Daredevil's Mistress

Chapter 32

Almost tripping at the sound of Cody’s cool drawl, Samantha grabbed the towel off her face. His sudden appearance flummoxed her. Unsure what to say, she held his steadfast gaze. The tight confines of the bedroom made his presence unquestionably more real than she was prepared to handle. His eyes were as clear and blue as the country sky and the enigmatic smile which trapped her previously, deliciously in place.

Her throat constricted in dryness. Swallowing on the large lump stuck in her throat, her gaze traveled the length of his body and back to his face. “He…hello, Cody.” Her voice broke on the words, a victim of a sudden bout of nerves. He was potent in his black silk shirt, slightly longer hair, and his freshly shaven face. The sight of him caused her heart to dance a merry beat. “What…what are you doing here?” Her composure, held firmly together since her arrival, flew out the door.

“I should be asking you the same question.”

Samantha resorted to flippancy. “I was invited to a wedding if you haven’t noticed.”

“Oh, I noticed all right. Since we didn’t part in the best of ways the last time, I popped in to say hello.” He didn’t smile but his tone held a vague nonchalance.

“Why bother. You weren’t interested in talking to me out there,” she said dryly and jerked her chin at the window. Walking over to the dresser, she picked up the brush and brushed her locks in an attempt at ignoring his presence. An act far less complicated said than done. Samantha endured days of brutal agony trying to forget him and now he stood right here, an arm’s length away sharing the same enclosed space. The air hitched in her throat, and it was suddenly difficult to breathe.

Not to be out done, it seemed, Cody muttered a fierce growl, marched up behind her, gripped her shoulders roughly, and spun her up against his chest. Samantha didn’t have time to react before his mouth captured hers, harshly. Shamefully, she responded. Her hidden desire resurfaced with mechanical speed.

His lips were cold in comparison to the warmth of his mouth. Her knees buckled and turned Jell-O quickly. Sheer lust invaded her body. His kiss manipulated every one of her senses as she lost herself in him completely forgetting that a simple stroke of their tongues and caress of their mouths could be this sensual and consuming.

When he eventually lifted his head, Samantha panted for air stunned by the wave of heat as it funneled through her body.

“That’s for the abrupt goodbye between us,” he uttered brusquely and kissed her again, this time quickly. Finally, he put her at arms-length and grimaced. “And that’s for the two months of misery I suffered.”

Samantha remained thunderstruck as their gazes collided, heated and intense. The kiss unsettled her, infuriated her, more so his disrespectful snigger at the end. Frustrated, she whirled away and faced the mirror once more, eyeing her swollen lips in disgust. She pursed her lips, unable to speak. If she did, God help her, she was likely to blow and blurt out a few choice words. Ones she’d possibly regret later.

“We needed to talk…alone,” he said, when he got no response.

Salvaging the last remains of her sanity, she stepped away from the mirror and stared wordlessly, waiting for him to go on.

“So how’s married life?” Cody asked. His voice dripped cold sarcasm.

Her jaw dropped. “Huh?”

“Is your husband here or did he trust you, sending you out here alone,” he taunted, his tone laced with unhidden insinuation.

Samantha flinched. Has Cody gone completely mad? “What are you talking about?”

“I asked you how’s married life.”

“Dammit, Cody, I know what you asked. Why?”

“Why what?”

“Stop playing games. Can’t you be serious for once,” she said, agitated.

“Oh, but I am. I’m extremely serious.” “What makes you think I’m married?”

“You may as well quit the pretense now, Samantha. I’m very aware of your marriage and your secret proposal, which you neglected to tell me about,” he mocked.

Annoyance crept over her and she vented her frustration. “Why the hell don’t you stop beating around the bush as usual and tell me what you’re on about.”

Cody stared at her, his expression one of pure puzzlement. “Samantha, are you married? A simple yes or no will do?”

“No.” came her indignant reply.

He stepped forward hesitantly and approached the bed. “When you left here, I visited your home…not immediately but a few days later and I met your father. He told me, blatantly I might add, you were unavailable and busy with preparations for your marriage with somebody named Rajesh. Your father made it very clear that I ain’t a suitable partner for you ’cause I didn’t match your material status.”

His words exploded in her ears. Samantha dropped down on the edge of the bed. Her shoulders slouched dejectedly. Once again, the cruelty of her father’s behavior paid homage to his patriarchal arrogance. Mom mentioned Papa would seek reprisal for her unusual defiance. Samantha hadn’t realized the lengths her father went to, to get his way though. Oh God. Of all the nasty things she tolerated, this was by far the worst.

“Samantha? By your shocked expression are you tellin’ me you weren’t aware of my visit to your home or my meeting with your father?”

“I’m aware, Cody.”

His eyes darkened as if he were deep in thought. “Sorry, could you repeat that.”

Samantha stood and wandered to the window. Her gaze fell on the guests in the yard below. Smiling, chatting, and caught up in the day’s enjoyment. If only she could relax with such ease.

“Samantha?”

“I only found out last week.”

“I don’t understand.”

Moving away from the window, she eyed him closely. And for the first time noticed his haggard features. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who’d gone through hell over the last two and half months. Cody stepped closer. Flustered, she tensed. His familiar male scent played havoc with her already chaotic senses.

A quick mental shake to clear her head, her gaze met his once more. “Drew, our butler, remained silent about your meeting with my father because he valued his job. Unable to stand my unhappiness any longer, he mentioned your visit to me last week.” Her eyes never left his and observed the glimmer of varied emotion. “My mother and Drew weren’t aware of Papa’s harsh words about you being an unsuitable partner or the wedding.”

“What about your marriage?”

“Sheer foolishness on my father’s part, I guess.”

“I don’t understand. If your father lied, surely he realized you’d find out sooner or later.”

Samantha sagged down on the bed. “Cody, you need to sit, I owe you an explanation.” He took a seat on the opposite side of the bed and waited. “When I got back home my father returned from a business trip four days later. Barely in the door, Papa started talking about my marriage to Rajesh. I told him about you and as usual he barked out contempt and orders. Unfortunately…” She paused and swallowed hard against the arid bitterness in her throat.

“Go on,” Cody urged softly.

“Unfortunately, I don’t share my father’s sentiments. We argued, and I told him I’d move out.” She recalled the last distasteful meeting with her father briefly.

“And did you? Move out of the house I mean.”

“I didn’t actually make it that far,” she whispered and nibbled her lower lip unsure how to tell him about the accident.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “Samantha, it’s okay, please tell me what happened.”

Tears pricked the back of her lids. “I was in…in.”

“In?”

“I was in a coma, for the last two months.”

“You were what?” Cody jumped up and skirted the bed. “Coma? How? When? I don’t understand.” His mannerisms hinted an enraged fury his body strove to control. He yanked her up into his arms and held her snug. “God, darlin’.”

Samantha had assumed she was over the initial shock of the incident and realized it wasn’t so when the tenderness in his voice propelled her tears. She cried against his chest while he held her tightly and whispered sweet nothings. Cried for the love and life she could’ve lost, for the happiness which could’ve ended.

Oblivious to how much time had passed, Samantha barely noticed when Cody scooped her up in his arms and sat down on the bed, cradling her in his lap. Comforted in his arms, the tears fell until there were no more left and ragged breaths replaced her sobs.

Cody grasped the box of tissues on the night stand, took one out, and dried her face. “You okay, darlin’.” He stroked away loose strands of hair plastered to her wet cheeks.

Exhausted, she nodded and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck resting her head against his chest. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“Angry with Papa, I left home and had an accident.” Cody’s sharp intake of breath drifted across her ears. “When you visited, Papa chose not to tell you about it or that I was in a coma.” His grip tightened on her waist.

“My sweet Samantha, I might’ve lost you forever.” Samantha leaned back, tilted her head, and read the overt concern in his eyes. “You see, Cody, unlike my father, money isn’t worth much without happiness. I don’t intend ending up like my mother. With an authoritative husband who doesn’t care about the little things in life. I want love, freedom, and laughter. I seriously doubt Rajesh Rao will give me what I need.”

The urge to explain suddenly took precedence.

****

Floored by the passion in Samantha’s words, Cody admired her strength. This woman, hailed from a wealthy family yet possessed a plain and simple personality, she deserved the best. She might come from money, but was unpretentious, smart, and nowhere close to the snob her father represented. All woman, in the truest form of the word and no amount of wealth or status enticed or dissuaded her in any way, much less, guaranteed her happiness.

Definitely a class of her own and strong, Samantha could stand her ground when the need arose yet preferred the simple things in life like love and laughter. Damn, her father is so cruel. Cody had seen families in worse situations but to hurt two people for the sake of money. Not something he couldn’t fathom. Yet given his mother’s abandonment, he understood Samantha’s pain.

What if I’d lost her in the accident? His fists clenched, and anger surged through him, bold and dark. The knowledge distressed him and, more so, the reality of being unaware it actually happened. A total ass, he played a part in almost losing her with his wrongful accusations. Please forgive me Samantha. Silently, he begged.

“I could never marry another person with the knowledge my heart belonged to you. Whether you believe me or not, I love you and I’ll never stop loving you no matter what the outcome of this little encounter entails.”

His heart soared. Cody held her tight against him once more and kissed the top of her head. “I’ve waited two painful months to hear those words.”

“I’m sorry.” Samantha leaned back in his embrace. “Everyone makes mistakes, darlin’, some more so than others and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I was a total jackass, jumpin’ to wrong conclusions. As Deborah suggested I need my head examined. Please forgive me.”

“To say sorry is one thing. To concede guilt is another matter entirely and honestly it takes a bigger person to admit he’s wrong. I forgive you, Cody. Next time though, I suggest you look before you leap, regardless of how detrimental or inconsequential it may appear. Okay?”

“Hell, darlin’, after these torturous months, trust me, there won’t be a next time. I learn from my mistakes.” He grinned awkwardly. “God knows how sorry I am for the pain and misery I caused you. It will never happen again. And that’s a solemn promise.”

And for the first time in months Cody truly smiled. One filled with joy, love, and hope for a bright future. Her gaze lifted to meet his, their emerald depths soft and full of emotion.

Cody claimed her mouth in a kiss. A soft delicate kiss meant to forgive and forget. Samantha melted into him as her tongue danced against his and explored his mouth with the same passion and curiosity. As if it was their first kiss. Not their fiftieth or hundredth but who kept count. Her soft touch set him on fire. He eased her down gently on the bed and stretched out beside her then dropped soft kisses to her neck.

“We’re supposed to be at the reception.”

“I’m sure we won’t be missed.” Cody slid his hand over the contours of her satin draped body, caressing, reminiscing and sensed when he melted her last remnants of resistance.

“Be gentle with my dress, a very charming man designed it, especially for me.”

“Really, and do I know this man?” He continued the light kisses along her neck and ear.

“Mmmhmm,” she murmured. Intertwining her fingers in his, Samantha placed his hand over her breast. “I think it’s better if we chat later.”

Lifting his head, Cody chuckled. “Is that so?” He observed her flushed face, soft plush lips, and eyes glassy with arousal. His cock twitched. “Darlin’…”

Gripping the back of his head, Samantha forced him down, claimed his mouth, silencing his words. Her kiss intense, her tongue rubbed zealously against his, equaling his passion. Sliding her hands up his shirt, her fingers feverishly unbuttoned it with piqued urgency.

Cody groaned at her subtle touch and deepened his kiss, savoring her deep dark secrets. He slid her dress up over her legs. Reaching behind her, he unzipped it, and waited while she slid out of her clothes exposing her mesmerizing body. His gaze traveled across her nakedness. “You’re so beautiful, Lady.” He stood and shed his clothes in haste then rejoined her on the bed.