Chapter 14

Blake knocked on Sam’s cabin door and waited impatiently for her to answer. Her departing words had haunted him most of the night. The lack of sleep was one of many subjects he’d had to explain to McKinley this morning when he begged to borrow her boots. Not an easy task, considering Denali’s sister liked details. Nor was it easy to stomach the sly smile she graced him with when he spoke of Sam.

He gripped the pair of borrowed hiking boots in his hand. Nervously, he pulled at the laces and wondered what he would say when Sam opened the door. Hard to come up with lame excuses when he couldn’t even understand his own actions.

The hushed scuffle of bare feet across the wooden planks of the cabin caught his attention, and Blake considered telling her the truth, though, he had a strong inkling she already knew. She’d nailed it last night; her parting words had sliced him open like a sharp filet knife. He couldn’t let her in, couldn’t trust the woman. Not with his heart.

Sam swung open the door, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Again, she was barely clothed. Wearing a tight, white tank top and a pair of red panties, the sight nearly knocked the wind out of him.

The memory of her wanton flesh pressed against his came back tenfold.

“Morning,” she said innocently, almost angelic.

Her skin glowed like smooth alabaster, free of any cosmetics, and her natural beauty was beyond words. She was breathtaking. With or without makeup.

Blake eyed her warily. Did she know the kind of effect she had on him? Especially answering the door in her state of dress? Or undress, being the better description.

“Do you want to come in?” she purred and leaned enticingly against the door.

Her breasts stretched the material of her tank top to thin threads, teasing him with the dark shadow of her nipple beneath the fabric.

“No. We have to get going,” he growled, shoving the hiking boots toward her. “Size seven, right? I borrowed them, so treat them the same as you do your fancy stuff, got it?” Gruffly, he placed a hand on the door handle, noting the coy smile spreading across her face. “Stop. Just stop grinning like that. They aren’t a gift. I just don’t want you breaking your neck. I’ll wait out here on the porch while you get dressed. And hurry up, we don’t have all day.”

Alone in her cabin, Sam smugly relived Blake’s shocked expression when she’d greeted him, scantily clothed. Certain he was as equally punished as she was, she’d taken her time before closing the door, and making sure he got a good eyeful.

How’s that for regrets and pushing me away?

Last night, she’d never felt more humiliated. He had rejected her twice now, and today, she felt like making him pay the price. A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Unfortunately, sexual frustration lurked under the top layer of her skin like an itch she couldn’t scratch. She glanced down at the boots she held before placing them neatly on the floor beside the bed. It was so like the man to do something so thoughtful, and then destroy the act of kindness with just a few words.

Just like that, the infuriating man irked her to no end. Well, he could just wait.

Furiously, Sam threw a light-weight, long sleeve shirt over her tank top and slipped into a clean pair of jeans. She paused, contemplating on changing into one of her power suits just to push him over the edge. She fingered her favorite white linen jacket and matching pencil skirt, imagining the fashion statement she’d make by wearing business attire accompanied by the pair of hiking boots.

Hearing his heavy steps pacing across the porch, she changed her mind, choosing to take a few minutes to apply a coat of mascara and a little blush on her cheekbones instead. Then, taking more time, she brushed her teeth using a cup as makeshift sink and ran a comb through her hair.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she put on one of the hiking boots. A perfect fit.

“I borrowed them, so treat them the same as you do your fancy stuff, got it?”

Her mind began to reel, wondering who the boots belonged to. A girlfriend?

The unsettling thought swirled in her head for a minute before anger began to spike.

How dare he!

The man certainly had nerve. And a girlfriend.

Sam fumed. That cleared up a few things. Such as kissing her like there was no tomorrow and then pushing her away. Certainly explained the guilt she’d witnessed in those hazel eyes. Not to mention the way he so easily dismissed their perfect weekend.

A large wave of remorse hit her. He had a girlfriend. And she had kissed him. Hell, she’d practically seduced him. Twice. Geez, she’d even crawled into his sleeping bag. If she had known, she would’ve never crossed that line.

And she wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

A few ground rules needed to be set. The man was officially off limits. Besides, this arrangement was a business proposition anyway. Nothing more, she reminded herself. So what if just being in his presence stole her breath away? She’d just have to stay focused and not let her mind go there again.

And never, no matter what, let him kiss her.

She slipped some lip gloss into a pocket, grabbed her camera, and opened the door to a scowling man. A stern hand on her lower back ushered her off the porch.

So, this was how her day was going to be spent, with a temperamental Wolf—while she wore another woman’s boots.