Taken Home

by Ruth Cardello

  His head snapped around, and he met her eyes. “A what?”

  The photographer asked them to stand and pose. Chelle faced forward with her best photogenic smile and said through her teeth, “You heard me. I don’t want to explain myself. Either you have one or you don’t. You can give it to me or not, but let’s not talk about it.”

  The photographer moved on to take a photo of Melanie with Charles. Chelle shook her head in disappointment. It was probably too much to expect a man like David to have one.

  Chelle felt something pressed into her hand. She looked down, and a huge smile spread across her face. She tucked the condom into the side of her lace bra, then went up onto her tiptoes and gave David a kiss on the cheek. “If I was at all attracted to you—” She stopped herself there when she thought about how that sounded. “You know what I mean.”

  David chuckled. “I do. Just be careful.”

  Chelle glanced over her shoulder and saw Mason watching her from just outside the church door. She turned away with a smile she was sure was even brighter than before. I don’t want to be careful. I want to be spontaneous for once. And tonight I’m going to be.

  For the next hour, the bridal party was shuffled around the church steps and lawn for individual and group photos. The day was getting warmer, but Chelle didn’t mind. She felt like she floated from one shot to the next. All she could think about was the man who looked like he was waiting for her to finish.

  Near the end of the session, the photographer asked if he could take one more shot of her alone. She posed beside a tree and looked over the photographer’s shoulder to see if Mason was still on the church steps. He was. Their eyes met briefly, and Chelle’s libido went into overdrive. How could I feel this good when we haven’t done more than look at each other?

  “Have you ever thought of modeling?” the photographer asked. “You have a presence that’s truly captivating. An expression that could sell anything. I can’t quite describe it, but it’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Chelle said with a smile that could not be suppressed. Although she dreamed of doing something outside of helping her parents run their ranch, she was realistic about her looks. She also knew exactly what the man could likely see in her eyes. She’d never been as excited about anything as she was about testing whether or not kissing Senator Thorne could possibly feel as good as she imagined. “I have to go.”

  On any other day, Chelle would have played harder to get. She would have pretended not to notice how Mason was watching her as if she were his prey for the evening. That day, however, she wanted there to be zero chance of him losing interest and moving on. A man that hot could tempt a few of the married women to consider bending their vows a bit, and that was not a risk she was willing to take.

  She hiked up the bodice of her dress and walked up the church steps to where Mason was standing. She didn’t stop until she was about a foot in front of him. Even leaning against the outside wall of the church, he was gloriously tall, which forced her to tip her head back to look up at him. “Hi,” she said breathlessly. “My name is Chelle Landon.”

  The smile he gave her had her innards quivering with desire. He straightened, looming even higher above her. She stared into his blue eyes, wondering if there was anything more beautiful on the whole planet. “I know,” he said in a deep voice that exceeded her fantasy of how sexy he would sound. He held out his hand. “I’m Mason Thorne.”

  His strong hand swallowed Chelle’s small one. That simple touch sent her imagination running with how his hands would feel on other parts of her body. Wow. So this is what it’s supposed to feel like. This is desire. She shook his hand forcefully—longer than she meant to, but only realizing it when he looked down at their hands. “Sorry,” she said and broke their connection. “We don’t get many new people in Fort Mavis. I’m so used to knowing everyone.”

  Mason gave her a charming smile. “Then that gives you an advantage today. I hardly know anyone. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s mine,” Chelle said quickly. At least I hope it will be. Stop. Don’t ruin this by sounding like an idiot. Try to look cool. “I have to ride to the reception with the wedding party, but Sarah said the seats aren’t assigned for dinner, so maybe we could sit together. I’d love to hear what you think of Fort Mavis.” Or anything.

  “I’d like that.” He looked down at her for a long moment with an expression Chelle couldn’t decipher. “I have something I’d like to ask you, but we can discuss it later when we have more time.”

  Chelle heard Melanie calling for her. It wasn’t easy, but she tore her eyes away from Mason and turned. The rest of the wedding party was waiting beside the limo. “I have to go.”

  “I’ll save a seat for you at the reception.”

  Unable to think of an intelligent response, Chelle merely nodded and darted down the steps toward the limo. Something he wants to ask me. That was blunt, but maybe that’s how people from the city were. Direct with what they wanted. It didn’t matter, really. He’d be gone by the next day anyway. Why waste the evening pretending they didn’t both want the same thing?

  David was at the limo, holding the door open for her. Their eyes met briefly, and she said, “Don’t say it, or I’ll ask about Lucy again.”

  Message sent and received. David nodded, and Chelle slid inside the limo beside Melanie.

  As they pulled out, Melanie turned to Chelle and in a low voice said, “I saw you talking to Charles’s friend Mason. I don’t like to say anything bad about anyone, and he’s a good friend to Charles, but you need to be careful. He goes through women like some people go through bottles of water. He’ll flirt and flatter you, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

  Chelle smoothed the skirt of her dress and crossed her ankles. “I appreciate the warning.”

  Melanie pursed her lips, then said, “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “I can take care of myself, thank you.” Being wanted by a man like Mason, even if it didn’t turn into anything serious, wouldn’t hurt nearly as much as not being wanted by him. Had she and Melanie been alone, Chelle might have even explained that to her. Melanie had spent enough years on her own before meeting Charles that she would understand. Instead, she changed the subject to a topic she knew would distract Melanie. “Jace looked like a little man when I saw him standing next to Charles. They get on well, don’t they? Is he riding over with your parents?”

  Melanie’s eyes misted, and she linked her hand with Charles’s. “He’s growing up so fast. I used to worry that I hadn’t done right by him, but he has good men in his life, and that will make all the difference. Charles is going to make a great father.” She turned to the other two men in the limo. “I am really lucky. David, Jace wouldn’t be nearly the kind soul he is if it weren’t for you. And Dean, he wouldn’t be grounded as often if you hadn’t shared your childhood stories with him.”

  Dean smiled shamelessly. “A boy has to get his wild out while he’s young, or he’ll spend the rest of his life trying to hold it in.”

  Chelle laughed. “That doesn’t sound like advice a sheriff should give. Does the same apply to girls?”

  Even though there wasn’t an ounce of attraction between them, Dean was fun to flirt with. He winked at her. “You tell me, darlin’.”

  Chelle blushed deeply, looked out the limo window, and whispered to herself, “Oh yes. Yes it does.”

  Seated at a table in a small reception hall in what appeared to be the nicest hotel in the area, Mason downed his drink, then told himself to go easy. He was irritated with himself for the way his cock had come to life while he watched Chelle posing for the wedding photos. There was something about her, something he couldn’t look away from, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  She didn’t seem like someone who would understand that sex could occur with no commitment. Which was a problem. She also found him attractive. Another problem. And then there were the unsettling feelings that had coursed through him whe
n she’d kissed David on the cheek. He’d wanted to walk over and demand she stop. Ridiculous. I’m not the jealous type, and she means nothing to me. He looked down at the ice in the bottom of his glass, then pushed the glass away. I should stop drinking before I accidentally sleep with her.

  The music changed, and a man asked everyone to stand while the bridal party entered the room. Due to his height, Mason was easily able to watch them walk in. Damn. People said brides glowed, but Chelle positively beamed, even in her secondary role. Her eyes met his, and he felt the connection like a punch that sent him rocking back onto his heels. He attributed the sensation to the liquor he’d imbibed.

  The bridal party stood off to one side as the bride and groom danced, then they paired up and joined them. Once they’d all been dancing for a while, the DJ asked the onlookers to please sit. Mason did so gladly. He was done watching Chelle laugh as David swung her around the dance floor.

  Mason introduced himself to the people at his table. They asked him a hundred questions, sending his head spinning, making him feel as if he were being interviewed. He must have missed the song ending, because he wasn’t aware Chelle was at his side until he heard her voice.

  “May I join you?” Chelle asked.

  Mason instantly stood and pulled out the chair beside him. “Of course. I saved a seat for you.”

  She gave him a look from beneath her long lashes that sent his heart racing. “Thank you.”

  She took the seat beside him, and he sat down once again, chastising himself silently. Don’t be a fool. This is not the time, nor is she the woman, for what you’re thinking.

  After a short pause, he asked, “Did you grow up around here?”

  She took the napkin from her plate and placed it on her lap, then leaned toward him and said in a low voice, “I sure did. You know how you can tell? If you look around the room at the people who are staring at us, most of them are related to me in some way.”

  “Even David?” He wasn’t sure why he asked that.

  He didn’t like the way Chelle smiled at the mention of that hulk of a cowboy’s name. “No, there are a few people who aren’t family, and he’s one of them.”

  Mason frowned. “You two seem close enough.”

  Chelle gave him a curious look. “In this town, everyone knows everyone else. He runs the ranch that abuts my parents’ place. It’d be strange if I didn’t know him.”

  A sudden thought came to Mason that hadn’t occurred to him before. “Are your parents here?”

  Chelle nodded toward one corner of the reception hall. “See the man over there glaring at you and the woman who is practically clapping because I’m talking to a man? That’s them.”

  Well, that’s one way to kill an erection.

  Mason looked at the other guests at the table and realized they were listening to every word he and Chelle said. He leaned closer to her. “I’m not really hungry. Do you want to get some fresh air?”

  “Yes. I’d love to.” Her eyes met his, and they lit with a hunger that drew an equally strong reaction from him.

  Shit. This is probably a bad idea. That fact didn’t stop him, however, from standing up and offering his arm to Chelle. She took it, and they made their way to the hall exit.

  They walked through the hotel foyer, which led to a balcony overlooking a courtyard garden. He and Chelle continued on to one corner of it. He didn’t want anyone to hear what he had to say. “I realize you don’t know me, Chelle, but there is something I’m hoping you’ll help me with.”

  “I feel exactly the same way,” Chelle said and slid her arms around his neck. Before he had time to respond, she’d pulled his head down and was kissing him.

  And that’s all it took for Mason to forget all about Trish Shugarts and her threats. He pulled Chelle closer and gave himself over to the hottest kiss of his life. Her lips eagerly parted for his tongue. Her body molded itself to his. It wasn’t simply that she wanted him. Many women had given themselves to him with every bit as much enthusiasm. But somehow, this time, it felt less like a new adventure and more like a journey home.

  The idea shook him, but not enough to break off the kiss. He claimed her mouth with his, loving how her tongue teased by withdrawing before joining his again. She was both bold and shy at the same time, a combination that had him wild with images of how she’d respond in his bed.

  The knowledge that they were in a public place held Mason back from taking their kiss to the next level, but just barely. He moved on to kiss her jaw, the curve of her neck. God, he wanted to rip her dress off right there and take her.

  “This is exactly how I always imagined it would be,” Chelle said in awe, arching her neck to give him better access.

  “What?” he asked absently. He was really much more interested in kissing his way down to her breasts than hearing her answer.

  “Sex. I’m so glad I waited.”

  Her words poured over Mason like a bucket of ice. He froze and raised his head. “How old are you?”

  She squirmed against him. “Twenty-five.”

  “So you’re not a . . .”

  A cautious expression spread across her face. “Would it matter if I were?”

  Virgins had been on his no-touch list for over a decade. With a hand firmly on each of her arms, he held her back from him. “Unfortunately, yes. Sorry, I lost my head for a minute there. This wasn’t even why I asked you out here.”

  She tensed beneath his hands, and her cheeks went bright red. “It’s a problem, isn’t it? I thought this would happen at twenty-six, but I can see it in your eyes. I waited too long, didn’t I?”

  Mason was normally a smooth talker, but when he opened his mouth to answer her, he was momentarily stumped. He was as shocked by what she’d said as his own response to it. He should be running for the hills, but he was still holding on to her. “There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin.”

  She rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated huff. “Really? Then why are you looking at me like I have a disease you’re afraid of catching?”

  He was afraid, but not the way she thought. He liked the idea that no one had ever been with her. He liked it much more than he was comfortable with. Outside of his career, he didn’t consider himself a man with much honor, but Chelle deserved better than a one-night stand with someone who was looking for a cover story to save his ass from another woman. “If you’ve waited this long, Chelle, you should hook up with a nice man from here and . . .”

  She pulled her arms free from his grasp and folded them over her chest, an act that had the front of her dress gaping open, giving him a tantalizing view of a black lace bra with—Is that a condom tucked in the side of it? Mason swallowed hard.

  “There are no men here. That’s the problem. None that I’ve ever felt anything for.” She let out an angry breath and turned away. “Forget it. This was a stupid idea. You’re probably awful in bed anyway.”

  Mason surprised himself by blocking her exit from the corner of the balcony. “I’m actually considered gifted in that department.”

  Chelle rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That’s what all men think. Ask any woman and she’ll tell you. You can’t all be the best.”

  With his pride smarting, Mason said, “Once women have been with me, they find it difficult to move on. Actually, I brought you out here to ask for your help with that. I slept with a woman I shouldn’t have, and to get her to back off I told her I was seeing someone.”

  Chelle met his eyes with confusion. “And what did you hope I would do?”

  “I’d like to take a few pictures of us together. And if anyone asks, I’d like you to say we’ve been together for a while.”

  “Why do you think I’d be okay with that?”

  “I could pay you. Or, if you’d like a trip to California, I could fly you out there for a while. All expenses paid. No strings attached. No expectations.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You mean no sex.”

  He pocketed his hands and shrugged. Her tone con
fused him, and he was already regretting bringing up the idea. It had held a lot more appeal before he’d kissed her. Now he didn’t know if he could travel with her and keep his hands off her, but that wasn’t an admission he was willing to make.

  The slap she gave him full across the face took him completely by surprise. Her chest was heaving angrily, beautifully. “That’s for making me think you wanted me.”

  She raised her hand again, but he caught it before she could connect. A primal desire surged through him. He wanted to pull her to him again and kiss her until she was offering herself to him once again. He didn’t, though. He didn’t think he could stop if they started up again, and the balcony was not private enough to prove to her that she was wrong about why he’d turned her down. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  She pulled her hand free of his. “You didn’t. To hurt me, you’d have to be someone I care about. All you did was confirm that I need to get the hell out of Fort Mavis.”

  With that, she walked away.

  Mason stood on the balcony for a long time after she left, rubbing the cheek she’d smacked and telling himself that he’d made the right choice. Sleeping with Chelle would have complicated an already difficult situation.

  Chapter Three

  Chelle rushed blindly across the hotel lobby. It was one thing to have never been with a man because her standards were too high or she was waiting for love, but to have offered herself to a man only to realize that he had zero interest in her . . . well, that was a real kick to her ego.

  She made her way into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. A look in the mirror confirmed that her makeup was smeared from tears she hadn’t known were pouring down her face. Dammit. She grabbed a tissue and tried to make herself look less like a raccoon.

  When she finished, she studied her reflection with a critical eye. I’m not ugly. I mean, there’s no obvious deformity to my face. I’m reasonably fit. I could lose ten pounds, but who couldn’t? No, I’m not a model, but those people don’t exist outside of magazines, do they? My hair could be blonder. My breasts could definitely be bigger. Do men prefer women who are taller? She forced a smile onto her face, a smile that became a pained grimace. What is it that he found unattractive?