Taking Charge (Lone Star Burn #4)(30)

“My father never had much love for them.”

David looked down at her with that accepting, patient look of his. “I can understand why he’d feel that way, but these horses were brought to Texas by people. Some lines have run free for hundreds of years. Some came to it more recently, but still by no fault of their own. They aren’t vermin to be exterminated. They are spirited, beautiful creatures who are healthier and more intelligent because they are bred and survive by natural selection. They deserve a chance to be valued, and I give them that every time I send one home with a family.”

I sell high-priced sex toys and am working my courage up to try some of the multi-motored advanced ones. That’s practically the same thing, right?

Lucy closed her eyes briefly and groaned. I always considered myself a good person. No one’s perfect, but I’ve always tried to be kind to others and not shy away from my responsibilities. David is a whole different level of good.

She opened her eyes and pulled her hand free from his. “I should get back to my office.”

David blocked her retreat. “Mason will be in Fort Mavis this weekend. He and Chelle will be there. Sarah asked if you were going. I said I had no idea. Mason must really want us both there, because he said he’d have a private plane waiting for us at the airfield tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, that’s really generous of him, but I can’t . . .”

“Don’t let me be the reason you don’t go. I don’t mind driving back.”

Lucy met his eyes and was instantly sorry she did. He was being sincere, and she felt lower than low. He would actually drive all the way to Fort Mavis and let her take the plane. He was that f*cking nice.

I should tell him the truth about how I’m saving the ranch. Let him see that although he’s vying for sainthood, I’m quickly slipping in the opposite direction.

“Take the plane, David. If I decide to go, I’ll make the drive. I’ve done it before.”

He kept her corralled against the round pen and leaned down so his lips hovered just above hers. “Are you afraid to fly?”

She swallowed hard. “No.”

He ran a hand lightly down her arm, sending shivers of pleasure through her. “Then what is it? Are you afraid if we’re alone, you won’t be able to keep your hands off me?”

Yes. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Then say yes. There’s no reason you and I can’t share a private plane ride to see our closest friends, is there?”

His voice. His touch. The promise of his lips on hers. Lucy was helplessly mesmerized. “I guess you’re right.”

“I am,” he said with a slow, sexy smile.

Striving to hold on to some semblance of sanity, she said, “We have to be back by Sunday night. I have a conference call scheduled.”

His breath tickled her cheek. “How is your business going?”

“It’s coming—” She blushed at the double meaning that was accurate. “It’s coming along. I’ve already generated some revenue. Not enough to break even, of course, but I’ll get there.”

“That’s great. New businesses are tough. I bet you’re working all hours of the night right now.”

Lucy tried to look away but couldn’t. Memories of how she’d spent the nights last week would have been much more exciting if David had been there with her, watching her, taking the toy from her and bringing her to climax himself. Her body clenched, and she grew wet.

It didn’t matter that it was the middle of the day, that they were not alone, or that she’d just told herself she wouldn’t sleep with him. If he pulled her against him, claimed her mouth beneath his, she would have given herself over to him completely.

“Lucy?” David asked gently.

“Yes?”

“I want you. I don’t give a damn that everyone is watching us right now, but I do care what they think of you. Be ready by nine tomorrow morning. You’re getting on that plane even if I have to carry you onto it.”

Imagining that did nothing to calm the hot desire pulsing through Lucy. She told herself she should say no. If she couldn’t control herself now, in public, what would happen when they were finally alone? She licked her bottom lip. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Then you don’t know me well enough yet.” He bent and kissed the spot just below her ear. His excitement pressed against her stomach, proof that their conversation was also turning him on. “I want you, Lucy, and I will have you. Maybe not today. Maybe not this weekend, but soon. We both know it’s inevitable.”

Lucy arched back from him, which only succeeded in pressing her more closely against his bulging cock. Her lack of ability to think when he was that close sent panic through her. “Let me go.”

“Say yes.”

“About the plane?”

“If that’s where you want to start.”

“Fine. Yes. Now let me go.”

David released her, and she bolted back into her house. Once inside, she leaned against the closed door and let out a long shaky breath.

So much for being able to keep things casual.

I’m going away with David.

Oh my God, I’m going away with David.



David rested an arm on the railing of the pen and stared at Lucy’s front door long after she’d disappeared through it. Of all the things he’d meant to say to her, announcing that he would soon f*ck her wasn’t one of them. Something happened to his brain when he was around her.