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  “A good one, I hope?” she asked, vulnerability shining in her expression.

  Obviously she wasn’t used to mornings after, and no way would he hurt her just because he was running scared. “After last night, how could it be anything but?”

  The tension in her body fled fast and her smile sent awareness shooting straight to his groin, which apparently hadn’t gotten the memo about keeping a safe distance.

  Now to work on his tension. As long as he took things slow, guarded his emotions and his heart, he’d be fine. Just because they’d had great sex didn’t mean their agreement of nothing serious didn’t still hold. Leaving now would be his best bet.

  “Breakfast?” she asked. “I packed up the big stuff for the move later today, but I have enough to whip up an omelet or pancakes.”

  His stomach rumbled, answering before his brain kicked in.

  She laughed, the happy sound making him feel like an ass for his darker thoughts. “So which will it be?”

  “Pancakes, if it’s not too much trouble.” And then, because he couldn’t resist, he leaned over and settled his lips over hers, kissing her until the churning in his stomach and the bout of nerves became a distant memory.

  “Mmm,” she said when he broke the kiss. “Better than food.”

  He grinned.

  “But I need to get up and shower . . . Joe said he’d help me move boxes to the car around ten this morning.”

  “I have to work, or I’d help. But I’ll carry some down before I head out.” He’d have to stop home and change clothes before going to work.

  “Thanks.” She eased out from beneath the covers. Before he could get a look at her incredible body, she swiped her robe from a nearby chair and wrapped it around herself. “I’d ask you to join me but we’d never get moving today.” Her eyes twinkled, and he knew he’d accomplished his goal of not making her panic along with him.

  She showered, and he jumped in after her while she made breakfast. While he was drying off, the doorbell rang.

  He wondered who it could be. Pulling on his jeans, he stiffened as he heard Tyler Stanton’s voice.

  “Morning, sunshine,” he said loudly.

  Sam shook his head. Did the man have no shame? He never gave up. Well, Sam had every intention of giving him a reason to walk away with or without his dignity intact.

  “Tyler, you shouldn’t have,” Nicole said.

  Sam narrowed his gaze.

  “I know they’re your favorite,” he said. “I know a lot about you, remember? We shared a lot of things before—”

  Sam had had it. Without bothering with his shirt, his hair still damp, he stepped out of the bathroom, well aware of what this looked like, wanting to give Tyler the right impression. “What are you doing here, Stanton?” Sam asked.

  Nicole’s gaze lingered appreciatively on Sam before darting to Tyler, whose cheeks flushed dark in embarrassment.

  “I’m giving Nicole an early-morning delivery.” To his credit, he didn’t ask Sam the same question.

  “Thank you.” Nicole accepted the vase of yellow roses.

  “She prefers daisies,” Sam muttered. Or did she?

  “Tyler, this really isn’t appropriate. I already told you—”

  Sam swallowed back a curse and pushed down on the jealousy. It wasn’t like Nicole was leading the man on.

  “I know. And I see things between you two are . . . serious.”

  Sam immediately stepped up and wrapped an arm around Nicole. “You’re damn right. Which means you bringing her flowers isn’t cool.”

  Nicole sucked in a startled breath. Yes, she knew the two men were adversaries, and of course it made sense that Sam would be jealous of Tyler. She’d feel the same way about any woman showing him attention, especially the morning after. But they’d agreed on an affair, nothing serious, they’d both said. Which meant he didn’t have the right to tell Tyler what he could or couldn’t do. Yet he stood here, his arm around her, telling her ex just that.

  Sweet pleasure rushed through her at his warm touch, hugging her close, and his possessive words. Much as she hated to admit it, she’d woken up in Sam’s arms, wishing for this very thing. Of course she’d immediately chastised herself, since she’d been a willing party to their agreement last night. And she had a new, independent life to lead here in Serendipity. No strings, no ties.

  “I think it’s up to Nicole whether she wants the flowers or not,” Tyler said to Sam.

  She shook her head. In all the years she’d known him, he’d never been so obtuse or dense. “The roses are beautiful, but Sam’s right. We’re involved, and that means you can’t come around here bringing me flowers.” Yet she held the vase in her hand, unable to return them because that would be rude.

  “How involved?” Tyler pressed on.

  Nicole opened her eyes in shock. “That’s none of your business,” she said, at the same time Sam said, “Very,” causing Nicole’s heart to skip a beat.

  Damn her weak self for liking his words that much. Wanting more could only lead to heartache . . . and yet she sensed that more was exactly what she wanted from him after last night.

  Sam stepped forward, prodding Tyler out the door. To Nicole’s relief, he went without an argument, and Sam shut the door behind him.

  Leaning against the frame, Sam turned to face her. “Well, I hope that little show persuaded him to back off,” Sam muttered.

  Show?

  Disappointment welled in Nicole’s chest. She drew a deep, calming breath, refusing to let Sam see that she’d nearly bought into his act right along with her ex-fiancé.

  “Nicole? You okay?” he asked.

  She forced a smile. “Just fine.”

  “Can I help with breakfast?”

  “Sure. Just let me straighten up first.” She swung away from him, needing a minute that wasn’t beneath his scrutiny.

  She headed for the bed and began fluffing pillows and drawing up the comforter, cleaning up after them without meeting his gaze. And she didn’t return to the kitchen area to make breakfast until she was certain she had her emotions under control. After growing up in her parents’ household, she’d thought her protective shell was impenetrable. One look at Sam’s handsome face, dismissing any notion of a serious relationship, and she knew she’d been wrong.

  But the last thing she needed was for Sam to think she couldn’t handle the affair she’d so willingly gone into last night. If he saw the signs of a clinging female, he’d take off running for sure. Which meant she’d just have to buck up—and grow up. Oh. And develop a thicker skin.

  Sam and the also newly promoted Cara worked a case that took them into the weekend. His mood was foul and since Cara didn’t seem to be feeling well, she left him alone, not pressing him for information. Which meant they were both lost in their own thoughts and that of the case, and the weekend passed slowly. Aware that Nicole was moving into her place, Sam stopped by whenever he could to help. He wasn’t the only one. For a woman new to town, she’d already made friends.

  Whenever Sam found time to drive over, a different group of people were there, from Macy and her aunt Lulu, to Erin and Joe and Annie. And of course, to Sam’s frustration, Tyler had shown up and planted himself in her house.

  Tyler was doing his best to make himself indispensable, moving boxes, unpacking, and just . . . existing. Sam was disgusted. Tyler clearly didn’t want her staying in Serendipity, but he made damned sure to help her settle in, something Sam hadn’t the time to really do. And it drove him insane, how much Tyler’s presence bothered him.

  At least Macy was there, keeping Tyler busy and as far from Nicole as possible, something Sam appreciated even if her reasons appeared more self-serving. There was a clear attraction between Tyler and Macy, and if Tyler wasn’t still pushing for a reconciliation with Nicole, Sam would say they were destined to hook up. Tyler and Macy as a couple would only help Sam’s cause.

  Of course it would be better if Sam helped his own. As a cop and now a detective, he’
d been trained to notice the little things, the twitches in someone’s face, the shift in their expression. And the other morning, he’d caught the disappointment in Nicole’s face when he expressed his relief that Tyler had bought the show Sam had put on for his benefit. Though Sam wanted nothing more than to draw her into his arms and reassure her, his own conflicting emotions kept him from doing so. Giving her the wrong impression of what he was capable of would hurt her even more. So his bad mood had begun.

  And it permeated the entire weekend.

  While he was at Nicole’s, he helped with the heavy lifting and tried to be his cheerful self, but she had erected her own walls of protection and had a round robin of people helping her around the house. After a while, he wondered if she’d even notice if he hadn’t come by at all. He’d have realized it, though, and missed her.

  On his last trip, he ran into his sister on Nicole’s driveway.

  “Hey!” Erin gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Where are you off to?” she asked.

  “Interview at the station,” he said.

  “How’s it going in there?” Erin tipped her head toward the house.

  Sam shrugged. “Looks like Nicole is settling in and everything’s getting unpacked. She sure has enough help to make sure it’ll all get done quickly.”

  “Well, that’s good. Moves can be tough. Especially when you do it twice in a short time.”

  “I guess. See you tomorrow night at Mom’s.” Sunday night dinner at the Marsden house was a mandatory affair. He turned to go.

  “Whoa. Get back here,” his sister said.

  He tapped on his wristwatch. “Gotta be somewhere.”

  “It’ll wait five minutes. It’s not like they can start without you.”

  “Oh, but they can.”

  “Sam, stop being obstinate. What’s going on? What’s wrong with you? You’re a grumpy, miserable human, which is more like Mike when he couldn’t make decisions about Cara, than you. So what gives?”

  He shook his head. “There are things a guy doesn’t discuss with his sister.”

  “You’re kidding. You screwed things up with Nicole already?”

  Unable to meet her gaze, he shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.” He was just conflicted because he knew Nicole wasn’t completely satisfied with things between them, and he wasn’t sure how much he was willing to give in order to change things.

  “Maybe you should discuss these things with your sister. Then you wouldn’t make colossal mistakes.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Because you and Cole did so well in the beginning? Besides, I told you, I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just complicated.”

  A wide smile took hold. “If ending up like me and Cole is your final destination, then you go ahead and screw up now as much as you want.”

  He growled at her in a way he hadn’t since they were kids. When she was little, she’d run screaming.

  Now? She merely laughed.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “You nailed the issue on the head. I don’t want to end up in a serious relationship.”

  “And she does?” Erin studied him with her perceptive hazel eyes, so like his own.

  “I didn’t think so when we started. Now I’m not so sure.”

  “Huh.” Erin sighed. “Well, then, here’s what you should do.”

  He leaned in, grateful for any advice that could help him keep Nicole in his life and not be tied in knots.

  “It’s simple,” his sister said. “Just say uncle now and give her up to Tyler. Save everyone the time and the aggravation.” She shrugged as if the suggestion made perfect sense.

  The growl that escaped him this time made his sister’s eyes open wide. “Ah, so it’s like that. Fighting yourself, are you?”

  Sam clenched his hands, wanting to throttle her as he had so often when they were kids. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a pain in the ass?”

  “You. All the time.” She rocked forward and treated him to another peck on the cheek. “Go get to your meeting. Continue in denial. It suits you.”

  Before he could reply, she waved and strode down the driveway and through the open garage.

  If Sam’s mood was bad before, it was positively brutal now.

  Eight

  Nicole approached the Marsden home uncertain what she was doing here. Erin had invited her for dinner at her parents’ house, insisting she come because family dinners were weekly events and guests kept them from killing each other. Somehow, Nicole didn’t buy it. In the short time she’d been in Serendipity, she’d heard nothing but glowing praise for each of the Marsdens, from Ella and Simon, whose longtime marriage had withstood crises and even his cancer diagnoses and treatment last year, to the siblings.

  The invitation meant a lot to her, and since Erin promised Sam was working a case and wouldn’t be there, she was more comfortable attending. She was still trying to convince herself she could abide by the rules they’d set and keep things casual, continue to have sex with no strings, nothing serious.

  What had she been thinking? She’d had sex with one person when she lost her virginity to her college boyfriend, and they’d broken up soon after. She’d come home for a school break and reconnected with Tyler, and though it had taken them years to get serious, he was her one long-term relationship and she’d almost married him. What made her think she could do casual, she asked herself for the millionth time.

  No matter how potent Sam’s touch, no matter how much she enjoyed his company, no matter how explosive the attraction, Nicole had spent too much of her life accepting less than she deserved from her family. She’d broken up with a good man because she didn’t want him to settle for less, any more than she was willing to. So she admitted to herself now that she needed Sam to step up, at least in little ways—small, basic ways—if she was going to continue to sleep with him.

  They needed to agree they would be exclusive.

  He needed to be affectionate in public, acknowledge her as his girlfriend. She wasn’t asking him to marry her, for God’s sake, but she couldn’t just be a fuck buddy. If that was all he wanted from her, even after their last time together, then she’d have to walk away before she became invested even more. The thought caused a sharp pain in the region of her heart, but she was prepared to stand up for what she needed.

  First, though, dinner with his family. She rang the doorbell and was greeted by a barking ball of white fluff and an older, attractive woman. From the similar auburn hair coloring, despite the obvious highlights in Ella Marsden’s hair, to the eyes, to the warm smile, she was obviously Erin and Sam’s mother.

  “You must be Nicole,” she said, opening the door. “Welcome.”

  “Thank you for having me over, Mrs. Marsden.” Nicole handed her a bouquet of wildflowers she’d bought in town.

  “I appreciate these. I love flowers, but next time, just bring yourself. And call me Ella.”

  Her smile was so sweet and genuine, she couldn’t help but respond in kind.

  “Who’s this?” she asked of the dog.

  “Meet Kojak.”

  Smiling, Nicole bent to pet the dog, who was bouncing up and down in excitement. With Kojak at her heels, she followed Ella into the house.

  A few minutes later, Nicole had met Simon, the onetime police chief, and settled in with the family to talk and share a drink before dinner. Cole was in the family room and, to Nicole’s surprise, he greeted her with genuine kindness for the first time. Obviously his wife had spoken to him, or he was coming to see that she truly was nothing like her sister. Mike Marsden was here without his wife, who was working with Sam, and even he seemed determined to get to know Nicole for herself.

  It saddened her to think that many people, Cole and Mike included, probably wouldn’t give Victoria a second chance, despite how far she’d come. But those thoughts drifted away as she was included in the family conversation and joking.

  She turned to Erin. “Can I hold that adorable baby of yours?”

 
Erin handed over the little girl dressed in a pink onesie and swaddled in a white blanket with pink satin trim. The pink brought out the coloring in her skin, making the baby seem even more girly. She smelled like the most delicious baby shampoo and quietly lay in Nicole’s arms, making smacking noises with her little lips.

  Nicole hadn’t thought about having kids, but as she held Angel in her arms, a strange feeling of intense longing welled up inside her, catching her off-guard. “She’s so sweet.”

  “You should hear her when she’s hungry at night. Or wet. Or cranky after six p.m.—but of course only in our house; in her grandparents’ house she’s the Angel we call her,” Erin said, laughing. The love in her voice and her expression were obvious.

  Cole slid closer on the couch, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “Says the woman who sleeps while I get up and take care of her midnight feedings?” His deep chuckle also belied his words.

  These two were clearly in love, and another, distinctly different wave of need swept through Nicole. She swallowed hard and refocused on the less painful feelings.

  “Hey, little girl,” Nicole said softly, stroking a hand down the baby’s chubby cheek.

  Without warning, the front door opened. “We made it,” Sam said, stepping into the house, Cara behind him.

  Nicole’s stomach tightened at the sight of the man she couldn’t get out of her head, looking handsome in a sport jacket—obviously he’d been at work—and his gaze took in the room, settling on her, his surprise evident.

  She swallowed hard.

  “Sam! I didn’t expect you tonight,” Erin said.

  He shot her a strange look. “I told you I’d get things wrapped up early today.”

  Mike rose to greet his wife.

  Ella clapped her hands, obviously thrilled to have her whole family together.

  “Come pour yourself a drink,” Simon said to his son.

  And Erin busied herself with a nonexistent thread on her shirt, refusing to meet Nicole’s gaze. She’d obviously lied to get Nicole to come, knowing her brother would show up.

  Though she wanted to be mad at Erin, she couldn’t be. Erin obviously had her brother’s best interest at heart.