“Luke!”
She was suddenly swept away on a wave that had the force to push her to the stars, and she went there, taking him with her when she heard his guttural moan just seconds before he filled her body with his hot release.
She hadn’t been aware her body was capable of getting in a bowed position, hadn’t been aware that a joining so forceful could end up being so compelling, and could leave her so complete yet utterly drained. She had wanted him. She had needed him.
And for all intents and purposes, she had gotten him.
The ruggedly built man regarded the man standing beside him at the bar with uncertainty in his gaze. “And you’re sure that’s what the boss wants us to do?”
“Yes, for now. I know you were beginning to have fun but we have to pull back for a while. Neither of us wants to do any jailtime and so far no one has gotten hurt. All we did was deliver several warnings.”
“And if the little lady doesn’t heed our warnings?”
“Then we might have to take more drastic actions but that will be for the boss to decide.”
Chapter 19
“So, Mac, how was your weekend?”
Mackenzie glanced across the conference table and caught both Sam’s and Peyton’s curious gazes and tried to ignore them. She was very much aware of what had prompted Sam’s question. It was the hickey Luke had placed on the side of her neck. She had tried covering it up with a scarf but it hadn’t worked.
Knowing they were waiting for an answer, she pushed away from the table to lean back in her chair and said, “My weekend was just fine, Sam, what about yours?”
Sam chuckled. “Evidently not as good as yours.”
Mackenzie couldn’t help but smile. “Well, what can I say?” She decided not to divulge any details although she was sure her two best friends were ready to hang on her every word. Instead she decided to change the subject. “Thanks for handling things when I was out of the office while Jake Madaris was in town last week.”
Peyton’s features then turned serious. “You don’t have to thank us. Have the police found anything yet?”
Mackenzie shook her head disappointedly. “No, although they were able to tell from the tire tracks that a pickup truck was on my property around the same time the cattle were poisoned. And they know what kind of poison was used and are trying to track the purchase of it to a nearby hardware store.”
Sam nodded. “I’m sure Mr. Madaris was upset about his cattle?”
“Yes, but not as much as he could have been. He’s putting his faith in the authorities to find the person or persons responsible.”
“And you still think Whitedyer is involved?” Peyton asked.
Mackenzie sighed deeply. “I can’t think of anyone else that it could possibly be. Besides, I wouldn’t put anything past Farley. One minute he’s sending subtle hints that I should get off the case and then the next he’s letting me know how anxious he is to humiliate me in the courtroom.”
“He’s probably trying to throw you off balance,” Peyton responded.
Mackenzie couldn’t help but agree. She knew she had to stay focused now, more so than ever. “One good thing is that Luke’s cousin and his wife, who are well-known attorneys in Texas, are looking into several eminent-domain cases for me. Since we know Farley is going to use the argument that taking Mr. Coroni’s land will benefit the economy, I need to come up with something to counterattack that claim.”
Sam leaned back in her chair. “What about all those layoffs Whitedyer did earlier this year?”
“Yes, but they have promised to return those employees to their jobs if they can get Coroni land in order to expand. If you saw the newspaper this morning then you know that all the public statements coming from Whitedyer are designed to make us look like the bad guy and to garner public sympathy and support. Times are bad and people want to work. I can understand that. But at the same time a man’s rights are being taken away. He’s being forced to give up the only home he has known. He has offered Whitedyer the use of some of his land but they want all or nothing. That type of greed is totally incomprehensible to me.”
No one said anything for a while and then Sam asked, “And how is Mr. Coroni doing?”
Mackenzie smiled sadly. “He came home from the hospital last week and is doing okay. Of course he’s worried by what he’s seen on the television and read in the papers. If Whitedyer is trying to make us look bad then of course they are trying to make him look even worse. He’s had to get his phone number changed. People were calling, angry and upset.”
Peyton sighed. “When will it all end?”
Mackenzie glanced over the table and met Sam’s and Peyton’s gazes. “How about in two weeks? I got a call this morning. The judge has set a date. We’ll be in court two weeks from today.”
“So, there you have it, Luke, I think it will be a wonderful way to ease you back onto the rodeo circuit, and the guys are looking forward to seeing you again.”
Before Luke could respond, Cam then added, “Besides, Cisco is getting restless and this will be a good way for you to give him a good workout.”
Luke thought about what Cam had suggested. Both of them occasionally participated in the Bill Pickett International rodeo where they had both gotten their start. Pickett, a legendary cowboy and rodeo star of African-American and Indian descent, was the inspiration that gave birth to America’s only touring black rodeo.
Luke sighed deeply. Cam had suggested that once he was given the okay from the doctor he could ease back into rodeo by participating in the Glenn Turman Relay Race that was presented by the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund. Part of the profits from the rodeo went to the scholarship fund, which was set up for students who either competed in the rodeo or who were working toward a degree in equine or animal science.
Like Cam, he always enjoyed participating in the relay race and it was a good way to give Cisco the workout he needed while contributing to a worthy cause. So why was he hesitating about doing it? A name quickly came to mind.
Mac.
Agreeing to participate meant he would need to head out to Los Angeles where the event would be held next week. Once he left the ranch to return to the world of rodeo, he would have no reason to return here. No reason to seek Mac out ever again. They both understood what it would mean the day he left, and as much as he wanted to return to the circuit he didn’t look forward to leaving.
“Luke?”
He shifted uncomfortably in the chair. His body, his mind, and every part of him had gotten used to being here with her. “Yes?”
“Can we count you in, man?”
“Yes, go ahead,” he agreed tautly. “I’ll know for certain after my visit to the doctor on Thursday.”
“All right, I’ll check back with you on Friday and if everything is on go then I can drive over from Missouri to pick you up Saturday morning.”
“Make it Saturday evening.”
There was a pause. “Oh, okay. Sure. Saturday evening it is.”
A half hour later and Luke was still pacing the confines of Mac’s living room. Why was the thought of leaving Mac behind so complicated? He was a loner. He liked his space. He didn’t have claims on any woman and no woman had a claim on him. The only difference between him and Blade was that Blade loved a lot of women, where he was content to have one on a need-be basis. When had that changed?
When had the thought of kissing a woman started bringing instant memories of Mac to his mind? Memories of his mouth on hers. In hers. Devouring her in deep heated kisses. The kind where she would automatically melt into him, wrap her arms around his neck, and be submerged in the kiss with as much hunger as he had.
And heaven forbid, he didn’t want to think about how it felt to wake up with her in the morning; to find their bodies in some cases still entwined; her hair in a tumble of sexiness over her face. Then there was the lovemaking itself, the kind that left him breathless, depleted, drained, but so utterly fulfilled and satisfied he hadn’t thought
it was possible. No other woman had the ability to make him feel that way. No other woman.
And that, he admitted, was the crux of his problem and was probably a good reason why it was time to leave. Around Mac he felt things he shouldn’t. Things that he didn’t want to feel. He knew his life’s calling and at the present time it didn’t belong to a woman. His life belonged on the rodeo circuit. That’s where he wanted to be and that’s where he would be headed after this week. He had enjoyed his time here with Mac but now he had to move on.
Opening the front door, he stepped out on the porch and glanced around. This place had started growing on him and that wasn’t good. He enjoyed being here too much. He hadn’t encountered the restlessness he’d assumed he would feel. Some days he would actually wake up with a strange feeling that this was where he belonged. But he would immediately quash such nonsense.
And then there was that business with Mac and Whitedyer. The authorities still didn’t have any leads regarding either incident and Luke was bothered by the idea there could be another scare tactic planned. There was no way he could eliminate the threat but he intended to do whatever he could to make sure Mac was protected after he left. He would talk to Jake and ask that his men hang around for a while and watch the place, protecting Mac after he was gone.
Luke leaned against the rail and sighed deeply. At dinner tonight he would tell Mac there was a chance he would be leaving soon.
Sheik Rasheed Valdemon glanced over at his good friend Jake Madaris, remembering just how their friendship had begun several years ago. It was a solid friendship, one that had grown stronger over the years. Jake was a man of his word. He was a man that Rasheed knew he could trust. A couple of years ago when Jake’s niece had been in a dangerous situation, Rasheed had managed to rescue her from the clutches of madmen, something that had earned him the never-ending appreciation of the Madaris family. They had shown their appreciation by making him an honorary member of the Madaris family. So now, on occasion, while traveling extensively in the United States, and while conducting certain types of business on American soil, he used the name Rasheed Madaris with their blessing.
Whispering Pines was a long way from Rasheed’s homeland in the Middle East, but when he had been confronted with a matter that needed his undivided attention, the Whispering Pines Ranch was the first place he had thought about to get the solitude that he needed.
“Thanks for allowing me to be a visitor here, Jake.”
Jake looked over at Rasheed. “I’ve told you a number of times that you’ll always be welcome at Whispering Pines. Diamond and I always look forward to your visits. Besides, everyone considers you part of our family.”
Jake paused and then said, “I don’t want to pry, Rasheed, but you seemed deeply troubled about something. Is it about your homeland? Is there anything I can do?”
Rasheed could only give Jake an appreciative smile. Jake was just that type of friend. He knew if he ever needed anything that Jake would be there to make it happen. Besides Jake, he had made a number of friends that were either in or connected to the Madaris family. But this issue that concerned him was one that he alone could deal with, and whether he liked it or not, he agreed with his father that it was time.
“Thanks for the offer, Jake, and to answer your questions, in a way it does deal with my homeland but there is nothing that you can do. I can’t even look at it as a sacrifice for my people like I did when I was much younger. Now at the age of thirty-eight, it is my duty.”
Jake lifted a brow. “What is your duty?”
Rasheed met his curious gaze. “Marriage. And before you ask, the answer is no. She is not anyone that you know. In fact, she isn’t anyone that I know. Our marriage was arranged years ago.”
Jake took a sip of his wine and decided to wait. It was up to Rasheed to tell him any more than that. He was aware that in Rasheed’s country arranged marriages were the norm. And with his wealth Rasheed would certainly be a good catch. And according to the females in the Madaris family, Rasheed was also an extremely handsome man. He was tall with piercing dark eyes, brown skin, and straight black hair that flowed loosely around his shoulders.
“It was decided that I would marry her before she was even born,” Rasheed said, breaking into Jake’s thoughts. “I’ve never met her and she has never met me.”
“But she is aware of the marriage,” Jake was curious enough to ask.
Rasheed smiled faintly. “Yes, but I’m sure growing up she figured by the time she had to marry me, I would have died off or something.”
At Jake’s raised brow, he added, “There’s a fifteen-year difference in our ages. Presently, she is in this country attending college. She will graduate next year from Harvard in June, and then she is expected to return to the Middle East where the two of us will officially meet and plan our wedding.”
Rasheed then sighed deeply. “I’ve been single a long time, my friend. I’m set in my ways. I enjoy women but—”
“You’re not ready to settle down,” Jake finished for him.
Rasheed nodded. “No, I’m not ready to settle down. And I have another concern.”
“What?”
“She’s young. Probably inexperienced and not anything I’m used to in a woman. Chances are she doesn’t possess any of the skills and aptitudes that I expect in a mistress.”
Jake chuckled. “But she won’t be a mistress, Rasheed.”
“True. And that, too, will be different. I’m used to lovers who are here today and gone tomorrow. All my prior relationships have been short and meaningless. As a marriage this one will have to be different.”
Jake didn’t say anything for a moment and then, “Would it help any if I told you that at one time I felt the same way? That I wasn’t interested in having a wife, but since marrying Diamond I can’t imagine life without her?”
Rasheed smiled before shaking his head. “I know that you love Diamond, Jake. But then you selected her as your partner in life. She was not selected for you.”
Jake knew that to be true. “Well, I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.”
Rasheed sat back in his chair. “I really don’t have a choice in the matter. I just need time to get prepared and hope that when the day comes I will be.”
Roger Coroni’s mouth tightened into a frown. “Why can’t those people just accept my decision not to sell my land and leave me alone?”
Mackenzie could only sympathize with what he was saying. She had taken time to come visit with him during her lunch hour to find him sitting on the porch in a rocking chair looking tired and despondent. “I understand how you feel, Mr. Coroni, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that you keep it. Has anyone at Whitedyer tried contacting you?”
“No, but I get irate calls. People are blaming me for not having jobs and that’s not fair.”
Mackenzie nodded. “You’re right, it’s not fair, but hopefully things will be over soon. I got a call this morning. The judge has set a date and time for the hearing. It’s going to be two weeks from now.”
He raised a surprised brow. “That soon?”
“Yes.” She waited for Mr. Coroni to say something, not sure what he was thinking. And then he asked her, “How good are our chances?”
She didn’t want to dampen his spirits nor did she want to give him false hope. “I honestly don’t know. The most recent eminent domain cases that went all the way to the Supreme Court were ruled in favor of the private developer or corporation. But that doesn’t mean it will go that way again.”
“I hope that you’re right, Ms. Standfield. I was born on this property and so were my daddy and his daddy before him and his daddy before that. This land has been in the Coroni family for generations and I can’t see myself losing it to a bunch of stuffed shirts who want to use it for their personal gain. What about the blood, sweat, and tears my family endured to cultivate this land, hold on to it? That has to stand for something.”
Mackenzie heard the frustration in his vo
ice and the traces of anger as well. “Yes, Mr. Coroni, it does stand for something, and as your attorney it will be my job to convince a judge and jury of that.”
She knew that Mr. Coroni had sought out several law firms before deciding on Standfield, De Meglio, and Mahoney. Everyone else, foreseeing the case turning into a three-ring circus because of who they’d be up against, had backed away saying thanks but no thanks. How could you fight a major corporation that had in their arsenal promises of jobs—jobs people needed to make their lives go a little easier?
A few hours later when Mackenzie pulled into the yard of her ranch home that same question was on her mind. That answer, whatever it was, would be the key to winning the case. And if her day could have gotten any worse, she had returned to the office after meeting with Mr. Coroni to find the post office had delivered a letter of condemnation for Mr. Coroni’s property. By exercising their condemnation powers the city was officially letting her know they were siding with Whitedyer. Not that she had been surprised.
Before leaving the office she had talked to Syneda and she’d mentioned that Clayton had called Alex Maxwell and he had agreed to try to dig up information on a possible third-party involvement. But Mackenzie knew that as good a private investigator as Alex was, she couldn’t bank on him finding anything that might help her client. Today had certainly not been a good day for her.
The moment she walked into the house she could smell the casserole cooking in the oven. She was getting used to coming home and getting fed, pampered, and loved. Okay, it was probably wishful thinking with the “love” part, but a girl had to have some kind of hope. Right?
“Luke, I’m home!” she called out after placing her briefcase on the table.
The moment she said his name he strolled out of wherever he’d been and crossed the living room to where she stood. He placed his arms at her waist and pulled her closer to him. “You were missed today.”
Likewise, she settled into the cradle of his frame while placing her arms around his neck. “You were missed today, too,” she said, meaning every word. “I need a kiss real bad, Luke.”
Taste of Passion (Madaris Novels) Page 18