Lincoln Shaw: a book in the Cotton Creek Saga (Heartbreakers & Heroes 8)
Page 18
Now he knew. It was every bit as powerful as he'd imagined and he'd imagined quite a lot. Russell wasn't a man prone to being surprised. He attributed that to age and life experience. Naomie Taylor had been nothing but surprises, and that was, perhaps, one of the most appealing things about her.
Few people had the ability to shock, stun and completely daze him. She possessed it in spades.
Just like she possessed the ability to strip years from a middle age man's libido and have him feeling like a young chap again, randy and ready to claim what he desired. He'd not deny himself the moment, even if he didn't plan on it ever happening again, and maybe because of that.
So, Russell took control, wrapped one arm around her waist to hitch her up nice and snug against him and indulged himself in the feel and taste of her. His ardor increased at the small sound she made and the way she pressed closer. It was fortunate they were in a crowd of people, or he'd have been hard pressed not to find a place to lay her down and indulge in more than a kiss.
When the kiss ended, she lowered down from tiptoes and looked up at him. "Happy New Year, Mr. Walker." Her voice was a bit breathy and her skin a bit flushed, which pleased him to no end.
"Happy New Year, Naomie. Here's to 2019 being one hell of an interesting year."
Just then Wiley walked over. "Russell, good to see you."
"And you, Wiley. Happy New Year."
Russell noticed that Naomie quietly departed, but looked back over her shoulder at him just before she disappeared into the crowd. He spent a few minutes talking with Wiley, then wished the newlyweds well and left.
As his driver headed for the small airfield, Russell thought about the kiss. It would be the first and last. He'd expected there would come a day when they'd act on the attraction between them, and he'd wondered if they'd part with less or more than they started with.
Now he knew, and he wasn't particularly thrilled. She wasn't the woman for him, no matter how much she stirred his blood. He forced his thoughts to a topic guaranteed to claim his attention because it was his greatest passion in life.
Heritage. His family's legacy.
It was what was most important. For six generations the Walker family had been guardians of Heritage, each generation expanding its scope and value. Under his watch, they'd grown to be the second largest ranch in the country, with diverse holdings and new divisions being formed each year.
If he succeeded in his ambitions, his children and his brother's daughter stood to inherit would be the largest ranch in the country, and a legacy to pass on for generations.
Those thoughts occupied him until he was in the helicopter, being flown home. They passed over the site of the wedding, and he thought about the woman he'd kissed. A week from now she'd move into one of the cottages on Heritage's main homestead and take charge of what might be the most ambitious quarter horse breeding program this country had ever seen.
If successful, they would dominate the market and be in demand beyond the boundaries of the United States. Australia and South American ranches were stiff competitors in the market for the best quarter horses.
Russell believed Naomie could get Heritage into the lead in that market.
And he thought about the kiss. How long had it been since a kiss had affected him so strongly? Actually, had he ever been this affected?
He wasn't a young man. At fifty-five, he'd suffered through two contentious divorces, one even nastier broken engagement and had sworn off relationships. He was twenty years older than Naomie,. Too old. Old enough to be her father. Hell, he had kids her age.
Cradle robbing wasn't his style. Neither was being a dirty old man. He refused to be one of those middle-aged men who were stupid enough to think that a young, beautiful, not to mention brilliant woman would fall for a man old enough to be her father.
It wasn't going to happen. Sooner or later the truth reared up and kicked you in the head. You couldn't compete with the young men, and there would, without question, come a time when she'd wonder if maybe she wasn't wasting time with an old man. No. He and Naomie Taylor weren't going to be anything other than employee and employer, colleagues or partners. They'd never go there.
He nodded to himself. One thing was for sure. When he made up his mind about something, it would take an act of God to change it. If there was one thing he was good at, it was sticking to his guns.
Then why was it that when he was finally home, sitting on the back deck with a glass of good bourbon in his hand, looking out at the land he loved so much, he couldn't stop thinking about that kiss?
From Ciana
I've been a reader my entire life, finding solace, excitement, happiness, fear and love in the pages of books. If anything has been a constant in my life, it's reading.
I also remember all of the times in my life when being able to buy a book was a luxury, a treat that I didn't get every week. I've never forgotten those times or how much those books meant to me.
That's why I am so grateful to you, the readers. Regardless of your level of income or profession, I understand how precious your reading dollars are and I feel humbled that you've used some of those dollars to purchase my books.
I hope my stories prove worthy of your investment and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Many blessings.
Ciana
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Books by Ciana Stone in reading order:
(Connected Books)
Honky Tonk Angels Series
Southern Comfort – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 1
Finding Justice – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 2
Baby I’m In. Honky Tonk Angels, Book 3
Ask me to Stay – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 4
Playing for Keeps – Honky Tonk Angels, Book 5
Lookin’ for Trouble – Honky Tonk Angels Book 6
Honky Tonk Angels Box Set
Legacy Series
Longing
Craving
Yearning
Untamed Series
Feels Like the First Time
When You Least Expect It
Colton’s Memory
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
Rangers or The Whisperers
(Can be read in either order)
Rangers
The Whisperers
Heartbreakers & Heroes
Book 1 - Grady Judd
Book 2 - Mason James
Book 3 - Jasper Jacks
Book 4 - Deacon Johns
Book 5 - Brody Judge
Book 6 - Wiley Johns
Book 7 - Gray Horse
Book 8 – Lincoln Shaw
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The Seven Box Set
Hot in the Saddle Box Set
Stand Alone Titles
Renegades
Let the Game Begin
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
That Which Survives
A Matter of Trust