Taking Charge

by Ruth Cardello

  David smiled at the whip reference. Some women liked them. The old horse trainer’s logic didn’t translate literally to how a man should deal with a modern woman, but the idea of taking things slow and easy seemed to be what Lucy needed. Unless she was into whips. He was reasonably sure he wouldn’t say no to much if she asked him to do it while standing there in something as sheer as what she was wearing, with her nipples puckered in excitement as they were.

  Lucy folded her arms over her chest, which deliciously opened the bodice of her nightgown again. The outline of her petite form was Penthouse worthy. “I would ask what you’re thinking, but I’m sure I don’t want to know. Shut the door behind you as you leave, David.”

  David closed the distance between them and briefly kissed her open mouth. Her lips moved against his hungrily. When he lifted his head, her face was flushed and her eyes burned with a need that mirrored his own. He whispered in her ear, “You didn’t say I couldn’t kiss you. That should have been your first rule. But then I would have suggested you not wear that nightgown again, because kissing you is all I’ve been thinking about since you walked in, and it practically disappeared beneath the bright morning sun.”

  Lucy gasped, stepped back, and grabbed a napkin to cover herself. “Get out.”

  David laughed and did as she said. She was losing the battle with herself. He paused on the steps outside her kitchen and smiled. Women had always found him attractive, and winning them over had never taken much effort. Lucy was different, and figuring her out was exciting.

  A little while later, David was driving one of Lucy’s tractors to clean up a large paddock he would use for his horses when his phone rang. It was Mason Thorne, a man he’d initially thought he would never get along with, but who was fast becoming a friend.

  “David, so you’re out at Lucy’s place. How is that going?”

  Instead of answering the question, he turned the tables. “I hear you’ll be back in Fort Mavis. I expect to hear you’re moving there soon.”

  Mason laughed. “It’s a bit too small for me, but it has a certain charm. Will we see you?”

  David wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his plaid shirt. “I can’t see why not.”

  “Both of you?”

  “My own mother isn’t as interested in my social life,” David said with humor.

  Mason sounded shamelessly unrepentant. “We’re all rooting for it to work out with Lucy. I’m here if you need advice on how to not screw it up this time. I understand women.”

  David chuckled. “That’s a kind offer, but I’m doing just fine.”

  “So, you’re dating her now?”

  “No.”

  “Friends?”

  “Sort of.”

  “But you’re staying at her place?”

  “In the bunkhouse. I’m leasing the barns and the land.”

  “What was the last thing she said to you? Be honest. I need to assess the situation.”

  “She told me to get out of her house.”

  “What did you do right before that?”

  “I kissed her.” This is ridiculous. Why am I telling him anything?

  Because I don’t want to fuck it up this time, either.

  Do I honestly believe Mason could have a helpful insight?

  “And you’re not at all concerned that you may have crossed a line?”

  “She likes me; she won’t admit it yet.”

  Mason groaned. “I used that line once when I played a stalker in a movie.”

  “I’m not stalking her, but I’m also not sitting back this time and letting another man swoop in while I do nothing. She’s mine, and she’s close to seeing that.”

  “I have excellent lawyers if it turns out you’re wrong.”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  Mason laughed again. “I’m not actually worried. I’ve seen Lucy around you. She likes you, but seriously, keep me on speed dial. Charles wouldn’t be with Melanie if it weren’t for me. If things go south, don’t be too proud to come to the master of romance for advice.”

  Master of bullshit. “Hey, before I hang up on you, which I will gladly do in a minute, I need to ask a favor of you. Do you have any political contacts in the Mavis area? I want to know if there is anything being proposed for this area behind closed doors. Lucy’s neighbor is buying up land and wants hers. I’m real interested in why.”

  “I’ll ask around.”

  “Do it quietly. I don’t want anyone to know who is asking.”

  “Is that the same neighbor who she was engaged to?”

  “He’s bad news, Mason. The more I hear about him, the nastier the stories get. I want to know what he’s up to and anything I can use to stop him.”

  “I played a detective once. I’m all over this.”

  David sighed and shook his head. “I’ll swing by when you’re in Fort Mavis.”

  “Great, and bring Lucy—unless she’s still throwing you out of her house.”

  David laughed and hung up. Mason was a sarcastic son of a bitch who played dumb because he liked to be underestimated. His time in the California State Senate had come to an end and, even though he hadn’t made an announcement, there was talk about a potential presidential run. The country could elect a hell of a lot worse.

  Chapter Six

  Lucy refused to reflect on how good David’s kiss had felt, or how eager her body was to feel more of his. She stomped up to her bedroom and looked at herself in the mirror. Her nightgown looked perfectly respectable, as far as nightgowns went. Normally, she didn’t parade around half dressed in front of anyone, but he was the one who had decided to scare her half to death by making her breakfast. The last thing I was thinking about was what I was wearing.

  Well, at least he was only joking about it being see-through.

  She stepped back into the light from the window, and her mouth rounded. “Oh no.” The material became completely translucent. She covered her suddenly hot cheeks with both hands. She might as well have been standing there in nothing but her panties. “No wonder he smiled his way through breakfast.”

  Recognizing a light of passion in her own eyes, she frowned at her reflection. Don’t be stupid. No matter how wonderful sleeping with him might feel, it would only make this situation more complicated.

  She told herself that even though she owed David money, she still had her pride. If I sleep with him, what’s the difference between me and any woman who accepts financial compensation for sex?

  Sex. Sex. Sex. Since when is that all I think about?

  I’m spending my time reading about and thinking about sex toys. That could be enough to muddle any woman’s common sense.

  She ran one finger across her bottom lip and closed her eyes in pleasure as she remembered the feel of his mouth on hers. Did he have to be such a good kisser?

  She turned away from the mirror, shed her nightgown, and stepped into the shower. By the end of her shower, she’d convinced herself the only reason it felt like he kissed better than any other man she’d ever been with was because it had been such a long time. By the time she was dressed and hopping into her truck, she’d put their morning flirtation behind her and was determined to focus on the day’s errands. David stopped when he saw her across the driveway, turned the tractor off, and got down. Lucy started her truck quickly and peeled out of her driveway like a criminal running from the law.

  I’m not afraid I’ll melt at his feet if I talk to him again or stand there staring at him, wishing he’d kiss me again. No, I’m smarter than that. I just don’t see what we have to say to each other right now.

  She glanced back in her mirror and saw him standing in the middle of her driveway, shaking his head. No matter how good he looks, he must smell like cow manure after working out there.

  I wouldn’t mind washing him off.

  A nasty crunching sound snapped Lucy’s attention back to driving, and she realized she’d driven right over her mailbox, which had thankfully been on a thin post.

  This
has to stop. I’m lucky it was only a mailbox; there will be kids here this afternoon.

  Snap out of it, Lucy.

  David is just a man, no different than any other. When has deciding to be with one ever made things better? Doesn’t it always end badly? I refuse to add another layer of shit to a situation that is already out of control.

  Lucy kept telling herself this, and by the time she arrived in town, she believed it. She checked in with the bank. Even though she believed Wyatt would never cheat her, she needed to confirm that the money was there. Afterward, she met with the same lawyer her father had always used. He wrote up a simple loan paper for her and David without blinking an eye. In a town as small as Mavis, he’d probably heard all about David staying at her place, but he didn’t ask. His discretion was what her father had always liked about him, and Lucy was grateful for it then and now.

  She was walking out of his office when she literally bumped into a friend from high school. “Michelle.”

  A concerned look spread across the petite brunette’s face. “Lucy. I heard about you and Ted; are you okay?”

  Lucy scanned her friend’s face and found no sign of anything but genuine worry. “I’m fine. Sometimes things just don’t work out. You know how it goes.”

  Michelle Hughes nodded and gave her nearly flat stomach a pat. “I haven’t heard from you lately, so you don’t know that we’re expecting another baby.” Her expression twisted with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. This was the wrong moment to bring that up.”

  Lucy took her friend’s hand in hers. “I’m okay and really, really happy for you. Ron must be thrilled. I know you both wanted to try for a boy.”

  “He is, and we’re hopeful this time. The doctor thought he saw a . . . well, you know. It’s hard to say when they’re so little, but Ron already bought a football.”

  “That’s great,” Lucy said, then hugged her friend. She’d known Michelle since kindergarten. Seeing her happy brightened Lucy’s mood. “I have work to do today, but I have time for lunch. What about you?”

  “I’d love that.”

  They linked arms and walked to the town’s diner together. I was wrong. I do have friends here. The people at the bank and her father’s old lawyer had both not only seemed to care but also sounded as if they believed she could succeed. She was glad she’d come into town.

  Over sandwiches, the two women caught up with what Michelle had been doing. When they finished, Michelle sat back and took a sip of her water. “Did I mention how good it is to see you? I’ve missed you.” She put her glass down. “I was so sorry to hear it didn’t work out with you and Ted. There is someone special out there for you. My mother always says, ‘There’s a lid for every pot.’ You’ll find yours.”

  Lucy twirled her straw in her drink. “I’m not focusing on that right now. I’m working on saving the ranch.”

  “I’m surprised you want it. You always said you couldn’t wait to get out of here.”

  “People change,” Lucy said quietly. “They grow up and realize what they thought was important isn’t, and what they tried to leave behind is really all that matters.”

  “Leave something behind? Sometimes I wish I could.”

  Lucy’s eyes flew to Michelle’s, and her friend instantly began to backpedal. “I’m happy with my life, but we all have our challenges. You’ll work yours out. You always were able to do anything you set your mind to.”

  Lucy smiled ruefully. That wasn’t at all how she felt lately. She wanted to ask what troubles had momentarily put a sad look in Michelle’s eyes, but she didn’t. Michelle would tell her when she was ready. Instead, she asked a question that had been burning inside her. “Michelle, what do you think of toys?”

  “Like for kids?”

  “No, for adults.”

  Michelle leaned forward and whispered, “What kind of toys are you talking about?”

  “You know—like vibrators and stuff like that.”

  Michelle’s face turned bright red. “Well, I don’t know anything about them. But there are shops for them in Dallas. Are you feeling that lonely?”

  “It’s not about being lonely.” Lucy had been curious about what her friend would think of what she was selling, but she was regretting bringing the topic up. Michelle looked mortified. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking, asking you such a personal question.”

  Michelle was quiet a moment, then said, “Buying one would be a waste of time for me. I’ve never been able to . . . Ron says some women can’t . . . and after all the sex we’ve had, I tend to agree with him. Even when it feels good, it never feels as good as they write about in those steamy books. I’m okay with that, though. I’m okay with how things are, and so is Ron.” She laid her hand on her stomach again. “Plus, we must be doing something right.”

  Lucy leaned forward and exclaimed in a loud whisper, “Wait, you’ve never had an orgasm?”

  Michelle smacked Lucy’s arm. “Don’t put it in the paper for God’s sake. A lot of women can’t. Everyone is built differently.”

  Lucy lowered her voice, but she was firm in her reply. “No, we all have pretty much the same parts. You’ve been married for five years. I can’t believe you’ve never.”

  Michelle’s eyes teared up. “Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

  No, I’m wishing I knew which toy would cure that. “No, I’m just surprised, that’s all. And I don’t believe some women can’t. I mean, maybe someone has a condition, but to me it sounds more like an excuse than a diagnosis.”

  “Are you suggesting Ron is not good in bed?” her friend asked, sounding suddenly angry with Lucy.

  “No. No. But there might be some things he doesn’t know. Things about you that if you knew, you could show him.”

  Michelle gasped and whispered, “I would never mas—do what you’re suggesting. I’m a married woman.”

  “Exactly. You should be just as happy as your husband is. Aren’t you at least curious if you can be?”

  Michelle’s anger dissolved somewhat. “I’m not like you, Lucy. I never dreamed of living in the city or having wild orgies. I wanted a simple life, and I have one. Of course things could always be better, but sometimes you have to accept what you’ve got.”

  “First, just because I moved to a big city doesn’t mean I dove into orgies. Second, I’m tired of accepting that life has to suck. I don’t think it does. I’ve made up my mind to make my life one I’m happy with—really happy with. You could do the same.”

  Michelle waved a hand nervously in the air. “I don’t know how we even got on this topic.”

  Lucy made a face, grateful her friend didn’t sound angry anymore. “I brought it up, sorry.”

  The waitress came over, and Lucy paid the bill. After they were alone again, Michelle said, “And besides, even if I wanted to try something like that—where would I get one?”

  Not from me. I have a feeling if you saw what’s in my office, you’d pass out. “Everything is online, Michelle, and they send the items discreetly packaged, so no one knows. Buying them has become commonplace.”

  “I wouldn’t even know what to buy.”

  There’s an irony to this. A good salesperson would convince her to spend four hundred dollars on the stuff I have in stock, but that’s not what she needs. “I’d start with something small like a silver bullet. Something simple.”

  Michelle blushed and hugged Lucy. “You are never allowed to tell anyone we had this conversation.”

  “I won’t. It’s really not a big deal, Michelle. You’ll see.”

  They walked out of the restaurant together. “I’m pregnant. I can’t believe I’m even considering this.”

  Lucy stopped walking and sought to put into words what she was feeling. “Being a mother shouldn’t mean you aren’t still a woman. And being a woman shouldn’t mean that enjoying sex is wrong. I can’t picture a man who’d have sex if he thought he’d never orgasm from it. Don’t ever be embarrassed about wanting the same.”

&nbs
p; Michelle smiled shyly. “This feels like old times. We used to talk about everything, remember? I’ve missed that.”

  “Me too.” And she realized in that moment just how true that was. Michelle had loved Lucy’s parents and had been a frequent extra daughter in their house throughout the years. Friendships like that should be sustained. Their season wasn’t over.

  They came to a stop beside Lucy’s truck. “I know it was rough for you after your brother left, Lucy. I hope things are going better for you now.”

  “They’re turning around,” Lucy said with a smile, then stepped inside her truck.

  As Lucy drove back to her place, she thought about what she’d said to Michelle about toys. Was there really a difference between the large mechanical device she’d giggled like a schoolgirl at the night before and the regular vibrator she’d owned since college?

  I can do this.

  Lucy was still smiling when she drove back up her driveway. She waved to David, who was standing near the barn with Wyatt, parked her truck, and walked into her house without stopping to talk to either of them. She didn’t want to risk ruining the positive energy. She went inside her office and pulled down all the blinds.

  I’ve been letting a little thing like a crazy number of controls intimidate me when I should . . . embrace the challenge, so to speak.

  David pushed his hat back and fought the urge to follow Lucy into her house. She’d bolted that morning, and he’d had trouble concentrating since. All day he told himself she’d be fine in town by herself, but he was relieved when she pulled into the driveway, missing the mailbox he’d fixed.

  He didn’t know what to think about how happy she looked as she waved to him before heading inside her house without a word. Could be visiting the bank had put her mind at ease, and that was the reason for her smile. He wanted her to be happy, but he felt a pang of jealousy at the thought that someone else might have put her in such a good mood.