Against the Sky Read Online Free

Alaska women, she was athletic and adventurous, had to be to handle the long winters and harsh living conditions.
    Samantha was different. At twenty-eight, she was softly feminine, not a callous in sight. She played tennis on occasion, she’d told him, but mostly enjoyed going to movies or plays, shopping, or going out to dinner. Hell, she didn’t even know how to snow ski, though she’d said some day she might want to give it a try.
    According to her, her favorite treat was a stay in a fancy hotel, or a day at the spa. She loved to cook and garden, enjoyed her family, which included her parents and a brother, all of whom lived in Northern California. Her favorite adventures were found in the pages of a book, she had said.
    Samantha was the wholesome type, even had the smattering of freckles across her nose. She was also smart and sexy and fun to be with. Aside from a burning desire to take the lady to bed, Nick enjoyed her company. He was beginning to dread the day he would be leaving to go back home.
    But both of them were realists. This was just a whirlwind weekend that wasn’t going anywhere. Just an interlude that would soon come to an end.
    Their last night in Vegas, Nick took Samantha to see David Copperfield at the MGM Grand, one of the most popular shows in town. Nick found himself enjoying Samantha’s excitement as much as he did the show.
    â€œHow in the world did he do that?” she whispered when the magician made a tiger disappear on stage.
    Nick grinned. “You’d have to ask him. But if you did, I don’t think he’d tell you.”
    Nick stopped to play the slot machines on the way out of the casino. He handed a twenty to Samantha but she just shook her head.
    â€œI can’t take that. If I won, the money would be yours. Besides, I don’t much like to gamble. The last time I was here, I lost fifty dollars. Maybe your luck will be better.”
    Nick played the twenty, which was gone in a heartbeat. Next to him, Samantha pulled a single dollar bill out of her wallet, stuck it into the machine next to his and pulled the handle. The barrel rolled, a 7 came up, then another, and another. An instant later, bells started ringing and Samantha started screaming, her petite frame vibrating with excitement.
    â€œOh, my God, I won! I won!” She turned those big brown eyes in his direction, laughed and threw her arms around his neck. When she planted a quick kiss on his lips, a shot of lust hit him like a fist. His groin tightened to the point of pain, and it was all he could do not to toss her over his shoulder, carry her upstairs, and haul her into bed.
    Instead, he bent his head and captured those soft pink lips in a kiss that was deep and thorough, drawing a grinning audience who clapped their approval when the long kiss ended.
    Samantha blushed. Avoiding eye contact, she glanced back at the machine. “How much did I win?”
    Nick looked over at the flashing lights. “Looks like five thousand dollars.”
    â€œOh, my God! I’ve never won anything in my life!”
    Nick reached up and plucked the printed receipt out of the machine, handed it to Samantha, who pressed it against her heart.
    Grinning like a kid, she waved the slip of paper. “I better collect my winnings before I wake up and find out this was all just a dream.”
    â€œGood idea.” Nick took her hand. “Otherwise you might be tempted to put some of it back in the machine.”
    Samantha shook her head, tossing that heavy cascade of nutmeg curls that never failed to stir him. “No way. This goes into my savings account.”
    Nick just smiled. He was beginning to know her well enough not to be surprised.
    They collected her winnings and headed for the cabstand at the front of the casino, both of them smiling, enjoying another great evening. But the hour was getting late and this was their last night in Vegas. Samantha would be leaving at ten in the morning.