Charlene Sands - Exquisite Acquisitions

The dog stopped sniffing, tilted his head and licked the man’s hand. Macy sighed. So much for Rocky protecting her. “He’s a pussycat.”

Bill Fargo chuckled. “In Rocky’s defense, he knows I’m not a threat.” The man rose to meet her level gaze. He stood a head taller and looked quite fit but for a slight belly bulge. “It’s a great place. I’ve been exploring.”

“I agree. I’m sort of drawn to this place.”

“Well, nice to meet you, Macy. I guess I’ll be seeing you around. Next time, I hope I won’t frighten you.”

“And next time I won’t picture a reptile crawling through the bushes, ready to have me for a snack.”

The man walked off smiling, and Macy entered the house again. She climbed the stairs and went straight into the one bedroom that had been completed. The last time she was here, Carter had rushed her out of it, but now she had time to look around. She wondered if Jocelyn had a hand in decorating this room. Had it been her project? Had she convinced Carter to let her fix it up right before she’d dumped him?

From the window, she noted oak and cottonwood trees forming a backdrop that defined the perimeter of the backyard. Sunlight danced through the branches, casting a feathery glow of light and shadows over the grounds. The gazebo in the center of the property appeared like a valiant injured soldier trying to stand at attention.

Macy sighed.

She heard an engine’s roar and searched in the direction of the sound. It grew louder. Then a Jeep came into view, the driver a dark blond cowboy wearing a black hat.

She lost sight of him as he drove toward the front of the house. Her nerves jumped and she fumbled with a single bud vase she’d picked up. Almost dropping it, she set it back onto the nightstand with care.

Carter was here.

She reminded herself for the umpteenth time that he wasn’t on the auction block. She couldn’t bid on him and hope to win. He was off-limits for half a dozen reasons.

“Macy?” he called from downstairs, his deep rich voice curling her toes. “You in here, Hollywood?”

Rocky left her side once he heard Carter and flew down the stairs.

Macy popped her face out of the doorway. “I’m up here.”

She lowered down on the bed, her heart beating fast at the sound of Carter’s boots hitting the stairs. When he entered the room, the scent of lime and musk followed, and Macy glanced up to greet him. “Hi.”

He sat down on the bed next to her. He spoke quietly. “Hi.”

“Were you looking for me?” She didn’t know why he would be. She was making conversation.

He surprised her and nodded. “I was.”

“Why?”

He shrugged with a quizzical look. “I don’t know. Mara told me you’d gone for a walk. I figured you’d end up here.”

“You figured right. I met Bill Fargo.”

“I know. I saw him on the road. He said he nearly scared the stuffing out of you. I haven’t told him who you were, exactly. I figured it’s best to keep it quiet for now.”

“I thought he was a snake.” She sent him a withering look. “I know, I’m pathetic.”

Carter shook his head with laughter. “No, you’re not. I might have exaggerated a little about the snake problem here. Just wanted to keep you on guard, in case you might come across one.”

“Well, it’s not as if I’d go up to a snake and try to make friends.”

He rubbed his chin and held back a grin. “Then my strategy worked.”

She wanted to slug him.

He took off his hat and set it between them, then ran a hand through his hair. The ends curled up and relaxed down against his collar. Macy’s mouth went dry. The simplest gesture from him got her wheels spinning. With Carter around, her balance was always being tested. Then she remembered how stubborn he was, and the question that had been on her mind poured out. “Did Jocelyn fix up this room?”

Carter jerked back. His eyes blinked rapidly. “What?”

“I was wondering if your fiancée started work on this house?”

His mouth twisted and he rose from the bed. He strode to the window and looked out. “She was never my fiancée.”

“Oh right,” she whispered. “Sorry.”

Silence filled the room.

Macy rose and went to him. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

He turned to her, his eyes blazing. “Didn’t you?”

“No, I, uh,” she began, retreating a step. “If you don’t want to tell me, it’s fine.”

Carter closed his eyes and drew air into his lungs. He didn’t owe her any explanation, yet she wanted desperately to know. And it wasn’t just about getting a chance to work on the inn. She’d been here a short time and they were still strangers, but not really. For some odd reason, they jelled. They sort of fell in step with each other, and though he made her heart do silly things, she felt something akin to friendship with him. He mattered to her.

His fingers went to his forehead and he rubbed there, squeezing the skin together. “Jocelyn didn’t even like this place. She thought I should tear it down.”

“Oh.” That was a shocker. She watched Carter’s hazel eyes turn a deeper shade.

“I’ve been considering it, but not because of her.”

Macy didn’t get it. “Then why?”

Carter spoke through tight lips. “It has to do with my father.”

Macy waited, curious and dying to know, but she held her tongue. It was obvious this was a sore subject. He gazed at her, searching for trust. Something he saw in her eyes must have convinced him. He spoke in a detached tone. “After his last rehab, we’d agreed he’d be the groundskeeper here and work with the decorators. You know, let them inside and make sure they had everything they needed. It was a test, and he promised me he’d cleaned up his act. He was going to live here when it was all done and run the place.” Carter scoffed with disgust. “That lasted about two weeks. The decorator came to me one day when he didn’t show. I went looking for him and found him passed out on his backyard cot. His house was on fire. Apparently dear old dad left a burner on at the stove. Smoke was everywhere, but he was too damn drunk to wake up and save his own life. Then I heard Rocky whimpering. He was trapped inside the house.”

“Oh no! How awful.”

“I got him out of there and took him home with me.”

“What about your father?”

“Had a bout of smoke inhalation, but nothing gets Riley McCay down. He’s fine to drink another day. Boarded up the walls, from what I hear, and is living out of two rooms in that old house.”

“It’s a good thing you showed up when you did, Carter. Or neither of them might have survived.” Images of her own father flashed in her mind. How she’d wished she could have gotten through to him before he’d gone down the path of self-destruction.

There was silence. Carter took a breath and blew it out, clearly bitter about his father. “So now you know.”

“But-”

He put two fingers to her mouth, stopping her from speaking. His touch, finger pads to her soft lips, caused commotion in her belly and she gazed into his gorgeous hazel eyes. “But, I’ve had a change of heart. You made me see value in this house. I can’t let it sit anymore. So, if you’re still willing, you can fix it up. I spoke with my accountant today and-”

“Really?” Macy blurted between his fingers, overwhelmed with joy. She hadn’t heard much else other than he had changed his mind. “I can decorate the inn?”

He removed his fingers from her mouth and nodded.

“Oh, thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck and lifted up to kiss him solidly on the lips. “You won’t be sorry.”

Carter was already sorry.

He held Macy in his arms, splaying his hands on her tiny waist. She was pressed close, her breasts crushed to his chest. His pulse quickened as he looked down at her mouth. Her lips were full and soft and generous. Her expressive violet eyes were closed, but Carter had seen the look of sheer joy on her face, and it was impossible not to feel the same way.

His body grew tight and hard. Awareness coursed through his veins. Her eyes fluttered open after that one teasing kiss, and she stared at him. He held his own, until her mouth parted and her subtle female scent drifted up to his nostrils. A man could take only so much before he caved.

He bent his head farther and nipped at her lips. A little whimper rose from her throat, a plea asking for more. Carter wasn’t going to deny her. He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her fully. She fell into his arms, as if she wanted to be there all along, as if she belonged there.

A shudder ran through his system. She didn’t belong in his arms, but her kisses were too damn tempting, her mouth too appealing and the taste of her too damn good.

Was it an ego stroke, or real passion? Carter didn’t want to know. Both of them were in lonely places right now, and if they could bring each other a little pleasure, why not? He pulled her closer and took her in another kiss. This time, he got real serious.

She grew bold and brought her hands to his chest, then stroked up his shirt to toy with his neck. He liked a woman who went after what she wanted. He liked her hands on him. He wove his hand into her hair and pulled her ponytail loose. The silky blanket of curls fell down her back. His fingers threaded through the thick locks. “Open for me, darlin’.”

Her lips immediately obeyed and he drove his tongue into her mouth. He kissed her again and again, their mouths caught up in a frenzy of lust.

Macy whispered his name softly, reverently between kisses. “Carter.”

He wanted her then and was fully aware they were standing in the only room that housed a big, welcoming bed. No strings attached, he’d told her when he’d invited her here. He’d promised her that, and he was about to make that clear a second time. He pulled away from her slightly and met with eyes filled with desire. “There’s-”