A Death in Texas (Heritage Book 1)
Page 23
As she marched by Emma's desk, she cut the woman an annoyed look. So much for a little favor.
Odessa, Texas
Cord checked with the desk clerk to see if he had any messages. “Nothing so far sir,” the clerk politely replied. “Welcome back, Mr. Alexander.”
“Thanks.” Cord always stayed at the same hotel when he had to be at the facility in Andrews County. Odessa was the closest city to the facility with decent places to stay and eat. With a parting smile at the desk clerk, he turned and hurried through the lobby. As hungry as he was, he wanted a shower more. Just as he rounded the corner to his hallway, he stopped dead in his tracks. At the end of the hall was a sight that would cause most red-blooded males to pant and drool. Pointed right at him was the back of a long pair of knockout legs.
Cord couldn’t help but smile as his eyes worked their way up. Long shapely legs encased in slightly shimmering stockings rose up from black high–heeled shoes to a firm round rear. His eyes wandered over the luscious scenery presenting itself before him.
The woman was bent forward, apparently retrieving her keycard from the floor. Bending over had caused her short tight skirt to rise and present an appealing view of her backside. Beneath the sheer hosiery lay a flimsy thin strap of light pink lace, secluded in the cleft of her ass, covering only enough to leave a tiny bit to the imagination.
The woman straightened and turned to unlock her door. As the side of her face became visible Cord's mind shot back in time to a bar in California.
He and Juan were sitting in a hotel bar. They’d just closed a deal with a company to supply the hardware they needed to put together the nuclear waste tracking system. Cord was excited. This was a major contract, and the fact that he’d been sought after to do it, and the price of the project had his ego pumped. For the first time, he felt like one of the big boys of business.
Juan sat across from him with his back to the bar when Cord first noticed the shapely legs – the same pair of legs he now saw in the hallway. He watched the woman saunter to the bar and seat herself on one of the high stools. The long legs crossed, causing the short tight skirt to rise higher on her thighs.
Cord didn't feel ashamed or guilty about enjoying the view. Like all men, he appreciated the sight of a beautiful woman. Juan was excitedly going over the day's events, drinking far faster than normal. As he paused to take a breath, he looked around the bar.
“Where's the waiter. I need another drink.”
“We got our drinks at the bar,” Cord reminded him.
Juan scowled. He disliked what he considered the American concept of self–service.
Cord smiled and took the empty glass. “I'll get it.”
Giving Juan a pat on the shoulder as he passed, Cord walked over to the bar and waited for the bartender to notice him. The striking woman looked over at him and smiled. Cord returned the smile then gave his attention to the bartender who called out that he would be with Cord in a moment.
“Excuse me, but I have to tell you that you have absolutely beautiful eyes,” the woman said.
“Thanks.” Cord was flattered at the compliment.
“Are you here on business?”
“Yes, you?”
“Unfortunately,” she sighed. “There was a time I thought it would be so exciting and glamorous to be able to have a job that allowed me to travel. Now I realize it's not all it's cracked up to be.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Well, you know.” She smiled and angled slightly on her stool. The motion caused the short skirt to rise even higher. “It just gets so lonely.”
Cord had a hard time believing that a woman with her looks was ever lonely. He started to say as much. That was when he noticed the way she looked at him. It took him off guard but was a tremendous boost to his ego
The woman smiled and extended her hand. “I'm sorry, I haven't even introduced myself, my name's Cassie.”
“Cord Alexander.” He took her hand. “A pleasure.”
“My thoughts exactly.” She gave him a seductive smile and ran her hand from his, up his arm to his shoulder. “In fact, why don't we get out of here and explore it – thoroughly.”
Cord shook his head to dispel the memories. Cassie was opening the door to her room. He started to raise his hand and call out to her, but she had already disappeared behind the door.
It's probably just as well. He moved to the door of his room, unlocked it, and entered. He tossed his briefcase on the bed and headed directly for the shower, with thoughts of Cassie still in his mind.
Cotton Creek, Texas
Morgan glanced down at her watch as she parked outside the garage: 2:00 p.m. She was running out of fuel. The events of the past few days were starting to catch up with her. She looked around as she walked up the back steps and could see no sign of Samuels.
At the door, she looked down and noticed her muddy shoes. Before entering the house, she removed her shoes and socks. Once inside she made a beeline for the phone.
“You have no messages.” The recorded voice announced through the receiver.
Disappointed that Cord hadn’t called she cradled the phone and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. She picked up the cordless phone from the nightstand, turned off the voicemail and took the phone with her to the bathroom. She hoped he would call. She really needed to hear his voice. Most of all she needed to hear him reassure her that everything would be okay, that her dog would be fine and hear again that he didn’t know any tall, auburn-haired woman.
A beautiful woman, at that! She thought as she stripped off her filthy clothes and tossed them into the clothes hamper. As she tried to work the elastic hair tie from her tangled, dirty hair, she wondered just how old the woman was. Thirty-two, Thirty-five? Oh well, what difference does it make? Cord doesn’t know her, and even if he did, he doesn’t go for redheads.
Finally free of the elastic hair tie, she placed the phone within easy reach on the edge of the Jacuzzi and then reached into the shower to turn on the water. Just then, the phone rang.
Morgan picked it up before the first ring was finished. “Hello?”
“Morgan? Sam here. Just checking to make sure you still want me to head to Dallas tomorrow for that bull.”
It was not the call she’d hoped for, but hearing Sam brought her attention back to something normal, like the ranch and that was welcome. “Yes, definitely. Use the ranch card or write them a check, whichever they want. And you’re sure you don’t mind making the trip?”
“Not at all. Sally’s gonna ride with me.”
“Then why don’t the two of you leave today and spend a night in a good hotel along the way and treat yourself to a dinner out on me?”
“We couldn’t do that.”
“Sure you could. And you will. Tell Luther he’s in charge ‘till you get back and hit the road.”
“Well, when you put it like that, what the heck.”
“That’s the attitude.” Morgan smiled. “Be safe, Sam. See you when you get back.”
“You bet’cha and thanks, Morgan.”
“It’s the least I can do. See you soon.”
As she turned to put the phone on the vanity, Morgan caught sight of her reflection in the full–length mirror. “Ugh!” she grimaced at the sight of herself. “You definitely need a shower.”
Without further delay, she turned on the water and stepped under the steaming downpour. The conversation with Sam had restored some degree of normalcy, and that made her feel better. Now if only Cord would call.
Recap
Well, things have been a series of unfortunate events for Morgan of late, and from the sound of it, that could be what's in store for Cord. The question is... did Cord have a thing with Cassie, or was Cassie just playing Morgan.
And what, exactly, does Victor have in mind for Cord? What will it take to satisfy his revenge?
More will be revealed in Ruthless, coming in March 2019
A Note for Readers:
I've been a reader my e
ntire life, finding solace, excitement, happiness, fear and love in the pages of books. If anything has been a constant in my life, it's reading.
I also remember all the times in my life when being able to buy a book was a luxury, a treat that I didn't get every week. I've never forgotten those times or how much those books meant to me.
That's why I am so grateful to you, the readers. Regardless of your level of income or profession, I understand how precious your reading dollars are and I feel humbled that you've used some of those dollars to purchase my books.
I hope my stories prove worthy of your investment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Many blessings.
Ciana
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon. Visit her author page
Visit Ciana’s website Follow Ciana on BookBub
Books by Ciana Stone in reading order:
The World of Cotton Creek
The Whisperers
Staking a Claim
Making a Stand
Taking a Chance
The Whisperers Box Set
Rangers
Rangers Box Set
Honky Tonk Angels Series
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In. Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Ask me to Stay – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 4
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Honky Tonk Angels Box Set
Heartbreakers & Heroes
Book 1 - Grady Judd
Book 2 - Mason James
Book 3 - Jasper Jacks
Book 4 - Deacon Johns
Book 5 - Brody Judge
Book 6 - Wiley Johns
Book 7 - Gray Horse
Book 8 – Lincoln Shaw
Heritage Series
Book 1 – A Death in Texas
The World of “The Others”
Untamed Series
(Associated with The Others)
Feels Like the First Time
When You Least Expect It
Colton’s Memory
Untamed Box Set
The Legacy Trilogy
Longing
Craving
Yearning
The Legacy Box Sex
The Seven Trilogy
On My Knees
Ruffle My Feathers
A Taste for Jazz
The Seven Box Set
The Shattered Chronicles
Reckless
Ruthless
Stand Alone Titles
Hot in the Saddle
Chase’n’Ana
Scout’n’Cole
Molding Clay
Conn’n’Caleb
Hot in the Saddle Box Set
Out of the Shadows
Let the Game Begin
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
That Which Survives
A Matter of Trust
The Territory of Lies
* * *
[PS(1]New paragraph needed as you’re swapping to Naomie’s story