Guarding His Fortune

by Stella Bagwell

  The intensity of the embrace was like nothing she’d experienced before and her reactions to him were instinctive, hungry and reckless. She couldn’t hide her longing for him. Nor did she want to.

  Eventually, his lips parted from hers and he turned his attention to her neck. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe as he pressed tiny kisses against the throbbing pulse at the base of her throat.

  Groaning, she let her head fall back to expose the creamy column of her throat. His fingers traced her lips, then marked a downward path over her chin and onto the hollow between her collarbones. All the while, his lips were making tiny circles upon her skin, taunting and teasing her with promises of better things to come. And she wanted every delicious experience he could give her.

  At some point, the two of them tilted sideways on the couch, until she found herself lying flat on the cushions with his body partially draped over hers.

  As his lips continued on a downward exploration, his hands were everywhere. Stroking her arms and across her rib cage, cupping her breasts, then sliding downward to her hips. When his fingers eventually dipped beneath the hem of her skirt and marched up her bare thigh, she tangled her fingers in his hair and urged his mouth back to hers.

  The kiss was hot and all consuming, causing need to stab her from all directions. Her lower body reacted by arching toward his. Somewhere beyond the roaring in her ears, she heard him groan and then the hard bulge of his erection was pressing into the juncture of her thighs, telling her in no uncertain terms how much he wanted to be inside her.

  The thought shot her senses to an even higher level of desire and by the time his fingers reached the silky fabric of her panties, she was frantic to have him make love to her. Mindlessly, her hips twisted back and forth against his hand, while the mewing sounds in her throat were like a kitten pleading to be fed.

  With one hand, he peeled her panties away, then shoved the folds of her skirt up to her waist. His fingertips gently brushed against the intimate folds between her legs and she waited breathlessly for him to deepen the exploration.

  Instead, he tore his mouth from hers and looked down at her. His eyes were glittering with golden flecks of light, turning his gaze molten.

  “Chaz—oh, please—make love to me!”

  Her choked plea brought his lips back to hers and he whispered against them, “Savannah. My sweet, sweet Savannah.”

  He kissed her once, twice, and then his head dipped to where his hand was wedging her thighs apart. She was mindless, unaware of his intentions, until his tongue suddenly slipped inside her.

  The incredible sensation caused to her cry out and as she felt herself spinning away, her hands latched on to his shoulders and gripped the solid ridges. As though holding on to him would stop her from losing all control. But nothing could stop the wild feelings rushing through her, burning her with exquisite pleasure.

  While his mouth tasted her, something deeper inside her began to coil tighter and tighter until she couldn’t breathe or think. All she could do was hang on to him and let herself be transported to wonderland.

  All too soon, the aching need splintered and wave after wave of pleasure undulated through her body. White-hot stars sprinkled over her, touching every inch of her heated skin. Whimpering and stunned, she shuddered against him.

  Just as she floated back to earth, he moved away from her and when she opened her eyes, she realized she was seeing him through a glaze of tears.

  The emotional reaction of what had just occurred between them should have embarrassed her. But it didn’t. Everything she did with Chaz felt open, and perfect, and right.

  Sitting up on the edge of the couch, he thrust his fingers through his hair and stared at the floor. “Savannah. I—I didn’t mean for that to happen. I don’t know why I let it happen!”

  The rapturous glow inside her suddenly turned to icy disbelief and she quickly shoved her skirt back in place. “What are you saying, Chaz? I wanted that and more to happen. It still can. I—”

  “No! Don’t say anymore!” he said gruffly, then rising to his feet, he looked ruefully down at her. “Ever since I met you, I’ve turned into an idiot.”

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “That was my goal from the first moment I laid eyes on you—to turn you into an idiot.”

  He walked across the room and stood facing a picture window covered with slatted blinds. “Savannah, I understand what’s going on, even if you don’t.”

  She shot off the couch and walked up behind him. “Really? What exactly do you understand?”

  He turned toward her and the tenderness she saw in his eyes brought a lump of tears to her throat. Was it crazy to think he might possibly care for her? Or was she the one who’d turned into an idiot?

  “You’ve just gone through a traumatic experience,” he said gently. “You’re vulnerable and shaken. You think you need me and—”

  “I do need you. And not just as a bodyguard. I realize you don’t want to hear me say this. But I have to say it. I can’t go on without saying it.”

  His groan was full of frustration as he placed his hands upon her shoulders. “Savannah, you need to think beyond this—well, hot chemistry between us. I’m not a man who could ever fit into your life. I don’t have to tell you that your father is expecting great things from you. And that doesn’t include hooking yourself up to a man like me.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean a man like you? As far as I can see, you’re a respectable, upright man. And don’t you think I should be allowed to choose what sort of man I want in my life?”

  “Yes. But you’re not thinking clearly right now. Later on, after this ordeal is over and you’re back in New Orleans, you’ll realize how things between us would’ve never worked.”

  He sounded resolute, but Savannah wasn’t one to back down or give up. “Because?”

  A shuttered look came over his face and he moved a few steps away from her. “I shouldn’t have to point out our differences to you, Savannah. Look at you. You’re a graduate student studying a subject I can hardly pronounce. Your clothes are designer labels. Mine are off the rack.” He used his hand to gesture at the room they were standing in. “This is the type of digs I can afford. It’s respectable and comfortable, but nothing like the luxury of your apartment. Get it?”

  “No. As of this moment, your apartment looks a hell of a lot better than mine. And who cares if I have more money than you? Or if my college degree is different than yours? None of that is important.”

  “Your father cares. And probably the rest of the family. And yes, it is important. I know.”

  Sensing he was holding something back, she closed the distance between them. “How do you know? You’re not telling me something, Chaz. And after what just happened between us, I think I have a right to an honest answer.”

  Grimacing, he walked over to the couch and sat down. Savannah followed, but was careful to keep a short space between them. The last thing she wanted to do was make him feel as though she were crowding him.

  “All right, you asked, so I’ll tell you. I was engaged once—a long time ago. We dated all through high school and I thought she was the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with. Even though we still had college ahead of us, we made plans for a future together.”

  Engaged! Chaz had loved a woman enough to want to marry her? She was jealous and surprised at the same time. “Obviously, something happened between you.”

  His lips twisted to a bitter slant. “Something didn’t happen. Like a wedding. Like a future together. I went to college through the ROTC. She went to college in New York.”

  “You lived in Miami at that time?”

  He nodded. “You see, Allison was from a rich family. Not nearly as wealthy as yours, but financially they were far above the Mendozas. Her parents wanted her to have the best of everything and they insisted she attend an e
lite college where she could study the arts. Now that I look back on it, I figure sending her away had actually been her parents’ way of separating us. And they were successful. Trying to keep up a long-distance engagement hadn’t worked. But it wouldn’t have worked anyway. She eventually confessed that she’d fallen out of love with me.”

  “But you believe she ended things because she was more in love with her wealthy lifestyle than with you.”

  “Something like that,” he admitted. “Anyway, after the engagement ended I was pretty down about everything. I guess my father could see I’d lost my purpose. He jumped in the middle of me and ordered me to grow up and be a man. He’d advised me that there were plenty of other women in the world to take Allison’s place.” He let out a cynical snort. “And God knows Dad has made his rounds with most of them.”

  Savannah desperately wanted to touch him, to hold him tight and assure him that nothing about his past or his family made him any less worthy of the loftiest princess in the world. But she understood it was going to take more than a hug and a few words to make him see this.

  “So you grew up by entering the army,” she stated the obvious.

  “Eight years of growing up. And since then, I’ve been very careful about the women I’ve dated. Very cautious not to trust, or care, or give.”

  But he’d given to her, she mentally argued. Perhaps he wasn’t aware that he had, but she was. He’d given her company and conversation. Laughter and tears. Anger and smiles. He’d given her heart something else to dwell on besides the loss of her friend and the years she’d not allowed herself to be a whole woman.

  “Surely you don’t want to live that way for the rest of your life.”

  “Why not? It’s been working for me.”

  He wasn’t being flippant. He was serious. And that made everything about his words so much worse.

  Fighting back a sigh, she glanced over at the couch where only minutes ago, he’d thrilled her with his kisses, his touch.

  Was that all he wanted or ever intended to have with a woman? Just physical pleasure with no meaning or emotion attached to it?

  She had to think not. Otherwise, her heart was in deep, deep trouble.

  Chapter Eleven

  For the next three days, Savannah attempted to get her life back on schedule. A difficult thing to do when most of her free time away from the study group was spent trying to convince her family that she was safe and sound. Plus, dealing with getting her things removed from the Live Oak Lane apartment and delivered to Chaz’s.

  Calling her father and relaying the news about the vandalism hadn’t been easy for Savannah. He’d reacted just as she’d expected with an I-told-you-so and a loud demand that she return to New Orleans immediately. To hell with her science studies, he’d shouted, her safety was more important.

  In spite of his blustering threats to come after her, Savannah had stuck her feet in the sand. She wasn’t about to leave Austin. Not because of her studies, but because of Chaz.

  Strange, how she’d come to Texas with nothing more on her mind than furthering her education. Now her studies had turned into a side issue. Chaz had become the most important priority in her life and with each day that passed, she was more and more determined to make him see that the chasm in their lives could be connected. That the two of them were meant to be together.

  So far, he’d been keeping a safe distance between them, but she’d been using every subtle trick she could think of to lure him closer. She knew he’d not forgotten the passionate moments they’d shared on his couch. No more than she could forget them. And she was hoping those memories would eat at him, remind him that she was there for him to love, rather than push aside.

  A light knock on the open door of the bedroom caused her to turn from the dresser mirror to see Chaz standing just inside the room. He was dressed in black slacks, a crisp white shirt and a red-and-navy-patterned tie. He looked incredibly handsome and she had to fight to keep from walking over and placing her hands on his big broad chest.

  “Yes?” she asked. “Are you waiting on me?”

  “I’m ready. But there’s no need for you to hurry. Carlo and Shuyler will entertain themselves until we get there.”

  The day of the vandalism, Chaz had called his brother and canceled the planned dinner at La Viña. Schuyler had rescheduled it for tonight and Savannah was looking eagerly forward to the evening. She’d dressed in one of the nicest pieces she’d brought from New Orleans and had taken pains to pin her hair into a sleek French twist.

  “I’m nearly finished.” She turned back to the dresser and picked up a bottle of her favorite perfume. As she sprayed it lightly on her neck and wrist, she said, “I’m sorry about taking over your bedroom, Chaz. I’ve been working on finding a new apartment, but I haven’t found anything appropriate yet. At least, not a place that has the sort of security you’d like for it to have.”

  He frowned. “I told you that finding a new apartment is unnecessary. We can use mine until you go home to New Orleans.”

  And when would that be? The study group was scheduled to last for at least three more weeks. What then? She didn’t want to think of leaving Austin and Chaz behind.

  She returned the perfume bottle to the dresser top. “I’m not sure how much longer that might be,” she hedged. “There might be a chance that I can extend my studies with Professor Barcroft into the summer. If that pans out, it would be a great opportunity for me.”

  His expression didn’t change, making it impossible for her to read his thoughts.

  “And what would Miles say to that?” he asked. “He already wants you to pack up and head home. I don’t believe he’d be pleased to hear you had plans to remain in Austin a while longer. He might cut off your funds.”

  Surprised by that remark, she walked over to him. “I hardly need money from Dad to support my studies or living expenses. I have my own.”

  “Oh. I should’ve known.”

  There wasn’t exactly sarcasm in his voice, but she could definitely hear a frown. “What does that mean? That I should apologize for being rich?”

  “You don’t need to apologize for anything,” he said bluntly.

  She sighed. “Chaz, my mother’s parents are wealthy. Not anything like the Fortunes, but they’re—let me put it this way—set up very comfortably for the rest of their lives. Anyway, when I was small, my maternal grandfather set up a trust fund for me. I try to use it only when necessary. But if Dad should cut off my funds for some reason, I’m still okay.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “No. I’m not lucky, Chaz. I’m blessed,” she corrected him. “And I’ll tell you something else. I’m not Allison.”

  His brows shot up. “Who said you were?”

  Exasperated, she plucked her designer handbag from the foot of the bed. “You did. In about a thousand ways.”

  “If this is the kind of night we’re going to have,” he muttered ruefully, “then I’m really looking forward to it.”

  She smiled sweetly at him. “Good. Because I happen to think it’s going to be a very special night.”

  He turned to go. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get going before Schuyler starts ringing my phone.”

  * * *

  La Viña, the family-owned-and-operated restaurant of the Mendozas was located next to the winery. If Savannah hadn’t ended up having her little weeping spell in the sculpture garden the day they’d visited the winery, Chaz would’ve probably shown her through the eating establishment. Instead, they’d gone home and later that night he’d kissed her out on the patio. For as long as Savannah lived, she would remember that exact moment and the thrill that had shot through her when he’d placed his lips on hers.

  “The place looks busy,” Savannah remarked as Chaz parked the car in a spot reserved for employees. “Is it always like this?”

  “Most of the time. Once
the public discovered the food was as good as our wine, we’ve stayed busy. And I think they enjoy getting out of the city proper to dine in a quieter setting.”

  He helped her out of the car and as they walked to the front entrance, Savannah gazed around at the beautifully landscaped grounds and far-off views of the vineyard. She had no doubt the Mendoza businesses would only continue to grow. From what Chaz had told her, the whole family worked hard to see that everything that needed to be done got done.

  Once inside the building, they walked down a short, wide foyer decorated with potted plants, hall trees and two parson benches. Before they reached the end of the foyer they were met by a pretty hostess with bright red hair.

  She smiled charmingly at Chaz. “Good evening, Mr. Mendoza. Your family is already here. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you where they’re seated.”

  The hostess grabbed two menus and started into the main area of the restaurant. As Savannah and Chaz followed, she wondered if Chaz was noticing the subtle sway of the woman’s hips and the way her copper curls brushed against her back.

  Had Chaz taken his playboy father’s advice and used a long list of women to help him forget his broken engagement? Ever since he’d told her about Allison, she’d been asking herself if she was fighting a losing cause. If Chaz had truly taken after his father, he might be content to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.

  Don’t be stupid, Savannah. You’ve only known the man a short time and you’re trying to turn him into husband material. He’s already told you he’s not the marrying kind. The best you can hope for is a few minutes of passion in his bed. And you might not even get that much.

  “Here we are. I’ll send the waiter around to see about your drinks.”

  The hostess interrupted the jeering voice in Savannah’s head and she looked up to see Carlo and Schuyler sitting at a rectangular table situated near a pair of French doors that opened to an outside patio paved with flat rock.