CHAPTER TWENTY
Flynn made sure he said a few words to Kyle and William, found a drink at one of the outside bar stations, and wandered away from the crowd. He’d spotted several familiar faces and several unknown ones he’d normally be interested in introducing himself to, most notably a pint-sized brunette with mouthwatering tits.
Tonight, however, he wasn’t in much of a party mood.
The band wasn’t bad. He could do worse than consider Kyle’s group for a spot in Cameron’s movie. He sipped his vodka and tonic and wondered what in the hell he’d hoped to accomplish by knocking on Sami’s door.
Clearly she hadn’t wanted to see him. She’d looked nothing other than annoyed when she opened the door.
Annoyed, but beautiful, despite the mess she’d made of her face. For a woman hell-bent on perfection, it must have been difficult for her to entertain her boyfriend and parents in such a state.
Boyfriend.
Flynn furrowed his brow and bit back a curse. Had he truly expected Sami to launch her huggable body into his open arms? He was the schmuck who had slipped out of her bed, the schmuck who hadn’t called her.
It hadn’t taken That Guy long to move in on her. He’d had his arm around her as if she were his property. Flynn took a healthy swig of his drink and frowned. They couldn’t have gone on enough dates or seen enough of one another for him to be acting with that degree of assurance. Arrogant assurance, to be more accurate. He frowned again, glaring at his now-empty glass.
He made his way through the dancing, shifting throng of party-goers, back to the bar. The bartender, a hot package in a low-cut silver mini-dress, gave him a pretty pout and a nice strong vodka tonic. He nodded, absently, and passed her a tip. She smiled and invited him to come back soon.
He strolled away, out toward the path to the woods, the path he’d walked with the dogs and presumably the place where Sami had tripped and fallen. He walked a good long way before he turned around. He owed his hosts a bit more time and attention. He hadn’t earned his excellent reputation by exhibiting anti-social behavior. Flynn almost smiled as he heard Sami’s voice in his head reeling off that sort of sentence.
God but he missed her.
As he came out of the woods, he heard Ruby barking. He picked up his pace and as the stairs to the apartment came into view, he saw the three dogs rushing down the steps, with That Guy holding the leashes.
Flynn stopped in his tracks.
For a moment, he had trouble catching his next breath.
That Guy had no right to be holding the leashes for Ruby, Shelby and Rusty. Flynn wanted to rip them out of his hand and claim the right to be the one to walk Sami’s dogs. He took a step forward.
And caught himself.
He pulled back into the shadows of an oak tree. That Guy didn’t seem to be too patient with the dogs. He yanked at Ruby’s leash more than once, ordering her to stop barking.
Flynn shook his head. Good luck with that one, he thought.
One by one the dogs did their business and That Guy hustled them up the stairs.
Walked inside.
Closed the door.
Flynn hurried past, back to the party. He found the pint-size brunette and tried to lose himself dancing with her. Giving her every expectation of a night ahead of hot, wild sex.
They were dancing on the far edge of the pool decking, the edge nearest to the garage, when Flynn saw the lights go out in Sami’s apartment.
He pulled the girl against him, dancing more slowly. She responded, tipped her head and offered her mouth.
Flynn mumbled something about getting another drink and made his way to the boat house.
He skipped the drink.
He didn’t go back to the more-than-willing sex kitten.
He slipped into a hammock and cursed himself for the fool that he was.
Sami woke later than usual. Her face felt stiff and tender; her vision was not 100%. Well, what did she expect? She pushed up against the lavender pillows. This bed was not as comfortable as the one in the blue and white room, nor did it have the French doors leading out to the balcony. She was a fool to avoid that room just because of Flynn.
Sami threw back the covers and swung her feet over the side of the bed. With luck, she’d never see Flynn again.
Never feel his arms around her or his lips on hers. She blushed. Or his lips on other more sensitive parts of her body. Just thinking how he’d made her feel, her breasts, traitors to her mind, tingled.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said out loud.
Ruby came running, barking, naturally.
Chase was the man in her life. Chase was the one who would make her feel hot and deliciously sexy.
Only he didn’t.
Sami shoved her feet into her sandals, frowning.
Of course Chase made her feel special. And perfectly desirable.
She pulled a shirt over her pajama top and headed to the door, knowing that all three dogs would need to go out right away. With Kyle and William, who had eyes only for each other, the only other residents on the estate, Sami didn’t bother with what she looked like when she took the dogs out.
As soon as the dogs had romped and relieved themselves, she picked up after them, and headed inside. The sun was bright and the day already warm. Sami stripped off her clothes and slipped into her bikini. Kyle had told her she could swim in the pool anytime she wanted. She’d take advantage of that offer before she made breakfast and headed to Toya’s to pick up the twins.
The dogs padded after her to the pool. Evidence of last night’s party was all around, which probably meant the caterer would be returning with a cleaning crew. Well, no one was around at the moment, so Sami walked to the deep end and dove into the water.
The movement hurt her cheek, but the water felt so good otherwise that she ignored the slight pain. She swam with steady strokes to one end and back, then turned over and moved with a gentler backstroke. Much easier on her bruised face.
The sun felt good. She hummed a tune and enjoyed the flow of the water as she floated and stroked across the pool. She closed her eyes and imagined she was a mermaid.
Then she chuckled at her own imagination.
She was Sami Pepper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy. And prospective bride of Dr. Chase Carpenter.
She frowned.
She and Chase hadn’t known each other long enough for either one of them to be thinking so seriously about the future. She didn’t know his favorite food or his favorite color or what he did during the night if he woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. She didn’t know if he ever indulged in junk food. Well, that was a probably not. He went light on the alcohol too, which was a plus. And Nathalie clearly adored him.
“Why the frown, water nymph?”
At the unmistakable sound of Flynn’s voice, Sami jerked, lost her floating balance and swallowed a mouthful of pool. She began to tread water. “What are you doing here?”
“Wild night. Slept over. What about you? Golden Boy around somewhere?”
Sami pursed her lips. “That is none of your business.”
Ruby charged toward Flynn, who knelt and petted her head despite her madly wriggling body.
Sami swam to the opposite side of the pool, but stayed mainly underwater. She didn’t feel like rising from its protective covering with her scantily clad body. Not with Flynn looking on.
On the other hand, he deserved to be tormented. She smiled, and her backside to Flynn, climbed slowly up the ladder, shaking the droplets from her hair. She raised her hands over head, stretched, then bent over and treated Flynn, should he be watching, to a shot of her derriere lifted high in the air. With a satisfied sigh, she reached for her towel and dabbed at her face.
“You really know how to tease a guy,” Flynn said, his voice growing nearer.
Sami turned, the towel in front of her body. He was right beside her, looking at her as if he wanted to swallow her whole. She gave him a full reprise of the sexy facial techniques he’d counseled her to use, saving the licking the drops of water off her lips for last.
“You ought to be arrested,” Flynn said.
“I believe you are the person trespassing,” Sami said. She’d had her moment of triumph, watching him salivate over a body he could no longer reach out and touch. She wrapped the towel around her, tucking the ends over her breasts.
“Kyle and William invited me to stay in the pool house as long as I want to,” Flynn said.
Sami wasn’t sure she believed him, but then Kyle did seem eager for Flynn to represent his band. She narrowed her one good eye. “And how long will that be?”
“I don’t know, Sweet Stuff.”
She stiffened. “Please don’t address me by that name.”
Flynn leaned close. “It suits you so well.”
She batted his hand away. “You know perfectly well that Chase and I are a couple now. If that wasn’t obvious to you last evening, let me make it perfectly clear. What happened between you and me never, ever happened.”
“You can’t get it out of your mind either, can you?”
He was standing way too close. She could almost feel his breath on her cheek. “I have to go,” she said. “I’m babysitting for Toya.”
“Golden Boy driving you there?”
“No.” She met his gaze halfway. “He isn’t here.”
“Ah,” Flynn said. “Then let me drive you.”
“I am perfectly—“
“Not with one eye. Didn’t one of that bevy of doctors tell you your peripheral vision is adversely affected when one eye is swollen as much as your right one?”
“Oh,” Sami said. “And I was planning to pick up the kids and bring them back here for the afternoon. But I certainly can’t endanger Toya’s children.”
“Happy to drive you.” He winked. “That is, if you think Golden Boy won’t get jealous.”
“It’s nothing to Chase if I accept a friendly offer of assistance.”
He cocked a brow. “Guess you should know. What time do we leave?”
“In about an hour. I need breakfast first. So do the dogs.”
“So does Flynn,” Flynn said. “I don’t suppose you’d toss me out an egg and a cup of coffee?”
Despite her annoyance at being saddled with Flynn, and the memory of what they’d done together in that one foolish night of passion, Sami laughed. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but Flynn had that ability to tickle her sense of humor. “Come on. I won’t leave you to starve. You can make the coffee while I shower.”
Ruby dogged their heels as they headed toward the garage and up the stairs. It was comfortable, walking side by side, not talking, and not feeling a need to chatter to fill the quiet. Inside, Sami started getting nervous, and quickly pulled the coffee beans out, one hand holding her towel in place.
“Go ahead and shower,” Flynn said in a quiet voice. “You can relax. I’m not going to follow you.”
Sami hurried down the hall, unsure whether she was more frustrated with his statement or with her own inability to stay away from a fire that had already burned her once.
Flynn watched Sami’s first few steps toward the bedroom and then performed a swift about-face. Out of sight; out of mind.
He wished.
He wished he could erase her from his thoughts. Then he could move on.
Flynn jerked open the refrigerator door, eyeballed the contents and pulled out a carton of eggs and a package of English muffins. Truth was, of course, he did not want to banish Sami from his mind or from his life.
He liked her. Enjoyed her company. Respected her opinions.
He just didn’t share her life goals.
Flynn cracked an egg into a bowl. Then another. And a third.
He and Cameron were the best of friends, but they had chosen differing personal paths. He cracked a fourth egg and tossed the shells into the disposal. So there. He could be Sami’s friend. He poured beans into the coffee maker, and set them up to grind and brew.
By the time he’d located a skillet and a stick of butter, he’d started whistling. Life was good. Even if he couldn’t hold Sami close, feel her sweet breath on his cheek, listen to her soft moans of pleasure, hell, he could deal with that. There were plenty of other women in the world for that pastime.
But there was only one Sami.
“Hey,” said the object of his mental fixation. “You’re making us breakfast.”
He jerked around in surprise. He’d figured she’d be a lot longer in the shower. “Yeah. Gourmet scrambled eggs.” He flashed a grin at her, thinking she looked about sixteen in her short shorts and tank top, her damp hair pulled into a pony tail. “Thought I’d go ahead and get a head start. Coffee’s almost done.”
“You are efficient,” Sami said. “And that’s a compliment.”
He made her a bow.
She put two mugs on the counter, and then searched in the refrigerator. “I think we’re out of milk for your coffee,” she said.
“I’ll make do with sugar,” Flynn said.
“What was that tune you were whistling?” She poured coffee as she asked the question.
Flynn shrugged. “Something I heard in my head.”
“I think you would be pleased with the results if you wrote down your tunes.”
Flynn kept his attention on the eggs cooking in the pan. “Pop those muffins into the toaster, will you?"
“Hmm,” Sami said. “Of course. And I’ll drop the topic about your music. No man or woman should be pestered about life goals before breakfast.”
He smiled at her, tossed the eggs around the pan and then moved them off the heat. When the muffins were done, they fixed their plates and carried their breakfast to the sofa.
Sami took a bite of the eggs. “Perfect,” she said. “Soft, not runny, and definitely not overcooked. You are a man of many talents.”
Flynn hoisted his coffee mug toward her.
“How are things going with Violet?” Sami asked.
“Good. I’ve signed her. She’s got a strong future and with her role in Cam’s film, she’ll hit the charts in a hurry.”
“I guess that means you met with what’s-his-name?”
As Sami asked her supposedly innocent question, Flynn definitely detected an impish expression in her eyes.
“Rod the…” He trailed off. “Sorry. Almost said something rude there.”
Sami laughed and put one hand over an ear. “Don’t make me blush.”
“Why ever were you flirting with that letch?”
“I believe I told you I was practicing the techniques you were generous enough to teach me.”
“Oh, yeah.” Flynn glanced away. She had told him that. Right before he’d swept her up in his arms and carried her to bed. “Well, never mind that. Perhaps we should add discretion in dating decisions to the lessons.”
She laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t need any more lessons. Chase and I are perfect for each other.”
Flynn looked at his empty plate. “Right. Perfect.” That’s why That Guy was nowhere to be found when Sami needed a driver. He frowned and stood up. “I’m ready to chauffeur you when you’re ready to go.”
Sami jumped up from the sofa so fast Ruby started barking. Flynn was going out of his way to help her, so the least she could do was get ready to go quickly. She carried her dishes to the sink. “I’ll just get my purse,” she said and raced down the hall. She’d been so comfortable sitting next to Flynn, she’d forgotten about getting to Toya’s. It wasn’t like Sami to be so irresponsible. Why, she’d turned down an afternoon of sailing with Chase because she’d already committed to babysit for her friend. That was the responsible Sami.
She shoved her feet into sandals and collected her purse. Flynn was standing by the front door.
“Dogs in our out?” he asked.
“In. The caterers might be back cleaning up from last night’s party. And we won’t be long. Toya lives in West End.”
He nodded and opened the door, corralling the dogs while Sami walked out. Ruby kept up her barking as they descended the stairs.
“She takes getting used to,” Flynn said.
“She’s such a likable dog,” Sami said. “All she needs is constant love, reassurance and acceptance. And that’s not so much to ask after the rough life she’s experienced.”
“Constant love, reassurance and acceptance,” Flynn said, drawing out each word. “Isn’t that the prescription for all of us?”
Sami opened her car door, and then remembered she wasn’t driving. Heading to the passenger side, she said, “Can you think of a better one?”
Flynn slid behind the wheel, looking over at her with a funny expression on his face. “I think that’s the Rx you’re seeking. And not one you’ve gotten from Emile and Nathalie. At least not Nathalie.”
Sami sighed and slipped her sunglasses on her face. The day was too pretty and her mood too mellow to dive into those murky, emotional waters. “Drive,” she said.
They headed through the gates onto the roadway. “In all fairness,” Sami said, after a while, “I do think they love me. In their own way.” She should tell Flynn about her talk with them. He’d been by her side while she read the journal. And she wanted to share with Flynn. She lowered her glasses. “Emile confirmed that Philippe was my father.”
“That must have been a difficult conversation.”
“Emile was wonderful,” Sami said. She wrinkled her brow. “Nathalie not so much. But Emile and I, well, he’s different somehow. It’s as if having been released from the spell of secrecy he’s more emotionally open.”
“I hope it’s a new page for all three of you,” Flynn said. “With acceptance, which may be most important.”
“Being embraced for just being me? Without having to measure up to a set of standards and expectations?”
“Yeah, that.” Flynn took a hand from the wheel and before she knew what he was going to do, he patted the back of her hand. “I accept you, Sweet Stuff. Exactly the way you are.” He put his hand back on the wheel. “For whatever that’s worth,” he added.
Sami didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to rush to assure him his statement meant the world to her. Part of her wondered why she couldn’t have more, why Flynn couldn’t offer not only reassurance, but love.
Stupid.
Idiotic.
What was she thinking?
Sami gazed out the side window. “Take a right on West End.”
He followed her directions in silence. Sami indicated the turn into Toya’s upscale condominium community. Toya said she and her husband were house-hunting now that they had to prepare for another set of twins but the search had been put on hold once she’d been ordered to be on bed rest. Perhaps Sami could assist her. That thought perked her up and helped her think about something other than the disturbing feelings and thoughts Flynn’s words and his presence created within her.
How much simpler it would have been on the deck of Chase’s sailboat, with the breeze ruffling her hair and no worries crowding her mind. Except he’d invited Emile and Nathalie. Not a recipe for relaxation. Sami sighed.
Flynn pulled into a visitor parking spot. “Your destination, ma’am. Shall I wait in the car?”
She shook her head. “Come up and meet Toya.” She got out of the car. Flynn walked around to her side and they headed into the building. “Besides, we’ll need to drive her car back to my apartment.”
“Something gone wrong with yours?” Flynn jerked his thumb towards her Honda. “Drove just fine.”
“No child seats,” Sami said.
“What did you just say?” He’d stopped stock still.
“No infant seats.” She glanced at him in surprise. “The twins are three, Flynn. They can’t be bouncing around in the car.”
“By three I was riding shotgun in the back of a pickup.” He had a stubborn expression on his face.
“The times are a-changing, and it sounds to me as if the evolutionary development has been for the improvement of the species,” Sami said.
Flynn grinned. “Ah, that’s my Sami,” he said. “Love those sentences of yours.”
She narrowed her eyes, almost glaring at him. She knew he didn’t mean anything by his choice of verbs. She punched in the number of Toya’s floor.
“Not much of a building for someone with dogs,” Flynn said.
“Toya has cats. Three of them.”
“At least they don’t have to be walked.”
“I remember you telling me you don’t have any pets,” Sami said.
“Right.” He gazed around the small elevator. “This place reminds me of my condo. Perhaps it’s hanging out with Ruby in the middle of the woods that’s opened my eyes to advantages of other arrangements.”
“I had the impression you grew up in a country setting,” Sami said. Why else would he refer to pickups and big dogs?
“Country is one word for it,” Flynn said.
The elevator doors opened. Sami filed away his comment. She’d ask him about what he’d meant later. She was curious about the path of his life.
Why?
She lifted her hand to the door knocker at Toya’s and frowned. Flynn’s past or future was not her concern.
The door swung open.
Two pint-size toddlers hurtled against her legs. Sami gasped and knelt down to hug the twins. “How are my two favorite urchins?”
The boy pulled free of her hug. “What’s an urchin?”
“A child who likes to have fun,” Flynn said, before Sami could respond with a proper definition.
The boy grinned and looked up at Flynn. “I’m Jadon. Who are you?”
Flynn shook hands and introduced himself.
“That’s Mr. Flynn to you,” Toya called from the sofa. “And Ms. Sami. Respect your elders.”
Sami pried Jamila free from her knees and introduced her to Flynn, then moved the crew toward the couch, where Toya had taken up her daytime residence. The space around her was littered with phones, tablets and various remotes. “How are you feeling?” Sami asked.
Toya arched back and studied Sami’s face. “I think you should answer that question first.”
“I tripped,” Sami said. “Oh, and this is Flynn Lawrence. He insisted on driving me due to possible limited eyesight from the swelling.”
Toya gazed at Flynn, a long slow study. Apparently she approved of what she saw. “Flynn, bless you. If Sami hadn’t been able to take these two whirling dervishes off my hands, I don’t know what I would have done. My mother-in-law had to have a day off. And my husband is prepping for trial.”
“Happy to help,” Flynn said. “Anything you need me to pack in the car to take for the afternoon?” He grinned. “Their favorite toys? Water guns? Swim gear?”
Sami looked at Flynn. He was such a natural. She had difficulty believing he didn’t have—or want— children of his own.
“You’re an angel,” Toya said. “There are two bags there by the door.”
“I’ll take those down first,” he said.
“You’ll need the keys,” Toya said. She pointed to the coffee table. “That’s the fob for my car, parking slot number 91. It’s a gray—“
“Don’t tell me,” Flynn said. “Volvo.”
Toya lifted her brows. “Smart, too,” she murmured.
He picked up the fob. “Be right back.”
No sooner had the front door shut behind him than Toya smacked her lips. “Honey, Chase better be one hot man if you’re going for him instead of this hunk. The man practically walks on water. Swim Gear? Water guns? He sure seems to know what kids are about.”
Sami sank into a chair near the couch. “He is good with kids.” Jamila jumped onto her lap. “Hey,” Sami said. “Do you want to go swimming with me?”
“And Mr. Flynn,” Jamila said. “He’s nice.”
“He is nice,” Sami said, “but he has to work this afternoon.”
“Aw, man,” Jadon said, kicking the bottom of the sofa. “Everybody always has to work.”
He scowled and crossed his arms over his scrawny chest.
Toya sighed. “That’s what mommies and daddies do, sweetheart. That’s what I’m doing this afternoon. But you and your sister will have fun with Sami. Remember she helped teach you to swim last summer?”
Jamila gazed up at her. Sami brushed her hair back from her face. “We’ll be at a different pool this year, but a very pretty one. And I have three dogs this summer.”
“Three!” Jadon ran to her other side. “Just like us. We’re three.”
Sami smiled. “Does it matter what time we get back?”
Toya groaned. “The longer the better. But six is probably a good time. They’ll need baths and dinner.”
Sami nodded. She’d probably be exhausted by then, and it wasn’t fair to ask Flynn to return from his afternoon plans to drive them back much later than six. No doubt he had a hot date lined up for the evening.
Sunday evening. Two weeks since she’d gone with him to hear Violet.
Two weeks since they’d made love.
“You’re looking pretty pensive,” Toya said.
“Oh, excuse me,” Sami said. “Just thinking.”
“Hmm. What’s the magical Mr. Chase doing this afternoon?”
“He’s sailing. He invited Emile and Nathalie. And me.”
“And you chose J & J over that treat?”
Sami made a face at her friend. “You know our rule. No dumping plans with girlfriends because a guy asked us out.”
“And look at your reward,” Toya said, an impish gleam in her eyes. “Time with Flynn, which I’d have to say looks like a darn good consolation prize.”
“He’s a playboy,” Sami said. “And proud of it.”
“Maybe so,” Toya said.
A buzzer sounded. Toya reached for one of the remotes and pressed a button. In a few minutes, Flynn knocked at the door and Toya buzzed him through the entrance. “Handy technology,” she said, with a grimace, pointing at her very pregnant belly.
“All set for the main course,” Flynn said. “Ready?” He held out his hands and each twin grabbed hold.
“Have fun,” Toya said. “And thank you both so much.”
“No worries,” Flynn said.
Sami brushed a kiss over her friend’s forehead. “Back at six.”
“Angels,” Toya said, waving good-bye to her twins.
Angels was not the adjective Sami would have chosen as the most accurate to describe the twins. Just the process of mediating which twin got the car seat behind the driver versus the one behind the front passenger was exhausting. What difference it made was not clear to Sami. After ten minutes of debate, Sami was ready to forget her clever idea of driving them to her apartment. There was a pool at Toya’s condo complex.
Flynn had strolled away to inspect a vintage Corvette. When he returned, he obviously took in the situation in a glance. “Time for rock, paper, scissors,” he announced.
Jadon and Jamila immediately quit arguing and did as he instructed. Jamila won and chose the seat behind the driver. Jadon made a face. Flynn swept him up and deposited him inside the Volvo and had him fastened in in no time flat.
Sami followed with Jamila. “Impressive,” she said over the toddler’s head. “Have you actually done this before?”
He shrugged, gave Jadon a fist bump and closed the car door.
Sami finished securing Jamila. Flynn was a natural with children. Much more so than she, who longed to create her own family. She walked slowly around to the passenger side. Why did he fight the idea so much? She sighed and took her seat.
Flynn was gazing straight ahead, eyes covered by his dark glasses. “Ready?”
She nodded. She studied his cheekbones, his shock of red hair, and his lips, so swift to turn up in a smile, so hot and greedy when he’d kissed her. Oh, yes, she was ready. Sami swallowed, licked her top lip, and then quickly turned her head to look out the window. How inappropriate of her to be salivating over Flynn Lawrence. She was babysitting. She had a duty to pay attention.
“Dollar for those thoughts,” Flynn said, so that only she could hear.
Sami turned toward him. Her mouth curved into a smile. “Oh, they’re worth more than that,” she said, her voice a whispery tease. She wanted to make him want her. She wanted to make him suffer a bit—no, more than a bit, for running away from her.
He cleared his throat.
“Where are your dogs?” Jadon said.
Sami shifted towards the back seat. “At my apartment.”
“You live in an apartment?” Jamila piped in. “Not a house?”
“Right now I live in an apartment,” Sami said.
“Not everybody has a house,” Jadon said. “Not everybody has a dog. We don’t have a dog.” He stuck his jaw out at an argumentative angle. “I want a dog.”
“You have cats,” Sami said.
Jadon stuck his tongue down his throat and made a gagging noise.
Jamila giggled and did the same.
“Can we get ice cream?” Jadon said.
“Well,” Sami said, wondering if Toya had rules about sweets. She should have asked, but she’d been thinking about Flynn instead of concentrating on her assignment. “Does your mother let you have ice cream?”
“Please,” Flynn said. “What kid doesn’t get ice cream?”
“My friend Angelina doesn’t,” Jamila said. “She’s a vegan.” She had a little trouble pronouncing the last word but fought through it.
“Vegan Schmegan,” Jadon said. “She’s from outer space.”
“You are so dumb,” his sister said. “Vegan means she doesn’t eat eggs or milk.”
“Boring,” Jadon said. “Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream.”
“Your call,” Flynn said, smiling at Sami.
Sami looked from one expectant face to the other. “Who knows the correct way to ask for something?”
Jadon rolled his eyes.
“Please,” Jamila said. “Please may we have ice cream?” She folded her hands and gave Sami a beatific smile, which she followed by sticking her tongue out at her brother.
Sami pulled out her phone to locate the closest ice cream shop. Of course a stop meant getting them in and out of their car seats. “There’s a market about two blocks from here,” she said. “Would you run in and buy a carton? We can eat at the pool.”
“Sure,” Flynn said. He jerked a thumb toward the back seat. “But each of them is going to want something different. Kids always do.”
“Oh,” Sami said. “As an only child, I haven’t experienced that phenomenon first-hand.”
He grinned. “And last summer these two were only two so they hadn’t gotten as verbal?”
“What kind of ice cream do you want, Jamila?” Sami asked.
“Vanilla with M&Ms mixed in.”
“Chocolate S’Mores,” Jadon said.
Flynn nodded. “See?”
“There’s a Sonic,” Sami said. “Car service.”
“Clever idea,” Flynn said. He pulled into the lot and found a spot shaded by the overhang of the building. “Time to order. Sami, what’s your pleasure?”
“Vanilla cream, small,” she said. You, a wistful voice inside her head added.
“No extras?” Flynn cocked his head.
“I’ve never added anything,” she said. “As a matter of fact, it’s not my habit to visit Sonic.”
“Just Mickey D’s?”
“That’s for the dogs,” Sami said.
“If you could add anything in the world to your plain vanilla, what would it be?”
Flynn was looking at her in a way that made her feel throughout her whole body that he wasn’t asking just about ice cream toppings. Sami sighed and shifted her gaze toward the outside of the car. She stared at the menu board, but she wasn’t seeing the offerings pictured there. She was seeing Flynn walking the dogs for her at the Hilton, Flynn sending breakfast on a tray, complete with dog biscuits, Flynn holding her while she read Nathalie’s journal, Flynn kissing her, lifting her atop him on the frilly blue bed. But Flynn wasn’t here in the car with her because he wanted her—he was here to chauffeur her and the children, out of his general thoughtful behavior. He’d no doubt do the same for the caretakers or an office assistant.
Sami snapped back to the present and rolled the hem of her shorts. Without meeting his eyes, she said, “Just vanilla. Plain, please.”
“’kay,” he said, his voice curt. He rang the red service call button and gave the three ice cream requests, adding an ice tea for himself.
Sami wanted to ask him why he’d skipped a sweet treat, but she held her question. She had no need or reason to learn anything more about Flynn, about his tastes or preferences or goals or desires. Chase was the man in her life, the man in her future. She shivered slightly. Everything she’d wanted, she was achieving. There was nothing but brightness and happiness ahead of her. Chase was charming and handsome and successful. He was out on his sailboat with her parents right now, as she sat there pondering her feelings. She knew they found him perfect.
As did Sami.
The car hop appeared. Flynn handed her cash as Sami fumbled in her purse.
“I got this,” he said, and in turn passed the treats to the kids and to Sami. To the car hop, he said, “Keep the change.”
A grin split her face. “Thanks!” She skated away.
Generous. Thoughtful. Lovable.
“Thank you, Mr. Flynn,” Jamila said.
“Thank you, Mr. Flynn,” Jadon said.
“You’re welcome,” Flynn said. “You, too, Sweet Stuff.”
“I was about to voice my appreciation,” Sami said.
“You’re back to those adorably proper and somewhat convoluted sentences,” Flynn said, backing the car carefully from the parking spot. “Anything heavy on your mind?”
Sami took a sip of her vanilla cream. There was no point in sharing her thoughts with Flynn. She had her pride. She didn’t want him to think she’d needed him to spend the night with her, the amazing night they’d made—no, not made love. Screwed. That word was one she despised. But surely that’s all it had been to Flynn. She took another sip, way too much in one swallow, and the brain freeze hit her squarely between the eyes. “Oh, my!” she said, holding a hand to her already battered head.
“Careful,” Flynn said. “It’s not just playing with fire that’ll get you burned.”
“Mom and Dad say we’re not supposed to play with fire,” Jadon announced.
“Of course, you’re not,” Sami said, turning toward the back seat, grateful for the interruption. “That was just an expression of speech.”
Jamila wrinkled her precious and precocious little face. “Isn’t all speech an expression?”
“You kids sure you’re only three?” Flynn made the turn into the gated drive and pulled close enough to punch in the code. “I think you’re grownups shrunk into little-size bodies.”
Jadon laughed and ice cream sprayed all around.
“Not so grown-up,” Sami said, looking around for some tissues.
Flynn handed her some napkins from the drive-in and rolled the car through the opened gate and up the drive. Sami dabbed the spots. She was still working on the effort as Flynn parked and released the twins from their car seats.
She got out of the car, holding the crumpled napkins and her vanilla cream. “Thank you for driving us,” she said to Flynn. “And for the ice cream. Should I call or text you when we’re ready to head back? I do appreciate your offer, though I feel as if the swelling in my eye has lessened and that I am perfectly able to drive.”
“Shh,” Flynn said. “Who wants to go swimming?”
“You’re staying here?” Sami knew her question sounded less than welcoming. “Don’t you have appointments? Meetings?” Hot dates?
He shrugged. “It’s Sunday in the south. Not the best time for business.”
“I’ve got my swimsuit on under my shirt,” Jamila said. “Where’s the pool?”
“Let’s go upstairs first,” Sami said. “You may meet the dogs and I’ll change.”
“Dogs!” Jadon headed to the stairs, his legs pumping. “Yes!”
Sami heard the barking already rocking her apartment. She herded Jamila up the stairs behind her twin, held on to them and opened the door, prepared for the Corgi to rush out to see what all the excitement was about.
Flynn lifted a hand. “Catch you at the pool,” he said, and strode away.
What a fool he was. Flynn thought he could handle being around Sami, knowing she was out of his reach. Crossing the drive toward the pool house, he cursed himself for the idiot he knew himself to be. He ought to leave the estate and head straight to the Hilton, take care of business the next day and fly nonstop to LAX. And stay there, even if it meant handcuffing himself to his LA office.
Why couldn’t he keep away from Sami? Why couldn’t he enjoy the many other women who’d be happy to party with him?
Flynn stopped in front of the pool house, one hand on the door knob.
He didn’t want to party with women who didn’t matter.
He wanted to spend days and nights with Sami. Wanted to watch the thoughtful, sometimes puzzled expression on her face as she analyzed whatever topic was foremost in her mind. Wanted to slip an arm around her and pull her close, just to enjoy the nearness of her sweet self. Wanted to make wild, mad, passionate love. Wanted to wake up next to her.
Shit.
Flynn yanked open the door.
Never once in his life had he thought in those terms about a woman.
He stomped into the pool house, yanked his overnight bag onto a wicker chair and tossed the contents around till he found his swim trunks. He lifted them out, kicked off his shoes, and then halted.
What the fuck was he doing?
He needed to get the hell away. He needed to escape his crazy thoughts.
He needed to run.
Flynn kicked his bag off the chair and dropped into the seat.
Run.
Run away.
Exactly the way his sorry-ass birth father had done.
He’d always known, deep down inside, that’s what he would do if he ever got truly involved with a woman. He wouldn’t be able to handle the fear that he’d be out the door, stranding someone he cared for and someone precious who was depending on him.
He didn’t need a frigging degree in psychology to understand why he’d always been a playboy.
He wished he could tell Sami what was racing through his mind. He’d be willing to bet she’d help him process, help him understand.
But then what?
He couldn’t tell her she was the woman he wanted but that he was afraid he’d fail. Hell, he’d practically thrown her into That Guy’s arms. And she was happy to be there, that was fairly apparent. She’d already introduced him to Emile and Nathalie and met his parents, for Pete’s sake. They might as well be setting a wedding date.
Flynn jumped up from the wicker chair, almost overturning it. He had no right to mess up Sami’s life. Even if she was the perfect person to help him figure out his crazy-minded self, he shouldn’t burden her.
He dropped his pants and briefs and stepped into his swim trunks. Today was for Jadon and Jamila. He’d help Sami with them and drive them safely back to their home.
Then he’d get the hell away from Sami.
She deserved a husband and a family and a man who could provide security for her.
But even as he fastened the cord at his waistband, he knew he couldn’t walk away.
“Jerk,” he said under his breath. “You don’t want to give her what she wants, but you don’t want her to have it with some other guy.”
He ran his hands through his hair and decided to quit thinking. He was doing such a poor job, what difference did it make?
“Mr. Flynn! Hurry up!”
Flynn turned at the sound of Jadon’s voice coming from the pool deck and at the Corgi barks accompanying him. “Be right there,” he called.
Luckily, thanks to the splashing battles between the twins and diving competitions and water polo matches, Flynn managed to mostly quit thinking about anything other than having fun with the kids. Except for every time he’d catch sight of Sami in her bikini, and then he’d have to dive underwater to force his eyes shut.
Laughing, Sami climbed the pool ladder and dropped onto one of the chaises. Flynn remained in the pool with the twins, obviously inexhaustible. They’d been cavorting like dolphins for several hours, only stopping when Sami insisted on refreshing their sunscreen, much to Jadon’s disgust.
Jamila was riding on Flynn’s shoulders, tossing a water polo ball toward her brother. She was giggling and smiling and holding onto Flynn’s ears.
Flynn bobbed in the water and helped her evade Jadon’s swift return toss. Flynn seemed so at ease, so at home with the kids in the water.
Sami blinked. It wasn’t just the droplets of pool water she was clearing from her eyes. She lifted the edge of a towel and dabbed at her face. Flynn was denying himself the joy of his own children.
“Stupid man,” she said under her breath. She stood up, wrapped a towel around her waist and called, “Time to dry off.”
“Not yet!” Jadon yelled.
“Can’t be,” his sister added.
Flynn sketched a salute. “We heard the sergeant, troops. Outta the water we go.”
To Sami’s amazement, Jadon swam to the edge and hopped out and Jamila didn’t complain as Flynn lifted her over his shoulders and onto the pool deck.
“Can we do this again next weekend?” Jamila gazed with obvious hero worship at Flynn.
He climbed out of the pool. “Let’s enjoy today and let tomorrow take care of itself.”
Jamila wrinkled her nose. “Can tomorrow really take care of itself?”
Flynn winked and whispered, “I guarantee it, but don’t tell. It’s our secret.”
Jamila made a lip-zipping motion.
Sami handed towels out and helped the twins dry off before they headed up to her apartment. When they reached the top of the stairs, followed by the dogs, she realized Flynn had joined them, unlike before they’d gone to the pool. Pausing before she led the kids to the bathrooms to change out of their wet suits, she said, “There’s orange juice in the refrigerator. Will you pour some for everyone?”
His smiles and laughter from the swim time had vanished, but he nodded and walked toward the refrigerator, a towel draped around his swim trunks.
Sami helped the twins into their dry clothing, bagged their swim gear, and sent them to the kitchen. She was unfastening her bikini top when she heard Ruby break into a barrage of barks. Hurriedly, she yanked off her bikini and pulled on the first top and shorts she spotted lying on her closet shelf.
Ruby was still barking and the other two dogs had joined in when Sami hurried down the hall and into the living room.
To her surprise, Chase stood inside the doorway, attempting to shush Ruby. Jadon and Jamila, seated at the kitchen island, were giggling and clapping their hands, which did nothing to quiet the situation. Flynn leaned one hip on the island, observing quietly.
“Chase,” Sami said, going to him. “I didn’t know you were coming.” She shushed Ruby and the other dogs quit barking.
“Obviously,” Chase said, flicking a glance toward Flynn.
Flynn said nothing.
“It’s lovely you have arrived,” Sami said, speaking rather rapidly, “but I do hope your presence does not indicate that in some way the afternoon sailing with Emile and Nathalie was less than enjoyable.”
Flynn started to grin.
Sami shifted so she couldn’t see him.
“Sailing was awesome,” Chase said. “Nathalie had an emergency, so we put in early.” He stepped toward Sami and put an arm around her, pulling her to his side. “You know what a doctor’s life is like.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Your parents and I enjoyed our time together. They are truly exceptional individuals.”
“He kissed her,” Jadon said. “How come he did that?”
Chase turned, shifting Sami along with him. She relaxed into his embrace, though she felt incredibly self-conscious. Because they were in front of the children, she told herself. The awkwardness had nothing to do with Flynn’s presence.
Chase ran his hand down Sami’s arm. “That’s what people do when they’re in love,” he said.
“Yeah,” Jamila said. “Daddy kisses Mommy. A lot. That’s how she got those new babies in her uterus.”
Chase cocked a brow. “Are you going to be a doctor?”
Jamila shrugged. “I’d rather be an astronaut.”
Chase let go of Sami, to her relief. Turning to the child, he said, “You can do both. Quite a few astronauts have medical degrees.”
“You know some stuff,” Flynn said.
“Hello again,” Chase said to Flynn. “Babysitting?”
Flynn lifted his hands. “Just the chauffeur. Not a good idea for Sami to be driving with that swollen eye.”
“Hmm,” Chase said, turning to Sami. “You do have quite a contusion.”
“That rhymes with confusion,” Jadon said, and drained his orange juice.
Sami laughed nervously. Confusion described her mood perfectly. She should have been thrilled Chase came straight to see her when his sailing was cut short. And he’d said “when two people are in love…”
He was in love with her. She smiled shyly at him.
He was not looking at her.
He was eying Flynn in a less-than-friendly fashion. “What’s the plan to deliver these two home?”
“We have Toya’s Volvo with the car seats. I left my car at their place. Flynn stayed to drive me back.”
“Great,” Chase said. He held out a hand to Flynn. “Thanks for helping Sami. I’ll take it from here.”
Flynn stepped back from the island, nodded to Chase, and shook hands with Jamila and Jadon.
“Catch you ‘round, Sami,” he said and walked to the door, Ruby following at his heels.
Before he made it out, Jamila jumped from the barstool and raced toward him. Throwing her skinny arms around his knees, she said, “Please come back, Mr. Flynn!”
He knelt down, gave her a quick hug and said something to her Sami couldn’t hear. It must have satisfied her, because she let go and patted Ruby on the head.
Flynn stepped outside.
Sami’s chest tightened. He seemed so alone.