Gracie rubbed her backside, easing the soreness that lingered there from the ride on Duchess today. And even though she was paying a small price, the ride and the man had been perfect. She sighed. Sebastian had been open and honest with her as they spoke of their lives while growing up. They’d shared more about themselves on the ride and she’d laughed at some of the stories he’d told about his antics with his twin.
It seemed that in their youth, Sutton and Sebastian had a history of fooling people into believing one was the other. Teachers and friends had all fallen victim to their identical looks. And more recently, Lauren had been unintentionally misled that Sebastian had been the man she’d met during the masquerade ball, when it had really been Sutton. Once all was sorted out, Lauren and Sutton had fallen madly in love with each other.
If only she and Sebastian...
Gracie was just about to take the stairs when a knock at the front door startled her. Then her security alert chimed, and she glanced at the live feed on her phone.
Quickly, she fussed with her hair, straightened out her clothes and then opened the door to Sebastian.
“Hi,” he said, charming her with a smile...and, well, his presence.
“Hi.” Her heart pumped hard.
“I hope it’s not too late to stop by. I wanted to give these to you,” he said, and that was when she noticed a lovely bouquet of winter flowers in his hand.
He transferred the flowers to her. “They’re beautiful,” she murmured, bringing them to her nose for a sniff. Pine and cinnamon mixed with the sweet scent of roses, reminding her of the holiday just past.
“They’re a thank-you for today. I had a good time.”
“Yes, it was a nice day. Did your meeting end early?”
He hesitated a second too long and a part of her wondered if he’d been lying to her, though why he’d find the need wasn’t quite clear. “It didn’t take as long as I thought.”
“Well, uh, would you like to come in?”
“It’s not too late?” he asked.
She doubted she’d get any sleep tonight if she sent him away. “No, it’s not too late.” She opened the door wider and allowed him entrance.
He stepped into the house and turned to her. She fingered a silky rose petal and smiled. “This way. I’ll put these in water.” She led him into the kitchen and set the bouquet down. As she reached up on tiptoes to get a vase from the cabinet, Sebastian was there behind her, lifting it off the shelf easily. He handed it to her. “Here you go.”
She stared into his green eyes, those same eyes that had melted her and made her do crazy things, like shedding her clothes and making love with him in an alcove at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. She nearly dropped the darn vase as that image revealed itself yet again. Could he tell what she was thinking? Were his eyes reflecting the same thoughts?
Sebastian took the vase from her and set it down, never once taking his gaze off her. He whispered, “Gracie,” and she trembled from deep down and acknowledged what was happening. What she wanted to happen. “I swear I only came here to say thank-you.”
“I know.” The pull between them was powerful, and despite his motives, he was here and she didn’t want him to leave. “I’m glad you did.”
Maybe her hormones were out of whack. Or maybe they weren’t. All she knew for sure was that she could no longer control herself around this man. She wanted to feel the same exquisite feelings she had before when Sebastian was simply a mystery to her. As she was to him. And maybe, just maybe, she liked the man she was getting to know, which, in turn, was adding even more fuel to their sizzling hot attraction. “Hearing you say that is music to my ears,” he growled, wrapping one arm around her waist and bringing her up against him. The soft material of her skinny jeans pressed against his rougher denim as their bodies collided. Sebastian shook his head as if he couldn’t help himself, as if not touching her was torture, and then brought his mouth to hers and kissed her until they both needed oxygen.
He cupped her head and kissed her again and again, each kiss stirring her up, making her hormones dance. Soon, her blouse was off, then his shirt. Their hands found skin, warm, inviting, the touching as fevered as their kisses. Sebastian’s caresses destroyed her and she hungered for more...
He reached under her and she was lifted in his arms, his strength, the way he held her so effortlessly, the ultimate turn-on. She didn’t mind this caveman act; she was like putty already and doubted she could walk. “Which way?” he rasped, between kisses.
“Up the stairs, to the right,” she said breathlessly. “Hurry.”
Sebastian groaned as he kissed her again, making his way up the staircase. Her big bed loomed large in the room. He lowered her down upon it and she lay there quietly as he removed her clothes. “Hot,” he remarked about her cherry-red underwear, taking precious care with her bra and then sliding the panties down her thighs slowly, savoring every second. She was naked and so damn sexy he could barely breathe.
“I never saw you like this, Gracie. You are so beautiful.” The last time, it’d been too dark to see much, and they’d only gone by feel. But tonight was very different.
“My turn,” she said softly, rising up from the bed with a smile. She pulled the zipper of his pants down and helped him kick them off. Next came his boxers and then he was bared to her. She laid her hand on his shaft, stroked him and then put her mouth on him. His knees nearly buckled under him. He loved Gracie’s confidence, her unbelievable boldness, but it was almost too much. Almost.
And when she was through, he offered her the same, grazing the apex of her thighs with his tongue, his hand. Mattress sounds didn’t rival Gracie’s moans of pleasure as he brought her to utter completion. He loved that she didn’t hold back, didn’t hide her enthusiasm. Her whimpers in the aftermath bolstered his ego. When her breathing slowed, he pulled her into his arms. “We haven’t even gotten to the good part yet,” he whispered wickedly in her ear.
She chuckled and folded her body closer into his, her long, thick hair teasing his sensitized skin. It hadn’t been a fluke the last time. It hadn’t been just the thrill of the unknown. Gracie was the best lover he’d ever had. And he wondered about other men in her life. How many? Who? Had it been this great with them? He didn’t want to think about Gracie with other guys. Twinges of jealousy surfaced. He’d never felt this way before. Not with Rhonda or any other woman.
But those thoughts were short-lived. Their night was not over yet. And when he made a move toward Gracie, she shook her head. He had a moment of panic at her refusal, until she climbed atop and straddled him. Staring up at her, with her olive skin glistening in the moonlight and her lustrous hair falling gloriously past her shoulders, he felt completely spellbound by this woman. Man, oh, man, how had he managed to keep away from her all these years?
“Sebastian,” she said softly as she came down onto him, squeezing her eyes closed, giving him an unforgettable image of her naked beauty making love to him. He gritted his teeth as she moved slowly up and down, setting a sensual pace and rocking him to his very core. When it became too much to take, he grabbed her hips and their eyes met as he sped up his thrusts. She followed his beat, his rhythm, the bounce of her body exquisite to watch. Then her mouth gaped open, her breathing hitched and her eyes shuttered as her release washed over him. The beauty of that moment shattered him completely, and he couldn’t hold back another second. He experienced the best damn orgasm of his life.
Afterward, they lay quietly in bed for a while, both staring up at the ceiling. “Was it—”
“Yes,” she said. “Now we don’t have to wonder anymore.”
“You wondered, too?”
“Of course, I did,” she admitted. “I’ve never made love with a stranger before. I’m not usually that...wild.”
“I like wild. But you’re not?”
“No. Not even close.”
“So it must mean something.”
“It means we have great sex,” she whispered.
“Right.” They did. So why was he disappointed in her answer? Why was she still wary of him? Still unwilling to admit they had more than great sex.
He stared at her abdomen, the place where his baby was growing and thriving. He wanted so much for that child. But he didn’t want to press his luck with Gracie, either. He took hold of her hand, entwining their fingers. “Be my date for Cam and Beth’s wedding.”
He was going to be the man in Gracie’s life. And it wasn’t all about the baby. It was her and the way he was beginning to feel about her. He waited for her answer, and finally, after she was quiet for several seconds, he asked, “Is that a problem?”
She rolled over to face him. “It’s just that people will think...”
“That I’m the baby’s father?”
“No... Yes.”
It stung that she didn’t want people to know the truth about the baby. Sebastian was ready to let the world know. He didn’t like lying to his family this way, or at the very least, omitting the truth from them. He wanted Gracie, but she was still gun-shy.
“It’s just that...I’m not ready. I don’t know where this is heading and I don’t want to explain the situation to everyone, when I don’t, uh, we don’t, have answers.”
He had answers, but she didn’t want to hear them right now. “You’re going as my date. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “No one’s going to presume anything, or even if they did, I doubt they’d ask you.”
Eventually, everyone would find out the truth. He was going to play a role in the baby’s life, that was a given. Gracie couldn’t keep his paternity secret much longer—he had rights, too, and he wasn’t going to back off. That said, he was trying to give her some latitude here, by not putting undue pressure on her. But he did want to bring her to the wedding.
To stake your claim, said the little bug in his ear. Having her on his arm would be a step in the right direction. “I’d love to take you,” he said, stroking her arm up and down.
She laid her head on his chest. “Okay, then, yes,” she whispered.
“You’ll go with me?”
“Yes, I’ll go to the wedding with you.”
He nodded. Finally, he’d have a chance to get to know Gracie a little better. To find out if what they had that night was real. He wanted her, but he also wanted to discover what made her tick.
Gracie woke to the sound of Sebastian’s light breathing. It was dawn or a short time after, she couldn’t tell. She was still in a daze about what had happened between them last night. She glanced at him sleeping next to her in bed, his broad muscled body that had worked magic on her now relaxed in sleep. Making love with Sebastian was unequaled, she didn’t doubt that. But she could easily let him into her heart, and that was what scared her. She wanted to, so badly, but her instincts told her not to go all in with him. Life wasn’t so neat and tidy that she’d have all of her fantasies come true. A man she’d always wanted, a baby she already loved and riches beyond her belief. At some point, this merry-go-round would stop to let her off.
She still had doubts in her mind about Sebastian. Even after last night. Physically, they were in tune, but what about everything else?
The bed creaked as she tossed off the covers and rose, stretching out her arms. She walked into the bathroom quietly and turned on the shower. Stepping inside, she shivered from the chill in the January air, until the hot spray rained down, spreading a delicious warmth. She’d had a workout last night, too, and she welcomed the heat that soothed her muscles.
When the glass door opened with a click, she spun around. Sebastian stood naked behind the door, a devilishly charming smile on his face. “Mind if I join you?”
Another fantasy coming true. Was she dreaming, or was this as real as it got? “Come in, the water’s perfect.”
He stepped inside. “You’re the one that’s perfect.” He laid a hand on her tummy. Was there a little bump emerging? “So is this little one.”
He kissed her then, under the hot spray of water. And then his hands were on her, soaping her up, touching her in private places, sliding seductively over her swollen breasts. She trusted him with her body, and so far, she hadn’t been disappointed.
She kissed him back, using the bar of soap to lather him up good. And when she was just about done, and the lather was washed off, his large hands came around to her rear end and he lifted her slightly onto him. She tucked her legs around his waist, fully secure in his grip. There was no doubt this was going to happen again. She’d known it the second the shower door clicked open, but the intensity of their lovemaking always surprised her. Her heart beat fast, her body heated up, the water lapping over them giving her a thrill. He held her tight, moving deeper inside, taking the burden of the thrusts upon himself. It was too passionate, too torrid, and she couldn’t hold on another second. She gripped his neck and spun out of control, her release mind-blowing.
Their lovemaking was raw and beautiful, just like the two times before. With no worries about the actual act, since she was already pregnant and they’d both confessed to not having any prior physical relationships for a long while, she harbored no regrets. Sebastian kissed her again and then shut off the water. They held each other for long moments, regaining normal breaths and coming back down to earth.
“Do you like bacon and eggs?” she asked him.
He chuckled. “That’s the last thing I thought you’d say right now.”
“The baby needs to eat. And it’ll be egg whites and turkey bacon, but I make a mean omelet if you’re hungry.”
“I accept.” He kissed her nose, and it was the simple things like that that captivated her. “Only if you let me help.”
“Can you make coffee?”
“Of course,” he answered.
And twenty minutes later, they were dressed and working in the kitchen, the flowers he’d given her last night adorning the center of the kitchen table. It was a cozy scene, a fact that didn’t escape her as they went about making breakfast together.
Another one of her youthful imaginings coming to life.
But that was fantasy and this was real.
She didn’t for a minute know how long it would last.
Gracie walked into The Eatery later that morning and greeted Lauren in the kitchen. Her business partner was hard at work, developing her special of the day, basil herb chicken with roasted vegetables. “Smells good in here.”
“As it should,” Lauren said, putting the finishing touch on the dish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. She looked the part in her uniform jacket and toque blanche, as she called her chef hat, a historical name from years gone by.
“Looks like word is spreading. We’ve got a decent lunch crowd.”
“Yep, some of my regulars from Street Eats are coming in and helping spread the word,” Lauren replied. “We’re busy, which makes me extremely happy.”
“Oh, I thought Sutton was the only one who could do that.”
“Very funny! Good food and a good man rank up there on my happy scale. And you should talk... Sutton tells me Sebastian didn’t come home last night. Which may very well explain the healthy glow on your face.”
Was it that obvious? “It’s amazing what prenatal vitamins can do.”
“They can only do so much, Gracie.”
“And how would Sutton know about Sebastian’s comings and goings? I thought he spent his nights with you.”
“He goes home every once in a while, to water the plants.” She winked.
“You’re so bad.”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me.” Lauren feigned a pout.
Gracie didn’t want anyone to know about her budding relationship with her baby’s daddy. But Lauren was a good friend, and she knew about the night of the masquerade ball. She supposed if she told anyone, it would be her business partner. “Maybe Sebastian and I went on a date, and maybe he just stopped by last night to bring me a bouquet of flowers.”
“Sounds interesting. Go on.”
She rolled her eyes. “Can’t you use your imagination, Chef?”
“I do, with my creations, but when it comes to friends, I want to hear it all.”
“Okay, fine. Since I need a favor from you, I’ll tell you that Sebastian made me happy twice last night.”
Lauren’s eyes bugged out. “Wow,” she mouthed. “That’s awesome. Are you two...”
“Dating? Sort of. He’s taking me to Beth and Cam’s wedding. And I don’t know what the heck I’m doing.”
“You don’t have to know, Gracie. Just let things happen naturally.”
“I don’t want to be pressured, that’s all,” she admitted.
“Sebastian knows that, I’m sure. But it would be absolutely per—”
“About that favor,” she interrupted. She knew it would be perfect if Sebastian fell in love with her, but that might not ever happen, and she had the baby to protect. For as hard as she tried, she couldn’t shake off the constant, nagging suspicion that she’d never been good enough for a Wingate, and that was why Sebastian had never even considered her an option. But no matter what, she wasn’t going to settle for anything less than true love. She wanted the kind of love that made birds sing and flowers bloom.
She wanted the fairy tale.
“When it slows down in here, will you help me shop for a dress for Beth’s wedding?” she asked.
“I’d love to. Give me two hours to serve the lunch crowd and I’ll go with you.”
“Great, I’ll plant myself in the back office and do some work until you’re ready.”
Lauren dug her teeth into her lower lip. “You know, you already have a gorgeous red gown.”
Gracie began shaking her head. “No way. I can’t go in the dress I wore to the masquerade ball, Lauren. Not anymore than you can.” They’d both worn deep red gowns and gold masks on that night, part of the reason there’d been a case of mistaken identity.
“I know.” Her friend shrugged. “It was just a thought.”
“If you need me for anything, just give a shout. I’ll be in the back.”
And three hours later, Gracie and Lauren walked into a high-end boutique in Royal and, with the help of a very astute saleswoman, narrowed down Gracie’s choices to three. In between try-on sessions, they were served passion fruit herbal tea and cookies. Both passed on the cookies but sipped the tea. Gracie and Lauren both came from humble beginnings, and this type of not off-the-rack shopping was new to them. But it was fun, and Gracie felt a little bit like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman choosing a dress this way. Only, she was using her own credit card for the purchase.
The saleswoman, Edith, couldn’t be nicer, even though Gracie opted for a dress on clearance that was slightly more money than she’d earn as a waitress for a month. “It’s fabulous on you,” Edith said.
“I think it’s the one, Gracie,” Lauren concurred.
Gracie glanced at herself in the triple mirror, admiring the amethyst lace dress from all angles. It had off-the-shoulder sleeves, a sweetheart neckline decorated with delicate rhinestones that traveled down to a tapered waistline and a high-low hem hitting her well below the knee. She knew it might just be the last time she’d squeeze into a garment like this. Her tummy was still flat, but her breasts were fuller and her waist was thickening a little. All in preparation for the baby, so it was a good thing. “I think so, too.”
“Wonderful! Shall I get it ready for delivery?” Edith asked.
Gracie looked to Lauren, and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes, I think so.”
“Great! If you don’t mind me saying so, I’m thrilled to have met you, Miss Diaz. To think Rhonda Pearson came in just before you. Two celebrities in just one day.”
“I’m hardly a celebrity,” Gracie said, humbled. “So Rhonda Pearson shops here, too?” She knew Rhonda had dated Sebastian for a long time. Rumor had it they were to be married, but then they’d had a very public breakup. The supermodel had dumped him and the tabloids had a field day with that story. Now Rhonda was back in town. To see Sebastian?
“Why, yes, she does. She has excellent taste in clothes, if I do say do myself. And why wouldn’t she? She’s an international supermodel and just a lovely person.”
“Y-yes, I suppose she is, though I’ve never met her,” Gracie said.
Rhonda was gorgeous, from high cheekbones and perfect bone structure to a sweet-as-sugar smile. Plus, she had a mane of stunning blond hair that any woman would envy.
Gracie wasn’t going to lie to herself, she didn’t like the memories flashing in her head of Rhonda and Sebastian. They’d made headlines often. And maybe a streak of jealousy flitted through her system, as well as self-doubt. She’s never been in Sebastian’s league, and Rhonda Pearson could make even the most confident woman feel the lesser.
She tried not to think about it, yet feelings of unease still wedged their way in.
“Thanks for the tea, Edith,” Lauren said. “And for your help today. I’m afraid I have to get back to work. Gracie and I just opened The Eatery in town. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? We’d love it if you stopped by one day, and be sure to bring your family.”
Edith smiled warmly. “Thank you. I certainly will.”
Gracie changed into her street clothes and handed the dress back to Edith. “Thanks again.”
“Sure thing. I’ll have it sent to your home by tomorrow.”
“I appreciate that,” she said.
“All part of the service.” Edith beamed. “And thanks for shopping at Goodwins. Goodbye, now.”
Lauren took Gracie’s arm and ushered her outside. “That was a blast! I like spending your money, Gracie. Does that make me a terrible friend?”
“I don’t think of it that way, Lauren. We’re friends and partners, so in a way you’re making me money.”
“Okay, I’ll take that. And OMG that dress—it’s stunning on you! Sebastian won’t know what hit him. The only trouble is, now I have to find something to knock Sutton’s socks off.”
“Lauren, you’re engaged to him, and he thinks the sun shines on your shoulders. You have no worries.”
“I know.” She giggled and kept the smile on her face all the way back to The Eatery.
Sebastian straightened his charcoal-and-black paisley tie in the mirror. He couldn’t believe his sister Beth was getting married today. Cam Guthrie was a good guy, a hard worker and a man who’d been building Beth a dream home on property that was intended to be their working dude ranch resort. They were getting married in a private family ceremony today and Gracie was going as his date.
“What’re you smiling about?” Sutton poked his head into the room.
“Beth,” he lied. “She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”
“So are you lately. Must have something to do with a certain pretty woman we both know.”
“Maybe.” He glanced at his brother. “But for years while growing up, Gracie wasn’t someone I thought I could date or even think of that way. She’s a little skittish around me, too, so we’ll see how it goes tonight.”
“Got it. But otherwise things are going well?”
He nodded. He didn’t want to go into detail, so he kept his mouth shut.
“Hey, I have some news,” Sutton said. “Not to put a damper on the day, but you should know about this. Chloe had a hunch about Keith Cooper’s involvement when Dad was recovering from his stroke. She thinks that while he was supposedly helping out with the company, he might’ve dipped his hand into the till, too. Miles is doing some digging now. And you know our brother—he won’t rest until he finds out the truth. He wants us to sit tight and see what he comes up with.”
“If anyone can sort through the BS, it’s Miles.” Chloe was Miles’s fiancée and both were delving into the family’s past finances.
Sebastian scratched his chin. What a corrupt man Keith Cooper had turned out to be. “It’s not the kind of news we want to talk about at the wedding.”
“No, I agree. But I wanted to keep you up-to-date.”
“Got it,” Sebastian said. “We’ll just wait to hear what Miles finds out.”
“Right. But in any event, this is gonna be a happy day. The family needs a fun celebration to remember what life was like before all the negativity and deception.”
Sebastian glanced at his watch—it was almost time to pick up Gracie. His heart thumped hard, a current familiar reaction whenever he thought about her. This date was more than a date, because it was Beth’s wedding, and both he and Gracie loved her, wanted to see her happy. They had that in common. But for the first time, the family would see Gracie on his arm. He wanted that. He wanted to step up instead of hiding his paternity. Maybe today would be a start toward making that happen.
“Time to run, bro,” he told Sutton.
“Yeah, me, too. I’m picking up Lauren in a few minutes. Can’t wait to see the house, now that it’s all finished. Should be a special night.”
He slapped his brother on the back. “And not just for Cam and Beth, but for all of us.”
A short while later, Sebastian stood on Gracie’s threshold in total awe, mesmerized by the smile that lit up her entire face. The dress she wore was a knockout, fitting her form perfectly. Its deep amethyst color highlighted her olive skin tones and the smoky brown of her eyes. Her hair was up in a do that looked both complicated and trendy, held together by a rhinestone clasp in the back.
“You look...” Delicious. Gorgeous. Stunning.
“Thank you. You look nice, too. Let me just get my coat. Come in.”
He stepped into her foyer. She was back with a cream-colored faux fur coat and a clutch purse. As he helped her put it on, the delicate scent of flowers tickled his nostrils. “Love that perfume,” he whispered as he tucked her into the coat, holding her lapels tight. “Reminds me of the other night.” When they’d made love...
“You mean the way I smelled after getting off Duchess.” She sent him a coy smile.
“Right, that’s exactly what I meant.” He tilted his head and leaned in to brush a quick kiss to her lips. It was something he needed to do, for his own sanity. He’d have to be a perfect gentleman tonight, in front of his family, and that was plain no fun.
“We should go,” he said softly, stealing one more kiss. “Sorry, that’s gonna have to hold me through the night.”
It was getting harder and harder to keep this slow pace with Gracie. He’d never been a patient man, and his baby mama was testing his limits.