Daredevil's Mistress

Chapter 10

Steadily, a confused mixture of excitement and panic rolled, jumped, and grew. Although he didn’t make any contact, his hot breath fanned her lips. A subtle attempt if there ever was any. Damn, he’s enjoying this.

“Cody!” Reece’s shout followed by a shrill whistle stopped his actions. Cody flicked his gaze over the horse’s saddle at his approaching brother and let go of her waist, abruptly, ignorant to Samantha’s gasp.

Wrenched among the spikes of resentment and distress, Samantha walked briskly then ran as soon as he released her arm. She didn’t pause, not even for a breath until she reached the house. Memory of his touch jolted a sudden flash of arousal. Geez, I wanted him to kiss me…to touch me. God no.

Her wayward digressions disgusted her defiance. Yes, inexperienced with the opposite sex, this was her first real exposure to such strong hot-blooded feelings for a man…ever. “I hate you, Cody Bentley.” She loathed every painstakingly handsome fiber of his beautiful body.

Ugh.

Aggravated, Samantha didn’t resist the urge to stomp her foot childishly. “Crap.” The loud groan burst through clenched teeth as her sandaled toe stubbed a stone. Dammit. This holiday was proving more of a fiasco than she anticipated. She shook her head furiously to dispel her confused state of mind and ran in search of the others, seeking comfort. Avoid Cody; a task it seemed easier thought than done.

Samantha raced through the kitchen door and almost collided with the table. A soft groan snuck out of her lips as she remained unsettled by the encounter with Cody. Deborah and Freda were busy with lunch preparations. Clearly startled, both women’s heads snapped up.

“And why are you so out of breath?” Deborah asked; her brow puckered in confusion, clearly distracted by Samantha’s collision course.

Cheeks red, Samantha offered a weak smile. “I did a hop, skip, and the jump from the stables.” Mentally blocking Cody from her aching head, she neared her friend.

Freda looked up from her spot at the sink where she cleaned the potatoes. “Coffee, sweetheart?” At Samantha’s nod, she moved away to pour her a cup of coffee.

Samantha glanced out the window and did a double take. Freda’s view allowed her a perfect picture of the stables. God, she must’ve seen her disaster with Cody. Embarrassed, she accepted the mug of coffee and noticed Freda’s smile. Can she read my wayward fantasies of Cody?

The older woman dropped the diced potatoes in a pot and washed them with cold water then offered Samantha a knife. “Want to help me with the salad?”

“Yes, what do I do?”

“Samantha has servants to do these things. We need to show her the ropes,” Deborah said.

“I’m not that bad. I do help our cook, every now and then, only when Dad travels though. He’d freak out if he found me in the kitchen.”

“Is your dad strict?” Freda asked.

Squeezing her body between the two of them, Deborah said, “He’s like Cody.”

She giggled, Freda and Samantha joined her. “I have an errand at the store.”

“Another errand?” Samantha arched a brow for Deborah’s benefit.

Her friend muttered something under her breath. “You ladies have fun while I’m gone. Don’t gossip too much.”

“Deborah,” Freda scolded then popped the pot on the stove and set the heat to cook.

Debating whether to follow her or not, Samantha chewed the insides of her cheeks and watched her leave the kitchen. Yep, Deborah’s definitely up to something.

Freda took another knife from the drawer and claimed Samantha’s attention as she showed her what to do.

“My mom loves to cook but only does so when Dad’s away on business. Papa says he worked hard to ensure Mom didn’t have to work a day in her life.”

“Well, ain’t she lucky.” Freda left Samantha to wrestle the cucumbers as she opened and closed cupboard doors. “Now where is my pan?”

“Something you need help with?” Samantha asked over her shoulder.

“No, sweetheart, I’m looking for my big roasting pan to marinate the ribs,” Freda’s muffled response came from the pantry. Amid an incoherent mumble, the old woman backed out of the pantry and opened the cupboards higher up. “Now, how did it get up there?” The kitchen cupboards ran full length from floor up to the edge of the high ceiling. Freda grabbed a kitchen stool and set it down in front of the open double door cupboard.

Samantha gasped in fear and literally flew around the large center stove. “No, Freda, you’re not getting on that stool.”

With a casual wave of her hand, Freda tittered. “I’m one tough cookie, sweetheart. I cook and care for this family. It takes a lot of time and energy, so I do whatever needs doin’.”

“Right, but you’re not getting on that stool. I’ll do it.”

“Okay but be careful.” Freda stepped back to the kitchen sink.

Cautiously, Samantha climbed onto the stool then stilled her movements when it shook slightly. Hands extended, she balanced herself and stretched her hand out for the pan. Damn, still too high. Rising onto the tips of her toes, she leaned in and grabbed the edge of the pan.

“No!” Samantha glimpsed someone enter the kitchen as the stool teetered dangerously. Unable to regain her balance, it toppled over. The momentum took her with it. Arms flapping, she fell backward.

“Damn.”

The single word registered amid the clatter of the pan as it hit the floor. Samantha opened her eyes. Holy crap. Where the hell did he come from? She was tightly cuddled in Cody’s arms. Her confused gaze met his concerned one. No way. He’s worried. She couldn’t move. His warmth shrouded her in its intensity. The idea of an exodus from this comfort seemed abruptly unattractive. Oh. My. God, did I really just think of staying here? The beat of his heart against her body surrounded her in its soft drone. Hypnotized, she held his gaze.

“Third time’s the charm.” His lips twitched.

The subtle words compelled Samantha out of her trance. God, I’m such a clumsy clod near the man. Gulping, she scrambled hastily out of his arms.

“Excuse me.” She ran out of the kitchen, vowing to herself there won’t be a third time.

****

Cody offered Freda a sheepish grin then plopped his butt on a stool. The sight of Samantha swaying dangerously on an unstable stool as he entered the kitchen had crammed his body with shocked concern. A moment of sheer panic gripped his heart when he caught her. A stranger to the emotion, it left him paralyzed. Too stunned to move, he enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. Her bare skin so soft and supple set his body on a path of fiery destruction and a beeline for his hard cock. The tightness in his jeans right now was near painful and damn hard to think straight.

Out at the corral, he discovered Samantha disturbed his usually calm nerves. Cody aimed to teach this forthright woman a lesson. Her appealing accent enticed him a little too much. No woman had ever needled him as much, and she was too damned beautiful not to take notice. Reece’s untimely appearance prevented him from making an ass of himself by kissing her against her will.

He was pissed, but damn, he wanted to kiss her, taste those seductive insolent lips. Rigid in his arms, her body resembled a tightly coiled spring ready to unwind yet her eyes spoke volumes. Those flickering emerald orbs so bright almost bequeathed her hidden desire. She appeared so innocent and probably a strong possibility his act scared her senseless. Fuck, he needed to tread lightly.

“A lovely girl, isn’t she,” Freda shoved a dent in his wandering mind.

Cody discerned his housekeeper found this situation funny. She witnessed women visit the ranch, and while many tried their luck with him, none succeeded. He didn’t fall easy for women. Some even called him grumpy. “She’s okay.”

“You’re not getting any younger, son.”

“Uh-huh.” Cody grabbed an apple out of the fruit basket on the kitchen table and bit into it.

Freda switched her gaze from the cucumbers to him and huffed. “It’s time you married.”

“No matchmaking, Freda. I’m happy.”

“You’re not fooling me, boy.” She waved the knife in the air. “The gal has you tickled pink. Somethin’ I ain’t seen before.” Hip against the sink, she crossed her arms under her breast. “My bones are startin’ to creak. You know I’m getting old, boy.” Her eyes glazed over with doleful stare.

“Heck, Freda, you’re young.” Cody chuckled. “And Debbie—”

“You think Debbie is hangin’ around here forever. That gal needs to be marrying and have her some kids. Talking about kids, I’d like to see some Bentley babes here. You’re all adults now, and you don’t need me as much.” She fetched the lettuce out of the fridge, gave it a quick rinse, and broke the leaves in the salad bowl.

Cody’s stomach muscles tightened in shame. Freda became an integral part over the last ten years and earned a niche as the motherly figure to his family. She was in her forties when he employed her. Having a family of her own, she’d told him, wasn’t part of her future plans. His family couldn’t function without Freda.

He stood and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. You’re part of this family, and we’d always need you. Yes, I agree. We’re adults and need to give the future more thought. If the work’s too much, I’ll get you some help, okay?”

“I’m just saying and no, I don’t need help.” She leveled a scowl at him.

Cody laughed. “I know.” It was no secret Freda prided herself on being the best, and Lord help anyone who suggested otherwise. “You’re the best.” After a quick hug, he let himself out the kitchen door.

****

“What the hell.” An hour later an astonished Cody stepped out on the patio kissing a sauce-drenched steak, full in the mouth as it flew across the deck leaving Samantha’s raised arm.

All eyes settled on Cody. Their respective actions stilled in stunned silence.

“I’m sorry.” Samantha broke the quiet.

Encircled within the safety of Chance’s arms, her gaze met Cody’s frosty glare. A position, she slipped into when Chance tried to wrestle the steak from her hand.

She wasn’t precisely sure when it started except Reece’s mischievous mouth prompting the first slingshot of potato mash from Deborah’s spoon. One minute they were eating a civilized lunch and the next all hell broke loose. Samantha fell into the chase of a frenzied food fight with the others. Nervous, she gulped and observed the flicker of emotions crisscross Cody’s furious face.

Freda stepped forward. “Sorry, my boy.”

Cody accepted the towel from Freda and wiped his face.

Chance let go of her, and Samantha joined the rest as they quickly scrambled to pick up strewn pieces of meat, plastic cups, and sauce bottles.

Reece characteristically made light of the situation.

“One heck of a lunch you missed, bro.” He grinned at Cody. “I saved you a steak.” He held up a piece of meat he rescued from the table.

Cody glared at him fleetingly before the glacial intensity of his gaze pinned her to the spot, irritation evident in his rigid jawline. “I like my meat rare, Reece…very rare.” Without another word, he spun on his heels and retreated into the house.

Samantha gaped, mouth a perfectly round ‘o’ in disbelief. The man was as confusing as driving on the opposite side of the road in the U.S. One minute he’s cold as mountain air, the next rips through her with uninvited sexist comments, and then he threw her a double entendre.

Cody breaking her fall in the kitchen earlier set her emotions into a tailspin. Her body and mind in a tug-o- war of wanting and not wanting to be near the man. Despised his iciness yet inexplicably drawn to it. Damn asshole. Silently she cussed unladylike words. Her nipples strained against the bikini top, painfully hard at the image of his seductive mouth nipping at them.

Holy shit. Where the hell did that come from?