by Joanne Rock
“I’m not unhappy.” She didn’t want to sound ungrateful. Part of her whole decision to wait with the news was so that she could avoid revealing the confusing mix of emotions. “The news is better than I ever could have hoped for. But after spending a lifetime feeling like I didn’t fit in with my adoptive parents, I just don’t want to be a disappointment to a new family.”
“You could never be a disappointment.” His assurance warmed her, soothing the mix of fears that had been dogging her ever since she learned the good news. “More than anything, I wish I could have articulated that at the party the other night instead of letting my own concerns get in the way.”
Bracing herself, she straightened, needing to be alert for this part of the conversation. She didn’t want to misunderstand him or what was happening between them.
She also wanted to be very, very clear about what she hoped for. What she wanted.
“I think I was in a state of shock at the party,” she admitted, remembering feeling distant from everything going on around her that night. “I didn’t express myself well, either.”
He let out a gusty sigh that she hoped was relief. If so, it could be a sign that he cared about saving this relationship, too.
“Do you mind if we have a rewind then? Go back and fix some of the things that didn’t come out the right way?” He studied her, his arm sliding away again.
“I’d like that.” She needed this second chance. She was determined not to waste it.
“When Rena broke off our engagement, I never found out why—not really. And I’ve avoided relationships since then because it made me wary that I couldn’t see the signs when things were falling apart.”
The simple truth made sense in retrospect. It certainly explained the endless parade of women before her. But at the time, it had felt like he’d been pulling away. As she stared down at her feet, trying to collect her thoughts, a chipmunk dived headfirst into a hole in the wooden decking.
“I didn’t want to end things between us,” she told Xander honestly, remembering the hurt and confusion of that conversation. “You were right that I’ve been bracing myself for the end, but only because I assumed you’d move on eventually and I didn’t want you to take my heart with you when that happened.”
This time, she gathered her courage and reached out to him. Taking his hand between both of hers, she held it tight, wishing she could impress upon him how much she still wanted things to work out.
“Xander,” she continued, wanting to get it all out on the table before she lost her nerve. “All that time, I’d been thinking my heart was this tangible thing I could decide to give you or not. But I realized this week that I’ve had absolutely no control over it—no matter what I told myself. And as it turns out, I gave it to you that first night in the pool house.”
The risk of revealing herself to him was the scariest thing she’d ever done. Bronc riding hadn’t even been a close second. She held her breath, waiting for him to say something.
“You’re telling me that I already have your heart?” His fingers flexed beneath hers, squeezing against her palm.
“I am.” She nodded, nervous and anxious, but knowing that Xander deserved to hear those words from her.
Even if he didn’t return the feeling.
“In that case...” He rose out of his chair and pulled her to her feet. Before she knew it, his arms were around her waist while they stood toe to toe. “I’m going to promise to take the best care of it.” He kissed her cheek with a whisper-soft brush of his lips. “And I’m going to give you my heart in return, along with all my love.”
Her lips parted in surprise, her heart pounding wildly.
But before she could ask for clarification on those points, his mouth was on hers, kissing her as if they had all the time in the world. As if this kiss was the most important thing that Xander Currin had to think about.
For a moment, she lost herself in that sweet dance of tongues and lips, the sensual draw pulling her in deeper. Making her hungry for more.
Then she recalled they’d gotten in trouble in the past from letting desire carry them away. Edging back, she tipped her face up to his.
“Can you repeat that last part, please?” Blinking away some of the dizzying chemistry, she focused on his eyes.
A warm, wicked laugh escaped him.
“Gladly.” His words were a warm rumble against her skin, reverberating in his chest where the sound originated. “I said I love you, Frankie Walsh. Or Francesca Langley. No matter what name you go by, no matter your past. I love you when you’re a muddy cowgirl, a studious vet school candidate or a breathtaking society beauty. Every facet of you mesmerizes me.”
There was no answer for how deeply his words touched her. How very loved he made her feel by caring about those different aspects of her world.
So she kissed him again, with all the hope and longing in her soul. She kissed him until her knees were weak and she felt light-headed from the sweetness and sultriness of their bodies pressed together.
“Is it crazy to fall in love so fast?” she asked, even though she knew she’d been falling for him all year long. Her eyes had followed him everywhere, observing him every day, and she’d fantasized about him every night.
She might have started out with a crush, dreaming of an idealized version of Xander. But she knew him now. And loved him even more.
“Other people only dream of finding a love that feels like this,” he said against the top of her head, kissing her hair. “So I’m not going to call it crazy. I’m going to say we’re very, very lucky.”
“Me, too.” Her heart smiled, the knowledge that he was right filling her up inside. Making her happier than she’d ever been before. “Can we go home together now?”
She wanted this man all to herself for days on end.
“We can go anywhere you want,” he promised, retrieving his Stetson and his jacket before he drew her forward into their future. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
Her feet hurried on the path that led to his truck and, eventually, back to Currin Ranch.
“We do.” She wrapped her arm around his waist, tucking her hand into his back pocket. “But I think we should ease into all that conversation. Intersperse it with a lot of kissing...and things.”
His hand squeezed her hip, a warm, delectable weight against her. “I can only drive so fast to get us home,” he reminded her as they strode past the donkeys, pigs and goats.
“Right. We’d better stick to just talking until then.” She tipped her head against his shoulder, full of hope and perfect contentment. “You can tell me what animals you like best since I’m envisioning a life surrounded by them.”
She liked the vet’s rural practice where he saw every kind of animal imaginable.
“As long as I get you in the bargain, it doesn’t matter.” Xander held open the passenger-side door for her and she climbed inside the big pickup truck.
“So you’re saying you’re open to an ostrich?” The exotic bird was still squawking loudly, driving the older horses to the far side of their pen to keep space between them.
“For you, I’d consider it.” Xander leaned over in the truck to kiss her again, making her forget what they’d been talking about. “But maybe let’s start with a dog and see what happens.”
Buckling in, Frankie couldn’t stop smiling. She had the man she loved by her side and a future sparkling with possibilities. It seemed romance was very much alive and well after all.
And she planned to do everything in her power to make sure it stayed that way.
* * *
Who is the villain behind it all?
Will Sterling and Ryder ever see eye to eye?
Keep reading Texas Cattleman’s Club: Houston
to find out what happens when a
storm rolls in and reveals secrets
meant to stay hidde
n!
Married in Name Only by USA TODAY
bestselling author Jules Bennett,
available July 2019!
* * *
And don’t miss a single installment of the entire Texas Cattleman’s Club: Houston series:
Hot Texas Nights by USA TODAY
bestselling author Janice Maynard
Wild Ride Rancher by USA TODAY
bestselling author Maureen Child
That Night in Texas by Joss Wood
Rancher in Her Bed by USA TODAY
bestselling author Joanne Rock
Married in Name Only by USA TODAY
bestselling author Jules Bennett,
available July 2019
Off Limits Lovers by Reese Ryan,
available August 2019
Texas-Sized Scandal by USA TODAY
bestselling author Katherine Garbera,
available September 2019
Tangled with a Texan by USA TODAY
bestselling author Yvonne Lindsay,
available October 2019
Hot Holiday Rancher by USA TODAY
bestselling author Catherine Mann,
available November 2019
Keep reading for an excerpt from Taken by Storm by Cat Schield.
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Taken by Storm
by Cat Schield
One
He’s Just Not That Into You.
The title of Isabel Withers’s favorite rom-com movie and, unfortunately, the theme of her love life. Or lack thereof. In fact, a better title might have been He Doesn’t Know You’re Alive.
The same couldn’t be said for Isabel. She was dreamily, frustratingly, sexually, heart-palpitatingly aware every time Shane Adams stepped into The Opulence, a five-star luxury getaway resort an hour east of Seattle. The president in charge of Richmond Hotel Group wasn’t just handsome, with his broad shoulders and piercing sable eyes. He wore aloofness like a magical cloak, enthralling Isabel at first sight.
Her movie title would go more like... He Knows You’re Alive, but Only as the Helpful Employee Who Drops Everything to Get Him What He Needs in the Hope That He’ll Notice the Woman beneath the Uniform.
“You just sighed.” This statement came from Isabel’s best friend, Aspen Wright.
Isabel shot her a look. “You’ve been sighing since Richmond announced it was hosting its fifth anniversary retreat here.”
With a sly smile that softened the lines of tension around her eyes and mouth, Aspen replied, “I sigh to relieve tension.” The creative genius behind the resort’s lavish events, Aspen was currently stressed to the nines after Matt Richmond hired A-lister event planner Teresa St. Claire to coordinate Richmond’s upcoming retreat. “You’re sighing because that chiseled hunk of you-can’t-touch-this just walked by.”
Aspen was right and Isabel wasted no breath arguing. “I can’t help it. He’s just so gorgeous.”
“That he is. And all business.”
Recognizing that Aspen was once again counseling her to give up her crush, Isabel responded with the same stubborn determination that marked her rise from someone who grew up wearing thrift-store clothes to The Opulence’s head concierge and self-appointed representative of all things romantic at the resort.
“And that’s exactly how I’m going to approach him this time.”
“Oh, honey—”
Isabel raised her hand like a determined traffic cop. “Don’t.” She’d heard Aspen’s lecture all too often and predicted what she was about to say. “I just know there’s something between us. It’s impossible for me to feel as strongly about him as I do and have it be only one-sided.”
“Says every stalker ever.”
“I’m not a stalker.”
“You find ways to run into the man at every turn.” Aspen ticked off each point on long, slender fingers. “You know his schedule better than he does. You make sure he has the best table whenever he dines at Overlook and that his room is stocked with all his favorites whenever he stays overnight.”
“That’s just part of the fine service we offer here at The Opulence,” she said, waving away her over-the-top service to their executive. “And why wouldn’t we want him to have the absolute best experience every time he comes here? It only improves his perception of the resort.”
Aspen shrugged. “Some days I’m not sure he notices any of the positive features we have to offer. He’s too busy trying to improve efficiency.”
Rigidly organized and driven to improve the resort’s already stellar efficiency, Shane was a formidable taskmaster and prone to terrifying the staff whenever he made an appearance. It wasn’t that he was harsh with any of his employees, but the man was so focused on business that he simply forgot to smile when things went well.
“He needs someone to soften his edges,” Isabel said. “Someone who can show him that the resort’s success isn’t just about providing consistent service, but that we pour our heart and soul into giving our customers a unique experience.”
“Someone like you?”
Hearing the teasing lilt in Aspen’s voice, Isabel released a wide grin. “Do you know of anyone better?”
“No,” Aspen conceded. “Just don’t be disappointed if you fail. I admire everything you’ve accomplished in the year since you arrived here, but that man’s cold heart may be frozen too solid for even your warm touch to heat.”
“I’m The Opulence’s romance concierge.” Isabel lifted her fist in a gesture of power and triumph. “I will not fail in my mission.”
A champion of true love, Isabel believed that everyone had the perfect someone out there. Even Aspen, although the older woman scoffed every time Isabel brought the subject up. As for herself, Isabel daydreamed about Shane Adams, even as she recognized that they were opposite in almost every way.
Aspen regarded her with solemn eyes. “Maybe I’ll stock up on ice cream and red wine just in case.”
Automatically brushing off Aspen’s cynicism, Isabel blew her friend a kiss and headed to the little office behind the front desk where she organized romantic events for the guests who came to The Opulence looking to celebrate or connect with their partner. Each experience was tailored to the couple’s particular needs and wants thanks to a questionnaire that Isabel had developed over the last few months.
Although she had a degree in hotel management, Isabel’s knack for customer service had evolved into a passion for delivering fantasy romance experiences after her first month at The Opulence when a dreamy weekend she’d planned had helped a long-married couple see that their marriage could be saved.
“Fighting for love one couple
at a time,” Isabel muttered as she settled into her desk chair and pulled up the presentation she’d been working on to convince Shane that they should actively promote The Opulence as a romantic destination.
Satisfied that the pitch had the right balance of facts and fancy to convince Shane this was a solid marketing strategy, Isabel dialed Shane’s personal assistant. By the third ring, when Sheila picked up, Isabel’s heart was hammering so hard she could barely hear herself ask the question she’d been rehearsing.
“Hi, Sheila, it’s Isabel Withers from The Opulence.”
“Hello, Isabel.” Shane’s assistant had a warm, inviting manner so unlike her brisk, all-business boss. “What can I do for you today?”
“I was hoping I could get a meeting with Shane while he’s here. I have some ideas for the resort that I’d like to go over with him.”
If Sheila found it odd that Isabel would skip over the resort’s management and go straight to Shane, she gave no indication. In fact, Isabel had already mentioned her idea to Tom, but he hadn’t grasped the value in it. Going over his head was a risk, but if she could convince Shane, the gamble would pay off.
“With the upcoming Richmond event, Shane’s schedule is full,” Sheila said.
“If you could squeeze me in,” Isabel persisted, uncaring that she sounded desperate. “I’ll take fifteen minutes. Whatever he can spare.” Hell, she was so convinced her idea was a good one she was ready to chase him into an elevator and pitch him on the run.
“Well...” Sheila paused and Isabel could hear the keys clicking on her computer. “He’s free for dinner tonight at eight.”
Isabel didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it.” Dinner with Shane? A dream come true. “I’ll get us a table at Overlook. Thanks, Sheila.”
“I’ve added you to his schedule. And you’re his last meeting of the day, so you won’t have to rush.”
Was it Isabel’s imagination or did Shane’s assistant sound as if she was smiling?
