River of Love Read online

  When she finally came out, wearing her new comfortable and cute outfit, she found Jewel waiting for her by the shoe display. “Sam already paid, so pick out any pair you’d like.”

  “Gosh, I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, only in comfier clothes and without the whole prostitute thing.”

  “You mean you feel like you’re being treated well?”

  “Yeah,” Faith said as she looked over the shoes. “Exactly that. Or more than that. No guy has ever done anything like this for me. I feel like I shouldn’t accept this stuff from Sam.”

  “Normally I’d be right there with you on that, but this is so out of the ordinary for him. I think it means he wants more than nothing with you. Selfishly, I want to see what he’s got in store for you. He was acting so mysterious.”

  “So you don’t think I’m crazy for following his notes?”

  “Not even a little.”

  That made her feel a little less like a stranger in her own skin. She wanted to see what Sam had in mind, too. She decided on a cute pair of beaded sandals.

  “One more thing.” Jewel pulled another envelope out of her back pocket, went behind the counter again, and brought out a Rough Riders zip-up hoodie that said Faith over the logo.

  “I have to admit,” Jewel said, “I’m a little jealous, and I have the best man in Peaceful Harbor.” She gave Faith a quick hug and wished her luck.

  As Faith left the store she wondered if Jewel had that wrong. She didn’t know a single man who would go to this much trouble to get a woman to go out with him. That put Sam in the running for the best man in Peaceful Harbor, didn’t it? Or would his past forever keep him down?

  She hoped and prayed this wasn’t just a game to Sam, because as she hurried to her car, wearing her cute new outfit and monogrammed hoodie, she was getting seriously excited. In the privacy of her car, she tore open the envelope and read the third handwritten note.

  Hey, babe.

  Babe? In the span of three notes he’d gone from Faith, to beautiful, to babe, and as much as she knew she shouldn’t feel special from a few words and some pieces of clothing, Faith reveled in it.

  I bet you look sexy, and nervous, and maybe you’re even blushing by now. I wish I was there to see it. I know you’ve had a long day, so the rest is pretty quick. Head down to the marina—or go home and leave me hanging. Either way, I’m glad you’ve come this far with me.

  Your date, I hope.

  —Sam

  Date? He didn’t date. And how did he know she was blushing? He was just as irresistible in notes as he was in person. She tried to hold on to the knowledge that Sam was a player as she drove toward the marina. As she approached Harbor Overlook, a walking bridge over the road, she slowed to a near stop. A big white sign hung over the side of the bridge with Say Yes to Sam! spray-painted in big red letters.

  “Holy cow, Sam.” She pulled over to the side of the road and snapped a picture with her phone. As she drove under the bridge, goose bumps rose on her arms. He’d gone to all this trouble for her, even after she blew him off. That spoke volumes about him. He was either willing to go to the ends of the earth to get lucky, or he was really into her after all. She was leaning toward the idea of actually going out with Sam when she came to the next stoplight.

  Two signs marked the corner. One with an arrow pointing in the direction of her apartment that read, Safe Route Home, and one with an arrow pointing toward the marina that read, Highway to Heaven. Laughing as she took another picture, she turned toward the marina, and that’s when it became clear just how far Sam Braden was willing to go to get her to change her mind. The illuminated sign for the marina read, F. Mr. B’s please. S. She wondered what type of strings he’d had to pull to get that sign changed.

  She drove through the parking lot to the road that led up to Mr. B’s, wondering why he went through all this just to take her to his parents’ microbrewery. At Mr. B’s there were no signs, no lights other than the ordinary. Faith straightened her top beneath her Rough Riders sweatshirt and looked around the parking lot, suddenly feeling nervous. She was wearing clothes Sam had not only picked out but paid for as she went into his family’s restaurant! He’d actually thought of her comfort. She loved knowing that, but it still felt weird. Exciting and romantic, but not anything she was used to.

  It was loud inside Mr. B’s. The hostess took one look at her and her eyes widened. “Faith?”

  “Yes.” Gulp.

  “Follow me.” The energetic brunette walked quickly toward the bar.

  Sam was nowhere in sight, but she recognized Mr. Braden and smiled up at him, feeling even more embarrassed.

  “Here you are,” the hostess said. She turned on her heels and left Faith standing there looking at Sam’s father.

  “How are you, Faith?” He came around the bar, and his eyes dropped to the Rough Riders logo on her sweatshirt. His smile revealed the same dimple as Sam’s, just below the left side of his lip.

  “I’m fine, thank you. How are you, Mr. Braden?”

  “It’s a magical night here at Mr. B’s. I’m happy you made it over.”

  “You are?” Oh no. That slipped. She was too nervous. She should just zip her mouth shut for the night.

  He laughed, and it reminded her of Sam’s deep laugh. “I am, young lady. Sam will be thrilled that you’ve come. He’s been a nervous wreck all evening.”

  “Don’t reveal Sammy’s secrets,” Sam’s mother said as she came up behind Faith. “Hi, honey. Let me take you up to Sam.”

  Faith had liked his parents from the moment she’d met them at Cole’s office last year. His mother was effervescent, with thick and wild blond hair, and she dressed like she was part gypsy, with long skirts and flowing tops, while his father was far more conservative and quiet, but always welcoming and kind.

  “Up?” she asked, following Sam’s mother through a set of doors and into the kitchen, then through a heavy steel door and up a flight of stairs.

  “To the roof.” His mother lowered her voice and whispered, “Sam’s gone all out. I’ve never seen him so excited. I’m glad you showed up after all.”

  Faith felt like she was in a dream, floating from one thing to the next, with happiness and nervousness sprinkled like fairy dust. Everyone seemed so surprised at Sam’s efforts, and she was right there with them. But nothing prepared her for the hug his mother gave her at the top of the stairs.

  “Have fun, and, Faith?”

  “Yes?” She held her breath, waiting for the shoe to drop, to hear something like, Don’t let him fool you. This is Sam, after all.

  “Please don’t break my boy’s heart. He’s tough as nails, but he’s also sweet as sugar.” She patted Faith’s cheek, like her own mother had done a million times, and descended the stairs, leaving Faith to stare at the door.

  Just beyond the door was Sam.

  Tough as nails and sweet as sugar, Sam. He’d gone all out. The man who didn’t date and said he didn’t cheat. The man who believed nothing lasted forever. The man who’d talked with her on the beach for an hour last night and had gone to a world of trouble to get her here. Sam, the man she dreamed about, fantasized about, and now was so confused over she didn’t know whether she should open the door or run away.

  She looked down the stairs. It would be easy to walk back down and out to her car. Much easier than facing the emotions storming inside her and the passion she was trying to pretend didn’t exist. But easy was boring, wasn’t it? Maybe she didn’t like easy after all, because she liked Sam.

  Turning back to the door, she gathered her courage and pushed it open.

  White lights illuminated a waist-high brick railing that ran around the edge of the roof. Faith stepped outside, holding the door open as she took in the table set for two, complete with a red tablecloth, linen napkins, a bottle of wine, and several dishes covered with shiny metal covers. Three beautiful candles sat in the center of the table, flickering in the breeze. Sam sat with his back to her, playing his guitar as he lo
oked out over the ocean. She listened for a moment to the peaceful melody flowing from his fingertips, and when she stepped closer, the door slipped from her hand, clanking loudly against the frame.

  Sam turned, heat filling his dark eyes as he rose to his feet, looking devilishly handsome in his jeans and tight black shirt. He set his guitar against the railing. Music drifted up from the patio below, providing a sexy backdrop to Sam, who was moving fluidly toward her. How could that much harnessed power appear graceful and virile at the same time?

  “Faith.” Her name slid off his tongue smooth as velvet as he took her hand.

  His touch brought an unusual sense of safety, as it had last night, taking her by surprise.

  His lips curved up in a warm smile. “I’m glad you came.”

  Her body felt electric and liquefied at once as too many sensations collided inside her. In a few short days he’d shown her more parts of himself than some people had in a year.

  “I’m glad I came, too.”

  Chapter Nine

  SAM BRUSHED HIS thumb over the back of Faith’s hand, unable to take his eyes off of her and hyperaware of the heat sizzling between them.

  “You look even more beautiful than I thought you would.”

  A rosy blush flushed her cheeks. “I can’t believe you bought me clothes.”

  “I was worried you wouldn’t agree to meeting me without changing after work. And then I worried that if you went home to change you’d rethink coming at all, and I’d be left alone up here, missing you.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, soaking in her soft, feminine, inviting scent.

  She inhaled a sharp breath as his lips brushed over her skin.

  “I thought about getting you jeans or a dress,” he admitted. “But when I think of you, I see comfort, sweetness, and your alluring confidence, and that’s hotter than form-fitting jeans or a short skirt could ever be.”

  Her eyes widened a little. “You see all of that when you think of me?”

  “That’s only a fraction of what I see. I never realized how personal clothing was until I was standing in the store trying to figure out what you would be most comfortable in. I knew you’d look great in anything, but it wasn’t about that.”

  “You went to a lot of trouble.” She rubbed her fingers over her name on the hoodie.

  He’d called in a favor to have the sweatshirt monogrammed so quickly, but seeing her in it, looking sinfully sweet and incredibly sexy, made it worthwhile. Something had come over him this afternoon as he went from location to location, setting up signs and making arrangements. All that time he’d been trying to keep his distance from her, protecting her from himself, because after all, even his own brother thought she needed protecting from him. A few weeks before the wedding he’d noticed a change in himself. Meaningless connections no longer held his interest, but Faith? She was on his mind day and night, regardless of how hard he tried to push thoughts of her away. Today he let himself examine those feelings more closely and realized it was Faith all along. She’d gotten to him, and because he’d been so determined to stay away, he hadn’t allowed himself to see it. Now he was no longer willing to ignore the one thing that felt right or the one person who made him feel things he never thought he would. He not only wanted to prove he wasn’t the guy she—and everyone else—thought he was, but he wanted to go above and beyond. He knew he wanted more than a good time with Faith, and now he wanted her to want that, too.

  “Actually, I don’t think I went to nearly enough trouble.” He stepped closer and took her hand in his. Reflections of the lights sparkled in her eyes as they walked by the table. All the trouble he’d gone to had been worth it just to see her magnificent smile.

  “It’s like our own private tower. You didn’t have to do all of this.”

  “Actually, I did.” He poured them each a glass of wine. “You turned me down flat when I asked you out like a normal guy.”

  “You’re not a normal guy, Sam. You’re my boss’s brother and you’re everything I’m scared of.”

  He lifted his glass in a toast, hoping she’d move past her fears. “To imperfect matches.”

  She smiled. “I cannot believe I’m toasting to that.”

  They touched glasses, and as Faith drank her wine, Sam drank her in.

  “No man has ever bought me clothes before. Well, except my father, but he doesn’t count.”

  “Then I’m privileged to be the first. It’s only appropriate, seeing as you’re my first real date.” Before she could knock down the idea of this being a date, he took her in his arms and said, “Dance with me.”

  Her brow furrowed as her arms came around his waist.

  Sam lifted her hands to his neck. “I like this better. We’re closer.” He gazed into her eyes as they moved in a slow, sensual rhythm.

  “We’re dancing,” she said softly. “On a rooftop with lights and music and candlelight. Sam, this might be the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.” She smiled up at him, but he sensed she was still on the fence about them.

  “You said you were worth more than a rerun of what every other girl in the Harbor had done with me. I’ve never bought any of them clothes, or sent them on a mission to find me, or brought them to my parents’ brewery. Just you, sweet one.”

  She blushed and pressed her forehead to his chest. “You called me ‘sweet one.’”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I did.”

  “I can’t help it. I have to ask.” Her face turned serious. “Do you call all your girls that?”

  He knew his reputation had bothered her, but he hadn’t realized how it infiltrated her every thought. All he could do was answer honestly. “No, Faith. And I don’t have ‘girls.’”

  She nodded, brows still furrowed. “What if I hadn’t shown up tonight?”

  “That would have totally sucked, and think of how much hell I’d have caught from Nate after Jewel told him what I’d done.”

  She laughed, and he was glad to see her guard come down a little.

  “Did you have any more naked men in your office this afternoon?” He loved the flash of embarrassment that lit up her eyes, but just as quickly, she blinked it away.

  “You weren’t naked, but thankfully no.”

  She licked her lips, making him want to follow the path of her tongue with his own, but he promised himself they’d take things slow. He was determined to prove to her that he wasn’t after only one thing—but the more he tried not to think about it, the more he noticed their thighs brushing, the press of her breasts against his chest.

  “You’re looking at me like I’m naked,” she said just above a whisper.

  “Am I? I’m sorry.” He twirled her around, and she laughed, a sweet, musical sound that he wanted to hear more of.

  She came back to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and said, “No you’re not.”

  “I am sorry if it makes you uncomfortable, but I can’t help looking at you. You’re gorgeous.”

  “Sam.” She dropped her eyes. “You’re embarrassing me.”

  He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes, lured like metal to magnet past the invisible line he’d drawn to keep himself in check. His hand moved to the base of her spine. In his mind she was already his, but in his heart he knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.

  “I don’t want to embarrass you.”

  Her lips parted on a sigh, and he fought the urge to cross that damn line and finally kiss her, taste her, brand her. He’d spent the last three days thinking of her, and now here she was, in his arms, and he couldn’t even kiss her.

  “Tell me something about yourself, Faith. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “I have a younger brother and sister. Mack lives in Oak Falls, Virginia, where we’re from. And my sister, Charley, is studying marine biology in Harborside, Massachusetts.” She moved more fluidly, more relaxed.

  “Ah, you’re the oldest. That’s why you’re so careful and focused.”

  “Because I’m the oldest? Then where doe
s a naughty beast like you fall in the massive Braden clan?” A hint of playfulness sparkled in her eyes.

  “I’m the troublemaking second child. Can’t you tell?” He ran his hand up the length of her back and felt her shudder against him. “Maybe you should tame the beast in me.”

  “Wouldn’t that be a shame?” She held his gaze. “All those girls left without a naughty beast to play with?”

  “You are a sexy little thing, aren’t you?” Heat flamed inside him. “Would that be such a shame? Leaving them beastless?” His hand slid back down her back to the curve just above her ass.

  Her breath came faster, her hips rocked forward, and her words came out low and seductive. “You tell me. What do you want?”

  “You.” In my bed, on my lap, on my boat. He wanted to be with her, share space, hold her, talk to her—and make love to her. The first of those were new emotions, the type he’d been wrestling with since the wedding, and they got stronger with every word they spoke.

  “Why?”

  He met her curious gaze. “Because you’re smart and careful, and you keep yourself in a safe little bubble so you don’t get hurt.” He placed his hand over her heart, feeling it beating frantically against his palm. “But you want to be touched and loved and cherished. And I like when you come out of that safe world of yours and tiptoe on the Sammy side.”

  She smiled and trapped her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Because I’ve resisted you for all this time,” he said, holding her gaze. “And I don’t want to do that anymore.”

  She leaned back a little. “I’m not jumping into bed with you.”

  “That’s not what I want.” He smiled. “Not tonight, anyway.”

  “Sam!” She halfheartedly pulled away, but he held her in place, needing her to hear the truth. “So all of this is just a means to an end?”

  “Not the end you think, Faith. Not just sex.”

  “Right.” She shifted her eyes away.

  He silently cursed himself for screwing this up, but how could he hide his attraction to her when it was the last thing he wanted to do?