by Francis Ray
The twins didn’t need any further urging. They took off, leaving their father behind. Sierra listened to their excited chatter and knew there was an excellent chance she had a sale. “When you’re finished I’ll show you the other estates.”
It was a good thirty minutes before the twins were ready to leave, and then reluctantly. The entire tour of all the estates took much longer than usual because of the slow pace of Mr. Harrison.
“How much is the first one you showed us with the furnishings?” he asked when they finished.
Sierra gave him the figure. He looked at the twins clinging hopefully to his arms and said, “Where do I sign?”
The twins squealed. Sierra waited until the elated sounds died, then explained that they couldn’t take occupancy until the grand opening and why. They readily accepted the conditions. After the contract was signed they returned to the estate. One of the twins whipped out her camera to take pictures; then they debated who would have the master bedroom. Their father would have the third bedroom and be able to visit from Tucson as much as possible.
Sierra wanted to ask if he knew Blade but didn’t. Mr. Harrison hadn’t mentioned him, so she wouldn’t. It was well after nine when she saw them to a limousine waiting at the curb behind Blade’s Maserati. She wouldn’t be using it that night.
Mr. Harrison was about to get inside when he turned and slowly straightened. “I have a confession to make. I don’t need this.” He lifted the cane.
Sierra crossed her arms and lifted a brow. “Why the charade?”
“For us,” Darla said. “We saw the place on the Web site and loved it immediately.”
“Daddy called for an appointment, but was told the earliest was next week,” Paula added. “It’s near the med school, the Arts District, restaurants, and everything. It’s perfect.”
“It was the only thing I could think of,” their father said a bit sheepishly. “We lost their mother two years ago and I tend to spoil them, but they make me proud every day. They had their hearts set on that place and I was afraid to wait.”
“It almost sold today,” Sierra told them. The twins clamped their father’s arm tighter in distress. “But just so you know, I figured out your ruse fifteen minutes after we met when I took your arm. It’s muscular, not arthritic. Neither are your hands. You might have sold Harrison Steel, but your name is well-known.”
His bushy brows bunched. “I’ll be. Why didn’t you boot us out?”
“Your love for your daughters still rang true.”
“Where were you going?” Paula asked.
“Shopping with my cousin.”
The twins moaned. “We’re sorry.”
“Any way I can make it up to you?” he asked.
“Send me customers,” Sierra said, unfolding her arms.
“Count on it. Good-bye, and thanks again.” He climbed inside after his daughters.
“Well done.”
Sierra turned, knowing she’d see Blade. He came toward her in that slow, graceful way of his that made her go soft inside. “Glad you approve.”
He stopped beside her. “Should I tell them to put the car up or do you want to take a ride?”
“Let’s walk.” She laughed at the aghast expression on his face and reached for his hand. “Come on, it’s good for you.”
He spoke over his shoulder to the nearby security guard: “Please call Shane and have him put the car up.”
“Don’t trust anyone else driving it, eh?”
“No.”
She felt happy, almost giddy, and realized the man beside her, not the sale, was the reason. “Is everything all right in Mexico?”
“Yes. There were some minor problems with the stability of the canals, but that’s been corrected. We’re still ahead of schedule.”
By mutual consent they took the lite path to the landscaped pool. The rustic planters, fountain, and cushioned lounge chair for the photo shoot planned the next day with Dominique were tempting. Still holding Sierra’s hand, Blade sat and pulled her down beside him. Faintly she heard traffic noises, but the surrounding shrubbery drowned most of it. It was almost as if they were the only two people in the world.
It seemed the most natural thing in the world to lie in his arms, her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart, which matched the crazy tempo of her own. “Tell me something about you that nobody else knows.”
The second he tensed under her she knew she had asked the wrong question. She could let it go or try to help him heal. “When I was trying to get an interview, I read everything I could about you, but there was little to learn about the man behind Navarone Resorts and Spas.”
“Boring stuff.” His hand lazily glided up and down her back. “What about you?”
“I climbed out my bedroom window to meet Jeremy Woods.” Blade’s hand stilled. “My brothers said he wasn’t any good, but he was a senior, handsome, popular, and had lettered in every sport. And he had a little red Corvette that beat everything on the road except Cameron’s souped-up Mustang. I was a lowly sophomore who had just missed the cut for the cheerleader squad.”
“He took advantage of you?” Blade bit out.
“I’d like to think it wouldn’t have gotten that far,” she told him, a little bit ashamed of sneaking out.
“What happened?”
“I went to the local hangout and saw him and Alberta Moore, another senior, making out in his Corvette.”
His hand resumed stroking her back. “This might sound harsh, but I’m glad.”
“Me, too.” She sighed. “It made me listen to my brothers about boys, then men, from that night on.”
“Until now.”
Denying it would be a lie. “Until now.”
Silence settled around them except for the crickets. “My father died when I was five. My mother when I was seven. When none of my relatives came forward to take me, I was sent to an orphanage. Some of the staff there didn’t have much use for a full-blooded Cherokee.”
Sierra came abruptly upright. Her eyes blazing. “There are stupid people everywhere.”
His hand gently cupped her cheek. “Took me a long time to figure that out.”
Her hand covered his. “I’m glad you did.”
“So am I.” Curving his hand around the back of her head, he drew her to him. His lips were firm and warm as he kissed her. He twisted and she was under him.
The weight of his muscled warmth sent shock waves of pleasure pulsing through her. She wanted more.
Her breasts ached. His hand cupping them wasn’t enough. She didn’t protest as his agile fingers flicked the buttons and spread her jacket. She knew the pleasure his hands could bring, but she had no idea what to expect when his hot mouth circled the turgid peak.
Her back arched; a blissful moan drifted over her parted lips. He took the sensitive point between his teeth, his tongue laving. Her hands speared through his unbound hair, holding him tightly to her.
Her body burned. She moved restlessly beneath him, wanting something more. As if realizing it, the heel of his hand pressed against the juncture of her thighs. “Blade.” His name was a ragged plea.
Lifting his head, he muttered a curse and pulled her tightly to him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have started this out here.” He leaned away to fasten her bra and button her jacket.
She didn’t know if she should cry in frustration or thank him. “You can put me back in my clothes as fast as you can get me out of them.”
“Believe me, one day I won’t.” Pulling her upright, he straightened her jacket and finger-combed her hair. “You’re too beautiful for me not to have at least tried to kiss.”
“Protecting my reputation.” It was a statement.
“Yes, although you tempt me more than I possibly imagined.” Catching her hand, he started back the way they had come.
Blade tried to work but kept glancing at the clock on the desk in his office. Sierra should have been back from her shopping trip with Dominique by now, he thought. Sierra h
ad had to cancel for the past three days because of the increased interest in Navarone Place.
Although he’d told Sierra that her living on the property would let clients visit after hours, he hadn’t meant it. His sole purpose had been having her nearby. But his plan had backfired.
Last night she’d shown the units to a couple and their parents after ten. By the time they left, it was almost midnight. The security guard Blade insisted remain with Sierra after hours had called him just before she called to say good night.
He had wanted to go down to see her, but each kiss kept taking them to a point where soon he wouldn’t pull back. Her body was ready, but he wasn’t sure about her mind. He couldn’t stand the thought of them making love and her regretting it afterwards. If he couldn’t give her forever, he’d give her absolute passion. Unfortunately, he had no idea when that might be.
He only knew that it had to be right. She moved him in ways he didn’t understand. Besides Shane and Rio, few people Blade associated with knew about his childhood, and fewer still about his marriage to Mary.
Some secrets would never be told.
Yet Sierra had a way about her that made him relax his guard. Besides his staff, Jess, the security guards, and a host of his construction workers, she’d also made friends with the concierge and other staff at the W. He’d been right; she’d never met a stranger.
He was pleased with the response to the Web site, but not that it kept them apart. He could only imagine what it would be like when the special insert in Architectural Digest and Southern Accents magazines came out. It had taken some pull and a sizable check to get it in the next editions.
He started to reach for his phone to call Security again to see if Sierra was back, but he let his hand fall. He’d called them less than five minutes ago. The answer had been the same as the other three times he’d inquired. She’d called to say they were finished shopping and were heading back to Dominique’s house.
“The car can run on a flat, has roadside service, and is one of the safest in the world,” Shane ticked off, as he sat in his usual chair across from Blade.
“It’s also enormously powerful. Things happen.” Too restless to remain seated, Blade came to his feet and went to the terrace off the great room.
Shane followed. “If they do, Sierra can probably handle it.”
Picking up the binoculars, Blade scanned the streets below. There seemed to be a steady stream of cars going to the W and area businesses, but none was the one he wanted to see.
“You want me to put a man on her?”
Blade swung around. “Is there a reason to think I should?”
Shane met the hard stare head-on. “There was an incident while you were at Dominique’s house.”
“And you’re just now telling me?” Blade questioned, his gaze narrow and displeased.
“She didn’t pose a threat to you or Sierra,” Shane answered.
“She?” Blade repeated.
“Yes.” Shane turned away. “I’d better make my rounds.”
Blade let him go. He’d trust Shane with his life, had done so on more than one occasion. Shane was the best at security in the business. He, Blade, and Rio got along so well because of their past. There were reasons for the lack of women in their lives. And the reasons haunted all of them.
His phone rang. He quickly answered. “Blade.”
“Ms. Grayson just pulled up, sir.”
“Thank you.” He started to hang up but stopped. “She probably has a lot of packages. Please help her.”
“Yes, sir.”
Replacing the phone, Blade took the elevator to the fourth floor and paced. The second bank of elevators opened. He heard Sierra’s voice, her bright laughter. Pleasure went through him. Seeing her with two Lavender & Lace shopping bags and Shane with two plastic clothing bags from Neiman Marcus, Blade just shook his head. “I see you had fun.”
Her eyes lit up on seeing him. Happiness curled through him at her response: “That we did.”
He took the clothes from Shane, who nodded and got back on the elevator.
“Thanks, Shane,” she said.
“Anytime,” Shane said, and disappeared into the elevator.
Continuing down the hall, Sierra opened her door and closed it after Blade. “Just dump them on the sofa and I’ll put them up later.”
He laid the garments over the back of the sofa, then peeked into the bags she held. “Anything interesting?”
She blushed and moved the bag aside. “You didn’t have to wait for me.”
His face turned serious. “I did a map search. You should have been here thirty minutes ago.”
“Traffic.” Taking his hand, she went to the terrace. The night was beautiful. “Trent and Dominique talked from the time we left Fort Worth’s city limits, then she and I talked until I arrived here.”
He brushed his lips across her wrist, felt her pulse leap. His had been doing the same since he’d seen the sexy white blouse and the sand-colored flared skirt with cutout details that showed a tantalizing glimpse of her killer legs each time she moved. “It might have helped if you had told me.”
“Next time I will. Now I have something important to announce.” Releasing his hand, she went to the table, lit the candles, then picked up the chilling bottle of sparkling cider and filled two flute glasses.
“Since this is cold, was Martin or Jenkins your accomplice?” Blade asked.
“I’ll never betray a friend or reveal secrets.” She lifted her glass, “As of five thirteen this afternoon, Navarone Place had a total of twenty-one sales.”
“What?” He knew she had been working hard, but he was still amazed.
“I wanted to surprise you. People who’ve looked have purchased. If all keeps going so well, you’ll be sold out by the completion date. One of the three referrals from Mr. Harrison purchased and promised to tell her friends.” She clicked her glass to his. “To Navarone Place.”
“To Navarone Place and my extraordinary broker.” He sipped, his eyes on her, then set his glass down and kissed her. It was impossible not to. Her lips, chilled from the drink, quickly heated. So did his body as he tasted the cider and her sweetness.
His hand moved from her waist to her breast, covering the firm softness. His fingers deftly slipped the buttons free. The feel of her soft silken skin hardened his body more. He wanted more, wanted to take the pebbled point pushing against his palm into his mouth. If he did, this time he knew he wouldn’t stop until he possessed her. His desire had never been so intense. Withdrawing his hand, he closed her blouse before he lifted his head. “You tempt me like no other woman.”
Her moist lips trembled. “When you kiss me, I can’t think. My mind shuts down and my body takes over.”
His forehead touched hers. “How can I go back to my place when you say things like that?”
“I’m not sure I want you to.”
Gathering her closer, he shut his eyes tightly. “Sierra, what are you doing to me?”
“I hope a little of what you’re doing to me.” With her arms around his waist, she pressed her cheek to his chest.
“Believe it. I have to fly to Mexico in the morning. I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I wish you could come with me,” he said.
She wanted to go so very badly. “I need to be here.”
“You belong in my arms.”
Her head lifted. “Then you’ll hurry back to me.”
His mouth found hers again in a kiss that curled her toes; then he was gone.
Sierra was determined to make good use of the time Blade was away. Saturday morning she did the interviews set up by the advertising agency with The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Both reporters promised the photos in the newspaper would be in color.
After her last appointment for that day she’d gone with Dominique to photograph the models, a man and a woman, in the fitness center, the spa, and reclining by the pool. She’d tried not to think of her and Blade there but wasn’t successful
.
Declining Dominique’s invitation to have dinner at her house, Sierra stayed home and waited for Blade to call. She’d never waited for a man to call in her life. She’d picked at the dinner Martin had prepared. Both bad signs, but there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop caring for Blade.
A little after eight, the doorbell rang. Hoping against hope that Blade had returned early, she tossed the book she’d been trying to read on the sofa, took two steps, and then stopped. She wore silk pajamas and nothing else. The doorbell rang again. “Coming,” she yelled, then reached for the matching robe. There was no sense in asking for trouble from a man who was aching to give it to her.
As she opened the door, her eyes widened. She squealed and launched herself into the powerful arms of her brother.
Luke smiled against her hair. “I guess you’re glad to see us.”
“That’s an understatement.” She reached for her sister-in-law.
“Hello, Sierra.”
“Why didn’t you call and let me know?” Sierra asked after hugging Catherine and inviting them inside.
“He wanted to surprise you. The concierge at the W overheard us asking at the front desk for you and told us you were here. Luke asked the security guard downstairs not to alert you.” Catherine glanced at Luke with mild reproach.
Sierra understood that look. He had wanted to see if Blade were there. She tried not to blush. If he hadn’t been out of town, he might have been there and they might have been doing exactly what Luke and her family were worried about.
Trying to hide another blush, she started toward the great room just as her phone rang. “Excuse me. Hello.”
“Are you all right?”
Sierra frowned on hearing Shane’s voice. She thought he had gone with Blade.
“Sierra.” Impatience and worry rang in that one word.
“Yes.”
