With her eyebrows raised ever so slightly, she tossed him a questioning look. Luke laughed warmly. “I’m just afraid that if I have you follow me you’ll change your mind and turn around when we get there. So why don’t you simply indulge me, relax and just let yourself have a good time? Okay?”
Shaking her head, Joanne giggled softly as she lifted her legs up and over the center console, sliding into the passenger seat. “I don’t believe you,” she said, the laugher radiating warmth over her face.
Their ride had taken less than twenty minutes. As they pulled into the driveway of Luke’s Preston Hollow home, Joanne sensed that the man was better able to read her thoughts than she wanted to admit. He’d been right about her changing her mind. Had she been able, she would have turned her car around and raced back in the opposite direction. She couldn’t begin to fathom what she had gotten herself into.
“Where are we?” Joanne questioned, her eyes dancing over the landscape. She hoped he couldn’t see that she already knew the answer even before she’d asked it.
Luke smiled, his eyes shifting in her direction. “This is my home. I thought we’d be able to sit back and relax, enjoy a good meal and just get to know each other better.”
She nodded. “Well, this should be interesting.”
Luke chuckled. “Very.”
Minutes later, after a quick tour of the massive estate, Luke led her into the glass atrium that adorned the rear of the home. Joanne was immediately taken by the sheer beauty of the large Victorian conservatory. Drenched with light, the glass chamber looked out over the landscape outside, showcasing the wealth of flora that bloomed beautifully around them. The woman could feel herself falling into the moment, mesmerized by the magnitude of it all.
Luke was clearly amused by the expression that washed over her face, and he said so. “You are extraordinarily beautiful, Ms. Lake.” He grazed his thumb lightly across the line of her profile.
Joanne could feel herself blush. “Thank you, Mr. Stallion,” she answered softly.
Luke smiled, the brilliance of it hollowing deep dimples in his cheeks. “I hope you like peanut butter and jelly,” he said, his expression serious as he changed the subject.
Laughter danced between them. “You’re serious? Peanut butter and jelly?”
Luke nodded. “It’s my best dish. I make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
Joanne returned the smile as she shrugged her shoulders. “Then peanut butter and jelly it will be,” she said, dropping to the picnic blanket and floor cushions that rested at their feet. Luke held up an index finger, motioning for her to give him a quick minute.
Moving to the table on the other side of the room, Luke switched on the sound system, flooding the space with soft jazz. Returning to her side, he dropped down beside her, plates of sliced cheese and fruit in hand. A plastic container held wedges of finger sandwiches, rich homemade peanut butter and luscious strawberry jelly oozing from thick, freshly baked bread. A bottle of chilled champagne completed the meal.
As they savored the sweetness of fresh pineapple and polished off chunks of sweet mango, Joanne had lost all thought of the frustrations that had riddled their morning and afternoon. Pure joy had replaced the earlier anxiety that had consumed her. Every ounce of tension that had pulled across her shoulders had withered beneath the wealth of laughter the two had later shared. Joanne couldn’t believe the good time she was having.
Luke nodded, as if reading her mind a second time. “This has been a lot of fun,” he said, his gaze dancing with hers. “I’m glad we did this.” The timbre of his voice was soft and warm, flooding her spirit. He reached for her hand, pulling the length of her fingers to his lips as he licked the fruit juices from their length. Joanne’s eyes widened in surprise, a shudder of rising fervor heating her feminine spirit.
“I forgot the napkins,” he said nonchalantly as if sliding his lips over her fingers were something he did every day.
Reaching for the last chocolate-covered strawberry, Luke had tilted it to her lips. Clasping her palm around his hand, she bit into the decadent fruit, savoring the sweetness of the dessert. Her tongue lightly grazed the tips of his fingers, and he smiled, temptation rising like a new day between them.
“Sweet,” Luke muttered softly as he savored the last bite of strawberry. His gaze met Joanne’s. She could feel her breath catch deep in her chest, and she held the oxygen for a second longer than necessary, afraid that if she breathed she might wake up and find that it had all just been a dream.
Her eyes skated across his face as she struggled not to stare back into the deep gaze he was giving her. She cleared her throat and lifted her body from where she sat. Moving to the windows, she stared out to the grounds outside. In the distance, the afternoon sun had begun to settle, a blanket of darkness being pulled up and over the land.
From where he still sat, Luke had stared after her. He chuckled softly to himself, intrigued by her efforts to ignore the rise of emotion sweeping between them. But there was no denying the rise of ardor that had been fueling the moment. Lifting his own body from the floor, Luke moved to stand where she stood, easing his body behind hers. As his chest pressed warmth against her back, he wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing the woman close against him.
Joanne had been amazed at how keenly they fit together, her body melding nicely against his. She closed her eyes, leaning back against his hard frame, and allowed herself to drop into the wealth of emotion that had consumed her. Luke’s lips pressing a damp kiss against the back of her neck sent her desire into overdrive. She was suddenly conscious of his large palm kneading her midsection, his fingers dancing against her flesh. She struggled to suppress a moan that threatened to spill past her lips.
“I really should be going,” Joanne said, stepping away from him. The heat from his hands still burned hot against her body.
Luke smiled. “You could stay,” he said suggestively.
“That wouldn’t be a good idea,” she said. “And you need to get back to your car.”
Luke laughed heartily, his head falling back against his thick neck. “Here I was trying to seduce you, and all you can think about is getting me back to my car!”
Giggling, Joanne shook her head. “There will be no seducing here tonight. We need to call this evening to an end. I had a really nice time, though,” she said, trying to sound convincing.
Luke stepped in closer, reaching for her hand. Holding it tightly he pressed a kiss into her palm. “Whatever you want, beautiful lady! Whatever you want!”
Color flushed Joanne’s cheeks. “I had a very nice time tonight, Luke. Thank you.”
Luke nodded. “That makes me very happy, Joanne. I had a great time, too,” he said as he wrapped his arms back around her torso and hugged her tightly, wishing he didn’t have to let her go.
Joanne heaved a deep sigh, inhaling air deep into her lungs. The memories of her evening were lingering hard and deep. Joanne’s head was still swimming from the good time she’d had with the man. He’d been attentive and sweet, and each time he’d looked at her, she’d felt priceless. She didn’t even want to begin to think about the many times that he’d touched her, his hand grazing the back of her hand or her forearm or resting lightly against the small of her back. Those times had left her wishing for something she had no business wanting. Joanne had gotten completely lost in the warmth of his touch.
She thought back to his arms being around her body as he’d hugged her good-night. Heat had risen between them with a fury that had left her speechless. She touched her arm where he’d last touched her, his fingers stroking her skin with complete abandon. The moment had taken her breath away. She shook her head, allowing the memories to sweep through her spirit.
What did I just do? Joanne thought suddenly, recalling his telephone call and the conversation the two had just shared minutes earlier. What in the world was I thinking? I can’t go out with that man again. I have to cancel!
Joanne dropped her head into
the palms of her hands. She couldn’t begin to imagine how she’d allowed herself to get so caught up with how good the man had left her feeling. But Luke had left her feeling very good, and her good feeling had to do with the sensations that rose from his masculine presence when he was near.
Leaning back in her leather chair, Joanne crossed her arms over her chest, replaying their conversation over again in her head.
“Hey, Joanne, how are you?” Luke had asked, his voice like liquid gold in her ear, warm and seductive. “Luke, hello!”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“No, not at all.”
“I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our time together last night.”
“That’s sweet of you. I had a very nice time, too.”
“I was hoping we might be able to do it again. Sometime soon, maybe?”
There had been a moment’s pause as Joanne had reflected on his comment. She was grinning into the telephone receiver when she finally responded. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much.”
Luke’s excitement was like static energy crossing the telephone line. “That’s great. Is tomorrow night good for you?”
“Tomorrow? That’s really soon!”
Luke chuckled. “Some people I know are having a small party tomorrow, and I would love it if you joined me.”
“What kind of party?”
“Nothing major. Just a simple gathering of some friends and family. This will really be a group thing.”
“Funny.”
“So, you’ll go?”
“Sure, why not.”
“Great. This time I’ll pick you up. The party starts at seven o’clock. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“I can just meet you.”
“Really, it’s not a problem. You live over by Fourth Street, right?”
Joanne’s eyes had widened with surprise. “How did—?”
“Someone at the center mentioned it. What’s your apartment number?”
Joanne had paused. She took a deep breath, gulping softly. “12-B.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow. You have a great day, okay?”
“You, too,” Joanne had said, her voice dropping to a loud whisper.
Before hanging up the phone, Luke had called her name. “Joanne?”
“Yes?”
“It’s black tie. But I don’t want you to worry about a dress. I’ll have one delivered to you. Bye, Joanne.”
Then he’d hung up. It had only taken her a New York minute after he’d disconnected the call to remember what was happening the following night: the Stallion banquet, which would kick off their annual rodeo event. Everyone was talking about it. Everyone who was anyone would be there.
The guest list was Dallas’s elite and wealthy. Joanne had no doubts that if her father had been invited, the man would be there, front and center. There was absolutely no way she could go.
She dropped her hands into her palms a second time and pondered how she was going to get herself out of it.
She’d said yes! Luke was still tap dancing on cloud nine. His excitement didn’t go unnoticed. Michelle cornered him on the rear lanai just as he’d flipped his cell phone closed.
“Found you a date, huh?”
The man laughed. “Was it that obvious?”
“The minute you said you had one,” Michelle said, laughing with him, “you got this panicked look on your face. It wasn’t pretty.”
“Matthew thinks he’s funny. Smart ass!”
“Oh, he was smart, all right. Your brother got you before you got him.”
Luke chuckled again. “So, what’s the skinny, Mitch? Is there something going on between him and Vanessa?”
The woman shrugged. “You’re starting to sound like Mark now. I’m sure if those two want us to know something, they’ll tell us.”
Luke crossed his arms over his chest, leaning his back against the brick wall of the house. “So, when are you going to share your news?”
Michelle eyed him with reservation. “What news?”
“Don’t play dumb now, Mitch Stallion. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Michelle glanced over her shoulder, searching out the rest of the family. She clasped her arm through Luke’s, pulling him beside her. “Walk with me.” When they were some distance from the home, she turned to face him. “How did you know?”
“I don’t know,” he said facetiously. He held up his hand, counting one finger at a time. “Maybe it’s got something to do with the fact that you’ve been a strange shade of green for weeks now. You’re only keeping every other meal down, and you’re starting to lose your girlish figure. Except your boobs, of course—they’ve gotten huge!”
Michelle threw a punch, hammering Luke against the shoulder. Luke laughed as he rubbed at the bruise she’d inflicted.
“So, I’m right. You are pregnant!”
“Don’t you dare tell Mark! I want to surprise him at the anniversary celebration.”
Luke wrapped an arm around her shoulder, hugging her close. “He won’t hear it from me, but you know how the rest of these Stallions are. Not one of them can keep a secret. And if I figured it out, I know they have. In case you didn’t catch it, Aunt Juanita was just about to out your secret back there.”
“I know. I’ve been dodging questions from her and Marah all morning.” Michelle smiled, shaking her head. “I swear, I think Mark is still the only one who doesn’t have a clue, and the man wakes up with me every morning.” She pressed her palms to her abdomen.
Luke smiled down on her. “He’s going to be thrilled. Don’t you worry. I am so excited for both of you. Wow, I’m going to be an uncle!”
“Double wow! I’m going to be a mother.”
“You and Mark will make wonderful parents. I’m sure you two will have little Junior riding a Harley home from the hospital.”
Michelle giggled as their names were called to draw their attention to the other side of the property. Mark was gesturing for them to come back.
Michelle bumped her shoulder against Luke’s arm. “You promised, so don’t fail me. After tomorrow night, it won’t be a secret anymore.”
Pretending to zipper his lips, Luke smiled. “No problem, but I really need you to do me one big favor in return.”
“What’s that?”
“What do you know about buying a ball gown?”
History painted the walls of the home’s library. The décor was a collage of family images, framed civic awards, trophies and books. Books filled shelves that ran from the floor to the ceiling along two walls. The ambiance was warming, the dark wood of the bookcases against taupe walls creating a place that felt secure and inviting.
Edward sat in one of four leather chairs, listening intently to John as he gave him an update on their business activities. The mood was somber, their expressions too serious for comfort.
“How bad is it?” Edward asked, his hands clasped tightly together in his lap.
John met his gaze. He took a deep lungful of air, blowing it slowly past his lips before he responded. “It’s not good, Edward. It’s not good at all.
“Fill me in, son.”
“Six months ago, a representative from E-Kal Industries approached me with an offer to purchase the company. I took the initial meetings to see what they were proposing but I had no serious intentions of selling my business, and I told them so. I have to admit, though, it was an impressive offer. Very impressive. But I turned it down.
“Since then, someone’s been buying up some significant Stallion stock. All of our major stockholders have been approached about selling, and some of them actually have. Now, word on the grapevine is that neither I nor our current management team is acting in the best interest of the shareholders…”
“Opening the door for a proxy fight if they can convince enough of the shareholders to go along with it,” Edward finished for him.
John nodded. “Yes. For the time being, Mark and I are meeting with as many o
f the shareholders as we can to reassure them that there is nothing they need to be concerned about. And Matthew’s got a team researching E-Kal. We need to know who’s behind this.”
Edward heaved a deep sigh, leaning back in his chair. He nodded his gray head. “What can I do to help?”
The younger man shook his head, leaning forward as he rested his elbows on top of his legs and dropping his head into his hands. “You’re doing it, Edward. I appreciate your support. I have to tell you, I’ve only been scared a few times in my life, and this has got me scared.” John raised his eyes to meet Edward’s intense stare. “Really scared. I can’t fail this family. I can’t.”
Matthew held the home’s front door open as Vanessa stepped past him to the front porch. Stepping out behind her, Matthew pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his khaki slacks. The duo traversed the steps down to the driveway, coming to stand beside Vanessa’s motorcycle. She unlatched her helmet from its resting place, pulled it onto her head and affixed the strap beneath her chin. Matthew finally broke the silence between them.
“Vanessa, are you certain about this? I mean, really certain that this is what you want?”
She gave him a bright smile, her head nodding in assent. “More than you will ever know.”
Matthew blew a deep sigh. “Well, neither of us is going to be able to keep it a secret much longer. They’re already asking questions,” he said, gesturing toward the house. “You know how my brothers can get.”
Vanessa chuckled as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. Reaching for his hand, she squeezed it tightly, holding it beneath her own. “I know, but I couldn’t do this without you, Matthew. I trust your judgment. You don’t know how much it means to me to have you supporting me.”
“Vanessa, you know I’d never abandon you.”
“I know. That’s why I love you so much.” She squeezed his hand a second time before swinging her leg over the bike, adjusting her body against the narrow seat.
Lost in a Stallion's Arms (Kimani Romance) Page 9
