Brand (The Donovan Dynasty)

by Sierra Cartwright

  “Don’t listen to her, Loopy,” he said. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

  Sofia grinned. She made her tea while he poured a cup of coffee. After grabbing the towels and putting on a black felt hat, he walked through the side door leading to the courtyard. He hit a switch and flooded the area with muted light.

  Mug in hand, she followed, trying not to think how scandalous it was to be walking outdoors in nothing more than his shirt.

  With a bark, Loopy made it clear she wouldn’t be left behind.

  She dashed past them, then ran wide circles while they walked.

  He led the way through an opening in the grape arbor.

  “This…” She glanced around the lovely area. Grapes grew from the overhead latticework and several plants spilled colorful blooms over the sides of their pots. Pea gravel surrounded the area, for drainage, she guessed. Off to one side, a partition offered privacy for a small shower. But it was the round tub that claimed her attention.

  It sat in the middle of the area on a raised deck, a slotted-top table next to it. “I thought you were joking,” she said as he turned on the faucet full blast. The tub wasn’t overly big, and since he meant for both of them to get in there, it was going to be a cozy fit. “Is it made of wood?”

  “Cedar,” he confirmed. “Stands up to the elements. I cover it each winter and treat it each spring. Sometimes, after a long, hot, dusty day on the range when even your ass hurts, there’s nothing better.”

  “You do have this decadence thing figured out.” She took a drink of her tea and quietly enjoyed the surroundings while the tub filled.

  “Ready?” he asked a couple of minutes later.

  He held her tea while she pulled off her shirt.

  “Better make that water a little colder,” he said, “so I’m not sporting a hard-on and only thinking about bending you over the side of that thing.”

  She’d never had a man be so appreciative of her naked body before, and she savored it.

  “Take your time getting in.”

  “I do declare, you’re being somewhat lascivious, Mr. Donovan.”

  “I’m a man, sweet Sofia. And you’re slaying me with your soft curves and Southern belle charm.”

  She grinned impishly, knowing she was skirting the edge of brattish behavior. Not that she minded. Their discussion last night had been interesting. He understood her. She understood him. Her behavior would have consequences, but she would know that before she started toying with him. And if they were anything like last night’s spanking, she would enjoy it. It had hurt—bad—but the connection they’d shared had aroused her more than she had ever been. At the deepest level, she trusted him.

  Sofia dipped her foot in the water. It was warmer than she’d expected, and she climbed into the surprisingly deep tub.

  He offered her both mugs, and she held them while he placed her shirt on a hook screwed into the shower partition. Then he stripped. Even though they’d had hot sex yesterday and she’d sucked him off after that, his cock was already half-hard.

  She wondered if she’d ever get tired of looking at him.

  He hung his pants and shirt next to hers then placed his hat on a third hook.

  “Leave it on?” she asked.

  “The hat?” He turned to her.

  “I think it will look sexy.”

  “You’re objectifying me again,” he said, his voice without complaint.

  “It would appear that way.”

  “Never let it be said that I didn’t please my woman.”

  His woman.

  The words ricocheted around her brain, making her thoughts go haywire. What the hell did that mean? Was it anything more than a teasing comment?

  Obviously it had no meaning to him because he turned away.

  She shrugged. Cade had never asked for anything from her, except occasional companionship and submissive surrender.

  An image of her on her knees with his cum on her face made her squirm.

  When he faced her again, he was grinning. His hand on the crown of the hat, he put it back on. After turning off the faucet, he joined her in the tub.

  “I wish I had my phone,” she said when he was settled. He was relaxed against the back of the tub. He had one knee propped up with his cup resting on top of it and his hat was cocked at a jaunty angle. With his broad chest, strong jaw and quick smile, he devastated her.

  A few minutes later, dawn began to spread across the sky.

  “Was it worth getting up early?”

  “Most definitely.”

  He saluted her with his coffee mug. “So will you,” he asked, “come back after work?”

  She should refuse. Last night, she’d skirted the question, hoping she’d wake up with a definitive answer. But she was no closer to a decision.

  The more time they spent together, the greater the risk of her losing her heart.

  “Purple,” he said.

  She took a sip of her tea. “Purple?”

  “The rope I want to see you in.”

  “You’re persistent,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Yeah.”

  “Can I let you know later this morning?” she asked, hedged, dodged. Maybe some distance would give her some clarity or, even better, resolve.

  He nodded.

  They sat together in companionable silence for a long time and she was aware of a hew sound, most likely belonging to a mockingbird. When it flew, she saw a flash of white on its wings. “We had one in our neighborhood that could perfectly imitate a car alarm. Through a series of whoops and beeps.”

  He lifted his hat so she could see the skepticism in the set of his dark eyebrows.

  “I kid you not,” she promised. “They’re amazing mimics.”

  “You’re not joking?”

  “Look it up,” she encouraged. “No, wait. Put fifty dollars on it.”

  “A wager?”

  She smiled.

  “You’re on.”

  They each juggled their mugs to their non-dominant hands so they could shake on it.

  “They can make dozens of sounds, maybe hundreds. It’s one of the ways males attract females.”

  “Keep talking.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “And you’re an expert on birds?”

  “We did a lot of inexpensive things when we were little, including looking at birds. And we had some in our yard. I used to like watching them. Did you know that they’re the Texas state bird?”

  “Keep talking,” he repeated.

  She splashed him. When he looked across at her with dark eyes, she hurried to add, “That was teasing, not bratting.”

  “I get to decide that.” His voice had gotten lower, deeper, sending a corresponding shiver through her.

  “I swear,” she promised.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And you can admit it when you hand over the fifty bucks.”

  He shook his head, but she moved back to the far side of the tub.

  She was a little sorry that he didn’t hold her accountable, and she kind of expected him to when they went inside. But even while she cooked breakfast then repacked her belongings and dressed for work, he made no mention of it.

  “I hope you decide to come back tonight,” he said when they stood outside, a foot or so away from her vehicle. He hefted her overnight bag.

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “Better bring my fifty dollars.”

  And she wanted her spanking.

  He kissed her deeply, with urgency that left her breath frozen. His pull on her was strong, and her need for him was an addiction.

  She climbed into the driver’s seat while she was still able.

  After he stowed the bag behind the driver’s seat, he closed the door then gave the roof a solid rap, punctuating his goodbye.

  Sofia couldn’t resist the temptation to glance in the rear-view mirror as she drove away. Cade moved out from beneath the portico to watch her, Loopy by his side.

  A twinge o
f regret went through her as she left them behind, and in that moment, there was nothing she would rather do than turn around and spend the day with them.

  Near the guest houses, the road curved, and she could no longer see them, allowing her to refocus.

  She had a life, a job, family outside of the Running Wind. But when she was here, it was difficult to imagine that anything existed beyond Cade and her desire to please him.

  Once she exited the main gate, she turned up a country music station so loud that the vibration made the vehicle’s interior shake, but it still didn’t drown her thoughts of him.

  When she drove through Waltham, she turned the radio volume down and mentally ran through her day ahead, including a quick check with Erin to see where they were. It wasn’t that Sofia was desperate for the contract—there were still numerous valid reasons to avoid working on the centennial event—but the save-the-date reminder needed to go out. No matter who did the event, having a guest list put together was crucial, as well.

  Despite the drive, she was the first one at the Corpus Christi office. She brewed coffee and found—damn it—a box of cupcakes on the meeting room table.

  She’d opened the lid and was still debating the merits of snagging one of the gorgeous lemony-looking confections when Tyrone walked through the door.

  “I did my level best to get rid of those for you yesterday, boss,” he told her.

  “What a hero.” Still, she couldn’t resist staring at the frosting. It looked to be a mile-high and light as a cloud. And it made her think. Maybe for the Donovan event, they could use a multi-tiered cupcake approach, perhaps a 3D replica of Maisie’s Manor.

  It would be a showpiece, personal to the family and, if she were honest, to herself, as well. That the dessert would be much easier and quicker to serve than traditional cake was an added bonus.

  “What’re you thinking?” he asked.

  “About the Donovan event.”

  He folded his arms across his massive chest. Because he wore short sleeves, his tribal tattoos were clearly visible. And his black bandana made him look badass.

  “Am I going to get my bigger warehouse?”

  “And Vivian wants her showroom.”

  He grinned. “I’ll wrestle her for it.”

  Vivian walked in, joining them. She shook her head when he repeated his statement. “You don’t stand a chance, big guy.”

  Sofia raised her eyebrows.

  “He’s a lot of talk,” Vivian said behind her hand, her gaze still focused on Tyrone. “But I’ve kept him out of your cookies and cupcakes. I think he’s scared shitless of pissing me off.”

  Tyrone shrugged. “I’m learning not to get between a woman and her sugar.”

  “You can say that again.” Vivian evidently had none of the same qualms that Sofia did. She flipped open the lid and pulled out a light-green colored cupcake with an emerald-tinged frosting.

  Sofia and Tyrone both watched her lick the frosting.

  “Lime,” she said. “Lordy. Lordy. Even better than the pina colada flavored one I had yesterday.”

  So if the baker wasn’t trying for trendy, odd flavors, that meant that there was a good possibility the yellow one really was lemon. Which made it quadruply hard to resist. “Fine.” She snatched one up and tasted it. The sweet and tart tastes exploded on her tongue and the sugar rush was pure bliss. “I have died and gone to heaven,” she said.

  “I’ll order some more for the next all-employee meeting,” Vivian promised.

  That alone was incentive for Sofia to show up.

  The three sat at the table and conversation turned to business. Vivian outlined upcoming events. Tyrone said he’d have a purchase order on her desk later in the morning for a wedding next month.

  “I’m following up with the Donovans this morning. I hope to have the entire deal signed by Friday, but we need to get out the save-the-date.”

  By the time their impromptu meeting was over, others had started to file in, some hitting the coffee pot, others popping open an energy drink.

  Within ten minutes, the warehouse and offices hummed with activity.

  The sugar she’d consumed buzzed through her, fueling a focus on work that was only interrupted by thoughts of Cade every thirty seconds.

  At nine o’clock, her cell phone rang, and Erin Donovan’s name showed up on the screen.

  Sofia closed the office door before answering.

  Instead of a regular greeting, Erin said, “I heard there’s a Pain in the Ass Fee buried somewhere in your contract.”

  Sofia wasn’t sure what to say, but it didn’t matter since Erin rushed on, “There should be. We haven’t gotten started yet and I’ve already had enough of my family members. Granddaddy has something like eight-hundred people on his list, none of whom can be cut. Grandma Libby wants to invite the garden club. Granddaddy doesn’t want Aunt Kathryn’s boyfriend in attendance, and she’s threatening to boycott unless he can be there. Thompson is still going through Connor’s files, and Connor’s still trying to catch up from his honeymoon and can’t take time to look at it. Cade has sent nothing. Nathan is double and triple checking all his names like he has OCD or something, and I can’t pry the list out of his hands.” She exhaled.

  “And how’s your list coming?”

  “Don’t get me started,” she warned, sounding very much like her older brother for a moment. “I told you to put in a Pain in the Ass Fee.”

  She grinned, already liking Erin.

  “Everyone has a different opinion on the logo, but fuck ’em. We’re not going to make everyone happy. So I’m making an executive decision, and I’ll take the heat for it. Go with the logo you have. Order twelve hundred.”

  “I’ll have to bill you for the printing costs, even if you don’t sign the contract.”

  “I’ll sign it today on behalf of Donovan Worldwide. We can work out billing between the Running Wind and the various Donovan branches. Not your concern.”

  Sofia curled her hand into a fist on top of the desk.

  Since she rarely closed her door, she knew it would cause interest. Sure enough, Vivian peered through the window. Sofia waved her manager in and she silently took a chair. “I wasn’t expecting this call until Friday after your family meeting.”

  “Honestly? I’ve got other stuff I need to be working on. The corset shop, the foundation. I don’t have time for another project, especially one that’s going to need miracle after miracle if it’s going to happen the way we want it to. I drank most of a bottle of chardonnay last night while talking to Aunt Kathryn and Granddaddy on the phone, and I don’t have that kind of energy. They’ll bitch and moan, but it won’t be the first time. Pretty sure it won’t be the last.”

  Sofia gave Vivian a thumbs up, and Vivian gripped the bottom of her chair. The woman all but buzzed with energy. Sofia had to look away so that she could maintain her professionalism instead of jumping up and down.

  “Let’s go with the Denim and Dazzle theme. If you need me for anything, let me know, but most of the logistics should be worked out with Cade since he’s on the property. Promise me you won’t ask me about tents and air conditioning and parking. Promise?”

  She laughed. “I’ll handle the hard goods, if you’ll help with the people side.”

  “I’d rather do neither,” she admitted.

  “If you’re ready to move forward,” she told Erin, “we’ll need both the signed contract and a deposit check.”

  “You can have someone pick it up this afternoon, if you want. It will take me that long to go through accounting.”

  “Perfect. I’ll get it countersigned and returned to you tomorrow.”

  “Fax or email is fine,” Erin said.

  “As for the save-the-date, I’d like to get it out by Monday, Tuesday at the latest.” She got email contact information for each person, including Thompson, so that she could loop everyone in. “I’ll have my staff upload each person’s guest list into our mailing program, that way we’ll catch duplicat
es and get address verification. Spreadsheets are best, but we’ll use whatever you have.”

  “Even a handwritten list?”

  A headache formed at the base of her skull. “Even that.”

  It wasn’t until she hung up that she collapsed against the back of her seat and allowed the importance of the deal to sink in. It represented a hell of a challenge, an opportunity as well as some risk. If they were successful and smart with the way they managed the business, especially in not letting any other event slip, Encore was on the verge of taking their business to the next level.

  “I’m getting my showroom,” Vivian crowed.

  “I think you’d better talk to Tyrone.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll figure out a way to make the budget work so that we can both have what we want. Maybe the showroom in the warehouse.”

  Sofia nodded, possibility after possibility crowding through her mind. And because she couldn’t contain herself, she pushed back her chair, moved out from behind the desk and danced around her office.

  “That’s it. Shake your bootie!”

  Sofia fist-bumped Vivian before plonking back into her chair. “Fuck,” she whispered.

  “Yeah.” But they were both grinning.

  “Okay, okay. Back to reality.” Good thing Zoe was in Houston. Especially with the expansion, Sofia would be spending a whole lot more time in Corpus Christi, which also meant she needed to consider an extended stay hotel for temporary living arrangements. Her mom’s house, with its lack of space and a quiet place to work, was not a long-term option. Again, thoughts of Cade flitted through, but since they had no real relationship, she forced them away. He could not be part of her considerations. Couldn’t be, even though she was going to be working with him quite a bit in the future.

  “Earth to Sofia,” Vivian said.

  “Sorry.” She shook her head. “First things first. Get the files to the printer, get a proof, so I can get it over to Erin. And I’ll have Zoe arrange for one of our employees to stop in at Donovan Worldwide for the packet Erin was putting together.”

  Vivian nodded.

  “I’ll copy you in on all emails.”

  “We have some price quotes for the warehouse expansion. I’ll get them over to you.”