Chapter Eleven
N atalie sat on Sam’s porch swing later that night, enjoying the warmth of his quilted blanket while he made them coffee.
They’d lost track of time inside, lounging beneath the covers after successfully—and satisfyingly—scratching the itch that’d plagued them both since day one.
Now she sat in a happy state of bliss, her body sore in all sorts of delicious places.
Save a horse, ride a cowboy, indeed.
Sam emerged from the house and offered her one of two mugs as he took a seat beside her. “You doin’ all right?”
“That would be the understatement of the century.” She offered him a flirting grin. “And thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve got creamer inside if you need some.”
She took a careful sip. “Nah, black is fine. And I meant for everything, coffee included.”
“Feel like I should be thanking you. This is the first time I’ve been able to think straight in days.” He studied her for a moment then shook his head. “Never been gobsmacked like that before. If we hadn’t done this, I might not have been able to function come Monday.”
Natalie laughed softly. “Not sure why. I mean, I’m just the klutz who dumped fruit punch all over you.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Natalie, never forget that. But there’s more to it than that. What you do to me…” He shook his head. “I can’t explain it.”
She took another sip of her coffee, struggling to put into words the draw she felt toward him, too.
He was a force that had to be reckoned with, like they were two giant magnets buzzing with an unspoken need to connect.
Rather than muddle through that explanation, she simply replied, “Yeah, you have the same effect on me.”
“Sleeping with the enemy. My family might disown me.”
“I’m not the enemy.” She jabbed him in the rib cage. “And why do I have the feeling that your grandfather would give you props, not disown you?”
Sam laughed. “Oh, there would be high fives from him, for sure. But don’t worry, I won’t tell.”
“Thanks, I’d rather keep this our little secret. It’s not something I do often. Or ever, actually.”
“What, have sex? I’m game to continue remedying that.”
Fire consumed her cheeks. “No, I meant showing up on strangers’ doorsteps and—”
“Luring them into bed. Like a pro, I might add.” He took a sip of his coffee. “But, hey, it’s your story. You tell it like you want to.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but Sam offered her a wink. Relief washed over Natalie. He wasn’t judging. He was just being… Sam. Sexy and contrary, all rolled into one.
“Also, I’m not a stranger,” he added. “You were our dinner guest Wednesday, remember? And you stopped by here just last night.”
“How could I forget?” She arched a brow, and he grinned. Her last trip here had ended in a surprise kiss that’d left her rattled and unsatisfied.
But not anymore.
A cool breeze stirred the air around them. The coffee in her cup jumped as a shiver rattled through her. “Where is that cold air coming from?”
“Copper Mountain.” Sam pulled her closer, and she covered him with some of the blanket. “Guess you don’t have these temperature fluctuations back in Indiana, huh?”
“No. If it’s hot and humid in the daytime, it’s probably like that at night, too, just a few degrees cooler.
Not a big deal as long as the AC keeps working.
” She looked out over his front lawn, its grass mown short for a distance then giving way to taller, wilder mixes.
“I heard some people in town talking about a mountain lion sighting. Were they just trying to get my goat?”
“No, they’re around.” He took a sip of his coffee, nonplussed. “They don’t tend to come up by the buildings, though. Now, bears, on the other hand, can be a nuisance.”
“Bears?” Natalie shrank against him. “I don’t think I want to see any bears while I’m here.”
“You won’t much this time of year, but we still keep doors and garbage cans locked tight to deter them from wandering closer. And the dogs—they aren’t fond of the dogs.”
Natalie took a sip of coffee to hide her grimace. She wasn’t fond of big dogs, either.
“The thing to remember is that the wild animals were here long before we were,” Sam continued. “It’s the people who are intruding on their land in Big Sky country. We just have to learn to coexist.”
Or run and hide really well. “I’ll be honest, this is the first I’ve been anywhere near Yellowstone. All I’ve ever seen of Montana was on TV.”
“TV? Pfft , it’s not the same. Not even close.” He took a drink, then met her gaze. “You have any experience riding horseback?”
Natalie laughed. Took in his perplexed look and laughed some more. “Did you notice how scared I was of those dogs over at the lodge?”
“Yeah. So?”
“So, horses are way bigger than dogs.” Another shiver rattled through her, this one not temperature related.
“Are you saying you’re scared of animals?”
“I mean, not all of them,” she said. “Dolphins seem safe. And goldfish.”
Sam shook his head. “We need to get you over this fear of the great outdoors.”
“Or I could just focus on my love of the great indoors,” she said, grinning.
“Look, if you truly want to understand how your fancy resort might impact us locals, you should probably spend some time out here like the rest of us. Not just inside, either.”
Her smile slipped. “Sam, I didn’t come here tonight to—”
“Wasn’t saying you did. And I didn’t take you to bed because I was trying to influence your work, just so you know.” He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to the hollow beneath her ear. “Won’t be trying to influence you next time, neither.”
Next time? A grin stretched her lips. “Uh-huh.”
“Good, then it’s settled. We’re going out on the range tomorrow. I’ve got the perfect gelding for you to ride.”
Natalie frowned. “A gelding? Is that like a Gator or something?”
“A wha—” Sam dropped his head on a chuckle. “No, city girl. A gelding isn’t a four-wheeler—it’s a male horse that’s had his manhood removed.”
“Ohhhh.” Her thoughts shifted from what that poor horse went through to the realization that Sam was expecting her to get on the beast. “Hold up—what part of I’m afraid of large animals did you not understand a moment ago?”
Sam studied her over his coffee mug. “Something tells me you’re afraid because you’ve never been around them much. Am I right?”
“Hey, if my gut warns me to stay away from something, I’ve learned to listen. And when it comes to animals bigger than cats and bunnies, my gut always tells me to steer clear.”
“Oh yeah?” Sam kissed his way to her ear. “And what did your gut tell you about me?”
She turned and kissed him, ending it with a soft nip. “Pretty sure it told me to run like hell in the opposite direction.”
“And yet here you are, still breathing. And, dare I say, rather satisfied.” A smug look settled on his face as he set his mug down.
Natalie tried to fake a scowl, but it was pointless; she broke into soft laughter as she, too, set her coffee mug aside. “Fine, yes, all of the above. But riding you, I’m sure, is way different from being up on some giant horse.”
“Guess you’ll never know until you’ve tried both.” His lips found hers again. “Multiple times, would be my professional recommendation.”
“I thought tonight was just us scratching this crazy itch.”
“Sure, but that doesn’t mean I won’t want to keep scratching it with you every chance I get while you’re in town.”
Natalie laughed softly. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Nah, more like woke him up.”
A fresh shiver rattled her, and Sam pulled her closer.
“Come riding with me tomorrow,” he whispered into her hair. “Let me show you Big Sky country firsthand.”
It sounded wonderful and terrifying at the same time. Her? In the wild? On a horse ?
“I don’t know.”
“Would you feel better if we had Madison and Norah ride along with us?”
Natalie twisted to face him. “You let your daughter ride out there? Where there are bears? And mountain lions?”
“She was born and raised here, Natalie. We’ve taught her how to be safe, how to avoid confrontations and defend herself as needed.
But closer to the national park, we tend to ride in groups to be on the safe side.
” He brushed a stray hair from her face, his touch soothing.
“I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you or the girls. ”
Great, how was she supposed to tell him no when his fifteen-year-old daughter wasn’t afraid to be out there riding around?
Natalie tried looking on the bright side. If the views truly were that much better out here than on television, they were bound to be spectacular. Plus, it would keep her away from her phone and laptop. Cyn was right—she could use a break from work.
And who knew? Maybe they would catch sight of some black-footed ferrets while they were out there. Then Natalie would know where to tell Neil to set up his camera when he arrived at the end of next week.
“Fine.” She nestled into Sam’s side once more. “I’ll do it, but fair warning—I’ll probably be too scared to enjoy it.”
Sam’s chest shook with quiet laughter. “Warning received. Though, were you scared when you came over tonight?”
“A little. But I was more mad about not being able to get you or that kiss out of my head.”
“Ah.” He slowly raked his fingers through her hair. “Then it sounds like all I need to do is get you good and mad again.”
“You are rather good at that.” She let her eyelids slide shut at his gentle touch. “But maybe let’s try the not-angry approach first and see how it goes, so I don’t accidentally scare your horse and get kicked or something. Deal?”
“You’re a nut.” Sam chuckled softly. “But deal.”
*
Sam woke the next morning feeling like a million bucks.
Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to sleep in until seven.
Natalie had left around midnight, insisting that she get back before anyone at the inn worried.
Once she’d texted that she made it back safely, he hit the sack and crashed hard.