Читать книгу Montana Seduction - Jules Bennett - Страница 12

Two

Dane had originally thought his plan was going to be easy, but getting in the door had taken charm and a little flirting. He was usually so good at getting information he needed.

Both actions painfully outside of his comfort zone these days, but he’d taken a page from his younger, more social brother, Ethan.

For now, Dane would act like he was the most confident, suave man Stella had ever seen. There would be no cause for her to be suspicious. Soon, she’d trust him with all sorts of secrets, and after that, the resort would be his in no time. Finally, after all of these years.

And all he had to do was get close to a striking, sexy woman. Cooking was going to be the easy part, and hopefully this instant foot in the door would give him that extra boost he needed when it came to capturing her trust and attention.

She’d certainly captured his attention with no trouble at all.

That first glimpse of Stella when she’d turned around had nearly rendered him speechless. Thankfully, he’d remembered why he was here and that any distraction, no matter how sexy, could cost him everything.

Just because he was here to get close to her, didn’t mean he could lose sight of the prize.

But then the rest of the kitchen staff started milling in and Stella went to work and took charge. While Dane figured out what the hell he needed to do to create a dinner for one hundred–plus people coming in and out over the next few hours, he also managed to watch Stella in action, knowing that would give him insight as to how to handle his next steps with her.

Damn if she wasn’t even sexier when she focused on her own goal. He knew she wanted this resort for herself, he also knew her father wouldn’t let that happen. The old bastard was stringing her along and had no intention of giving his daughter anything.

While Dane had never met the man in person, watching him from a distance and hiring an investigator to dig up details had shown that Ruiz Garcia was the biggest male chauvinist jerk Dane had ever heard of.

But that was just one more weapon in his arsenal—a point of connection between them he could use to create sympathy and trust. They both had bastard father/stepfathers and they’d both lost their mothers.

Once all was said and done, and he’d secured Mirage, Stella would see that he’d actually done her a favor by getting her out from under the thumb of her controlling father.

Until then, well, Dane would have to do a little more socializing than he’d planned. The pleasure of spending time with a sultry, alluring woman would make up for the comfort zone he’d stepped so far from. She was responding to him nicely so far—he just had to make sure that he kept up the act...and that he didn’t let her expose the ugly, scarred parts of him, whether they were visible or not.

There was one obstacle after another, but that end result...

Several hours and countless dishes of pork roast with mashed potatoes later, Dane worked on the cleanup. The rest of the staff had been dismissed and Stella was out in the dining room straightening everything.

Dane certainly wasn’t a star chef, but being raised by a single mother had given him an edge in household tasks. Lara Anderson had been adamant that her boys do every bit of work deemed for “women” and she swore she’d make them good husband material. His mother wasn’t here to see that neither of her sons had any intention of being a husband, but Dane was still thankful he’d paid attention when she’d shared her special recipes and guided him through basic preparation steps.

Most of the dishes were washed and put away. From the checklist, it looked like all Dane needed to do was prepare a few things for the breakfast crowd. The fruit needed to be cut and placed into separate bowls. The bread was all ready to go, it just had to be put out at room temperature.

The more Dane did, the more he missed his ranch. Being alone and feeding just one was more his speed. His cattle could fend mostly for themselves and the horses were like his best friends. Aside from his ranch hands, those animals were about the extent of anyone or anything he wanted to care for.

Soon, though. Soon he’d be out of here, with the property in his name and then he could figure out how much time to spend at the ranch and how much to spend here. The penthouse he’d gotten for this stay would be a perfect suite for him to keep, but he knew the owner’s suite was even more spectacular. His mother had spared no expense when she had brought her dream to life.

“Well, you saved my ass.”

He’d admired said ass quite a bit since first stepping through the dining room. The sway of her little dress as the hem hit the back of her knees. Those tiny buttons that ran down the middle of the front had teased him all night. He’d stared at the one just between her breasts as if willing it to slide right open.

Dane wondered what she wore beneath and opted to use his own imagination. He figured Stella to be a lace type of lady. Someone like her would want to be all business on the exterior yet all woman beneath.

His body responded instantly to the image of her with the dress stripped away, her dark hair around her shoulders and her breasts bound by lace.

Dane slid the sharp knife through the juicy strawberry, but didn’t glance up at Stella. She came to stand on the other side of the stainless prep area and rested her palms on the flat surface. If Ethan were in his place he would’ve cleared off this island and had her beneath him in seconds.

Dane wasn’t Ethan. Revealing his body by taking Stella to bed wouldn’t seal the deal—it would sour it, once she saw what he was hiding under his clothes. No, there wouldn’t be sex—just flirting. Teasing. Winning her trust slowly and carefully. Well, as slowly as his sanity would allow. He wanted Mirage in his name right now, but he knew he had to be patient.

“Happy I could help,” he finally replied, attempting to get control over his hormones. He needed to pace himself. “I’m just going to get this fruit cut up and set in the fridge. What time should I be here tomorrow?”

“Oh, no,” Stella retorted. “You’ve more than helped. I called in our part-time chef and offered an exorbitant amount of money if she would cover for the next few weeks.”

Dane stopped slicing and set the knife down as he lifted his gaze to hers. “That wasn’t necessary. I would’ve helped while I was here.”

Stella smiled. Not the flirty smile he often got from women when he ventured out, but the type of smile that contained a sense of...pity.

Damn it. He’d seen enough of that from his staff at the ranch when he’d get lost in his war nightmares. He’d let the majority of them go because he did not need sympathy and he didn’t want anyone in his house hearing his cries. He refused to take pity from anybody and he sure as hell couldn’t afford to have it from the woman he was trying to get close to.

But pity from Stella was a bit easier to handle. She didn’t even know the real reason to pity him, so technically her emotions toward him right now were null.

“It’s not like I had anything else to do,” he replied. “Besides, it wasn’t bad and I got to help a beautiful woman.”

Stella pursed her lips, but she didn’t even blush. He’d have to reconsider his verbiage. Clearly she was either used to compliments or she wasn’t interested in them. Either way, he had to tread carefully and keep working to build a connection between them.

“I’m sure you could’ve done just fine on your own,” he amended. “I can’t imagine you would’ve let a rogue chef ruin the night.”

Stella crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head. “I don’t let anyone ruin my plans once I set them into motion.”

Perhaps they had even more in common than he’d initially thought. Which would make this entire process that much easier...once they got over this initial get-to-know-you phase.

“That attitude is why this place is so successful.” He flashed her a smile and picked up a strawberry, extending it across the island toward her. “You’re an admirable woman.”

She kept her eyes on his as she took the fruit from his hand. “I’ve already comped your room for the duration of your stay. Flattery isn’t necessary.”

Comped his room? Wasn’t that adorable. He had enough money to buy this entire resort and not put a dent in his finances, but the fact she’d done so just proved she was sincere in her commitment to Mirage...and her father didn’t deserve such loyalty.

“That wasn’t necessary,” he replied.

With a shrug, she bit into the strawberry. The second her lips closed around her fingers to clean away the juices, Dane was pretty damn thankful he had a barrier between his waist and her eyes.

Was she purposely taunting him? She’d been so all-business before, he’d thought he’d have to be the one to initiate all the flirting. Only one of them could take the lead and he’d already signed up for that position. No way was he going to be sidetracked.

On the other hand, if he’d already gotten her curiosity piqued, his work here could be over sooner than he’d planned.

“I believe you owe me a story,” she told him after she finished licking each finger and driving him out of his mind with want. He wanted that mouth on him. “We got so busy you didn’t get a chance to tell me how someone like you is at an adult resort all alone.”

At least this part he’d rehearsed and prepared for. He didn’t know how to hide his actual arousal because that sure as hell wasn’t an act and not planned...at least not standing in the resort kitchen.

“I’m on my honeymoon.”

Stella stared at him a moment before she let out a sharp laugh. “And you left your wife at home?”

“Actually, my fiancée opted to leave me a couple days before the wedding.”

Her smile vanished as her brows shot up. “You’re serious.”

Dane nodded, pushing forward with the lie that rolled easily off his tongue. “Humiliating as this is to admit, yes. Apparently ranch life wasn’t for her and she decided to reconnect with her ex. I thought about canceling the reservations, but I figured I deserved a getaway so here I am. I hope that’s not against any house rules.”

Stella pulled in a deep breath and made her way around the prep island. Dane shifted to face her as she came to stand before him.

“Not at all. We don’t usually get singles, but there’s no rule.” Stella’s dark eyes held him, captivated him. “Your fiancée is either a moron or undeserving. You’re better off without her.”

“You don’t even know me. Perhaps she’s the smart one.”

Stella reached over and plucked a cut berry from the chopping board and held it out to him. “I realize we just met, but I’m a good judge of character. I’d say you’re pretty noble and loyal.”

Loyal? Hell yes, he was loyal—to a very select few. There were only two people in this world he’d do anything for: his twin brother, even though their personalities were completely opposite and they rarely saw each other, and his mother.

His mother was the sole reason for this charade and his brother...well, they each had their own thing going in trying to track down the bastard who stole everything from them once their mother passed. Yes, he knew plenty about loyalty. But he was about as far from noble as he could get.

His plan to take her father down and reclaim what belonged to him might be devious; it might be cruel, even. He wasn’t proud of that. For all his faults, he’d never been selfish, he’d never purposely been deceitful. But he was about to do a hell of a job now because the future of his mother’s legacy was on the line. With honor on one side and loyalty on the other, his choice was clear. There were no rules for him.

“Looking back, we could best be described more as friends than anything,” he added. He didn’t want to come off as a complete prick for flirting with Stella right after ending an engagement. “I’d gotten used to the idea of not being alone and being a couple was more habit than anything. She found someone and they’re in love. She’s happier now.”

“And you?” Her question came out in a slight whisper. “Are you happier now?”

Dane swallowed the strawberry and licked his lips. Her eyes darted to his mouth and he wondered if seduction really could be this easy. No wonder Ethan always had a new woman. Still, this wasn’t Dane’s typical behavior. There was no going back now, though.

Not with the chemistry crackling between them even though he hadn’t even laid a finger on her. Damn...he wanted to get her into bed. Even though it wasn’t in the plan—even though it might ruin everything—the temptation was growing stronger with every passing moment. Something shifted, something he couldn’t quite place a finger on.

Lust. He hadn’t expected this strong of a pull. He hadn’t wanted a woman in so long. Well, he had natural urges, but to actually feel the desire and the ache...he couldn’t recall the last time. Granted, avoiding people in general probably contributed to his lack of sex life. But sex or getting close to anyone would open the door to questions he wasn’t ready to answer.

In the last several hours, Dane found he actually wanted to get closer to Stella. That could be the lack of sex in his life talking, though.

“I’m happy that the marriage didn’t happen,” he stated. “When I marry, I plan for it to be a one-time thing.”

He nearly laughed at that statement because he rarely left his ranch, let alone dated anyone. Dodging people and any social activity had been his new normal since leaving the army, deepening the seclusion that had started with the untimely death of his mother, when he’d opted to keep to himself instead of talk to anyone—even Ethan.

So, no. Marrying was certainly off the table because he’d never let anyone get that close to him. Besides the fear of abandonment again, he wouldn’t subject anyone to his nightmares.

“So you do want marriage?” she asked.

“Maybe. Eventually. I’m not in a hurry.”

He leaned his hip against the edge of the stainless steel and reached out to push her long inky hair over her slender shoulder. There was no reason for him to try to avoid touching her.

He also needed to get away from this topic because the last thing he wanted her to believe was that he was ready for some fictitious happily-ever-after. The attraction clearly had a place here and that’s what he’d hone in on. Any sort of romance had to be left behind.

“You’re staying for a week.” She smiled and every nerve ending sizzled at that tiny dimple nestled against the corner of her mouth. “Consider every upgrade and meal on the house.”

“I can’t do that.” He shook his head and laughed. “You’ve already settled the bill for my room. That’s more than enough for just helping out over a few hours, though no thanks were necessary.”

“Thanks was very necessary,” she countered. “Considering I’m riding a thin line and I have someone waiting for me to fail... Well, that’s a story for another time.”

“So there will be another time?” he asked, not pressuring her on the topic of her father.

Her eyes held his and her smile remained. “As much as I’d like to, I work what seems like thirty hours a day.”

“All the more reason to take a break.”

“Breaks could cost me everything,” she murmured as she glanced away. Then she adjusted her shoulders and returned her focus to him. “It’s late and I’m sure you’d like to get to your room and relax.”

Only if she came with him.

“I’d relax more if I had some bourbon. Pappy Van Winkle would do the trick, but that’s not an option right now,” he half joked. “What do you do to relax, Stella?”

Her lids fluttered just a second when he said her name. Good. He wanted her thrown off. He wanted her to be flustered and aroused, thrown off guard enough to let things slip.

“I don’t even know what relaxing is,” she stated, but he knew she wasn’t joking.

“Have a glass of wine with me.”

Stella raised a brow. “And what about breakfast prep?”

“I’ll finish up afterward,” he told her. “I’ve seen the list and once I get this in the fridge, the rest has to be done in the morning.”

“I can’t leave a stranger in my kitchen.”

Fair enough. “Then help me and we’ll get out of here and have that wine.”

When she started to shake her head, Dane reached out and gripped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, pulling her gaze directly to his. Those dark eyes held so much emotion. He wondered if she even knew that the pain and the worry inside them was projected to anyone who looked closely.

Had anyone ever looked? Was there someone who took the time to care how much she ran herself ragged? Sure as hell not her father...and Dane wasn’t volunteering for that position, either. But she deserved someone. People like Stella worked hard and had great aspirations, but they could get run over.

“Breaks can cost me everything, too,” he told her, needing her to know they really weren’t all that different, also silently warning himself that he needed to tread lightly for his own sanity. “But I’m willing to take the chance. Are you?”