Sam tugged her hand, leading her toward the luxurious silk tent closest to the water. “Sam, slow down. Heels,” she reminded him as she yanked on his hand, pointing at her feet when he turned. They were walking across the lawn, and she wasn’t used to stiletto heels. If he didn’t slow it down she was going to turn her damn ankle.
He looked at her remorsefully. “Sorry, Sunshine. I forgot how petite you are.” He scooped her up in his arms and cradled her close to his chest. “Problem solved,” he said, shooting her a wicked grin. “I like this better anyway.”
“Put me down,” she hissed, mortified. “Everyone is watching.” Swatting Sam was completely useless. Her hand bounced off the powerful muscles of his arms like she was smacking at solid rock. It hurt her palm more than it bothered him.
He strode toward the tent, ignoring her. “Let them watch,” he answered, unconcerned.
“Damn it, Sam. Are you trying to cop a feel?” she asked, her expression admonishing, but she could barely contain a smile. One muscular arm was under her knees, but it encircled her legs, his palm caressing her thigh under the flimsy skirt of her dress.
“Yep. I’m trying to get a look down that skimpy bodice too. A guy takes what he can get when he’s desperate.” He shot her a cocky look and then returned to leering at her br**sts in a proprietary way that had her whole body tingling.
Maddie sighed, inhaling deeply, letting his masculine scent drift over her senses. God, he smells so good. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she let the impact of Sam seep into her being, her arms closing around his shoulders and fingering his silky curls at the nape of his neck. Being close to him again, feeling his rock hard body against hers was completely decadent. Everything about Sam drew her to him, made her want to sink into him, be joined to him. It was a carnal feeling, and one that she never felt with any other man. As if Sam were emitting male pheromones, and she wasn’t capable of ignoring the masculine, enticing beckoning of her senses.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked in a low, seductive voice.
Maddie opened her eyes and stared at him. “You,” she answered honestly.
His eyes grew intense and his grip tightened around her body. “If you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’m taking you into the house, stripping you naked and f**king you until you beg me to stop. And then I’ll do it all over again,” he warned hoarsely.
She let that masculine warning slide over her, loving his intensity. Right now, there was nothing she wanted more than to call him on his threat. But she knew he’d follow through. “Simon’s wedding reception,” she reminded him. “Put me down.”
He lowered her to the ground, keeping her gown around her legs so she was decent. “I don’t want to let go.” He guided her feet to the floor, but kept his arms around her.
Maddie didn’t need Sam to explain because she knew exactly how he felt. Being together again was almost like a dream that she didn’t want to end. They had always fit together like two puzzle pieces that locked into place when they were together, so natural that it was almost frightening. “I think I need that drink you were talking about.” She need something; anything to make herself loosen her hold on Sam.
“What do you want?” he questioned, releasing his hold on her with a pained expression.
You. Inside me. Now.
“I’m not familiar with drinks. You choose.” She smoothed the wrinkles from her dress as she licked her dry lips.
He put a hand on the small of her back, leading her to an elegant vacant table. After seating her with manners that any mother would be proud of, she watched him walk toward the bar, so parched, her tongue was sticking to the roof of her mouth. Sam had always done that to her. One look, one touch, one kiss…and she was captivated.
“Hello,” a low baritone said casually above her.
Craning her neck, she saw the same man who had winked at her earlier during the ceremony, a broad smile on his charming face. And he was a charmer. Maddie was certain of that. He looked like the type of guy who could get himself out of any sticky situation, even if caught red-handed. “Hi,” she answered cautiously.
“Max Hamilton. I wanted to meet you.” He held out a friendly hand.
Maddie clasped it. “Maddie Reynolds. Nice to meet you, Mr. Hamilton.”
“Please, call me Max,” he said suavely, pulling his hand from hers and seating himself across from her. “Dr. Reynolds? Kara and Simon speak highly of you.”
“Call me Maddie.” She searched his face, looking into his gold-green eyes, checking for any signs of malice. There were none. She wasn’t sure why Sam had been so hostile about this man. He seemed pretty harmless and very friendly. There was something about his smile that she liked, something about him that she liked.
“Beautiful wedding,” he commented casually, his lips curling up in a small grin.
“Beautiful couple,” Maddie added, returning his smile.
“You and Kara both look lovely, Maddie.”
She cocked her head and looked at him, wondering why a guy like him wasn’t with a woman. He was ruggedly handsome and, she knew, loaded. “I take it you didn’t bring a date. I didn’t see you with anyone.” He had been sitting next to an older gentleman and a woman old enough to be his grandmother, during the ceremony.
He shook his head slowly, his auburn hair bright in the candlelit room. “No. I was married. I lost her two years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Maddie suddenly wished she hadn’t asked. His face grew pensive and sad.
“What about you? No husband? No boyfriend? Are you and Sam an item? You looked pretty friendly a while ago,” he observed, his voice amused.
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully.
“Would you have dinner with me, Maddie?” he asked, his expression earnest.
There was something in his eyes, something in his voice that made her want to say yes. Maybe it was the emptiness she saw in his expression or a loneliness she sensed behind his rather mysterious exterior. “Yes. Of course, that would be lovely.” It was only dinner, so she had no reason to refuse.
“Give me your number.” He pulled out his cell.
She rattled it off, finishing just as Sam stepped back to the table with their drinks.
Max smiled, depositing his cell back into his pocket and standing. “Sam. How are you?”
Sam’s face was like stone, his expression grim. “I was fine until you started hitting on my woman,” he answered gruffly as he plopped the drinks on the table and faced Max.