Wild About The Bodyguard (9 page)

As Rick nodded
goodbye, Sammy spoke up. “I’ll be here a while,” she said. “I’ll
probably still be here when you get back.” She’d make sure of
it.

After he’d
gone, Ann linked her arm through Sammy’s. “I’ll get those papers
and then we can talk about more pleasant things.”

Ann found the
insurance papers in her home office. When she left for the kitchen,
Sammy set about copying the multi-page document. She also took it
upon herself to have a sneak peek through some other files. She was
glad that she had.

Later that
day, Sammy was ready and waiting outside of her condo when that
familiar black sedan swerved into the curb. After a quick drive to
SoMa, Chase parked in a lot at the corner of 3rd and Mission Rock.
Before sliding out of the car, he grabbed a battered Giants cap off
the dash.

“
You’ve had
that a while,” Sammy noted as they strolled side by side to the
park.

Uncertain, he
touched the peak. “You don’t like it?”

“
It’s great.
It’s just, uh...falling apart. You know the brim’s hanging by
threads.”

“
It’s also
grubby and classic and fits my head like a glove. I’ve had it since
my first game at the park with Taylor and Leo and our dads.” He
exhaled. “Yeah. Good times.”

This time when
he tipped the peak, it detached in his hand. Stopping in his
tracks, he stared down at the peak, open-mouthed.

“
Well, that
sucks.”

“
It’s okay.
It was time.” She rubbed his back. “Want to give it a proper
burial?”

He tucked it
into his back pocket. “I’ll get it repaired.”

Maybe he
would. But Sammy bet he would simply put the cap away with other
memories he might have kept over the years. After today’s find in
her sister’s office, Sammy understood that sentiment better than
ever.

Inside club
level was carpeted, classy and clean—a far cry from Sammy’s
previous “get amongst it” experiences at a ballpark. The
semi-roofed seats had an awesome view, but there were heaps of
tables and chairs with monitors here undercover. Or, Sammy noted,
people could simply watch through the glass barrier. A full bar
and, further down, some baseball memorabilia…

Oh, yeah. This
was doin’ it in style.

As they moved
around folk discussing the upcoming final series, Chase slung an
arm around her. Heat washed over her like a warm welcome tide. She
was still floating after their time together yesterday in her
kitchen and then shower. She’d been hanging out for today, for this
game, but mostly for the surprise dessert Chase had
promised.

“
Remind me to
show you the stuff from the World Series and the trophy from Matt
Cain’s perfect game,” he said. “A couple of years ago, Cain retired
twenty-seven batters—”

“
And tallied
fourteen strike-outs. He’s also the only pitcher to ever score a
run in his perfect game.”

Chase held his
heart. “I’m in love.”

He was joking.
The tease sounded surprisingly good, just the same.

“
You hungry?”
he asked as they wove through the nattering crowd.

“
I could go a
California roll.”

They grabbed
sushi and took a seat.

“
Where are
your cousins tonight?” Sammy asked, pulling in her chair. Chase had
mentioned they might meet them here. The thought had made her a
little nervous; she might come across as super confident but that
was mainly about pushing her own comfort zones; she had
insecurities like the rest of the world. Some were even of the
opinion that actors were introverted souls.

“
Taylor’s
busy putting together some deal or other,” Chase said.

“
Sounds
impressive.”

“
He’s a
professional investor.”

Her date
looked amazing in a black polo shirt. While she quietly eyed that
vee of exposed chest directly below the strong column of his
throat, Chase snapped his chopsticks apart.

“
He’s done
well, too,” he added.

“
How
well?”

“
Disgustingly,
makes you want to
gag
, well. Don’t know what Leo’s up to. I
called earlier. He didn’t phone back.”

“
You’re
worried?”

“
Leo’s a
black belt. If you want to know how to turn your body into a lethal
weapon in seventeen not-so-easy steps, he’s your man. I pity anyone
who ever tries to get the better of him.”

“
So, no
disagreements with that cousin?”

“
Leo’s not an
aggressive soul, as such, unless you count in business. Then he’ll
clamp onto the jugular every time.”

A trio of Wild
alpha men. Sammy would like to see them standing shoulder to
shoulder. “Do you look alike?”

“
There’s a
resemblance.”

“
Like tall
and built and oozing sex appeal?”

Pouring some
dipping soy, he grinned crookedly. “And you wonder why I like
you.”

All Sammy
knew was she sure as hell liked
him
.

She selected a
piece from the serving plate. “So, the common denominator between
you three is your dads?”

“
My father’s
the oldest of three brothers. The families still get together for
holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving.”

When her
stomach gave a twinge, Sammy hesitated dipping sushi into her soy.
She hoped her smile wasn’t too wistful. She hadn’t had a real
family Christmas in ten years.

He considered
her before selecting his own piece from the serving platter. “Do
you have any family other than your sister?”

“
Not unless
you count Rick...and I don’t.” She apologized. “That sounds
snarky.”

“
Under the
circumstances, I understand.”

“
I never
purposely set out to irritate anyone. Just Rick rubs me the wrong
way.” Sammy had wondered whether she’d once been jealous of him for
“stealing” her sister away from her—but that wasn’t it.

“
I’m an
advocate of trusting one’s instincts,” Chase said. “Did you go up
to see them today?”

“
Rick made an
excuse and scurried away. I wanted to hang around till he got back
so I could subtly quiz him, but it got too late.”

In P.I. mode
again, his gaze narrowed. “Did you get the insurance
papers?”

“
Copies. I
felt a little guilty, but I looked through Ann’s other files,
too.”

“
Anything
interesting?”

“
Only a bunch
of old Christmas cards. Mom used to spend ages choosing them. She
loved to get just the right verse. Ann and I would always make our
own. Made our own decorations, too. Lame stuff like colored paper
chains and cut-outs of bells and snowmen.”

His smile was
soft. “Not so lame.”

“
You’re being
kind.”

“
You’re
speaking with a home renovator. We love creating our own, piecing
it all together.”

Sammy bit her
bottom lip to contain the grin. He
was
being kind...but also sincere.
Double bonus.

“
Are there
any kids in your family?” she asked, setting her sticks down as an
excited couple took the neighboring table.

“
On my mom’s
side. An aunt has teenage girls.”

“
Ann and Rick
haven’t had kids. She doesn’t say anything about it, and I don’t
ask.” Sammy felt as if she ought to make an excuse. “It’s a big
responsibility.”

“
The
biggest.”

“
It’s hard
enough working it all out for yourself, right? Life, I
mean.”

“
And you have
to make sure you’ll be around for the long haul.”

When his gaze
grew distant, Sammy wasn’t sure she understood. “Your parents are
divorced?”

He focused
again. “I didn’t mean that.”

Before he
could explain, or she could ask, the far off roar of the crowd
filtered through the area and Chase pushed to his feet.

“
Warm-up’s
over.” He put out his hand. “Let’s play ball.”

Later, Chase
ushered “Giants done us proud” Sammy in through the internal entry
of his garage. He flicked on the lights before moving into the
kitchen, which had obviously been lovingly renovated by a skilled
hand. Spacious, tasteful and sparkling clean.

Crossing her
arms, she looked around, grinning. “You’re a
perfectionist.”

“
In some
things.” He set down his car keys. “Most things.”

She could
testify to that in the
making love
department. She couldn’t wait for
“dessert.”

She surveyed
the polished floors, the freshly-painted walls, and cocked a brow.
“Want to show me what you’re working on at the moment?”

“
Assure me
first. You don’t shrink at the sight of sawdust or peeling
wallpaper?”

She put on a
stoic face. “I can take it.”

They moved
through to the living room. As finished and buffed as the kitchen
had been, this room was definitely a work in progress. The wooden
floor was dull and scratched. Bare beams lined three of four walls.
A wooden workhorse was corralled to one side. Dead center sat a
worktable littered with bits and pieces.

She lifted an
odd looking pair of pliers. “Tell me these are strictly for…” She
angled her head. “Uh, what are they for exactly?”

“
I’m putting
together a stained glass panel.”

She spotted a
stencil highlighting the words
Chase’s
Place
.

Okay.
Yeah
.

“
I like it,”
she said.

When he came
in extra close, she sighed as his heat and scent enveloped her.
They’d sat close all through the game, but now they weren’t
surrounded by 40,000 other mad Giants supporters. They were
blissfully, finally alone.

When he
collected a piece of crafted glass and held it up to the light,
prisms of red shifted across his handsome, upturned face. “I
thought maybe this would be—you know—too much.”

“
I think
it’ll be incredible.” Looking up into the glass, too, she held his
arm, which was warm and deliciously buff. “Where’s it going? In a
bar?”

“
Over the
front door.”

Cool.
If the kitchen was any indication, when the house
was fully renovated, it would be nothing short of
amazing.

“
You’re full
of surprises,” she said.

Setting aside
the glass, he admitted, “I have a few special ones up my sleeve
just for you.”

Wrapping her
up in his arms, he claimed the long, unhurried kiss she had ached
for all night.

As his mouth
fused with hers, her bones liquefied. His tongue eased past her
lips, sweeping once before falling into a heavenly rhythm. Her
breasts suddenly felt fuller and a telltale pulse kicked off in her
core. When he urged her closer still, his mouth angled more and all
those soul-lifting stirrings notched up a few stunning
degrees.

At the same
time she craned up on tiptoes and her arms coiled around his neck,
the palm pressing on the small of her back ventured lower. As those
fingers filed over one side of her butt, his mouth gradually left
hers.

On a dreamy
smile, she nipped his lower lip. “You don’t waste any time, do
you?”

Cupping her
cheek, he searched her eyes. “You never know how much time you
might have left.”

When he
blinked open his eyes the next morning, Chase was greeted by the
sight of Sammy spread out beside him. The sheet was loosely draped
over her body. One leg hung over the side of the bed and her mouth
was open. Wide.

She was
snoring. Not a delicate rattle of air pulled into and then out of
her lungs. She was chugging like a coal train. Chase rubbed one
side of his grin. How in the world had he slept through that
racket?

Most likely
because he’d been completely satisfied. They’d enjoyed a tearaway
final series game, followed by the hottest sex of his life. The
sizzle had alternated with tamer spells throughout the
night...episodes that had, in one way or another, involved salted
caramel ice cream. If only every day could be so good.

Now, when he
leaned across and oh-so-lightly dropped a kiss on her warm brow and
breathed in her natural earthy scent, Sammy stirred. Her mouth
snapped shut, her leg swung up and the snoring stopped. For a
second.

As that motor
kicked in again, Chase curled an arm around her pillowed head. He
wouldn’t tell her about this grizzly bear serenade. Like he
wouldn’t mention that she might be tone deaf. When she’d sung along
to the radio during the drive home the previous night, at first
he’d thought she was joking—being a comedian. Before he’d laughed
out loud, thank God he’d realized that her eyes had been closed;
she’d been feeling the words to her soul. The song had been about
love and loss...a familiar theme, and one with which Sammy
obviously shared a great deal.