Dark Heart Wolf - Haley Weir Page 0,10
be my assistant."
"I can't read all that well, ma'am."
"Then I'll just teach you with my words, Ruth. There are lots of ways to learn." Abigail walked Ruth out of the room and up the stairs to settle in. Boone and Jesse disappeared into the study to handle the paperwork, leaving Sam alone with Mary Ann.
She was quiet at first, just staring at the side of his head as if committing his profile to memory. "That was sweet, Samuel. I'm sure you made Ruth feel very special."
"I lied to her, though."
"Did you?" She asked. "How?"
"I told her that I only see red. That ain't the whole truth." Sam shifted closer to Mary Ann. "I see the shades of gold and brown in your hair, the warm hues of your skin, and the green of your eyes. My brother might think you and I only became friends last year, but I remember every single moment we have spent together. The words whispered in dark corners, secret winks from outside your shop, and sneaky little kisses goodnight."
"It don't mean nothin', Sam. You've made it clear enough."
He stepped closer and slid his arm around her waist. "The day I returned to Wolf Valley was the first time I had ever seen color. I could only see you in a world of red. It frightened me, made me feel like a monster for seein' you differently than Savannah."
Mary Ann stood shocked for a moment before she wrestled out of Sam's arms. She walked away from him, hurrying through the kitchen and out the back door. Sam was swift. He caught up with her quickly and spun Mary Ann around. "Listen to me, Mary. I'm tryin' to tell you how I feel. All of us talked this mornin' and things ain't lookin' good right now. But I feel the need to tell you what's on my mind."
"Don't. You missed me," she said with a small smile. "That's what this is. You missed me and we're good friends, Sam. Comin' back to the ranch must have made your matin' urges stronger, but I know the real you, and he would never bow to his instincts like this."
Sam shook his head to clear his mind. Mary Ann was right. What had he intended to say just then? He wasn't the sort for love confessions or anything like that. Besides, he wasn't quite sure if what he felt for Mary Ann was love at all. She placed her hand over the mark on his shoulder. The gesture had been meant to bring him comfort, but even through the fabric of his shirt, Sam felt her warmth. His large body shuddered. Heat entered her gaze, and suddenly, it seemed like she wasn't interested in running away anymore.
Her fingers curled around his shoulder and Sam pressed her against his chest. Mary Ann licked her lips and he wanted to chase down that moist flicker of pink with his own tongue. Their breath mingled as she moved closer instinctively. Sam's arms tightened around Mary Ann, and she gasped. "We say one thing, but our bodies want somethin' different. I feel like you’re drivin’ me insane, Mary. I can smell your desire…"
He rocked against her, hearing the way she moaned as the growing bulge in his trousers rubbed against her hip. Mary Ann's eyes widened, and she reached up to cup his face and pull him closer. Sam could feel the yearning that radiated off of her, and he was certain she felt his. "Why are we fightin' this?" she asked in a little whisper of a sound.
But they both knew why. "Because neither of us can let go of my past." Sam fought through the temptation and urges. He fought through the lust and whirlwind of emotion. Sam released Mary Ann and ran his fingers through the salt and pepper strands of his hair. He paced a few feet in front of her, back and forth like an animal on the prowl. “I need to get in control of myself, and I can't do it here at the ranch. I'll stay for a few weeks, but we need to keep our distance."
"After that?" Mary Ann asked.
"Can I come home with you?"
He watched the shock on her face warm to a pleasant smile. "You want to live with me, Samuel Cassady?"
"I'm not welcome here, and I get nervous each time my brother takes in someone new. I belong with you, Mary. So, yes. I want to live with you."
"What will people say?"
Sam heard