The quarter moon cast gray shadows over the landscape. The path was lit by tiny solar lights that cast just enough light to show them the path, but nothing else. Lydia heard rustlings in the underbrush. Overhead a shadow, wings outstretched, cruised the perimeter of the hot springs. Did hawks hunt at night? Or was it an owl?
Lydia shivered. Unlike Louisiana, where the heat and humidity hung heavy in the air day and night, Reno cooled down. She took a deep breath, pulling the cooler night air into her lungs.
“Want to go skinny-dipping?”
“What?”
The darkness hid her facial expression, but Hunter could almost picture her shock. “You and me in the water.”
There was a long pause.
“Yes,” she said quietly.
“Really?” Did he really just say that?
“You thought I would say no?”
He did. “Of course not.”
Lydia quickly undressed, peeling her clothes off one piece at a time, and walked into the water. He was so stunned he couldn’t seem to move. She was as beautiful as he’d imagined.
She turned around and looked at him; her hands were covering her breasts. “Are you coming in?”
“Yeah.”
“If you don’t want to...”
He liked this bold woman. She was so sexy, so stunning, so unexpected. He quickly undressed and joined her in the water. Lydia had swum out to the center of the hot springs. She watched him as he glided toward her. She turned to him and Hunter ran his hands up Lydia’s arms. He kept waiting for her to say no, but she didn’t. He leaned over and kissed her. Her mouth was soft, yielding. She tasted sweet like the wine from dinner. “I want you.”
He wanted her too. From the first moment he had seen her looking so fragile and vulnerable, he knew he wanted this woman with a passion he’d never felt before. “I know.”
“Are you scared?”
“No.”
He lifted an eyebrow. He didn’t really believe her.
The water lapped around them. They floated for a bit, the moon lighting the water. Lydia eased back toward the shallows. When his feet touched the bottom, he turned and pulled her toward him. Her breasts pressed into his chest, she felt so soft. Part of him knew this could turn into a mistake of monumental portions, but hell if he cared. Her nails dug into his back.
“Make love to me, Hunter.” Her voice had a breathless quality to it.
Slowly he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She felt so delicate and fragile. “Lydia.”
“Stop talking.” Her lips found his.
He thrust up into her and her heat enveloped him. He bit his bottom lip to stop from crying out. She wriggled against him, her legs firmly clasped around his waist. He moved slowly wanting to savor every moment. The water lapped gently against their bodies.
How he loved the feel of her silken skin against him, the tautness of her breasts, the sweetness of her breath. He’d never forget this moment as long as he lived.
He increased his pace driving up into her, their bodies becoming one. She devoured his mouth and her passion overwhelmed him. Her body began to shake and he knew she was close.
“Hunter, Hunter,” she chanted in a sensual whisper over and over again.
He closed his eyes and gave one final thrust. Lydia groaned as her muscles gripped him in a tight spasm.
Dear God, he wanted this woman like he’d never wanted another. And in that moment he made himself a promise. He would do anything he had to do to protect her.
Chapter 11
Lydia felt awkward around Hunter. The memory of their lovemaking the night before left her feeling hot and breathless. They both leaned against a fence watching as her new neighbor, Hector Ibarra, showed Maya the horse she would begin her training on.
She cast a side glance at Hunter. He seemed so unconcerned with what had happened between them, yet she sensed a watchful tenseness in him. When he looked at her, she grew even more hot and flustered even though she felt very comfortable with him. She’d never felt comfortable with a lot of men, not even Mitchell. Mitchell had intimidated her. Hunter didn’t.
“What do you think?” Hunter asked, gesturing at the horse.
“What do I know about horses, except they’re big and unpredictable?” And they bite.
His arm brushed hers. A spike of heat jolted her. He was only the second man she’d ever slept with and the memory of their lovemaking at the hot springs made her tingle all over in a way Mitchell had never done for her. She wanted to grab him and kiss him. She wanted to feel his hands on her, stroking her skin, bringing her pleasure in a way she’d never felt with Mitchell. She wanted more.
“From what I understand, they’re basically big dogs,” Hunter replied.
Hector helped Maya mount a pinto horse that looked way too big for such a little girl. She squealed in delight. Hector’s daughter, Patti, mounted on her own horse, grinned at Maya.
“Dogs bite,” Lydia said.
“You have to let the little bird leave the nest.”
Lydia shook her head. “Spoken by the man who doesn’t have a little bird in the nest.”
“I have you.” He turned his gaze on her and reached out to push a strand of hair out of her eyes.
Lydia leaned into the intimacy of his caress. Sex with Mitchell had been predictable, but nice. He had made sure she enjoyed it as much as he had. Sex with Hunter was explosive and passionate, making her body long for even more. Everything she thought sex was supposed to be. Just the memory sent spirals of heat through her. Hunter leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
“Mama,” Maya called. “Look at me. I’m—” Her voice trailed away as she trotted her horse to the other side of the huge corral.
Hector walked over to them. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Lydia said. “It’s not like buying shoes.”
“Sure it is,” Hector said with a bellowing laugh. “Your daughter is smart, a little hyper,active and logical. Cupcake is steady as a rock. She’s a great beginner horse. Maya and Cupcake could grow together.”
“How do you know?” Cupcake! Who named a horse Cupcake? Lydia had visions of pink frosting swirled over tiny cupcakes.
Hector grinned. “I’ve been matching little girls with horses for over thirty years. Those two are going to go together like bacon and eggs.”
“Mama,” Maya said, pulling the horse gently to a stop in front of Lydia. “I want Cupcake. Please. She’s the one.”
“But you’ve only looked at a couple of horses.”
Maya patted Cupcake’s neck. “Cupcake is perfect.” She bent over and put her arms around the animal’s neck. “I love her.”
Hector’s grin grew. Hunter patted the horse’s head. Its ears twitched back and forth.
“I guess I’m out-voted,” Lydia said. She tentatively patted the horse’s soft nose and was surprised at the velvety smoothness. She looked into the dark brown eyes and saw nothing but gentleness. Cupcake was indeed perfect and Maya would love her.
“Okay, let’s do it.”
“Until you get your stable up and running,” Hector said, “I’ll board her. I won’t let her go until Maya is capable of taking care of Cupcake by herself.”
“You need to learn to ride, too, Mama,” Maya said.
“I do?” Lydia wasn’t certain she wanted to learn anymore. As a child, she’d been wild to have a horse, but she’d given up that dream when she realized her parents would never allow it.
“Yes.” Maya nodded her head emphatically. “Mr. Ibarra can find a horse for you, too.”
Lydia shook her head. Just the idea frightened her a little. “I don’t think so.”
Hector laughed. “I’ve got the perfect horse for you. Come on into the
barn and meet Misty.”
Lydia shook her head again, but Hunter grabbed her arm and propelled her toward the open doors of the barn.
The barn was divided into three parts. Down the center ran a long aisle bordered on either side by open stalls. The area near the doors contained tack neatly hanging from hooks on the wall. Saddles were tossed over large sawhorse-like forms.
Hector led Lydia down the wide aisle to a stall. A head poked over the door and Lydia’s breath caught in her throat.
“Say hello to Misty,” Hector said.
“Go on,” Hunter urged her. “Pet her.”
Lydia simply stared. The horse regarded her patiently. She was a pretty horse with wide brown eyes and a mottled gray coat. A grayish-white mane hung from her neck. She shook her head and the mane went flying.
Lydia tried not to panic when Hector slipped a halter over the horse’s head and opened the stall. He led Misty out into the aisle and tied the halter to a ring in a post. In seconds Hector saddled the horse.
“I’m not really dressed for riding.” Lydia glanced down at her jeans and sneakers.
“You’re wearing pants,” Hunter said. “You’re fine.”
Once saddled and a bit slipped into her mouth, Hector led Misty to a block in the yard with steps leading up.
Lydia shook nervously. She wasn’t getting on that horse. It was so big.
“We’ll all learn to ride.” Hunter helped Lydia onto the mounting block. He nodded at Hector, who looked at him up and down critically.
“I don’t have anything for you,” Hector said, “but I know just the horse. He’s a gelding I saw at a friend’s place. I’m pretty sure Sultan is for sale. I’ll check into it.”
Hector showed Lydia where to place her feet. “I’ll lead you and Misty around the yard.”
Once she was in the saddle and the stirrups adjusted for her, Hector placed her feet properly in the stirrups even though she wore the wrong shoes and then walked the horse around the yard while Lydia clung for dear life. Not that the horse was going to bolt with Hector holding the reins.
“That’s it, Mom,” Maya called. “Isn’t it wonderful? This is going to be so much fun.”
“I have to think about this.” Lydia hung on to the saddle horn, her legs tightly gripping the horse’s body.
“We can do this together,” Maya said and giggled.
After a few minutes under Hector’s gentle instruction, she started to relax. She suddenly understood what Maya felt. Riding a horse was wonderful even though she was somewhat terrified. The ground was a long way down though and she eyed it with trepidation. What if Misty did something and tossed Lydia off? She tried not to think how far she would fall.
Hunter leaned against the fence, arms resting on the top pole. He watched her, his eyes alight with amusement. “You go, Lydia,” he called as she passed him.
This was not what Lydia had in mind. The idea of learning to ride was terrifying.
Didn’t she want an adventure? a little voice whispered in her ear. Here was another adventure for her to experience. Suddenly, the shackles of her childhood melted and dropped away. Why not? she asked herself, sitting up a bit straighter. Isn’t this why she’d left New Orleans? Isn’t this why she wanted to buy a house, to own a hotel and casino? Her gaze fell on Hunter. Isn’t this why she was falling in love with Hunter?
Lydia wrote a check for the horses and arranged for room and board with Hector for the time being. Hunter drove Lydia back to the hotel. Hector and Patti had asked if Maya could spend the rest of the afternoon with them learning to take care of her horse and getting a few more lessons in on riding. At first Lydia had been reluctant, but Hunter pointed out they could leave the security team Scott had assigned to Maya. They were diligent and discreet. Lydia knew the two men had fallen under Maya’s spell, too, even though they worked hard to hide it. She kissed Maya goodbye and drove back to the Mariposa with Hunter.
* * *
The casino was filled to capacity. Lydia stood in the doorway watching the flashing lights and listening to the chimes. Maya had been turned over to her tutor. School started in a few weeks and she needed to be ready. The tutor had been optimistic that Maya would adjust well, yet Lydia still worried. Education was important. Even though her parents had groomed her to be a trophy wife, they had still insisted on a good education. Lydia wasn’t certain what a degree in Elizabethan culture would ever do for her.
A woman, dressed in black pants and white shirt, approached Lydia. Her name was engraved on a tag that adorned her white shirt. Alice Porter was the pit boss at the blackjack tables.
“Ms. Montgomery, can I have a moment of your time? In private”
Lydia smiled. “Let’s go to my office.” Lydia led the way to the administrative area behind the check-in counter. Once in her office, she waited for Alison to enter and then closed the door.
Alice’s face was drawn into deep worry lines. Though she appeared calm, she clenched and unclenched her hands. She took a deep breath. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is everything okay, Alice?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this,” Alice said.
“Just say it,” Lydia said kindly, trying not to envision all the things that could go wrong in the casino.
“Your father is losing a lot of money at the blackjack tables.”
“My father is gambling?” Lydia couldn’t contain her surprise.
Alice nodded. “Jasper used to cover certain people, usually family members, and when your father identified himself as your father, I extended the privilege to him.” Her voice trailed away.
“But—” Lydia coaxed.
“He may be a family member, but we still have a limit and he’s getting ready to cross it. He’s lost nearly $250,000 dollars. When I asked him about it, he said you would cover his losses.”
“Me,” Lydia said, frowning, uncertain how to respond. “Thank you. Please inform the dealers that the bank of Lydia is closed. When he gives you a problem, you can direct him to me. I will handle the situation.”
Alice said thanks and left. Lydia sat down behind her desk and waited. As she waited for her father to make his appearance, anger rose in her. How arrogant of her father to expect her to cover his losses. He should be covering his own losses.
The door to her office flung open and bounced against the wall. Her father stalked in, eyes narrowed, mouth pinched in fury. Andrew slammed the door closed. “How dare you embarrass me in front of the entire casino.”
“Sit down.” Lydia pointed at a chair. She glared at her father. “How dare you embarrass me?”
“I am your father and you will not speak to me in that manner.”
Lydia took a deep breath, preparing herself for the battle. She rested her hands calmly on the top of her desk. “I’m a businessperson, and you may be my father, but that doesn’t give you the right to play fast and loose with my business.”
“Right,” he sneered. “Owning a casino is beneath us.”
“Losing $250,000 is hardly a social coup.”
“If you had stayed where you belonged, I wouldn’t be here.”
Lydia frowned. “I beg your pardon.”
He scowled at her. “If you’d stayed in New Orleans and funded my campaign—”
“What makes you think I would want you to be mayor of New Orleans?”
He gaped at her. “You ungrateful little brat. After everything I’ve done for you. If I hadn’t brokered a deal with Mitchell for you, you’d be—”
Shocked, Lydia stared at the man who was her father. “You sold me to Mitchell?”
“I traded you for that piece of land on the outskirts of New Orleans I wanted to develop.”
Lydia jumped to her feet, shaken by his revelation. “You what?”
“You
heard me.” He sat back in the chair, arms crossed over his chest, a smug look on his face. “If not for me, you wouldn’t be such a wealthy widow.”
“Get out,” Lydia said calmly.
“Excuse me?”
“Get out,” she repeated, her voice rising. She walked to the door and opened it. “Get out.”
Andrew shrugged, stood and walked toward her. “Baby, don’t be hasty. You know I love you.”
Lydia closed her eyes and pointed at the door. After her father left, she collapsed against it, sliding down to sit on the floor, tears falling down her cheeks. Her marriage had been nothing but a travesty. A real estate deal. Her mind flooded with images of Mitchell taking her to business dinners and fund-raisers. He’d been attentive, but they’d only been alone a few times during the months of their engagement. He’d showered her with expensive gifts and flowers, and she’d been flattered, thinking the gifts meant he was fond of her. Had all those actions just been one big lie? Had he ever really loved her? How naïve had she been?
She pushed herself to her feet, wiped the tears away while wrestling with one final thought. Was her father lying to hurt her because he was mad, or were his words the truth? She had to find her mother and ask.
Lydia found her mother in her suite removing clothes from a dozen shopping bags.
“What’s on your mind, Lydia?” Caroline said as she held a black dress up to her and studied herself in the mirror over the fireplace.
“Did you know Dad’s been gambling up a storm and expects me to cover his losses?”
“What’s the problem with that? You own the casino; we should be able to use it.”
“I’m not covering his losses,” Lydia said.
Caroline dropped the black silk dress and whirled around. “What do you mean you’re not covering his losses?”
“Just what I said. I’m not covering Dad’s losses.”
A look of panic crossed Caroline’s face. She bent to pick up the dress and flung it over the back of a chair. “You have to.”
“No, I do not.”
“You have to,” Caroline said.
Love Takes All Page 17