Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(24)

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 f*ck 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 f*ck 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.