One Night with the Texan(18)

When he got to her, Cole couldn’t resist reaching out and smoothing her hair back from her brow. She felt hot. Not surprising, given the triple-digit temperatures. But dehydration was not something to be taken lightly.

“Tallie?” He squatted next to her. “Tallie?”

She responded by sitting up and stretching while taking a deep breath. Every nerve ending in his body sat up and took notice. Damn, she was hot. In more ways than one.

She gazed at him, blinking twice then shooting up like he’d thrown cold water in her face. For a few seconds she staggered, fighting to keep her balance and wake up. The surprise showed clearly in those radiant green eyes. Then she looked away and rubbed her hands over her face.

“Have you been drinking plenty of water?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m just really tired and I guess I fell asleep. I came down here because it’s so hot at the dig.” She chanced a glance in his direction.

Cole stood. Her voice was husky from sleep, a definite turn-on.

“But I’m making progress. I—”

Suddenly she staggered a short distance away from him, fell to her knees and proceeded to be sick. Cole honestly didn’t know what to do. He walked over to her and pulled her long hair back from her face. By the time the nausea passed, she was trembling.

“Do you need a doctor?”

“No. I mean it’s okay. I must have picked up a bug.” She sat back, resting her head on her raised knees. “I’m sorry about that.”

“No apologies necessary. Let’s get you to the house. You need a few hours out of this heat. No arguments.”

Her slender nose flared and the muscles in her jaw tightened as though his suggestion made her angry. What had he said? She quickly brought whatever had bothered her under control.

“Thanks, but I really should stay with the dig. I’m now behind several hours.” She turned toward him, still not meeting his eyes. “I really am doing my best to get out of your way. I can’t quit. What may be here is too important.”

“I promise I won’t hold it against you if you take the afternoon and evening off. You’ve been at this solid for weeks.”

She nodded.

“Come to dinner. Take a refreshing shower or soak in the tub—whatever makes you feel better. Get out of this heat for a while and put something in your stomach besides Cocoa Puffs and peanut butter and crackers.”

That earned him a glance. He found himself holding his breath.

Finally she nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure. That would be great. Thanks.”

No woman he’d ever met could pass up a hot bath. And food was probably an equally important enticement under these circumstances. It was not helping his cause to feed and care for the enemy. But he couldn’t let her work herself to death. He believed she was giving it her all. And he owed her for making him look good in front of his investors.

“Grab some clean clothes and anything else you need to take and let’s go.”

“Now?”

“Now,” he confirmed. “Before you change your mind.”



When they got to the mansion, they parked in the allotted area and headed to the French doors in the back. The coolness of the air-conditioned room was a welcome relief as were the cold marble tiles under her feet. It was such a great feeling she didn’t want to go any farther.

“Do you remember the way to the suite you used the last time?” he asked softly.

“Yes, thank you.”

Looking around, she remembered the enormous, eight-foot-wide, natural-stone fireplace that rose to the ceiling of the three-story home. Huge log beams crossed the room just below the ceiling. The entire bottom floor was open, which made it seem even bigger. But it was the kitchen that really took her breath away. A bronze exhaust fan overshadowed the five-burner stove and copper pots and pans hung from a rack above the enormous marble-topped island in the center of the room. An oak table sat in a large area off to the side of the kitchen. The view out the floor-to-ceiling windows was incredible. It was a sight similar to the one she had from the trapper’s shack, only from an elevation and a lot more dramatic.

After a wonderful massage in the jetted tub, shampooing her hair and putting on fresh clothes she felt invigorated. Gathering her dirty T-shirt and jeans into a bundle, she brushed out her hair and headed downstairs. The aroma of the food was the next thing to heaven. Cole met her as she entered the kitchen, holding a plastic bag for her laundry. With the light still dancing in his eyes, he handed her a glass of wine.

“You look like a new person,” he said as his eyes roamed over the sundress she’d put on. “Very nice.”

She knew it was stupid but she hadn’t wanted to wear her work clothes. She’d wanted to dress up a little. And it was just a little. She’d brought plenty of shorts and jeans and, for reasons she would never understand, she’d thrown the white-lace sundress into the bag along with her sandals. Now here she was, standing in the home of a billionaire in a twenty-dollar dress she’d picked up from a discount store. She supposed stranger things happened to some people but this was it for her.

“Thanks,” she said. “That bath was amazing. It’s not often we are invited by the local residents to come into their home and experience some twenty-first-century innovations.”

“You mean like indoor plumbing?” His eyes sparkled with humor.

“Exactly. I’m almost afraid to ask, but how did the meeting go? Hopefully they all signed up to give their support.”

“They did, as a matter of fact. And it was in a large part thanks to you.” He caught her gaze and held it. “I appreciate it, Tallie.”

“Excuse me, sir,” the chef interrupted. “Your dinner is served in the breakfast nook, as requested.”

Cole nodded to Andre and turned to her, asking, “Are you hungry?”

“Not really, although it smells delicious.” She placed a hand over her stomach. Then, realizing it would draw attention, she quickly let her hand drop to her side.

“Still feeling sick?”

“Maybe a little.”

With a hand on her lower back that felt both comforting and strange he guided her through the great room, kitchen and finally to the dining area.

Tallie was surprised to see the room lit only with the glow from a large candle in the center of the table. Suddenly she wished she hadn’t accepted the invitation to come to dinner. This had seduction written all over it and she would never fall into that trap again. She couldn’t even imagine what a woman would feel on the day Cole Masters decided he wanted to move on. Especially if the woman imagined herself in love with him. But more than likely all Cole wanted was to find out more about the dig and any loopholes that he could use to make her leave. It had nothing to do with her personally.

Remember that.

Cole held out her chair. From this angle she could see the waterfall and the floral display highlighted by hidden lights. Lowering himself into a chair next to hers, he smiled as though glad to have her there. She attempted to smile back. But this wasn’t some nice neighbor like old Ben Weatherly down the street where she lived.

She appreciated the bath. She would certainly appreciate a few bites of the delicious food that had just been set in front of her. But she was not stopping her dig. If that was his intention with all of this, he could have well saved his efforts. It would take a lot more than a gourmet dinner and some kiss-up dialogue to make her change her mind.

“So, have you discovered anything remotely interesting as yet?”

She shook her head, trying to keep her eyes from rolling at the question. “Not yet.”

“I’m curious. Don’t they usually send more than one person on an important dig like this?”

“Yes, they do. I’m here by myself because of budget constraints and because I was the one who provided the map.”

He looked surprised. “You found that map?”

She nodded.

“Do you mind if I ask where?”

“It was given to me by my grandmother. Just before she died.”

“So she isn’t here to provide any answers.”

“Exactly. I don’t know why she waited. I don’t know if she had any more information about where to look. Or specifically what I’m looking for. Everything but the map died with her.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

He was quiet for a while. Tallie knew he was debating if he should ask any more questions. She hoped he didn’t. She didn’t exactly know what she could tell him.

“This is really delicious,” she said, making a valiant effort to change the subject.

He produced a smile that lit up his face. “Thanks. Beef stroganoff is one of my favorites, although I tend to like German food the most. What’s your preference?”

“Cocoa Puffs and peanut butter,” she answered with a completely straight face.

He laughed. “I guess that puts this a few notches down on the list.”

“Well, like steak or lobster, it’ll do in a pinch.”

“Next time, I’ll know what to serve.”

Next time? Would there be a next time? She very much doubted it. This was his chance to use his persuasive powers to make her give up the dig. Most likely he wouldn’t show her such hospitality again. She just had to get through tonight and perhaps he would leave her alone for a while.