- -
- 100%
- +
With many thanks to Melissa Jeglinski,
to Jessica Alvarez and to Maureen Walters.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
Coming Next Month
One
“Time for the kill,” Nick Ransome whispered to himself. Anticipation made him eager for his dinner meeting with a corporate rival he had worked years to smash.
Steering his sleek black sports car from busy Dallas traffic into the restaurant parking lot, Nick raced toward a space along a line of cars. It was still hot in the early July evening, and waves of heat shimmered up from the pavement. Suddenly, a brown shaggy dog emerged from the row of parked cars and trotted in front of Nick’s car.
A woman followed, rushing toward Nick and waving her arms.
Swearing, Nick slammed on his brakes. Tires screeched when his car skidded to a stop within a foot of the female while the aged dog ambled across the drive and disappeared behind a purple crepe myrtle bush.
Nick’s annoyance melted into appreciation. Dressed in knee-length, sleeveless black, the woman was a gorgeous blonde with wide blue eyes. When she walked around to the driver’s side of his car, Nick watched the sway of her hips while his pulse accelerated. With interest, he lowered his window.
“I’m sorry if I startled you, but I didn’t want the dog run over,” she said, leaning down to talk to him. Her voice was low, as appealing as the rest of her.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to stop for a beautiful woman anytime.”
“Thank you.” She laughed, revealing even white teeth and a warm, enticing smile that jumped his pulse. Her full, rosy lips made him wonder what it would be like to kiss her. When she waved her hands, he saw there was no wedding ring. “The dog looks old, and I imagine he’s deaf,” she continued. “I don’t think he heard your car. As long as you avoided hitting him, I’m happy.”
“Anything to oblige, but you ought to take care. The next person might not stop in time.”
One eyebrow arched, and her eyes twinkled. “I doubt if the next person will be driving as fast. You’re a man in a hurry.”
“I’m meeting people. Just in case you hurt something when you stepped in front of my car, if you’ll give me your phone number, I’ll check on you later,” he offered with a smile.
“You’re coming on to me with the same speed you drive,” she remarked.
“Not really. If you want to see coming on to you fast, you give me your phone number. Or go to dinner with me tomorrow night.”
When she laughed again, he smiled, but he was curious about her answer. His pulse quickened at the thought of dinner with her. She was stunning with flawless skin and enormous, thickly lashed blue eyes.
She placed both hands on his open window and leaned closer until she was only inches away. “I’m not injured. I’m not giving you my phone number. Although I’m tempted, I’m not going to dinner with you,” she said in a deep-throated, sexy drawl that sent his temperature soaring. She was inches away, flirting with him, and her mouth looked enticing.
A car drove up behind him, and she stepped back.
“You’re blocking traffic,” she said in a breathless voice.
“You’re meeting a man for dinner, aren’t you?” he asked, not caring that he held up a car behind him.
“Yes,” she replied. “A man I love very much.” She turned and walked away as the waiting car honked. Nick watched the sway of her hips and then took his foot off the brake and drove to a parking space.
“You may love him, but you flirted with me,” Nick said quietly to no one. Nick arched an eyebrow and wondered about her.
By the time he had reached the entrance, she had disappeared inside. He wanted her name. She was dining with a man tonight, but if she wasn’t married or engaged, then that was no hurdle to getting to know her. She couldn’t be truly in love and act like she had. Unless the man she loved was her father. The last possibility made Nick smile.
Nick vowed he would get to know her. He laughed at himself. Why bother? Texas was filled with beautiful, sexy, interesting women. Still, when the maître d’greeted him and turned to lead him to his table, Nick scanned the room for sight of her.
“Your party is waiting, Mr. Ransome,” Darrell said, threading his way across the room. Nick glanced again at well-dressed people seated at tables, adorned with white linen cloths, candles and roses in crystal vases, in one of Dallas’s finest steak houses. A piano player’s soft, background music was a complement to the inviting ambience. It was Wednesday, the first week of July—Nick decided it had been a very good way to start the evening.
Darrell stepped out of the way, motioning Nick to a table with three people. Both men stood, but Nick’s gaze went to the blonde who remained seated and gazed back impassively.
His pulse jumped and for the second time in the past fifteen minutes, she gave him another jolt. If, in turn, his identity surprised her, she hid it well. And he knew any dinner involving just the two of them was off. His interest in her cooled to a glacial temperature.
Distaste and dull anger made Nick’s throat tight as he shook hands with Rufus Holcomb, CEO of Holcomb Drilling. The white-haired man gave Nick a firm handshake and Nick gazed into calculating blue eyes beneath shaggy white brows. The old man was shrewd, scheming and stubborn; Nick could feel the invisible tangle of wills as he greeted Rufus, their smiles belying what he knew each of them felt.
“Rufus, I’ve been looking forward to this,” Nick said, wondering why Rufus had wanted to meet for dinner.
“I can imagine,” Rufus answered dryly and turned to the blonde. “Julia, this is the infamous Nick Ransome,” he said. “Nick, meet my granddaughter, Julia Holcomb.”
She extended her hand and smiled coolly. “We’ve met,” she said, gazing steadfastly at Nick as she gave him a firm handshake. The moment he clasped her slender hand in his, his pulse jumped another notch and he couldn’t resist a glance at her full, pouty lips.
“So we have. Protector of dogs and grandfathers,” he said, releasing her hand and turning to a stocky blond man, shaking hands perfunctorily with Ransome Energy’s senior vice president of marketing and his lifelong friend, Tyler Wade.
When the three men sat, the waiter appeared to take drink orders. As soon as the waiter left, Rufus glanced at Nick and Julia. “So where and how did you two meet, since it had to have been after six this evening? And what’s this about protecting dogs?”
“Mr. Ransome is a fast driver and a stray wandered in front of his car tonight in the parking lot,” Julia said, watching Nick. The minute their gazes locked, he inhaled and his pulse jumped. “I imagine Mr. Ransome is fast in many things he does. Am I right?”
Nick could feel the friction that he had always experienced around Rufus extend to Julia, only it was different. Julia was a desirable woman and a challenge that he couldn’t ignore. “I would never tell a beautiful woman that she’s wrong,” Nick said smoothly, turning to Rufus. “You’re a scoundrel, Rufus, bringing your granddaughter, because you’re fully aware that all she has to do is bat her big blue eyes and she would tempt any man to give away the farm.”
Nick knew his sexist remark would make both Holcombs bristle, particularly since Rufus was always ready to fight. Nick wondered what it was about Julia that made him want to needle her.
“Julia is a vice president in our accounting department. As you’ll soon see, she’s an excellent employee to have at my side.”
“Thank you, Granddad. I doubt if Mr. Ransome will share your opinion or be in a position to know what kind of employee I am,” she said, smiling at Nick. But it was another chilly smile that conveyed no friendliness, and nothing like the irresistible, warm smiles she had flashed when they had been in the parking lot. Her blond hair was pulled behind her head and tied with a black scarf; he wondered how she would look if it were unfastened and loose over her shoulders.
“I’m sure your granddad is correct,” Nick replied. His emotions warred between competing with her and wanting to take her out and get to know her.
They paused when the sommelier appeared to uncork a bottle of wine, pour some for Nick’s approval and then fill the wineglasses. As soon as he left them, Rufus picked up his menu. “I’m starving and it’s been a long day. Actually, I usually eat almost two hours earlier, so let’s get some food on the table.”
“Fine,” Nick answered, knowing what he wanted because of his familiarity with the menu. He was eager to get on with the dinner that he expected would accomplish nothing except antagonize both the old man and his granddaughter further.
There was a brief discussion of various selections before the waiter appeared to tell them about the specials and then to take orders.
“I know you’ve got two splendid quarter horses you race out at that ranch of yours,” Rufus said. “How’re they doing this season?”
“Still winning,” Nick answered.
“Black Lightning won just last Saturday,” Julia said.
“You go to the races?” Nick asked her.
“No. I keep up with your horses. I think it’s wise to know your competitors,” she said.
“What else do I do that you keep up with?” he asked, smiling at her.
“You’ve been very successful. Your company has tripled in size in the past five years. You recently signed a deal to drill in Russia.”
“You do know about us,” Nick said, surprised. Their green salads came and conversation went back to quarter horses and breeding stock. All the time they talked, whenever Nick and Julia’s gazes met, he could feel electricity crackle between them. To his consternation, he acknowledged to himself that it took his breath just to look at her. Her flawless skin looked silky and soft. He wanted to sink his fingers in her golden hair. Several times, he jerked his thoughts back to the conversation when they drifted to erotic images of her.
Over thick, juicy steaks, their conversation went from Nick’s horses to Rufus’s hobby of sailing.
“You could retire, Rufus, and spend all your time sailing since you enjoy it so much,” Nick remarked.
Rufus’s mouth curled in a wolfish grin and he shook his head. “And let you steal my company? I don’t think so. No, I’ll continue like I am. Julia’s as good a sailor as I am. With her help, I expect to win the upcoming race, just as we intend to block you in a buyout.”
“So sailing is in your blood, too,” Nick said to her, ignoring Rufus’s remarks about business.
“Granddad’s been taking me sailing since I was five years old.”
“She’s got her own sailboat and it’s a real beauty,” Rufus said.
“What’s the name of your boat?” Nick asked. “I may have to come watch you race.”
“Granddad is the one racing. I’ll be his crew,” she replied, ignoring Nick’s question.
Their conversation remained neutral until coffee was served.
“Do you really think that our lawyers can sit down together Friday and hash out anything?” Julia asked, toying with her Bavarian apple tart dessert. “We don’t see any point in having them meet,” she added, gazing at Nick. Grudgingly, he had to admire her poise, she looked and sounded as if she had the upper hand in this struggle.
“If they meet, we might find common ground. And all of you can listen to my offer,” Nick replied.
“You can keep your so-called offer,” Rufus snapped. “You’re trying to rob me of Holcomb Drilling.”
“I have no intention of stealing your company,” Nick said. “The offer we’re going to bring to the table will be generous, cover your debts and give you an opportunity to retire and enjoy life.”
“Granddad isn’t ready to retire,” Julia remarked.
“Indeed, I’m not! Whatever your offer is, I’m turning it down. You might as well know that right now, Nick. As a matter of fact, you back off, damn quick, or I’ll ruin you in every way. You’ll regret going after Holcomb.”
Hanging on to his temper, Nick sipped his water, setting down his glass. “Don’t threaten me, Rufus,” he remarked quietly. “I’m not a young, green rookie just starting in business anymore.”
“Doesn’t matter. You back off if you know what’s good for you.”
“Frankly, I want what you have and you’ve had some setbacks that have dealt Holcomb Drilling financial blows. If I don’t step in and take over, someone else will. It’s inevitable.”
“It’s no such thing,” Julia answered quietly, and Nick met her gaze. She could play poker and not give anything away, he realized. She looked as impassive as if she were discussing the weather. Her granddad was not dealing as well with the conversation, Rufus’s face had reddened and his fists were clenched. “Don’t come after our company,” she said quietly. “It won’t be in your best interests if you do.”
“So you, too, are threatening me,” Nick remarked, banking his anger but impressed by her confidence. He saw the flash of fire in the depths of her eyes. Would she play as dirty as her deceased father had and her granddad? “Is this why you wanted to get together—to threaten me?”
Nick leaned toward her. “You want a fight, you’ll get a fight,” he said quietly. When she drew a deep breath, her breasts pushed against the black fabric of her dress. Nick let his gaze roam down and then up.
“You’ll know you’ve been in a battle, too, Mr. Ransome,” she stated flatly. “Granddad,” Julia said, placing her hand over his, “let’s go. I don’t think Mr. Ransome has any intention of cooperating or listening. There’s no need in dragging out the evening.” She stood and all the men came to their feet.
She looked up at Nick. “You’ll never acquire anything from us,” she said firmly. “You should spend your time taking care of what you have. And watching where you’re going.”
He was caught and held by invisible bonds, gazing back down at her and feeling the air between them crackle. He struggled to hang on to his temper, yet at the same time attraction burned hot and intense. She was desirable, beautiful and defiant and the competitor in him wanted to best her, while the healthy male that he was wanted her naked in his arms.
“Admit it, Mr. Ransome,” Julia said. “Your motive is revenge for times in the past when Granddad has bested you. Revenge is what this is about.”
“This will be a lucrative deal for all concerned,” Nick replied, keeping calm. “You’ll get rid of a lot of debt.”
“We’ll manage our company,” Julia replied smoothly, turning to Tyler. “I’m glad to have met you.”
Looping her arm through her grandfather’s, she turned to Nick. “I guess if I hadn’t stepped in front of you, you would have run right over that poor old dog. Manners force me to thank you for dinner, but it’s been less than pleasant. You may want revenge for imagined wrongs, but you’re not going to get it,” she added. “Back off, or you’ll regret it.”
Taking her grandfather’s arm, Julia started to walk away. Nick inhaled and his gaze drifted down over her, watching the sexy sway of her hips, looking at her long, shapely legs. He wanted her in an explosive way, wishing he could yank her into his embrace and kiss her into submission. At the same time, he was annoyed with himself.
He watched her walk across the restaurant until she was out of sight. Beside him, Tyler gave a long, low whistle. “She’s a pistol! Wow! And a real chip off the old block. I knew the old man was grooming her to take over, but I didn’t expect it this much and this soon, or his heir to be red-hot sexy and drop-dead gorgeous.”
Nick turned to his vice president. “I think she brings out the Neanderthal in me,” he said, and Tyler gave a dry laugh.
“She’d bring it out in any man who’s not dead. Whew! She’s feisty and maybe as underhanded as the rest of her family. She openly threatened you.”
“That will make this all the more interesting. Too bad she’s a Holcomb. Otherwise…” he let his voice trail away as he thought about Julia. “Let’s have coffee,” Nick said, sitting and facing Tyler. “Tell me again—we’ve got this takeover nailed, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do,” Tyler said, his gray eyes flashing with satisfaction. He poured more wine for himself and offered some to Nick, who shook his head.
“Make sure there aren’t any hitches. Rufus has killer instincts and he doesn’t draw the line at doing something illegal.”
“As long as you live, you’ll think it was one of their minions who ran you off the road back in your early days.”
“I know damn well it was, but there was no way to prove it in court. None. My word against them, and they would have had an alibi.”
“If that’s the case, be careful now. We’re going for his throat.”
“I’m not a kid now. I’m not worried about Rufus or Julia and her threats. More than ever, I want to destroy Holcomb and get revenge for my family.”
“Plus acquiring some real jewels,” Tyler declared, taking a long drink of wine. “Rufus’s sister, Helena, lives in Paris. Her health is failing and she has a nurse and companion, as well as a staff to take care of her condo. I flew over there myself to see her. She never wants to come back here.”
“That surprises me,” Nick said.
“She’s older than Rufus and thinks it’s high time he retired while he still has his health. She has definite ideas and it sounds as if the two haven’t gotten along from the day Rufus was born.”
“Julia isn’t close to her aunt?”
“No. Helena doesn’t think Julia should be at Holcomb. Helena’s opinion is that Julia should be home making babies.”
The image that popped into Nick’s mind temporarily wiped out hearing anything else that Tyler was telling him. Julia in bed. Nick’s temperature soared, and he tried to pull his thoughts back to Tyler and concentrate on his vice president’s conversation. Nick wiped his damp brow and stared at Tyler.
“We own every dime’s worth of Holcomb stock Helena possessed. You are now the major stockholder.”
“Are there any other relatives holding stock besides Julia and Rufus?”
“No. In addition to Rufus’s sister, Julia and Rufus are the only ones left. They only have each other,” Tyler exclaimed with eagerness. “Julia’s parents were killed in a plane crash three years ago. Between the Holcomb stocks and the bank, you’ve got ’em.”
Nick thought about the bank he had just purchased and the Holcomb mortgages he had acquired. “We can call those mortgages in whenever we want,” he said. “His family and ours have battled over horses and oil. It’s time to take Miss Julia Holcomb and her grandfather out of the picture. She’ll make a lot of money and so will Rufus. We’re not robbing them.”
A cell phone rang and Nick retrieved it from his pocket, talking softly and listening to his friend, Meredith Cates, while Tyler poured another glass of wine for himself.
“Sorry, Meredith. I’m tied up this weekend.” Nick listened while she fussed.
“I can’t change my plans. I’ll get back with you,” he said and switched off his phone.
“Another woman bites the dust,” Tyler said. “You go through them like lightning. Has there ever been one you couldn’t seduce?”
Nick smiled. “I’m sure there has,” he answered easily. “Although I can’t remember her,” he added, and they both laughed.
Tyler sipped his drink and gazed at his friend. “All right,” Nick said. “What’s up?”
“It’s after hours now, Nick. Business over.”
Nick nodded. “Right. I think I should do Gina a favor and drive you home.”
“Nope. I’m sober enough. I’ll tell you what—I want that year-old sorrel of yours—”
“Standing Tall? He’s still not for sale,” Nick replied firmly. “But you have an eye for horseflesh. He’s going to win me a bunch of races.”
“You like my new Ferrari, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to swap my horse for your car. I can buy a car. The horse takes breeding and luck.”
“You might not have to have to swap your horse. You might get both if you’re willing to take a risk.”
Nick drank the last of his coffee and set down his cup, his curiosity growing. “So what’s on your not-too-sober mind, Tyler?”
“Let me name a woman. If you can seduce her within the next two weeks, the car is yours. If you can’t, the horse is mine.”
Nick laughed. “You’ve lost it!”
“Listen to me. I’ll pick someone likely—she has to be under thirty, healthy, single, a knockout, unattached and a woman of my choice.”
“You’re nuts. You’ve had enough wine. Let’s go,” Nick said and stood. “We’ve done a lot of crazy things, Ty. This is one you’re not talking me into.”
“Since when do you balk at seduction of a beautiful woman?” Tyler said, standing and walking out beside Nick. “Scared to risk your horse? You might get my Ferrari.”
Thinking about the prize car, Nick glanced at his friend. “You’d really bet your car?”
“Yes, I will. I want that horse. I think I can name a woman you can’t seduce.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“C’mon, Nick. It’ll make life interesting. Matter of fact,” Tyler said, getting a brisk, businesslike tone back in his voice, “here’s your chance to make your revenge really sweet. Miss Julia Holcomb.”
“To hell with that one,” Nick said.
“Scared of her? That would be the ultimate revenge, Nick. Absolute. I know your negative answer is not because she isn’t attractive enough. Sparks were flying between the two of you tonight.”
“Forget it, Ty. I’m not eighteen anymore, and you’re not talking me into something crazy like you used to do.”
Tyler kicked a small rock as they crossed the parking lot. “There goes my horse.”
Nick laughed. “C’mon. I’ll take you home and Gina can bring you back tomorrow to pick up your car.”
As they crossed the parking lot Nick remembered Julia and their encounter. How long was it going to take him to forget her? Or his pulse to stop jumping at the mere thought of her? Seduce Julia? Just the suggestion made his breath catch. But he wasn’t getting into a crazy bet with Tyler, even though it would be both a challenge and sweet revenge to seduce her.
After depositing Tyler at his house, Nick headed to his condo. While he drove, he thought about dinner and his fiery exchanges with Julia Holcomb, the sparks he could feel every time he locked gazes with her.
Beautiful, sexy, pure poison because of her family. He knew she viewed him as a monster.
I guess if I hadn’t stepped in front of you, you would have run right over that poor old dog. As her words rang in his ears, Nick clamped his jaw shut. He might be ruthless at work, but he didn’t run down helpless animals. He knew she’d said it to aggravate him, and his annoyance increased that she’d succeeded.
Nick drove to his condo that was the entire top floor of a twenty-story building. He moved around in the dark, enjoying the lights of the city, still unable to keep memories of Julia from tormenting him. He stood by the window and looked down on the sparkling city lights that sprawled in all directions. She was somewhere out there, probably in bed asleep. That thought made him groan, and he turned away, switching on lights as he shed clothes. He wished he were out on his ranch where he could go for night ride. Restless, he crossed to his desk and pulled out a ledger to think about work and get his mind off big blue eyes, long legs and the fiery tension between him and Julia Holcomb.
It was after three in the morning before he fell asleep, but within thirty minutes, the ringing of his phone awakened him. Immediately alert, Nick stretched out a long arm and picked up the receiver. His first thought was that something might have happened to his dad, whose health wasn’t the greatest.