Love on Deck

Love on Deck

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    The sudden touch on her hand jerked her around. She stared at Sam who was tugging at a strand, his big fingers sifting through her hair.
    "Your hair is so soft. It shimmers in the fire light."
    Amber turned away from him, pulling her hair free. "Go call one of your girlfriends. Leave my hair alone." She reached across the floor and put another log on the fire, stoking it. When she turned around, Sam was watching her with dark, smoldering eyes.
    "Let's dance," he said.
    She looked up at him in surprise. "Dance?"
    "We never got to dance at the party."
    "You were too busy setting up conquests." Her voice came out more sarcastic than she intended. She didn't want him to know his actions bothered her so much.
    Sam didn't argue. He simply smiled, got to his feet and walked to the stereo. Amber shivered slightly as she watched his fluid body move. She remembered all too well the last time they had danced, and her blood began to run warm. Sam turned up the music. The song was slow rhythmic.

"Forget that party. I'm here right now. Asking you to dance. Unless of course you=re afraid of me?"

"No!" she protested.

"Afraid of yourself?" he asked with a teasing grin.

Amber took a deep breath. She didn't want to battle anymore, and truth be known, she was curious if she would react to him again the way she did last time they danced.

Sam took her hand in his. It swallowed hers up, but the grip was warm. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. A small shiver of excitement passed through her. She might have enjoyed the moment more if she didn't think that he was testing her. He wanted to see if she was afraid of him.

She drew her head back to look up at him. "Since when did you decide to stop treating me like your little sister?"

His gaze was warm, and light glowed in his dark eyes. "Since I watched you take down your hair."

Amber wasn't certain if she should hit him or feel good about the compliment. Instead she attempted a laugh that came out a little shaky. "What kind of line is that?"

"It's not a line." His voice was low and magnetic.

Something was different between them. She could feel it in her unsettled insides, but she could sense it in him as well. She didn=t know what had done it--her hair or holding her close--but the tension in his arms, the fire in his eyes when she looked up at him spoke volumes. Did he want her or would any woman have filled the bill?

He stared at her lips, and Amber reached up and touched his full lips, circling them with her finger. He jostled her slightly. AHey, behave yourself."

She leaned close to him, resting her cheek against his hard chest. AWhen do you go back to California?"

AIn a few days. I have a job interview day after tomorrow in Colorado Springs."

AMe too."

AThe announcer job?"

AYes. Do you want a ride? I=m not looking forward to the drive, and I bet you don=t know your way around."

AYou got that right. Yes, I guess I could do that."

AYou have to promise one thing though. You can=t lecture me the whole time about how crazy the idea is."

AI=ll be too nervous to lecture you. I have my own job interview to think about."

Amber smiled up at him. AYou? Nervous?"

AI really want this job. I=ve put a lot of time and effort and spent my last dime to get here and pitch for it. You=re damn right I=m nervous. You should have seen me when I went to talk to Arnold."

Amber understood how he felt. Her own nerves rattled when she was told Davis Arnold wanted to see her. AYou know, Sam, we could be good friends. If you get that job and I get mine, we would be working together, and we could help each other... why are you shaking your head?"

AI don=t believe in having female friends. It doesn=t work. Sooner or later they want more from you than friendship."

AI have lots of men friends. And I could be your little sister..."

Again he was shaking his head. AAt the moment that=s the farthest thing from my mind."