I'm sorry."

"Well, you don't have to act so surprised that I know about cars."

Tori shrugged. "I can't help it. It's one thing for you to fix my laptop. Quite another for you to repair my car."

"You do speak your mind, don't you? It's one of the things I like best about you. My dad had a couple of vintage cars he was always tinkering with. He taught me a lot about carburetors and engines."

"Really? So that explains it. You're a man of many talents, Sam Garza."

He smiled that lethal smile she loved so well. "You ain't seen nothing yet, babe." He swooped in for another kiss, then opened the hood of her car. "Get in and turn the key. I'll have a look."

Tori climbed back in and turned the key in the ignition only to be met with silence. She got out and watched Sam as he bent over the engine. He looked awfully good with those worn denim jeans outlining his tight butt. The image set her mouth to watering. She swallowed hard.

Damn, she had it bad for this man.

Sam stood up straight and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands. "The battery's dead. I'll try to give it a jump. Get in again. You'll have to try to start it."

"Aye, aye, captain."

"Don't be cute."

She scrunched her nose at him. "I can't help myself."

"Just get in the damn car."

Tori sat behind the steering wheel as Sam maneuvered his convertible near the front of the car. He grabbed a set of jumper cables and hooked them to both batteries.

"Okay. Try to start it," he said, wiping his hands on the handkerchief again.

When she turned the key, nothing happened. She got out and waited. "Well?"

"We're going to have to go buy a new battery." He unclamped the cables and tossed them in his trunk. "Then I'll replace it."

She looked around the empty parking lot and frowned. "You'll replace it right here?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Oh, I don't know," she said with a shrug. "I thought we'd have to haul it to a garage or your house or something."

"You're forgetting about Sam's Roadside Assistance. Lock up your car and ride with me."

Tori frowned. "Why don't I just wait for you here?"

It was Sam's turn to look around the parking lot. "I'd rather you not wait alone in this neighborhood at this time of night. Humor me, babe."

"Oh, all right." Tori sighed. "If it makes you feel all macho and manly and protective, who am I to complain?"

"There you go again, stomping on my ego. You'd think with four brothers, you'd give a guy a little slack."

"Are you kidding? All my life, I've constantly battled huge doses of testosterone that threatened to smother me in brotherly love. I couldn't afford being mealy mouthed growing up."

"Okay, okay. I stand corrected. Grab your bag, and let's get this show on the road."

After they bought the battery and Sam put it in place, he followed her home, where they ate peanut butter and crackers and made love well into the early hours of the next morning.

CHAPTER SIX

The autumn days flew by. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, until the holidays loomed on the near horizon. Tori had never been happier in her entire life. She'd never really had a steady boyfriend before, so the experience of sharing her life with someone was unique and exciting. And she certainly had never been involved in a torrid love affair with an older man. That was more than exciting;
that
was awesome.

Sam was everything she'd ever dreamed a man could or should be.

The only shadow on her otherwise sunny existence was the fact that for some reason, she hadn't told her family about him. She didn't know why exactly. She told herself it was because she wanted to hold the secret close to her heart. She didn't want to share any part of her relationship with Sam with anyone.

Or maybe it was because she wasn't ready to totally commit. She had four, maybe five, more years of school left, and that wasn't counting finishing up here at UTD. She really couldn't afford to be distracted. Or to fall in love.

Except it was too late for that. She had definitely fallen in love with Sam.

Of course, she hadn't confessed her feelings to him yet. Then again, he hadn't spoken of love or commitment either. He was busy with his mother, driving her to chemotherapy and tests and check-ups.

Whenever possible, they'd steal away to spend an afternoon or evening together. The look in Sam's eyes and the eagerness of his lovemaking spoke louder than words. His actions had to count for something, right?

There was another secret she kept close to her heart. Another shadow hanging over her. Tori's grades had slipped this past semester and if she weren't careful, she might lose her chance for a fellowship at Texas A&M. Instead of making the Dean's List as usual, Tori barely squeaked by in two of her classes with a low C average. She really needed to crack down on the books next semester and not let herself get distracted.

She shook her head. There was no getting around it though; Sam was a definite distraction. Yet whenever she thought about breaking it off with him, she could never find the strength to do it. He'd said he didn't want a complicated relationship. He'd said they'd keep it simple.

Uncomplicated and simple meant short-term fun, no falling in love, no long-term commitment.

Boy, she'd really screwed it up this time. After she graduated, if Sam still wanted simple and uncomplicated, that would mean they'd have to part ways. Only, how was she supposed to survive without Sam in her life? It was too horrible to contemplate.

Even if he did change his mind, Tori didn't see how they could make a relationship work with him in Dallas and her in College Station. Long-distance relationships took a lot of energy, effort and time. And all of
her
energy, effort and time would need to be focused on getting her degree.

Tori sighed. It was a complex conundrum with no simple solution. Thankfully, there was still a little time to sort it out. One way or another.

***

A week before Tori was scheduled to leave for the Diamondback Ranch to spend Christmas with her family, Sam invited her to meet his mother and eat a holiday meal with them.

"Mom's been after me to have you over, and I'd really like for you to meet her."

Neither had to say that his mother didn't have much time left. The shadows in his brown eyes told their own story. Tori felt so helpless. She didn't know what to do or say or how to comfort him. For the most part, they skirted the issue of his mom and her illness.

Tori pasted a bright smile on her face. "I'd love to meet her. But is your mother up to cooking a holiday meal?"

Sam's dark brows slanted in a frown. "No, and she's pretty upset that she's unable to make the Christmas tamales this year. Luckily, there's a little shop not far from the house that makes pretty good ones. I'll be doing the rest of the cooking. I make a pretty mean enchilada, let me tell you. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven."

Sometimes, Tori thought she was already experiencing a little bit of heaven every time she and Sam made love. Nothing had ever felt so perfect. So good. So right.

"I've never had homemade enchiladas," she said. "Another hidden talent you've kept from me?"

He threw his arm over her shoulder and hugged her close. "Are you impressed?"

She tried to ignore the sensual tingles ignited by Sam's touch. "I'll reserve judgement until after I taste them. Can I bring anything?"

"Just your appetite. Well, maybe a dessert."

"I can do that." She thought for a minute, leaning her head against his shoulder. She felt him kiss the top of her head and her heart squeezed tight. "Does your mother like chocolate?"

"What woman doesn't?" Sam said with a snort.

"Hey now." Tori's head snapped up. She pursed her lips and gave him her best blasting stare. "That's a sexist remark if ever I heard one."

"What can I say? I'm a sexy kind of man." Sam's gaze held hers and she felt the impact even when he was teasing her.

"
Sexist
, mister. I said
sexist
." She punched his chest with a finger, then changed course and draped her arms around his neck. "Although . . . you're pretty darn sexy, too."

Sam pulled her close, flush with his hard body. His voice was low, intimate. "You're pretty damn sexy yourself, sweetheart." He bent to take her mouth in a hungry kiss. Tori melted in his embrace. It was always like this when she and Sam were together.

After a delicious moment, she pulled back, but kept her arms on his shoulders. "Seriously, does your mother like chocolate or not?"

"She loves it," he said, trying to capture her lips again. "She's pretty much a chocoholic."

Tori smiled. "Then I know the perfect dessert to bring."

"Great. Enough with the talking, babe." He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed.

She laughed and gave herself up to the pleasures of Sam.

***

Sam had never had Tori over to his mom's house for reasons that even now eluded him. Since he'd come home, he'd protected and guarded his mother from everything and everyone outside their small circle. He'd kept his relationship with Tori quite separate from his life with his mother.

When he was with Tori, he didn't have to think about how sick his mom actually was, how imminent her death. How alone he would be without both his parents. He'd be an orphan, damn it.
A thirty-one-year-old goddamned orphan.