Out of Reach

By Jordyn Tracey

This book was previously published.

Sam House is the perfect man for Lashona Gates. She can't wait for him to pop the question after they've been dating for four years. In fact, she found the ring a month ago. He knows she loves him, and she'll scream yes--for once outside the bedroom. Their biggest problem is that Sam is not just broke. Sam's father died and left him with a mountain of debt he might not be able to overcome in their lifetime.

Lashona isn't doing so great financially either. In their small town, she can't catch a break. Not when her boss overlooks her for a promotion, and any new opportunities are already snapped up before she gets to the interview. Lashona dreams of more, but Sam can't leave his responsibilities.

She'll stay with the man she loves--that is until she finds out she's going to add to his burden. And Sam, well, he has his own way of forcing Lashona to see they aren't meant to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jordyn Tracey
• Release date: Dec 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386941668

Book preview

1

Lashona stopped beside a tree and stretched her hands over her head, going up to her toes. Muscles in her back cried out, and her calves burned. Never mind the fact that her thighs quivered. What the hell had she been thinking coming out here? She wasn’t some kind of nature person, and bugs gave her the creeps. She stilled and listened to the sounds around her. Birds tweeted from high in the trees. Leaves rustled when a breeze stirred them. Somewhere not too far off, a woodpecker was going at it, looking for food. She breathed in deep and let it out slowly. Well, at least the air smelled sweet, and the atmosphere was peaceful .

She glanced down at her feet and grinned. The hiking boots she had bought on Amazon last week looked cute with the white socks and her bare brown legs. Even her thick thighs weren’t all that bad with the shorts she wore for her little venture. I look like I know what I’m doing.

Dismissing her outfit and the aches in her body, she took a step, caught the toe of her boot on a root, and promptly fell on her face. A wrenching pain shot through her ankle, and she cried out. Her boobs hurt after smacking the dirt, the palms of her hands, and there was grit in her mouth that fast.

Strong hands settled on her hips, and Lashona cried out again. She swung one arm and caught the person manhandling her upside the head. A familiar deep voice spoke with amusement in her ear. Is that how you treat your hero?

Chills raced through her body, and those same nipples that ached a minute ago now tingled in awareness. She looked up into the chocolate brown eyes she wanted to drown in for the rest of her life. Sam, you bum, why didn’t you catch me before I hit the ground?

I’m sorry. The next time. I promise. He flipped her over in his strong arms and settled her onto his lap. Her butt fit so right in his crotch, she forgot the pain in her ankle—for a second. Sam frowned and brushed a bit of dirt from her cheek. Are you okay?

Her heart raced like a schoolgirl with a crush, but that was always the way he made her feel. Damn, how she loved this man. If he could touch her all day, every day, that was fine with her. I think I hurt my ankle.

She reached along her leg for it, but she didn’t take her eyes off him. Sam braced her closer to his chest, but it managed to jostle her legs, and she cried out, tears filling her eyes. I’m sorry, baby. You did hurt yourself! I should have been with you. Let me see.

Lashona said nothing as he rested her on her butt and moved to her feet. He gently untied the strings on her boot and removed it. She bit her lip to keep from whimpering, but even before he got the sock off, she saw the swelling. Great, now she had a cankle going. Real attractive. Yet, it was the concern in Sam’s eyes that arrested her attention. She ate it up, his emotion and worry over her. Sometimes he got stupid and thought she was weak enough to need his being there all the time to look after her. She loved him for it and secretly basked in the love. Then, of course, she came to her senses, like now.

It’s fine, Sam. Just let me stand up. I’ll be okay.

You’re too independent for your own good. I told you to let me come with you out here, Shona. You’re not used to the outdoors like I am.

I said I wouldn’t camp out, sleep in a tent, or scrounge around for my food, not that I can’t take a walk.

He smirked. And it went so well.

Shut up. She smacked his arm and tried to stand. Dizziness assailed her, and she rocked forward. Sam’s arms came around her, and she grabbed onto his shoulders. Her nose bumped his collarbone, and she sucked in a pained breath. He smelled like a combo of soap, natural maleness, and a hint of motor oil. The last part was unavoidable since he worked as a mechanic.

First you step and then step… he teased.

She smacked his arm again, but kept holding on. You’re not funny.

I thought I was.

Just let me get myself together a minute. I’ll be all right. What are you doing out here anyway? I thought you had a car to work on.

I finished early.

Liar.

I took a break.

She leaned back and eyed him. If you keep running off, nobody is going to trust you to work on their cars.

I’m the only competent mechanic in Storen. I’m not worried about losing my job.

There’s Colby.

I said competent.

She rolled her eyes.

Are you going to let me carry you, or are you going to stubbornly pretend you can walk?

"I can walk."

He bent to scoop her into his arms, but she resisted.

Not like that, Sam. I’m not going to arrive in town looking all helpless and pathetic. Everybody saw me heading out, knowing good and well I should have joined the gym. Stupid me for trying to save some money.

His fingers on her waist were getting her hot, and he made it worse by giving her a squeeze. How do you want me to carry you?

Turn around.

What?

Turn around, she insisted.

He did so, and she held on. For a moment with his back to her, Lashona studied his hair. Funny how ordinary Sam was with his brown eyes and mouse-brown hair. His hair was silky like all white guys, and she had run her fingers through it countless times, loving it and him. His skin was smooth and taut, suntanned to a deep bronze from how often he worked outside on a car. He tempted Lashona beyond reason, but she resisted caressing him because it would lead somewhere they didn’t need to go right now, not when she was in so much pain.

Bend your knees, she said. He scooted down, and she climbed onto his back. A moan escaped her when he jostled her foot again. If I’m sick on your back, I’m sorry.

Sam started walking. You’ll be fine, but even if you do, that’s what showers are for.

Why are you so good to me, Samuel House?

Because you’re the one I love, Lashona Gates, and that’s never going to change.

If you weren’t so impulsive all the time, this wouldn’t happen, Shona. Her father frowned at her from behind the counter and slid an ice cream float across to her. Lashona took it and sipped long and deep with her eyes shut. The sweet ice cream and burn from the soda soothed the ache in her ankle like the painkillers couldn’t do.

When she was done, she sighed and leaned back. Don’t start, Dad, and how was I being impulsive when I planned this hike for a while? I mean, the shoes alone took two days to come.

He gave her a deadpan look, which she ignored. Lashona knew she was impulsive. In some ways, she hated it about herself because it meant she wasted money she didn’t always have. Other times, she liked to keep herself and others guessing about what she would do. To her, it made life interesting. Maybe she would change with time, but for now, she wasn’t all bad. Besides, she stood on her own two feet—well, when they were both strong—and didn’t ask anybody for help. Of course, her extreme independence annoyed Sam, but he still loved her.

Did you apply for any jobs in the city?

She sighed. The way you nag me, I think you want to get rid of me.

You know that’s not true. Her father stopped wiping down the counter and stared at her. She glanced up at his balding head, what was left of his hair already peppered with gray. I would love for you to stay here with me, Shona, especially after we lost your mother, but I can’t be that selfish.

Lashona reached across the counter to pat his hand. Dad, don’t. You know how it upsets you to think about Ma.

I thought I would go right after her, but I’ve hung around to be with you. I just want to know you’re okay, Shona.

I’m fine. She sighed.

We got you through college, but now look at you.

I’m not exactly a failure, Dad.

He glared at her. You’re not a success either. Don’t get me wrong. I’m proud of you. When you were a little girl, you used to tell me you wanted to grow up and work in this diner like I do. Sent chills of horror over me every time.

Lashona rolled her eyes. Dramatic much, Dad?

Well it did. Your mother felt the same way. We wanted more for you, Shona, than to be stuck in this small town with no future.

My future is what I make it.

You’re saying you want to work at that company? It’s your dream job?

She didn’t answer. To be honest, the thought of working at her current position for the next forty years like her dad had done at this tiny little diner made her want to vomit. Right now, she didn’t have much of a choice. Her dad was saying she did. He was wrong.

The bell dinged over the door, and Lashona glanced toward it. Sam stood there, and her heart started racing. There was her choice, she thought—Sam House. Being with Sam was everything, and her dad knew how much she loved him. They had been together for four years, and she was waiting for him to pop the question. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he would.

Hey, Sam, a high-pitched, nasally voice called out.

Sam glanced over at the same time Lashona did to Katrina Foust. Lashona almost burst out laughing. That girl never stopped trying, flipping her hair with blond highlights, sticking her small breasts out. All of it was to try to get Sam’s attention. He, being the sweetie he was, always spoke, but he didn’t give the woman the time of day.

Hey, Sam called out.

Lashona cut her eyes to her father, but he had moved on along the counter. She made a small noise, and Sam was at her side in a heartbeat. His big hands settled on her waist, and he ducked his head close to hers.

Still hurt? His voice was thick with worry. Did you take the medicine the doctor gave you?

She stroked his cheek and smiled. I did. It’s fine. What are you doing here?

I just dropped over to tell you I’m working late tonight. Want to wait for me at the apartment?

Tonight was supposed to be date night. There’s like three cars in the whole town. Who could possibly need you to fix something this late?

He laughed. There’re at least four cars. Stop exaggerating.

They both cracked up at that, knowing they were both being silly. In a way, it was true. Storen didn’t have but so many citizens, and everyone didn’t drive. There were enough vehicles of course to keep Sam working full time, but since no one made a lot of money on their jobs, he had to keep his prices reasonable. Not to mention he had to help his mother with the upside-down mortgage on her house and the ridiculous amount of debt his no-good father left before he drank himself into the grave. When she thought about it, Lashona wanted to dig the man up and beat him back to death. She didn’t blame Sam for helping his mother. He wasn’t by any means a mama’s boy, but she was the last of his family. What choice did he have?

All right. Fine. I’ll wait for you at your place tonight, Sam, but you better not have me waiting all night.

He kissed her, and Lashona felt the eyes of everyone in the restaurant on them. In the beginning, they had gotten some comments about the race difference. Since neither of them gave a rat’s ass, it had died down. She knew there were still those who didn’t like them together, but for more reasons than the fact that she was black and Sam was white.

I won’t be too late, he promised. Not when I know what’s waiting for me.

Lashona raised an eyebrow. Don’t get ideas.

He glanced at her dad and lowered his voice. You’re not going to let me make love to you?

I’m injured.

He groaned, and she laughed. Shona.

Bye, Sam. See you tonight.

She waited for him to suggest she stay home if she couldn’t have sex, but he would never say that. The man’s libido was insane, but Lashona never once doubted his love beyond the physical.

You’re cruel, woman. Okay, later. He kissed her again and left the diner.

Before Lashona could return to her ice cream float, Katrina strode up next to her. You know, you two could be more considerate of other people and keep all that lovey-dovey stuff in private.

Considerate to who exactly? Lashona snapped. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you were in here two weeks ago swapping spit with your ex. At no time did Sam or I get that gross when we were kissing. And don’t get me started on how your cousin likes his girlfriends to grope him in that back corner.

Lashona! Her dad looked a little green around the gills.

Katrina had turned bright red at