Scandals from the Third Bride

“If I’d met you tonight for the first time, I’d be flirting with you every minute of the evening,” he said solemnly, his gaze drifting lazily over her features. His fingers trailed along her jaw.

Ignoring him, she turned back to the blueprints. “All right, we’ve looked at the dining room, the exercise room and the rec room.”

“I want murals in my bedroom, a utility room and the kitchen dining area. That should cover it.”

His bedroom. Her stomach grew fluttery at the thought. If only he would return to work in another city instead of staying at his Houston house, but she expected him to stick around to see what she was doing. She wished his bedroom wasn’t one of the rooms.

“How soon can you start?” he asked. “I’d like to have them started right away.”

“I have a job that’s pending, but it’s something someone in my office can handle,” she said.

“Don’t give my projects to someone else in your office. I’ll have a contract drawn up and I want your efforts exclusively.”

“I’m the only one doing the murals. That’s something I’ve specialized in and I enjoy, so of course, I’ll do the design and drawings myself. The work will go faster if someone helps me with the painting.”

He shook his head. “No, unless it’s errands and setting up equipment and that type of thing. Otherwise, I’m paying for you only,” he said firmly.

“Fair enough,” she replied.

A look passed between them that made her sizzle. Then he stepped closer to place his hands on her waist. “This is good. I’ve seen your work and you’re talented. I admire the mural you did in San Francisco at the Haywind store and I saw a couple you did in Kansas City and one in San Antonio.”

“I’m glad you liked what you saw,” she said. She was aware of Cade’s hands resting lightly on her waist as she looked up at him. They stood too close, conjuring up memories of other times she had stood with him like this.

“You can start right away?” he asked and his voice had dropped a notch, the only indication that he noticed anything else between them.

“Yes, I can,” she said, stepping away from him. “Is your house far enough along for me to start drawing?”

“Yes,” he replied, pulling on his coat. “We can talk about it while we eat dinner. Let’s get back to the club,” he said, and she crossed the room to pick up her purse, relieved that they were leaving his hotel suite and she would once again be out in public where the situation could not get intensely personal.

They had been seated only a short time back in the Millington Club when a first course of pan-seared crab cakes was served.

“We’re so civilized,” she said quietly while she ate a small bite. “I want to scream at you and throw things at you instead of work for you. As it is, you’ve bought yourself peace because I can’t do that and work for you afterward.”

He arched an eyebrow and his gaze drifted over her features. “For right now, perhaps we can both put the past on hold. It may not last, but we can try.”

She inhaled, thought about the price he was willing to pay her and what she could do with the fortune. All her life she had been in competition with her brothers and even with her father. Now, her earnings would equal theirs. The mural earnings would give her a chance for spectacular accomplishments in her career.

If only she could hold to those thoughts and shove the past into oblivion, she might get through this assignment without unleashing all her pent-up fury that increased every time Cade indicated that there was reason for him to be angry with her over the past.

He couldn’t have a single reason to have any bitterness on his part and it mystified her and infuriated her when he said that he did, but she didn’t want to go into it because she’d already lost control once tonight, she didn’t want to again.

“Tomorrow morning, if you’re available, we can fly to Houston and return in the afternoon.”

“That’s fine,” she replied as the waiter removed their dishes and brought green salads. Tomorrow she would spend the day with him. Her appetite had fled and she sipped her water.

“In your bedroom,” she said, “the painting should be something pleasing and relaxing, something you really like. What do you enjoy?”

“I don’t think you’re going to want to paint that on my wall,” he drawled, and she had to laugh in spite of her irritation. She didn’t want his charm. Keep the barriers, she reminded herself.

“What are some of your favorite things?” she asked. “It used to be bikes, tinkering with cars and baseball, but, of course, I don’t know what you like now.”

“I haven’t changed that much. My fascination with bikes has changed to cars. I enjoy baseball. Now I can enjoy things I couldn’t then. I like fishing, skiing, golf, mountain climbing and snow boarding. As far as a subject for a mural for my bedroom—I’ll have to think about that,” he replied.

“I’ll come up with possibilities for the subjects, too. That’s my job.”

As they talked about business and about the murals, she noticed he didn’t have a big appetite, either. They kept the conversation off anything personal and she repeatedly thought about her job and changes she could make because of the money that would pour into her business, yet her train of thought wandered constantly back to Cade. Why hadn’t he married? Why wasn’t there a woman in his life now?

She shoved her questions aside. She wanted to keep everything as impersonal and professional as possible between them. He was now her client and she had to try to keep the past out of mind as long as she worked for him. Do the job and avoid thinking about their history—how many times would she have to remind herself? Had he ever loved her or had it all been a lie?

She took a deep breath and drank her water, trying to cool down and stop recalling the past, but she could only let go of memories a few minutes at a time and then soon, they were back in her thoughts again. She tried to pay attention to what he was saying as they talked in generalities and he inquired about different jobs she’d had, but her mind wandered. When her attention went to his mouth, she remembered his hot possessive kisses.

“You’re not eating,” he observed, drawing her abruptly back to the present. She felt her cheeks flush and hated that she couldn’t control her blush.

“You haven’t eaten very much yourself,” she replied. “I’m tense anyway when I start a new job and maybe even more edgy tonight,” she said.

“Relax,” he said, reaching across the table to take her hand. “I’m no ogre to work for and I know you’re an artist.”

He held her hand, his thumb running back and forth lightly over her hand and then her wrist and she knew he probably felt her racing pulse. His dark eyes bore into her and their surroundings ceased to exist for her, leaving only Cade.

“Katherine,” he said coaxingly, and for an instant, she wanted to lean closer to him until she realized how she was responding.

“Stop, it. I suppose it’s from not seeing anyone for a long time, but I’m more susceptible than I want to be. You show some restraint or this isn’t going to work.”

“Sure, it’ll work,” he said softly.

They each left a large portion of their dinners untouched. The evening was a strain, and she was ready for it to end before she lost her composure with him again.

“Want to dance?” he asked, gazing at her with a level, flat stare that made her wonder what he felt and what was going through his mind.

“No, I don’t, Cade. Let’s keep anything between us strictly business.”

“You know I paid royally for this evening with you,” he said easily. “I haven’t danced in a while. It seems to me, the night should include at least a dance,” he said, standing and coming around the table. He pulled out her chair and she stood, trying to bite back her comments.

“You’re definitely accustomed to getting your way,” she said, standing, her pulse racing at the thought of dancing with him. Everything involving him was two-sided. Attraction caused her nerves to sizzle while anger kept her in a knot as she struggled to avoid another outburst with him.

He led her to the dance floor and the moment she walked into his embrace, her pulse jumped. Why did this seem so right? He held her close against him, and she felt the soft wool of his tux. She could detect the scent of his aftershave, feel the brush of his thighs against hers.

She danced with him as if time had vanished and it was nine years earlier. Every step was familiar, every move was seduction. Her heart pounded and heat burned inside her. They danced together in perfect coordination as if they had been dancing together every night for the whole nine years.

“This is good, Katherine, to hold you,” he whispered, and his breath was warm against her ear. Her arm curled across his shoulder and she was careful to keep her hand on his coat and to avoid touching his neck. He swung her down in a dip and she instinctively clung to him as she looked into his dark eyes. She wanted him and there was no stopping what she felt.

In silence, she danced with him, closing her eyes only to be carried back in time again, remembering seductive moments in his arms when she had been wildly in love.

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. It was pure torment because they fit too well, moved together in perfect rhythm and every step stirred up damnable memories of dances in the past…seduction…Cade kissing her.

The instant the dance ended, she turned to walk back to the table. She tingled all over from being in his arms. Dancing together had stirred too many memories and sent desire to scalding levels.

Physically, she wanted to kiss and love him. She almost groaned out loud, caught herself and coughed, hoping she could cover the sound she had made.

She picked up her purse and faced him. “I know you paid a fortune for the evening, but as soon as possible, I’d like to end it. After all, you accomplished what you intended when I agreed to work for you.”

“That’s true,” he said, taking her arm. “We’ll go.”

In the limousine he sat beside her again, closer this time, turning to face her. “I gave your address to the driver. I thought you’d live at the ranch.”

“No, I moved out nine years ago and got an apartment. Now I own my own house and live in town. I have a house at the ranch. All of us do and Dad has given all of us land. We get together about twice a month, if possible.”

“Nick told me he sees you fairly often.”

Startled, she looked at Cade. “You sound as if you know Nick.”

He shrugged. “Because of business dealings, we’ve crossed paths a few times.”

She was startled to learn Nick had never mentioned Cade to her and wondered why he hadn’t, deciding Nick probably thought it would be painful for her.

“I’m surprised he’s civil to you,” she said. “When you left, my brothers weren’t living here at the time. If you remember, they were both in college. When they found out what you’d done, they went after you, but you and your family had left the state and they couldn’t find you, which was a relief.”

“That’s not surprising.”

Trying to avoid the past, she thought about her new job. “Actually I can be free right away to start thinking about your murals.”

“Do you have someone you can really trust to run things if you’re gone a long time?”

“Yes. I’ve been away for jobs a lot. Also, Houston to Fort Worth isn’t so far that I can’t get back if I have to.”

“That’s fine,” he said easily, gazing intently at her. He wasn’t touching her, but he still could set her aflame with his sexy brown eyes and his supercharged presence.

“Are you an early riser? I can pick you up and we’ll go in my plane to Houston tomorrow. Is seven too early?”

“Seven works.”

“Fine. That’s a good time to go.”

“Tomorrow I’ll get your address and location,” she said. “I’ll find a motel nearby where I can set up my office and I can stay.”

“No, that won’t be necessary at all,” he answered easily.

“Why not? I’m not commuting every day.”

“Of course not. You don’t need to commute. You’ll live at my place,” he replied.

Three

“No! I can’t live with you,” she snapped, twisting in the seat to face him, angry that he even suggested it.

“Of course you can stay at my place instead of a hotel,” he replied smoothly. “You won’t be ‘living with me,’ you’ll be residing at my house,” he said, unfastening his coat and pushing it open. “There’s a world of rooms. Thirty rooms, as a matter of fact. You’ll be right where you’re working. If you don’t want to bring your car, I can put one at your disposal. There’s no reason not to stay there.”

There were a dozen good reasons to avoid staying at his house, not the least of which was that the man was larger than life to her. Whether she liked it or not, she could never view him as she did other men. His touch was fiery and his look could hold her immobile. Her pulse was faster right now, just riding in the limo beside him. She was too susceptible to him, far too vulnerable.

Each minute with him compounded the attraction that tugged at her senses.

“Stop worrying, Katherine,” he said quietly. “I’m no ogre. I’ll be at work. The place is huge.”

“I didn’t expect to ever see you again. Now the idea of working for you, living under the same roof, spending time together, is unsettling. Give me as much space and solitude as possible. Your murals will turn out better, I’m sure.”

“Is that a roundabout threat to leave you alone?”

“Not at all. I’m simply telling you that I’ll work more efficiently under those conditions,” she said, wanting to keep as much distance as possible between them.

He leaned close and drew his finger along her hand, making her tingle. “Let’s not argue every step of the way. I’m paying you a fortune. In return, I want cooperation.”

“Do you ever hear ‘no’?”

“Occasionally, and if there’s a logical reason, I pay attention. Can you give me a sensible cause for not staying at my place to do your painting?”

She gazed into his dark eyes. “You’re giving me one good reason right now. You’re too close. You’re touching me constantly.”

“Why is all that bad?” he asked.

“I’m susceptible to you, dammit, and I don’t want to be. Does that make you feel better? Give me room.”

He leaned away, his gaze intent. “I’ll give you room, and you move into my house. It’s large enough, Katherine. You’ll see tomorrow.”

Knowing she couldn’t refuse to cooperate with him when he was being reasonable, she shrugged. “All right, Cade. I’ll have to get measurements. I would prefer to look at all the rooms and then to focus on one at a time. I’ll get a proposal put together for you and we can meet at my office to go over it.”

“Sounds fine,” he said. They turned into her gated area, passed through the graceful white metal gates with Cade’s driver using the combination she had given Cade on her card. They slowed and stopped in front of her one-story redbrick house that was set back in a landscaped yard with oak trees.

“Beautiful trees and house, Katherine,” Cade said as he walked her to her door.

On the porch she faced him. “Thank you for your bid, for dinner and for your job offer. You’ve helped a lot of children tonight and you’ve given me a wonderful job opportunity.”

“I’ll get my money’s worth,” he said softly.

She frowned. “I hope there’s no innuendo in your statement. You’ll get six murals, nothing else. My body isn’t included.”

“I didn’t expect it to be,” he said, standing too close, gazing at her too intently.

For a few seconds they stared at each other. Her pulse raced and she could remember too many times he had kissed her good-night. Hastily, she removed her key and turned to open her door. Stepping inside, she switched off her alarm and turned back to find him standing in the open doorway. She had no intention of inviting him inside.

“Good night, Katherine. I’m looking forward to your work,” he said, holding out his hand.

Reluctantly, she reached out to shake hands with him and had that electric sizzle that spun to her toes the instant his hand closed around hers. She wanted to yank her hand away, but instead, she merely withdrew it gently after a second. She didn’t want this intense, fiery reaction to him, but there was no stopping it or keeping it from happening.

She watched him stride back to the waiting limousine. She closed the front door and leaned back against it, rubbing her forehead. Was he going to break her heart a second time?

She was going to live in his house and he would be there, watching what she was doing. All evening the question had plagued her of how she could resist him. Could she cope with being around him and not succumb to seduction?

Why was she so certain he would try to seduce her?

She could be wrong, but he hadn’t done too well at keeping his hands off her tonight. She was equally uncertain whether she could continually hold her fury in check. He stirred opposing emotions in her constantly. One minute she was attracted, afraid she would fall in love again, the next minute she was fighting to control her temper.

She thought about when she had lost her temper with him tonight. At least the outburst had been brief. When she moved into his house, she hoped she could remain coolly professional with him and avoid him when she wasn’t working.

She was drained and exhilarated all at once. Cade was here! She wished she could shake him right out of mind, but it was impossible. Everything inside her screamed a reminder that he had returned. After nine long years, Cade was back!

And then she thought about the murals and the payment she would get.

Her eyes flew open. Ten million dollars! She spun around in a circle, flinging out her arms and letting her purse fly, not caring when it hit the door and fell on the polished oak floor. She could open more offices—one at a time so she could get them started and running well before she moved on to another one. It had been her dream and now she would be able to do all she had planned.

Certain sleep was impossible, she kicked off her shoes and hurried to the office she had in her house. Switching on lights, she entered a room that was lined with shelves filled with books, drawings and awards. Two computers sat on her desk and another on a table.

She got down some books to look at pictures that might inspire her or trigger an idea.

As she poured over the pictures, her thoughts kept slipping back to Cade and the time she had just spent with him, remembering dancing with him, being held in his arms again, something she had never expected to have happen.

Where had he made his fortune? Why was he angry with her? Why had he been so insistent that she take the job instead of another painter? She knew there were others who were as good as she was and he could have hired someone for far less. Why was he still single when he was so handsome and successful? Questions besieged her and she recalled that first moment she looked into his brown eyes and recognized him—everything inside her had clamored for her to throw herself in his arms. She was going to live in his house with him. The thought alone set her pulse racing. The house would be a palace, but if it were five times the size of a hotel, it wouldn’t be large enough to keep fireworks from exploding between them.

Sooner or later, the past would rise up and all the money in the world couldn’t keep it from happening. Shutting her eyes, she remembered how they had met. Clearly, she could recall hot, mid-afternoon July sunshine. She was home from college after her sophomore year, twenty years old. With the radio blaring, she was driving a battered pickup, the oldest on the Ransome ranch. Racing ten miles over the speed limit on the usually deserted county road, she sang as she headed home.

A truck passed driven by a cowboy, who honked and waved. It wasn’t anyone she recognized, but she waved in return because most people who traveled the road lived somewhere in the general area.

Next she heard a bike and saw a guy on a Harley behind her. His shaggy, black hair was blowing behind him. He wore a red headband, a ragged T-shirt and frayed jeans. He pulled alongside her and honked.

She glanced at him, saw he was good-looking, so she smiled and then turned back to driving. He honked again and she flashed him a look.

Since she had been twelve years old, she had been receiving attention from males, so she was accustomed to honks, whistles, smiles, waves and guys hitting on her.

The biker wasn’t anyone she knew. He persisted and then when he didn’t get much reaction from her, he pulled ahead of her and slowed, causing her to slow or else she would hit him. When she signaled to pass him, he waved one arm frantically and as she tried to pass, he pulled over so she couldn’t.

Annoyed, she started to pull to the right to try to pass him, but he swung over to the right and kept waving his arm, only now he was pointing and jabbing the air to his right with his index finger. If he wanted her to stop, he was crazy.

She wasn’t afraid because she knew most people in her county and the surrounding area. She had her cell phone ready if she needed help.

He slowed, blocking her path.

She leaned on her horn and got within an inch of the back of his bike as they still drove down the highway, only now going below the speed limit. He shook his head, peeled out of her way and she pushed the accelerator, racing past him, sticking her tongue out at him as she roared past.

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