Her lids fluttered open as the first rays of sunlight peeped through the morning clouds. Redolent pine trees and morning dew pervaded the fresh air. Chirping birds and the hum of bees interrupted the daybreak stillness. Samantha rotated her head. Her gaze fixed on the beauty and wonders of the open plains. A vast mixture of precipitous mountains and verdant green valleys speckled with layers of granite slabs.
The log cabin stood nestled within an alcove of tall luscious trees separated from the extensive pastures by a barbed wire fence. The ground, which she trampled over bare-footed last night, a springy green carpet littered with pine needles and fallen leaves. Thunder and Daredevil galloped along the fence enjoying the early morning brightness with equal vigor.
Turning her head, she studied Cody’s sleeping form. One of his legs stretched protectively over hers. The blanket they threw over themselves last night after endless hours of passionate lovemaking lay askew over their bodies. Her gaze drifted over his to-die-for thick long lashes and the morning stubble added an undeniable edge to his strong jawline. With a sigh, her gaze traveled down the sinew muscles of his shoulders and arms. He appeared peacefully comfortable, snuggled against her body.
Despite the late night activities, her body soared. Relaxed and calm as a baby in its mother’s arms. She marveled at her boldness to surrender to her desire…a robust one of having Cody as her first lover. Wow. The rude obnoxious toad mutated into a delightful lover, overnight.
Their lovemaking was mutually consenting. Convictions or commitments didn’t feature anywhere, for the moment at least. Admittedly, their attraction spawned since day one. They say opposites do attract. Given half the chance, she’d contently spend every minute by his side. Once she returned home, their paths possessed destinations they probably had no control over, right now or later.
Home? A situation bound to be a whole new argument in itself. Samantha finally found the freedom and excitement she desired. At what expense though? Her father wasn’t easily pacified when angry. He wanted Rajesh as his son-in-law. Sleeping with Cody certainly put a wrench in his deal now and the arranged marriage merely one issue among a few. All too aware her father wouldn’t accept the culture clash without a fight. Samantha believed she was in for a hectic battle. Definitely no easy win.
Then again, he held no valid reason to complain. He married Mom and their marriage worked out fine for the last twenty-six years. Maybe that argument would work in her favor. If she knew her father well, he wouldn’t give in on the basis of his successful marriage.Irritated, she shoved aside her dismal musings. Thoughts of her father’s admonishments made her head ache. Her gaze roamed over Cody’s face. As a lover, he was tender and willful. The warmth he showered on her emphasized someday he’d make some woman and their kids a wonderful husband and father. With those traits, the man was destined to find his Miss Right.
Someone who’d love and care for him unconditionally. An abrupt sense of despondency hit home. It saddened her, and she didn’t realize how downcast she appeared until Cody broke her reverie.
“Is it that bad?”
Samantha shifted her attention. Cody watched her through drowsy eyes. Sleepily sexy eyes. God, the man is irresistible. “I’m enjoying the beauty.”
“And it makes you sad?”
“No. It’s the thought of leaving this place and going back home.”
“Home? As in the ranch or your city?” His hand dived under the blanket and caressed her belly.
The tickle of his fingers made her laugh. “Back to the city,” she explained between giggles. “The country is so beautiful with a mysterious freshness filled with an inexplicable freedom.”
“Well, you’re not goin’ back home anytime soon. So let’s make the most of it, shall we?” Cody nestled closer and claimed her attention with more than just giggles.
****
His body burned with vitality for the first time in years. As if given a healthy dose of much needed oxygen. His mind and body renewed with strength and energy. Life threw him a couple of curve balls, however, nothing as animated as the sweet woman riding Thunder. Cody cast a sideward glance at Samantha. Her excitement with her surroundings resembled a breath of fresh air. She was so beautiful, so young, and so fragile yet so strong, so considerate and so sympathetic.
Only two people were privy to his past. One died a long time ago and the other, an old lady he was grateful to have in his home. Though, this beautiful woman with sincere purity made him reveal all without the slightest hesitation. A surge of tenderness constricted his throat. The reaction alarmed him. Something he couldn’t explain even if he tried. Cody recalled their first meeting. A boy transformed into a curvaceous green- eyed fox ready to outsmart him at every turn.
City folk loved the country beauty, only for a short while though. Younger, from the city and a different continent altogether, Samantha’s whole life lay ahead of her. With places to go, people to meet, and experiences to discover. Taking her virginity gave him no definitive hold, no entitlement. She gave new meaning to his existence, yet he couldn’t demand more. The notion of a relationship between them didn’t seem likely yet the idea of her in his arms everyday sounded downright heavenly.
Spend the rest of her life with him. Hah.
She may laugh at the idea. The sudden discovery wrenched at his gut. Saying goodbye didn’t appeal to his senses. It tweaked painfully at his heart. Dammit, man, it’s just one night. Yes, and what an unforgettable one. He couldn’t base any decisions on one night.
Samantha needed nurturing and pure commitment.
Are you able to give her what she needs? For now, he could spend as much time with her until she returned home. Home, where she’d find a nice young guy, marry, and live a happy life. Images of her with someone else made his stomach clench. He was her first, it should mean something. This unsettled him more than he cared.
“Penny for your thoughts, Mr. Bentley?”
Cody gave himself a mental shake then shifted his attention on Samantha. “Sorry.”
“Hey, you’re forever wandering.”
“Didn’t we agree you’d call me by my name?”
“I like ‘Mr. Bentley.’ It’s sexy.” She laughed. “Where’s your head now?”
“Sorry. I’ve a million things that need my attention.”
“All work and no play make Cody a grouch.” Her brow arched, giving him a playful smile.
“Does it now?”
“Uh-huh, first-hand experience.”
“You’re cheeky, aren’t you?”
“And you love it?” she whispered, her voice a sexy purr. Then she wiggled her brows.
Despite the stir in his jeans, Cody laughed hard. He couldn’t fault her there. Her insolence turned him on big time.
“You game for a race?”
“Thunder against Daredevil? Are you kiddin’?” he taunted. “You won’t stand a chance against me, darlin’.”
Samantha reined in Thunder and cast him a playful smirk. “I did prove you wrong once before.”
“And so you did.” He twisted in his saddle, grinning. “All right, you’re on.”
Shielding her eyes against the sun, she searched the open space for a suitable finish. “See that tree up ahead. I’ll race you.”
“I’ll give you a head start.”
“I don’t want any favors,” she replied haughtily. “You ready…on three.”
Cody watched as she counted while Thunder pranced nervously. The animal clearly anticipated a challenge. On three, Samantha dug her heels into the horse’s flanks and the animal leaped in an all-out run with surprising agility. Cody held back a second, disregarding her words. The head start was just enough and she arrived at the appointed tree a second or so before.
“Whoopee.” She whipped Thunder around and laughed. “You were saying?”
Her infectious laughter made him smile. He reined in Daredevil alongside Thunder. “Proving me wrong has become a habit with you.”
“Is it a bad thing?”
“Not in the least. I enjoy challenges and you, darlin’, have proven a worthy opponent.” Cody nudged Daredevil into a trot.
Samantha trotted alongside him, her smile vibrant and happy. “I’m touched.”
Cody transferred his attention on the vast open land. It failed to capture his interest. An incessant niggle at the back of his mind distracted him. He didn’t want to share the details of their night together with his family. The reason evaded him right now. Maybe he was protecting himself or Samantha. He hadn’t figured it out yet. She was a respectable girl. Gossip in these parts spread like wildfire and it would only be a matter of time before they became the talk of the town. While it didn’t bother him much, protecting Samantha against the onslaught of silly gossip was important. Small town rumors almost always ended up blown out of proportion with unwanted results. He’d save her the embarrassment. As a guest in his home, it was the least he could do. “Samantha?”
“Mmm?” Swinging her gaze away from the landscape to his face, her lips curved at corners in another irresistible smile.
Cody ignored the heat that stirred his blood. “Samantha, last night was damn near beautiful. Somethin’ I couldn’t explain or try to describe and…” He hesitated, trying to convey his emotions with the right words, but they stuck in his throat. “Could we…?” The gullibility in her gaze ate at his insides. “Could we keep this between us, for the moment?” He risked a glance at her face.
Briefly, her brow creased in surprise then her lashes dropped, hiding her gaze from him, but not before he noticed the agony in her eyes. “Okay.”
His heart lurched at the hurt he unwittingly caused. He looked away. Regret ate at his gut. Why did he? He should’ve left it to chance. Anything was better than her dismal smile.
While Cody silently kicked himself, they completed their journey home with idle talk, despite the sudden drop in mood. As they rode into the ranch, his family descended on them with a barrage of questions.