Bidding on a Texan

by Barbara Dunlop

She shivered in reaction, barely getting the words out. “What news?”

  “There’s a second prize.”

  She desperately hoped second prize was another kiss in Rafe’s arms. “What is it?” she managed, easing closer, waiting for a witty comeback.

  “The muffins, the foals, the cattle drive, the whole experience.”

  She drew back far enough to focus on him. “Huh?”

  “You pay the amount of your last bid, and I’ll do it all over again.”

  She realized they were having two different conversations. Could she have misread him that badly? “You want my money?”

  “I do.”

  “And you’ll take me cattle-herding?”

  “I will.”

  She squelched her disappointment, telling herself to get real, get grounded, and deal with the fact that her intense infatuation wasn’t reciprocated.

  He liked her, she assured herself. He at least liked her. So, maybe their kisses didn’t blow his mind the way they blew hers, and maybe he wasn’t as desperate to fall into each other’s arms all over again, but he must at least like her a little bit.

  “What if I want something else?” she asked, thinking that if she was going to bargain for his time, she might as well get what she really needed.

  “What? You mean like a picnic or a swim in the river?”

  “I need a date.”

  “Well...we’d do the dinner thing at the end.”

  She shook her head. “To my mother’s wedding. I need a date to my mother’s wedding.”

  He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “You want to pay me to escort you to your mother’s wedding?”

  “No! I want to pay the Chamber of Commerce fundraiser for a cowboy experience. I just happen to want a different cowboy experience.”

  A slow smile grew on his face. “Are you under the impression we can customize, ma’am?”

  “You can if you want my money, sir.”

  He gave a chopped chuckle. “Sure.”

  “You’ll do it?”

  “For you, Gina, I’ll do just about anything.” The sensual gleam was back in his eyes, but she didn’t trust it this time.

  “In the meantime,” he continued, his eyes darkening further as he brushed his fingertips over her cheek, bending his head, moving in. “Is there any other kind of cowboy experience that might interest you?”

  “I—”

  “Just say yes, Princess.”

  “Yes.”

  In an instant, he was kissing her, his hot, tender lips slanting over hers, opening, deepening.

  She moaned in relief, her arms encircling his neck to anchor her while her blood sang with happiness and her bones all but melted.

  Rafe wrapped his arms around her waist, firmly tugging her against his body, holding her strong and steady. He kissed her lips, then her neck, then her shoulder, pushing the cap sleeve of her dress out of the way so he could have better access.

  She splayed her hands on his warm chest, sliding her palms from his pecs to his washboard stomach, frustrated by the thin barrier of his shirt. Needing more, she started on the buttons, and he muttered something under his breath. Then she heard the lock click on the door behind him.

  He grasped the tails of his shirt and pulled, popping the buttons, sending them scattering as he tore the cotton garment from his shoulders.

  She gazed at his magnificent body for a few moments, but then they were back in each other’s arms with their kisses growing frenzied.

  Rafe pressed his hands to her back, her rear, moving down her thighs, massaging his way to the hem of her dress. Then she gasped as his fingertips touched her bare skin. She came up on her toes, running her palms over his shoulders, reveling in the strength and definition she found there. Emboldened, she kissed her way across his pecs, leaving damp circles as she moved to his neck.

  His hands came to her lacy silk panties and she shuddered with desire, her teeth biting gently down on him. He stripped off her panties, dropping them to the floor. Then he lifted her to his waist, her thighs wrapping around him, her body brushing erotically against his pants.

  He moved then, carrying her, kissing her deeply as they crossed the few paces to his desk.

  Perched on the edge, she stripped off her dress, meeting his eyes for a long, hot moment as she sat naked in front of him. He brushed back her hair, framed her face with his hands, kissed her tenderly, long and deep, then his hand moved to cup her breast.

  Gina moaned again, arching backward, letting sharp sensations of pleasure race to her core. She wanted him, badly, and she reached for his pants, popping the button and sliding down the zipper.

  “Gina,” he groaned in her ear, dragging her close, producing a condom. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

  “Rafe,” she moaned in return, gasping as he entered her.

  His breathing went deeper as he thrust, becoming ragged as he sped up.

  Hers did, too, lungs laboring as if there wasn’t enough oxygen in the room.

  She clung to him, passion coursing through her belly, her thighs, to the tips of her toes and roots of her hair. Her nipples hardened, grazing his chest, as his motion increased again. A roar came up in her ears and light glowed around the edges of her eyes.

  Digging his fingertips into her hair, he kissed her deeper and harder. Then he scooped one hand beneath her, holding her fast against his rhythm.

  She could feel the world falling away, night turning into day and back to night again as she floated free, stars sparkling all around. His breath brushed her ear, and he called out her name, lifting her up against him as the stars swirled against black sky, coalescing then bursting into wave after wave of bright energy.

  Her pulse pounded in her ears.

  Rafe held her close, cradling her head and her back as he gently set her back down on the desk.

  Her heart rate settled, syncing with his.

  “Wow,” he muttered.

  “Wow,” she answered.

  He drew back just far enough to focus on her face. “I didn’t plan...”

  She shook her head. “Me, either.”

  He paused. “Too soon for a cowboy experience joke?”

  She cracked a smile.

  He gathered her into a hug again. “I really didn’t mean for this to happen. I mean, sure, I wanted to kiss you. I’m human, and you’re spectacular. But I don’t want you to think I lured you up here to take advantage.”

  He hadn’t taken advantage of anything, but she didn’t know for sure what he was saying. She found herself parsing his words again, worrying that the lovemaking had meant something different for her than for him.

  “It’s fine,” she said, attempting an air of nonchalance.

  He eased back and she reached for her dress, swiftly pulling it over her head to cover up. While she slipped off the desk, Rafe adjusted his pants.

  Her purse was around here somewhere, and she tracked it down. Finding a comb, she fixed her hair before refreshing her lipstick, all of which made her feel somewhat more together.

  Clearly, they weren’t going to hang around and whisper secrets in the afterglow, so she dug out her credit card as reality crowded in. There were still staff and maybe even some customers outside in the restaurant and kitchen. She suddenly wanted to get that walk over with, get back in her car and get safely home.

  She turned to find Rafe still shirtless, a sheen of sweat on his chest as he braced himself back against his desk. She focused on his forehead, wanting to avoid his sexy body and preferring not to look him straight in the eyes.

  She held out her card. “Can you run this through?”

  He looked confused.

  “For the dinner,” she clarified.

  His confusion turned to indignation. “You still want to pay for the dinner?”

  “That was the deal. Edmond will
pay hard costs. You put in the sweat equity.”

  “It’s my restaurant,” he said.

  “And you’ve lost a lot of money because of this whole thing.” She pushed the credit card closer.

  “I’m not taking it.”

  She didn’t know why he was acting like this. “Don’t be so proud.”

  “Don’t you be so patronizing.”

  “Rafe.” The last thing she wanted was for him to treat her differently because they’d just had sex. And not just any sex. Wild and crazy, impulsive sex. She’d burned for him, and he’d given her what she craved, but now he just looked...angry.

  “No,” he said with finality.

  “Fine,” she said, putting the card away.

  She turned.

  “Wait.” The anger in his voice was gone.

  But she reached for the door anyway, needing this episode to be over.

  “Gina.” His footsteps sounded behind her.

  She quickly pulled the door open and slipped out, counting on the fact that he’d have to put his shirt on before he could try to chase her down.

  Eight

  Rafe knew he’d messed up with Gina. But the last thing he needed in that moment—still reeling from their earth-shattering lovemaking—was a reminder of the stark differences between them. He couldn’t bring himself to take her charity last night. And he still felt the same way today.

  The businesses that invested in Soiree on the Bay were well represented in the Chamber of Commerce conference room this morning. Lila was at the lectern organizing her notes as the stragglers wandered in and took their seats. Rafe had caught a fleeting glimpse of Gina far across the room, causing his chest to hitch in regret. She hadn’t seen him yet, and he knew it was better that way.

  Someone pulled out a chair at his table, and he looked up to see Lorenzo.

  “Hey,” his brother said as he sat down, a cup of coffee in his hand.

  Rafe pulled his thoughts from Gina. “How’re you doing?”

  “Did you hear?” Lorenzo sounded serious.

  “What?” Rafe braced himself for family news, maybe an accident on the ranch.

  “On top of everything else, Billy Holmes is trolling Rusty.”

  Rafe’s initial relief that nobody had been hurt was quickly replaced by confusion. Why would a man on the run from the law post anything on social media? “Are they sure it’s him?”

  “They seem to think it’s him. Valencia was talking to Lila, who was talking to Lani Li. Lani’s still following the case closely.”

  “What’s he posting?” Rafe was beginning to think Billy wasn’t the brightest guy in the world. Then again, maybe he was blinded by emotion right now, because he’d certainly been smart when he’d hidden the embezzled money.

  “Taunts about Rusty, how all this could have been avoided if Rusty had only treated him fairly. He’s got a bone to pick with the Edmonds, that’s for sure.”

  “So all this was about getting back at his father?”

  “Looks like.”

  “Disappointment in your family is no excuse for a crime spree.”

  Lorenzo gave a snort of derision. “If it was, that’s all anybody’d have time for.”

  Rafe quirked a smile and shook his head at his brother’s dark humor. “Billy’s oh-poor-me victim crap is ridiculous. The guy should confront Rusty if that’s what it takes, but give the innocent bystanders back their money.”

  “Valencia’s horse rescue could sure use it. Billy knew all the good the proceeds were going to do. What kind of a man takes money away from troubled kids to...what...buy gold fixtures for his condo in the Maldives?”

  Rafe shook his head at that, too. “I hope we never find him.” He paused. “I mean, I hope the Cortez-Williams brothers never find themselves alone in a back alley with the guy. The money, I want back.”

  It was Lorenzo’s turn to smile.

  “Can I have your attention?” Lila asked from the front of the room. Her voice was strong but not overpowering through the microphone.

  People settled. Everyone was interested in what she had to say about the results of the auction.

  Rafe glanced at Gina again. He could see her profile, her glossy hair, neat now, not like it was after he’d run his fingers through it making love to her. She was wearing a shimmering peach blouse and a dark blazer over a pair of tan slacks. She looked professional, but somehow more comfortably so than in the past. He supposed her success had done that for her. She had to be feeling hugely confident in her capabilities right now.

  “—owe a big thank-you to Gina Edmond.”

  The mention of her name rocked Rafe back to reality.

  The room burst into enthusiastic applause, and Rafe quickly joined in.

  Gina rose to her feet to give the crowd a wave of thanks. As her gaze swung around the room, it caught on Rafe’s. She paused for a second and her smile faltered. But then she recovered, finished the turn and sat down.

  His regret deepened.

  “The auction was an amazing fundraiser, and while we’re a long way from recouping all the losses, I’m happy to announce we can refund about fifteen percent of the initial investment to each of the impacted businesses.”

  There was a murmur of disappointment that turned into lukewarm applause. Rafe’s heart went out to Gina. She’d worked so hard to make as much as she had. Nobody could have done better, no way.

  “Well, that’s that,” Lorenzo muttered, sounding distinctly exasperated.

  Rafe looked to his brother, intent on defending Gina. “Fifteen percent isn’t nothing.”

  “Fifteen percent of the investment doesn’t help Valencia.”

  Rafe understood his brother’s disappointment. He was also reminded that organizations beyond the investors had lost out, too. Many people in Royal had been hit hard by Billy’s crimes, harder even than Rafe himself had been hit.

  He made a split-second decision and came to his feet.

  Lila looked curiously his way.

  “I’m donating my fifteen percent,” he called out, hoping to inspire others. “RCW will recover on its own. People will keep dining, keep celebrating special occasions and continue to take special evenings out. It’ll take some time, but we’ll manage. Other organizations might not be so lucky. Others were counting on this event to do good and important work, more important than feeding sambal shrimp and cranberry apple pastry to people with disposable cash.”

  He saw the crowd was listening with curiosity, some of them more suspicious than curious, including both Ross and Asher Edmond. Rafe realized he should get to his point. “I’m donating RCW’s fifteen percent to Donovan Horse Rescue.”

  He caught Lorenzo’s shocked expression from the corner of his eye.

  “That’s very generous of you, Rafe,” Lila said.

  He sat down.

  “What the heck, bro?” Lorenzo asked.

  “She can use the money.”

  “But RCW...it’s in trouble.”

  Rafe gave a shrug. “We’ve been brainstorming and have some ideas. We’ll dig ourselves out of this hole.”

  “Take the money,” Lorenzo said.

  “You take the money. Valencia deserves it. I made a bad investment, and I’m paying the price. But I’m strong and smart and hardworking, and I don’t need the Edmonds or anyone else to take pity on me.” Rafe’s voice had grown fiercer at the end of the statement.

  Lorenzo drew back, looking more confused than ever. “You feel that strongly about it?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, Valencia is sure going to be your best friend.”

  “Good.” Rafe said. “I like Valencia.” His brother’s fiancée was one of the best people he’d ever met. They were lucky to have her joining the family.

  Conversation had resumed in the room. Lila had left the lectern and was c
irculating, answering questions.

  Rafe dared to glance Gina’s way again and found her surrounded by business owners. It was clear they were congratulating her, and he was happy about that. She deserved their thanks.

  * * *

  Gina didn’t know what Rafe had been thinking at this morning’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, but he’d made a big mistake. She’d gone back to the Edmond offices after the meeting, but all day long she’d worried that his anger with her might have pushed him to make a bad decision—a decision detrimental to RCW’s future.

  Feeling responsible, she’d looked for him at the steakhouse, even though she dreaded the idea of going back into his office. But she needed to talk to him, to change his mind about taking the money.

  He hadn’t been there, so now she was trying his home.

  Gina had never been to Rafe’s house before, but she was familiar with the neighborhood. She knew it was exclusive, and that some houses had amazing views of Pine Valley. She pulled around the crescent, located his address and turned into the driveway. There was a garage directly in front of her and she could see that a set of rounded concrete steps led to an oversize wooden door with etched-glass windows on either side, cut in diamond panes with gold filler. The front yard was nicely sized and well-trimmed, landscaped in shrubs rather than flower beds.

  Gina stepped out of her car and made her way through the hot, humid air toward the door, gathering her courage along the way. She rang the bell and stepped back to wait. Glancing behind her, she took note of the other nice houses along the street. They were well spaced and very well cared for. The crescent was bordered with sidewalks, the driveways finished with exposed aggregate. It was an overly civilized neighborhood—a far cry from the blowing fields, paddocks and hills of the Cortez-Williams Ranch.

  The door opened, and Gina turned back, taking in the sight of Rafe in the middle of the doorway wearing faded jeans with an olive-green T-shirt stretched across his chest. She’d expected a suit. She didn’t know why.

  “Gina?” He was clearly confused by her appearance.

  She shook herself back to her purpose. “Why did you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “You know what! The money. You need the money.”