One Night in Texas

by Charlene Sands

  This woman...

  Her hair, the scent of her skin was all too familiar. He looked at her flushed face and eyes that refused to meet his. He was close enough to feel her presence, to react to her nearness. He was instantly aroused. And that could mean only one thing. He took a moment to tamp down the blood rapidly heating his veins. His senses on overload, his mind spinning, the wildest notion entered his head.

  “Gracie?”

  “I’ve got to go. I’m late...for an appointment.”

  Before he could stop her, she was gone. Memories flashed in his mind. The masquerade ball. Those scents, her aura. He wouldn’t have ever guessed. But he’d never reacted to a woman like that before.

  He stood. Blinking his eyes, he knew only one thing. He had to get to the bottom of this.

  He had to know for sure.

  Was it her?

  * * *

  One Night in Texas by Charlene Sands is part of the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags to Riches series.

  Dear Reader,

  Hello and welcome to the final story in the Rags to Riches series of the Texas Cattleman’s Club! My story revolves around beautiful lottery winner Gracie Diaz and the deadly handsome, ambitious business tycoon Sebastian Wingate (think Justin Hartley). Gracie’s family once worked for the Wingates, but her recent reversal of fortune gives us a story rich with hidden secrets, betrayals and steamy romance.

  Sebastian has always been a winner. He’s used to having his way in the world. But when Gracie’s secrets are revealed to him, Sebastian fights tooth and nail to know the woman who has haunted his dreams. And Gracie isn’t ready to let her onetime secret crush into her heart, now that their circumstances have changed.

  It was truly a pleasure to bring One Night in Texas to you. I hope you enjoy revisiting the characters from the Texas Cattleman’s Club and find the answers you are looking for in Gracie and Sebastian’s story!

  As always, happy reading!

  Charlene Sands

  Charlene Sands

  One Night in Texas

  Charlene Sands is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance and stories set in the American West. She’s been honored with the National Readers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award and is a double recipient of the Booksellers’ Best Award. Her 2014 Harlequin Desire was named the Best Desire of the Year.

  Charlene knows a little something about romance—she married her high school sweetheart! And her perfect day includes reading, drinking mocha cappuccinos, watching Hallmark movies and riding bikes with her hubby. She has two adult children and four sweet young princesses who make her smile every day. Visit her at www.charlenesands.com to keep up with her new releases and fun contests. Find her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, too: Facebook.com/charlenesandsbooks and Twitter.com/charlenesands.

  Books by Charlene Sands

  Harlequin Desire

  The Slades of Sunset Ranch

  Sunset Surrender

  Sunset Seduction

  The Secret Heir of Sunset Ranch

  Redeeming the CEO Cowboy

  Texas Cattleman’s Club: Rags to Riches

  One Night in Texas

  Visit her Author Profile page at Harlequin.com, or charlenesands.com, for more titles.

  You can also find Charlene Sands on Facebook, along with other Harlequin Desire authors, at Facebook.com/harlequindesireauthors.

  To my author pal and assistant, Dani Gorman.

  You are the best. Thanks for all you do!

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from No Holding Back by Lori Foster

  Excerpt from The Rancher by Joanne Rock

  One

  She looked at herself in the mirror and saw the same girl she’d always seen staring back at her. Gracie Diaz of Mexican American descent, whose immigrant father had worked for the Wingate family on their ranch, whose mother had taken up waitressing once Gracie’s father died. She saw the same young girl with smoky brown eyes, olive skin and long dark hair who was still swept up in romantic fantasies of Sebastian, the more serious of the devastatingly handsome Wingate twins. The same starry-eyed dreamer with lofty aspirations of developing an events business and having a family of her own one day.

  But she wasn’t just that girl anymore... She was much more. Twenty-eight years old now, and the winner of a sixty-million-dollar lottery—a woman with means to do as she pleased.

  “And you did that, Gracie,” she said to her reflection. “You did as you pleased.”

  At the Texas Cattleman’s Club masquerade ball. Nearly three months ago, she’d fallen for a tall, masked stranger, unable to resist his enigmatic charm. There was something in the way he’d held her, danced with her, kissed her. He was masterful and passionate, and it all had been so thrilling. She’d tossed away her inhibitions that night and had given in to the cravings of the body and mind. His scent, his deep, low voice, the way he moved—their chemistry had been off the charts. Their secret tryst had happened quickly, in a hidden spot where they wouldn’t be found. But mere moments after they’d made love, voices coming from the hallway had interrupted their erotic interlude, and she’d fled. Taken off without so much as getting his name.

  The mystery had intrigued her for months.

  Because Gracie didn’t know who he was.

  Until now.

  Her cell phone rang and she picked up on the second ring. Smiling into the phone, she said, “Hi, Beth.”

  She’d been Beth Wingate’s assistant before she’d won the lottery, and now they worked side by side on special events. But mostly, Beth was her dearest friend. She hadn’t told her friend the truth yet because she hadn’t had enough time to process what she’d discovered two weeks ago. But she knew she couldn’t keep it under wraps forever. “I’m glad you called me back.”

  “I know why you’re worried, hon,” Beth replied. “But believe me, you buying the Wingate Estate isn’t gonna put my nose out of joint. I’m actually glad you’re doing it, Gracie, because ultimately, it’s good for everyone. My family needs cash to get Wingate Enterprises up to par. And selling the estate is the best way to get the new Wingate hotel chain on its feet.”

  Gracie was grateful to Beth for her encouragement. Though she had always dreamed of living in this amazing estate, she’d never believed it would happen. She’d chalked it up to one silly girl’s childhood fantasy. After all, she’d been the daughter of a ranch employee, her father working for the Wingates most of his life. So now it was a pretty strange feeling having this monetary reversal, to be in the position to buy the estate. She’d never thought herself worthy and maybe she didn’t feel that way now, either. But her mentor’s supportive words had helped. “Thanks for making me feel better about it, Beth.”

  But it wasn’t just the Wingate heiress’s opinion that mattered. Soon Gracie would have to deal with Beth’s brother Sebastian. She so wasn’t looking forward to that.

  “It’s the truth,” Beth said. “I’m happy you and the baby will be living there. How are you feeling lately?”

  “My morning sickness is gone, thank the Lord for that. And I feel pretty good. No baby bump yet, but the doctor says I’m healthy.”

  “All good news. You’ve been wanting a family of your own for a long time now. It’s finally h
appening.”

  Gracie closed her eyes, filled with mixed emotions. After she’d won the lottery, she’d tried dating, but she was never sure if it was her or her money that attracted men to her. After several dating mishaps, her trust had evaporated and she’d pretty much decided to have a baby on her own. She’d seen Dr. Everett months ago for fertility treatment, planning to do in vitro, but a glorious one-night stand during the masquerade ball had taken care of that. Now she was three months pregnant by a man she’d crushed on during her youth, a man who’d never seemed interested in her in the least, a man whose identity she’d finally figured out. “Yes, it finally is.”

  She placed her hand over her belly, imagining the new life growing inside her. What a miracle it was. She’d wanted a family of her own so much, and now those cherished dreams were finally coming true. She loved this baby already, but she didn’t love the strings that would eventually become attached.

  She’d have to think about that tomorrow.

  Today, she had an estate to purchase.

  “Beth, I’m glad we spoke. You’ve been such a good friend, and I didn’t want to do anything that would make it awkward between us.”

  “Nothing ever will, girlfriend.”

  “Same here. Well, gotta run. I’ll call you in a few days, okay?”

  “Sounds good. Oh, and, Gracie...good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Gracie set the phone down and chewed on her lip. She was at loose ends here, and needed to gather her wits. After all, she had a meeting at the foreclosed Wingate Estate in one hour.

  With her Realtor, her attorney...and the father of her baby.

  * * *

  It was damn cold inside the house, the January chill sweeping into the walls of the empty estate. Sebastian shuddered. From the frigidness? Or was it from a sudden feeling of loss? All the furnishings inside the house were gone, most items hauled off to an estate company where they’d gotten a fair price, but nowhere near the cost of his family’s memories.

  Sebastian wasn’t the sentimental type—he was a realist and this sale was a good thing—but still, he was hit with a wave of unexpected nostalgia from selling his childhood home. There’d been an abundance of love here, plus silly and not-so-silly arguments. Not to mention wild shenanigans, especially between him and his twin brother, Sutton. His other siblings—Miles, Harley and Beth—hadn’t exactly been angels, either. Sebastian grinned, thinking of his brothers and sisters when they were kids. He’d allow himself a moment to reminisce about the good times, the pranks they’d pulled, the trouble the five of them would get into. There was never a dull moment in the Wingate household.

  But their good name had almost been taken down by sabotage. All the Wingates had worked toward this past year had nearly been destroyed.

  In a big way, their home was the answer to the Wingates’ prayers. Once this place was sold, Sebastian would have cold hard cash to put into the relaunch of the Wingate name and reputation, as well as the financial means to invest in a hotel chain geared for romantic getaways, wedding events and resort-style fun.

  For years, their hotels throughout the world accommodated the corporate class. They were straightforward residences meant to temporarily house business and industry travelers. Now, with the money from the estate sale, conference rooms would be converted into grand ballrooms, cafeterias would become gourmet dining rooms and cooks would be replaced with culinary chefs. The atmosphere and attitude associated with Wingate would change entirely. It had to work. The Wingate empire was banking on it.

  The door opened and in walked Gracie Diaz. Oh, man, she looked good—her lustrous dark hair down and parted to the side, and her delectable body rocking a clingy dress. With those big, almond-shaped eyes, she could practically destroy a man with one sultry look. Sebastian inhaled a deep breath, giving his addled brain a mental shake. He’d always been attracted to the olive-skinned beauty, but he’d never gotten close. Never acted upon his urges with her, because Gracie had always been off-limits. She was the daughter of an employee. And his sister Beth’s best friend. Succumbing to his desires spelled disaster at every turn, and Sebastian was smarter than that. But if things were different, he’d be knocking on her door until she let him in.

  As soon as Gracie spotted him, she stopped in her tracks. She seemed really shaken, her usual confidence apparently hitting a bump. He understood why.

  She was the one with power now. With money enough to buy their family home, and she wasn’t comfortable with it. It was, in a sense, a complete reversal of fortunes.

  Sure, the sale was awkward, but completely necessary...and welcome.

  “Come in, Gracie. I don’t bite.”

  He smiled, but that only made her mouth turn down.

  He walked toward her, taking tentative steps. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” he said. “I can assure you, no one is upset about you buying the estate.”

  “I understand,” she replied tentatively. “Beth told me the same thing.”

  “Okay, then. Come in. There’s a table and chairs set up in the dining room. Your attorney thought it best for us to go over any concerns you have here, so we can address them as they come up.”

  She stepped inside, skirting around him. “I have no concerns.”

  “Just in case.” And maybe he did. As CEO of Wingate Enterprises, he wanted to oversee the sale, to protect his family interests, as well. Old habits died hard.

  Gracie took a seat at the table, setting her briefcase on the chair beside her. She’d become quite a businesswoman, from what Beth had told him. Not only had she helped his sister with planning galas and events, but she’d also funded a new eatery in town. She was looking for other investments, too, he’d learned.

  But she sure seemed jumpy around him today. Maybe it was the sale of the estate, or maybe it was her pregnancy. Though, by looking at her in a body-hugging soft gray sweater dress that exposed her perfect shape and brought out the lovely tones on her olive skin, she didn’t look pregnant at all. No, she looked gorgeous and hot.

  His mind wandered to a place it shouldn’t go. A place he tried to never let it go. He’d become pretty darn good at pushing aside his attraction for Gracie Diaz.

  Luckily, he didn’t have to think on it too hard, because the attorneys and Gracie’s Realtor, Tom Riley, walked in just then, and within a minute, they’d made introductions and gotten right down to business.

  The negotiations went smoothly, if you could call them that. Gracie had asked for nothing out of the ordinary. And they’d agreed to all the terms laid out by both attorneys. Gracie had even agreed to rehire some of the staff and groundskeepers for the property. She was a woman who understood hard work and didn’t take anything for granted. After her father passed, she’d started waitressing to put herself through online college. Sebastian admired that trait. He was a hard worker, too, sometimes to a fault. At times, his staff would remind him of the late hour, and his twin would tell him to take a damn vacation. Sutton never kept his thoughts to himself, especially around his older brother by three minutes, but Sebastian wasn’t one to listen.

  “So if both sides are happy, I’ll draw up the necessary papers,” Tom Riley said. He gave Gracie an encouraging nod, as if to say all was in order and the deal would be done soon.

  She smiled softly. Which had Sebastian oddly on edge. He should be satisfied—after all, it was what Wingate Enterprises needed, a financial boost in the arm. Yet, he couldn’t take his eyes off Gracie. She’d barely said a word throughout the talks, and her smile just now was the first one she’d cracked since she’d gotten here. Instead, she’d tapped her fingers on the table, toyed with the hem of her sweater dress—something he’d tried not to notice.

  But those long tan legs weren’t easy to ignore.

  He’d known Gracie for years. She was a family friend and they’d always been civil with each other, despite his hidden fascina
tion to her, yet he’d never seen her looking so nervous.

  “I think we have a real workable deal,” he said to her Realtor.

  His attorney, Todd Woodbury, seemed pleased. “I think everything’s in order.” He began to gather the papers, stuffing them into his briefcase.

  “Well, then, l guess we’re good to go.” Sebastian smiled at Gracie, but she didn’t make eye contact. What was with her? Why wouldn’t she give him the time of day?

  “I’ll show you out,” he told the men. Not that he had a right to usher them out; he didn’t own the house any longer. And hadn’t lived here for months. He was living in a rental house now, but he had to make sure Gracie was okay with this. “I want a minute to speak to Ms. Diaz alone.”

  He walked them out and turned to find Gracie, who was snatching up her briefcase and a pile of papers. She then made a mad dash for the door, but halfway there she fumbled, and the papers went flying, practically landing at his feet. He bent to retrieve them. “I’ll get these.”

  “No, it’s okay,” she said, dropping down on her knees to gather them up. Their heads nearly bumped as both grabbed for the papers, and that was when he caught a whiff of her hair as it fell forward in long, glimmering straight sheets. He breathed deeper, taking it in. That floral scent reminded him of something...

  And then a hint of her perfume reached his nostrils. It was wildly erotic. The mysterious scents that had haunted him for weeks were all here.

  He hadn’t stopped thinking of that woman, of their one-night stand, which had been crazy and amazing and intoxicating. He’d lain awake nights wondering who she was, and why he couldn’t figure it out. Wondering if he would ever find her.

  And wondering if he’d ever have better sex. He’d relived that night in his mind so many times, recalling how creamy smooth her skin was, how delicious her lips tasted, how silky her hair was. All of it came rushing back now. The scent of her hair, the texture of her skin, the soft moans as she came apart in his arms...