Instructing Sarah (3 page)

"I love your hair, sweetheart. So soft and baby fine."

Greg trailed his hand down its length to smooth one finger over her neck. He touched the pulse beating wildly in her throat and it seemed to quicken right under his fingertip. Greg leaned in closer still, inhaling her feminine fragrance. "Your scent is making me nuts. Bet you didn’t know I’ve thought about you, did you, Sarah?”

Her mouth fell open, tempting him. He covered it with his own, tasting both her surprise and her arousal. He kept it quick…

Otherwise he might strip her right there in the parking lot.

“I imagine you lying under me at night, your soft body pressed against mine as I take you slowly from behind. I’ve had my fair share of hot, erotic dreams of you, Sarah.” His voice grew raspier with the fever that ran through his veins. A fever only she could cool.

He bent his lips to her pulse and licked the length of her protruding vein. "Do you want more? Would you trust me with your body, baby?” Her jerky nod gave him exactly what he needed, her total acceptance.

“Mmm, yes. I want more of you too.

So much more. I want to know all your secret little desires. The ones that cause your blood to pound hot in your veins and have you quivering with need. I want you begging and wriggling beneath me… for me."

He bent and tasted her succulent, ivory neck. It was arched up towards him like an offering to a god. He licked her soft skin and sucked her into his mouth. Then he bit her lightly, branding her as his woman. Greg had never felt such a powerful need to stake a claim on someone as he did with Sarah. The thought of Blake touching any part of her body made him want to tear the man limb from limb.

Greg lifted his head, stared down at her pliant body and groaned. "You may open your eyes now, sweet angel. If we stay out here much longer, I will have you beneath me. It would bring me infinite amounts of pleasure, and that’s a fact, but when we come together for the first time it won't be in my truck."

Sarah opened her eyes. Her body burned with need and her chest heaved as if she’d run a marathon. When Sarah saw the raw hunger in his dark gaze, she knew it was the same for him. If she were a survivalist, she would have jumped out of the Blazer and ran for her life at that moment. If she were anything like her father, she wouldn’t even be in the truck with him in the first place. Thankfully, she wasn’t either of those things. She was Sarah, and she wanted more. More of Greg, more of his kisses, and she wanted him to appease the hunger that he had created.

"The things you do to me, it's simply not becoming of a lady.” She tried for lightness, but it seemed to fall flat.

"Sarah, the things you do to me, it’s simply not becoming of a prince.” He smiled

lecherously

and

winked.

“Thankfully, I’m no prince. I’m just a man who wants you really badly.”

"Oh, well then," she said, and then went right ahead and blushed.

Greg touched her cheek gently, as if understanding how nervous she was. “You won’t regret a single minute of tonight. I promise you that.” He turned off the engine and grabbed the keys from the ignition.

"Come on, we're here."

Greg jumped out, came around to her side, and opened the door for her. "Where is
here
?"

"My brother’s bar.” He took her hand and helped her down out of the Blazer, then closed her door. "I hope you like it. It can be pretty damn loud and rough at times, but I thought we could grab a bite to eat."

"I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.” Then something odd struck her. “You know, I had no idea you had a brother, or that he owned a bar for that matter, but thank you for bringing me.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his rigid jaw, then grinned, pleased with herself that she’d been daring enough to do the kissing this time.

Greg growled low. "Damn, woman, have mercy. No more kisses unless you’re prepared to take more."

"Mmm, I can't wait," she teased, feeling bolder and naughtier than ever.

Greg only grunted his reply and led her to the door of The Trouble Spot. Sarah couldn’t help herself; she let out a faint giggle. Who would have thought she had the power to drive a man like Greg crazy with lust? And she knew that’s exactly what was happening. She may be a virgin, but she knew enough about men to recognize when one was turned on. And judging by the front of Greg’s jeans, he was as hard as a lead pipe right about now…

And every bit as big as one.

Sarah was having the time of her life
.

What more could a girl ask for anyway? A great movie, wonderful food, stimulating conversation, and all from a devilishly handsome man! She was on cloud nine. Her practical side knew she would have to come down soon, but for now, she was content to enjoy her evening and her handsome escort.

His brother’s bar was much more than just a bar. It was really more like a friendly neighborhood tavern. Everyone seemed to know each other. The music was a mix of top forty hits and the top country artists of today. There was something to please every ear. The looks of the place had a woodsy, sort of homey appearance. The walls were done in a kind of barn siding wood. There were wooden wagon wheels hanging from the ceiling with colored lights attached to them. Even the dance floor was hardwood and made her think of old time barn dances. Everything was decorated with taste. Greg’s brother obviously wanted the patrons to relax and feel right at home, able to kick their heels up and let loose.

All the waiters and waitresses wore a simple, clean, white t-shirt and jeans, which blended in with the country décor.

Everyone that walked by their booth greeted Greg with a friendly hello and a handshake. A few of the men who stopped by gave her the once over, but then were met with a steely look from Greg, thus obliterated any interest they may have shown in her. That was a new feeling too.

Having a man go all caveman over her.

Something about it made her insides all jittery.

She met Tyrell, the manager. He was an extremely large African American with a good-natured disposition. Tyrell stood a few inches taller than Greg and was much broader, which was saying something because Greg was no slouch. He had a wonderful smile and seemed as sweet as a teddy bear, but Sarah had the feeling he could be very mean if provoked. He stared at Greg with the kind of devotion born from a long and firm friendship.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t met Greg’s brother, Matt. It was his night off apparently, but Greg assured her he would introduce her to him another time. She wasn’t sure what to make of that. She thought maybe he was only being polite.

He hadn’t given her any indications that their evening would be anything more than a simple date. Although, his kisses in the truck had definitely made her aware that, while it was their first date, there wasn’t going to be anything simple about how the night ended.

She leaned forward and attempted to speak over the music. "Where did you meet Tyrell?"

Greg stared at her and waited a beat, as if debating what to tell her. "I met Tyrell under pretty strange circumstances," he began. "He was in some trouble when we first encountered each other. Seems he owed some rather nasty people a lot of money. I came to check out this place for Matt. He wanted me to do some remodeling and that’s when I saw the men Tyrell owed attempting to beat the dollar bills out of him. I decided to intervene."

Her eyes shot wide. “Oh no! What did you do?” Sarah leaned forward, completely riveted to his story.

"I very calmly explained to the men that they were going about getting paid the wrong way.” Greg took a drink from his cola, then went on. “ I ended up paying them the money myself."

"Seriously?” That shocked her. It wasn’t what she’d expected. Call the police, sure, but pay a stranger’s dept? “I mean, you didn't even know Tyrell at the time.

Why would you do something like that?”

Sarah was dumbfounded.

"Yep, I gave them the money.” He shrugged. “There was something about him. He reminded me of a guy I once knew in high school, Karl. Karl’s life hadn’t been an easy one. His dad was a drunk and his mom had skipped out on him when he was just a kid. Even with the odds stacked against him, he still managed to graduate from high school and go to college on an athletic scholarship. He never had a chance to finish though, because he was stabbed and killed in a mugging off campus. I figured since I couldn’t be there for Karl, maybe I could do something for Tyrell.

Besides, Tyrell worked off every single cent since then, doing odd jobs for me before he came to work for Matt. He’s a proud man and completely refused to let the matter drop. Matt couldn't run this place without him, let me tell you. He's invaluable."

Sarah’s heart was in her throat and her eyes burned with unshed tears. She sensed the pain Greg still carried around with him over the loss of his friend etched into the planes and grooves of his handsome face.

To her, Greg was a hero. He was such an honorable person and she was afraid she was starting to fall a little bit in love with the man. She wanted to say something, tell him how terrific he was. But, she sensed he wouldn’t like being labeled a hero. He didn’t seem the type to need praise for doing a kind deed.

“Well, it’s pretty clear he’s gained a loyal friend in you. You’re very sweet, Greg. Underneath that gruff exterior lurks a heart of gold, I’m thinking."

Greg just gave her carnal look again and leaned closer. "Underneath this gruff exterior lurks a very lusty man. Lusty for your hot bod, baby.” His eyes grew darker with need and seemed to bore straight into her soul.

Just then, a waiter came to their table and requested Greg's help in breaking up a fight that was brewing.

Greg never hesitated. "I'll be right back, Sarah. Hold that thought.” He rose from the booth and followed the waiter to the far end of the room where the long bar was.

Sarah resumed eating. She had ordered a juicy cheeseburger and fries, the all-American meal, and one of her favorites.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.

She’d been so wrapped up in thoughts of Greg since he’d asked her out earlier that she’d completely skipped lunch, and it was well past dinnertime. The hamburger was cooked to perfection. Matt obviously had a wonderful chef tucked back in the kitchen.

Sarah’s thoughts stuttered to a stop as a long shadow covered her table. Thinking it was Greg returning, she looked up and smiled, but it wasn't Greg. It was Blake.

And this time, instead of wearing the expensive slacks and looking all slick and
GQ
, he was wearing a pair of tight, black jeans and a brick red pocket t-shirt. He was big and sexy, even a little rugged. The

‘come and get it’ smile on his lips made her face go hot.

"Hello again, Sarah. I saw you coming in.” His eyes gave her a once over before coming back to her face. “In fact, you’re awfully damn hard to miss, lady. A man would have to be blind not to see you.

You’re especially beautiful tonight.” When he spoke, his voice traveled the length of her spine. It had a smooth, dark feel to it.

"Thank you, Blake.” She never knew quite what to say when a man complimented her and, after all he’d just said, thank you seemed inadequate. Blake wasn’t giving her a normal compliment though, he was hitting on her.

"Can I get you something else to drink, Sarah?” Blake asked as he took in her empty glass of iced-tea.

“She’s here with me tonight, Blake, and I’ve already got her a drink.” Greg spoke from behind Blake, looking as if he could chew nails. His expression was positively deadly.

Blake spared Greg a glance and shrugged, as if he were nothing more than an annoying insect, then zeroed in on her once more. "Would you care to dance with me?"

Her eyes darted to Greg and saw the barely leashed rage. She calmly declined Blake’s offer. "I'm sorry, Blake, but I am with Greg. Thank you for the offer, though.

It was very sweet.” She smiled brightly, hoping to take some of the sting out of her rejection.

Blake nodded, one side of his mouth kicking up as he dared, "Maybe another time then.” He walked away, leaving her alone with a very angry Greg.

Greg stared at Blake’s back until he was well away from them. Only then did he reclaim his seat. Nothing passed from his lips for a few minutes; he only watched her, making her worry over the change in his attitude.

Sarah couldn't stand his intense scrutiny much longer and she decided enough already. Time to get them back on track. "So, were you able to dissolve the fight?"

He grumbled a nearly unintelligible yes, then cocked his head to the side. "You seem to be turning me into a jealous idiot, Sarah, because the thought of that man's hands coming anywhere near your body just about caused me to land a fist in his face.” His eyes narrowed, as if bewildered by his own actions. Almost as if his reaction was her fault.

"He was only being polite, Greg,” she said, hoping to smooth his ruffled feathers.