My Heart's Passion Read Online Free PDF Page B

madly until they expired from exhaustion.

Chapter Five
     
    Chloe watched Samuel put away a staggering amount of groceries. The man might be lean, but he ate enough food to keep an entire football team satisfied! A niggling voice at the back of her head insisted it was a dumb idea to feed him, that like a stray or wild animal, he’d keep on coming back for more now that she had relented and fed him once.
    Surprisingly, even though she had no intention of letting him seduce her, the thought of Samuel coming back to keep her company didn’t panic her. It’s not as if he would force her, or rape her, and as long as she held some semblance of control, she was willing to play the game.
    When the object of her thoughts finally sat back, let his cutlery drop onto his plate, and rested his hands smugly over his nonexistent belly, she smiled, satisfied.
    “Sure you’ve had enough?”
    Looking around the kitchen warily, Samuel raised an eyebrow.
    “I thought that was all you cooked?”
    “I think there are a few blueberry muffins in the pantry, if you’re still hungry.”
    Startlingly, Samuel seemed to consider the notion for a moment. She raised her eyebrows, disbelieving.
    “You can’t possibly still be hungry?”
    “Hey,” he started, feigning offense, “I’m a man of healthy appetites.”
    Standing up, she picked up both their plates and cutlery. Rinsing them in the sink and placing them in the dishwasher, Chloe took her time turning around. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned back against the sink.
    “Well?”
    “I might give the muffins a pass. You might want them for a snack later on.”
    Despite herself, Chloe grinned.
    “You’re too kind.” She checked her watch. Nearly
noon
. Time to start some serious relaxing and reading.
    Thankfully, Samuel seemed to take the hint. Standing, he stretched his tall, lean frame, scratching his belly in the self-satisfied way males around the world do after a decent home-cooked meal.
    “Well, I’d best get off to work. It has been a true pleasure, and vastly interesting. I’ll be back after sunset for a light supper. Want me to bring the wine?”
    Caught off guard, Chloe took a moment for the words to sink in. “Excuse me?”
    “Our deal, you said breakfasts and not during the days. That leaves the nights.”
    Shocked by his audacity, Chloe didn’t know whether to laugh or throw a pan at the man.
    “When I said you’d leave me alone the rest of the day, I meant you wouldn’t be back at all. Breakfast was only supposed to be today, after the hike.”
    Samuel grinned down at her.
    “Come on, love. You’re going to go on a hike tomorrow morning too, surely?”
    Chloe frowned. “Maybe, but I certainly wasn’t planning on going with you. I don’t think I could get too lost around here.”
    “Think of how much fun it will be. And as a reward for letting me tour you around the woods and small trails around here, you can help me try out this new game Dominic has found.”
    “What new game?”
    “I’ll bring it tonight. It’s a kind of card game.”
    “I thought you had graduated from the high school mentality years ago. Surely don’t expect me to fall for the old strip poker thing?”
    Samuel laughed. “I don’t think so, but there’s no telling with Dominic. Come on, give it a shot. If you get offended or it really upsets you, I promise I’ll leave when you order me away.”
    Chloe tilted her head, considering. She wasn’t used to being totally alone. She enjoyed her freedom and having time to herself, but after a whole day of lazing around reading and thinking and going on much shorter hikes, she might enjoy the company.
    It wasn’t as if Samuel was going to seduce her, she wouldn’t let him.
    Anyway, it might be interesting to tease the beast and then send him away with a raging hard-on. “You swear you’ll leave when I tell you to? No cajoling like this, no sad puppy dog eyes and pleas.”
    Samuel laughed. “I don’t beg. Ever.”
    Chloe