A Man Not Her Own Read online

“Sure did.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Here you go.”

  With shaking fingers, she opened it. Could the day get any better? “You signed me up for driver’s ed? When? How? I only asked you yesterday.”

  “I pulled some strings and there’s still some paperwork to fill out, but you’re good to go. Later this week, we’ll go buy a car.”

  “Oh my God! Really?” She hugged him again. “Thanks, Mitch.”

  “Hey, what about the other presents?” Josh tugged on her arm. “Aren’t you going to open them?”

  Lindsey pulled away from Mitch and returned to her seat. She caught Thomas’ eye and he grinned at her. As soon as she’d seen him and the members of his band, she’d had to tell them to keep quiet about the evenings in the garage. And thank God, Thomas hadn’t gotten mad. There hadn’t been time to talk, but they’d agreed not to spill the beans. It was nice to have loyal friends.

  Josh handed her the next present. Lindsey knew she needed to confess to Mitch soon, especially since he’d given her the guitar. Maybe he wouldn’t be too angry. They had been getting along better the past couple of days. Was Mitch starting to be glad he had a daughter? He wouldn’t have planned this party if he didn’t want her around, would he?

  The rest of the afternoon passed in a happy blur. This had to be the best day of her life. She crossed her fingers and hoped nothing would happen to screw things up.

  ****

  After the presents were opened, everyone settled down to socialize a bit. Mitch had been busy all afternoon and hadn’t had a chance to talk to Sarah after that initial greeting. As he poured himself a glass of punch, he looked around the dining room, searching for the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  Now that he’d agreed to help her with her problem, he was eager to get on with the lessons. Correction. His body was eager; his brain still wasn’t too keen on the idea.

  He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Sarah standing behind him smiling.

  “How do you think it’s going?” she asked.

  “I think it’s going very well.” He lifted his punch glass in a toast. “And I have you to thank for it.” Damn, she had a killer smile. His body jerked to attention, screaming to pull her close and kiss her breathless. He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the back door of the restaurant.

  “Where are you taking me?” she said.

  “Somewhere so we can have a little privacy.”

  “Whatever for?” She pulled back in hesitation and he reminded himself not to move too fast.

  He stopped in front of the door. “I want to thank you properly.”

  Her eyes widened when she realized how he wanted to thank her. “Does this have anything to do with that problem we discussed a couple of weeks ago?”

  Mitch had to grin. “You are one smart lady. I’d say this is the perfect opportunity for lesson number two.”

  Sarah searched his face and he held his breath. Finally, she nodded and smiled. “Lead on, McDuff.”

  Mitch pushed open the door, dragged her outside and into his arms, searching her face. “Are you sure you’re ready for the next lesson? I don’t want to rush you. Or scare you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and her eyes held an innocent trust that damn near brought him to his knees. “I’m not scared.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.

  The lady was a fast learner. Mitch moved closer and pressed against her, chest to chest, hips to hips. Holding on by a thin thread of restraint, he resisted the urge to grind his lower body against her softness. He didn’t want do anything to upset Sarah, because she was coming along nicely in this quest of hers. This exorcism of her past.

  He let her take the lead again, and when she plunged her sweet little tongue into his mouth, he almost lost it. To add to his torture, she snuggled against him.

  After several delicious minutes, she pulled back, eyes heavy with desire. “I think I’m getting the hang of this, don’t you?”

  He grinned and kissed her nose. “Oh yeah, babe. You are definitely getting the hang of it. You are one great kisser.”

  Sarah’s smile slammed his heart against his ribs. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she said.

  The back door to the restaurant opened and Paul walked out with a bag of trash. “Oops! Sorry, didn’t mean to intrude.” He dropped the bag in the dumpster, winked at his brother and returned to the kitchen.

  Sarah had jerked her arms from around Mitch and was busy straightening her shirt. She dragged her fingers through her hair. “I think it’s time we went back inside.”

  “Probably so,” Mitch said, trying to gain control of his raging libido. “Thanks for giving me the heads up about Lindsey’s birthday. I owe you one.”

  Sarah started for the door, then looked over her shoulder. “No, Mitch. We’ll call it even. For now.” She smiled a flirty little smile that sent a bolt of lightning down south, this time with a vengeance. Mitch had a terrible feeling that he was in over his head and there was nothing he could do about it.

  ****

  Sarah sat perched on her back porch steps, eyes closed, listening to the evening sounds drift in on the cool spring breeze. After dinner, she’d watched Josh and Lindsey play basketball using the ball Josh had proudly given the girl yesterday at her party. Sarah had enjoyed the interaction between them, alternating from jubilant competition to petty arguments. Josh’s first crush was rapidly changing into friendship. Both kids squabbled like brother and sister.

  Sarah’s chest ached a little at the thought.

  The latch on the gate rattled and she opened her eyes. When Mitch entered the yard, her heart thumped wildly. He didn’t say a word as he approached, and she admired how the black T-shirt stretched across his chest. His jeans rode low on his hips, his belt-buckle glimmering in the last rays of sunlight.

  “Hi,” she said, when he stopped in front of the porch.

  “Mind if I sit with you?” Not waiting for an answer, he sank to the step, one down from her, angled his big body towards her and leaned against the painted post, all the while looking at her with those bad-boy eyes.

  Sarah scooted her legs under her long skirt and wrapped her arms tightly around her shins.

  “You doing okay?” His low voice oozed all kinds of promises and suggestions.

  A thrill skittered down her spine, leaving her feeling tingly with anticipation and excitement and a tiny bit of fear. Sarah resolutely pushed away the fear.

  For a long time now, she’d been missing out. After her rape, she’d sunk into a deep well of gloom. Ryan had helped her, but Ryan was gone now. From this moment on, Sarah promised herself to live in the present.

  She stretched her legs down the steps again, aware of Mitch’s interest in the movement. “I’m better now that you’re here.” Had she actually said that? “I mean, I’m doing okay.”

  His eyes darkened and he grinned a wicked grin that melted something inside Sarah. Melt down, more like.

  “I’m glad,” he said. “I didn’t get to see much of you at the party, except for that quick lesson number two out back.” He reached over and trailed a finger down her legs, sending sparks of desire ricocheting through her system.

  She resisted the urge to pull her legs under her skirt again and tried to form a coherent reply. “Lindsey enjoyed her party, don’t you think?”

  Mitch pushed away from the post and moved closer. “She was certainly surprised. I think we connected a little.”

  His musky aftershave assaulted Sarah’s senses. She swallowed hard. “When she hugged you, I almost cried.”

  Mitch encircled her waist and dragged her down to sit beside him, keeping his hands on her. “What is it with you women and crying? Don’t you know it rips a man up inside? Makes us feel helpless?”

  Sarah felt helpless, too. Helpless to the desire Mitch was carefully stoking. She touched his bearded cheek. “And don’t forget angry.”

  “That’s a given.” He placed his hand over hers and squ
eezed.

  Sarah sucked in a breath. “What is it about you men—”

  “Enough talk.” Mitch placed his finger over her lips. “Time for lesson three.”

  “Okay.” She’d much rather be kissing him than bantering mindless chatter back and forth. Although she was proud she’d been able to keep up with the conversation, because his touch had short-circuited her brainwaves.

  He rubbed his finger slowly over her bottom lip, a sensuous motion, back and forth, following the curve of her mouth. “Let’s go for a ride.”

  She took hold of his wrist and stilled the movement of his hand. “You’re really getting into these lessons, aren’t you?”

  Mitch brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. Her breath hitched and her body warmed.

  “You’re an attractive woman,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the lessons.”

  He stroked his thumb over the sensitive underside of her wrist, his heavy-lidded gaze intently focused on her.

  She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t release his hold. “So why did you refuse to help me at first?” she asked, her breath hitching again when he kissed her wrist.

  He kept his eyes on hers as he kissed his way to the sensitive crease above her elbow. “I had doubts that I wouldn’t know how,” he said between kisses. “I still have doubts, Sarah. I haven’t lived a very nice life. We’re different, you and me.” Moving his hands to her upper arms, he pulled her close.

  Sarah pressed her hands against his chest, clutching the black fabric of his T-shirt, reveling in the heat from his body, and miracle of miracles, she wasn’t frightened. Well, maybe a little. Mostly she felt intrigued, eager to discover more about this passion zinging between her and Mitch.

  In the past couple of days, she’d made progress, but she still had a long way to go.

  “I think we’re similar in more ways than you give us credit for,” she said, her voice sounding breathless to her ear.

  Mitch stood and pulled her to stand before him. Sarah still clutched his shirt, the muscles beneath her fingers hard and corded.

  “It’s a beautiful night,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I want to take you for a ride on my bike.”

  She tilted her head to see him better. “Your motorcycle? I don’t think so.”

  “Aw, come on. It’s all part of the lesson.”

  “How do you mean?”

  He kissed her forehead and Sarah wished he’d really kiss her. She was already burning up.

  “You’ll be sitting close behind me and become accustomed to the feel of my body.”

  “I’m already getting accustomed, and I like it. I don’t want to ride your motorcycle.”

  Mitch teased her lips with a couple of fleeting kisses. “You’re trusting me to help you get over your fears. Trust me about the bike, too. You’ll love it, Sarah Smiles. Come on, what do you say?”

  Still, he didn’t kiss her. Not really. Sarah searched the hard lines of his handsome face. Mitch Defalco was every woman’s fantasy and every father’s nightmare. She shouldn’t trust him, but for some reason she did. “I say, let’s see if Lindsey will watch Josh for an hour or so.”

  Again that wicked grin and heavy-lidded gaze that set her stomach to fluttering. He grabbed her hand, kissed it, then pulled her toward the front of the house, where the kids were still playing basketball.

  ****

  Fifteen minutes later, Sarah sat behind Mitch, arms hugging his waist, the wind blowing in her face, the scenery flying by. She’d never ridden a motorcycle before and at first, she’d been a little tense. Actually, excruciatingly tense. Then as Mitch maneuvered the bike over the pavement of the streets, through town and beyond, she lost her initial fear and began enjoying the exhilarating freedom of riding at a fast clip without the encumbrance of two tons of metal surrounding her on all sides.

  The engine vibrated through the leather saddle, tingling and buzzing beneath her bottom. Her breasts were squashed against Mitch’s back—her thighs cradled his butt and the combination produced an exquisitely sensual sensation.

  Conversation was impossible, so Sarah held on tight and enjoyed the view. She recognized the way he was taking her. They were returning to his favorite place up by Coyote Dam.

  As the motorcycle climbed the steep incline, Sarah tightened her hold around Mitch’s middle and laid her head against his strong hard back. She inhaled his unique masculine scent and closed her eyes on a sigh.

  Before she knew it, the motorcycle’s angle straightened and they were on top of the embankment overlooking the lake. Sarah opened her eyes. The sight was more beautiful sitting from the vantage point atop the motorcycle.

  Mitch cut the engine and removed his helmet. Sarah did the same and shook out her hair, hoping against hope, it wasn’t horribly squashed. She pushed her fingers through the spiky mess, finger-combing her hair into some semblance of neatness.

  Mitch turned his head. “Trade places with me.”

  “What?”

  “Get off and climb on in front.”

  She had mixed feelings about this, yet she was determined to see it through. “Right.” She set the helmet on the backrest and slid off the seat. When she tried to climb on in front of Mitch he stopped her with his hand on her arm.

  “I want you to face me.”

  “Uh...”

  He grinned. “You can do this.”

  Sarah nodded. “I can do this.”

  She put her hands on Mitch’s shoulders and he grasped her waist, lifting her from the ground. “Hike your leg over the seat.”

  Holding her skirt out of the way, she slid her leg over and he eased her down in front of him, smiling that sexy smile she was coming to enjoy.

  She kept her hands on his shoulders. “Now what?”

  “Now, I want you to kiss me. If you want to, that is. You’re in charge, Sarah. You have the power.”

  “You keep saying that.”

  “I’m trying to help you, sweetheart. And I need to keep reminding myself that these are lessons. Because if I had it my way, we’d already be naked in bed. I want you that much.”

  Sarah’s stomach flip-flopped at his low growled admission. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you doing this for me?”

  He smiled a wolfish smile. “I’d rather you showed me your appreciation.” He winked and there went her heart, all aflutter, just like that.

  “I’m in control?” she asked, reaching up and stroking the silver streaks at his temples.

  “Completely. Absolutely.” His brown eyes blazed with a sudden hunger. “Kiss me, Sarah.”

  “I will,” she said, fascinated by the fine soft hair. “We’re not in a hurry, are we?”

  Mitch chuckled. “No ma’am. I’m here for your pleasure.”

  She traced the shell of his ear with her forefinger and he trembled beneath her touch. A feminine sense of power and satisfaction filled her—something she’d never experienced before. Leaning forward, she nibbled his bottom lip, kissed one corner of his sculpted mouth, trailed her tongue to the other corner, and smiled when he groaned, deep in his chest.

  “You’re killing me, woman.”

  “That good, huh?” The old Sarah would never have said that. The old Sarah would never have been in this position, either.

  Mitch clamped his hand on the back of her head, digging his fingers in her hair. He pulled her closer, almost touching her lips with his. His hot breath huffed against her mouth.

  Tension strummed through Sarah’s body like a guitar string. She wasn’t afraid. Oh no. Sarah reveled in the new sense of strength and freedom she was finding with Mitch’s help.

  “Kiss me.” His voice was low and gravelly.

  She placed her hands on both sides of his cheeks, the whiskers scratchy beneath her fingertips and palms. She pressed her lips to his and immediately, Mitch opened and almost consumed her with an urgency that fueled her own passionate hunger.

  Mitch kept one hand tangled in Sarah’s hair. The o
ther hand eased around her waist, moved down to her butt and pulled her closer, until her heat surrounded him on all sides. His arousal nestled against her and he silently cursed the layers of clothing separating them.

  He tried to tamp down his ardor, but it was one hell of a fight. He concentrated on Sarah and what she was doing. How she tasted. How she was boldly thrusting her tongue into his mouth, swiping his teeth with the tip. How her hands felt cupping his face, rubbing his beard. Her thumbs teased the corners of his mouth, moving with the same rhythm as her tongue.

  She plastered her breasts against his chest, moving sensually against him. Her lower body rocked against his arousal and she made crooning little moans that nearly drove him over the edge.

  Watch it, Defalco. This is Sarah.

  He repeated the warning, imprinting it on his hot-wired brain. The brain that was shutting down, willing to let his body do the thinking. He had to be careful. He could not lose control.

  Dear God, she was good. Tasted good. Sweet, sweet Sarah.

  He’d carefully fanned the flames and she was going down in a slow burn. Or maybe not so slow the way she was moving her body. Like she wanted to crawl inside his skin.

  Which would be great if this was anyone but Sarah. Except this was Sarah. And she trusted him to help her. True, right now she was lost in a fog of passion. But Mitch hadn’t tried to touch her breasts yet, and that’s when she had frozen that night on her porch swing.

  With real regret, he pulled back. “We have to stop. Lesson’s over.”

  Sarah looked at him out of passion-clouded eyes. “And what if I say that I don’t want to stop?”

  Chapter Ten

  Lord have mercy, Mitch needed help here. He was a healthy, red-blooded male. Holding a healthy, red-blooded willing female. On the back of his bike. On top of a ravine. In the light of the full moon.

  Well, damn. A few more minutes couldn’t hurt.

  He tightened his hold on Sarah and kissed her. Immediately, she opened for him and he plundered her sweetness. While he kept her focused on the kiss, he eased his hand from around her butt, moving slowly upwards until his fingers were about an inch below her breast. He didn’t move any closer, just flattened his hand against her rib cage, taking note of her reaction, her breathing. Waiting to see if she rebuffed his advances or welcomed them.