One Night in Texas

by Charlene Sands

  “You got it.” Sutton eyed his brother carefully. “So I hear Gracie’s going to childbirth classes. You must be excited about that.”

  Sebastian set his glass down and stared at his brother. “Childbirth classes? This is the first I’m hearing about it.”

  “Uh-oh. Me and my big mouth. Lauren’s going to punch my lights out for this.”

  “Lauren knows? Am I the last person to find this out?” A knot twisted in his gut. Why didn’t Gracie tell him about this? He had every right to know about the classes.

  “Sorry, bro. I didn’t realize...”

  “Not your fault. Gracie still has issues with me. She’s being cautious and I get it.” He picked up his bourbon and took a swallow. “Actually, I don’t get it. We’re having a baby together. I need to be there. And I don’t have a clue why she wants to go this alone.”

  “Give it time. I mean it wasn’t as if you two went about this in the conventional way. You didn’t show an interest in her until you learned about the baby. That would put any woman on edge. You have to build up her trust.”

  “Trust? Okay. I’m rusty at all this. Haven’t had a woman in my life since Rhonda.”

  Sutton eyed him cautiously. “I hear she’s back in town.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  Last night, Sebastian and Rhonda had searched high and low for her brother, Lonny. They’d finally found the kid, along with three other delinquent boys, a rowdy crowd if he ever saw one, just outside town.

  They’d obviously been up to no good. Lonny took one look at him, and had nearly caved on the spot. Sebastian had calmed the boy down and had a heart-to-heart talk with him. Lonny had confessed to vandalizing an abandoned house, breaking windows, destroying what was left of the furniture. Sebastian had told him he had to report what he’d done to the local police. The kid had been scared, but he’d followed through, with Sebastian and Rhonda right by his side.

  Luckily, Sebastian had been able to pull some strings with Judge Haymore, his TCC buddy, the one he’d been speaking to when he spotted Gracie this morning, and the police had let Lonny go with a stern warning, after extracting a promise from him to clean up the mess he’d made. It was good Sebastian had reconnected with Lonny last night, and he hoped like hell he’d gotten through to the boy.

  “You guess so? Have you seen her?”

  He nodded. “I have. It’s not what you think.”

  “Good, because what I’m thinking...”

  “Don’t. There’s nothing between Rhonda and me but friendship.”

  “Try to keep it that way.” Sutton slapped him on the back. But already his mind had returned to Gracie, and how he could, for lack of a better term, get back in her good graces.

  Eight

  It ended up being an early evening after all. Tom, her Realtor, had limited spaces to show her, the inventory being low right now. And none of the three places he’d shown her would work. One was too far outside town, another was so small it gave her claustrophobia and the last one was frankly almost on top of Wingate Enterprises. Like right across the street. No can do. But at least she got an idea of what was out there.

  Gracie changed into a pair of cozy pajamas, made herself a bowl of soup and put her feet up on the sofa. It was quiet in the house, and at eight thirty, it was too early to go to sleep. For the next thirty minutes, she channel-surfed her flat screen, unable to find anything on TV she wanted to watch. Gracie sighed. She was antsy and restless, which she couldn’t figure out since she’d had a full day today. Her cell phone rang, and she rose from the sofa to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, it’s me.” The low drawl of Sebastian’s voice made her heart skip a beat.

  “Hello, you. I didn’t think you’d call. It’s late.” Actually, it wasn’t all that late, but she wasn’t going to make this easy for him.

  “I wanted to give you time to finish up with your Realtor. How’d it go?”

  “Not too well, but I’m sure I’ll find something.”

  “That’s too bad. So what are you doing right now?”

  “Right now, just relaxing, or at least trying to.”

  “Ready for bed?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Before you go, can you open the front door?”

  Her pulse began to pound. “Open the front door? Why?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She walked over to the window and peered out. Sebastian’s car was parked in front of her house. Oh, God! What was he doing here? She was a total mess, covered in soft flannel, her hair in a ponytail, her makeup all washed off. Gracie really didn’t want him to see her like this, but then, how could she send him away? She sighed, straightened out her pj’s, finger-combed her hair and opened the door slowly. And came face-to-face with a big gray stuffed elephant. With pink ears. And then she noticed a bag filled with chocolate raspberry sticks. Not the gourmet kind, and not in a fancy box, but her very favorite from the grocery store. There were flowers, too, a bouquet of at least two dozen roses in various shades of red, from crimson-tipped to bloodred. Behind all that was the man, his face hidden until he peeked out from behind the elephant. “Hi.”

  Gracie couldn’t believe it. “What is all this?”

  “An apology for last night. And if you’re not up for company, that’s okay. I’ll just leave this all with you.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Sebastian. Come inside.” She ushered him inside the house and they stood looking at each other, his eyes gleaming.

  “An elephant?” she asked.

  “You have a collection of them, right?”

  Oh, wow. How did he find all this out? He knew about her elephant obsession as a kid. He knew her favorite candy. The man had done his homework. “Right.”

  She took the elephant off his hands and admired it. It was plush and soft and cuddly. “Is this for the baby?”

  “It’s for you. The baby will have its own parade of animals.”

  And then there was silence, an awareness between them that sizzled as they stared at each other. Sebastian set the flowers and candy down. “I can go. But I don’t want to.”

  She didn’t want him to leave, either. “Stay.”

  He gave her a heart-stopping smile. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

  Then he pulled her close, his lips claiming hers, hot and hungry and utterly delicious. One kiss became two and then three, and soon Sebastian had her back against the wall, cupping her face in his big, strong hands, making love to her mouth in a frenzy that stole her breath. She was awash with emotion, with crazy desire, and wanted to touch all of him. Wanted to feel his skin under her fingertips. She pulled at his jacket and then his shirt, unable to get to him fast enough between kisses.

  He helped her tug off his shirt and toss it away. She stroked his bare chest, loving the feel of his power under her fingertips, loving the heat of his body, feeling his growing desire below his waist. He groaned in pleasure, telling her he loved what she was doing to him.

  It was easy for him to find her skin, his hands slipping under her pajama top, pushing up the material, cupping her breasts and thumbing the hardened peaks. “Oh, man,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re perfect.”

  It was all too fevered and crazed, as if time was running out, as if they were in some sort of passionate race. Sebastian’s kisses made her dizzy, her body pliant in his arms. And so when he slipped his hand along her tummy and then dipped below her navel, separating her pajama pants from her skin, she opened her mouth at the pleasure and moaned his name. “Sebastian.”

  “I know, sweetheart,” he whispered, his fingertips touching her very core. She moaned again and again as he stroked her there, while kissing her lips, touching their tongues. Her release came quickly, hard, loud and fast as she cried out, the immense pleasure splintering her into a thousand pieces.

  It was hot and heavy and so v
ery, very good. She was in deep now. Her hard, outer shell cracking, melting, crumbling. She wasn’t sure that was enough. But a man who could make her wild like this, who sparked emotions in her that no one ever had, a man who seemed to know her inside and out, was a difficult one to turn away. She was afraid she was falling in love with him.

  Sebastian lifted her into his powerful arms and carried her to the bedroom. He knew the way now, and there was comfort in that, that maybe he belonged right where he was. Then he lowered her onto the bed, and she wasn’t shy about removing her clothes, then removing what remained of his.

  He was beautiful to look at, especially in his aroused state, tall and tanned and broad-shouldered. And his end-of-the-day facial scruff only made him look more devastatingly handsome.

  “Gracie,” he said, coming over her. “There’s never been anyone like you before.”

  She smiled, her heart warm, filled with love. “I feel the same way.”

  His eyes beamed bright, right before he joined their bodies. She cooed at the familiar, welcome feel of him and he sighed, as if...he was coming home.

  * * *

  Sebastian lay on Gracie’s bed, watching the beauty beside him sleep. She had been resistant, until tonight. Something seemed to have changed in her. He noticed her giving a little bit more, opening up to the possibility of the two of them. Maybe she was starting to trust in him, trust in them as a couple?

  Hell, it was all confusing. But he wanted what they were experiencing to continue. He wanted their relationship to grow. Yet, at the same time, he wasn’t going to overthink this. Too much was at stake. As hard as it was, he was going to try to let things evolve naturally. Gracie couldn’t be pushed. He didn’t want her to shy away or run scared.

  He stroked her head, pushing aside a few stray strands of hair as she slept. It was dawn now, the light streaming into the room, telling him the world was waking up. So was he. He rose from the bed quietly and looked at the time. It was just after 6:00 a.m. and it was time for a shower and a cup of coffee.

  Sebastian showered first, dressing again in yesterday’s clothes. He’d have to stop by home and pick up a change of clothes. And then a thought struck. How nice would it be to move in with Gracie, have his stuff here, so that they could be together every day?

  He scoffed at the notion. She would never go for that. They weren’t there yet, but maybe one day they would be. Maybe one day she’d trust him enough to tell him about the classes she’d signed up for. It really bugged him that she’d shut him out of that part of her life so far.

  In the kitchen, Sebastian made coffee, and as it brewed, he scavenged around to find something to make for breakfast. He wasn’t a great cook, but he could scramble eggs and fry up some bacon. She had turkey bacon, a healthier alternative to the real thing. He got those things started and then poured two glasses of orange juice.

  Gracie stumbled into the room, looking groggy, her hair disheveled and her pajama top wrinkled. He had never seen anything more adorable. “Mornin’, sweetheart.”

  She smiled and walked straight into his arms. It was such a pleasant surprise he didn’t know what to do with his hands at first, but then he gently wrapped them around her.

  “Good morning to you, too.” Gracie laid her head on his chest, snuggling into him, and a delicious warmth traveled through his body.

  “How did Sleeping Beauty sleep last night?”

  She choked back a laugh. “I’m no beauty. I’m a mess.”

  He hugged her tighter. “Not from where I’m standing. You look cute.”

  She groaned. “Ugh.”

  “I’m making breakfast,” he announced. As if she couldn’t tell by the pungent smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing. “Are you hungry?”

  She turned her face up to gaze into his eyes. “A little. I need a shower first.”

  “Go, I’ll finish up in here. And then I’ll serve you.”

  “You really don’t have to do that. But thanks.” She broke from their embrace and turned to leave.

  “Hey?” he called to her. “You okay?”

  She faced him, gathering her brows as if he’d asked a silly question. “I’m...perfect. You said so yourself last night.”

  “I meant every word.”

  “Yeah,” she said with a tilt of her head. “I think you did.”

  She left the room with a whimsical smile on her face and Sebastian felt a stirring deep in his belly. It was a good feeling, like the moment he’d spot his presents under the tree on Christmas morning. Suddenly, he could imagine a lifetime of waking up next to Gracie. He welcomed the thought and wondered if they’d ever get there.

  “I feel human again,” Gracie said a short time later, returning to the kitchen dressed in a tailored pair of slacks and a deep rose sweater. Her hair was still a little wet, the dark locks in a natural part to the side. Her complexion was flawless, her skin smooth. Pregnancy had bloomed on her and he could only smile at her.

  “Human and all woman,” he replied with a wink. “Come sit down. Breakfast is ready.”

  “So you’re really serving me?” She took a seat.

  “Of course. But don’t judge me too harshly, sweetheart. I’m not a great cook.”

  “Because you never had to cook for yourself. You always had someone do it for you.”

  She said it good-naturedly and he didn’t take offense. “I did, up until recently, when my world crashed around me. Hey, I’m not playing the victim here, just so you know. I’m grateful for everything I’ve ever had in my life.”

  “Humble, I like that.”

  “I think you like me, too, a little.”

  She picked up her orange juice and took a sip. “Maybe.”

  “I just get a maybe? I thought after last night, I’d be a little higher up the scale than that.”

  She blushed, a full rosy color reaching her cheeks. “Well, the elephant was a nice touch.”

  Sebastian let out a chuckle. Damn, it was hard getting her to give an inch verbally, but he still thought they were making great progress in the bedroom. What they had there was scalding hot and delicious and that meant something staggering. “Let’s eat.”

  She put her head down to gaze at her food. “And yes, if you must know, I like you, a little.” Then she picked up her fork triumphantly and dug into the meal.

  Sebastian only shook his head at her.

  * * *

  A week later, Gracie walked into The Eatery during the six o’clock dinner hour and made her way into the kitchen. She’d spent the better part of the afternoon with Tom Riley searching for the right office space for her event business and so far, she wasn’t having any luck finding the right space in the right location.

  Lauren was at the workstation, overseeing the dishes being brought out for the customers. She glanced over her shoulder and they made eye contact. “Hey, what are you doing here? Thought you had a hot date with Sebastian again. It’s been like four nights in a row.”

  “Five, but who’s counting,” she said. “And we did have a date, but he canceled at the last minute.”

  “Oh, sorry to hear that. It happens sometimes.” Lauren wiped her hands on a dish towel and walked over to her. “The Wingate twins are notorious for their work ethic. I bet something came up that he couldn’t get out of.”

  “Maybe, but he’s canceled twice this week, and I wouldn’t mind, but he’s very cryptic about why he’s canceling. And then apologizes like crazy.”

  Lauren walked over to her and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “It’s not too busy right now and I’m ready for a break. Let’s go into the lounge and have a bite to eat. I’d say let’s go for drinks, but—” she gazed at Gracie’s belly and winked “—that’ll have to wait. C’mon, girlfriend, let’s sit down and talk. There’s a Tex-Mex pizza with our names on it. I’ll bring it over.”

  And just a short time later, Graci
e was biting into a piping hot pizza smothered with cheese and veggies, topped with Tabasco sauce and jalapeños. She looked across the table at Lauren. “Hmm, so good.”

  “It’s getting to be a customer favorite.” Lauren bit into her pizza and chewed. “This just might be marginally better than anything Sebastian had in store for you tonight.”

  Gracie nearly choked on her food and then managed, “Could be.”

  Lauren smiled, and then she took on a thoughtful expression. “You know, I think Sebastian has a lot on his mind. He and Sutton are worried about their cash flow. They have over a dozen companies that are struggling. It’s not public knowledge, Gracie. Maybe that’s what he’s working on. Sebastian probably doesn’t want to bore you with his problems. I mean, you two are on the honeymoon side of dating.”

  Gracie stared at her friend, her mind spinning. She thought the money the Wingates received from the sale of the house had put them over the top. “Are you saying Wingate Enterprises still needs money?”

  Lauren nodded, lowering her voice. “Yes, except for the hotels and WinJet, Wingate Enterprises could use an influx of cash. At least, that’s what Sutton tells me. And this is just between you and me.”

  She nodded. “Of course. Thanks for telling me. I won’t say a word to anyone.”

  Gracie could keep a secret, but she only wished Sebastian had confided in her. Why hadn’t he? Was it pride? She fought to put off the other places her mind was going.

  He needs money for his company.

  I have money.

  Gracie didn’t want to go here. She didn’t want to think that Sebastian was using her to get his hands on her money.

  “Hey,” Lauren said, as if reading her mind. “Sebastian really cares about you. You have to know that by now. He’s one of the good guys, Gracie.”

  Gracie smiled. She was starting to believe that. This past week, they’d had a great time together. The two of them were growing closer, and they were learning new things about each other every day. She wasn’t thinking about the way they burned up the sheets, though that was off-the-charts good. It was more, and she saw it in Sebastian’s eyes whenever he looked at her.