Texan for the Taking

by Charlene Sands

  “Hey, Drea,” Lucas said, giving her a smile. He’d grown into a handsome man, with his military haircut and piercing eyes. Risk gave her a wave.

  “Lucas. Risk.” She wasn’t exactly on friendly terms with them, but had to be cordial since she’d been invited to dine with them, and they’d be helping with the fund-raiser.

  Lottie made a good effort to engage them all in conversation, the topic being fund-raising. It was a good ice-breaker; Drea could speak for hours on the subject. Mason chimed in, too, adding his insights as Lottie poured wine for everyone but Drew. She handed him a tall glass of iced tea.

  Five minutes into their discussion, the doorbell rang. “We’ve given Jessica the night off, so please excuse me while I get the door,” Lottie said.

  A short time later, Lottie led Katie into the room. She held a big pastry box in her hands. “Look who was kind enough to deliver our dessert to us. I’ve invited her to stay for dinner, but I think Katie needs some arm-twisting.”

  Katie scanned the room, her gaze stopping for a heartbeat on Lucas. He put down his wineglass and faced her squarely, giving her a look that smoldered, before catching himself. Everyone else spoke up. Drea especially wanted her friend to stay. With Mason here, she could really use reinforcements. “Please join us, Katie.”

  She glanced at Drea’s form-fitting black dress, silver jewelry and high heels. “I’m, ah, I don’t think so,” she said. Clearly, Katie thought she was out of place in her work clothes. “Thank you, though.”

  Katie had shoulder-length blond hair and the softest blue eyes, and she could wear a pair of jeans like nobody’s business. More importantly, she was a good person, through and through.

  Mason stepped up. “Why not stay and have a bite with us? We have a new foal in the stable you’d just about fall in love with. I’m sure Luke would love to show it to you.”

  Katie was a horse lover from way back and this sparked a light in her gaze, though she avoided eye contact with Luke, staring at Mason instead.

  “He’s a beauty, too,” Risk chimed in.

  “Looks like the decision’s made, Katie,” Lottie said. “You’re staying.”

  Katie forced a smile and nodded. “Okay, thank you. I would...love to.”

  Lottie took the box out of her hands and replaced it with a glass of wine. “Here you go. You all talk while I put these away and check on dinner.”

  “Want some help?” Drea’s father asked Lottie.

  * * *

  Lottie’s brows rose. She couldn’t recall the last time Drew had offered her any help with anything. “Well now, that would be nice.”

  Lottie entered the kitchen, Drew a few steps behind her as she mulled over her confusing feelings. She’d known him forever, it seemed, but he’d always been Maria’s guy.

  He’d started off being a good provider for his family, a good father to young Drea and a pretty good husband to her best friend. But after tragedy struck, he’d simply given up...on everything. He’d let his ranch go to ruin, he’d stopped fathering Drea, and worst of all, he’d sought comfort in a bottle. How many years had he wasted? Lottie had promised Maria that she’d watch out for Drew and Drea when the time came. And she had, as much as she could without being a thorn in their sides. But Drew had been so dang hard to deal with. There was no reasoning with an alcoholic. Drew had had to come out of it on his own. He had, but not before causing a lot of damage.

  Lottie put the cupcakes on the kitchen counter and turned to find Drew’s soft green eyes on her.

  “You look real nice tonight, Lottie.”

  “I bet it killed you to say that,” she said, giving him a brief smile. There was truth to her words, but Lottie also had trouble accepting compliments from him. They were rare and made her uncomfortable.

  “Well, no. It didn’t, actually. That shade of pink suits you.”

  He looked good tonight, too, better than she’d seen him in a long while. “So do you. Look nice, I mean.”

  He cleared his throat and stared at her. When they weren’t bickering, as they were prone to do, Lottie didn’t know how to react. “Here, make yourself useful.” She handed him a bowl of fresh greens.

  “What’s this?” He gave the dish a horrified look, as if weeds were growing inside it.

  “Quinoa and kale salad.”

  Drew’s face wrinkled up, but even that couldn’t detract from his good looks. “Why?”

  She laughed. He was so predictable. She knew he’d rebel against her nourishing meal. “So you can get used to eating healthy foods.”

  “Oh, the devil. Mason said you might try to change my eating habits. What else do you have planned for supper?”

  “All good things, I assure you.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. You got dressing for this salad?”

  “Yep, right here. Lemon vinaigrette.”

  She handed him the carafe and their fingers brushed.

  His gaze shot to hers and she paused for a second, taken by unfamiliar sensations of warmth. She didn’t know where to stash those feelings. And Drew wouldn’t stop staring at her, the moment seemingly suspended in time. Finally, she snapped out of it. “You go on, bring in the salad. I’ll get the rolls.”

  “Rolls? Now we’re talking,” he said eagerly.

  “Don’t get too excited. They’re gluten free.”

  As he marched out of the kitchen, Drew muttered something about how a man could starve to death from good intentions. Lottie braced her hands on the edge of the counter and smiled. She was trying to do right by Drea and Maria, and Drew giving her grief about it wasn’t unexpected.

  What was unexpected was how much she enjoyed ringing his bell.

  Six

  Drea finished her meal. She had to admit the dinner hadn’t been uncomfortable at all. Lottie had made sure of it. She could talk endlessly about her adventures. She’d traveled the world, and had led a really intriguing life. The woman wasn’t the least bit shy about telling everyone about the ups and downs of living large. The one thing she didn’t have was a husband and children of her own. Oddly, she’d never married. Drea had always thought the Boones were Lottie’s fill-in family. Whenever she decided to stop and rest up a spell before heading out again, she’d spend time with her nephews. Lord knew, the boys loved and respected her to pieces.

  “Mason, you haven’t touched your broccoli.” Lottie narrowed her eyes at him.

  “You know I’m not a fan, Aunt.”

  “And Risk, that poached chicken isn’t going to eat itself.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Risk said, eyeing his brothers for mercy.

  “And—”

  “I had a late lunch, Aunt Lottie.” Lucas rubbed his stomach. “I’m about to bust.”

  Lottie pursed her lips. The boys were not helping her cause in the least and Drea wasn’t going to let her go down without a fight, especially since her father had a big smug smile on his face. All the woman was trying to do was to get her dad to eat a healthier diet. Apparently, none of her nephews were in her corner.

  “Lottie, this is a wonderful meal. I think I’ll have seconds,” Drea said, and right away Mason lifted the dish of chicken and passed it to her. His smirk was nothing short of daring. “Thank you,” she said, tipping up her chin as she helped herself to another piece.

  “Me, too,” Katie said. “I love how you made the salad, Lottie. It’s light and delicious.”

  Lottie nodded at Drew before passing over the salad bowl. “Here you go, Katie. I can tell you girls have a good palate.”

  Drea’s father put his head down, concealing his amusement. Well, at least Lottie could make him smile. It was a good distraction from having to deal with Mason.

  His eyes were forever on her and it rattled her nerves. As much as she was at ease during dinner, thanks to Lottie, every time she stole a glance at Mason he was watching her. Not o
nly did his eyes burn straight through to her unguarded heart, he looked devastatingly handsome tonight in a pair of dark pants and a caramel-brown snap-down shirt. What was under that shirt made her head spin; she was reminded of the ripped chest with just enough wisps of hair to weave her fingers through as she’d kissed the hot skin there. His face was chiseled perfection, made even sexier by the dark stubble on his jaw.

  Why did he have to appeal to her so much? Why couldn’t she forget about the night they’d shared? She’d promised herself it would be only that. One night. She wasn’t foolish enough to think that she could totally forgive Mason and his family, or to believe that he was over the loss of his wife.

  They’d agreed on one night and now Mason wasn’t playing fair. He wasn’t letting it be. He was pursuing her, and Lord, if all he had to do was aim some scorching looks her way to get her to rethink her resolve, she was in deep trouble.

  “How about you all take a look at that adorable new colt in the stable,” Lottie said. “I’ll get some coffee brewing and set out Katie’s scrumptious cupcakes.”

  Katie rose. “I’ll help you, Lottie.”

  “Don’t be silly. You need to see that colt. Luke, take Katie on up to the stable, will you?”

  Luke tossed his napkin onto the table and rose. “Okay, sure. Katie?”

  Her friend’s tight smile only confirmed to Drea that she didn’t want to be alone with Luke. He’d been engaged to Shelly, Katie’s older sister, and had walked out on her right before their wedding. He’d joined the Marines and had been gone a while, but Katie’s family still hadn’t forgiven him. “Will the rest of you be joining us?” Katie asked.

  “I’d like to see it,” Drea said, coming to her friend’s aid. Katie and Luke had once been easy friends. Now things were strained between them.

  “I’ll stay behind,” Risk said. “I’ve already seen the colt.”

  “I think I’ll just sit a spell on the porch, if you all don’t mind,” her father said.

  Mason didn’t say a word, but as Luke ushered Katie out the door, Mason waited for Drea on the threshold. “Haven’t you seen the colt?” she asked him.

  “Not since Trinket gave birth.”

  He gestured for her to exit, and when she did, he followed. She did her best to catch up with Luke and Katie, and she was making ground until Mason took her hand from behind, slowing her down.

  “Let the two of them talk,” he said quietly. “I think Luke needs to repair some of the damage.”

  She stopped and looked at him. “You think Lucas can do that?”

  “He can try. They were pretty close friends.”

  “Yeah, well. Things change. People change. I’m not sure Katie wants to be alone with Luke.”

  “What you really mean is you don’t want to be alone with me. Isn’t that right?”

  She sighed and all the fight went out of her. “Maybe.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why! We made a deal and now you’re going back on it.”

  Once Luke and Katie were way up ahead, Drea and Mason began slowly walking toward the stable. “I just think the deal was a mistake.”

  “Taking that trip to Los Angeles together was the mistake,” she said.

  “It’s killing you that you’re starting to like me.”

  “I don’t...like you.”

  Mason grinned. Oh, he was infuriating. He had enough confidence to fill up a football stadium. Normally, she liked that trait in a man. She’d never been attracted to weak-kneed men who were wishy-washy about themselves. Mason seemed so sure of everything, except when it came to his own heart. He’d been broken, and he was just coming out of that. He was starting to rebuild himself again, but she had no place in his life. Correction: she wanted no place in his life.

  When they were in LA, it had all seemed so easy. They were far away from Texas, away from family and friends, away from reality, sharing the night on a beautiful beach. It had almost been as if she were a different woman and Mason a different man. She’d fully expected things to get back to normal once they’d touched down on Texas soil again.

  “You don’t like me, even a little?”

  “Well, maybe I see some redeeming qualities in you.” She was being honest.

  “Like what? I’m curious.”

  “You’re decisive. You get things done. I admire that.”

  He nodded. “Anything else?”

  “Well...” She stared at him for a long moment. The sun was setting, and only a glimmer of light touched his face now. “You’re good—”

  “In bed?” He was smiling, and those hidden dimples popped out underneath his sexy day-old beard.

  She shook her head. “You have a tremendous...”

  His brows lifted wickedly.

  “Ego.”

  “I thought you were going to say—”

  “Mason,” she warned. “Don’t.”

  “We had a good time in LA.”

  “It’s going nowhere.”

  “Do you want it to go somewhere?” he asked.

  “Of course not. But I can’t forget certain things.”

  “I can’t forget certain things, either. Like the way you tremble when I touch you. Or the way your body responds to mine, or the feel of your silky hair or—”

  “Mason, please...that’s not what I meant.”

  They reached the stable and Mason glanced inside. “Let’s give the two of them some privacy.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the back of the structure. She followed his lead, not putting up any resistance. Why didn’t she? She had no answer to that question. She could’ve just as easily held her ground and walked inside the building to meet up with Katie and Lucas.

  Now her back was to the wall, literally, and Mason’s big body blocked her vision of anything else. All she saw was one gorgeous man, staring at her like she held the answers to the universe in the palm of her hand. “What are you doing?” To me? she really wanted to ask.

  “I’m spending time with you. I’ve thought about little else these past few days.”

  She had to admit that Mason was getting to her. What she liked about him was his determination to never give up. But that trait could also be her downfall.

  “I’m leaving when the fund-raiser is over.”

  He lifted a strand of her long hair and twirled it around his finger. “It’s not like we both don’t know that, sweetheart.”

  Sweetheart. There it was again. She wasn’t his sweet anything. She really wasn’t, but his soft tone made her think otherwise. And it confused her to no end. “This isn’t good.”

  “You’re right. It isn’t good. It’s pretty great.”

  He leaned in, his face coming inches from hers, his mouth, that delectable expert mouth, so close.

  “I—I make you...feel things,” she stuttered.

  His lips lifted in a smile. “So true.”

  “That’s all this is.”

  “I make you feel things, too,” he whispered, cradling her face in his hands. “Tell me it’s not so and I’ll back off, Drea.”

  She opened her mouth to deny it. To deny him. But the words wouldn’t come. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she say no to him and mean it? The look on his face, the hunger in his eyes spoke to her. He smelled of lime and musk, something expensive and rare that was drawing her to him, making her want, making her crave. All she could do was feel his approach, leaning closer until his hips touched hers and her breasts were crushed against his chest.

  Memories flooded in. Of unparalleled kisses. Of being naked with him. Of their two bodies completely in sync with each other. A whimper escaped her mouth as she surrendered totally.

  And then his lips were on hers, his mouth taking claim, his kiss a beautiful reminder of how much she’d missed...this. Not him. She wasn’t missing him so much as she missed the womanly way
he made her feel. Desirable and attractive. She had his total approval and that was something she hadn’t often felt while growing up. To be honest, her adult life hadn’t been all that glorious, either. So naturally, she would take what Mason offered. That had to be it. That had to be the reason his kisses made her legs weak and her heart flutter wildly.

  At least that’s what she told herself as Mason’s mouth demanded more of her, as his body went rigid. It was heady knowing she made him come alive. A true boost to her morale, she had to admit.

  As he pressed his hard body home, her lips parted in a moan of pure delight. Everything tingled. Every sensation was heightened.

  Voices and then footsteps reached her ears. “Oh no,” she whispered.

  “Shush.” Mason kissed her quiet.

  Lucas and Katie were leaving the stable and heading back to the house. It was dark now. Drea and Mason stood still and waited until the sound of their footsteps receded.

  “We need to go back,” she whispered. An owl hooted and leaves of surrounding trees rustled in the night breeze. The fall air grew crisp but Drea’s body was still heated, her heart still raced.

  Mason released a deep sigh. A houseful of people waited for them and they couldn’t do this any longer. He took her hand. “Let’s go see the foal for a minute,” he said.

  “Okay, yes. We should.” So that they could say they had. So that no one would get suspicious.

  Once in the stable, they watched mama with her new babe. It was a thing of beauty and grace, and Drea was struck by deep yearning. Remembering her loss, the child she would never know, only compounded the feeling.

  Mason stared into the paddock filled with a layer of straw to cushion the horses from the wooden walls and hard ground. Drea had grown up on a ranch, too, and welcomed the pungent scents, the smell of leather and earth.

  “Meet me later tonight,” he said, his voice firm, determined.

  She squeezed her eyes closed. Not because it was a ridiculous idea, but because it was an enticing one. “I...can’t.”

  Mason turned to her and his eyes spoke of promises he would fulfill.