Free Valentine's Cowboy by Starla Kaye Page A

wasn’t an answer to everything, but he sure didn’t mind having her draped over his lap. No, he didn’t at all mind warming that sweet butt. He gave a quiet groan and headed inside for a shower. ‘Course taking a shower with her would be so much better than taking one alone.
     
    * * *
     
    Valentine turned over on the chaise lounge she’d pulled away from the other chairs on the grassy area just above the beach wall. The sun was beating down hard by now at late morning. She should probably go inside pretty soon. But she’d spent most of the morning in her rooms, piddling around on her laptop researching B&B’s on Maui, and returning emails to her partners who were still upset with her for this little vacation. Mainly she’d stayed inside to do anything that kept her well away from Sam Thompson. It had embarrassed her knowing he knew about Jonathan, knew about why her husband had left her.
    She squeezed her eyes shut tighter, trying to keep the tears threatening to fall from slipping out. Her hormones were in full frenzy today. She couldn’t come out of the funk she’d drifted into after talking to Jonathan. Even worse, she’d practically barked at poor Shelby when the younger woman had called to invite her on a helicopter ride. She’d apologized and Shelby had forgiven her easily enough, but her phone call with her ex had upset her so much. How could she have been such a poor judge of men when she’d fallen in love with him? Would she always be such a poor judge? Should she even bother with men at all? She was so confused.
    A tear trickled down her cheek and she grumbled a curse in disgust at the weakness. Then, as she dashed it away, she sensed someone walking closer. “Please walk on by. Please walk on by,” she silently pleaded. But with the way her nerves tingled and the way anticipation fluttered through her stomach, she knew who had approached her chair.
    When a hard hand gave a brisk swat to her upturned, bikini clad bottom, there was no longer even a doubt. Sam.
    “What was that for?” she hissed, rolling sideways and glancing worriedly around to see if anyone had noticed his action. Relief soothed her somewhat when she found they were still very much alone.
    “For cursing.” He crouched down next to her and reached to push a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you still pouting?”
    She saw the disapproval in his eyes. “I’m sunbathing,” she said curtly. Even though she was pretty sure his thoughts were about spanking her for childish behavior, the mere touch of his fingertips had made her shiver. It made her want more of his touch. She’d missed him the last couple of days.
    “Darlin’, your back is turning even redder than your butt when I—”
    She narrowed her eyes and flung out a hand to cover his mouth. “Don’t even say it! Not out here.”
    He used his tongue to tickle her palm and she shivered all over again, jerking her hand back. “So long as you understand.”
    “Why didn’t you go on that helicopter ride to Molokai? Shelby said she’d invited you?” She changed the subject, desperate to think about anything besides the delicious sensations this man could arouse in her. She was trying to stay mad at men, all men. She was pouting, just like he’d said, but a good pout now and then was okay. In her opinion.
    He sat on the side of her lounge chair and she scowled at him, causing him to grin in amusement. “Flying in something that small doesn’t have a lot of appeal to me. Besides, I’ve been going what seems nonstop ever since I got here. I’m worn out.”
    He grinned even more, his pupils dilating in arousal. “A certain sulky romance therapist did her own part in wearing me out. So I’m taking it easy until tonight and the luau.”
    “At least I’ve had time to catch up on my sleep lately. It was peaceful with you gone, not arguing with me, not pestering me,” she teased. She studied his face, and noticed the tired lines around his eyes, the slight bagginess