My Heart's Passion Page 6

  Chloe enjoyed dragging the fantasy out, fleshing out more and more details to drive her point home to Samuel. The way he shifted on his chair showed his jeans were obviously becoming too tight.

  “So maybe instead, you growl at her to hurry up and fist you. She smiles up at you, and reminds you that you promised her she could take her time, explore you in the relative safety of the ocean. You can’t go back on your word, of course. So you must stand there, with the waves ebbing and pulling at you, a beautiful woman in your arms slowly driving you wild, and the odd night stroller walking down the sand. You can’t take her, you simply have to let her sate her curiosity. I’d be willing to bet her exploring you would quickly drive you insane.”

  Smiling in a slightly smug manner, Chloe leaned forward, balanced on her legs.

  “So, Samuel, think it’s a tame fantasy of mine now?”

  He swallowed, stunned for a moment. With obvious effort he collected himself, swallowing a few more times, until the fire in his eyes became banked. “It’s definitely worth a thought or two. Except there is one point you missed.”

  Chloe frowned. “It’s my fantasy, I can’t have missed anything.”

  “Sure you could have. If that man was me, and the woman driving him wild was you, then I would have had a simple solution when I truly couldn’t take any more.”

  Chloe raised an eyebrow arrogantly. “Oh?”

  “Yeah,” he drawled. “I would have ripped off those tiny bikini panties, stripped out of my own trunks, and driven myself so far inside you your screams would echo across the beach.”

  Chloe swallowed, easily picturing in her mind Samuel doing just that. It certainly had a devastating effect on her heartbeat.

  “Well, that is one solution. I hadn’t quite gotten that far in the fantasy, but your input is noted and will be attended to later. I was thinking more along the lines of teasing you until you came under the water. I’m sure it would be a novel experience for most men.”

  Samuel stood up. “I’d much rather the novel experience of coming inside you, little girl.”

  Frowning, Chloe stood up. “I’m not sure—”

  Samuel leaned forward and pressed one finger across her lips, silencing her.

  “Let’s not go there tonight. It’s late now. What say you come over to my cabin for dinner tomorrow? We can go on a dusk walk, work up an appetite and I’ll cook you some dinner. We can move onto the medium cards, the ones with green borders.”

  Chloe looked at the box of cards. She certainly had no intention of chickening out now. She had survived tonight intact, heart-whole and with a strong sense of self-confidence she had never really felt around this man.

  Sure, she was horny as hell and relieved she had the forethought to pack spare batteries for her vibrator, but she hadn’t cast herself at his feet begging to be fucked. One must look on the bright side here.

  Maybe she had blown the whole situation out of proportion in her mind. Being with Samuel and keeping her heart away from him hadn’t been quite as hard as she had feared.

  “Okay. I’ll probably be itching for a walk by then anyway.”

  “Head on over anytime after five. We can go for another walk down into the forest.”

  Nodding, Chloe stood up and followed him to the door. She held herself still when he bent down to give her a kiss.

  Even the chaste goodbye kiss made her toes curl, made the hair on her nape stand up. She resisted the impulse to touch her lips when his finally left hers. With a wave and a quick backward glance, Samuel was quickly swallowed up by the night. Chloe shut and locked the door, wondering at the wisdom of a short-term fling with the man.

  It had been far too long since she had indulged in anything other than her vibrator. A real flesh-and-blood man in her bed would be a welcome change. Yet she was wary, as Mary had insisted on having only one night with Dominic. They had somehow fallen in love during that one night. Even though they were very happily married, Chloe had always wanted to retain her independence, something that too often disappeared when one became heavily involved with a man.

  The thought of falling in love with a man like Samuel, the most confirmed bachelor probably in the entire state, was a scary proposition. Men like Samuel Rutledge did not fall in love; they had lustful affairs and then moved on, leaving a trail of broken hearts.

  Yet what harm could a few nights do? The little demon in her head whispered. She lived on the other end of the state; she had her own home, her own life, far, far away from here. It wasn’t as if a few nights of incredible sex would shatter her heart, she tried to convince herself. She was a big girl now.

  Showering and changing into the old T-shirt and flannel pajama pants she slept in, Chloe mulled over the pros and cons of sleeping with Samuel.

  As she lay her head down on the pillow, still wrestling with her desires, she finally decided to go for it. It wasn’t as if the man could cast a spell over her, or ensnare her and bind her to him with pure sex alone. She would never live with, or marry a man who wasn’t one hundred percent devoted to her and in love with her.

  As there was little doubt Samuel would ever be either of those, then there wasn’t really any risk, was there?

  The silence in her head might have worried her if she hadn’t been so tired. Her little voices weren’t arguing with her, yet, nor were they agreeing with her. Chloe’s physical cravings had finally silenced them all.

  Chloe slept dreamlessly yet again.

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday Morning

  Chloe sat in the dirt in her oldest paint-stained pair of jeans and a torn T-shirt. Digging in Mary’s woefully unkempt vegetable patch, she happily weeded as she thought.

  The two main issues buzzing in her head were vastly different, yet both were knotty problems and seemed incredibly hard to work through.

  For the moment, however, she was ignoring her decision to seduce Samuel tonight. Instead, she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life, where she wanted to head. Not quite the same squirm-worthy thoughts, but she reminded herself the whole reason for her wanting the peaceful solitude of the cabin was to work out what she wanted for the next few years in her life.

  Talking to the vegetables as she fiercely pulled weeds was proving far more soothing and helpful than driving around the too well-known local blocks, or sitting back at home on her bed or in her favorite chair, mulling over her options had ever been.

  “Stop procrastinating girl, and work this out,” she muttered as she pulled yet another weed out and placed it on the heap that soon would be transferred to the compost pile.

  “Teaching had been fun,” she acknowledged to herself and the scattered vegetables, “but it was only subbing, so even then I still simply played at it. The real question is, do I want to spend years and years getting my degree? It would be better to try teaching younger kids, maybe even the elementary classes, but I’d still require official training even in that.”

  Mulling this over and weighing the pleasure the thought brought her, she nodded her head. As she often did while alone and contemplating deeply, she began to talk to herself.

  “Yeah, teaching brought me a lot of satisfaction. Maybe I should look into subbing in the local elementary school back home or something. There’s always room for a substitute somewhere in elementary schools, those kids transfer sickness like the plague. Also a bonus for me, it’s not like I could get bored with changing classes all the time, and it’s something I can start as soon as I head back, subbing doesn’t require a degree or anything.”

  Weeding now with a vengeance, Chloe thought through her decision. She had a feeling that teaching kids, helping them grow and develop would soon prove to be a passion of the heart.

  She had performed so many jobs it would be fairly easy to give a personal account to the kids of all the different styles of jobs one could take and roughly what they all involved. Guiding the next generation of workers might be fulfilling indeed.

  Chloe found herself smiling.
The more she thought about becoming a “real” teacher, instead of simply playing at it for a six month stint for a friend who had the gall to tromp off to Europe for a term, the happier she became. As usual, she smiled at the irony of simply falling into a job. That’s always how it seemed to occur for her.

  A long time later she stood up to stretch the kinks out of her legs. Vainly trying to brush some of the dirt from her jeans, she surveyed her hard work. There was nothing like weeding a desperately needy garden to clear the mind.

  Chloe smiled in satisfaction, both of the newly weeded garden, as well as her new direction in life.

  Now she just had to resolve the small issue of major sexual tension between herself and Samuel. Her plans to seduce him tonight would relieve some of that stress. While she wasn’t stupid enough to think one night would be enough, with luck having a brief affair would work. She was only staying for a few more days—she would have to make the most of their time together before she went back home and began her newly found career as a substitute teacher.

  Chapter Ten

  Dusk that night

  Samuel was startled to find himself restlessly pacing up and down his living room. Having dutifully given his small cabin a quick cleaning, showering and dressing in jeans and a casual shirt, he had moved to the living room for a soothing drink of scotch.

  Having taken a sip and replacing the glass, he had finally let his thoughts take over.

  To seduce, or to not seduce.

  This dilemma had been the main topic of conversation in his head since heading off late last night into the dark woods, leaving behind the object of his lusts and fantasies.

  His hard-on, which he had been wearing for the better part of two days now, was eagerly interested in the seduction. Any seduction as long as it resulted in thrusting itself to the hilt in the so-sweet Chloe.

  His confirmed bachelor ways, however, were firmly pointing out the downside to seducing a virtual member of his family. If he were to seduce her, fuck her senseless, then find himself growing bored with her, as so often happened, then Dominic, not to mention Mary, would likely want to kill him and the very first Rutledge shotgun wedding in history would occur.

  And so his brain tried to act as umpire between the two warring parts of him. His cock was desperate, yet for the first time he could ever recall since trying to decide between the luscious Cindy and the devastatingly gorgeous Trudy when losing his virginity, he hesitated.

  What if he grew tired of Chloe within the week, as usually happened? How could he let her down easy? What was worse was the nagging, constantly squashed worry, what would he do if he didn’t grow tired of her.

  What if he set out the ground rules, insisted on only a few nights of fantastic, mind-blowing sex, and then he realized he wanted more.

  Samuel halted as he found himself pacing yet again.

  He cringed with the realization no woman had ever had him pacing so restlessly, not even his sisters-in-law. They often had him wanting to run wild or smash his fist into a wall, but no woman he could recall had ever had him pacing a hole in the floor.

  Just as he resumed his pacing, driven nuts by the thoughts in his head and the wicked fantasies his cock obviously reveled in, the door knocker sounded.

  Muttering a curse and adjusting his jeans in the vain hope Chloe wouldn’t notice the bulging hard-on he wore, he crossed over to let his guest in.

  He opened the door and vaguely felt his mouth fall open. Chloe stood on his doorstep in the tightest pair of dark blue jeans he had ever seen. They molded her long, very long legs, showing the nicely toned flesh encased within. Certainly not model-slim, as his women usually were, but the sheer length of the legs she showed had him drooling like a pup.

  A short-sleeved silk shirt fluttered in the slight breeze, hinting at the luscious breasts he just knew were waiting beneath.

  A handful, his brain registered, definitely a handful.

  Snapping his mouth shut, Samuel grinned. It looked to him as if little Chloe had decided for them both how the evening would progress.

  Fantastic. If she’s made the decision to seduce me, then I can certainly return the favor and seduce her!

  “Good evening, Chloe. You look fantastic.”

  For the first time ever, he felt his legs wobble oh-so-slightly as she grinned up at him. She looked him over, head to foot, in a manner he was more than used to from women, just not from her.

  “Good evening, Samuel. You’re looking in mighty fine form tonight yourself.”

  This was directed down around his cock-level, and his already painful shaft simply swelled and grew with the praise. He tried not to wince at the pain the restraining jeans caused him. When Chloe’s knowing grin brightened even more, he wasn’t certain he had hidden the wince perfectly.

  Stepping back, hoping to readjust the pressure in his jeans, he waved her inside his cabin.

  “Please come in. Let’s skip the walk. Dinner will be ready in a minute, and the game is waiting.”

  Chloe entered the door, brushing herself up against him as she came forward to plant a small kiss on his cheek.

  Damn, he thought, dazed, she’s using my own tricks back on me!

  Feeling a grudging respect for the woman, he acknowledged she was certainly a woman on the hunt tonight.

  He grinned as he followed the deliciously feminine, totally bite-able, female swaying ass into the living room.

  He loved a challenge.

  Chapter Eleven

  Chloe swallowed the brief flare of panic she felt at the heated lust raging in Samuel’s eyes. She sincerely hoped she wasn’t playing with the proverbial fire. A girl would have to be blind not to notice the stupendously erect cock inside his jeans, and from the look of wild lust shining in his eyes, Samuel was more than ready to explode at any given second.

  The scent of tomatoes and meaty pasta wafted into the small living room from the kitchen. The normal, delicious scent helped her regain her equilibrium, and gather her nerves tightly under control. Sniffing appreciatively, she smiled as she turned back to her host, nerves fully under control.

  “That smells delicious. I didn’t realize you could cook.”

  Even though the grin Samuel gave her was half-hearted, it still took her breath away. Damn the man for being so sexy, I can’t keep on losing my mind every time he looks at me.

  “Gramps made sure all four of us could cook. Insisted it was a life skill. That’s my infamous lasagna you smell. A rare treat indeed.”

  Chloe smiled. “Well, I am truly appreciative. Let’s eat while we play, hmm?”

  She slowly followed him into the small kitchen, prepared to help out in any way. She noticed the two dinner plates already set out with salads, and stood back to watch as Samuel put on oven mitts and withdrew a huge dish of lasagna from the oven. A flick of his wrist turned the gas off, and Chloe stared at the enormous dish.

  “I really hope you’re eating most of that. It looks fantastic, but it would take me over a week to get through even half of that.”

  Samuel chuckled. “I always make twice as much lasagna as I need. The kids always come over for leftovers—they can scent my lasagna from a mile away—and I, myself, enjoy eating it cold for breakfast or lunch the following day.”

  Nodding, Chloe watched as he expertly sliced two large portions, and took the plate he offered her. With cutlery and napkins, she followed him back into the living room where a coffee table had been drawn up with the box of cards sitting in its middle.

  She took her seat next to him on the couch, at the other end so they both had room to spread out a little and start their lasagna.

  Chloe blew on it a moment, enjoying the fresh, steamy pasta smell. So very fresh from the oven, she knew intellectually it was too hot to eat, but it smelled too good to wait around for.

  Blowing as daintily as she could onto the piece on her fork, she finally decided to risk burning her mouth and she took her first bite. Without even meaning to, she closed her eyes in ecstasy as the
meat, tomato and parmesan mixed and melted on her tongue.

  It was delicious! The pasta was soft but not limp, the tomato sauce accentuated the meaty bolognaise making it seem more hearty and richer. Cheese had been liberally strewn over the top and throughout the meaty sauce so it dripped over the side of the slice and meshed with her salad.

  Altogether it was a decadent, delicious slice of lasagna, the best she had ever tasted.

  Chloe swiped her tongue out to catch the parmesan as it threatened to drip out of her mouth. Picking up a fresh roll from the basket Samuel had carried over with him from the kitchen, she dunked it unceremoniously into the meaty sauce oozing out the side of her slice of lasagna.

  Either Samuel had been given help, or he was the best lasagna maker she had ever met. Considering his pride in the dish, she felt it a fair bet to think he had made it from scratch himself.

  After a number of mouthfuls, she managed, “This is fantastic. Is the recipe a family secret, or can you teach me it later?”

  Samuel smiled. “It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s not written down, either. I can jot it down for you and try to show you another time.”

  That said, they both dug back into their respective plates. All too soon she was full to bursting and had to sit back, placing her hand on her belly.

  “If I eat another bite I’m going to explode, but it’s just so good I’m not sure I can help myself!”

  Samuel was mopping up the last of his meat sauce with a crust of bread. He glanced up with a smile.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Oh, do! It was fantastic. I really want to eat more—but I’ll never be able to move again.”

  Samuel swiped at the last of his sauce, and popped the crust into his mouth, chewing on it. Gallantly, he picked up her plate and, along with his own, carried them through into the kitchen where she heard the water running.

  “Leave the dishes,” she called out. “I’ll do them after we let this meal settle down.”