The Texan's Secret (11 page)

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To a carnival.”

“You’re kidding.” Even though she appeared to object, there was a gleam of excitement in her eyes.

“Nope.” It was Saturday, so the area close to a strip shopping center was packed with parents taking their children. The parking lot was also full, but he found a spot.

Removing his hat, he asked, “Ready?”

“Ready,” she echoed with a smile.

Hand in hand they walked toward all the excitement. He bought tickets and they mingled with the kids and teenagers. A fortune teller tried to lure them over, but they kept walking, listening to some offbeat music and the squeals and laughter from the rides.

When they reached the Ferris wheel, Chance handed the man their tickets and they stepped in line for the next seat. The huge wheel turned and a double seat came down to their level. The man opened the bar and they climbed inside, sitting side by side. Chance looped his arm across her shoulders, pulling her to his side. She snuggled against him, and nothing had ever felt so right in his whole life.

The wheel stopped again for four teenagers, and then they were off for the ride of their lives. As the wheel went higher and faster, Shay squealed and burrowed into him. He laughed and held on tight.

“Oh, that was wonderful,” Shay said as they climbed out.

“You never lifted your head.”

“So? It’s much more fun to clutch a handsome cowboy.” She ran her hands through her tousled hair and for a moment he couldn’t looked away.

He bowed from the waist. “I stand corrected, and the cowboy enjoyed the clutching.”

She laughed and he slipped his arm around her waist as they tried to make their way to the exit. Kids were running, yelling and generally having a good time.

Suddenly Shay stopped. “Hot dogs. I love carnival hot dogs.”

“No, no.” He shook his head. “I want to take you to a nice restaurant.”

“But I love hot dogs!” She slipped her fingers between two buttons on his shirt and touched his skin. “Please.”

At her touch he was sure the whole place had gone up like a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. It was that riveting. In that moment he knew he’d do anything she asked—even eat a hot dog.

“What kind?” he asked, watching the light dance in her green eyes.

“Chili cheese, of course.”

“Of course.” He walked to the stand and she squeezed into a spot at one of the tables that had been strewn about.

As he waited for the hot dogs he thought about his father. Had his new love been that irresistible, that tempting—like Shay? Had he completely lost his mind over her that he was willing to give up his sons and his sons’ mother? Yes, Chance could see it now. A woman had an uncanny way of bending a man to her will. He felt it with Shay—the pull, the attraction. All he could think about was being with her. He’d probably do anything she asked, but he did have some common sense.

His father had been older, and maybe just tired of resisting someone he really wanted. It was the first time Chance had made an excuse for his dad.

And it would be the last.

C
HANCE MUNCHED ON
his hot dog and watched Shay devour hers. She really loved hot dogs.

Wiping her mouth, she asked, “Do I have chili on my face?”

“Yes,” he said, and leaned over and licked it off, managing a slow kiss at the same time.

A bubble of laughter left her throat. “People are watching us.”

“I’m not licking their chili off,” he said with a straight face.

She laughed out loud and covered her mouth. Resting her elbows on the table, she cupped her face in her hands. “Do you know how wonderful you are?”

“No. But you can tell me.” The light in her eyes was about to blind him.

“Being with you makes me happy. Usually I go through a routine each day, and happiness is not part of it. I love Darcy, and caring for her is a little bit of heaven, but pleasure for myself is very rare. Today has been special because of you.”

“I must make a note to feed you hot dogs every day.”

She laughed again and stood. “And you make me laugh.”

He threw their trash into the garbage container and slipped his arm around her waist again. Slowly, they walked toward the entrance. On the way, he bought her cotton candy, and they laughed like teenagers as they ate the sugary treat.

It was that kind of day—fun and special.

Once inside the truck she fished her phone out of her purse and called Darcy and Nettie to check how things were at home. She told them she was waiting for her car and she’d be home soon. Then she called the dealership to see if her car was ready. It wasn’t.

“Another hour or so,” she told him. Watching her, Chance knew Shay wasn’t the type of woman his father had gotten involved with. Shay was too loving, too caring. She could never hurt anyone. Her care of Darcy and Blanche proved that.

As he had so many times in the past twenty-two years, he wondered about the woman who had tempted his father away from his family. Where had he met her? Chance quickly pushed the thoughts from his mind.

He ran his hand over the steering wheel. “Since we have time, would you like to see Shilah Oil? This is not a do-you-want-to-see-my-etchings type question.”

“I’d love to see Shilah Oil, and it never crossed my mind.”

It had crossed his about a hundred times.

From US 59 he turned onto San Jacinto, headed for Louisiana Street. It took less than fifteen minutes.

Shay looked up at the tall building. “I’m impressed. Where’s your office?”

He pointed to the top floor. “For now I live up there, too.”

“You live in your office?”

“No.” He smiled when she frowned. “Roscoe Murdock, the founder of the company, had his own private apartment installed for when he worked long days and was too tired to go home. Cadde’s letting me stay there until I can find a place.”

“This Roscoe doesn’t mind?”

“No. He died a few months ago.”

“Oh.”

“I’d take you up, but you know what’s going to happen if I do.”

She looked at him, her green eyes dark. “You’ll show me your etchings? Then we’ll kiss and get lost in what we’re feeling.”

Her honesty blew his mind. “I don’t think you’re ready for that.”

One eyebrow lifted. “Try me,” she said and then burst out laughing. “Darcy has this stuffed dog that has a little round button on it that says Try Me. You push the button and he barks and wags his tail.” She leaned toward him. “So, Mr. Hardin, push my buttons and see what I’ll do for you.”

He smiled. “What was in that soda you had at the carnival?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy.” She undid her seat belt and opened her door.

He slid out of the truck without a word and followed her. He used his key to unlock the back entrance, and then they were zooming up to the top floor. Holding
her hand, he wondered if by some luck of the draw he’d found the perfect woman.

“This is my office,” he said, unlocking his door.

“Do you have a secretary?”

“Not yet.”

She winked. “Hire someone in her fifties. They’re much better workers.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t lie,” she said, deadpan. “Oh, my, look at this view.” She gazed out the huge windows overlooking Houston.

When he was working, he barely noticed the view. He had other things on his mind. Looking at it with her, he saw how spectacular it was. Or maybe it was Shay. She was spectacular, too.

After locking his office again, he pointed to a door farther down. “That’s my brother Cisco’s office, or Kid, as we call him. The big door at the end is Cadde’s. He’s probably in there working, and I could introduce you, but he growls instead of talks, and we don’t want to ruin our afternoon.”

She playfully slapped his shoulder. “He does not.”

“Maybe it just seems like it.” He unlocked the door to the apartment, sincerely hoping Cadde wasn’t still in there. “Prepare yourself for pure gold-plated Roscoe.” He swung open the door.

Shay stepped in and stopped, her eyes taking in the lavish apartment, from the olive-green leather sofas facing each other to the Oriental rug, to the balcony and the view of Houston, to the paintings on the wall
that cost more than she made in a year. This was wealth like she’d never seen before, and she felt out of place.

You’re in over your head and you know it.
Her mother’s words were like a brain freeze, and Shay couldn’t think beyond that. She couldn’t think at all. All she knew was that she had to get out of here.

She backed toward the door. “I…I have to go…and get my car.” In a second she was out the door and running for the elevator. As she pounded on the Down button she realized her car was at the dealership and her purse was in Chance’s truck. She sank to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

What a fool she’d made of herself.

But when she’d stepped into that apartment and saw how lavish it was, Shay had thought of her mother. The bottom line was always the money. Shay was different, wasn’t she? The money didn’t matter. She only wanted Chance. For a brief moment, though, she had to wonder if she was like her mother. The mere thought had sent her running.

She got to her feet before someone walked by and saw her. Now she had to go back into the apartment and apologize for making a fool of herself. She straightened her top and stiffened her backbone. Chance would understand. He would always understand, because he was that type of person—good to his soul.

Keep dreaming, Shay,
she said to herself, and knocked on the door.

It opened immediately, as if Chance had been wait
ing for her to come back. Of course she had to. She had no wheels.

A worried frown creased his handsome face. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged. “Just feeling stupid.”

“I’ll get my keys and take you to your car.”

“No.” She stopped him.

“Shay.” She could see he didn’t believe her. “If you’re uncomfortable…”

“I’m not,” she assured him, and knew she had to tell him the truth. “When I saw this building, your office and this apartment, I realized you’re the type of man my mother would date—a man with money.”

“Whoa.” He held up a hand. “I’m broke. I sank every dime I had into Shilah Oil.”

“But with a promise of big dividends.”

“Hopefully. It’s a risk, like most things in life.”

“The point is, for a brief moment, I wondered if a part of me is like my mother, and it spooked me. But as I sat by the elevator, trying to sort out my crazy thoughts, I realized the money means nothing. I want you. It’s been that way since I first met you and you were a cowboy. I really liked that cowboy.”

He gave a lopsided grin. “He’s still here.”

“And pushing all my buttons.” She met his grin with one of her own.

He glanced at his watch. “We still have a little time before picking up the car.”

“Please hold me,” she said in a voice that sounded husky to her own ears.

His arms slipped around her waist and he kicked
the door closed. He pulled her against his hard, firm body. As she breathed in his masculine scent and rested her face on his chest, she felt as if she’d found home, a place of warmth and love.

His hands moved up her back, caressing, probing almost.

“What are you doing?” she asked into the V of his shirt.

“Looking for that Try Me button.”

Raising her head, she pointed to her lips.

“Ah,” he breathed, and covered her mouth with his. The kiss went on and on as their tongues mingled and danced with new discoveries, new emotions. Almost without her knowing it her blouse and bra were gone. Her fingers undid the buttons of his shirt and she pressed into him, loving the feel of her breasts against his chest. He groaned and turned, half leading and half shuffling her down the hall. They stopped for a long heated kiss and then he drew her into the bedroom.

As he gently laid her down she had a glimpse of a large bed and antique furniture, but her attention was on Chance. He removed her heels, slacks and panties with ease, and almost at the same time removed his boots and jeans.

She gazed unashamedly at him. His body was perfectly shaped and muscled, his manhood very evident. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered.

“Ah, sweet Shay.” His lips trailed from the inside of her foot to her calf, to her thigh, and rested on her stomach. “You’re the beautiful one. All soft and inviting. All woman.” One hand went to the triangle between
her legs while he lavished both breasts with his full attention. The world swayed and ebbed around her with shameless pleasure.

Her hands kneaded and stroked the muscles in his shoulders, his chest and lower. He groaned, catching her wrist.

“I’m on fire,” he said against her lips, reaching for a condom on the nightstand.

“Me, too.”

When he was fully sheathed he rolled onto her, and she welcomed him boldly, opening her legs. His lips found hers in a slow, drugged kiss as he thrust into her. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and held on for a ride that was better than any Ferris wheel.

A long time later their sweat-bathed bodies lay entwined. Shay kissed the swirls of hair on his chest, hating to end this moment. This time out of time when she’d found happiness with a man named Chance.

She eased from the bed, but he pulled her back. “Just one more minute.”

“If we take a minute, it’ll be ten and then twenty.”

He tucked her long hair behind her ear. “You’re amazing. It was amazing. Better than I’d even imagined in my dreams.”

She kissed his hand and forced herself to stand. “I’ll be smiling the rest of the day, and Darcy will want to know what’s wrong with me.”

“Nothing. Everything’s right because…what are you doing?”

She ran her hand across the top of his foot. “These
are some big feet.” Her fingers trailed to his instep and he jerked, grinning.

“You’re ticklish,” she teased.

He yanked her back into bed and covered her naked body with his. “Nobody messes with my feet.” A lopsided smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

“But me.” She kissed him and he groaned.

“Yes, you…because—”

“Oh, Chance, look at the time. Where’s my bra? My panties?” She jumped out of bed, stopping him. She was afraid he was going to say the words she feared—that he loved her. But she knew he did. She felt it in every touch, every kiss. He couldn’t love a woman who kept secrets from him. Not until she told him the truth.

W
HEN
S
HAY WALKED INTO
her house, she could hear Darcy and Nettie.

“Stop jumping on the sofa,” Nettie was saying. “If you don’t, I’m going to turn you into a toad for good.”

“Can you do that, Nettie? Can you really?”

“No, she can’t,” Shay said, placing her purse on the kitchen table. “And what are you doing, jumping on the sofa? You know you’re not supposed to.”

“Mom,” Darcy shouted, and leapt down. “I was just showing Nettie how the sofa could be a trampoline.”

“It’s not,” Shay reminded her.

Nettie got to her feet. “I’m going home to peace and quiet.”

“Tell Nettie you’re sorry for not minding her.”

“Sorry,” Darcy said, hugging Nettie around the
waist and then turning to Shay. “Look.” Her fingernails and toenails were purple. “Cool, huh?”

Before Shay could respond, the girl jumped up and down again. “Did you get us a car?”

“Yes, it’s—”

Darcy screeched and ran to the garage.

Nettie searched Shay’s face as if she were reading her palm. “I’d say you spent the afternoon with a tall, dark stranger and enjoyed every minute.”

Shay couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. “Yes, I did.”

Nettie hugged her. “Good for you.” Then she drew back and pointed toward Blanche’s room. “She’s asked for you about four times in the last thirty minutes.”

“I’ll check on her.” Shay headed for Blanche’s room and then turned back. “Thanks for staying so long.”

“Anytime. You know that.”

“Love you.” Shay hurried to her room and changed into jeans and a T-shirt. As she started to put her heels away, she noticed the dirt on them and remembered the carnival. She would always remember this day. A longing sigh escaped her. How she wished she could see Chance tonight. Wake up in his arms and…

“Shay!” Blanche called.

She made her way across the hall.

“Where in the hell have you been?”

Shay closed the door so Darcy couldn’t hear. “Buying a car.”

“You’ve been with a man,” Blanche accused. “You’ve been with that Hardin boy.”

“He’s hardly a boy.”

“I told you to break it off.”

Shay ignored the warning. “Did you want something?”

“Yes. I want you to listen to me. He’s trouble. Mark my words, you’ll regret it.”

“A few hours ago you wanted him to get your rings back.”

“It’s very clear you’re not going to encourage that.”

“No,” Shay replied, trying not to lose her temper.

“He’s no good to us then, so get rid of him.” Blanche slapped a hand on the bed. “Go away. I spent thirty hours in labor and look what I got—a no-good daughter who won’t even help me.”

Shay backed out of the room and left her mother with her bitter thoughts. These little bouts of jealousy were hard on Shay. Her mom wanted to control her completely, but that wasn’t happening.