The Radcliffes

by T. J. Kline

  It’s not his fault you were living in a fantasy. He never promised you forever.

  Travis had warned her all along that they should keep things professional. And yet she had chosen to pursue him. Now she was reaping the painful result.

  “I’m sorry, I have to…I have to go.” She eased through the circle of people watching them raptly.

  “Fallon,” her grandmother called.

  But Fallon ignored her, kicking off her shoes once she reached the second level of the house. Away from prying eyes, she finally let the scalding tears fall freely and allowed the fragments of her heart to break apart.

  Chapter 27

  May

  Four weeks should have been enough time to put her heart back together. By now, the thought of seeing Travis today shouldn’t send her pulse racing. But apparently, she was wrong.

  Fallon stood in the doorway of the barn as Travis groomed Dreamer, his muscular frame silhouetted. She heard him speaking in soothing tones to the colt. Warm desire slid through her veins, heating her blood, pooling it low in her belly and making her wish she could flip it off with a switch, the way he had.

  “Last day, Dreamer. Today you need to run like your ass is on fire,” she heard him say as he ran the brush down the horse’s back. He paused with his hands on the colt’s shoulder. “I’m going to miss you, boy.”

  “You don’t have to,” she informed him as she neared. His head jerked toward her and she saw him stiffen when he realized who she was. Dreamer nickered a greeting. “You don’t have to miss him. You could stay.”

  She waited a beat before moving close to him, letting her hands glide over her colt’s neck. “If he wins—”

  “You need to find someone else.” Travis tossed the brush into the grooming caddy and retrieved the saddle for the warm-up session. “This won’t work. It was a mistake from the start.”

  “I see,” she murmured, trying to pretend his words didn’t feel like a knife to her heart.

  “Do you?” He buckled the cinch.

  Anger swelled in her like a sudden typhoon, washing over her. “You know what? No, I don’t. I thought we had something. We might have had a few bumps at the beginning but we turned a corner, Travis. I thought we had. Then, all of a sudden—”

  “You realized you were better than me?”

  “What? I never said—”

  “You didn’t have to,” he interrupted her. “Your dismissal at Santa Anita was sufficient. If it wasn’t, watching you take credit for Dreamer in the Winner’s Circle was.”

  “That wasn’t what I did.”

  “No? Then why did you have me leave as soon as all the reporters arrived and began asking questions? You sent me off as if I was just like the rest of the hired help.”

  “I was scared to death, Travis. I didn’t want to talk to them. I make a fool out of myself in front of the press.” She reached for his arm. “I wasn’t dismissing you. I was worried Dreamer would freak out and hurt someone again. When he gets like that, you’re the only person who can calm him.”

  His jaw clenched and she could see his indecision. She needed him to touch her. As if he could hear her thoughts, Travis slid his hands to her arms, the heat of his fingers causing goose bumps to break out on her flesh. Butterflies danced in her stomach.

  “Travis, I never meant to take credit for your work. I’m sorry. For the record, I have never, ever thought you weren’t good enough for me.” She reached up to cup his face. “If anything, you’re more than I ever dreamed of.”

  She knew the moment his control snapped. Travis’s eyes blazed with hunger and she was certain it was reflected in her own. Without warning, his mouth captured hers, his fingers delving into her hair as he walked her backward until she was pressed against the stall. Fallon’s arms wound around his neck, arching into him, letting the heat of their passion fuse the pieces of her heart together again.

  His lips found her throat and she heard his growl. “But wait, what your grandmother said—there’s no one else?”

  “There never has been. No one could ever measure up to you.” The words spilled from her unchecked. “I love you, Travis.” He drew back and she realized what she’d revealed. “I…”

  Fallon bit her lip as Travis tipped her chin up with a finger, searching her face. A slow smile spread over his lips as he said, “You mean that.”

  She nodded.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Fallon, but I can’t let you go. I don’t know why I ever thought I could.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Her palm ran over the rasp of whiskers he hadn’t yet shaved this morning. “I was hoping to convince you to see things my way.”

  “I love you, Fallon. I have since I arrived at the vineyard.”

  He didn’t give her the opportunity to respond before his mouth covered hers again, their tongues dancing.

  “Ahem.” They parted to see an exercise rider approaching. “Should I come back later?”

  Fallon smiled up at Travis, reveling in the desire that shone brightly in his eyes. “We have a race to win. I need your mind on the task at hand.”

  “Fine by me.” Then he lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “But afterward, we’re going to celebrate properly.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” she warned.

  Chapter 28

  Travis felt Fallon’s hand tremble in his as they watched Dreamer approach the starting gate of the most important race of his young career—the Kentucky Derby. Unlike his other races, he loaded inside without any trouble, standing quietly as the rest of the animals made their way inside. Pride welled up in Travis when he saw the change in the colt.

  “How was he this morning?”

  “Ready to run, enjoying the cold.” He brushed his thumb over her wrist and felt the steady thrum of her pulse, sending a sizzle of heat shooting through him.

  “He’s never run out of California.”

  “He’s been down here long enough that it won’t matter. You’ll see.” He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “Trust me.”

  “I do.”

  Fallon looked up at him, a joyful smile on her lips. The vulnerable honesty in her voice made him forget the race and the horse they’d worked so hard to get there. He could only focus on the woman in front of him and the gift she’d given him. He’d seen this look on her face before, in the picture of her with Dreamer. It seemed the colt was no longer the only thing that brought her purpose and joy.

  The bell sounded and the horses broke out of the gate, tearing down the track in a blur of flexing muscle and graceful beauty. Dreamer didn’t move to the outside as he had in his past races. This time, he took the lead right away, worrying Travis that he might fade before the final turn.

  They came around the bend and Dreamer found another gear. His lean body stretched out farther, eating up the track, leaving the pack of horses in the distance, crossing the finish line seven lengths ahead of his competition.

  Fallon leapt into Travis’s arms, winding herself around him, pressing kisses to his face. “He did it! You did it!”

  “We did it!” He captured her mouth, their kiss quickly moving from celebratory to hungry. “You realize what this means, right? It means he’s eligible for the Triple Crown now.”

  A slow grin slipped over her lips. “Does that mean that you’re not quitting?”

  “We have work to do. Fallon, you’re stuck with me for the long haul.”

  She cupped his face in her palms and kissed him. “Promises, promises.”

  But Travis knew that this promise was the honest truth.

  The

  Gourmet

  Chef

  Chapter 1

  Alexandra Radcliffe glanced at the glittering Rolex on her wrist, took out her phone, and thumbed the button for her office. Her assistant, Caitlyn, immediately answered.

  “Alex, you can’t be finished with the meeting already.”

  “I’m not. Traffic was terrible and I just got here.”

&
nbsp; Caitlyn sighed into the receiver and Alex knew she was pressing her fingertips to her temples, the way she always did when she was frustrated. “I made your driver download Waze to avoid this. I guess he didn’t bother to use it.”

  Alex might be late, but she still knew how to control a meeting. She was here to discuss a deal with Doug Kincaid, the CEO of Eco-Tech, which was an upcoming technology firm that needed more cash flow to pursue their eco-friendly products. They were on the cutting edge of technology and, therefore, exactly what she wanted to get her hands on, but Alex wasn’t about to let Doug Kincaid know that. Within the hour, Eco-Tech would be part of her company’s client profile and she would be on her way to meet with two more potential overseas investors.

  “I’m just fashionably late,” Alex quipped as she opened the front door of the massive eco-friendly high-rise. Just one more of many altering her precious San Francisco skyline. “Anyway, any quick tips for me? What does he look like?”

  “He’s very serious about the environment, so don’t brag about your gas-hog limos, but that’s probably stating the obvious. Good looking, early thirties, dark hair and eyes. I don’t know exactly what you expect me to say. He’s a techie, so I’m sure he’ll be dressed casually.”

  “Aren’t they always?” Alex brushed off her stylish Dolce & Gabbana suit, wishing she’d toned it down a bit for this meeting. Since her meeting immediately afterward was with high-profile clients at the Four Seasons, she’d opted for style over comfort. She stepped into the lobby and wrinkled her nose. “The floors are made of cork.”

  Caitlyn laughed. “Don’t forget to call Mrs. Radcliffe back.”

  “My mother called?”

  “Your grandmother,” Caitlyn corrected. “She’s called three times this morning.”

  “It’s only ten a.m.”

  An exasperated sigh slid through the receiver. “Tell me about it. She’s tenacious. You have to give her that.”

  “It’s no longer a viable investment. I’m not throwing any more money into Radcliffe Shipping.”

  “A sinking ship?” Caitlyn offered as Alex groaned at the bad joke. “Oh, come on,” her assistant teased. “That was a good one.”

  “If you say so.” Alex glanced at her watch impatiently as the elevator slowed its ascent. “Next time she calls, tell her I’m in meetings all day and will call her tomorrow. Maybe by then she’ll move on to nagging my brother for funding.”

  “Will do. Let me know when you’re finished at Eco-Tech and I’ll get started drawing up the documents. Mr. Tanaka and Mr. Ryland will be waiting for you in the View at MKT Restaurant and you cannot be late.”

  “Now who’s nagging?” Alex teased. She’d hired Caitlyn nearly four years ago, when she’d opened the AR Group, and the woman had proven herself indispensable. She was more than her employee. Alex counted Caitlyn as one of her few close friends.

  “Shoot, I forgot to call my sister and find out where she and Anna want to meet tonight. Can you—”

  “Already on it. You’re meeting them for drinks at the High Five on Market.”

  “The sports bar?”

  “I guess.”

  “Gotta go. I’m here.” The elevator chimed and the doors opened as Alex disconnected the call.

  Stepping out, she looked past the empty reception area to where glass windows lined the wall on one side of the wide-open interior space. A man stood inside next to a table against the back wall, arranging the breakfast items. His tall, tan, lean frame hinted at someone who took care of himself, while dark curls caressed the nape of his shirt, not quite long enough to look shaggy or unkempt, but just enough to need a trim. Alex’s fingers clenched slightly around the handles of her Ferragamo briefcase, itching to see if those waves really were as soft as they looked.

  She frowned at the wayward sentimentality of her thoughts and forced herself to remember where she was and why she was here—to make a deal. She assumed the man was Mr. Kincaid, but why was he alone in the conference room?

  Where was the rest of his staff? The CFO or lawyers?

  Then he turned around, his gaze falling directly on her. The air shot from her lungs as warmth circled places that had been void of any heat for too long. Alex felt her breath catch in her throat.

  He didn’t look like any techie she’d ever met. This man didn’t have any geeky qualities. In fact, he looked like he’d just stepped off the cover of some sports magazine. His dark eyes lit up with pleasure as he welcomed her with a brilliant smile. His square jaw sported a five-o’clock shadow—at ten a.m.?—and there were those full lips. He had the kind of mouth women fantasized about, imagining long hours spent kissing slowly.

  He waved a hand at her, indicating she should enter the conference room and, not wanting him to think she was ogling him, Alex cast aside her hesitation. Lifting her chin slightly, she pasted a confident smile on her lips as she entered the room.

  She was a professional and prepared to do what she did best—negotiate the hell out of this contract and walk away a winner. Well, she would once she could convince her brain to start functioning again.

  Chapter 2

  Nicolas Donacelli hadn’t expected to turn around and find the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen staring at him. Her stormy gray gaze slid over him slowly, as if weighing his value, before lifting to meet his again. Her blond hair, pulled back in a loose bun, was mussed enough for a few stray wisps to fall loose around her face, softening her perfect angular features. Doug had already mentioned that he was running late and she was obviously here for the meeting, but she looked uncertain. Since everyone else was still downstairs, he lifted a hand, waving her into the conference room.

  This woman was high class; she practically oozed wealth and prestige. Nico wondered what business Doug had with her. They didn’t exactly run in the same circles. Doug and his college-friends-turned-coworkers who ran Eco-Tech were grassroots guys. The kind who preferred jeans and flannels to power suits. Doug was going to need every person in his boardroom arsenal to not get completely blindsided in this meeting. Now he understood why Doug had ordered the full breakfast menu from Martinelli’s, instead of the usual pastries and coffee.

  Nico met the woman’s gaze again and she smiled at him. His heart stopped as it plummeted into his gut. Not that it was his heart throbbing below his belt. This woman wasn’t just pretty; she was stunning. Enough to dry his mouth and send the blood rushing from his brain to settle farther south. It had been a long time since he’d been around such a gorgeous woman, but it hadn’t been that long. Yet his body continued its impersonation of a teenage boy on his first date.

  Think about prepping lunch at the restaurant. Think about washing dishes. Think about football and drinks tonight with Aaron. Anything but the woman in front of you.

  Nico fought to drag his attention back to the job at hand. Turning away from her, he focused on arranging the last breakfast tray before Doug arrived with his team. He needed to get his ass back to the restaurant. He had a busy day in front of him. There was a lunch menu for him to prep and he still needed to convince his boss to let him try his new pasta dish, which meant getting back in plenty of time to make the fettuccini from scratch.

  From there, he’d have to hurry to his second gig as a personal chef at a family estate. Though stifling at times, it was a decent gig with good pay.

  Just a few more months and he could stop answering to others and start making his dream a reality.

  Nothing was going to feel more liberating than the day he’d be able to turn in his notice and walk away from cooking what other people told him to prepare. In a few months, he’d have enough experience as a head chef and the down payment necessary to open his own restaurant—the Don—where he’d blend traditional Italian cuisine with molecular gastronomy techniques. It would be a tribute to his grandfather, the man who’d taught him to cook. He just needed a little more experience and a little more money. Well, that and a solid business plan.

  Her bold voice jerked him out of his r
everie. “Excuse me, I’m Alexandra. I believe you’re expecting me.”

  She walked up to him confidently, and he was surprised to see that the woman was even more beautiful up close. His brain shut down, refusing to comprehend the slightest response, even as she slid her designer briefcase onto the conference table and held out her hand to shake his.

  Instinctively, Nico held out a hand and she gave it a quick pump.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Kincaid. I apologize for the delay. I’m afraid I need to get right down to business. Unfortunately, I have another appointment in…” She glanced at her watch, the diamonds blinding him as they caught the sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Less than an hour, actually.”

  Mr. Kincaid? Wait a second. “I—”

  “Not to worry. I can assure you that the AR Group is fully prepared to offer you a significant investment, but I do have to ask for a bit more than your original offer.”

  “No, you don’t understand—”

  She narrowed her eyes for a quick beat before the corners of her lips tugged up in a slow smile. She gave him a slight nod. “What I understand is that you are seeking investors because you need the assistance my firm can offer, Mr. Kincaid. I also know that while your company is on the cutting edge of several technological breakthroughs, unfortunately, they have been stalled due to lack of funding. Funding that my firm is now offering.”

  She crossed her arms and arched a brow victoriously. “You see, I’ve done my homework and I know exactly what this company is worth with those projects sitting uncompleted.” She waved a hand at the projector and computer at the end of the table. “Why don’t we dispose of the unnecessary theatrics? Neither of us really wants to rehash what I’m sure the lawyers will quibble over later. My firm is prepared to offer you seventy-five million dollars in corporate funding with forty of that earmarked for your research projects. However, the AR Group is going to require a seventy percent share of Eco-Tech in contrast to the forty-five percent you originally offered.”