Ian's Ultimate Gamble ; Seduction, Westmoreland Style

by Brenda Jackson

  “Lean over and rest your hands on the ledge, sweetheart,” he said, whispering in her ear.

  The moment she did so he tilted her hips and parted her slightly and pressed into her, entering her from behind. His body went still and he leaned over and kissed her shoulder and asked in a hoarse tone of voice, “You okay?”

  “Yes, but do you know what I want?” she asked, gripping the ledge of the pool, liking the feel of his firm thighs right smack up against her butt.

  “No, what do you want?”

  “More of you. Now!”

  She heard him suck in a deep breath just seconds before he began moving. Each stroke was like an electrical charge that sizzled inside her body. She moaned each and every time his hips rocked against her; each contact was a sexual jolt to her mind and her senses.

  A guttural sound tore from her throat the same exact moment he screamed her name and gripped her hips tight, holding her steady for his release. And when it came it shot into her womb like a stream of hot molten lava, stimulating each and every part of her body and bringing her to yet another orgasm.

  She moaned in surrender, groaned in pleasure and purred with the satisfaction of a kitten just fed. And she knew that no matter what happened once they parted ways, what they were sharing now, this moment, was hers and hers alone. This memory was one that no one could ever take away from her.

  CHAPTER 8

  Instead of cooling down, things were only getting hotter and hotter between her and Ian, Brooke thought, almost a week later as she took an afternoon stroll along the lake’s edge. Every morning they woke up in each other’s arms and she was spending more time at his penthouse than at her villa.

  They did almost everything together. He had taken her sailing again, had played a couple of rounds of golf, had taught her how to play poker, and one night they had even gotten together and whipped up dinner in his kitchen.

  And they took long walks and talked about a number of things: the state of the economy, war and the storms that seemed to get worse each hurricane season. But what they didn’t talk about was what would happen after she checked out of the casino on Sunday, which was only three days away. And she was smart enough to know that things would never be like they used to be between them. No matter how good things were going now, there was no second chance for them. She felt that he would never fully trust her the way he had before they broke up.

  For the past couple of days Ian was busier than usual with Delaney’s upcoming party. He had asked her to go as his date, and they pretty much decided they would answer his family questions as honestly as possible by saying, “No, we aren’t back together. We’ve decided to be friends and nothing more.”

  Friends and nothing more.

  That thought felt like a sharp pain through Brooke’s heart but there was nothing she could do about it. Things had happened just as she’d predicted. In trying to work her out of his system, Ian had only embedded himself deeper in hers. Although she loved him, he didn’t love her.

  The shrill sound of her cell phone ringing broke into her thoughts and she quickly pulled it out of the back pocket of her shorts. “Hello.”

  “So, how are things going, Brooke?”

  Brooke drew in a deep breath, surprised that Malcolm had called. Their agreement was that he would hear from her only if she had something to report. Within a few days her two-week stay at the Rolling Cascade would be over, and so far, as she’d known he would, Ian was running a clean operation.

  “Things are going fine, Malcolm. Why are you calling?”

  “I happened to overhear something today that might interest you.”

  “What?”

  “Prince Jamal Ari Yasir is planning a birthday party for his wife there and he plans to present her with a case of diamonds that’s worth over fifteen million dollars.”

  Brooke folded her arms across her middle. “I’m aware of that.”

  “And how did you come by that information? Not too many people are supposed to know about the diamonds.”

  “Ian mentioned it. I’m sure you’re aware that the sheikh’s wife is his first cousin.”

  “And Westmoreland trusted you enough to tell you about the diamonds?”

  Brooke thought about what Malcolm has just asked her. Yes, he had trusted her enough. “He probably thought it wasn’t such a big deal. It’s not like I’m going to go out and mention it to anyone. And what do the diamonds have to do with the Bureau?”

  “Probably nothing, but one of our informers notified our major theft division of a possible heist at the Rolling Cascade this weekend. And the target is those diamonds.”

  Brooke shook her head. “That’s going to be hard to pull off since Ian’s security team is top-notch. I’ve seen their operation. Besides, the jewels arrived this morning and are in a vault that’s being monitored by video cameras twenty-four hours a day.”

  “That might be the case, but we’re dealing with highly trained professionals, Brooke. The informer’s claiming it’s the Waterloo Gang.”

  Brooke sucked in deeply. “Are you sure?” The Waterloo Gang was an international ring who specialized in the theft of artwork and jewelry and had a reputation for making successful heists. The group was highly mobile, moving from city to city and country to country, and had been on the FBI’s most-wanted list for years. Their last heist, earlier this year, had been a jewelry store in San Francisco where over ten million dollars in jewels were taken. Six months ago they had hit a museum in France where artwork totaling over thirty million was stolen.

  “We’re not sure if our informer’s information is accurate. But the Bureau doesn’t want to take any chances because such a theft might have international implications. Although Prince Yasir is married to an American, he’s still considered a very important ally to this country and we don’t want anything to strain that relationship.”

  Brooked nodded. “I can see where having his wife’s birthday present—especially one of such value—stolen might be a lot to swallow.”

  “And you’re sure you haven’t noticed anything unusual?”

  “Not really. I’d say strange but not unusual. There are some obsessed gamblers, adulterers and someone with a split personality,” she said, thinking about the woman she had bumped into while shopping last week. She’d briefly run into her a few times, and certain days she would be friendlier than others; a regular Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde. “Just the kind of characters you’d expect to find at a casino,” she concluded.

  “Well, notify me if you notice anything. The reason the Waterloo Gang’s hits are so well orchestrated and planned is that they have their people in place well in advance, mainly to study the lay of the land, so to speak.”

  “Will Ian be advised of any of this?”

  “Not until we determine if our information is accurate.”

  Brooke frowned. “That’s not good enough, Malcolm. By then it might be too late. He should be told so that he can take the necessary precautions. Don’t ask me not to tell him.”

  For a long time there was a pause, and Brooke hoped Malcolm wouldn’t pull rank and demand that she not mention anything to Ian. She was determined to warn Ian what was going on regardless of what Malcolm dictated. If she was fired because of it, then that’s the risk she would take.

  “Something else you should know is that Walter Thurgood has been assigned to the Waterloo Case,” Malcolm said when he finally spoke moments later.

  “Why?”

  “Because if our informer is right and Thurgood can be credited with stopping a major jewel heist, especially one with possible international connections, that feat would be a great-looking feather in his cap. Someone upstairs is trying like hell to make him look good.”

  “Yeah, like we don’t know who that is,” Brooke said sarcastically. “Personally I don’t give a damn about him getting credit for anything. I just don’t want Ian left in the dark about what might be going on.”

  “Call me if you notice anything, Brooke, and remember that th
is is hearsay from an informer. Nothing has been verified yet.”

  “Okay, and I understand.”

  * * *

  Ian smiled, hanging up the phone. Talking to his mother always made him chuckle. It wasn’t good enough for Sarah Westmoreland that she now had two married sons, she was still determined to marry the rest of them off in grand style sooner or later.

  And today she was ecstatic because Durango had called and said there was a possibility that Savannah might be having twins. An ultrasound was being scheduled in a couple of weeks to determine whether there would be multiple births.

  Ian shook his head. He hadn’t gotten used to Durango being a husband, much less a father, but that just went to show that some things were meant to be.

  Like he and Brooke.

  He sighed deeply and walked over to the window in his office. It seemed that today Lake Tahoe was more beautiful than ever. Or maybe he thought that way because he was in such a good mood. And all because of Brooke.

  Spending time with her had made him realize that what had been missing in his life was the same thing he’d turned his back on four years ago. But now, waking up with her beside him, gazing into the darkness of her eyes, enjoying a warm good-morning smile was what he needed in his life. But only with her. The time they’d spent together over the past week and a half had been wonderful. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled or enjoyed himself more. And then the memories of nights they’d shared in each other’s arms could still take his breath away.

  Over the years he’d tried to shove her into the past and replace her with more desirable women. However, he hadn’t found anyone he desired more or who could replace her in his heart. Just the thought that in three days she would be walking out of his life was unacceptable. He wanted what happened in the past to stay in the past, and he wanted to move forward and reclaim her as his and his alone.

  His smile widened when he decided that he would tell her how he felt tonight. He loved her. God, he loved her and would go on loving her. He sighed when that admission was wrung from deep inside of him. He hadn’t counted on falling in love with her all over again, and if he were completely honest with himself, he would admit that he’d never stopped loving her. And just to think he’d actually assumed he could work her out of his system. More than anything, he wanted to make her a permanent part of his life.

  He walked back over to his desk and picked up the phone. He planned on making tonight one that she wouldn’t forget.

  * * *

  “Brooke?”

  Brooke was on her way up to see Ian in his office when she turned, following the sound of her name being called, and glanced around. Smiling, she crossed the casino’s lobby to give Tara Westmoreland a hug.

  “Tara, when did you get here?”

  “A few hours ago. Since Jamal asked that I coordinate everything for Delaney’s party, I thought it was best for me to be in place a couple of days early. Ian’s taking Thorn around, showing him some of the new additions, and I thought I’d just wander around in here and play a couple of the slot machines.”

  Tara gazed at Brooke with a lift of her brow. “But my question is what are you doing here? Did you decide to come up early, too?”

  Brooke shook her head, chuckling. “No, I’ve been here for a week and a half now. I’m here on vacation.”

  “Hmm,” Tara said grinning.

  “It’s not what you think.” Brooke then rubbed a frustrated hand down her face before adding, “At least not really.”

  As if she understood completely, Tara smiled and took her hand. “Come on. Let’s go someplace and have some girls’ chat time.”

  * * *

  “A strawberry, virgin daiquiri, please,” Tara told the smiling waitress.

  “And the same for me,” Brooke tagged on. Not wanting to jump into a conversation about her and Ian just yet, Brooke asked, “And how do you plan on surprising Delaney?”

  Tara chuckled. “Jamal is flying her here straight from Tahran. She believes that he’s coming here for an investors’ meeting with Ian, Thorn, Spencer and Jared, so seeing me and Thorn, Jared and Dana won’t give anything away. She also thinks that Jamal is flying her to France to celebrate her birthday once she leaves here.”

  She paused when the waitress returned with their drinks. “Most of the family and other invitees will begin arriving that day or the day before. It’s going to be up to Jamal to keep Delaney occupied while everyone checks in.”

  Tara smiled. “One good thing is that everyone is being housed in a separate part of the resort than where Jamal and Delaney are staying. That should minimize the risk of her running into anyone.”

  “And when will Delaney arrive?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Brooke took a sip of her drink then asked, “You don’t think her seeing me here will give anything away, do you?”

  Tara’s smile widened. “No. She’ll assume, like the rest of us, that you and Ian have finally made amends and are back together.” Tara then lifted an arched brow. “Well, is that true, Brooke?”

  More than anything, Brooke wished she could say yes. But she couldn’t. “No. The only thing Ian and I have managed to do while I’ve been here is to bury any hostility we’ve felt and become friends. I feel for us that is a good thing. I care a lot for Ian.”

  Tara chuckled. “Of course you do. You still love him.”

  Brooke’s cheeks tinted in a blush. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Only because I’m in love with a Westmoreland man myself. They seem to grow on you, and once you fall in love with one, it’s hard to fall out of love…no matter what.”

  Brooke had to agree. From the first Ian had grown on her and once she fell in love with him that was that. Four years of separation hadn’t been able to cure her of being bitten by the love bug. “So what am I supposed to do?”

  “Wish I could answer that.” Tara leaned in closer and reached for Brooke’s arms, squeezing reassuringly. “We all know how smart Ian is, but unfortunately he has a tendency to analyze things to death. But I’m sure once he sits down and considers things rationally, he’ll reach the conclusion that you are the best thing to ever happen to him.”

  Brooke just hoped Tara was right. But then, there was a lot Tara didn’t know, like the real reason Brooke was at the Rolling Cascade. Even if Ian was able to put behind him what happened four years ago, how would he feel if he ever found out that she was now here under false pretenses?

  “Don’t look now but here come our Westmoreland men,” Tara said, breaking into Brooke’s thoughts. “I swear they are like bloodhounds on our scent. I doubt there’s anywhere we could hide where they wouldn’t find us.”

  Brooke glanced up, and her gaze collided with Ian’s as he and his cousin Thorn moved toward their table. Her pulse began beating so wildly that her hand began shaking and she had to put her drink down.

  Surprisingly, it was Thorn who pulled her out of her chair to give her a huge hug. Thorn, who used to be the surliest of the Westmorelands, had definitely changed. It seemed that marriage definitely agreed with him. She remembered that at Dare’s wedding Thorn and Tara hadn’t been getting along any better than she and Ian. Then a few months later she’d received a call from Delaney saying Thorn and Tara were getting married. She had been invited to the wedding, but in consideration of Ian’s feelings, she had declined the invitation.

  “Did Tara tell you our good news?” he asked Brooke once he released her.

  Brooke glanced over at Tara and raised a brow. “No, what news is that?”

  “We’re having a baby,” he announced, grinning broadly.

  Brooke rushed around the table and gave Tara a huge hug. “Congratulations. I didn’t know.”

  “We just found out a few days ago, so we haven’t told anyone yet,” Tara said, smiling over at her husband. Brooke could see the love they shared shining in their eyes.

  “Well, I think it’s wonderful, and this calls for a celebration, don’t you agree, Ian?” Broo
ke asked, glancing over at him.

  He smiled. “Yes, but not tonight since we have special dinner plans.”

  “Oh.” Special dinner plans? This was certainly a surprise to her.

  “Meet me at six o’clock in the conservatory, all right?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Sure.”

  Ian then checked his watch. “I hate to run but I have a four-o’clock conference call.” He turned to leave.

  Brooke knew she needed to tell him about her conversation with Malcolm. “Ian, can we talk for a minute?”

  He turned back around and smiled. “I’m in a hurry now, sweetheart, but we’ll have time to talk later. I promise.” And then he was gone.

  * * *

  Brooke looked down at herself as she stepped into Ian’s private elevator. She had decided to wear a pair of chocolate-colored tailored slacks and a short-sleeved beige stretch shirt. Although he’d said it was a special dinner, he had not hinted at how she should dress. Assuming that it would only be the two of them, she figured casual attire would be okay.

  It seemed that today the elevator moved a lot faster than it had that first ride up to Ian’s special place. Before she could take a deep breath it had stopped at the conservatory.

  The door automatically swooshed open, and there he was, waiting for her. Heat suddenly filled her and he took a step back when she took one forward. Over his shoulder she saw a beautiful, candlelit table set for two. “I hope I’m not too early.”

  “And I’m glad that you are,” he said, and then he leaned down and captured her lips, using his mouth, lips and tongue to churn her brain into mush.

  At that moment nothing mattered, not even the thought that all he probably intended for tonight was a chance for them to say goodbye before things got too hectic because of Delaney’s birthday party. And if that was his intent, she was fine. She had no regrets about the time she had spent with him these few days.