The Sassy One

4

Francesca hadn’t spent much time in Montecito, an upscale neighborhood just east of Santa Barbara. She glanced at the directions she’d scribbled down, then back at the street signs and wondered what she was going to do if she got lost. No doubt the local police would want to impound her truck for being the wrong type of vehicle, the wrong age, and definitely the wrong price. In this neighborhood even the maids drove Volvos.

Francesca chuckled as she recalled her terror when Sam called and suggested a barbecue at his place, or what he’d referred to as Montecito’s best grill kitchen. Her first thought had been she couldn’t-she had faulty birth control. Her second had been wild temptation, followed by bone-numbing fear. Obviously she needed to get out more. Pitifully, she’d accepted his invitation when he’d mentioned a live-in housekeeper who would act as chaperon.

Less than five minutes later she found the right street and the right house. Make that the right gate. Both sides of the narrow street were lined with tall fences and gates. Some stood open, but others were firmly closed. Francesca pulled in front of Sam’s, then opened her truck window to press the button on the control panel.

After a couple of seconds a familiar voice said, “Hello, Francesca. Glad you could make it.”

Sam’s words made her heart flutter like hummingbird wings. She felt giddy and nervous, but excited. “Hi, Sam.”

“Come on in.”

The large double wrought-iron gates swung open, allowing her to drive onto the property. A few hundred yards later, after rounding a bend, she stopped in front of an old two-story house built in the 1920s. The mock Tudor facade blended perfectly with the formal gardens stretching out on either side.

So the security business paid well, she thought as she opened the door and stepped onto the cobblestone driveway. Despite Sam’s elegant offices and his title as CEO, she’d never considered their economic differences. If she compared family fortunes, she would probably be in the ballpark, but personally she didn’t have a penny. Marcelli Wines belonged solely to her grandfather.

She glanced down at the simple sundress she’d worn. She’d taken the time to curl her long hair and put on a little makeup, but other than that, there wasn’t much she could do to dazzle anyone. Funny how she found herself wanting to dazzle Sam.

She crossed to the front door, which opened before she could knock.

“Hi,” she said before she got a good look at him. Which was well timed, because after she looked, she wasn’t up for much in the way of conversation.

She’d been picturing him in a suit, not that she’d wasted her entire day dreaming about him.

He wore a red polo shirt tucked into worn jeans and no shoes. Somehow the sight of his bare feet shocked her-as if she’d stumbled into his bedroom and accidentally seen him naked. They were just feet, she told herself. Big feet.

She held in a smile as she thought of what her sister, Brenna, would say about her observation on the feet front.

“Thanks for coming,” he said, smiling at her.

She found herself getting lost in those tawny-colored eyes she’d admired last night. His dark blond hair was tousled, as if he’d been running his hands through it. What was it about a slightly rumpled man that women found appealing? Why did he seem more dangerous now than he had before?

“Thanks for the invitation.” She glanced around the foyer. “So this is the great grill place, huh?”

“Actually the grilling magic happens on my back patio. There’s going to be a write-up in Food and Spirits next month.”

“You’re going to be busy. I’m glad I could get in before the rush.”

“I’d make room for you.”

“You mean in time I could get my own table?”

“Maybe a chair, if you’re good.”

This is the place where a sophisticated, experienced woman would purr something about always being good. The words hovered on Francesca lips, but she held them back. Throwing herself into the deep end was one thing, but promising an Olympic performance instead of the ungainly flailing that was likely to follow seemed like a mistake.

“I’ll give you the nickel tour,” he said. “You can meet Elena, so you’ll know I wasn’t lying about her, then I’ll take you out to the patio and impress you.”

His low voice seemed to brush across her skin like warm velvet. She found herself wanting to move closer, to stretch until all the kinks were out, then rub against him. Maybe she could purr without words.

He took a step, then paused. “Take your shoes off if you want.”

Francesca hesitated a second, then slipped out of her sandals and dropped her bag next to them. Somehow the thought of both of them barefoot was more than a little scandalous, but she was playing with the big guys now.

She followed Sam across the hardwood floor of the entryway, past a large living room. She caught a glimpse of a library, a home office, and a dining room.

“Big place,” she said. “I can see why you have live-in help.”

Sam smiled at her. “I didn’t used to. Somebody came in and cleaned. My grandfather lives a couple of miles from here. He’s getting up in years and needs more help than he used to. Not that he’ll admit it. I wanted to get him someone, but he’s stubborn and wouldn’t agree. So I complained about wanting to hire a full-time person and not having enough work. He pretended to believe me. Elena spends most of her time with him, but she has a suite of rooms here. It’s a game my grandfather and I play, but it works.”

They crossed by the kitchen and entered a small hallway at the back of the house. Sam knocked on a closed door.

“Elena? Francesca is here.”

A small, redheaded woman in her early fifties opened the door. She was casually dressed in sweats and a T-shirt.

“Elena, this is Francesca. Francesca, Elena runs the house. My grandfather and I would be lost without her.”

“Nice to meet you,” Francesca said.

“You, too.” She grinned at her employer. “Okay. I agree. This one was worth the wait.”

Sam sighed. “You weren’t supposed to say anything to get me in trouble.”

Elena’s smile broadened. “Me? What did I say? Did I mention a word about a man living alone for too long with only an old woman for company? No. Not a word. Did I say it was time he found himself a good woman? Not even close. I mind my own business. That’s what I’m paid to do. I keep my mouth shut.”

“Speaking of shutting,” Sam said, interrupting her. “I’m closing your door now. You sure you don’t want me to cook you a steak?”

“Yes. Red meat will kill you.”

“Without it, life isn’t worth living.”

“You need to eat more vegetables.”

“Good night, Elena,” he said and drew the door closed.

“Good night,” she called. “Have fun.”

Sam shook his head, then led the way back to the kitchen. “She makes me crazy.”

“You adore her.”

“I do. She’s great with Gabriel. He can be a real curmudgeon, but she doesn’t mind. As you may have noticed, she gives as good as she gets. He thinks she’s great, although he’d rather eat worms than admit it.”

Francesca glanced around at the spacious rooms they passed on their way through the house. “Do you rent out rooms?”

“I could. If the security business ever tanks, I’ll think about it.” He led the way into the kitchen.

She had a brief impression of bleached cabinets and tiled counters. French doors led to an open deck with the ocean in the distance. But she was more distracted by Sam’s words than the view. Very nice, she thought. Too nice. If Sam was so all that, why wasn’t he married with six kids?

“What are you thinking?” he asked as he took a step toward her.

“Nothing much. I’m in observation mode.”

“Exploring your environment?” he asked as he moved a little closer.

“Sure.” And him. Flawed or not, she wouldn’t mind exploring him.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

He grinned. “You like my ‘executive at home’ look?”

“It doesn’t stink.”

He chuckled, then stepped in front of her and rested his hands on her waist. She had a half second of warning before he bent low and kissed her.

The light brush of his mouth made her sway toward him. Body parts slowly stirred to life. She rested her fingers on his shoulders, feeling the strength and heat of him.

Her insides warmed, then melted. Legs quivered. She sighed and leaned into him. This was going to be good.

And it was. He ran his hands up and down her back, then swept his tongue across her lower lip. She never thought of protesting, or even worrying that they were standing in a kitchen. There were counters and tables and lots of possibilities, not that she could think of even one when she parted her lips slightly and brushed her tongue against his.

Erotic excitement sizzled. Every inch of skin quivered as they pressed together. He smelled good-male, clean, sexy. He tasted even better. They danced and stroked and explored. He dropped his hands to her rear and squeezed. She instinctively arched against him, which brought her belly in contact with his erection. The proof of his arousal both delighted and terrified her.

He broke the kiss and stared at her. Fire danced in his gold-brown eyes.

“So you’re the kind of girl my grandfather always warned me about. The ones who get guys like me in trouble.”

His hands were still on her waist. She liked the weight of them there. She lightly squeezed his shoulders. “How on earth would I get you in trouble?”

“I can think of a thousand ways.”

She could only think of a couple, but she wasn’t prepared to share lists.

She studied his face, enjoying the way he watched her. As if he liked what he saw. They weren’t moving, weren’t touching, except for where their hands rested. The moment shouldn’t have been special or intimate, yet it was both.

The aching inside of her grew. It moved low in her belly, then flared out to her thighs. Her body felt heavy. She felt thick, swollen, and wet. All this and they’d only kissed.

She didn’t want to know. Well, okay-maybe she did.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Nothing I’m going to tell you.”

He laughed. “That sounds promising. Come on. We’ll open a bottle of wine and go sit on the deck. While we stare at the ocean, you can tell me about your day.”

He released her and crossed to the counter. As she watched him move, she realized she was completely out of her element. Sam obviously knew what he was doing. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to find herself well and truly seduced.

She walked over to lean against the counter. The sight of the familiar label made her smile.

“I see I’ve converted you,” she said, touching the Marcelli Wines bottle.

“It didn’t take much convincing.”

He pulled out the cork and poured them each a glass of Merlot, then led the way out onto the deck. The afternoon sun had warmed the redwood and the wicker chairs. When Francesca sat down, Sam pulled an ottoman over, positioning it between their chairs.

“To summer nights,” he said, holding out his glass.

She touched hers to his, then took a sip. Summer nights. She couldn’t remember one quite like this. There was still an hour or so to go until sunset. The view of the ocean stretched out in the distance, the vastness of the water offering endless possibilities. A handsome man who made her skin tingle and her heart flutter sat next to her. This was definitely a top-ten moment for the week.

“Tell me about your day,” he said as he shifted and lifted his feet to the ottoman. Francesca had already stretched out her legs to rest her heels on the white wicker. Their bare toes, the proximity, the casual acceptance all made her feel as if they’d done this a thousand times before. It was disconcerting. It was very nice.

“My sister, Mia, came to see me,” she said. “She’s leaving for Washington, D.C., in the morning. Mia is eighteen, a junior at UCLA, and brilliant. She’s majoring in political science and is probably going to take over the world some day. As if all that isn’t enough, she’s amazing with languages. This summer she’s taking a six-week language course. She’ll be studying Japanese.”

Sam glanced at her. “Is she your only sister?”

Francesca thought about her family. “How scared do you want to be?”

“I already know about your family history. Is it more intimidating than that?”

“You’ll have to tell me.” She sipped her wine. “My fraternal grandparents, my maternal grandmother, and my parents all live in a hacienda up by the vineyard. I have a sister, Katie, who is older by a year and a fraternal twin, Brenna. Mia is the baby-she’s nine years younger than me.”

Sam looked impressed. “I won’t complain about Gabriel anymore.”

“You’d better not. Grandma Tessa, my father’s mother, is pure Italian. For her, everything in life can be healed with more pasta. Mary-Margaret O’Shea is my mother’s mother. We call her Grammy M. She’s Irish, tiny, but strong-willed. We’re Italian-Irish and Catholic. The family is loud, volatile, and rosaries appear at the drop of a hat.”

He smiled. “You love them. I can hear it in your voice.”

“I do. I can’t imagine what it would be like to grow up with a small family.”

“There are pluses and minuses.” He set his wine on the table between their chairs. “I’m going to delight you with my culinary abilities.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I already have potatoes baking in the oven. Elena made a salad earlier, and I’m going to grill steaks.”

She laughed. “I’m so impressed I can barely breathe. Will you actually take the potatoes out of the oven yourself?”

“Absolutely. Although if it makes you feel better, you can help.”

“It’s almost too much. I’m going to bet that next you’ll be telling me you can pour milk on cereal and make toast.”

“How’d you guess?” He rose. “Come on. You can watch and marvel.”

She set down her wine and stood. “So much for you hiring Elena for your grandfather. You sound like you need a keeper, too.”

“No way. I can order take-out as well as any other guy.”

“I guess I shouldn’t make fun of you. I’m not much of a cook, either. Although I can boil up frozen ravioli like nobody’s business.”

“That’s something,” he said, and took her hand in his.

Francesca allowed him to lead her inside. She felt good. Better than good, she was tingling. Being around Sam made her physically aware in a way that was new and exciting. She liked how they teased and laughed. So far there hadn’t been any awkward pauses or stumbling conversations, and this dating stuff was looking pretty good.

He walked into the family room, where he released her and moved over to a stack of complicated-looking electronic equipment.

“Any musical preferences?” he asked.

“Not really.”

While he flipped through several CDs, she walked around the room. A large, overstuffed sofa faced a widescreen television with massive speakers on either side. To the left was the electronic tower Sam held court over; to the right was a set of French doors leading to the patio.

Francesca moved to her right, where open shelves displayed everything from books to pictures. There were several of Sam with an older man she guessed was his grandfather, a few shots of foreign locations, and none of his parents. No other women, either, which she supposed was a good thing.

Magazines lay on a coffee table. Time, Fortune, Car and Driver. Talk about a guy. She smiled.

As she completed her circuit, soft strains of music filled the room.

Sam touched her shoulder, causing her to turn toward him. He moved close, putting both his hands on her waist.

“Dance with me,” he said.

Awkwardness filled her. “Here? In the family room?”

“Would you be more comfortable in the kitchen?”

“No. I just-”

He didn’t wait for an explanation. She had the feeling he didn’t wait for much. Instead he began moving her to the slow beat, pulling her closer with each step until they were pressed against each other. She gave into the rhythm and raised her arms so she could link her hands behind his head.

She found herself caught up in his steady gaze, in the feel of his body against hers. There were defining moments in life, she thought hazily. And magic ones. This dance, this night, this man fell into the latter category. If she was interested in reacquainting herself with a journey exploring life’s possibilities, he seemed like the perfect guide.

He leaned down and brushed his mouth against hers. This time she immediately recognized the aching for what it was. Desire.

She gave herself up to the sensation and the kiss. His tongue stroked her lower lip before slipping inside her mouth. She welcomed him, surging against him. The edges of the world blurred, then faded as she lost herself in the passion of the moment.

He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, slowly. Over and over his tongue stroked against hers, circling, teasing, until she only wanted to surrender. Their bodies continued to move to the rhythm of the music, a steady erotic beat that matched the thundering of her heart.

Hunger filled her, pulsing, driving, and demanding. Hunger, but not for the promised steak and salad. Instead she starved for this man. Her sisters had teased her about it being too long, but she hadn’t really believed them. Not until this moment, when she felt empty and malnourished. She wanted to be touched all over and to touch in return. She wanted to feel slick heat and surging surrender. She wanted to give herself up to the moment, to the man, and then spend the next forty-eight hours in a sensual fog.

Between her legs, flesh swelled and wept in anticipation. Her panties grew damp. Her breasts ached as her nipples tightened. Her skin was suddenly too small, her clothes too confining. She ached… all over.

The kissing wasn’t enough, she thought, fighting frantic need. She pressed harder against Sam, desperate to rub against him, to feel friction and contact and pleasure. Her brain began to shut down as instinct took over. The hunger grew and burned. Unfamiliar, powerful, it should have frightened her. Maybe with another man it would have, but not with Sam.

He pulled away and stared at her. Passion tightened his features. His breathing was as fast and hard as her own.

“Hell of a kiss,” he murmured, his voice thick and low.

She stared at him without speaking.

He swore. “Francesca, do you have any idea what your eyes are telling me? If you don’t mean them to say yes, you’d better speak up right now.”

She waited for good sense to take over. Nothing happened.

“I guess I don’t have anything to say,” she whispered.

He rubbed his thumb across her mouth. “You’re pure fantasy material, you know that?”

Her? A fantasy? That worked. She reached up and kissed him.

Sam responded with a deep groan that shook her down to her toes. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. Sometime in all this they’d stopped dancing. She didn’t mind. Nothing really mattered except the fire inside of her and the man in front of her.

He dropped his hands to her shoulders, then slid them down to her hands. Even as he kissed her cheeks, her jaw, her chin, he was pulling her out of the room. They made it to the hallway, where they clung to each other for a second before racing up the tall, wide flight of stairs.

On the second floor Francesca saw little more than hardwood floors, windows, and doors before Sam was pulling her along the hallway. At the end he entered through double doors, and pushed them shut behind her. Then he was drawing her close and touching her… everywhere.

He stroked her back, her rear, her hips, then slipped around to settle his hands on her waist. At the same time he kissed her. His tongue brushed against hers with a passionate tenderness that made her catch her breath.

She touched him in return. The width of his shoulders. Hard muscles contrasted with the softness of his shirt. She traced the breadth of his chest, then circled to his back. His hands climbed toward her breasts, hers dipped to his rear. They reached their destinations at the same time, and as her fingers dug into high, tight flesh, he brushed against her hard, sensitive nipples.

They both gasped.

The ache inside of her intensified. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been touched there. How many years had it been since she’d felt the pressure of a firm caress on tight, hungry skin?

He cupped her curves, then broke the kiss to bend down. Through the layers of her dress and bra, she felt the heat of his breath. He bit down gently and she nearly screamed.

He reached for the buttons running down the front of her dress. At the same time she tugged his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans. She vaguely recalled that in the past she’d been somewhat shy and restrained in bed. And she probably would be again. Just not now. Not with the need pounding inside of her like a drum. She ached. Between her legs, the dampness surged until she was wet and slick and ready. She wanted his hands on her-her breasts, between her legs. She wanted his mouth everywhere. She trembled, she shook, she needed.

He finished with the buttons and pushed the dress off her shoulders. She straightened her arms and let it fall to the floor, leaving her wearing bikini panties and a bra.

Sam’s gaze swept over her, and he sucked in a breath. “Stunning,” he said.

“My turn.” She tugged on his polo shirt. “Take this off.”

He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

He went one better. After tugging off his shirt, he unfastened his belt, then his jeans and pushed them to the floor.

She took in the well-toned muscles, the blond hair dusting his chest, the narrow waist, and his erection straining against his briefs. Big feet was right, she thought, mesmerized by the length and thickness of him.

Then she couldn’t think, because he was touching her. He explored her shoulders, her rib cage, then her back, where he easily unfastened her bra. When the bit of lace had fallen away, he cupped her breasts in his hands and kissed her.

The combination was electric. Warm fingers teased her breasts, while his mouth worked its magic on hers. She moaned, she squirmed, she nearly came in her panties.

She touched him back, wanting to get closer. She ached to wrap her legs around him and have him plunge inside of her. She wanted to beg, to scream, to demand. When he began moving them toward the bed, she nearly moaned in relief.

Once they arrived, Sam pulled open a nightstand drawer and set a condom on the surface. The sight of something that practical should have brought Francesca to her senses, but she was too far gone. She glanced at it, had a moment of gratitude, then slipped off her panties and climbed on the bed.

He was right there with her. They surged together, naked, hungry, needing. Even as he bent down to kiss and lick her sensitive breasts, he slipped a hand between her legs.

At the first brush of his fingers, she pulsed against him. She felt ravenous and wanted to swallow him whole. Need made her pulse her hips impatiently.

“More,” she whispered, clinging to him. “Touch me-ah.”

He’d found the spot. That single place of pleasure. He pressed his fingers against it, rubbing firmly, gently, perfectly. She dropped her head to the pillow and sucked in a breath.

It was too good. It had been too long, and damn if Sam hadn’t figured out exactly what made her shake.

He circled that tight spot, shifted until he could caress her with his thumb, then slipped a finger inside.

It was too much. Her body contracted, convulsed, and she was gone. Just like that. Her orgasm swept through her, making her shudder and pant and moan. She lost herself in the pleasure.

So much better than she remembered, she thought hazily as wave after wave of warm, liquid release filled her. Way too good for mortal man.

When the contractions slowed, she opened one eye, then the other. Sam looked both pleased and stunned. She couldn’t help grinning.

“It’s been a long time,” she admitted.

He continued to gently stroke her. “And here I thought you were going to tell me that I’m really good.”

“That, too.”

She studied his eyes, his mouth, the way the blond hair fell over his forehead. She might have had her appetizer, but she was still hungry for the main course.

She reached between them and took his impressive arousal in her hand. With one slow stroke she had him groaning.

“I thought maybe we’d take this guy for a test-drive,” she said. “What do you think?”

“You’re my kind of woman.”

He grabbed the condom and quickly put it on.

Francesca felt her body stretching as he filled her. It took every ounce of self-control not to lose herself in the first thrust. When he was in all the way, he shifted so he was staring down at her. His eyes dilated.

“Don’t hold back on my account,” he said, his voice low and husky. “You’re so damn wet and hot, I’m about to lose it.”

She placed her hands on his back and stroked him. “How do you feel about screaming? I never have before, but I have a feeling I might have to this time.”

“I consider it the highest praise possible.”

“Oh, good.”

With that, he began to move. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the pleasure of him filling her over and over again. Within a few strokes, tension built to unbearable and she couldn’t hold on any longer.

“Oh, Sam,” she breathed, then lost herself in the pleasure. She surged against him, dropped her hands to his rear and pulling him in deeper and deeper.

Thick, powerful contractions rippled through her. She gasped, she writhed, she surrendered. She might have even screamed.

And still her orgasm went on. It crested at the moment he shuddered and stilled. His body tensed, then he collapsed against her.

Francesca lay there, under his body, and slowly opened her eyes. She felt good. Better than good. She felt capable of performing miracles. The lovemaking had been great. Amazing. Sinus-clearing. She wanted to do it again. She wanted-

Reality chose that moment to crash her party. One second she was basking in afterglow so bright she could tan by it, and the next she was hardly able to breathe. Panic swept through her, making her squirm slightly.

Sam raised himself on his arms and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to squash you.”

“It wasn’t that,” she said, trying not to push him away and bolt for freedom. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to school her expression as well as she would like.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She swallowed, then knew she had to come clean. “Everything. I just…” She sucked in a breath. “There’s absolutely no way I want to get married.”