"Haley, I need to talk to you for a moment?" Trudy refused to look at him. "Perhaps in your bedroom?"

"Not now. I have company."

"Yes, but . . . but I really need to talk to you. Now."

Haley's dad returned. He smiled and rubbed his palms together. "So, what's going on?"

"It was all Nanci's idea," Mrs. Cooper blurted, clutching her ca.s.serole dish so hard her knuckles stood out in sharp relief.

"I have no clue what you're talking about, Trudy," Nanci snapped. "What was all my idea again?"

"Yeah, Mom," Haley said in an overly sweet voice. "Tell us."

"Hmm." Her dad's friendly smile turned to a frown as he looked at each of them. "Trudy, is there something I should know?"

"Nope." Mrs. Cooper's eyes saucered. "Not a thing."

Haley's friends had gone so quiet, you could've heard an eyelash drop on a plush rug. This was a mistake. Coming here tonight had been a colossal mistake.

Felicia shot up from the couch and hurried toward the guy Trudy had hoped would be Haley's date for the evening. "Hi, I'm Felicia. How about I show you where everything is, and then I'll introduce you to everyone. Let me take care of that, Mrs. Cooper." Felicia took the dish from Trudy's hands and led David and his bag of cookies away. Kathy and Blake trailed after them.

Mr. Cooper turned to Haley. "Did I hear you say this is the young man who did the work on your house? I took a look at the bathroom. Nice job." He extended his hand. "I'm Frank, Haley's father."

Sam reached out and shook Frank's hand with his once-again-sweaty palm. "Sam Haney." Haley had put her arm around him as she'd introduced him to her mother, and she'd referred to him as her date. She had presented a united front as promised. Still, he hadn't been prepared for this sick feeling lodged in his gut. These were her parents, a huge part of her life, and Trudy Cooper viewed him like some kind of millipede crawling out from under the floorboards.

Plus, he no longer had any doubts about whether or not her friends knew about his past or how he and Haley had been set up. They did. Their avid interest in the exchange made that perfectly clear. If he left now, he could text Wyatt and Josey before they got here and head them off.

"Sam, why don't you show me Haley's new kitchen," Frank said. "And then perhaps you can point out where I might find a beer."

"Sure." Sam nodded. "I'd be happy to." His heart had turned into a brick in his chest as he walked Haley's dad to the kitchen. Mr. Cooper had picked up on the tension. What was he thinking right now? One thing for sure, Haley's mother would never see him as anything other than the handyman who admitted on the air that women threw themselves at him-and that he hadn't always thrown them off. For the first time in his life, he regretted his past, and regret was a bitter brew to swallow. He had only himself to blame.

What had she been thinking, blurting out Sam was her date like that? She'd put him in such an awkward position. But dammit, she wouldn't have done it if it weren't for the uninvited stranger her mother had brought to her open house. Haley hadn't been able to help herself.

She'd seen the hurt in Sam's eyes before he left with her dad. What must he be going through right now? Once she'd dealt with Mother Mayhem, she'd find Sam and make things right.

Haley leaned close and lowered her voice. "So, let me guess, Mom. You brought David Anderson, hoping to fix me up."

"He's a very nice young man," Trudy said. "He just finished graduate school, and he has a great job. I thought-"

"You brought a total stranger to my party . . . as a blind date . . . for me." Haley pressed her fingers to her temples. "Without asking first, I might add. Do you have any idea how totally inappropriate that is? I can't believe you would do such a thing."

"I can't believe you tried to throw me under the truck," her aunt muttered.

Trudy glanced at her sister. "Bus."

"Wheels. You threw me under the wheels," Nanci huffed and stomped off.

"Haley, you don't know about Sam Haney. He-"

"Yes I do, Mom. I know everything. I know about the radio show, and about how you pretended to be me when you set up the appointment. I even know you told Sam I wanted his"-she made quote marks in the air-"special touch." Her eyes stung. "Can you imagine how humiliating it was to have my own mother set me up for . . . for . . . ? Argh, I can't even say it. And what about poor Sam?" She shuddered. "What is it that makes you think it's OK to manipulate people the way you do?"

"Well I . . . I've been so worried about you. You've been down in the dumps for months and months, and I just want you to be happy. I was hoping-"

"My happiness is up to me, and this intrusiveness into my personal life has got to stop right now, or I will be forced to act accordingly."

"What does that mean?" Her mother frowned.

"It means I'll move to another country to put some distance between us. Lots of distance." An empty threat, but she'd at least stop coming to Sunday dinners. "I won't tell you anything about my life ever again. A few years from now you might have grandkids and a son-in-law, but you'll never know, because I won't say a word."

Trudy gasped. "You wouldn't."

Haley crossed her arms and squared off with her mother. "Try me."

"Tell me you're not really dating Sam Haney. You just said that to make your point, right? He's-"

"Mom, I'm not sixteen anymore. It's none of your business who I date, and if you can't be nice to him, I suggest you turn around right now and go home."

"Oh, no. You are dating the handyman." Trudy groaned. "This is all my fault."

"h.e.l.lo, h.e.l.lo," Brent called, coming into the living room. "I brought my famous buffalo chicken dip." He held up a Crock-Pot, and a canvas shopping bag dangled from his wrist. He glanced between them. "Oh, you must be Haley's mom." Brent closed the door with his hip. "I'm Brent. I work with your daughter."

Her mother went into social mode, and any sign that they'd had words, or that Haley threatened banishment from her life disappeared. "Yes, I'm Trudy Cooper. It's very nice to meet you, Brent."

Haley sighed. She had to find Sam and make sure he was OK. He must be fuming. "Come with me, Brent. I'll show you where you can plug in the Crock-Pot. Mom, there's wine on the kitchen counter and beer in the breezeway. Help yourself." She led Brent to the dining room. "You always seem to show up at exactly the right time," she whispered.

"Where's your studly handyman?" he whispered back.

"Good question." She didn't see him or her father anywhere. Had he left? Were Sam and her dad still in the breezeway? Her house wasn't all that big. "Somewhere with my dad." I hope. She moved her mom's wild rice hot dish to make room on the table and showed Brent the outlet for his slow cooker. "Promise me you'll be nice to Sam. My mom . . ." She rolled her eyes. "It was awful. She brought a blind date for me."

"Oh, Haley."

The front door opened again, and Wyatt and Josey walked in. Thank goodness. "Gotta go. Make yourself at home." She hurried to the front door. Her mother had settled herself in the living room, and David sat on the couch with Felicia. Note to self: Thank Felicia profusely and buy her chocolates. "Hey, you two. Am I ever glad to see you."

"Why? What's up?" Wyatt asked.

"Nothing, I'm just glad you came." She glanced at her mother. "Sam is somewhere with my dad. Coats go on my bed, and you can put your dip on the dining room table. Sam's bagel chips are already there in the big green plastic bowl." Her front door opened again, and her brother and his date entered. Dammit. All she wanted was to be with Sam.

Josey patted her arm. "We'll figure it out."

Haley nodded. "Thanks."

More of her friends arrived, and her party went into full swing. Haley mingled, kept the wine stocked and the food table tidy. Every time she set out to find Sam, someone came to talk to her before she could get to him. And though she caught glimpses of him, talking to Josey and Wyatt or to her friends, he made no attempt to come to her. No matter how she spun things, forcing an encounter between Sam and her mother had put a strain on her and Sam.

By eight thirty, she wanted everyone to go home. She headed to the table to get something to eat, and her father emerged from her bedroom with coats in hand.

"Honey, your mother, aunt and I are heading out so you young people can party without us old folks in your way."

"I don't suppose you're taking David Anderson with you," she muttered.

"No." He shook his head. "And for the record, I had no idea your mother hadn't asked you first if he could join us. He drove here himself, but I don't think you have to worry about him." He nodded toward the living room.

Haley glanced in that direction. David and Brent were sitting close to each other on her couch, close enough that their knees touched, and they were talking in that way people did when they didn't want anyone else to join them. Their mutual attraction was obvious. Ha. Take that, Mom.

"Thank you so much for helping with my house, Dad. What do you think, by the way?"

"I really like the updates. Sam and his company did excellent work. In fact, it's been years since we've updated anything at our house. I'm thinking of hiring Haney & Sons to do some remodeling." The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes creased.

"Really?" She snorted. "Better talk to Mom about it first."

"No, I don't think I will." He winked. "That's the point."

"Dad . . ."

"I like him, Haley. I have no idea what all that was about earlier, but I do know your mother. Give me some credit."

Her throat tightened, and she hugged him. "Love you."

"Love you too." He patted her on the back. "Good night. We'll see you for Sunday dinner."

"Hey, Haley." Frank Jr. came to stand beside her. "Carrie and I are heading out too. We have another party to hit tonight."

"OK. Thanks for coming." Sighing, she grabbed a bagel chip and dredged it through Josey's spinach dip, admiring the painted ceramic bowl. Sam, Wyatt and Josey would probably be the next to leave, and she hadn't even had a chance to talk to Sam.

"Haley."

Startled at the sound of Sam's voice, she dropped the bagel chip. It landed dip-side down on the table. "Are you leaving too?" She grabbed a napkin. "I'm sorry about Trudy, and I wanted to-"

"There you go, jumping to conclusions again," he said. "I was going to ask if you wanted me to stay and help clean up tonight."

"Oh. But . . . but you've been avoiding me most of the evening. I thought you were angry."

"No." He stuffed his hands into his front pockets. "A little uncomfortable with your mother maybe, but it's not like I didn't know what to expect."

No matter what he said, his words couldn't hide the dejected look in his eyes. She shook her head. "I shouldn't have forced you to meet her."

"It's OK. Do you think presenting a united front had the impact you hoped it would?"

He reached for her, and ran his hands down her arms, taking her hands in his. She wanted to purr like a kitten. "I don't know. I told her the intrusiveness into my personal life had to stop, or I'd move to a different country." He chuckled, and she felt it all the way to her toes. She peered up at him. "Yes, Sam. Please stay."

His eyes smoldered into hers, and she could hardly breathe. He bent his head, leaning close, their lips almost touching.

"Hey you two, come join the party," Kathy said. "No more fussing over the food and worrying about empty plates and used napkins, Haley. Time to relax." She handed her a gla.s.s of wine.

"You're absolutely right." Bless her dad for whisking her mom and aunt away when he did. Finally she could unwind and enjoy the rest of the evening. Sam twined his fingers with hers, and they joined everyone in the living room.

She and Sam sat on a couple of her dining room chairs, and he slung his arm around her shoulders. Haley sipped her wine while the laughter and conversations flowed around her. She responded when anything was directed her way, but mostly her awareness centered on Sam. His body heat, the way he couldn't seem to stop touching her. Being so close that she was wrapped in his scent . . . he'd put her under a spell-the kind of spell that had her throbbing and needy.

What would her friends think if she stood up right now and ordered them all to take their leftovers and go home, because she wanted to get naked with her handyman? She giggled. Sam hugged her close. She could get used to this, having him beside her . . . having him.

"What's so funny?" he whispered in her ear.

A pleasurable shiver tickled its way down to her already-aroused bits. "Do you really want to know?"

"I do."

"I just imagined ordering everyone to leave." She smiled. "Everyone except you."

His blue eyes darkened. "I dare you," he said, his voice hoa.r.s.e.

"Would you stay if I did, or would you-"

"Absolutely." He ran his hand up and down her arm. "What is this material? I really like the way it feels."

"Silk." When had breathing ceased to be automatic?

"It's already half past nine. According to the invitation, the party is over at ten," he whispered. "We can wait."

"Can we?" She arched a brow.

"Mature adults here. I think so."

By the time everyone left, it was close to eleven, and Haley was about ready to jump out of her skin. All they really needed to deal with were the things that were perishable, and very little remained. She unzipped her boots and took them off, setting them aside. "Finally." She sighed and wiggled her pinched toes. "I'm going to put a few things away, and the rest of this can wait until tomorrow." She padded to the dining room and surveyed the remains.

Sam's arms came around her waist, and he pulled her back against him. "Mmmm." He nibbled her neck. "You always smell so good."

Currents of electrifying heat coursed through her. "On second thought, I don't really need the leftovers." Haley turned in his arms to face him. He kissed her, and all thoughts of cleaning were swept away. His kisses were perfect. Just the right amount of everything, and when his tongue slid into her mouth, her knees almost gave out.

Sam scooped her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, her skirt rising to ride her hips. He kept kissing her all the way to her bedroom.

He placed her on the bed and toed off his shoes. "If this isn't what you want, tell me now, Haley." His heated gaze roamed over her from head to toe, the intensity nearly setting her aflame. Sam reached for the wallet in his back pocket, took out a condom and set it on her nightstand. "Do you want this? Do you want me?"

Nodding, she scooted over to give him room. He stretched out beside her, all six feet something of him. She turned to him, and a look of such longing and tenderness filled his eyes that her heart turned over.

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" His hand found its way under her blouse to skim her waist.

"No. You haven't."

"Well, I'm telling you now." His lips grazed her throat and he kissed his way along her jaw to her chin, and finally to her mouth. "And so d.a.m.n s.e.xy. G.o.d, Haley. You have no idea how badly I want you. Ever since that very first day we met, you've been in my thoughts and in my dreams." His breathing grew ragged as he unb.u.t.toned her blouse. He worked it off, and then raised himself to stare down at her.

She shivered under his perusal, and her poor heart felt as if it would burst. He found her beautiful? s.e.xy. The way he looked at her, the intensity, heat and hunger in his eyes-she believed every word.

She'd planned for this moment, hoped for it and even shopped for the occasion. She wore a brand-new, front-fastening black bra with red over-lace and matching panties. He ran his palm over the material and groaned. His touch elicited a surge of wetness and a throbbing ache. Never had she wanted anyone so badly as she wanted Sam.

His fingers shook slightly as he undid the clasp. "Even though it's a few days late, I gotta tell you, you are the best Christmas present ever. Love the wrapping." He kissed the swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Haley tugged at his sweater. "I like your wrapping too, but this has got to go." He growled low in his throat and pulled off the sweater, revealing a cotton T-shirt beneath. She grinned. Something about the plain white cotton tees he always wore melted her insides. He was an endearing mix of s.e.x G.o.d and regular guy, and she found the combination irresistible. "This too," she whispered, tugging at the T-shirt. He raised his arms so she could pull it off. Haley tossed the shirt to the floor, and then she ran her palms over his chest, reveling in the feel of firm muscle under soft hot skin.

He reached for her, and she gasped as his thumbs stroked her sensitive nipples. And when he drew one into his mouth, teasing the hardened bud with his teeth and tongue, all coherency fled. He took his time removing the rest of her clothing, nibbling, kissing and tasting every part of her in the process. His own clothing disappeared as well, though she was barely aware of how or when that happened.