by Lexi Blake
Of course, the Moreno girl did have proof. Possibly. DNA didn’t lie, though apparently Ginny Moreno did. It seemed she’d told everyone that Jacob was her only lover. Lucky for him.
Nothing on his cell. He thought Dakota might text back by now. She’d seemed fairly eager the night before. Eager and sad and more than a little naïve. Poor girl had lost her daddy.
He was more than happy to fill in, in a completely perverted fashion, of course.
He’d known within three minutes of meeting her how to handle her this time around. The first time he’d met her she’d had far too much confidence and youthful arrogance. She’d thought being the prettiest girl in Storm meant she was the queen of the world. Apparently life had taken some of the pluck out of her and that left her ripe and ready for him.
She wanted to feel like she was being taken care of. He’d stopped her from drinking too much mostly because his shoes were very expensive and getting vomit off them would cause questions. He’d just gotten them worn in. He wasn’t about to toss them because his date couldn’t handle her liquor. That had been the moment he’d snagged her. Funny how things worked. She’d mistaken his desire to keep his shoes clean for an act of kindness and caring and he’d turned it into just that.
He was smart enough to know that appearances were important. As long as Dakota viewed him as a man who wanted to help her, to guide her, she would likely allow him free and easy access to that stunning body of hers.
Hell, he would bet the girl had never really come before. She’d likely dated a bunch of small-town boys with tiny dicks who had no notion what to do with a woman. She’d probably never been adored properly, never had an experienced mouth or cock making love to her. Once he made her howl, she’d let him do all manner of nasty things to her.
But first she had to text him back.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
The door opened and a brunette walked in. Tall and lovely, he recognized her from Austin. She’d been around his offices in the capitol building. “Hello. To what do I owe this pleasure?”
She smiled, carrying in an old-fashioned briefcase. It looked like it locked. One of those coded cases. He was more used to seeing computer cases these days, but he had to admire her retro flair. “My boss asked me to deliver this to you in person. It’s the highway appropriations bill she’s hoping you’ll cosponsor.”
Ah, Senator Hawkins. She was a smart lady. Quite the up-and-comer. She was from some tiny district in West Texas where the cows likely outnumbered the people. “Yes, I remember that now. I believe I turned her down. I’m not sure that’s the right bill for my constituency.”
He didn’t stand to make any money off the damn thing so he certainly wasn’t about to sponsor it. A Texas state senator made $72,000 a year plus a very sadly lacking per diem. He didn’t work on a bill unless it made financial sense. For him, obviously.
She set the briefcase on his desk and he noticed that, while she was dressed for business, her skirt was just a bit too short to be proper. He let his eyes roam her body. He put her at twenty-nine, maybe as old as thirty-two. A bit long in the tooth for his tastes, but she took care of herself. Her breasts looked well done. Oh, there was no way those babies were anything but silicone. They were too high, too perfectly rounded for her age.
Nothing like Dakota’s. All he’d felt the night before was firm, real flesh, the kind no woman over the age of twenty-five really managed to keep. He would bet her nipples were tight little pink buds just begging the attention of a man’s mouth.
“Senator?”
He shook off the images, though they’d done something serious to his dick. “I’m sorry. You were saying?”
She leaned in just a little. She’d left one too many buttons undone. He could see the swell of her cleavage. “Senator Hawkins hopes you’ll find that the new draft of the bill addresses all of your comments. She really wants this bill to go through and is willing to work very hard to make sure you’re happy with it.”
He was sure she did. If the state decided to repave most of the highways, her husband’s construction firm stood to gain some lucrative contracts.
“There’s also another legal document she’d like you to see. If you’re amenable to reviewing the new material and giving it a fresh eye, I’ve been advised to leave the entire package with you.” She efficiently unlocked the case and turned it around.
Well, now he was interested. The briefcase contained the newly revised bill that he likely wouldn’t read to save his own life and what looked like about fifty thousand dollars in cash. He liked cash. Cash was easy to spend and no one asked a bunch of questions, if it was handled in the proper way.
He closed the briefcase. “Please tell your boss I’m impressed with the changes.” There likely were none. He didn’t need any now that he was being properly compensated. “Though I will likely need another addendum to the bill before it goes through.”
She nodded. “Yes, she understands. Once you’ve agreed to sponsorship and the bill passes, she’s willing to offer you another fifty. She understands the value of having your name connected to hers.”
He had powerful friends. He liked to think of it as a consultation fee. “Excellent. Thank your boss for me.”
He looked back at his cell. What was taking the girl so long? He was beginning to get nervous. Perhaps he shouldn’t have texted her at all. She’d been carried out by the sheriff, and Sebastian didn’t need that kind of trouble.
Still, the girl hadn’t given him away. She’d pulled a hissy fit that got her out of the door and quick. He rather thought that had been staged for his benefit. Smart girl.
“Senator?”
He looked and Brunette Big Tits was still standing in front of his desk. “Yes? There was something else?”
She leaned against the desk. “My employer might have mentioned that I should make sure you were very satisfied with the deal.”
Ah, so the good senator from cow pattieville knew what he liked. He’d have to tell her next time to send one a little younger, but his afternoon seemed to be free. “And just how do you propose to ensure my satisfaction, young lady?”
“I thought I would secure our oral agreement,” she said with sexy smile.
He moved his chair back and the woman sank to her knees in front of him, easing his slacks down with a practiced hand.
When her lips closed around him, he shut his eyes and pretended it was Dakota.
Chapter Five
Three days later the Bluebonnet Cafe was humming with activity. Marylee Rush stepped inside and was immediately greeted by the cafe owner, Rita Mae Prager. Her daughter-in-law, Payton, walked quietly behind her. She gave the cafe owner her best lady-of-the-manor smile. It was very important to use local businesses for meeting places. It helped the economy and put a shine on the family name. “Good morning, Rita Mae. I see you’ve done a fine job as usual. Hasn’t she, Payton, dear?”
Payton nodded her approval. “She always does. And they make the finest waffles for fifty miles.”
Marylee would have to take her word for it. She would never actually consume carbs, but she’d heard the ones here were delicious. Of course Payton didn’t eat, either. No true lady did, but her daughter-in-law had impeccable manners. It was one of the reasons Marylee had chosen her for Sebastian.
If only Layla wasn’t so headstrong, Marylee would have found the perfect mate for her as well. But no. Layla had to find her own mate, and everyone had seen how that had gone. Divorce. She didn’t blame Layla for her headstrongness. It came with being smart. This time around she would choose better. Her daughter deserved every bit of happiness that Sebastian and Payton had found.
The cafe owner smiled and clasped her hand.
A firm shake was always needed. Even for a woman. It was a sign of strength, and Marylee believed in strength.
“It’s a blessing to have you here, Marylee and Payton. How are your children?” Rita asked.
She so loved Southern politeness.
It allowed a woman to speak of her true pride and joy long after they left the home. Here in Texas, a properly bred lady always asked after family. “Layla is doing wonderfully. She’s got that hospital a-hopping. And, of course, Sebastian is doing fine work in Austin. I can’t tell you how proud I am.”
She allowed Payton to speak of her children. Payton had been a saint of a daughter-in-law and she’d given Marylee two perfect grandchildren. Brittany was a model student and Jeffry was so handsome and charming, she was sure he would follow in his father’s footsteps and go straight to the White House.
It would happen. Marylee would make it so. She’d learned the power of positive thinking.
And careful planning. Between the two there wasn’t a thing a woman couldn’t accomplish.
She made small talk, asking after Rita Mae’s relatives. Her mind was a steel trap of social knowledge. She never missed an opportunity to glean information. Even the smallest detail could prove important.
“Is everyone here?”
Rita Mae nodded. “Yes, I set up a big table in the back.”
She gave Rita Mae a little wink. “Give us fifteen minutes to visit and get settled and then send someone back to take orders. Thank you so much. And can I count on you for some of those delicious sandwiches at this year’s festival?”
“You know you can, Marylee. We’ll have our booth set up and we’ve already picked our charity. We’re supporting the local animal shelter this year.”
Marylee approved. Lost dogs and babies played well everywhere. She might even have Sebastian make an appearance. He would look so regal with a retriever by his side. It would be a wonderful photo opportunity.
She nodded to Payton. “We’re going to need to replace Celeste. I understand she’s going through a very hard time and wants to concentrate on her family. I need you to read the room and give me some good suggestions. Celeste was such a hard worker and the two of you made a great team. Since you’re the one who has to work with her, I’d like you to pick.”
It would actually be good to get some fresh blood in. She hated to say it, but she didn’t actually care for Payton’s relatives. Payton herself was a good girl, a model wife and mother. Celeste did her best, but she’d started to hear rumblings about Travis. He worked hard. He worked hard even when the pharmacy wasn’t open. Not that anyone was saying anything, but she found it odd that a man like that would work such odd hours.
How hard was it to run a pharmacy after all? It wasn’t like what Sebastian had to do. Now there was a job.
And now the Salts had the added problem of a bastard grandchild. Marylee didn’t want to hear the argument that the Moreno girl couldn’t marry because the father of her child was dead. The damage was done. She’d gotten pregnant out of wedlock and if the good Lord wanted her married, he wouldn’t have taken her bridegroom in the first place. She was sullied and that still meant something in Marylee’s mind.
“I’ll have to think about it,” Payton said, showing sound good sense.
They walked through the diner, waving and saying hello. It wouldn’t do to leave anyone out. Every single person here was a voter and deserved her attention. She grasped hands and ticked through the facts she knew about each person. The brunette and her husband sitting by the window were rumored to be thinking about changing churches. She’d give a heads-up to the Baptist minister. He was always looking for converts. The elderly couple two tables later had a grandson at Baylor University. They’d sent him there hoping that not being able to dance for four whole years would turn him straight. Marylee didn’t have a lot of hope that a lack of a dance floor would make that child appreciate a wholesome vagina, but she smiled and agreed anyway. And there was that poor Joanne Grossman. Oh, such a pretty girl and such potential wasted. She’d married far beneath her and now, if the rumors were true, she’d been left behind by the man who beat her.
She felt an immense sympathy for the girl, but she should have known it would all go bad. She’d married a blue-collar worker. Men who worked with their hands tended to use them in other places, too.
She paused before heading to the back. “Is Aiden Murphy joining us?”
Payton shook her head. “No. He sent Dillon in his place.”
That was disappointing. Aiden and his wife were so quick with a good story or a joke to break the ice. She truly enjoyed their company. Their son was a bit quick to write a ticket, if you asked her. Still, she plastered a smile on her face and joined the committee. Dillon Murphy was the only man there and he would look utterly out of place until Sebastian joined them.
She’d had to poke and prod her son. He was a silly boy who never thought his presence was necessary. It was a sure sign of his lack of an ego. Sebastian didn’t understand how important he was. It was just proof of his true goodness.
“The sheriff is a good man,” Payton said. “And everyone loves him. He also knows his father’s business. All the Murphy boys grew up learning to run that place.”
Marylee just wished this particular Murphy boy wasn’t serious about stop signs. She’d paused for the appropriate amount of time, no matter what that boy said. “Of course.”
They reached the back of the room where the committee was already milling about, talking. She was greeted with all the pomp of a reigning queen, which, of course, she was. She smiled and handled it all with grace and dignity. She’d been bred to the role, after all.
She even managed a smile for the sheriff, who needed glasses because she also hadn’t changed lanes without signaling. “Sheriff, what a pleasure to have you here with us today. How are your parents?”
The sheriff, for all his flaws, was a very attractive man, and if she’d been years younger he would still have been too rough for her, but a girl could dream. “Mrs. Rush, the pleasure is all mine. My folks are doing well and send their regrets. They’ll surely attend the next meeting, but they’re waiting on a phone call from my brother, Logan. He only gets to call every once in a while.”
She needed to make sure Sebastian was on hand to greet Logan Murphy when he returned home from war. “Of course. Family always comes first.”
“I heard a rumor that you lost your assistant.”
She sighed. “Yes, the poor girl. She got a job in New York City. I’m sure she’s been mugged by now. Or she looks like that Miley Cyrus and thinks balloons make a proper foundation garment. That’s what happens when you let your daughters run wild.”
“Uhm, well, I was just wondering if you were looking for a replacement?” the sheriff asked. “It’s a paid position, right?”
“Yes. I was thinking of asking my granddaughter to do it since she’s out of school for the summer.”
“Ah,” Dillon said, and she could see the disappointment in his eyes.
People should really let her finish her thoughts before they became disappointed. It was truly their fault. Impatience led to bad feelings. “But Brittany seems all wound up in her friend’s illegitimate unborn child, so I was going to ask if anyone knew someone with organizational skills. I’m not sure what Brittany thinks she can do. She’s a business major, not a midwife. I don’t even believe the girl requires one at this stage, but that’s my grandbaby for you. She’s going to do everything she can for her friend even though her friend makes very questionable choices. I have every hope that Brittany will be a good influence on that girl.”
Dillon held up a hand. “I know who you should hire.”
“Really?” Opportunity rose quick and fast sometimes, and it took a smart woman to see it. She had three outstanding parking tickets because the city didn’t recognize tardiness as a disability. It certainly was when it came to her being on time, and being on time was important, which was the only reason she’d parked in those spots in the first place.
“Yes,” he said quickly, betraying the fact that this was important to him. She’d learned how to read people and Dillon Murphy wanted whatever he was about to suggest to be accepted. It was important to him.
And that was very intere
sting to her. “Who is this paragon of organization? You know I’m only paying minimum wage, right?”
“That’s all right. You’re very good at helping people to the next level. Working for you opens doors for people that wouldn’t have been previously opened.”
Well, the young man did know how to charm a lady. “I suppose I do know a few powerful people.” All of her instincts were sharpening up. She watched Dillon with the deep gaze of a predator who had just figured out she might not have to pay those tickets she’d racked up. “I’m going to need a name, though.”
“Joanne Grossman.” He winced. “Alvarez. I meant Joanne Alvarez.”
The same sad but pretty woman whose husband supposedly took discipline a little too far? She quickly assessed the facts about the situation in front of her. Dillon Murphy was roughly the same age as the lady in question. They’d likely gone to school together, grown up in the same circles. And the circles in Storm were small. If she remembered correctly, Dillon had been a bit of a late bloomer. He’d grown into his big body later than most boys. He’d been a lanky, sad looking thing for most of his teen years.
And Joanne Grossman had been the beauty queen who ran away with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks.
Had little Dillon never gotten over his crush on Joanne?
Now that the rather brutal Mr. Alvarez had gone missing, was the handsome sheriff hoping to take his place?
She sighed and looked back toward the main dining room, where she’d seen Joanne sitting and eating a breakfast that consisted of oatmeal and coffee. Marylee would have skipped the oatmeal herself, but she was sure Joanne thought it was a proper breakfast. “You mean that girl from the flower shop?”
Dillon nodded. “Yes, she takes the orders and helps run the shop. She’s quite good at organizing things. She helped with all the arrangements for Jacob Salt’s funeral. They were very fast and managed to get everything in that Celeste wanted.”
He wanted this girl in very badly. She was interested in knowing why. Men only worked this hard for one of two reasons: they wanted or they were guilty. What was Dillon Murphy’s reason? She wouldn’t ever know if she didn’t get close to the problem. However, a lady never gave in too easily.
