His friend Daniel Frederick walked up with a beer in his hand. Lee nursed a scotch and water since he arrived. Not one for hard liquor, he'd seen the devastation it could cause and would never drink to excess again.
Damn, his brother.
"Have you been introduced to Mr. Trippe yet?"
"No, I haven't seen him," he admitted.
"Several of the ranchers are in the library talking business. Come with me and I'll introduce you."
With a last glance at the stunning vision in yellow, he followed Daniel. Someday he hoped to have a woman like her on his arm. Maybe not one who was so flirty. This beautiful temptress could wrap a man any way she wanted him.
As they walked through the crowd, he admired the lavish decor of the hotel. The memory of his life several years ago left him cringing inside and he never dreamed he would be here in Durango at this fancy place hob knobbing with the elite in society.
His focus had to remain on his ranch. He needed this man's bull to impregnate his cows. Hopefully they would make a deal.
When they entered the study, the men were gathered around smoking cigars and drinking. These gentlemen had most of the wealth in this town. The mine owners, ranchers, bankers, train owners, and shippers. One wrong move and these men could destroy your life here.
But Lee also understood to tread softly around these movers and shakers.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked.
"Follow my lead," he said as they wound their way through the room.
God, he hoped he never became like these men. Rich, stodgy, and plotting how they could make even more money. Money was nice, but nothing took the place of love and family. Was it wrong to want a comfortable life and not be the richest man in the county?
"Mr. Trippe," Daniel said. "I'd like to introduce you to my friend Lee Sackett."
The man turned toward him and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, young man. What are you doing in Durango?"
"I own a small ranch near Pagosa Springs," he said. "A cattle ranch. I've been wanting--"
Another man yelled out for Mr. Trippe.
"Excuse me, Mr. Welch owes me quite a bit of money. Good to meet you."
And with that, the man was gone. Damn, damn, and double damn. When would he ever have a chance to talk to him? The man raised the best cattle in the county, and he needed that bull.
Chapter 4
Daisy stared at the handsome dark-haired man who followed someone she knew into the library. Through his suit coat, she could see the bulges in his arms and wondered if the rest of him was just as muscled.
And he was wealthy. Dancing by, she overheard him tell the banker he was rich. And he was quite attractive and could be the perfect husband. What did he do?
Please, God, not a rancher. They were a dime a dozen at the party and the very reason she wanted to move to town. Anything to get away from the moo of cows and the cackle of chickens.
Carrie walked up beside her. "Have you found Mr. Right yet?"
"Maybe," she said with a smile as the man she thought handsome came out of the library. His head shook as he talked to Daniel.
As she admired him, his gaze caught hers, and she smiled and slowly let her tongue trail across her lips. That little trick usually had a man running in her direction.
Instead, he looked away.
She made a small stomp with her foot. Was he married?
"Do you know who that gentleman is talking to Daniel."
"No, never seen him before."
The music started up again, and he gave her his back. Deliberately ignoring her. No man turned his back on Daisy Trippe.
Knowing her mother would admonish her for her actions later, but unable to resist, she would teach him not to be so rude.
"Oh no, what are you doing?"
"Excuse me, Carrie. There is a man I need to meet."
Carrie groaned as Daisy walked across the dance floor to the other side of the room. Like knocking on a door, she tapped the man on the back.
"Care to dance?"
It was unheard of for a woman to ask a man to waltz, but if he wasn't going to ask her, she would ask him.
The man turned to gaze at her and smiled. "Of course."
When he took her in his arms, her heart leaped inside her chest. The scent of pine and forest overwhelmed her as she stared up into his green eyes. A lock of his dark hair spilled across his forehead, his nose was straight, his cheekbones high, and his lips ripe and full for kissing.
"Are you always this forward?"
A flirtatious laugh escaped her. "I always get what I want," she paused, letting that sink in. "At this moment, I want to dance with you."
With a sigh, he pulled her a little closer. Not enough to be considered improper, but he showed her he was in command. She liked that in a man.
"What's your name?"
"Daisy," she said, her voice seeming breathless. "Who are you?"
"Lee Sackett."
"Are you new in town, Lee?"
"No, been here for about three years. This is my first time at this event. What about you?"
"Lived here my entire life," she said. "What brought you to Durango?"
A dark shadow crossed his face. "The mountains."
As they waltzed across the floor, she was amazed at how it felt to be in his arms. The strength, the warmth, and she smiled at him in her most flirtatious way.
"You are quite used to getting your way, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"What do you want with me?"
"A dance. A chance to meet you and possibly even steal a kiss."
Yes, she was being bold, but she liked to live life dangerously.
The man chuckled; the deep sound of his voice lighting a fire within her.
"Is your father here?"
"Yes."
"So you want your father to shoot me?"
Leaning her head back, she laughed, letting him see her lean neck and the way her breasts pushed against the bodice of her gown. His hand felt warm against her bare back.
"No, but I wondered how your lips would taste kissing mine."
"You're not a shy little flower," he said, staring at her mouth.
Oh, she had him thinking about kissing her.
"Is your mother here?"
That was an understatement. Already she would be lectured on the propriety of a young woman asking him to dance, but she knew how to placate her mother. What would she think if she were to get caught sneaking outside with him?
Something about the man drew her to him. The glint in his emerald eyes, the way he smiled at her like he knew what she was thinking.
"Oh yes, Mother is standing in the corner with her cronies talking about which debutante will marry the richest man."
The man tensed in her arms. What had she said that had him worried?
"Aren't you lucky? I'm not interested in marriage," she said, and he relaxed.
Oh, he didn't want to get married. Why? A rich man needed a wife, and she would make the perfect hostess.
"Are you married?" she asked, thinking they had not had that conversation.
"No."
"Do you want to marry?"
"No."
"Good, we're in the same situation."
"But you want to kiss me?" he questioned.
"There's something about your full lips that entice me."
"Is that something a nice girl would do?"
"Why would it be considered bad? I'm just curious. Why is it wrong for a lady to be inquisitive about a man?"
A deep throated laugh escaped him. "Never really thought about it."
"Would it be better if I swooned when you kissed me and feigned that what you were doing was against my wishes?"
"No. But no girl has ever asked me for a kiss before. How many men have kissed you?"
"That, sir, is none of your business. I will admit to one, and frankly, I can only describe it as boring. Would your kiss be the same?"
For a moment, he appeared dumbfounded. "
This is a conversation I never expected to have with a lady."
"Why not? Why do women always have to act stupid? My goal for the night was for a man to kiss me. Not a husband. Not an engagement. A simple smooch. And you are the lucky man I've chosen."
The music ended and instead of dancing to the next song, he grabbed her hand and hauled her toward the ballroom door.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we can kiss without being disturbed."
Her heart beat a little faster. A quick glance behind her confirmed that her mother had not seen her, or God forbid, followed her.
They all but ran into the hallway where he propelled her down to his room. Quickly, he slung the wooden door open and pulled her inside. Once the door closed, he pushed her against a partition. His mouth covered hers, and she whimpered at the intense pressure as his body pressed her into the wall. The hard ridge of his penis, she could feel through her dress.
This was no simpering kiss. As his lips consumed hers, she feared he would eat her up. One moment they were kissing, and the next, his tongue swept inside her mouth, controlling the kiss.
A moan escaped from her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to his demands.
His hand pulled down the bodice of her gown, and his fingers squeezed her naked breast sending a rush of desire pulsating through her. Though she was drawn to the emotion, she pushed back. Breathing hard, she gazed at him in the dark room. Quickly, she pulled up the front of her dress.
"No. Just a kiss."
"Was it boring?" he asked, his voice breathless.
"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head.
"Mr. Sackett, you may only kiss me."
"One more for the road," he said, his lips covering hers again.
It was a kiss that left her knees trembling, her lady parts aching, and a heat flowing through her that she had never experienced. Lee kissed her like a man, not a young boy.
Weak and breathless, his mouth peeled from hers, and she leaned into him for support.
"You achieved your goal."
"Yes."
Suddenly she heard someone calling her name. Her mother. "Daisy," she yelled.
"Oh no. That's my mother. If they find us here in this room, it would be bad."
"Come on," he said, running to the window where he lifted the pane and crawled out.
Thankfully, his room was on the first floor. He helped her out, her dress rising to expose her calf. The flesh caught his eye.
"Stop staring."
"Hey, if the lady exposes a limb, I'm going to look."
Shaking her head, she wanted to continue kissing him, knowing it could not persist without coming to completion.
Once her feet landed on the ground, they ran through the dark alley. A cold wind swept through the back street, and she shivered. When they reached the main street, they peeked around the corner before they walked into the crowds. Discreetly they reentered the hotel, and she placed her hand on his arm.
Disaster averted.
Her mother came through the entryway as they entered the lobby. "Where have you been, young lady?"
"Sorry, Mother, I became too hot, and Mr. Sackett took me on a cooling walk down the street."
Her mother's eyes narrowed. Oh, no, she'd seen that look before, and she stared at Lee. "Not without my permission, young man. We don't know you."
"Lee Sackett," he said, holding out his hand. "I promise you, nothing happened."
They both realized that was a lie, but still it eased her mother's concerns.
"Good evening, ladies," he said and walked toward the hallway to his room.
Did she dare sneak down there in the morning to tell him goodbye?
"Young lady, you know better. What were you thinking?"
Oh, she was contemplating his kiss was divine, and he was rich, and a great candidate for a husband.
"Oh, Mother, you worry too much."
"Come back inside the ballroom. Tonight, you should be dancing with lots of men. Not just one."
Would any of them kiss like Lee Sackett?
Chapter 5
Lee awoke before dawn and packed his bags. He must leave town now. Daisy knew the location of his hotel room, and he wouldn't be a bit surprised if the young woman came to his room.
The sparks between them were enough to set the hotel on fire, and he feared the next time he kissed her, they wouldn't stop.
The girl was trouble with a giant capital T, and unless he wanted a spoiled little rich girl for a wife, he needed to run.
Was he a coward for running? Oh hell, yes, but a smart coward who recognized danger. And the blonde oozed sexual danger.
A curious woman who used her beauty and her wiles to draw men into her web. Who else had she practiced her spells on?
As the sun peaked on the ridge, he headed toward Pagosa Springs, the small community closest to his sprawling one-hundred-acre ranch. His own little piece of heaven.
Besides, the debutante would not enjoy his one-room, rustic cabin. Why she set her sights on him, he had no clue, but it was time to ride out of Durango.
As he kicked the side of his horse, he tucked his head into his jacket, the cold morning air nipping at him. Snow and ice clung to the road, and he dreaded the long ride before he reached home.
And his trip had been for nothing.
After he kissed the delicious Daisy and been met at the door by her mother, he decided he should vacate the party. Once he danced with the tempting Miss Daisy, he never saw Mr. Trippe again.
If he stayed, he could attempt to speak with him at breakfast, but feared running into Daisy. The woman's kiss set his blood ablaze and his mind went stupid.
Stupid with wanting her. Stupid enough that he recognized it would be best if he left town and the enticing Daisy.
Thank goodness, he didn't know her last name, so he couldn't hunt her down. The one-night event made him forget his purpose. The ranch was everything, and he promised his father he would make his life a success.
Time to go home and return to work, to reach his goal.
Time to think no more of the woman, regardless that her kisses tasted of sin.
Chapter 6
Fannie, Daisy’s sister, opened the hotel room door, entered, and shut it quickly. "Shh, the twins are looking for me and I need a break."
Last year, Fannie married Walter Hersey and assumed the role of mother to his two twins, plus her own little one they recently had. While Daisy loved her nephews and niece, this morning, she had debutante ball letdown.
"Come in," she said.
"What's wrong with you? Did you not meet the millionaire of your dreams last night?"
"Ha ha," she said sarcastically. "Oh, I met someone."
The thought of Lee came to her mind and the kiss they shared. This morning she snuck to his room and knocked quietly on his door until a cleaning lady stuck her head out and said he left before dawn.
Embarrassed, she hurried upstairs. When she came back in, her mother’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Where did you go?"
"Downstairs to see if they had any of those pastries. Sold out."
She went into her room to hide her disappointment. The man's kiss left her hungry for more.
"No engagement announcement?" Fannie asked.
"Hardly," she said.
With a sigh, she described Lee to her sister. Thinking of how his kisses had her reeling last night.
"Was he not interested?"
Oh, if any indication of the way he felt through the skirts of her dress, the man was definitely interested. But in what? A quick tumble or marriage? Only one thing Daisy would consider and that included a ring and a ceremony.
"Don't know," she said. "He must live here in town if he has so much money." But then why would he rent a room at the hotel if he lived here in Durango? To her, it seemed it would have been easier to just go home and sleep in his own bed. The thought of the two of them in bed had her blushing.
"I know so little about him," sh
e admitted. "I feel like Cinderella at the ball, only this time, Prince Charming escaped and I don't even have a slipper."
Her sister nodded. "Tell me what you're looking for in a husband. Walter has an employee you might be interested in. The man is very nice."
Oh, no, Daisy wanted the owner, not his hired hand. Besides, her brother-in-law was a miser when it came to money.
"An employee?" A shudder rippled through her. "Oh, hell no. My man will be in charge. A rich man. Last night, Lee's arms were well muscled. And when he kissed me..."
"You let him kiss you? Did Mother see you? I can't imagine her watching while a strange man kissed her daughter."
Oops, she'd said too much. If Mother ever found out she let a man kiss her, especially the kiss they shared, she would be sent to a nunnery.
"Shhh...don't say anything. We snuck out, and he gave me a smooch when we went outside."
Even she would not admit to Fannie she went to his hotel room. Why would he rent a room if he was from Durango? There was a piece of the puzzle she didn't understand.
"What does he do for a living?"
"I don't know. Last night, I overheard him tell the banker he was rich."
"Well, to keep you in clothes, he would need to be very wealthy."
"Thanks a lot."
Unfortunately, her sister was partly right. Fancy dresses and the latest fashion were Daisy's not so hidden pleasures. Whoever was her husband would just have to understand she loved pretty dresses.
"It's true,” Fannie added. “Only you and Meg could order or make more outfits. It’s a wonder Father has any wealth left."
With a shake of her blonde curls, tossing about her head, Daisy sighed. "At least, I don't gamble."
Fannie did love to go to the local gambling house. And most of the time, she won.
"Oh no, you just like to kiss strange men," her sister retorted.
They sat staring at one another and finally, Fannie laughed. "One thing about it, we still argue like sisters."
It was true and Daisy enjoyed visiting with her sisters. Since they moved out, the house had grown quiet and lonely at times. With the others gone, Mother became more clingy.
"Yes, marriage and parenting have not dulled that about you."
The Debutante's Revenge: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 6) Page 2