by Silver James
He almost tripped. His wife. Needing—wanting—her permission. Two totally new concepts for him. He liked the first, oddly enough. Holding her hand as they stepped into the living room, he stopped cold. His father was on the phone, yelling. Janiece looked smug, while her father appeared uncomfortable and was probably wishing he was anywhere but here. Chase seconded the feeling.
“You better fix this, Chance,” Cyrus spit into his phone.
That explained the atmosphere. The prenup had been overnighted to Chance and was probably open on his desk at that very moment. While his big brother might think he was an idiot, he’d still cover Chase’s ass.
His old man whirled and stabbed him with a glare as he threw the cell phone to the table. “You believe you’re so smart, Chasen. We’ll see how far you are willing to take this farce when I call a board meeting to have you ousted as CEO.”
Chase didn’t believe he was smart—he knew. Even so, the threat wasn’t idle, but he could hold his own with the board. He’d taken Barron Entertainment from owning one hotel and three media outlets—print, television and radio—to a multibillion-dollar corporation with multiple five-star properties, an entire network of media companies and huge dividends for the very small pool of shareholders. Like all things under the Barron umbrella, the company was family held. That meant his brothers and cousins. They liked the money he made them.
“Well?” Cyrus prodded.
Chase squeezed Savannah’s hand as he morphed his expression into one of bored amusement. “Well, what? Which of those nonquestions do you want me to answer?”
“Don’t be flip with me, boy.”
He bristled, the feeling unsettling. Everyone thought Cord was the easygoing brother, but Chase was the one who always went with the flow. Until now. “I’m not bein’ flip, Dad. Just asking for clarification.”
His father stared at him for a long moment, then another, before flicking his gaze to Savannah. “She worth losin’ everything for?”
Without scrutinizing his actions for any deeper meanings, Chase tugged Savannah to him, embraced her and dipped his head to take her lips in a gentle kiss that quickly got heated. One hand went low, pressing her hips into his, while his other arm wrapped around her back. Her breath hitched in her lungs and he felt it in the deepest recesses of his existence. He was in trouble, and at the moment, he didn’t care. He liked kissing this woman. Liked it a lot. And he decided then and there to woo her. Her hands-off policy? He fully intended to smash right through that.
The way she responded to his kisses assured him she was not immune to his charm. They were married. Married people made love. Oh, yeah, that was definitely on his agenda. As soon as he could convince her that they could have fun together for the yearlong length of their contract.
He broke the kiss and glanced at Tucker, then at his watch.
“Look, this has been all fun and games but I have a corporation to run, Savvie has a meeting and at some point, I plan to get back to our honeymoon.”
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you are in the way, Dad. All of you. Unless you are here on a business matter? My personal life is off-limits. I never agreed to marry Janiece and frankly, if I were her, I’d be embarrassed that my father had to buy me a husband. Or in my case, a wife.” Chase stared pointedly at Janiece before returning his gaze to Cyrus. “I’m quite capable of finding my own wife, Dad.” He still held Savannah’s hand, and he brought it to his lips, brushing a kiss over her knuckles before he continued. “As you can see.”
Janiece, her eyes shiny bright with unshed tears, leaned against her father as he ushered her to the door. Mal glowered at Cyrus and muttered, “I’ve never been so embarrassed. You owe me, Barron.” He patted Janiece’s back as he said, “We’re going home, girl. We’re so done with this.” They disappeared through the apartment door, slamming it behind them.
Chase faced off against his father, Tucker and Savvie by his side. “This conversation is done, Dad. You want a board meeting? Call it. I’m good at what I do. You know it. You think you can do it better? Go for it. I believe the board won’t be very happy with your management style but if you’re feeling lucky? No skin off my nose.”
“This isn’t over, Chasen.” Cyrus pivoted, marched to the door, jerked it open and left it gaping after he passed through.
Tucker drifted after him, made sure his uncle had disappeared into his suite across the hall, then shut the door. He turned to face the couple. “Gee, that went well.”
* * *
Savannah parked her brand-spanking-new Ford truck next to the equally new and shiny horse trailer in the long-term parking area of the Clark County Fairgrounds. She locked up the pickup and sighed as her fingers traced the emblem on the driver’s door. What a difference a couple of days made. Shoving the keys into the front pocket of her jeans, she strolled toward the barn where Indigo’s stall was located. As she approached, she recognized the silhouette of the big man framed in the doorway.
Her gait slowed and she inhaled deeply several times to settle her nerves. As soon as she was close enough, she noticed the disgruntled expression on Kade’s face. He was not happy.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he asked as soon as she was close enough to hear. “Oh, wait. You weren’t!”
“Gee. Hi, Kade. Happy to see you, too.” She fought the urge to look away while digging the toe of her brand-new boot into the dirt.
“C’mere.” He opened his arms, and she fell into them.
“Oh, Kade.” She squiggled her nose against the burn of tears, and blinked moisture out of her eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?”
“His father.”
“Cyrus?”
“Yeah.”
“Crap. He’s here?”
“Yes. He... Oh, lordy, Kade. That man is just evil. He... The things he said. The threats. Poor Chase.”
“Whoa. What? Poor Chase?”
She pushed off his chest and backed up a few steps. “That man is despicable.”
“Chase?”
“No. His father. Keep up here, Kade.” He shook his head, laughing, and Savvie breathed easier. “Chase is... He’s not what I expected.”
“What’s that mean?” Kade focused on her and she smoothed out her expression.
“Later. Show me who you brought me?”
“No, sooner, but I’ll let it go for now, hon. C’mon.” He turned on his heel and headed into the shadowy barn. “I checked Indy. I think he’ll be okay after treatment and rehab. He’ll get both at the Crown B.”
The band around her chest eased a little as she caught up to the man who was essentially her big brother—chosen by her heart, not by shared blood. “I was really worried, Kade. That’s good.”
He snagged her hand and squeezed, but didn’t let go as he led her toward the stalls at the end of the long aisle. “You’re gonna tell me all about the wild hair you got, but first...” Kade stopped at a stall.
A black-and-white paint quarter horse dropped his head over the gate and nickered softly. Her heart melted as she gazed into the horse’s big brown eyes. “Well, howdy there, handsome.”
“This is Barron’s Cimarron River, Sav. He’s your new barrel racer.”
She rubbed her knuckles against the horse’s forehead and he arched his neck to make it easier for her to reach.
“I should warn you, the beast is spoiled rotten. Miz Beth took a shine to him and snuck him carrots when I wasn’t looking. He’s especially fond of the baby variety.”
That made Savannah laugh. “I’ll be sure to carry a supply.”
“That new trailer will make it easy. It’s got a fridge in the dressing area.”
“Yeah. I know.” Savvie glanced over her shoulder. “Kade—”
“Not now.
We’ll sit down. Talk. Business first.”
“Okay.”
“Now, this fellow...” He pulled her away from Cimarron and nudged her toward the next stall. “This is Barron’s Red River.”
The horse that arched his head over the stall door was the color of his name—a bloodred sorrel with a slightly darker mane and tail. Savvie stroked his nose as Kade continued. “Big Red’s a worker. And he’s smart. You point him at a calf, he knows what to do. Team roping, he’ll go either way like I said, but he’s a better header.”
She moved to stroke the horse’s muscular neck. “Good to know.” When team roping, one rider roped the steer’s horns, and only the horns. There was a time penalty for catching the cow around the neck. The second rider basically dropped a loop on the ground to catch the steer’s rear feet—his heels. Again, there was a penalty for catching only one hoof. “I prefer to head so it’s all gravy.”
“You found a partner yet?”
Glancing over her shoulder, she studied the man she’d known since she was a toddler. “Been a little busy.”
“Yeah. Figured.”
“Kade...”
“Later, babe. Where’s your saddle? It’s going in the trash.”
“What?”
“Your tack is crap, Sav. I know that. You know that. Tucker told me to get the best. I went to The Saddlery in Cowtown. Rusty knows you so you now have the best. Saddles aren’t quite custom fitted but close. I have a gear kit put together, too. S’already in your trailer. Let’s get these boys saddled and exercised.”
A grin split her face. As far as she was concerned, a bad day on a horse was better than a good day anywhere else. Except... Chase’s kisses were pretty darn good. She caught a flash of dull gold on her left hand and looked down. Her fake wedding band. Her feelings dampened a bit. Yeah. The fake jewelry that left a dark band, as she’d discovered when she washed her hands, was symbolic of her fake marriage. It didn’t matter that Chase was handsome. Funny. Charming. And could kiss. This was a business deal. And it was time to get down to business.
Nine
Chase needed to keep his thoughts on the business at hand. The Carrolls had checked out and returned to Oklahoma. His father was still occupying the suite across the hall. Chase had had Tucker change the security codes and fire the desk clerk who’d given his father access. From that moment on, no one got a card key to the apartment unless the order came directly from Chase or Tucker. It didn’t matter who made the request. His hotel, his rules.
Savannah had gone to the fairgrounds to meet Kade, and Chase’s thoughts kept wandering to the woman he’d taken as a bride. She surprised him. Continuously. He liked that. A lot.
He heard a throat being cleared. Tucker nailed his shin under the table. He jerked.
“What?”
“We cutting into your daydreams, Chase?”
He glared at his cousin before turning his gaze to the two businessmen from the United Arab Emirates. “I’m sorry, gentlemen. I admit my mind is elsewhere.”
The two men exchanged knowing glances. “We understand congratulations are in order, Mr. Barron. I must admire a man who would leave his marriage bed to take care of business.”
Okay, he could work with this. “I have a most understanding wife and as this meeting was already scheduled, I did not want to inconvenience you.”
Chase glanced toward the architect and nodded. The man and his assistant rose, grabbed a cardboard tube and emptied it. In moments, the conference table was covered with floor plans and three-dimensional drawings. The Arab hoteliers were suitably impressed with the concept for the hotel and resort complex Barron Entertainment wanted to build in Dubai. This was Chase’s project. One his father didn’t know about. One that would make him and the company a desertful of money. He sat back in his chair, letting the artistic types use all the adjectives.
Catching Tucker’s eye, he allowed a tiny twitch to curl the right side of his mouth into a hidden smile. His cousin’s left eye lowered halfway. Yeah, they were on the same page and it felt good. Tuck always had his back, had since they were kids and thick as thieves. Chase, Cash, Tucker and Bridger Tate. The four musketeers. Now Bridge worked with Cash the way Tuck worked with him.
He made a note to call Cash to discuss the recent security breaches on the Crown’s casino floor. His instincts screamed there was something more about the situation, but he couldn’t put his finger on what troubled him. Security was Cash’s baby. Chase felt secure in handing over the problem to his twin.
The Arabs were asking questions now. He continued to observe them, the nuances of their words, the exchanged glances and subtle body language. Oh, yeah. He had them hook, line and sinker. He’d get their signatures on the bottom line. Business first and then he’d track down his wife and commence with Operation Seduce Savannah.
* * *
Savannah, mounted on Cimarron, raced across the arena. Dirt flew behind the horse’s hooves. Her heels rubbed Cim’s sides, urging more speed. She kept her hands soft, the reins flapping against his neck. Then she pulled the big paint to a sliding stop with the barest lift and tug on the reins. The horse’s mouth was just as sensitive as Kade had implied. She could work with that.
Easing the big animal around, she rode to the spot where Kade leaned against the fence, stopwatch in his hand.
“Well?”
“Thirteen point five.” He grinned at her. “You’d be in the money with that time. Not bad, Sav. Not bad at all.”
She grinned back, the smile so big her cheeks crinkled. “He has more to give, Kade. A lot more. Look at him!” She leaned forward and patted the horse’s neck. “He’s not even breathing hard. I can get under thirteen. Heck, I might even break twelve!”
“Yeah, I think you might.” Kade reached through the fence and teased Cim’s chin. “Let’s get him cooled down and put up. I’m hungry. I’ll buy you lunch.”
Sav raised her arm to check her watch. “Two? It’s already two o’clock? Dang. Yeah, I’m starved, too.”
She urged Cim toward the gate and Kade met her there, opening then closing it behind her. She swung down from the saddle, loosened the girth and led the paint back to the barn, Kade keeping pace with her.
Before she could strip the saddle, Kade had already done so. While he carried it out to her trailer, she curried the horse, crooning to him and promising to bring carrots. Movement at the stall door caught her attention.
Kade braced his forearms on the top of the gate and watched her. She kept brushing, knowing he’d speak his mind sooner than later. He didn’t disappoint.
“He’s a player, Sav.”
“Duh, Kade. I read when I’m standing in line at the grocery store.”
“The headlines don’t say it all.”
“He’s a Barron. That pretty much says the rest.” It did, but it didn’t. It didn’t say Chase could be as sweet as he was clueless. It didn’t say that the man could curl her toes with a kiss. It didn’t say that now, after seeing Kade, Chase and old Mr. Barron up close, she could see what her mother saw. If Kade wasn’t a Barron, there’d been gene splicing in his mother’s womb.
“Have you two had sex?”
“Kade!” Heat rushed into her cheeks and she knew she was blushing furiously. “That is none of your business.”
“I repeat, hon. Player.”
“And I repeat, bro. I know. We have an agreement. This is a business arrangement.”
“I’ve stayed in his apartment, Sav. He doesn’t have a guest room.”
“No. But.”
“But what?”
“His bed is huge.”
“And?”
“And I sleep on one side, he sleeps on the other.” At least she hoped he did. She’d been passed out drunk last night and couldn’t remember. Janiece’s shrill voice had been such a sho
ck to her system, Savvie didn’t stop to consider things when she first opened her eyes. She’d woken up alone. That said volumes. Or so she thought.
“Hon, Chase attracts woman troubles like honeysuckle draws bees.”
“I’m not sure of that, Kade.” She reviewed what she thought she knew about Chase, and the things he’d said in passing. “I think maybe that sometimes he—”
“Sometimes I what?” Chase appeared next to Kade at the stall door and Savvie blushed.
“Y’all wanna explain why I’m the topic of conversation?” Chase was pissed.
Kade turned his head and gave him a lazy once-over before returning his attention to Sav.
“Didn’t expect to see you out here, Chase. I thought you had a meeting,” Savvie said.
“Had a meeting, babe. Now I’m here. Anything wrong with wanting to see my wife?” Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. “Our business is our business, Savannah. You don’t discuss it with employees.”
Her nostrils flared, and her face colored beyond her previous blush. “Excuse me? You know what Kade is to me. And come to think of it, what am I? I’m your employee, too.”
Chase felt Kade shift beside him, but he kept his gaze focused on Savannah. He liked that she had a temper. He liked that she was loyal, but she should be loyal to him, not... Chase cut that thought off. She considered Kade her family. After overhearing Sav’s conversation with her mother that morning, he could understand why she was angry. While he should be thankful Kade was looking out for her, he was still pissed. She should be turning to him for that support. He was her husband. Only...not. She was right about that, too.
Chase reined in his emotions. What was it about this woman that sent him reeling from one extreme to another? He wimped out and completely changed the subject. “Good-lookin’ horse, Kade.”
