Sunset Seduction

by Charlene Sands

  “Why’d you do it, Audrey?” he asked.

  She squeezed her eyes closed. “Do what?” But she knew.

  “Why’d you come to me that night in the cabin?”

  Because I’ve loved you for the past ten years. Dare she tell him? What if he had the same feelings for her and was only just discovering them now? “I was ready to be impulsive.”

  “So it was payback. You caught your boyfriend cheating and wanted to get back at him?”

  “More like, I didn’t care that I’d caught him cheating. It bummed me out to know that I’d invested that much time in a guy I didn’t care about.”

  “Wow. That’s deep but I get it.”

  “You do?” Now that was a revelation. Usually when a girl went philosophical on a guy, he shut down completely. But this was classic Luke. He was easy to talk to and he understood her.

  “Yeah, I do. And I get why you ran off that night. You realized your lapse in judgment and couldn’t face me in the morning. We’re friends, Audrey. But I hadn’t seen you in years.”

  Audrey covered herself with the sheet and hinged up into a sitting position. “It wasn’t a lapse of any kind, Luke. That’s not why I ran off.”

  “Then why? Was it because of Casey? Were you afraid of his reaction?”

  Luke’s expression grew grim. His brows lifted and his eyes widened as if he’d just remembered that Casey was her brother. “Ah, hell. Casey.” He winced. “Your brother trusted me to watch out for you and twice now I’ve betrayed that trust.”

  “That’s not true. You didn’t betray anyone.”

  “Casey warned me you were vulnerable and hurt. And what do I do? The first chance I get, I sleep with his sister.”

  “I’m not just Casey’s sister, Luke. I’m a grown woman capable of making my own decisions.”

  “I take one look at you in that pool and I can’t resist. What does that say about me?”

  “You’re a man? And maybe you like me a little?”

  He twisted his face and blew air out of his lungs.

  “Casey had no right interfering in this or telling you about my personal problems,” Audrey said. “He surely didn’t know I was coming here.”

  “Yeah, about that…” Luke bounded off the bed and looked around the floor for his boxers. Once found, he put them on and moved to turn on a dimmer light switch. The room was suddenly bathed in a soft glow. He stood by the bed with his hands on his hips now. She’d seen that dubious expression on his face before. He was in interrogation mode. Still gorgeous, still hunky, but with a rigid set to his jaw. “If you weren’t coming here for a job, then why’d you show up on the ranch? I want the truth this time.”

  “I always tell you the truth, Luke.”

  “I had no idea we slept together, Audrey. You ran off and left me to wonder about a mystery woman.”

  “Do you always go to bed with women you don’t know?” That question had kept her up at night. If he hadn’t known it was her, who did he think he was making love to?

  His head jerked back. Surprise registered on his face. She’d turned the tables on him and he didn’t much like it. “I thought I knew who it was. Obviously.”

  “Obviously. So who?”

  “A woman I’d seen that night at the party. A blonde.”

  Jealousy burned in her heart. “But not someone you knew very well.”

  Luke looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “I wasn’t…thinking clearly.”

  “But you were tonight.”

  He turned to face her, his eyes filled with guilt and regret. That anguished look seared into her every pore.

  Don’t, Luke. Don’t you dare regret this.

  Mentally, Audrey spun the Worst-Case Scenario game wheel and wondered where it would land. Was it worse that Luke didn’t know he’d made love to her the first time, or that he regretted it down to his toes the second time? Either way, she came out the loser.

  He nodded, looking none too happy with himself.

  She wanted to go back to ten minutes ago, when life was beautiful.

  Now, looking at the pain on Luke’s face, all she felt was heartache.

  “Answer my question, Audrey. Why did you show up here?”

  “I came to own up to running out on you. I felt bad. I didn’t know if you were mad at me, or relieved that I had disappeared from your life. I came to Sunset Ranch to discuss that night with you. But when I realized you didn’t know it was me in that bedroom, I lost my nerve. It’s a pretty low blow to have a man not know he made love to you. Especially since it meant so much to me.”

  “It meant so much to…” Luke didn’t finish the sentence. He was too busy twisting his lips and squeezing his eyes closed in disbelief. He began shaking his head. “Don’t go there, Audrey.”

  He found his jeans and put them on, zipping them up with a quick pull. “We had a good time tonight.” He tempered his voice as if afraid to bruise her ego. As if he was speaking to a child. “But don’t go reading anything else into this. If you hadn’t seduced me in the first place we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  “You’re blaming me for seducing you after what we just shared in this bedroom?”

  He continued to shake his head. “When I saw you in the pool, everything clicked into place. I was surprised by you and the temptation to re-create something that’s been haunting me took over.”

  “We did re-create it. It was even better than the first time.”

  Another heavy sigh escaped. “I’m going to my grave regretting what just happened.”

  His words slapped across her face. Her cheeks burned with pain. She’d given herself to him again, this time in the hopes of starting something new between them. Something more than friendship, but Luke didn’t see it that way. He saw it as a mess. He couldn’t see beyond the girl she used to be to the woman she was today. And Mr. Nice Guy had guilt because of a promise he’d made to Casey. It hurt like hell and wasn’t fair.

  Audrey couldn’t stay in his room tonight. She couldn’t stand to see Luke try to make amends for making love to her or speak about his regret again. That would be the last straw.

  She yanked the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around her body then stood up to face him. Her pride bruised, she hid her injury and the pain his words inflicted. “You don’t have to regret anything, Luke. Consider it forgotten. A mistake, like you said. A big fat lapse in judgment. You don’t have to tell me more than once. I get it.”

  She held her grief inside, hoisted her chin and marched to the door. Then she whirled around, opened her hand and let the expensive Egyptian cotton sheet fall gracefully to the floor. Buck naked, she had Luke’s full attention. His eyes flickered over her body. A few seconds ticked by. Then she turned her back on him. “I’ll see you at breakfast,” she tossed over her shoulder as she walked out the door.

  * * *

  The next five breakfasts were quiet affairs. For the most part, Audrey wasn’t speaking to Luke except for matters that regarded the ranch. She was invested here now with the animals, especially Trib, and she’d vowed to never again run away because things got tough, so thoughts of leaving the ranch—and Luke—skipped right out of her head.

  She spent her days with Hunter and Ward and met with Sophia for lunch several times. She poured herself into the work, adding additional chores to her regimen to keep her mind busy and her heart from sinking into the bowels of the earth. Luke didn’t seem all that concerned that their friendship was on stilted terms. He was probably relieved he didn’t have to deal with her. He didn’t have to pretend to feel something for her that he didn’t feel.

  It was harder on her. She hadn’t breathed a word about what had happened between them to anyone. But every so often, Sophia would bring up Luke’s name in conversation and Audrey would shrug a shoulder or give a clipped response. Sophia was smart enough to be a little suspicious, but Audrey managed to change the subject without fanfare or being too obvious.

  For the past three afternoons, she’d worked with Trib at the ba
rn. She wouldn’t allow her personal feelings to interfere with the job she was hired to do. Luke had come by to watch her progress, keeping a big distance away as she’d asked. But his eagle eyes were on her and she resented that his presence there was solely to make sure she wasn’t in danger.

  He was always protecting her.

  Any other female would’ve loved the attention. Was she a fool? She ached inside knowing she’d lost Luke as a friend. Though she wanted him as a lover. No, that wasn’t true. She wanted to be more than his lover. She wanted a real relationship with him. But she’d have gladly taken more nights like the one they’d shared, hoping it would lead to a richer relationship.

  Now Audrey had nothing. No friendship. No lover. No Luke.

  Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to leave the ranch. She couldn’t quit another thing. She was through doing things halfway. She had a job to do; the ranch depended on her, and she felt the challenge of Trib deep down in her bones. Leaving Luke and the ranch would be the easy way out in one respect. She wouldn’t have the constant reminder of what she couldn’t have. But she would have satisfaction knowing she accomplished something and didn’t run at the first sign of trouble.

  Luke’s painful words rang in her ears; it was a sharp dagger to her heart as she recalled the last thing he’d said to her that night.

  I’m going to my grave regretting what just happened.

  She didn’t want to be anyone’s last regret.

  Newly fueled anger surged through her system.

  The anger did nothing to quell her constant fatigue. Instead, she felt lifeless, her arms and legs weak and her body limping along. She blamed it on Luke. She blamed everything on Luke these days.

  After another long day of working with the horses, she came back to the house, peeled off her work clothes and stepped into the shower. A soothing stream of water rained down to refresh her body and her mind. Wash Luke away from my thoughts tonight, she implored the water gods. Heal my heartache and soothe my soul. Was it too much to ask of a water god? She didn’t know but when she wrapped herself into a towel and dried off, she felt a little better.

  She was ready for mindless television and a good night’s sleep.

  She climbed into bed and gave Jewel a big, body-squeezing hug. The cat purred immediately and rubbed her face against her leg. Then she did a belly roll, content in the outpouring of attention she was receiving lately. Audrey accommodated her, petting her under the chin. When the cat rolled over, having had enough undivided attention, Audrey got comfy and picked up the remote control and clicked the TV on.

  “Looks like Wannabes and Wranglers is on tonight.”

  It was nice having a cat around to pretend you weren’t talking to yourself.

  Audrey watched, noting John Wannabe’s progress. He rode tall in the saddle now. He actually looked good, but he hadn’t mastered the reins just yet…uh-oh. The horse took off at a run. John’s hat flew off his head and it was all he could do to stay on the runaway horse…

  A dog’s bark came from her phone.

  Jewel lifted her head again. “It’s a text,” she said to the cat. Audrey peeked at the screen. It was from Luke.

  Are you watching?

  Yes, she messaged back, even though she didn’t want to have a conversation with him tonight.

  John should hang it up now before he gets seriously hurt.

  Maybe John’s not a quitter.

  It was her anger speaking. She didn’t care if Luke read between the lines. One way or another, Audrey would get her point across.

  She didn’t hear back from Luke until five minutes before the reality show ended.

  John got voted off. Probably saved his skin and his neck.

  She wrote back, He was willing to take the hard knocks to achieve his goals. Too bad the others didn’t have faith in him. I’m turning in. Good night, Luke.

  Audrey shut off the television and sank into the cushy bed. She’d made her point loud and clear and somehow, she didn’t feel much like celebrating the slight win. She didn’t feel good, period. And the last thing she wanted was to think about Luke right before she fell asleep. She’d probably dream about him.

  A soft knock at her bedroom door came thirty seconds after she’d closed her eyes.

  It could only be one person.

  She could pretend to be asleep. That wouldn’t be too far-fetched, would it? But when the second soft knock came, she sighed and tossed off the covers. On bare feet and in her ugly T-shirt that read Cats and Women Know How to Land on Their Feet, she padded to the door.

  She wasn’t ready for the sight of Luke in faded jeans and a white wifebeater with his arms spread wide, bracing himself against the doorjambs. He leaned in, scruffy day-old beard and all, and she caught the scent of bourbon on his breath. His eyes raked over her legs and followed a path that finally rested on her face. Then his lips tightened to a fine line. “You’re in a mood tonight.”

  She’d been in a mood for several nights. But it was hard concentrating on any of that, with Luke looking like pure sin standing in her bedroom doorway. “Sorry if I disappoint you.”

  He showed his displeasure by deepening his scowl.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “No argument.”

  “About what?” Geesh, it was past her bedtime and he was speaking in riddles.

  “I’m taking you to Logan and Sophia’s engagement party.”

  A dubious laugh escaped her throat. “Oh, no, you’re not.”

  “Afraid so. Logan asked me specifically and Sophia seconded the notion. And you know what that means…there’s no arguing that request.”

  “I can get there on my own, thank you very much.”

  “Don’t be a child, Audrey.”

  She rolled her shoulders back and stiffened up, which inadvertently jutted her breasts out. Luke’s gaze ventured to her chest and a gleam he couldn’t hide shined in his eyes.

  She rasped, “I think we’ve already established that I am not a child.”

  Luke glanced at her hair, which she’d been leaving down lately. Tonight it was wild about her head. Then his gaze lowered to her mouth in a soft caress. If he chose to speak about mistakes or regrets now, the door would fly in his face. “That’s been established,” he agreed. “But it’ll look real suspicious if you and I drive separately. Logan’s restaurant, The Hideaway, is up in the hills. It’s a windy road and a difficult drive. There’s no reason not to carpool.”

  “Make up an excuse.”

  “I’ve already thought of a few. Nothing makes much sense.”

  She didn’t know why that bruised her feelings, since she was the one trying to weasel out of going with him, but it did. He didn’t want to take her as much as she didn’t want to go with him. But her reason went beyond her anger at him. Going with Luke to a special party for his brother would seem too much like a real dress-up-in-your-fancy-duds kind of date. And for a big part of her life, she had hoped to go on a date with Luke.

  “I’ll go with Hunter.”

  “Hunter is driving up with his folks in Ward’s truck. There’s no room for you. Face it, Audrey. You’re stuck with me.”

  Sort of like being stuck with a rock star for the night. Or a prince.

  “Fine.” She made it clear with that one word that she wasn’t too happy about it.

  He nodded.

  They stared at each other.

  Time ticked by.

  “You know,” he said softly, “it doesn’t have to be like this between us.”

  Yes. It did. She glanced away for a second to compose herself, before turning to look him dead in the eyes. “What did you have in mind?”

  She watched his Adam’s apple dip down to the base of his throat when he took a swallow. “We can still be friends.”

  The old let’s-be-friends-because-I really-don’t-want-to-feel-guilty-anymore ploy. A dozen reasons why she couldn’t be Luke’s friend right now streamed into her mind. “Sorry, that’s not an option.”

 
; “Fine.” His voice sharp, he didn’t conceal his annoyance.

  “Fine.”

  “We’ll leave at five on Saturday night.”

  “I’ll be ready. Good night, Luke.”

  “Uh-huh.” He took her in from head to toe one last time, before drawing a deep breath and turning away. She closed the door, slumping her shoulders as righteous anger slowly ebbed from her body. Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart broke a little bit more as she climbed into bed and hugged Jewel tight to her chest, determined not to dream about Luke Slade tonight.

  Six

  “That dress is made for you,” Kat Grady said. The platinum blonde strode from behind the boutique counter to give Audrey a smile. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Same here, Kat.”

  Audrey didn’t know what else to do but to give the dress she’d pulled from the rack a studious glance. She’d been flummoxed when she entered the shop to find Kat working here. Apparently, Sophia was just as surprised. Silver Springs was a small town twenty miles west of the ranch, and Sophia had driven her here this afternoon to find a dress appropriate for the engagement party. The boutique was smack in the center of town and from what Audrey gathered, had stylish clothes that she could barely afford. “I promise to stay on my feet this time.”

  Kat’s eyes softened. “Well, I hope you’re feeling better.”

  “Thank you. It was just a little bug,” she explained. “I’m fine now.” Although lately, she’d been experiencing occasional bouts of fatigue and melancholy.

  “I’m glad to hear that. What do you think about the dress?”

  Audrey held the sapphire-blue dress an arm’s length away from her to admire the Empire waist and silvery jewels that formed a four-inch band underneath the bodice. “It’s nice.”

  “I think it’s perfect for you,” Sophia said, coming to stand beside her. “The color will draw out your soft complexion. It’s a good complement to your skin and blond hair.”