Sweeter Than Wine (9 page)

"I don't know. I really don't. I think that's
what bothers me the most. I know I shouldn't let it change me. I
know I shouldn't be on such a mission, but there is a need to know
more about myself."

"What did you do for a living?" Lacey asked,
squeezing his hand.

Her palms were sweating just a bit, and Sam
glanced at the two hands on the table as he turned them over and
ran his fingers over hers.

"Ironically enough, I left home, when dad
died, and told my brother I needed some time. He understood. I
moved up this way, and became a forest ranger. It's something
totally out of character for me before. I'd been an accountant all
my life. I'll have to admit, I hated it. I've enjoyed the work
working with the forestry. But things got to me still. So I'm on a
sabbatical, to sort of find myself, I guess." Sam snickered.

"Ironically?" Lacey questioned.

"The people I'm related to, they astound me.
I mean my half sister's mom became an actress. My real father gave
so much to others that I can barely believe I am part of that." Sam
explained.

"Wow that is incredible. Have you looked them
up on line or something?"

Sam nodded. "As a matter of fact, I have. We
had different mothers. My mother was very young when she was
pregnant with me. My father was filthy rich and after she lost the
baby, or thought she did. Something happened between them. I don't
know what. I'm not sure why they split up or what was wrong, but
I'd love to know."

"And your half-sister?'

"She's married now, has a child and lives in
the mountains."

"What is it you want to find here, Sam?"

"I don't know. I guess I just want to put the
pieces together." Sam admitted.

"Yeah, I can understand that. But it means
you are going to have to tell her who you are."

"Yeah, I guess it does." He looked her in the
eyes, through the flickering firelight and saw such a wonderful
woman. He smiled. "I'm glad you didn't go to dinner with that
fella…."

"Me too," her voice sounded husky.

All through their dinner they talked about
themselves, and things were back to a good start again. However,
that left the sleeping arrangements in turmoil, as far as he was
concerned because by now, he'd decided he wouldn't mind seducing
her. But would she let him?

"You know what I'd like to do?" he smiled as
they walked out of the restaurant.

"What?"

"Take our shoes off and wade through the
beach, let the wet sand squish between our toes. What do you say?"
He smiled at her.

"Sounds kind of nice, I've never done
anything like that. I've seen movies where people did it, but I
never did. All right…let's…."

Sam took her hand and they walked among the
garden paths and onto the beach area. The waves were perfect making
a magic music out of each movement. The moonlight was incredible.
It was probably the most romantic set up Sam had ever had. He
couldn't blow this.

He stopped, bent and lifted her foot, took
her tennis shoes off and then rolled his pants legs up and took his
shoes off. Together they walked hand in hand. The water was a
little chilly at first, but after a few minutes they were used to
it.

"I've never done this." She laughed. "I mean,
yeah, it's a simple thing, but I never have experienced it
before."

"No? Neither have I. People don't often stop
and take time for the simple pleasures." Sam winked. "And when you
get to thinking about it, it is such a common thing. But to feel
the sand between your toes is a new experience."

"What made you think of this?" she insisted
on knowing, coming closer.

His arm went around her waist, "I was
thinking of some movie, I don't know what the name of it was, and
it was so relaxing watching them wade through the water like
children."

"As long as you don't throw me in the tide
and grope me."

He stopped, turned to look at her and her
smile faded. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight though and he knew
she wasn't upset.

"I know I promised not to, but would you mind
if I kissed you, here." He whispered for her ears only.

Lacey's glance fastened on his mouth at that
moment and slowly she shook her head, "I don't mind." She bravely
whispered.

He studied her a moment as his hands came up
to hold her face. "This isn't some cheap come on, Lacey." He
began."Don't be afraid of me. I'm not the big bad wolf or an ogre.
I'm a man, enjoying a wonderful summer with a beautiful lady. And I
want to kiss her..."

Just as his lips touched hers she murmured,
"I'm not afraid."

The world blanked out as she closed her eyes.
A mindless void of feelings swamped him as she came into his arms,
willingly. She was soft, where a woman should be, and warm all
over, and the waves gently crashing at their feet were oblivious.
He continued to massage her lips with his own. He wasn't groping
her, wasn't even holding her really except her face.

Shocked by the sheer beauty of the moment, he
continued to kiss her until they had to pull apart to breath.
Instead of gasping for air, she stood serenely still. Her eyes
closed, her lips still wet from his kiss. He knew at that moment,
he could go on kissing her forever and never want to stop, but he
had to use his head. He'd never experienced the joy of just kissing
a woman.

"You are quite a woman, Lacey Malone," he
whispered hoarsely.

"You're not so bad yourself Sam," she said as
her eyes slowly opened.

"Of course you realize we can't sleep in the
same room any longer, don't you," he asked softly now as his
knuckles caressed her cheek.

"We can't?" she asked her brows
furrowing.

"Nope, we can't," he cleared his throat.

"Why not?" She laid her head against his
forehead, groping for some kind of control.

"Because I'd want make love to you, Lacey,
and I don't think that's wise." He said, almost turning away from
her. "I don't think that's what you want."

"I don't understand…." She whispered.

"I know you don't. That's why it isn't wise.
Now come on," he pulled her by the hands now and laughed. "Let's
race to the other side of the beach."

She shook herself a little, and then looked
at his face.

He smiled tenderly at her. "Come on."

She smiled back and took off, "I'll need a
head start."

She was way ahead of him, as he slowed to
watch her. She was such a beauty and didn't realize it. She took
his breath away, and he was falling for her too fast. He needed to
take things slower. He liked Lacey and he didn't want to hurt her
when their vacation was over. He had to use his head. Sam wanted to
make love with her tonight. But what about tomorrow and the next
day?

When he finally walked her to the room, he
stopped, "I guess I better go get another room," he whispered.

She pinked, "You don't trust the blanket
anymore?" she asked with a grin.

"Do you?" He questioned, his eyes holding
hers.

"No." she breathed in deeply. "I guess
not."

"Lacey you have to understand, I want to…"
his pained expression said it all.

"I know, but you're being a gentleman again,
right." She whispered.

He laid his head on her forehead now, his
breathing hard and his longing for her almost more than he could
stand. "How can a man get to know a woman in such a short
time?"

She shrugged, "Yeah, maybe we shared too much
of ourselves?"

"No, I don't think you can ever share too
much," he chuckled softly.

She smiled, "Then kiss me goodnight, and
don't dare tell me your room number."

"Dammit Lacey, if I kiss you again, I won't
let you go inside alone." he murmured against her ear, and his body
shook.

She moved more fully into his arms. He was
glad they had some privacy for the kiss lingered longer this
time.

"Maybe I don't want to be let go of." She
giggled and pulled him solidly against her. This time he knew she
was aware of how aroused he was. And she gasped without a word. Her
glance going to his.

His lips grazed hers and they both sighed,
"Lacey have you ever."

She kissed him hard and hot and full of needs
unspoken. His tongue shot out to dance with hers and the kiss went
on forever, his hands going around her ribcage, his thumbs moving
erotically close to her breast, but not touching, merely
insinuating what could be. She moaned raggedly.

He pulled away, this time determined to be a
gentleman. "Goodnight Lacey." he said and backed away from her, his
eyes devouring her, as a tear fell from the corner of her eyes.

He realized he'd never been that much of a
gentleman before and hurried off to the desk. His face felt hot,
matching the rest of him as he approached the desk clerk with a
smile. "I need a room."

"I'm sorry sir, we have no more rooms, the
tournament," the young woman explained as he cast a glance about
the lobby where several were still talking about their big catches
of the day.

"Oh, well, in that case, mind if I sit in the
lobby through the night?"

The female desk clerk quirked her brow and
smiled, "I guess that would be alright."

"Thank you."

Away from Lacey once more he was able to
think clearly and realized he was doing the right thing.

Doing the right thing was hard; he decided
when he saw Lacey an hour later wading into the ocean again. He
watched her and longed to hold her when she looked up into the
heavens and threw back her head. Her hair draped over her shoulders
and down her back like a cascade of rich melted chocolate. She
played in the water like a nymph, splashing about and laughing and
he wanted her so bad he almost joined her. Only good sense kept him
standing at the window.

It was obvious he'd brought out the woman in
her and the glory of it was almost more than he could leave alone.
She was a magnificent creature, totally unaware of her own allure,
and captivating.

Knowing he had to get a grip, he finally
moved away from the window and went to sit in one of the large
chairs. It would be a long night.

It was early the next morning when someone
banged on her door. Lacey tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't go
away. Finally, yawning and trying to open her eyes, she peeped
through the peephole and saw Sam.

"What are you doing?" she asked still groggy
as she opened the door wide.

"I didn't get much sleep last night, since I
spent it in the lobby and the desk clerk was getting a little
concerned. Besides, I need to clean up and change clothes if you
don't mind." Sam said eyeing her like an eagle as he strode through
the door.

Lacey chuckled and went back to the bed,
"Help yourself." she yawned and climbed back in the bed.

Sam watched her then went into the
bathroom.

She vaguely heard the water start to run
before she went back to sleep.

She didn't know a thing until he flopped on
the edge of the bed.

"So, are you ready to go see the redwoods?"
he asked, his voice sounded rough edged, as though he wasn't in the
best of moods.

She sighed and mumbled.

"Lacey, get up, let's go get some
breakfast."

"You go ahead. I'm not hungry," she insisted,
snuggling deeper into the covers.

"If you had an ounce of decency you'd share
that bed with me, I'm so knocked out tired, I couldn't grope you if
I wanted to." He insisted.

She lifted her head above the covers for a
second and blinked, "Are you sure you're too tired?"

"Look at me, I'm wiped out." He held up his
arms.

She giggled, "Okay, get in, and stop waking
me up." She insisted.

He didn't argue.

They slept for four more hours then they
heard the announcement, "Trophies will be available at the service
desk."

"Sam, wake up…did you hear that?" Lacey
asked, trying to dig him out of the covers.

"W-what?"

"The trophies, they are handing out trophies
this evening." She threw the covers off her and stood up.

"I've got to collect mine," she insisted.

"Okay, wake me up when you do," he
muttered.

"You're not coming with me?" she sounded
hurt.

Suddenly he peeped out from the covers and
glanced at her. His gaze took her in, but she ignored him. "Sam get
up, I want my trophy."

"Okay, I'll get up." He grunted. "But I need
a cup of coffee, bad."

"I'm going to shower, and dress, and then we
can go have breakfast and collect our trophy." Lacey announced.

"All right, wake me when you get out of the
shower," he insisted covering his head again.

***

She smiled, remembering the night before in
the lobby. Remembering his sweet kisses.

She showered quickly and dressed in her
capris and t-shirt she combed her hair into a ponytail and went to
wake Sam.

Buried deep in the covers, she had to dig him
out.

She looked at him, and an overwhelming desire
to kiss him hit her. She'd never been quite this bold with a man,
but she was an adult and they were both free. She kissed his ear he
batted her away. She kissed his cheek, he almost batted her away,
but when she would have moved away, he pulled her into his arms and
kissed her thoroughly.

"Sam!" she sighed with an unfamiliar
happiness.

"Hmm, you smell heavenly," he muttered,
through thick warm kisses.

She nudged herself deeper into the bed with
him and cradled herself in his arms. She was asking for it, she
only hoped he wouldn't be a gentleman any longer.

"Forget breakfast, and trophies, I'd rather
have you." he smiled sexily at her now, as he moved above her. He
stared down into her face. "I know you wanted me to be the
gentleman, but you just can't come into a bed with a man and start
kissing him and think he's not going to respond to you. You are a
very desirable woman, Lacey."