“But ...” Addison tried to shake her head, but Jada and Bree weren’t having it and pushed her toward the table where the weapons lay. They began going over the different weapons from the handgun to the Glock to the rifle to the AK-47 that their father owned.
“We prefer to stay away from that,” Jada said, eyeing the AK-47, “but if you want to try it, by all means.”
“No thank you,” Addison said.
“C’mon, don’t tell me your Daddy didn’t teach you how to shoot,” Bree teased. “You’re a Texan. It’s like a rite of passage.”
“Much to Caleb’s surprise, I’m no novice,” Addison said, reaching for the rifle and reloading it with ammo. “I know my way around a weapon.” She turned back toward her target and fired off several rounds.
When she was finished, she handed the rifle back to Jada.
She and Bree were both staring back at her in shock. “I may be a Southern lady,” Addison responded, “but like you said, I’m a Texan, through and through.”
“What’s wrong, son?” Duke asked when Caleb pulled him several yards away from the women to talk.
“I think I made a mistake.”
Concern was etched on Duke’s weathered face. “What did you do?”
Caleb leaned his head toward Duke so he could whisper. “I asked Addison to come with me to Rylee’s wedding.”
“And that’s a mistake?”
“What if she gets the wrong idea? You know how women get around weddings. They start getting ideas.” Caleb didn’t want to send mixed messages to Addison. He was looking for fun, nothing more.
Duke chuckled. “Yeah, but you and Addison have had the talk, right?”
Caleb nodded.
“So you’ve made it clear to her that you’re not looking for a commitment.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you’ve been upfront and honest with her. If she chooses to come with you, it’s her decision. She knows the rules of engagement.”
“I know that,” Caleb replied, “but Addison’s young and innocent, if you get my drift. I don’t want to hurt her, but by the same token, I don’t want to let her go. You know what I mean?”
“I do.”
“So, was it like that with you and Jada and Bree’s mom?”
Duke nodded. “Yeah, but I lost her by not being honest, by trying to be a player. You’ve done the exact opposite. So give Addison a little credit. She may be stronger than you think.”
Later that afternoon back at home, Addison was blissed-out as she danced around her bedroom listening to Ariana Grande on her iPod docking station, so much so that she didn’t see Collette standing in her doorway until she spun around.
“Collette!” Addison clutched the dress she’d been holding. “What are you doing here?”
Collette smiled broadly. “I came here to catch up with you since you’ve been hard to reach this week, and look at you,” she said, motioning to Addison. “You’re as giddy as a schoolgirl. I would ask what’s gotten into you, but I know who.”
Addison blushed at Collette’s forthrightness, but then again that was her friend—she had no filter. She quickly sauntered toward Collette, grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, but not before looking down the hall to make sure no one was listening. She could only imagine her father had spies, especially when she’d informed him last night not to plan on her return that evening.
“Why so secretive?” Collette asked, sitting on Addison’s bed after she’d closed the door. “Your father knows you’re seeing Caleb, right?”
Addison nodded. “Yes, but I don’t have to rub it in his face when I know he disapproves.”
“Ah, yes.” Collette nodded her understanding. “Caleb is exactly the type of man our fathers warn us about. He’s the ultimate bad boy, but that’s the appeal. Is it not?”
“No, not at all,” Addison said, coming forward to sit beside Collette.
“C’mon, Addy, this is the first time you’ve gone against your father’s wishes. You’ve always done what was expected of you. Your father must be going batshit crazy that you’re standing up to him.”
“He’s not happy with me, but it’s my life.”
“Damn right it is. So, bring me up to speed. What have I missed?”
Addison exhaled. Oh Lord, where should I start? “Collette ... Caleb has me spinning.”
“Oh, does he?” She raised a brow. “And where does he have you doing this position?”
“Collette,” Addison said, reaching across and swatting Collette’s thigh, “you’re incorrigible, you know that?”
“And that’s why we make great friends. We’re yin and yang. So stop stalling and spill the beans.”
“He’s so hot and sexy, my God! We can’t keep our hands off each other. We’re like two dogs in heat.”
Collette laughed. “Do tell.”
Addison glanced at the door, making sure it was closed before looking Collette right in the eye. “Caleb showed up to my office.”
“And?”
Addison smirked and stared hard at Collette.
Collette’s eyes grew large as saucers. “No, you didn’t!”
Addison shook her head. “We did, but not in my office. We did it in the utility closet.”
“Get the hell out!”
Addison laughed, throwing her head back. “Girlfriend, it was the hottest and most thrilling experience I’ve ever had. I thought when we snuck out of the all-girls school to go smoke pot on the roof that that was the most dangerous thing I’d ever done, but this—this was different. It was ...” Her voice trailed off.
“Illicit?” Collette offered.
Addison pointed her index finger at her friend. “Yes, that’s it. It was illicit, which made it all the more exciting, knowing that someone might walk in or find us at any minute.”
“I take it no one did?”
“That would be correct. Then I had to go back to my office and act like nothing had happened after Caleb had just—”
“Banged you in the utility closet.”
“Don’t be crass, Collette.”
Collette grinned. “I’m sorry, but the fact that he can make you act completely out of your prim and proper character is an amazing feat. I have to give Caleb his props. Any other juicy tidbits you want to share? This is better than any soap opera or reality television show.”
Addison couldn’t resist a chuckle. “I’m so happy I can amuse you.”
“Don’t be so touchy. I want the dirt,” Collette urged.
“Well, if you must know, he had me over to his uncle’s place and I met his cousins before we snuck off and ended up in the solarium, where,” she whispered, “the man made me come over and over again in every possible location before taking me upstairs and making me ride him. Jesus, I can barely walk.” She laughed.
“I wish I had those sort of problems.” Collette chuckled. “So, you guys are going at it like rabbits until what, he leaves for his next event?”
“I would have thought the same,” Addison replied, “if he hadn’t invited me to his sister’s wedding this weekend.”
“He did what?”
Addison grinned broadly. “That’s right. He asked me to her wedding, where I’ll get to meet all his family. So he must want something more, right?”
Collette shook her head. “That is very surprising, but Addy, I don’t want you to get your hopes up that this might end in something other than a great weekend.”
Addison stood up angrily and stalked over to the closet to hang up the dress she’d been thinking of taking with her on the trip to Arizona. Then she spun around. “But why else would he have invited me?”
“Because he doesn’t want to go alone and clearly he enjoys your company.”
“So you think I’m making too much of this?”
“Listen.” Co
llette rose from the bed and walked over to Addison. She reached down and grasped one of her hands. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up that this relationship will end up being anything other than casual. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Addison snatched her hand away. “Now you sound like my father. I think I can figure out Caleb’s feelings toward me. I am the one sleeping with him.”
“You are,” Collette admitted. “But he’s also your first lover.”
“So that means I know nothing? Give me a little credit, Collette.”
“I do.” Collette touched her chest. “I’m just cautioning you to be careful with your heart.”
Addison turned away and began pulling more clothes off hangers. She couldn’t face Collette because she was right. Deep down, Addison knew she was playing with fire, and if she got too close she knew she would get burned.
Chapter 11
“We’re here.” Caleb turned off the engine of his red pickup and looked over at Addison.
She smiled and glanced out the window at his family’s home. They’d just arrived to Golden Oaks after a two-hour flight from Dallas. He’d picked up his truck from the airport, where he usually parked for an extended trip, and had driven them to the ranch.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said right before he jumped out and walked behind the truck to come around and open the passenger door.
Addison slid down. She looked incredible. She’d chosen to wear her hair wavy, just the way he liked it, instead of straight as she did for work. He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.
“Damn, Caleb, the girl just arrived. Give her some air,” Caleb heard Noah say from above them.
Caleb turned around and saw Noah and his wife, Chynna, on the porch’s front steps. Chynna was rubbing her very pregnant belly as she watched them.
“Shut it, Noah,” Caleb replied, pointing his finger at his brother and giving Addison a wink. “I believe I’ve caught you and Chynna necking a couple of times.” He left Addison’s side and unhooked the latch on the bed of the truck so he could remove their luggage.
Noah bounded down the stairs in several quick steps toward Addison. “Hi, I’m Noah. Caleb’s brother.” He stopped short when he got close to Addison, then stared at her for a long moment before giving her a quick hug.
“Couldn’t tell,” she said with a smile, which Noah returned with a smirk.
Before Caleb could even ask for any help, Noah was right there beside him picking up the luggage. When it was all out of the bed, he gave Caleb a fierce hug. “It’s good to see you, bro.”
Caleb grinned. “You too. Where’s Ma and Rylee?”
“Ma’s running around making sure everything is perfect for tonight’s rehearsal dinner. Especially with Amar’s brothers coming over, she’s beside herself.”
Caleb was surprised. “Both his brothers?”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have thought so either, since he didn’t come to the bachelor party, but apparently Tariq and Khalid will be here.”
“This is definitely going to be one heck of a wedding,” Caleb said. “And Rylee?”
“Where else would our sister be?”
“In the stables,” Caleb answered. He walked toward Addison. “C’mon, let’s get you settled in my wing.”
“Your wing?” Addison asked with surprise.
“Oh.” Caleb paused on the steps. “I know I may appear to be just a poor rodeo schmuck, but I’m not.” He grabbed one of her hands and led her up the steps before she could reply.
“I’m Chynna.” His sister-in-law attempted to lean over and embrace Addison as Caleb showed her up the stairs, but Chynna’s stomach prevented much other than a quick pat on the shoulders.
“Wow, I can’t believe I’m meeting the Chynna James,” Addison gushed. “I have all your music.”
“Well, thank you.” Chynna beamed. As much as his sister-in-law had become accustomed to the ranch lifestyle, she was still a superstar and loved the adoration.
“C’mon inside.” Chynna grasped Addison’s arm away from Caleb and led her to the foyer.
Caleb watched Chynna give her a tour, and as he and Noah headed up the steps to his wing, he could see she was impressed with the surroundings.
Once they were in Caleb’s bedroom, Noah wasted no time giving him some heat. “You brought a girl home,” Noah said. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
“Believe what?”
“That you would ever willingly bring a woman home,” Noah responded. “But now I know why.” He smiled knowingly.
“What?” Caleb was perplexed by Noah’s behavior.
Noah walked to the bedroom door and shut it. “She,” he pointed to the door, “is the girl from the club in Vegas, isn’t she? The one you took back to the hotel but didn’t manage to seal the deal with?”
Caleb frowned. “That wasn’t my fault.” He didn’t appreciate having his manhood questioned. Joke or not.
“Never said it was, but there was something about that girl. You’ve mentioned her since that night and now ... you bring her to the wedding? Hell, how the heck did you reconnect? I thought you didn’t even exchange names.”
“We didn’t.”
“Then how’d you find each other?”
“We weren’t trying. I went with Uncle Duke to some uppity charity event in Dallas and imagine my surprise when I saw her standing by the bar. It was like a wish come true and well, let’s just say I finally sealed the deal.”
“I bet you did.” Noah grinned. “And now you’re sprung.”
“Sprung,” Caleb scoffed. “I’m not sprung. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Addison is a very special girl and didn’t have a whole lot of experience.”
“And you don’t want anyone else to have her?” Noah said. “Sounds awfully sprung to me.”
“Don’t go reading things into this invitation. I needed a date for the wedding ’cause all you guys are all coupled up. Since we’ve been spending the week together, Addison was the logical choice.”
“If you say so.” Noah headed for the door.
“I do,” Caleb said, following him out. “When the week is over, I will go back to being the playboy you’ve all come to know and love.”
“Sure you will, Caleb. Sure you will.”
Addison couldn’t believe how breathtaking Golden Oaks was. On the way to the main house, they’d passed tons of cattle and horses grazing in the pasture on land that looked like it went on for miles. And well, the Hart family estate was especially homey with its grand foyer and staircase, hardwood floors and stone fireplaces ... even with the stuffed deer heads that adorned the walls.
As they toured, Chynna rattled on to Addison about the history of the ranch for nearly a half-hour. She explained how Caleb’s parents had owned the ranch for thirty-six years and how when Noah returned from college, he’d come back and helped them make it into a dude ranch. The estate was impressive, from the fitness, game and movie rooms to the business offices, racquetball court and indoor pool with Jacuzzi, sauna and massage room.
Addison didn’t know what she’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t this. Caleb was right when he’d berated her for thinking him poor because he was a bull rider. He was so independent and determined to find his own way; she’d forgotten that his family was quite wealthy.
In the corridor, they passed several pictures and Chynna explained, “That’s Madelyn and Isaac, Caleb’s parents, whom you’ll meet this evening.”
“And who’s that?” Addison pointed to a curly-haired woman in a photo with a very attractive man who appeared to be of Mediterranean descent.
“That’s Rylee, Caleb and Noah’s sister and my BFF and her fiancé, soon-to-be husband Amar Bishop.”
“He-he’s—”
“Gorgeous!” Chynna whispered, turning to her with a smi
le. “It’s okay, we’ve all thought it. Rylee has done quite well for herself. But Noah,” Chynna said, glancing at a picture of her husband on the wall, “is the only man for me.” She rubbed her belly, a sign of their love for each other.
“I hope to have that kind of love one day,” Addison commented wistfully.
Chynna smiled. “You never know, you could have already found it.”
“What do you mean?”
“You and Caleb.”
“Oh, we are definitely nowhere near what you and Noah share.”
“No, but you can get there,” Chynna said. “Noah and I didn’t have an easy road of it. And some of it got to play out in the public spotlight.”
Addison nodded. She was a huge fan, and she’d seen the press dog them in the early stages of their romance.
“I can tell you I wasn’t looking for love when my car crashed on this ranch a little less than two years ago, but I did and in the process I found a great love. I wish the same for you and Caleb.”
“Thank you,” Addison said, but she doubted it would be that easy. Caleb had made it very clear to her where they stood before they’d left Dallas. After she returned home and weathered her father’s stony, silent disapproval, she’d gone back to Duke’s with her packed bag, wherein Caleb had informed her that he was having a great time, but that he didn’t want her to get the wrong impression.
“I enjoy spending time with you, Addison,” Caleb had said. “But I’m not looking for commitment, okay?”
She’d tried to put on a brave front when she’d replied, “And what makes you think I am?”
He’d stroked her cheek and said, “Good, I just don’t want to send you mixed messages. This wedding is a big deal for my sister and for my entire family, and I’m happy to have you share it with me because we mesh. But after it’s over ...”
His voice had trailed off, and Addison had gotten the message loud and clear. After the wedding, their weeklong fling would be over. He’d effectively dashed her hopes that there might be more to their relationship than just great sex. Her first thought was that she wanted to leave and go back home, but the other part of her—the part deep down that she didn’t let anyone see—wanted to be here with Caleb even if it meant that time together was short-lived.
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