Double Her Fantasy

by Randi Alexander

  She pulled out a dark pantsuit. “I know, right? I rode the elevator with him, flirted a little, but that was it. Somehow he found out who I was and sent me an invitation.” She hung the suit back in the closet and walked to the window. “Inside a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.”

  “You’re serious? The Garret McGatlin? Movie hunk?”

  “Yes, the one and only.” She puffed out a breath. “What do I wear?”

  “Girlfriend…” Beth assumed her no nonsense voice. “Tell me what’s in your closet, and I swear if it’s all pantsuits, I’m going to disown you.”

  An hour and a half later, wearing the only dress she’d packed, Megan stood at the opposite end of the 37th floor, in front of his suite. Looking down at the purple and pink geometric print short-sleeved dress, she considered going back to her suite and changing into a pantsuit. But Beth was right, her pink, peep-toed patents with four-inch heels were too cute to be hidden under pant legs.

  Pasting on a smile, she rang the illuminated doorbell.

  This was it. The realization of her fantasy evening with the sexiest man on the big screen—or any screen—had her stomach jittering and her nipples puckering.

  The door swung open and she held her breath. Not Garret, but he looked quite a bit like him. Handsome but in a more rugged way.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She stepped back and looked at the suite number. “I was looking for—”

  “Garret?” His smile was an exact duplicate of the movie star’s. “He’s delayed in traffic.” A definite Texas drawl. “Sends his apologies, and asked if you’d mind waitin’.”

  “No. That’s fine.” The less-intense, more-sensual version of Garret stared at her with blue eyes a shade darker than the star’s. Hair cut shorter in a blonder, sun-streaked, just-cut look, and darker skin. The two men shared the same sexy lips and strong jaw.

  He smiled again and her heart dipped and fluttered. Who knew there were two of them?

  “I’m Trey, Garret’s brother.” He stepped back, his python cowboy boots incongruous against the plush carpet. His tight jeans skimmed long legs and narrow hips, and a woven leather belt with a good-sized silver buckle rested low on those hips. His light green cotton shirt was open a few buttons at the neck, and rolled up over strong forearms. “Comin’ in?”

  Chapter Two

  Blinking back from her cowboy fantasy, Megan nodded and stepped inside the McGatlin brothers’ suite. As she passed Trey, a woodsy scent caught in her nostrils. Manly. Outdoorsy. Was he a cowboy, really? She spotted a black cowboy hat on the entry table, which answered her question. What was he doing here in Chicago?

  The suite was appointed exactly like hers, but the rooms were bigger, and she noticed two open bedroom doors off the living room. The windows faced the same direction hers did.

  “What can I get you?”

  His voice came from close behind her and a tingle ran down her spine. She turned to find him right there. Despite her height and heels, he was still a few inches taller. Taller than Garret, maybe.

  He stood looking at her, as if he would be content to do just that forever.

  Warmth spread through her bloodstream as she took her own long look. His neck looked thick and powerful. A few blond hairs curled at the opening of his shirt. His shoulders and chest spanned wide, and strong biceps curved under the fabric. His chest narrowed at the hips, and daring a few long seconds’ stare below his belt buckle, she nearly whistled at the sizeable bulge behind his zipper. Her gaze flew back to meet his blue eyes. When a corner of his mouth curled up, she smiled back at him. “I’d like red wine, if you have it.”

  “We do. I’ll be right back.” He turned and walked toward the wet bar.

  She memorized the tight, round ass as his long strides took him across the room. She’d never dated a cowboy. Turning quickly, she shook her head. She was here as a guest of Garret’s, not his too-sexy cowboy brother.

  She stepped slowly toward the wall of windows, prepared to jump back if her slight fear of heights surfaced. “What brings you to Chicago?”

  A cork popped and wine sloshed into a glass. “I’m acting as Garret’s manager right now. He fired the last one, and needed a fast replacement.” He walked toward her carrying the wine glass and a bottle of beer.

  “You’re from Texas, right?” She took the glass and their fingers brushed. Where their skin touched, hers tingled.

  “West Texas, ma’am.” He held out his bottle. “To an interesting night.”

  She glanced into his eyes and saw more than just polite interest. His gaze burned hot and sensual, desire written on his face in the slight droop of his eyelids and the wicked curve of his lips.

  After touching her glass to his bottle, she looked out the window and let herself fantasize about a night with Trey. A big man like him, used to physical labor. It’d be rough, physical sex. He’d overwhelm her, and she’d love it.

  Her mouth watered and she took a drink of wine to curb the desire to taste his lips, sip at his tongue.

  “How was your workshop?”

  She blinked and remembered that she had, indeed, taught a workshop today. “It went well. Over a thousand participants.”

  A laugh rolled from his chest. “You’re popular.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile that pulled at her lips, and the sigh that escaped them. “No, I just know how to draw.”

  He leaned closer, his face so strong in shape and character. “Tell me about that. How did you end up in the comic book field?”

  She saw real interest in his eyes. Megan talked about her love of drawing, her choice of graphic arts, and her decision to get a master’s degree to help her manage her own career.

  When she asked about his life, Trey explained that he ran the family ranch for their parents who’d retired. Between sips of wine, she asked dozens of questions about raising cattle, breeding horses, and what the huge ranch looked like.

  He told her about Garret’s driving need to get away from Texas, his first job as a stuntman in Western movies, and the big break that pushed him into mega-stardom.

  “Does he ever visit the ranch?” She finished the last sip of her wine.

  “He’s there every chance he gets. I think he finally appreciates the solitude of the Silver Spur.”

  “Such a pretty name.”

  Trey stepped closer and touched her arm. “You’d love it there.”

  Megan’s breath caught. Was that an invitation?

  “You’re an interesting woman, Megan.”

  Her flesh pebbled as he wrapped his big, calloused hand around her bicep. “You’re very interesting, too.” Oh, jeez, did that ever sound stiff.

  He grinned and gestured to the bar. “More wine?”

  “Sure.” Maybe another few ounces would loosen her up a little.

  Trey led her to the bar, his hand on her arm, his fingers brushing the outside of her breast.

  Warmth swelled deep inside her, clutching at her core, making her feel more reckless than just from the wine’s effect.

  She shimmied up onto the barstool he held for her. Such a gentleman.

  When he walked behind the bar, his phone rang. He pulled it out. “It’s Garret. Excuse me while I take this?”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  As he spoke to his brother, she took a critical, professional look at his face.

  He splashed a little more wine in her glass and pulled a beer from somewhere underneath the bar as he talked with Garret about an upcoming appearance.

  A pad of paper and a pen sat on the other end of the bar. She reached for it but Trey beat her to it and slid it in front of her.

  She drew him. A quick sketch, just his face, strong and thoughtful, his black hat shining, his eyes twinkling.

  He set his phone aside. “He’s just pulling up to the building.”

  She turned the drawing toward him.

  He picked it up and leaned his elbows on the bar, staring at it. “Wow. It’s great.” He glanced at her. “You have a lot of talent
.”

  Megan played with the stem of her wineglass. “Many years of school, many years of practice.”

  “Megan.” His voice rumbled like a herd of buffalo across the prairie. He set down the pad and ran his fingers over her forearm. “You’ve impressed me just in the last half hour.”

  Her breath caught. Her lips parted to deflect the compliment, but the look on his face—fascination mixed with desire—kept her silent.

  “I don’t mean just your beauty, ‘cause you are, you know.” His words, spoken in his soft Texas drawl, coursed down her spine, catching in her core and shaking her until she had no self-restraint left.

  If he leaned over the bar, she’d lean right back at him and grab him around the neck, kiss the breath out of him. What was it that drew her to him? He was a nice guy, sexier than sin, and smart; easy to talk to. That and whatever crazy pheromones flew back and forth between them, and she could easily be lured into his bedroom.

  “Garret talked about you.”

  His words shocked her back from the edge of fantasy.

  Trey stared at her, a determined look on his face. “He said you were beautiful.”

  Did he think Garret had a claim on her? She shook her head. “We didn’t hit it off very well this morning.”

  Trey nodded, but didn’t say anything more.

  How could she make him understand she’d come here for Garret, but would prefer to spend her time with him? And how to explain it without coming off trampy?

  The door opened behind her and she turned to see the movie star walk in.

  “Hello!” He strolled across the room, big and confident, a perfect smile and gorgeous hair. His personality filled the room, unlike his brother’s strong but quiet presence. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic.” He reached her side and took her hand, kissing it.

  She’d never had her hand kissed before, and she had to hold back a giggle.

  “Did my brother keep you entertained?” The men looked at each other. So similar in their large bodies, Trey was the taller of the two, but not by much. His short hair fit his personality, looking neat and in control while Garret’s was styled longer to bring out the sexy waves.

  “We had a lot to talk about.” She locked gazes with Trey, hoping he’d take her message and lay claim to her.

  The cowboy smiled. “If you’ll excuse me.” He stepped out from behind the bar. “I have a few calls to make. Business.” He strode across the room into one of the bedrooms, closing the door behind him.

  Had he just dismissed her? After all the sweet things he’d just said to her? He handed her off to his brother without a backward glance? What the fuck?

  Garret took his place behind the bar and poured an inch of Scotch into a heavy crystal tumbler. “Are you okay on wine?”

  Her glass was still half-full. “Yes, thank you.”

  “Let’s get comfortable.” He came out from behind the bar and held out his hand to her.

  Megan let him help her from the barstool. They carried their glasses to the seating area. She sat at the end of one of the leather couches, her mind on Trey, and the hope that she’d get to see him again.

  Garret followed her and sat right next to her, stretching his arm along the top of the couch behind her. “What did you two talk about?”

  Gritting her teeth, she resisted the urge to get up and move to the other couch. Jeez, he just moved right in. “Would you believe we didn’t mention you once?”

  His mouth dropped open an inch, then a big laugh rolled out of him as he tipped his head back. When he looked at her, his eyes shone. “Would you believe I’m not narcissistic enough to expect that you had?”

  Her lips curled as she fought to keep a sober face. “Not really,” she teased.

  “Goddamn, you’re a firecracker.”

  With a sigh, she set down her wine and slid to the edge of the couch. She’d seen enough. “I don’t think—”

  “Hold on, Megan. I invited you here for a reason, and I haven’t gotten to it yet. I imagined a little small talk would be appreciated, but…” He downed his drink and set the glass on the table. “I need to apologize. For my behavior in the elevator.”

  Garret watched as Megan’s deep emerald eyes glanced away then back at him. “There’s nothing you need to—”

  “There is.” He didn’t mean to cut her off. Again. But he needed to get this out. “I was acting like a jerk. Running late, had a rough scene to film.” He shook his head. “Not excuses, but my head wasn’t where it should have been.”

  She blinked a couple times. “Okay.” She looked unsure.

  He patted the back of the couch. “Finish your wine. Let’s talk.”

  After a second’s hesitation, she picked up her glass and sat back. “What was the rough scene today?”

  He smiled. “Ladies first. How was your day?” His hand eased a fraction closer to her and her hair touched his fingers. Thick and silky. Damn, he’d like to have a fistful of it, pull her to him and kiss those red lips. Her skin looked so soft, perfect, kissable. He needed to taste her everywhere. His gaze dropped to where her dress gaped enough to show him a little of her cleavage. A fist of heat tightened low in his gut.

  “…the flowers you sent me.” She took a sip of wine. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  Damn, she’d been talking the whole time he’d been planning a seduction. He could bluff, or… “Megan, you’re gonna think I’m an ass, but would you say that again?” He swallowed. “I was staring at you but my brain wasn’t focused on your words.”

  Her smile was wicked. “You think I couldn’t tell? Do you want to know what I asked you?”

  He hesitated, then made a face. “Yes?”

  “I said if you didn’t stop staring at me like that, I was going to find something to dump over your head.”

  “Uh huh.” He took her empty wine glass. “Like the flowers I sent you?”

  She laughed. “Oh, so you were listening.”

  Easing his arm from behind her, he slid his knuckles across her shoulder and down her bare arm. “Listening. Enjoying you.”

  A shiver jittered over her body.

  Good. She felt it, too. A connection too hot to douse, and too powerful to ignore.

  As he leaned closer, her eyes darkened. “More?” He used his sexiest screen voice.

  Megan’s breath hitched as she drew it in. “More?” Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

  A manic rush of blood filled his cock, and his head felt like he’d jumped backward out of an airplane. Every instinct told him to kiss her, now, fast and hard, but he didn’t want to spook her. “Wine?”

  She nodded. “No.”

  He chuckled. “Your lips say ‘no’, but your body says, ‘yes’.”

  Drawing a deep breath, Megan pressed her fingers to her mouth for just a second. “I’m pretty sure I’ve had enough. Thank you.”

  Garret stood and turned from her, hiding his erection. Picking up his glass, he walked to the bar. “What’s this?” He tapped the small pad of paper with the likeness of his brother drawn in pen. “Did you do this?”

  She nodded. “A habit of mine. I like to capture people.”

  “It’s really good.” He splashed a little more single-malt into his glass, grabbed a chilled bottle of water for her, and walked back to the couch, holding the paper. “Tell me about your work.”

  They talked for nearly an hour. She told her story, he talked about his acting, the bones he’d broken, and the ranch that he’d finally began to love.

  She had tears in her eyes when he talked about his need to leave the Silver Spur right after high school, and how his parents called him every day and told them how much they missed him.

  “But do you enjoy acting?” She turned fully toward him. “Would you ever give it up?”

  He didn’t know how she’d guessed his inner conflict. He did like acting, performing impossible stunts, living in the spotlight. Somewhere inside him, though, his cowboy nature struggled to break loose.

 
; He gestured to Trey’s closed bedroom door. “He drops hints every time we’re together. He could use my help running the ranch. It’s a lot of work for him, and his taking days away from it to help me here this week, well, it puts him behind.”

  Her full, red lips parted, then closed.

  He could tell she wanted to ask him more.

  Her mouth curled in a sweet smile and all his thoughts headed south. He wanted to hold her then, so badly it nearly choked him. She was everything he was looking for in a woman. But what about Trey? “I’m gonna see what’s keeping him.”

  “Trey.” She said the word like she’d forgotten he was here. She sat up. “I should get going.”

  “Hold on for just a minute. I have an idea.” He jumped up and knocked on Trey’s door, then barged right in and closed the door behind him. His brother sat at the desk, his laptop open and a spreadsheet running.

  “C’mon out.” Garret pointed to a stack of books. “Bring that notepad and a pen.”

  “Is she…”

  “Still here. You like?”

  “Hell, yeah.” Trey stood. “The heat between us nearly fried my brain. You?”

  “I think she’s perfect for us. She’s smart and funny. Sexy as all hell, and wants us both.”

  His brother’s brows drew together. “Do you think she’ll want to?”

  “I think she might.” Garret moved closer. “I’d bet my left arm that she’s safe, too. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’d run to the tabloids.”

  “I got that same impression.” Trey grinned and handed his brother the paper and pen. “Let’s make this happen.”

  Letting her see the real man behind his superstar persona, and the big heart behind his brother’s cowboy veneer was easy. This would be the tricky part. They had to talk her into accepting them both.

  Chapter Three

  Garret followed Trey out of the bedroom and stood next to his brother in front of Megan.

  She stared up at them from the couch, her eyes wary.

  “Will you do something for us?” He handed her the notepad.

  “Sure.” She took the pen from him, a small smile curving her mouth. “I’m guessing this involves drawing?”