The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) by Anne Marie Novark Page B

shelter and most importantly, seeing Sam whenever time allowed. Raenell spent most nights out with Joe, thus cooperating and encouraging Tori to see Sam as often as possible.
    They went out to dinner at least once a week, but most evenings when Tori didn't have too much homework and Sam could leave his mother on her own, they ordered take out and ate at Tori's apartment, spending the rest of their precious time together in bed.
    One cool evening in late October, Tori was on her way home from the animal shelter. She was running low on cash and stopped at the ATM. When she got back in the car, it wouldn't start. She tried the key again. Nothing happened. No sound, no click, no nothing. Well, damn.
    She was supposed to meet up with Sam for a late dinner. Right. That wasn't going to happen. She pulled out her cell phone and called him. "Hey, listen . . . something's wrong with my car. I'm going to have to cancel tonight."
    "What's the matter with it?" His deep voice on the other end made her heart squeeze tight as always.
    "I don't know; I'm not a mechanic. It won't start. I'm going to call a tow-truck--"
    "You don't have to do that. Where are you? I'll take a look at it."
    "You mean, you'll come and rescue me? Like a knight in shining armor?" she teased.
    "I don't know about knights in armor," he said with a low chuckle that made her stomach flutter. "But I do know a thing or two about cars."
    "Really? A computer guy like you knows about cars? You have some hidden talents you haven't shared with me yet, mister."
    "Oh babe, we've barely scratched the surface. I have a whole lot more I'd like to share with you. A whole lot more ." The suggestive timbre of his voice tugged low in her gut. The nuance of his words shimmied up her spine, reminding her of all they'd already shared, tantalizing her imagination at the implied intimacies they still needed to explore.
    "Tori? Are you going to tell me where you are? I can't rescue you if you don't tell me what part of town you're in."
    She shook away the erotic images crowding her brain, cleared her throat and gave Sam the address of the bank.
    Twenty minutes later, he pulled in beside her in the parking lot. Tori stood leaning against her car and watched him unfold his long-limbed body from his small red convertible. She couldn't believe how just the sight of the man could send her heart racing into hyperdrive.
    Sam walked up to her and smiled. "Sam's Roadside Assistance, at your service. Ready, willing and able to help you out."
    "I know you're ready and willing-- oomph! "
    He jerked her against him to steal a kiss. Tori found herself plastered along the length of Sam's very ready and willing body. "The car, Sam, the car. Can you fix it? Do you know how?"
    "Ouch." Sam put his hands on her shoulders and set her away from him. "You really know how to stomp on a guy's ego, don't you?"
    "Oh, Sam. I'm sorry."
    "Well, you don't have to act so surprised that I know about cars."
    Tori shrugged. "I can't help it. It's one thing for you to fix my laptop. Quite another for you to repair my car."
    "You do speak your mind, don't you? It's one of the things I like best about you. My dad had a couple of vintage cars he was always tinkering with. He taught me a lot about carburetors and engines."
    "Really? So that explains it. You're a man of many talents, Sam Garza."
    He smiled that lethal smile she loved so well. "You ain't seen nothing yet, babe." He swooped in for another kiss, then opened the hood of her car. "Get in and turn the key. I'll have a look."
    Tori climbed back in and turned the key in the ignition only to be met with silence. She got out and watched Sam as he bent over the engine. He looked awfully good with those worn denim jeans outlining his tight butt. The image set her mouth to watering. She swallowed hard.
    Damn, she had it bad for this man.
    Sam stood up straight and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands. "The battery's dead. I'll try to give it a jump. Get in