Cole came and looked over her shoulder. “Jim agrees with her. I’ve never seen her so happy. If ever two people were meant to be together, they are.”
“I can see where Kristy gets her looks. Her father is a handsome man.”
“It’s not only looks, either. Kristy is just like Jim. Both of them are energetic, outgoing, and stubborn as mules.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s because he raised her alone. Her mother died when she born.”
Charley put the picture back on the table and turned. “How did you meet them?”
For a second, she thought he wasn’t going to answer. Then he took a deep breath. “When I left, I didn’t even have enough money to buy gas for my truck, so I sold it and used the money to get to Los Angeles. I thought in a city that size it would be easy to get a job. My first stop was at the employment agency. What I didn’t realize is that you can’t get a job without an address and phone number.
“I was on my way out of the agency, wondering what the hell I was going to do, when I literally ran into Jim McIntire. The next day was Kristy’s fourteenth birthday, and he was loaded down with packages. They flew everywhere. I helped him pick them up, and then helped carry them to his office, next door.”
Cole paused. “To this day, I don’t know what Jim saw in me, but it must have been something. He gave me a job and a place to live. And more importantly, he gave me a family. He cared about me, and my background didn’t seem to matter to him at all. With Jim’s help, I started Jordan Enterprises. It wasn’t long before I paid him back every cent he’d loaned me, with interest. But everything I am, I owe to him. That’s something I’ll never be able to pay back.”
Confusion swept over Charley as she stared up at him. It almost sounded as though his leaving had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, unplanned. Why else would he have to sell his truck to get money? The need to finally know the truth hit her hard. “Cole—”
“The model is this way,” he interrupted, leaving her standing as he started out the door. She had no choice but to follow him, frustration almost choking her. She was about to try again when he went through a door and flipped the light on. This, she realized, was the darkened room she had seen from outside. Not his bedroom, but his office.
Cole walked to the window and picked up a half-empty glass from the table next to it. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thanks.” She watched him sip and then looked back at the window. He must have been standing there in the dark, looking out. Waiting? Watching for her? But why, if he really didn’t care about her? Something loosened in her chest and began to expand.
Her gaze met his, and her heart began to pound at the look in his eyes. She took a step toward him. Without looking away, he slowly lowered his glass to the table.
“Charley.” His voice was husky and she didn’t know if it contained a plea or a warning. And she didn’t care. Taking the last step that separated them, she splayed her hands on the hard muscles of his chest, lingered for a moment before she slid them up to his nape.
His hands were around her waist, and she felt them tighten reflexively as she pulled his head down to hers. A long-dormant emotion uncoiled inside her as she brushed her lips over his, softly, from side to side.
“Charley,” he sounded desperate. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Wrong,” she whispered. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
With a groan, his arms went around her, pulling her tightly to him. His mouth covered hers possessively, hungrily, time after time until she was dizzy with the taste of him, the scent of him. Joy warred with need. This was where she belonged, here, in his arms. Even if he left her, she would take what she could get, for as long as possible. When his hand moved to her breast, cupped it, his thumb teasing the hard outline of a nipple, she arched against him. A whimper of hunger escaped her lips and suddenly he went wild.
Before she knew what was happening, he’d yanked her T-shirt over her head and was pressing her back on the desk, his mouth moving over her bare flesh. Bracing herself with one hand, she fisted the other in his hair, guiding him. When first his lips, then his teeth closed around her breast, the ache centered low in her stomach exploded. Eyes closed, her head went back in ecstasy.
Just as his hands found the clasp on her pants, Mrs. Paulson’s voice echoed up the stairs. “Dinner’s ready!”
Instantly they both froze, and then Charley heard Cole give a low curse. She couldn’t stop the giggle that burst from her, and he leaned back and grinned ruefully.
“We’ll be down in a minute,” he yelled over his shoulder.
As soon as he lifted her from the desk, Charley reached for her T-shirt, but he stopped her.
“Wait. Please.” His voice was an aching whisper and she paused as his eyes ran over her again. When he trailed one finger down her neck and touched her breast, she shivered at the naked desire aflame in his eyes. Gently, he took the shirt from her and helped her slip it on, his touch still caressing even as he tugged the material down. Then he pulled her back into his arms.
“I have to make a trip to our Los Angeles office tomorrow.”
Charley couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice. “You aren’t coming to my party?”
“I’ll be there. But I may be a little late. Ride to the party with Frannie.”
She searched his eyes. “Why?”
“Because I’m taking you home.”
Happiness burst inside her. “I thought this was a battle you didn’t intend to lose,” she teased.
“I surrender,” he whispered, his mouth heartbreakingly tender as it covered hers.
Chapter Nine
The party was in full swing when Cole pulled up behind the Red Dog. Thanks to a delay at the airport, he was later than he’d intended to be, and hadn’t taken the time to go home and change. The ironic thing was that most of the trip had been a waste of time. He hadn’t been able to keep his mind on business and had actually shocked his staff into silence by staring out the window with a smile on his face. When Tom Jackson, his branch manager, had to repeat his report twice, Cole had finally dismissed them and spent the rest of the day shopping for Charley’s birthday present.
Stepping out of the Jag, he tossed his suit jacket back onto the seat, and then added his tie, leaving the top two buttons on his shirt undone. The sound of laughter and music drifted on the night air, and he smiled. Charley was somewhere inside. Just a few more hours, and he’d be alone with her.
Cole stopped in his office long enough to leave the gaily wrapped package he carried, then headed into the main part of the Red Dog, his gaze searching for Charley. Frannie and Kristy were standing together, and he stopped behind them just as Kristy whispered, “Who’s that man Charley is dancing with?”
Both Cole and Frannie turned to stare at the dance floor.
“Oh, that’s Sam Tyree.” Frannie grinned. “Would you like to meet him?”
“I already have.” Kristy’s tone was chill. “He’s arrogant, conceited, and insulting.”
Frannie laughed. “Oh, yeah. You’ve met him.”
Cole finally located the couple and his eyes narrowed. The man holding Charley in his arms was every bit as tall as own six feet, two inches. His hair was black as night, and muscles bulged from the short-sleeved shirt he was wearing. And he was laughing down into Charley’s upturned face as they moved around the dance floor. “I don’t remember any family named Tyree from around here.” He kept his eyes glued to them as Kristy and Frannie both turned to look at him.
“That’s because he’s only lived here for five years. Do you remember Gus Ferguson? Sam is his nephew. When Gus died, Sam inherited his ranch.” Frannie smiled at him. “We were beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
Cole ignored her last statement. “They dance together like they’re used to doing it.”
Frannie glanced back at the dance floor. “They are. Charley and Sam are good friends.”
“I see.”
She studied his face for a second then shook her head. “No, I don’t think you do.” She gestured. “Take a good look at the women in this room.”
Cole glanced at her then let his gaze sweep the room. He paused, then looked again. Every single feminine eye in the place was locked on Sam Tyree.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Frannie nod with satisfaction. “Every woman in the state has been chasing him since the minute he moved here. Except one. Charley. She’s not interested so he feels safe with her. That’s why they’re friends.”
“Only one?” a deep male voice teased.
“Two,” Frannie hastily clarified as she turned to smile at the man encircling her waist with one arm. “I’m not interested, either. Ben, you remember Cole Jordan, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Ben Zimmerman extended a hand. “Cole, good to have you back.”
“Thanks.” Cole shook his hand. “Good to be back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to dance.”
He’d barely taken two steps when Kristy stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Don’t look now, but Victor Channing is trying to head you off.”
“Great,” he muttered as Charley’s uncle made his way through the crowd, Douglas Ashton at his side. He glanced down at Kristy while they waited. “What’s with you and Sam Tyree? It didn’t sound like you care much for him.”
Kristy shrugged. “Apparently his ranch borders our Duncan Mills property. He doesn’t like having his cows disturbed by the work crews. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She smiled at him and moved away.
Channing stopped next to him, beaming at the dance floor. “They make a wonderful couple, don’t you think? I expect an announcement any day.”
“Is that right?” Cole couldn’t hide his grin of amusement.
The man next to him sobered. “Stay away from her, Jordan. We both know you don’t love her. You’re here to get revenge on me, and you know Charley is the best way to do it.” He paused. “It won’t do you any good to tell her the truth. She won’t believe you.”
“Then you don’t have anything to worry about, do you, Victor.” He left Channing standing and started toward Charley again.
The first song had ended and a slow one was starting when he reached them. Politely, he tapped Charley’s partner on the shoulder. “May I?”
A slight tinge of red crept up Charley’s cheeks as she saw him, but her smile of welcome had him feeling dazed. “You made it,” she said.
“I told you I would,” he said softly. Tonight her eyes seemed more green than hazel and he could feel himself sinking into them.
There was a gruff laugh from next to them. “Well, I can see I just lost my protector.”
The red in Charley’s cheeks deepened. “I’m sorry. Cole this Sam Tyree. Sam, this is Cole Jordan.”
“I figured that out for myself.” Sam held out a hand. “If you have time tonight, I’d like to talk you about one of your projects.”
Cole tore his gaze away from Charley long enough to reach for the extended hand, and then stared at Sam in amazement. From across the room, the man had looked like a full-blooded Indian, but now that he was in front of him, he could see that the eyes looking back at him were a clear, crystal blue. The color, set against the deep bronze of his skin was startling, to say the least. “Actually, all my time tonight is taken. But if it’s about Duncan Mills, you need to talk to Kristy. She’s in complete charge there.”
Tyree sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that. Well, you two have fun.” He smiled at Charley. “Don’t forget to come out to the ranch this weekend and pick up your birthday present. Bring Jordan with you.”
Cole turned to Charley and finally pulled her against him. “I thought he’d never leave,” he murmured as her arms twined around his neck. “What birthday present do you have to pick up?”
“A puppy. Sam promised me one from the next litter and they’re ready now. Do you want to go with me?”
“You bet I do.” He tightened his grip on her. “Especially since I heard you and Sam are practically engaged.”
Charley’s mouth dropped open. “Who told you that?”
“Your uncle.”
She squeezed her eyes shut briefly and dropped her forehead onto his chest. “I swear, that man is acting positively bizarre. He doesn’t even like Sam that much, but he’s been pushing us together all evening. I have no idea what’s gotten into him.”
Cole knew, but he couldn’t tell her yet. Even now he could see Victor scowling at them. He’d be damned if he let the man spoil tonight for them, though. He’d waited too long. He tilted Charley’s head up so he could look into her eyes again. “Forget your uncle, and forget Sam.”
She smiled at him. “You weren’t even a little jealous?”
“Is he taking you home tonight?”
“No.” The words were soft. “You are.”
“Then I’m not jealous.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her, was still having trouble believing that she was here, in his arms. They were only moving enough to give the illusion of dancing, and even that little bit of movement was driving him crazy. Every inch of her body was pressed against him, from the sweet swell of her breast to the long warmth of her thighs.
Even as he watched, the expression on her face changed, the look in her eyes became more intense. Her arms slowly tightened around his neck, pulling his head down to hers. When her lips parted, he lost the battle with decorum. Giving up all pretense of dancing, he pulled her up onto her toes and covered her mouth with his. The rest of the room faded away as he drank in her taste, the feel of her willing lips moving under his. Their tongues touched, caressed tenderly, then ravaged as they were both caught in a web of sensation.
If Cole hadn’t had his feet firmly planted, they probably would have crashed to the floor when another couple jostled into them, but the collision did break them apart just long enough for him to regain his senses. He couldn’t make love to her in the middle of a crowded dance floor no matter what his heated body was screaming. Letting his lips brush hers one more time, he took her hand. “Ready for your birthday present?”
“Oh, Cole. You didn’t have to get me anything. I told Frannie to let everyone know I didn’t expect them to bring gifts.”
He pulled her toward the office. “You’re letting Sam give you a pup. You can’t refuse to take my gift.” Pushing the door open he sat on the edge of the desk and pulled her between his thighs before handing her the package. He wanted to see her face when she opened it.
With his hands on her hips, he watched as she carefully removed the bow and pulled away the expensive wrapping paper to reveal the blue velvet box. She glanced up at him, one perfect eyebrow arched in question. “Open it,” he encouraged.
Slowly, she lifted the lid and gazed down at the gold ID bracelet that nestled inside. A single diamond dangled from one corner of the nameplate. For a moment she was silent, but when she looked up again her eyes were misted with tears.
“I still have the other one,” she murmured, her voice husky with emotion. “It’s in my jewelry box at home.”
“This one won’t turn your arm green,” he smiled ruefully.
Charley’s laugh was shaky. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew. You wore it constantly for a year. The green was hard to miss.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “I spent a whole fifteen dollars on that bracelet. It embarrassed me to death. I swore to myself that someday I’d replace it with a good one.”
“It looks awfully expensive.” There was hint of doubt in her tone.
Cole slipped it out of the box, careful to keep his fingers over the inscription hidden under the clasp, and put it on her arm. “They won’t take it back after your name is on it, so you have to keep it.” He’d taken a big chance with that inscription. If she saw it too soon, it could drive her away from him. But he knew Charley. She really hadn’t taken the first o
ne off for a year, and he was praying her sentimentality would have the same results this time.
“Thank you, Cole. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She leaned over and kissed him just as the office door swung open.
“There you are, darlin’.”
Charley turned at her uncle’s voice, but Cole kept his arms around her, and she didn’t seem to be in any rush to step away from him.
“Your guests are asking for you. I thought I raised you better than to vanish from your own party,” Channing chided her gently.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Victor.” She threw a polite smile at Douglas before continuing. “Cole was just giving me my birthday present. Isn’t it beautiful?” She held her arm out for his inspection.
Channing glanced down, the smile staying on his face. “It’s a nice little trinket. Now go mingle, girl.”
“I will.” She turned to smile at Cole. “Ready to go back?”
He slid off the desk and stood.
“Why don’t you go on ahead, Sweetie. I need to talk a little business with Cole.”
She nodded. “Okay, but don’t keep him too long. This is a party, remember.”
Cole settled against the desk again, arms crossed over his chest, waiting. It didn’t take long. As soon as Charley was through the door, Channing closed it behind her, his smile fading in a hurry.
“I’m warning you for the last time, Jordan. Stay away from my niece.”
“Or what, Victor? You’ll slap my wrist? Tell a few more lies?” Cole stood. “Give it up. Charley belongs to me. She always has, and she always will. As much as you wanted to, as hard as you tried, you couldn’t make her quit loving me. You’ve finally found something you can’t control.”
“She’ll never believe you!” Channing’s voice was low and desperate. “You can’t prove a thing. She’ll never trust you again!”