Worth the Risk (6 page)

“No, not really. If I remember correctly, I think I rather enjoyed it. Considering my family has zero sense of humor, your fun-loving outlook on life was a refreshing change of pace.”

“I remember lots of things we enjoyed.” He studied her face as if wondering whether she was thinking the same thing.

She was. “Me, too.” She pulled her eyes from his and looked around the bar. The happy-hour crowd laughed and flirted, the sound of enthusiastic voices making its way to her ears. Something sizzling passed by—fajitas?—and her stomach growled.

He leaned forward with his arms on the table. “Seeing you again, it feels like just yesterday we were hiking mountains and navigating rivers. That was a great summer, wasn’t it?”

“The best. And I haven’t had one like it since. Once I got back to reality there wasn’t any more fun and games. But I’m sure you’ve had plenty of adventures.” She scooted her chair a little closer to the table, propped her elbows up, and placed her chin on top of clasped hands.

“I imagine you’ve seen and done more things these past five years than I could ever dream of.” She had little doubt that Dean had continued to live life on the edge. He wasn’t afraid of anything. He’d leap when others wouldn’t. That mentality had rubbed off on her and propelled her to try new things over the years. She wondered if she should thank him for that.

“Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you share a dream or two with me?”

“You first. Tell me what it’s been like preserving some of the world’s most iconic sites and garnering World Heritage Fund—and now your own company—an amazing record of success.”

“Wow. Do you always cut right to the chase now, or are you just happy to see me?”

“Both.” She punctuated her answer with a look she hoped was more Marilyn Monroe than girl next door, because as much as her mind shouted,
Get away from him! He hurt you!
her heart pumped with more life than it had in years.

“Glad to hear it. Because I’m very excited to see you, too.” His incredibly bright blue eyes stayed on hers with such intensity that they held her captive.

The exchange took her back to the first night they’d made love in his tent. He’d looked at her like she was something to be cherished and compared her to glacier lilies bursting through the snow banks in spring. “They spread warmth and sunshine,” he’d said. His gaze—and the line—had worked.

The connection broke when their drinks arrived.

Like a scene out of a late-night comedy, as the waitress put down Dean’s beer, Samantha somehow managed to knock it over with her arm, causing the frothy liquid to spill toward him. Dean pushed back his chair, jumped out of the way in the nick of time, and laughed all the while.

“I see some things haven’t changed,” he teased.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I can’t believe what a klutz I am. Is it all over you?” She stood to help in some way, but a busboy rushed over with towels to wipe up the mess.

Samantha plopped back down in her chair, embarrassment gripping her in a chokehold. Why was it that whenever she felt nervous, she seemed to grow another appendage that went out of control?

“Bet you haven’t missed that,” she said.

“Actually, it makes me want to do a little investigating of my own, find out what else about you hasn’t changed.” He resumed his place at the table before asking the waitress to bring him another drink. “I never shy away from a challenge, you know that. And you, Samantha, make every moment anything but dull.”

He could make a wilted flower bloom, she decided. The combination of his smooth tone and generous words quickly lifted her from her fluster. “Thanks. What better way to reconnect, huh?”

“I could think of a better way.”

Holy crap.
Even a Dodo bird would know that was a come-on. Samantha quivered as Dean’s eyes grew dark. And his stupid sexy smirk had her ready to drop everything. He still made her feel good in all the right places, but
holy crap
, how could she even think about getting horizontal with him again? What was wrong with her?

For the past three months she’d worked her ass off at a job she wanted to keep long-term. Nothing mattered more to her than turning her freelance career into a permanent position with Global Site. She needed the money. She needed to prove to her father she could succeed on her own.

“I’m sure you can. But I’m not interested.” She’d never been a good liar and hoped he didn’t detect the gut-wrenching pain it took to speak those words.

A brief grimace passed over his face before he shrugged. “So tell me about your new career choice. I know our industry will greatly benefit from someone like you. Have you been out in the field?”

So they
were
going to talk about work. Her stomach tightened.

“I have. I love visiting individual sites and assisting local teams. I learned from you how great the outdoors is, and how much there is to appreciate in the architectural gems that many people take for granted or don’t even notice beyond a quick glance.”

With leisure, the corners of his mouth lifted in an entirely too endearing manner. His smile could melt coal. “I’m happy to hear I left such an impression on you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t let it go to your head.” Samantha grinned in return. Despite the heartache he’d left her with, Dean was the reason she’d decided to pursue something with deeper meaning, something that could make a difference in the world. Even though it meant defying her father. Even though when she’d told him of her intentions, he’d belittled her, yelled at her, told her if she walked out, she wasn’t welcome back.

Dean leaned against his chair. “I always knew you had a mind for seeing the great beauty in our earth. You proved it to me over and over again during our jaunts that summer. I loved the way your eyes lit up when you saw something for the first time. Like you never wanted to forget it.”

“That summer held a lot of firsts for me.”
First time roughing it in a tent, first time going without a shower for days, first time in love.
Samantha stared at Dean, and without her permission, the same feelings she’d had all those years ago came flooding back.

“So, no more daring adventures? No more hands-on experience for the fun of it?” he asked.

“No, not really. Since that summer I haven’t had much time for a social life. Nothing to speak of, anyway.”

He looked pleased by her admission but stayed quiet.

“Tell me about you,” she said. “How is it having your own company?”

“It’s great. I’ve done a lot of traveling, met the most incredible people, learned there’s still a hell of a lot to be accomplished. My dad wasn’t all that happy about my leaving, but he taught me a ton, and I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunities I’ve had.”

“Are you getting along better with him now?”

“Not exactly. But I’m trying to mend things. Without his guidance, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today. Of course I don’t have much time for a social life either.” He paused to catch his breath. “So, what about your dad? I seem to remember you telling me he ruled with an iron fist. How’d he take your defecting?”

A lump lodged in her throat at Dean’s question. Chills settled on every inch of her skin. “He’s cut me out of his life and is certain I’ll fail.”

“Sam, I’m sorry.” Dean’s hand reached out to hers and held it protectively atop the table.

The gesture calmed her like nothing else could. She’d felt so safe and secure with Dean during their summer together. Felt appreciated for the first time in her life. He’d protected her fiercely—from the weather, from treacherous terrain, even from a bear. But most of all, from her own fears. He’d given her more that summer than she thought she’d deserved.

“It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m happy with my decision, and that’s all that matters.” She blinked a few extra times to push back the tears forming. “So, is Monument and Heritage Recovery strictly focused on historical preservation?”

He squeezed her hand before releasing it. “No. We plan to venture into urban planning and include newer sites that have become dilapidated due to conflict or Mother Nature.”

“Well, from what I’ve read, you’re off to a stellar start.” Dammit. She hadn’t meant to remind him she’d been aware of his success.

“It’s hard work, but I love it.” He took a long sip of his drink, never taking his attention off her.

Samantha loved it, too. Which meant it was time to finish her drink and be on her way. If she risked spending any more time with Dean, come Monday morning she might regret winning the Route 66 contract. Because she
would
win it. The consequences of losing—both personally and professionally—were too devastating to think about.

You’ll fall flat on your face. Make no name for yourself.
You’re nothing without me.
The last words her father had spoken to her still stung. A shiver rolled through her, and she again fought back the moisture threatening to fill her eyes. She’d make it on her own, prove to herself she didn’t need her dad’s help to succeed. And prove to him his expectations were dead wrong.

“You okay?” Dean’s concerned voice freed her from the painful thoughts she couldn’t let go of.

But it also reminded Sam that she didn’t completely trust the man sitting across from her. He might look and sound sincere, and she hated the thought that this meeting might be professional and not personal, but maybe he’d only invited her out because he wanted to soften her up so she’d spill Global Site information.

“Fine, just tired. I think I should head back to my hotel now.”

Dean lifted his glass, drank down the ale in two large gulps, then wiped his top lip with a brush from his hand. “I’ll walk you.”

“That’s not necessary. It was great seeing you again. Good luck with everything.” Despite her parting words, she stayed glued to her seat.

A moment of charged silence passed between them. Was she really going to walk away from him, just like that?

She hated him for leaving her all those summers ago without a second thought. Hated that he hadn’t called to say hello or asked to keep in touch. He’d simply hopped on an airplane never to be heard from again. He’d left her ruined. Her heart in shambles.

Contemplation crossed his face. His eyes held hers with something that resembled regret. “Look, Sam. I don’t want to say good-bye. Not yet. I was wondering—”

“Dean, buddy! How’s it going?” A casually dressed guy with handsome features approached their table, slapping Dean on the back.

Dean looked up, his lips pursing at the interruption before acknowledging the man with a smile. “Hey, Joe, it’s good. How about you?”

“I’m great, man.” He looked from Dean to Samantha. It looked like curiosity, or perhaps surprise, that crossed his face before the corners of his mouth rose to meet his big round eyes. “Sorry to interrupt, but some of us are having a drink and thought you might like to join us.”

“Well, uh…”

“Come on, dude, we haven’t seen you in what, six months?”

“It’s okay with me,” Samantha said, not wanting to keep him from his friends. She’d politely excuse herself before he could get out whatever it was he’d been ready to say.

“Maybe just for a few minutes.” His eyebrows lifted, and he looked at Sam expectantly.

“Great. Joe Kincaid.” He thrust out his palm toward Samantha.

“Samantha Bennett,” she said, shaking his hand.

When Joe released her, Dean rose from his seat and picked up her hand without giving her a chance to argue. As they stepped away from the table, he waggled his eyebrows in a display of flirtatious affection and total disregard for her wish to leave.

She thought about speaking up, but only for a split second, because much to her chagrin, she relished the feel of his fingers intertwined with hers. The contact sent a zing of pleasure ricocheting around her insides. The gesture was intimate and comfortable, like they’d held hands thousands of times before.

Samantha liked it. She liked it a lot.

Dean led her to the other side of the bar where a group of young men and women was busy talking, drinking and…kissing.

“No social life, huh?” she asked, eyeing the couple making out.

He looked back at her with a little-boy grin that shouted mischief-maker. “Really nothing to speak of. That’s just a kissing game that Joe and his friends like to play.”

Her own words coming back at her made her chuckle. “Kissing—”

“Hey Deany boy!” Shouts from a couple of the guys rang out as he and Samantha joined the group. The delighted looks on the women’s faces didn’t go unnoticed by Samantha, but she also observed disappointment when they saw his hand clasped around hers.

“Hey everyone, this is Samantha.”

The small crowd smiled and greeted her with hellos and waves. There was only one vacant seat left, so Dean sat and pulled Sam down onto his lap.