A Texas Chance (21 page)

But Sophie couldn’t laugh with them. She opened her mouth twice before she thought she could speak without breaking down. “Why would you all do this? I’ve brought you nothing but trouble.”

“Because you’re one of ours now, little girl,” Hal boomed. “And MacAllisters stick together.”

She glanced at Cade, certain her heart was in her eyes. His gaze was warm as he watched her, and she wished…but she couldn’t have what she wished for most. “It’s an incredible idea. I just don’t know why—”

“Queenie…” Cade warned.

She closed her eyes. “It’s hard,” she said. “I’m not used to…this.” She spread her hands wide to include all of them. “I’m accustomed to doing things for myself.”

Zane hugged her. “Well, it’s too late now. Nothing a MacAllister likes better than a challenge.” He glared at his sister. “Except Jenna has no vote in these plans.”

Jenna was unrepentant. “The beefcake would work, you know it would.”

Grace rose. “Enough, children, or I’ll send you to your rooms.” She faced Sophie. “Have you had breakfast, dear?”

“I haven’t had much of an appetite.”

“Well, come on into the kitchen, then. Jenna, grab some paper and pen. Come along, everyone, time to start planning.”

Sophie followed, since it was clear that
no
was not an option. But when she came abreast of Cade, she paused. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever—”

“If you say the word
repay,
Queenie, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.” But he grinned.

She wanted to walk into his arms, but he didn’t offer, and his family surrounded them.

So she hoped her expression spoke for her.

I
T
WAS
INCREDIBLE
HOW
quickly things came together. Words dropped in the right ears, and Cade and his family spent a whole afternoon shooting photographs. Watching Cade in action was fascinating. But agonizing at the same time.

“Hey, bro, you’re not half bad at this. You could set up at like, a mall or something,” Zane said.

“Bite me.” And so it went, but there was laughter along with the hard work. Teasing. Above all, love. Sophie breathed it in like oxygen, let herself enjoy them as though she truly did belong. Maybe she couldn’t have Cade except as a friend, perhaps, but she could have his family, it seemed.

How she missed him, though. They were never alone together, and as each day went by, she kept herself apart from him, as he did her, each sensing how much more devastating the inevitable parting would be if they made love again.

But, oh, how she wanted to.

But Cade had been right about other things. She hadn’t given Maura enough credit. She hadn’t trusted her friend to stick by her. So that night, as she paced her bedroom floor, she finally picked up the phone and made the hardest call of her life.

“Hi, kiddo,” said Maura. “Getting excited about the opening? I can hardly wait myself.”

“Maura, I—I have to talk to you.”

“Serious tone there. What’s up? Are you okay?”

Was she? Heartache over Cade aside, she actually was, she realized. “I am, but…there have been problems. I… Maura, I’m sorry. I haven’t been honest with you.”

“Oh? Tell me what’s bothering you.”

Sophie sat on the edge of her bed, hunched over. “I didn’t want you hurt, let me say that up front. You’ve been… Maura, you gave me a chance when no one else would. And then when everything tumbled down, you still believed in me. Invested your money. You won’t regret that, I promise.”

“Of course I won’t. Sophie, stop being cryptic and spit it out.” There was the tough executive Sophie admired.

“All right.” She took a deep breath and plunged. “It’s Gary. And Kurt.”

“Gary? My Gary?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to tell you because he’s so important to you.”

“What has he done?”

“He— Kurt used him. I really don’t believe he’d have done it on his own.” When Maura remained silent, Sophie charged ahead. “The embezzlement. I didn’t do it, Maura.”

“Of course you didn’t. I never understood why you wouldn’t fight… Oh, no. Gary? He’s the embezzler?”

“I think he just doctored the books to make it look like I was the criminal. Kurt is the one behind all of this. He wanted me out of the way, out of the competition.”

“But you had a…relationship.”

“It wasn’t my smartest move, but I was lonely. And he was handsome and kind, or at least I thought he was. I was wrong. He was trying to slow me down, I think, because I was on track for the promotion he wanted. And when I came to my senses and broke things off with him, he—he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“He forced you?”

“He tried to.”

“Sophie, you should have come to me.”

“I know that now, but Kurt went a little crazy, and I just wanted to put the whole thing behind me. It would have ruined both of our careers if I’d accused him of something publicly, so I told him I’d forget it if he’d just leave me alone. I thought he had until—”

“Until the accounts under your management started to have discrepancies. And when the company accused you of embezzlement, you wouldn’t fight for your job.”

“I couldn’t. When I confronted Kurt with my suspicions that
he
was the embezzler, he told me I couldn’t prove he’d ever been involved and that if I made told anyone my suspicions, he’d throw Gary to the lions, and it would cost not only Gary his job, but you, too.”

“Oh, Sophie…”

“I owe you so much, Maura. How could I let that happen to you?”

“But if you left, he’d see that no charges were pressed, is that what he said?”

“Yes.”

“He used me to destroy you. Dear God.” Maura exhaled. “Gary is a weak man. Yes, he’s blood, but don’t you know, Sophie, you’re the daughter of my heart? I couldn’t love you more if you were my own child.”

“Maura…”

“So much is clear to me now. That’s why you just walked away and started over. You were lying when you said this was what you wanted, weren’t you?”

“At first, yes, but I knew I had to convince you that it was. Now, though…this is my dream, Maura. I love this place.”

“But you mentioned there are problems. What are they?”

“It’s okay now. Don’t worry about it.”

“You may be like a daughter to me, but that doesn’t entitle you to treat me like some helpless old woman.”

Despite the seriousness of the moment, the image made Sophie smile. “You’re certainly not helpless.”

“Then spit it out, and I’ll do what I can to help.”

So Sophie laid out the long string of events that Cade had put in motion, including her hiring a private detective Vince had recommended.

“You send that detective to me. We’ll get to the bottom of this. When I’m done, Kurt Barnstone will have a tough time finding a job as a pool boy, I promise you that.”

It was a satisfying picture, but Sophie was surprised to realize she didn’t need Kurt laid low. Neutralized, yes, so that he’d leave her alone, but beyond that, she had so much else in her life now. And the wheels of Cade’s plan were in motion to repair the damage he’d done.

“I will be making calls, too, Sophie. I still have a lot of influence in this business, and I assure you that not only will your name be cleared, but I’ll bring some impressive guests with me to your opening party.”

“Maura, you’ve already done so much.”

“I care about you, kiddo. Accept it. Now get off the phone so I can start making my calls. I’ll see you soon.”

And with that, she was gone, leaving Sophie bemused and grateful. And as though a thousand pounds had been lifted from her shoulder.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T
WO
WEEKS
PASSED
IN
A
blink. Cade had been busy nearly every second with the paperwork and other details that needed to be settled for the expedition to Korea, as well as hours spent sorting through photos of Jaime and sketching out the story that would accompany them. The book was a go, he’d heard from his agent, only waiting for him to finalize his selections. Meanwhile
National Geographic
had signed on as a sponsor for the Korea trip and was already talking to him about the next one. Any second that could be spared from the book or the trip was devoted to helping out at Sophie’s.

His photo spread of the hotel had been a big hit.
People, InStyle
and
Southern Living,
among others, had eagerly bought shots, and
Architectural Digest
was considering including Hotel Serenity in a future issue.

Sophie might not enjoy notoriety, but it was serving her well. The opening party would be a crush of people, and every one of her guest rooms was booked for the next four months, many of them longer than that. Sophie was even busier than he was, and he worried about her. She looked tired, and he wondered how she was sleeping.

He sure wasn’t, which was great for getting through his workload but not a great long-term strategy. He’d never cared to
have
a long-term strategy, though, so why start now? He was all about the next adventure, the challenge not yet met.

He was taking tons of photos, but oddly, the shots that lured him most were of people, a lot of them of Sophie.

That would surely change when he was once again standing on a mountainside.

Baekdu. From the Korean side. Unbelievable. He could hardly wait if only he didn’t have to leave Sophie.

Of course it was the right thing to do to leave her alone now, to operate as friends to set the tone for the rest of their lives. His family adored her and had taken her into the fold, for which he was glad because she had been alone too much of her life. That meant, however, that he couldn’t screw this up, couldn’t follow his usual pattern with women where they had a great time, then parted ways and never saw each other again.

He had to be careful, and he was, damn it. So blasted careful he barely contained the howl that wanted to claw its way up his throat. He wanted his hands on her again. He wanted to laugh with her, to tussle over the dog. To argue and let her get all frosty on him. She’d been so nice for days, so blasted careful around him, too.

He hated it, but he didn’t know what to do. And he always knew what to do....

Just then Sophie moved out onto the porch and leaned against a column, looking tired and lost and lonely.

He’d chew through broken glass to get to her, if things were different. But they weren’t.

Because he loved her, he couldn’t keep her.

Cade stared at Sophie across the expanse of lawn and as though she felt his gaze, she looked over and locked eyes with him. The moment spun out, endless loops of
what if
and
I miss you
and
I wish…

They only had one night left. It wasn’t the least bit fair to ask.

But maybe she wanted it, too. And all she had to do was say no.

S
OPHIE
WAS
TWO
DAYS
away from a dream.

She couldn’t be more thrilled at the response to Cade’s plan or more grateful for all his family had done to give Hotel Serenity its chance to live, for her vision to become reality. Yet as much as she was excited for the opening, she longed to jam a stick in the wheel that turned inexorably, bringing her ever closer to the day Cade would leave her.

She’d seen little of him in the past weeks since he was so busy getting ready for his trip and preparing for Jaime’s book. He had, however, taken time to select more photos for her guest rooms, framing them himself at Jesse’s. Each one was more stunning than the last, yet he still refused to even consider payment. The guests would love them, even if she wasn’t sure she could bear seeing them every day. They would forever remind her of the time she’d had with him, so they were as precious to her as they were exquisitely painful.

Hotel Serenity was shaping up nicely—her staff had worked hard, the entire place shone, Patty and her assistant had been cooking for days… Sophie’s to-do list was dwindling. She’d done it.

And tomorrow Cade was leaving to pursue his own dream. They’d never kissed again, never held hands, seldom exchanged more than ordinary conversation about the hotel or what else needed to be done before the opening.

She hated it. She missed him like a limb, an eye…a heart. Staying away was the right thing to do, though. He was thrilled about his trip and eager over Jaime’s book. He was shooting photos all the time again.

He had his life back. His gift.

She would never forget him, but she couldn’t keep him. You didn’t cage a wild falcon, clip an eagle’s wings, lock a panther in a steel cage. To do so would be a betrayal, and if you loved someone, you didn’t betray them or expect them to be something they weren’t. Cade was too grand a force to be constricted by an ordinary existence like hers would be in this small hotel.

But, oh, how she ached for him. Longed to rewind time and give them a chance to linger in that golden escape they’d had together. Arguments and all, worries and exhaustion… She’d never been happier than during this time with him. He’d believed in her when she hadn’t believed in herself, had seen the lonely person that she’d never let anyone see, and for a while had made her feel like she was not alone.

“Sophie?” Kelly, Patty’s assistant, spoke from behind her.

Sophie clenched her fist over her chest and pulled herself back together. “Yes?”

“This is for you.” She extended a folded sheet of paper and left.

Sophie opened it to read the bold scrawl.

I shouldn’t ask but I’m going to. Meet me at The Haven tonight at 9:00 if you miss me as much as I miss you.

But it’s okay to say no. This isn’t smart.

Cade

It wasn’t smart, no, but could she feel worse than she did now?

Probably. Being with him again and then watching him walk away would hurt her badly, but she was a realist. When he left, she would hurt no matter what.

Not smart, no. But she was going anyway.

For the first time in days, Sophie smiled…and meant it.

T
HE
NIGHT
WAS
SOFT
,
the breeze tender on her skin as Sophie emerged from the house and spotted the welcoming glow emitting from the incredible space Cade had created. Peach gauze curtains rustled gently as she neared, and snatches of music drifted on the breeze. Her heart was beating too fast, but calm was impossible. She wanted this night too much. Couldn’t stand the thought of it ending.

Then Cade stepped from the shadows, and her pulse bumped up another notch.

“I didn’t know if you’d come.” He extended a hand.

She took it without hesitation. “You were right. It’s not smart.” She lifted to her toes and brushed his lips. “But like I said, neither of us is too bright.”

One strong arm yanked her to him, and he kissed her back with all the impatience she could have ever wished.

I love you
. She almost said it aloud, but thankfully her mouth was busy. Nothing would be served by telling him that. Instead, she poured herself into the kiss, let his taste fill her.

“I’ve been going crazy without you,” he said between kisses.

“Me, too.” She coiled one leg around his calf and brought their lower bodies even closer.

He swept her up in his arms and began walking, his kisses a dark fantasy, his touch a starving man’s hunger.

Abruptly he drew back from her. “This was supposed to be a seduction. We have to take it slow.”

“Uh-uh.” She caught his mouth again.

He leaned away. “Sophie.” His breath was pumping. Dark blue eyes pinned hers. “Let me love you, Sophie. Let me show you tenderness.”

A silent struggle ensued. Tenderness would destroy her. Better the flash of heat, the greedy seduction.

“Please.” The one word undid her. Slowly she relented, and he parted the curtains to bring her inside, carrying her like precious cargo.

Inside, candles glowed. The massage table lay ready, oils lined up in pretty bottles behind it. Champagne was chilling in a bucket. The scent of gardenias twined through the air. “Oh, Cade…”

“I’m no professional masseur, I’ll warn you.” He grinned, but his eyes held nerves, of all things. “But I have good hands.”

“You certainly do.”

“Let me take off your clothes, Sophie, and make you feel wonderful.”

“Just looking at you does that,” she said before she could censor herself.

Pain speared through his beautiful eyes.

She slipped off her blouse and stroked his cheek. “Let’s not be sad, Cade. There’ll be enough time for that later.”

“Sophie…”

“Shh…” Her smile was wry. “We know what you’re doing is right. And I’m happy for you, honestly.”

“Sophie, I’m—”

She heard the
sorry
and stilled his words with her fingers. “You’ve done so much for me. Don’t be sorry—I’m not. I wouldn’t trade anything for these weeks. I’m a big girl.” She made herself turn away before he could see her desolation. She slipped off the rest of her clothes and lay down on the massage table.

She tried to relax, but she was afraid of what letting go would allow her to feel. His big warm hands spread over her skin, and a shudder rippled through her. Sophie reminded herself again that she had vowed not to be sad on this, his last night.

C
ADE
STROKED
DOWN
HER
BACK
with a long caress, the oil slicking her skin as he painstakingly unknotted the muscles down the length of her spine. Barely, only barely, he resisted clamping his hands on her. Giving in to his greed, his need to bind her to him.

Sophie sighed, and he ruthlessly reminded himself that she deserved this peace, that they would make love tonight, but he couldn’t have her forever. That climbing on the table and pressing every inch of him along every inch of her would have to wait because he was going to tell her with his hands what he didn’t have the words to express, while preventing himself from uttering what would be wrong and cruel to say.

I love you, but I have to leave you
.

I want you, but I can’t have you
.

I can’t be the man you need me to be
.

Over and over his hands smoothed her muscles, caressed her hips, slicked over pretty curves, slid between her toes.

Sophie giggled at that, and he smiled, too. He hadn’t known she was ticklish.

Some other man would find that out. Cade wanted to beat the faceless man to a pulp.

He yanked his hands away before his own inner turmoil revealed itself to the woman he was trying to care for. When he was calmer, he took one of her hands and used his thumbs to release the tension there, sliding between her fingers and smoothing out across her wrist. He placed a kiss to the bend of her elbow, and Sophie sighed again.

When he reached her feet once more, he tried to remember the points a Balinese masseuse had once told him released the body’s yearnings. As Sophie’s beautiful behind began to wiggle, and her mound rubbed against the sheet, the atmosphere shifted.

Near-violent greed ripped through him.

He couldn’t tell her how she tangled him up, how she made him wish for what he couldn’t have.

But he could show her what she meant to him.

He stripped off his shirt and bent over her, sliding his hands over the mystery of her curves, diving beneath her, slicking one finger into her dark, beckoning folds. Sophie cried out, and he laid himself over her, latching his teeth on her tender nape as she rode out her climax.

When she finally sagged to the table, reluctantly he dismounted and gently turned her over.

Then he began again, massaging from her toes upward, pausing for a lick or a nip as he made his way to her thighs. A glide of both thumbs over her curls had her moaning, her fingers flexing, reaching for him.

Gently he replaced her hands by her sides and continued his progress, oiling her belly, caressing her hips, spanning her waist with his hands and running spread fingers up to caress her breasts. Slick circles across tender underarms made her giggle again. He smiled as he stroked across her shoulders and down her arms, devoting a great deal of time to her sensitive palms. He sucked one finger into his mouth, then the next and the next until Sophie was writhing, eyes still closed as little pants escaped between her lips. Then he crushed his mouth to hers.

Her eager kiss nearly broke him, but he wasn’t finished yet. Snapping a chain on his urge to devour, he instead painted calming circles over her face, easing the stress from her temples, massaging her scalp until she groaned. As he worked, he tenderly kissed each eyelid and the tip of her nose. His tongue glided over the seam of her lips on his way back down.