Chapter Thirteen

Leisurely, Samantha soaped her body as her mind drifted over the last week. Her mother called a dozen times at her father’s behest. Curious as to when Samantha planned to return home. Party preparations progressed smoothly. Only one downside marred her otherwise perfect week. Cody’s strange request to keep their night together a secret brought on a sense of loss. She chose not to ask any questions. Not that she was able to, anyway. He left the morning after their return. Some horse sale in Texas. Whatever his reasons, she respected his wish for silence.

His confession about his past created a trust factor, and this left her content to give him time, for now. Disheartened, she kept her feelings hidden. Maybe it was an ego thing. They disliked each other since day one and a sudden divulgence they were lovers may make Cody appear weak. Considering the attitude he displayed, a ‘tough dude’ who didn’t give in easily, she couldn’t blame the man. The last thought ended on a giggle.

Damn the man. An explanation might have helped at least. He defined egotist well.

Unaware she was scrubbing her body hard, a yelp of pain burst from her lips, “Shit.” She scanned her reddened skin quickly. Annoyed, she opened the cold water and cooled her hot skin at the same time vowing to make Cody shrivel come what may. That’s if he attended the party.

Samantha emerged from the shower, toweled her body dry, and tied her hair up in a towel atop her head. Her closet doors stood wide open as she contemplated a choice of dress. Finally, she picked one, uncoiled her hair, blow dried it, and then brushed it up into a tight ponytail. Next, she slipped into an enticing black G-string panty complete with stockings and garter belt.

She applied her makeup with an articulate hand. A soft blush, black eyeliner, and a flick of mascara enhanced the shape of her eyes. She finished the job with a smear of sweet smelling rosy lipstick. Done, she stepped into an ankle length crimson satin dress, which left one shoulder bare in Grecian fashion. The dress hugged her hips and sported an above the knee length slit. The sexy cut showed off a hint of shapely leg and left the rest up to an admirer’s imagination. Honestly, the dress was meant to draw a man’s eye. Well, one man in particular. Satisfied, she stepped away from the mirror. Finally, she slipped into a pair of high-heeled red sandals, dabbed some of her favorite perfume on her pulse points, and left the room as the first guests arrived.

An hour later, a fusion of country and hip-hop songs blared from the speakers. The party was in full swing. The festive atmosphere created by a hearty mixture of bobbing older couples and dancing youngsters. The food, a delicious buffet and a full bar catered the thirsty. Samantha and Jace’s trick to catch Reece and Deborah by surprise, worked perfectly. The brother and sister, duped by their respective friends, had no clue they walked into a party until the booming ‘surprise’ from the guests.

As payback, Deborah made an undisguised effort to fix her friend up with a suitable partner. From the talkative extrovert to the nerdy introvert, Samantha met them all. Amused, she held back the urge to tell her friend her preference. Silently, she wondered how long Cody intended to avoid her. Disappointed, she partnered with Chance on the dance floor.

“You’re easily the best looking gal at this party, Sam,” Chance complimented.

“You clean up pretty good yourself.” She giggled, appreciating the black denims and a crisp white shirt.

He uttered a throaty laugh. “I hoped to impress…”

“The ladies?”

“You actually.”

Her smile wavered. Guilt suddenly riddled her tummy. How did she tell him she and Cody had a thing? What other word could she use? How did she describe their relationship since one hadn’t actually formed yet, apart from a night of good sex?

“Somethin’ you’re not telling me, darlin’.” Chance intruded her doubts. She shook her head and he continued, “Let me guess. Cody? You’re fallin’ for him?”

She bit her bottom lip. Her gaze roamed his face, searching for signs of condemnation. There was nothing but a soft smile of friendly indulgence. Samantha replied with a vague, “I’m not sure.”

His grip tightened on her waist. “Not the easiest of men but a worthy opponent, I’m sure.” Chance chuckled. “Listen, sweetheart, it’s cool. From now on, consider us good friends, okay?”

Her head bobbed in acknowledgement. “I will.”

The song ended. Samantha dropped into a chair, seeking relief from her tired feet. She lost count of how many people she danced with. The fast-paced music blended into a soft melody, and she uttered an inaudible groan as several men headed in her direction.

“Dance with me…please?”

The low drawl sent a sliver of excitement shimmering through her body. Recognizing Cody’s voice, Samantha twisted in her chair. Her eager eyes drank in his wet hair, freshly shaven face, and powerful body hidden by a cobalt silk shirt that matched his sexy eyes perfectly. Her body imploded with a fierce rush of desire. Yummy. If the man was an apple, she’d eat him right down to the pits.

Her feet didn’t ache anymore as he whirled her onto the dance floor. She closed her eyes and took slow even breaths. His musky scent swirled over her like hot coffee on a cold winter’s morning. Cossetted in his arms, an absolute perfection, their bodies melded together as one in all the right places.

“Open your eyes, Lady.” It was a soft command.

She did as he asked and gazed dreamily into Cody’s gorgeous ones, losing herself in its cerulean depths. His lips curved in an enticing smile. Her legs quivered and resembled shaken jelly. She clung to him and wished the moment suspended in time.

“Where were you?”

“Business.” His arms tightened around her as his hips thrust against hers. The heat of the contact fused them together. Slowly, they glided across the dance floor.

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“I assumed you were avoiding me.” She read the scrutiny in his eyes.

“Why should I?” His raised brow intrigued Samantha.

“You didn’t say goodbye so I naturally—”

“Assumed I was avoiding you?” He completed her statement. A languid smile played at the corners of his mouth. “And tell me, my dear sweet Lady, what gave you that impression.”

His fingers created dizzy webs of sensation as he gently kneaded her back. Samantha begged her mind to focus on his words. “You asked me to keep a secret. I decided you were evading me.”

Cody chuckled. The deep throaty sound pulsated along her spine with fiery-hot fervor. As her gaze swept the floor, Samantha noticed they received more than a few interested stares. She laughed thinking about the threads of the rumor mill festering among their guests.

“Care to share the joke?”

“We appear to be the talk of the dance floor.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Me? Why should it? You should be the one worried,” she said, candidly.

“And why should it affect me?”

“’Cause they’re talking about you.” She ran gentle hands over the bulge of his biceps. “It’s common knowledge you’re a prude.”

“Am I? And who’s the bearer of this fantastic revelation?”

“The folks at this party, your sister, and Freda…shall I go on?”

“Is that so? Why do they call me a prude?”

“Well, for one thing you don’t dance and you’re not much of a social bee. You disappear during photo opportunities.” The slow song traversed into another soft melody. Cody eased them around the dance floor and tightened his hand on her waist. Their bodies glided and swayed as one. Samantha leaned her head against his shoulder. The scent of him filled her nostrils. He smelt of forbidden desire and musky mint. The rhythm of the song so slow, they were barely moving. All she could hear was the sound of her blood as it rushed chaotically through her ears. Her body ached for his intimate touch.

“But I’m dancing now, aren’t I.”

“Point taken.” She laughed. “I think we’ve escalated a notch higher in everyone’s conversations. Maybe you should dance with the other female guests and you’d probably rid your image of its prudish title.”

“No. I prefer dancing with the host of the party and the most beautiful lady here tonight.”

Samantha blushed. “Flattery will get you everything, Mr. Bentley.”

“Everythin’?”

“Everything.” She winked suggestively, and he laughed.

Heat from his palms, bold and powerful, tormented her aroused body through the satin material of her dress. Her nipples peaked and hardened. Cody drew her closer into his embrace. Her chest tightened. The feel of his large frame snug against her body sent jolts of electricity through her body. Her hands drifted up of their own accord and brazenly encircled his neck. Provocatively, her fingers played with his hair before sliding down his shoulders and over his chest. Hard muscles beneath the silk material of his shirt met her searching palms. Samantha rolled her hips seductively. Guessing by the steel rod in his pants, he was equally aroused.

Cody made a strangled noise then hissed in a breath, clearly flustered. “I think we should stop dancing now.”

“What’s the matter?” she asked breathlessly, hypnotized by the torrid desire in his gaze.

“Lady, if we don’t stop dancing right now I won’t be held liable for my ungentlemanly behavior.” The soft threat didn’t match the playful tease in his eyes.

“You’re too much of a patrician to honor your threat.” She uttered a low laugh.

“Since when have I become a patrician? I recall not so long ago you didn’t consider me much of a man.” His head cocked to one side. “You think I won’t honor my word?”

Samantha reddened. A comment uttered in the heat of anger. “You’re way too chicken to carry it out, especially in front of your friends and neighbors,” she teased, enjoying his apparent discomfort.

Cody swore under his breath. “You may’ve won for now, darlin’, but I’ll get even. It’s a promise,” he vowed softly. “And when I do you—”

“I’ll be waiting, patiently,” she cut in cheekily as the music ended.

As they parted, Deborah waved and winked. Samantha’s silent “what’s up?” received no response. Recalling Cody’s pledge, she grinned. The man was in for a rude awakening.

Later, she wished Deborah goodnight and climbed the stairs slowly. At the top, indecisiveness crept in. She nibbled her lower lip. Suddenly, her bold plan didn’t appear so appealing. If Cody suspected what she had in mind, he may call her uncertainty ‘a weakling’. She wasn’t a quitter. The idea of facing his taunt bolstered her courage. Determined, she paced her unhurried steps down the landing. Outside the door, she calmed her erratic nerves and gripped the knob tightly. Are you really doing this? The question popped up uninvited. Yes.

The man needed to understand. As an equal, she could match him in anger and in passion. This seemed like the only way, a cruel means, but a way nonetheless. By no means an expert on such things, she intended to show him the light. And if you fail? I’ll cross that bridge… Samantha shrugged on her incomplete thought with a smile. There was simply nothing else to do except throw caution to the wind and jump right in. Now or never. To back down wasn’t an option…