Sweeter Than Wine

By Rita Hestand

Book 2 of the Amory series. A sensual romance. When Lacey Malone goes on vacation to prove a point to the Dean of the all girl's school, she doesn't expect to meet the charismatic Sam McKay.

LIkewise, Sam has his own problems, his father died telling him he was not his son. Sam is totally lost and feels he must find his long lost family.

Yet as Sam and Lacey team up for the summer vacation, they get much more than they bargained for. The sparks begin to fly between them as they get to know each other. Sam's determined to show her a good vacation, but can he keep his hands off of her? And the real question is, can you fall in love in a week? Can he seriously let her go once the vacation is over?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rita Hestand
• Release date: Apr 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458072467

Rita Hestand

Hi friendsI'd like to ask a favor, not just for me but for all writers. PLease when we offer a free book, it would be wonderful if you'd take the time to rate the book. This doesn't take much time out of your day and authors really apreciate your time to do this. I know not everyone wants to sit down and write a review, but rating the book will help as well. And a big thanks to all who do this. You never know how much an author appreciates you taking the time to do this.I finally finished The Car Stalker. Hope you'll check it out. This is the second book in the stalker series. Like I said mystery is much different from romance all though there are elements in romance in my stalker books too. Today I finished an another book in my series of Vets coming home, Better Every Day. This book takes the angle of when family interrupts your plans. When a one-night stand is much more. I love this story as it hits home. So two new books out now and more coming.I'm taking the time to write while confined at home. But lack of seeing people outside, and living alone all the time is not new to me. I've got lots of stories to tell so be on the lookout for my newest releases. You might check out my Searchin g for You Indian romance on Amazon too.There are several new free books for you enjoyment, since your stuck at home. Home you enjoy them.As for a bio, suffice it to say, I'm a Texan tried and true. I have grown children and grandchildren and already some great-grandchildren. I've done multi jobs in my lifetime giving me a variety of experiences to write and talk about. I've done many different kinds of work from Texas Instruments, to City of Garland, to working for the Wylie Independent School District. I've worked for a hat factory, filing insurance claims, secretarial work, to waitress work. My writing reflects my varied background. Another note I've had a in home day care for twenty years too. So when I write about something I have a general knowledge of it too, which is a real bonus for me. Just like my public work, my writing varies too from contemporary to historical, I write romance, thrillers, children's. A lot of people might say gee, that's a lot of different jobs, and it is, but, I've learned from them all, and I use that experience in my writing.I want to thank all the readers over a length of time that have tried some of my books. I hope I've enlightened and entertained you. I hope I've shared some love in this world. Sharing love can't be bad, it's God given.God bless.Other places to see my bookshttps://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/rita-hestand/https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/rita-hestand/id365799219?mt=11www.scriptsforschools.com/rita-hestandhttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/search?query=rita%20hestand&fcsearchfield=author

Book preview

Sweeter Than Wine

By

Rita Hestand

Copyright© 2009 by Rita Hestand

All Rights Reserved

ISBN #  9781458072467

License Note

This book Sweeter Than Wine is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. Please purchase an additional copy for each person you share with. If your reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Dedication:

People who fall in love quickly sometime wonder if it can really be true. Soul mates are hard to find and not everyone believes in them. But true love can be found anywhere. For all those couples that fell in love instantly, here's to you! Isn't it romantic? God Bless

Rita Hestand

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

About the Author

Rita's Other Books

Chapter One

God, he cried aloud. Help me.

Vacation? If this was a vacation, he needed help. He'd ridden for miles up and down the coast, searching…for what? He didn't know. He'd stopped here, only a mere hundred miles from his home in the mountains.

All he knew was that he was hurting, and he didn't know how to stop. This long numb void inside him screamed for a release.

The constant splashing of the waves against the seashore created a calm that surrounded him. The salty air made him breathe deeper. He stood and looked around him, taking in the familiar pine and lodgepole trees, that were an everyday part of his life in this country.

He hadn't gone far from his home. For some reason he sought solace in nature.

Glancing about him subconsciously, Sam McKay leaned against his bike and let out the most mournful sound a soul could unleash, something in between a loud sob and a deep seeded moan. It seemed to echo against the backdrop of a small forest. It was better than crying. He did it again. It was as though the pain inside him flowed away from him, leaving him. He could feel it leaving. Was this what he needed all along, a place to let it all out? To release the hurt that had bound him.

Realizing he was finding some sort of release, he sat on the ground, and looked up into the sky. There was no answer to his prayers, not immediately at least. However, something was definitely happening here. The hurt continued, but he did realize that just making that gosh awful sound helped him heal somehow. He did it again.

A bit subconscious about his privacy, he glanced around to see if there were anyone around this time of morning. He saw no one so he continued.

This time he thought he heard something in the bushes, probably just his imagination. There was nothing but mountains and oceans surrounding him. No one was out here this early of the morning. Here wasn't anywhere in particular, it was somewhere on the Pacific coast, in Northern California, but it had no real definition of place. He was miles from town, miles from civilization. No one was about.

The crashing sound of the waves moving into the beach distracted him, he closed his eyes and began to let the sound surround him. It was like a mournful operetta. Good thing there wasn't anyone around; if anyone heard him someone might think him crazy. Still, if this worked, why not. He had to do something.

However, he couldn't let go of this release, not yet.

The sound echoed in the air, like the wind, carrying it.

Then he heard the intrusive noise again. He wanted to ignore it, but it bit into his concentration. Unable to ignore it, he decided he'd freeze. If it was an animal, he knew by his lack of regard, that the animal would become uninterested. If it was human, well, maybe he might scare them away too.

He closed his eyes once more and let out the mournful music of his soul. The sound compared to a loon or a moose before mating. He almost laughed at himself. Lonely, hollow, and full of pain, he breathed in the air. It felt clean and the ocean added a salt taste to it. At least his senses were working, as though the sea itself washed his soul, hopefully it would wash the hurt away too.

He did feel better, almost instantly. Maybe he was on to something here.

Suddenly he heard a loud thump and he could no longer ignore what was obviously coming from the bushes behind him.

He stood in one lithe movement, like a cat, stalking his prey he moved toward the bushes and began to move them apart, so he could investigate.

He certainly hadn't expected a half-naked woman though. He blinked hard to assure himself he wasn't seeing things.

No, she was still there, hovering in the bushes, holding a towel around her that kept slipping.

He stepped back, his face a contorted mask. He let the bushes fly and covered his discovery up for a moment. Perhaps he was hallucinating. He chuckled to himself. It had to be a mirage. You didn't just move a bush and find a nearly naked woman standing there. It was possible, in his state of mind. He moved the bushes apart and he saw her…again.

Excuse me, a voice squeaked. It reminded him of a cartoon. And old Tom and Jerry cartoon. The whole scene in front of him did. Who was she? What was she doing out here in the middle of nowhere, wearing nothing but a fast slipping towel?

What the … Sam frowned and closed the bushes, trying to assure himself he really saw the lady.

Em…. she cleared her throat. I'm sorry, but I heard a noise, a very distinct and strange noise, I thought someone was in trouble. Did you hear it? The woman spoke.

He peeked through the bushes again. Excuse me, but do you always run around on the beach with nothing but a towel? Sam exclaimed as he turned toward the sea, and let the bushes fly again. He'd give her some privacy, but he wanted her gone.

Well, no…but that noise…I thought someone was in trouble. I came to help. She said parting the bushes again and standing up.

In a towel? He exclaimed with an almost laugh.

Well, when someone is in trouble, you come to help. I didn't have time to get my clothes on. She defended herself.

I suppose that makes a little sense, yes. But there is no problem here… I really think you should get dressed before dashing to help someone. he pointed toward the woman's clothes down the cliff lying on the sand.

Oh…oh, then you heard the noise too, she sounded nervous, a little distraught and very embarrassed.

Calling his misery, a noise irritated, though. It was a release, and she just happened to be a witness he hadn't invited.

Yes, he drawled, waiting to see if she was going to make a mad dash for her clothes. However, the bushes didn't move.

Well, uh…. What was it? The all-female voice sounded from the bushes.

It was me…thank you very much, now will you please get dressed. You might be comfortable walking around in the buff, but I'm certainly not. He boomed. Unless your intention is seduction, I wouldn't advise running around the woods in the raw.

The bushes moved, she muttered something under her breath and scampered down the slope of the hill. Good his rudeness had scared her off.

He turned away. Damn, this was the very first time he had been able to express anything inside him in months and it had to be interrupted by this …. this…nymph.

Where could a person go to be alone, these days?

And yet when he thought about her, it was very funny. Here she'd come to his rescue, in nothing but a towel. Any other time it might be very amusing, but today was not the day for amusement.

Still, he had to admit, it was almost funny, a woman, in the raw, running around the beach at what, 5:30 in the morning. What had she thought to do, rescue him in her towel? He couldn't imagine that even without the towel. Maybe, she had some scant bikini on under that blue towel of hers that barely covered the essentials. Maybe she was a nudist, maybe he should thank her for putting on the towel.

But on the other hand, what he saw of her had stirred something within him. The woman had breasts, that much was very clear, with a generous cleavage. And her hips were ample too. He might not have noticed so much, but she wasn't the run of the mill model type. This woman had plenty of curves and in all the right places. Most young women her age were toothpick thin and barely cast a shadow. Somehow her shape stood out in his mind.

What were the odds…how many times did that happen? He smiled to himself when he remembered how she had grabbed herself to hide herself from him. Perhaps she wasn't as comfortable as he first thought. Her face had turned an instant bright red. Rather refreshing seeing someone blush over his or her own nudity. Of course, a towel covered her, well, except for the mature cleavage, and the well-developed legs. Dear God, had he noticed all that in a couple of glances?

Wow, he'd paid attention!

Perhaps his ill manners had scared her off and he could continue now with his release. Yes, surely, she wouldn't interrupt him again.

He sat on the hard ground, crossing his legs and inhaling the salt air, he closed his eyes. He felt his breathing calming him. This was having some positive effects on him and he was elated to have discovered it.

But he'd barely gotten the next wail out and he heard her voice again, from the bushes.

Are you alright? The same naked voice asked, much closer, as though she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.

He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply. He stilled his nerves once more. I was…

The woman again. Now that she had clothes on, she bothered him even more as she came out of the bushes this time to look at him.

Her clothes bothered him. She wore jeans that were a little too big, a baggy shirt that hid anything amusing and a flop hat that did nothing to disguise her fresh skinny dip in the ocean. Any other time Sam would have been amused to no end. However, this wasn't the time.

Oh…I'm sorry. It's just that sound. You said it came from you. I was worried that something was wrong. Do you need help? I've never heard anything quite like that. Except maybe from a loon. She walked almost on top of him.

He studied her shoes, nothing interesting there either. He took another breath.

Maybe if he ignored her, she'd get the idea, and go away.

I've got a bike down there, I can go for help, she insisted. The eagerness in her voice to help him startled him. She was serious! The lady thought he needed help. And he might if she kept this up.

He shook his head and got to his feet, immediately noticing that the woman was short and round in all the right places, he acknowledged with a slight smile. He hadn't really noticed that when he saw her in the towel. No, he had noticed entirely too much, too quickly, and it irritated him. It was the first time he'd really noticed any woman since he left Barbara hanging on a note that said, 'don't wait for me any longer'. That's what irritated him so. He thought he loved Barbara, but when his father was dying in his arms, and announcing he was not his son, women no longer seemed important to him. Finding his roots was important.

I suggest you get on the bike, and go home, or to another part of the beach, or another part of the state, for all I care.

She put her hands on her hips and firmed her lips. In other words, I'm bothering you. Well, I'm sorry, I was earnestly concerned for your welfare though, or I wouldn't have climbed this hill to check on you. She insisted a bit out of breath.

What self-respecting little housewife would be out at five thirty in the morning in the nude no less?

He wasn't usually rude, especially to a stranger, but the woman seemed determined to ruin everything, this morning, his first morning of vacation.

The woman turned red, as though he'd embarrassed her again. She stood more erect, her shoulders back, her head high, her breast pouting against the material. I'm extremely sorry. I guess I misunderstood. Well, yes…. good morning…. then.

Sam exhaled again, Good morning.

Umm…. I… I just wanted you to know, I don't go around naked on beaches all the time.

It's your business…

Well maybe so, but I thought the beach was deserted. Just like you did, I'm sure. I've never skinny dipped in my life… I wanted to feel the experience, that's all. Kind of a bucket list type thing for me.

Really, are you planning on dying or something? He asked staring now.

Again, her face colored. No, of course not.

He didn't want or need her explanation. He wasn't offering one for himself, so why did she feel she had to tell him anything.

Realizing he was being a bit beastly, he nodded, and then headed for his bike, Yes ma'am.

You don't believe me? she shrieked with indignation and followed him.

Why did it matter to her one way or another Now he turned all his attention on her. What did she care whether he believed her or not? They were strangers! Looking at her, she wasn't that bad, plain and yet, distracting in some way. An odd way. It bothered him that she distracted him so. Does it really matter whether I believe you or not? We are strangers, we've never met before, and we'll never see each other again. Why should you care whether I believe you or not? You are free to go naked in the world, if that's what you want… He was leaning over her, looking straight into her beautiful blue eyes, eyes that were round and full of life, eyes that held no pain. He envied her.

She gulped.

Good, he intimidated her.

Raising her head, a notch she sniffed back a retort. I wanted you to know because it's the truth. And I don't want anyone saying it isn't. I'm on vacation and thought this was a private beach. I'm a school teacher and this is my very first vacation.

Well, congrats. Have a wonderful time… He gestured grandly.

He mounted his bike.

She came closer, Has anyone ever told you, you're very rude.

Yes ma'am, they have. He answered, then started the bike and took off before she could utter another word.

As he left though, he did glance back at her in his mirror. She was standing there as though shocked that he had left.

If he were noticing he might see that in that get up, she was pathetically cute. Not at all like Barbara who was model material, of course, but cute, in an odd way. Her hair was a long mass of browns and reds and gold, her eyes clear and blue, her skin was lightly tanned as though she sun bathed often. Nevertheless, of course, in his despair, he wouldn't be noticing anything about a woman who insisted on intruding into his life.

Even though the momentary echo of his voice left him feeling a bit relieved, he continued to nurse the hurt inside him, like a sore that wouldn't quite heal. Somehow, the hurt was hurting less now. For the first time in two years, he really wasn't feeling sorry for himself. It was as though that brief few moments of sound had been some sort of escape for him, an ointment to a festering sore.

Back at the hotel he wandered through the lobby and took his key out of his pocket.

His hotel room was spacious and neat, and he couldn't wait to get back to it. At least that's what he thought. Yet, there was nothing there for him, four walls with no one to talk to. He fought that feeling of instant loneliness. That feeling of a twosome that he longed for again assailed him, but this time he squashed it. He certainly didn't need another woman. He needed to find out who he was, what he was.

He flopped on the edge of the bed. What was wrong with