Lance laughed. His own situation with women was beyond complicated at the moment. Getting engaged hadn’t made his life any easier like he’d imagined it would. Although he’d resolved to be the man Lexi deserved, he just couldn’t keep his lips off Kate.
“Speaking of women, I got Lexi a necklace. Do you think she’s the type of woman who’d enjoy receiving it in public?” Lance asked.
Mitch poured two fingers of whiskey into a highball glass and downed it in one swallow. “No.”
“I wasn’t sure. I guess I’ll give it to her when she shows up at the house later. I’m glad she’s coming today.”
“Her dad asked her to. I believe he wants to know what we are like beyond the glitter of DC.”
“Cavanaugh knows what we are like. Texans, like him. And he shouldn’t forget that.”
Mitch poured some whiskey for Lance and held the glass out to him.
“To Texas boys.”
Lance clinked his glass against his brother’s and downed his whiskey in a quick swallow. He liked the burn as it went down.
The band started playing out back. “Let’s get this business with Darius wrapped up so we can enjoy the party.”
“Good idea.”
Lance led the way down the hall to his den. It was decorated in dark hues of brown and leather. He’d picked out the furniture for this room himself instead of leaving it to the interior designer. He’d known exactly how he wanted the room to look.
There was a Remington black and white photograph on the wall, and a portrait painting of Mitch and him that had been done when their first well came in. In the background was Old Tilly, as they liked to call her.
“Remember that day?” Mitch asked.
“Hell, yes. I think about it often. It was when I knew you and I were going to make it.”
“I always knew we would,” Mitch said. “Neither of us knows how to quit.”
“True that.” Lance dialed the speakerphone and Darius answered on the second ring.
“Darius here.”
“It’s Lance and Mitch,”
“Happy Fourth. I suppose you are calling about your arson investigation,” Darius said.
Lance liked that Darius was straight to the point. He was one of Lance’s best friends and the kind of guy that Lance knew he could count on.
“We are.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have much news. They are still saying arson and they found the source that started the fire but now they have to eliminate several possibilities as accelerants. Once they find the one used at your blaze, they will start investigating where the accelerant was sold.”
“How long do you think that will take?” Lance asked.
“Who knows? But I’m in touch with them every day and you can take my word that they are working hard on your case.”
Darius gave them a few more details and he and Lance made plans for drinks later in the week before hanging up.
“Are you going to be in town next week?”
“If I get Senator Cavanaugh back on our side. If not, I think I should stay in DC. This is a critical time in our dealings with him.”
Lance nodded. “Thank you for doing this.”
“It’s my company, too, and I want it to succeed as badly as you do,” Mitch said.
Lance believed that. When the old man had died, they’d both taken a vow to put the company first and make it the best damned oil and gas company in the world.
They’d had some ups and downs with hurricanes and workers’ strikes, but together he and Mitch had conquered everything that came their way. This arson issue was just a complication—nothing the two of them couldn’t handle.
Kate tried not to think too much about the kiss that Lance had given her at the sign-in table. She just kept her sunglasses on and her head down as she stood in the sand, playing—of all things—beach volleyball.
Lance was serving and he was very good at it. But then he was good at everything he did. And he was built for sports. Though most of the men who worked for Brody Oil and Gas were in shape, no one looked better to her than Lance Brody. She remembered last year when he’d taken his shirt off to give it to her.
He was built like an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter and from what she had heard of his past, he’d grown up hard with a father who liked to fight.
“Kate!”
She turned around to face the net just as the ball came toward her. She lifted her hands not to hit the ball but to protect her head. She really hated playing these kind of games.
The ball bounced off her, heading toward the ground, when Marcus dove to the sand to hit it up. Joan took the ball and spiked it over the net.
Kate was shaken by her near miss and decided it was time for her to stop playing. “I’m going to sit out.”
No one objected and she felt good about that. She sat on the sidelines where she watched the rest of the game and she talked to some of the families of workers who’d been with Brody Oil and Gas since Mitch and Lance had taken over after their father’s death.
A lot of people commented on her new look, telling her how nice it was. She thanked them. She was starting to get used to how she looked and no longer saw a stranger in the mirror.
She grabbed a bottle of water as the game ended with Lance’s team victorious. She handed the water to him and he hugged her close. “We won.”
“As usual,” she said, with a smile. This was one thing she’d really miss about Lance. When they were at his house, she never felt like his secretary.
“Winning is what I do best,” Lance said.
“Very true,” she said, thinking that was probably one of the things that drew her to him. He just had a positive attitude and kept on going until he achieved what he set out for.
“Walk with me up toward the house.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to talk to you. Do you have all the fireworks set up for us?”
“Yes. Exactly as they were last year. I have the music cued and the deejay is ready to announce everything for you.”
Everyone wanted to talk to Lance and though he had asked her to stay with him, she soon found herself drifting to the outside of his circle. It was then that she spotted Mitch at the welcome table with Lexi Cavanaugh.
The woman was beautiful and sophisticated and everything that Kate wasn’t. She’d be the perfect match for Lance—being a senator’s daughter, she knew how to socialize and work in the community. Brody Oil and Gas was always looking for ways to give back to the communities where their refineries were. And Lexi would be a conduit to that.
“Join me for a beer?”
Kate glanced over at Marcus. He had two Bud Lights and held one of them out to her. She smiled and took it. “Thanks for saving me from that ball earlier.”
“No problem. You definitely looked like you were out of your league.”
She shrugged. “I figured I should play at least one time before leaving.”
“So the rumors are true,” Marcus said. He tipped his bottle back and took a long swallow of his beer.
He was an attractive man, she realized. He was tall, at least six foot five, and had a neatly trimmed red beard. His hair was longish on the top but cut neat in the back.
“Yes, they are true,” she said, sipping her beer.
“I think it’s safe to say we are all going to miss you,” Marcus said.
“I doubt it. There will be someone else in Lance’s office keeping you guys all organized.”
“But that person won’t be you,” Marcus said.
“I’d take that to heart but you didn’t even notice me until I had my makeover,” she said, looking at him closely. As attractive as Marcus might be, he didn’t hold a candle to Lance.
“True enough. But that doesn’t mean I’m not telling the truth now.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” Marcus said.
“Why was I invisible before?” she asked. “It was more than clothes and glasses, right?”
>
Marcus took another swallow of his beer. “It was more than that. I think it was your attitude. You weren’t invisible exactly, I’d say you were more of the girl next door, you know? Just a comfortable woman who we didn’t see as a sexual being.”
“But now you do?’”
“Yes, now I do. I can’t speak for anyone else.”
Kate nodded looked away
“I’m not the man you wanted to notice you, right?”
She shook her head. “You’re a good-looking guy but not the one for me.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Well, there is justice in the universe. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used almost that exact line.”
That made Kate laugh. She gave Marcus a quick kiss on the cheek before turning to walk away. And she stepped right into Lance who had been standing behind her.
Lance took Kate’s arm and led her away from Marcus. He’d never felt so enraged before. He wanted to be the man who made her laugh and smile—not Marcus.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked.
“I…no, I’m not okay. I don’t like you flirting with Marcus.”
“Why do you care who I flirt with?” Kate said, a flash of anger in her eyes.
Because she was his. But he knew that wasn’t true, couldn’t be true because he’d given another woman his ring.
A woman that he was quickly realizing he could never marry. Lexi was not what he needed in a woman. She didn’t arouse his passion. But passion could lead to jealousy and Lance couldn’t afford to be out of control, to be like his father. Maybe that was the right answer, then. Maybe Kate would be better off with a guy like Marcus, and he should marry someone who didn’t get him all riled.
“Damn. I know I don’t have any right to say something like that, but I want you, Kate. And I think you feel the same,” he said.
She flushed but didn’t try to pull away. “I do. I think you should know I’ve been attracted to you for the longest time.”
“Good.”
“Good?” she asked. “That makes you sound very arrogant.”
“Yes, it is good,” Lance said. He’d had a lot of time to think about Kate over the last two days. “Because anything this strong that is one-sided would be wrong.”
“I guess I can see your point.”
“I’m glad,” he said. He leaned down and kissed her. “Come up to the house with me while I shower and change.”
“Into the shower with you?” she asked.
He raised both eyebrows at her. “Would you be interested in that?”
She blushed and gave him a very shy smile. “Maybe.”
He was leading her by the hand toward the house when he saw paramedics running across the lawn. He dropped Kate’s hand and they both turned toward the food tent.
“I have to see who that is,” he said.
“I know.”
He was very aware of Kate moving behind him and he knew that she was concerned about the emergency, the same as he was.
Lexi was sitting on a bench between two paramedics. Her face was flushed.
“What happened?”
“Heat exhaustion as near as we can tell,” the paramedic said.
“Are you okay?” Lance asked Lexi.
She nodded, seeming embarrassed by the entire thing. “I should have had more water.”
“It’s okay. Does she need to go to the emergency room?” Lance asked.
“No. She’d be fine sitting in a cool room and just letting her body recuperate from the sun exposure.”
“Let’s get you up to the house,” Lance said.
Kate hovered nearby. The look on her face told Lance that it was past time to end things with Lexi. But not now. Not like this.
He helped Lexi to her feet. She leaned on him and he looked over her head at Kate who shook her head and walked away.
He had no choice but to let her leave and he didn’t like that at all. But right now his hands were tied. He couldn’t go after Kate until he took care of Lexi.
He got Lexi settled on the couch in the living room.
“Thank you, Lance.”
“For what?” he asked. He hardly knew Lexi. She was a stunningly beautiful woman but other than a couple of dinners, he hadn’t really even talked to her.
“For taking care of me just now. I’m sorry if that was embarrassing.”
Lance shrugged. “It was nothing. I’m going to go change. Will you be okay?”
She nodded.
“I have a butler of sorts around here—Paul. He’s not much company but I will ask him to check in on you.”
She shook her head. “Please don’t. I’ll just sit here in the quiet.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Lance left her and walked up the stairs to his own suite. He called Mitch on his way because he hadn’t been able to find his brother in the crowded yard.
“Brody here.”
“It’s Lance. Can you come up to the house? Lexi had a problem with heat exhaustion. I need a shower but I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”
“Is she okay?” Mitch asked.
“Pale and weak but otherwise okay,” Lance said.
“Does she need to see a doctor?”
“No. The paramedics checked her out. Where were you?”
Mitch didn’t answer. “I’m on my way to the house.”
“Good. I’m upstairs. She didn’t seem to want company but I don’t like leaving her alone when she’s not at her best.”
“I agree. I’ll take care of it.”
Lance hung up and quickly showered and changed. He thought about the two women that were a part of his life right now. It didn’t matter that Lexi wasn’t the woman he wanted, he still owed her respect—and the truth.
He realized this mess was of his own making. He finished getting dressed and headed downstairs, determined to talk to Lexi. He couldn’t marry her—not while he felt what he did for Kate.
Kate was the woman he couldn’t live without. He knew without a doubt that Kate was the one woman that he wanted. He couldn’t get her out of his system.
He hurried downstairs, anxious to talk to his brother and fiancée. He had a text message from Mitch saying that he was going to take Lexi to the hotel.
Having made up his mind about Lexi and Kate, Lance felt much better. He liked the changes in his plain-Jane secretary and today he’d realized that he wasn’t going to let her slip away from him—no matter what.
Six
Lexi Cavanauagh was a stunningly gorgeous woman by anyone’s standards. The fact that she was his fiancée should have made him feel lucky. But she was essentially a stranger and he felt awkward around her. Not at all like he felt with Kate.
Kate. He’d already decided to end things with Lexi. But he had to be careful. He needed Lexi and her connections but he couldn’t just break things off with her.
Lance came back down the stairs to the sound of raised voices. “Everything okay?”
Mitch and Lexi were standing across the room from each other. Lexi’s fists were clenched at her sides and a sheen of tears glittered in her eyes.
“Lexi, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she said.
“Mitch?”
“We were discussing an event we attended in D.C.,” Mitch said.
Lance nodded. “I’m glad to see you feeling better, Lexi. I wanted to take a moment to welcome you to the family. You already know Mitch and I think you will see that we are a close group despite there being only two of us.”
“I have noticed that your brother will do anything for you,” Lexi said.
Mitch gave her a tense look.
“And I for him.”
Lance walked across the room to the foyer where he’d left the neatly wrapped gift box. It bore the emblem of his favorite jeweler and a discreet white bow. He carried it back over and smiled at Lexi.
She didn’t seem to be paying any attention to him. “Do you need to sit down?”
“No. I need to go home,” she said.
“Then I will take you,” Lance said.
She shook her head and noticed the box in his hands. “Is that for me?”
“Yes,” he said, handing it to her.
She took it. He noticed that her nails were long and manicured. And for the first time he tried to imagine what it would be like to take Lexi to his bed. He couldn’t. The only woman he pictured there was Kate.
Kate’s long brown hair on his pillow. Kate’s pretty brown eyes staring up at him…Kate was the woman he wanted.
Lexi sat down and opened the gift box carefully. Lance stood across the room with the first niggling of doubt since he’d asked her to marry him. Had he made a colossal mistake?
She held the box in her hands, not opening it. “Why did you get me a gift?”
“To thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”
She put her head down and opened the box. He heard her breath catch and took that as a good sign.
He glanced over at his brother and Mitch stared at Lexi…the way Lance realized he stared at Kate sometimes. Damn, was his brother into Lexi?
“Will you help me put it on?” Lexi asked.
Lance started toward her and saw Mitch do the same.
His brother shrugged. “I’m just used to filling in for you.”
“Thank you for that, Mitch. Without your help, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Lexi stood up and lifted her hair. Lance fastened the diamond necklace around her neck.
“Yes, thanks, Mitch, for filling in for your brother so well,” Lexi said.
“It was no big deal. I’m used to dealing with problematic heiresses.”
“Are you?” Lexi asked.
“Indeed. Our mother was one.”
“She sure was. But Lexi isn’t anything like Mom,” Lance said, not sure what was going on between his brother and Lexi.
“No, she’s not,” Mitch said. Mitch’s cell phone rang and he excused himself to take the call.
Lance found himself alone with his fianceé for the first time since she’d agreed to marry him. And he needed to know if there was any chance this relationship was going to work between them. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her in his arms.
Taming the Texas Tycoon Page 5
