Exquisite Acquisitions

Nine

It was worth all the trouble she went through to see Carter’s eyes nearly pop out of his head when she entered the great room.

She wore red.

A sleek, bodice-clinging, low-cut crimson design that covered her thighs with only an inch to spare. She’d taken a good look at herself in the mirror, cringed at the daring dress and almost returned it to the closet. The Emilio Pucci had been a gift from her mother that Macy had brought with her to New York, as a keepsake to hold dear during the auction. But Macy had never tried it on. Until now.

Macy smiled as Tina’s encouraging voice echoed in her ears. “Red’s your color, honey. Wear it and knock their eyes out.” Her mother had a knack for clothes and style and had never been outdone by her competition.

It had taken Macy a long time to straighten out her barrel curls, but she’d actually won the fight with the hair blower, and now it fell in a shimmering sheet down her back. Next, she’d dazzled her mouth with ruby-red lipstick and accented her cheekbones with bronzer. Her eyes she couldn’t do much about. She didn’t have colored contacts; she’d always thought they looked strange on people and drew attention rather than detracted from it.

Carter had been holding a large manila envelope in his hands, looking it over carefully, but the second he’d spotted her, he’d tossed it onto the sofa and approached her. “Wow,” he said, mimicking her, a case of imitation being the best form of flattery. “Beautiful,” he murmured with a gleam in his eyes.

“Thank you.”

Yes, definitely worth all the trouble she went through.

It was like the pot calling the kettle black though. Carter, in a black Western suit coat and a white silk shirt, minus the tie earned him “wow” status, as well. “You’re not looking too shabby tonight, either, McCay.”

Carter puffed out his chest and winked. “I aim to please, ma’am.” His hand to the small of her back, he asked, “Are you ready for a drive to the city?”

His touch curled her toes. “I am.”

Carter had ushered her a few steps toward the door then stopped abruptly. “Wait.” He turned and strode over to the legal-size envelope he’d tossed on the sofa. “I almost forgot. This came for you today.”

“For me?”

He handed it over, and Macy stared at it.

“It’s the first piece of mail that’s come for you. Who knows you’re here?”

“Just my friend Avery and my attorney. This is from him. Barton Lowenthal.”

“Is it important?”

Macy was standing next to a dreamy man, ready to go out on the town. Nothing was more important than that right now. “No, it’s just probably more legal documents about my mother’s estate.”

Macy set the envelope on the end table by the entry. “I can look at it later.”

She turned her attention back to Carter, Stetson in hand, waiting for her by the door. Her life here at Wild River was so far removed from Hollywood that it was laughable. She understood that she was Carter’s rebound woman-someone to make him forget about his almost-fiancée’s rejection. They would have no real future together. Macy shouldn’t forget that, but for tonight at least, she could pretend that all away.

On the drive to Dallas, Carter made small talk and tried his best to make up for the way he’d treated her this morning. She’d been hurt and properly put in her place, but she wasn’t giving up on his relationship with his dad. She could be stubborn, too, when she had to be.

Carter kept taking his eyes off the road to look at her. She, too, was pulled by his magnetism, glancing at him in quiet moments, marveling at his good looks and confidence. Finally, halfway into the drive, he reached over and laid his hand on her leg, just above the knee. His touch sent spiraling tremors clear down to her belly. She forgot all about being stubborn. He made her forget everything but the desire pulsing like wildfire in her veins. His capable fingers applied pressure, and she broke out in goose bumps. She sucked in oxygen when he slid a hot hungry look her way. “I might not make it through dinner.”

She gulped, and images of him covering her body flashed in her mind. She relived the heady sensations from last night and wanted more. She wanted Carter. “We could shoot straight for dessert.”

A wicked smile graced his face. “I like the way you think, Hollywood. But I owe you a nice dinner.” He sighed from deep in his chest and removed his hand from her leg.

She missed his touch already and wondered how she’d make it through dinner, too.

As promised, Carter had arranged for them to be ushered into a trendy new restaurant on the top floor of the Majestic Hotel by way of an employee elevator. The secrecy made the evening only more exciting. Soft music played as dinner was served in a cozy room with a private bar and dance floor.

After ordering filet mignon and spinach soufflé, they were served shrimp scampi appetizers and champagne salad. Macy picked at her food. Her appetite waned. Not even steaming-hot loaves of French bread whet her taste buds. She sipped red wine and focused on the man sitting across from her, looking dazzling and sexy.

Between courses, Carter asked her to dance, making every effort to make this date memorable. Macy curved her body to his as they moved in step with a romantic tune.

“How am I doing with my apology?” He tightened his arms around her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I’ve forgiven you for the next five things you’re bound to do,” she said with a breathy sigh.

He threw his head back and laughed. She loved the sound of it and the deep baritone of his voice. “You’re sure I’ll blow it again?”

“I’m giving you rain checks I’m so sure.”

He tightened his hold on her and spoke quietly into her ear. “But, darlin’, where’s the fun in that?”

The warmth of his breath made her shiver. With his rock-hard body pressed against her and his musky scent surrounding her, she was swept up with consuming desire. The privacy and the intimate way he held her seemed to charge the air around them. She lowered her lashes to focus on his generous mouth.

Carter shook his head with a warning glint in his eye. “Keep that up and our meal will have to wait.”

He brought his mouth to hers and took her in a breathtaking kiss. From there, things moved fast. The kiss that started slowly turned to a frenzied melding of lips with arms and legs reaching, adjusting, their bodies desperately searching for satisfaction and relief.

Carter squeezed her hand then and pulled her off the dance floor. “Grab your purse,” he ordered as he led her to the table. She clutched it and he entwined her fingers and then tugged her out of the private restaurant. The trip in the special elevator to penthouse rooms was another hurried affair, and once Carter put the keycard into the lock, they ducked into the suite.

She glimpsed the luxurious room. “Nice pl-”

Carter kissed the words from her mouth and backed her up against the wall. He murmured all the things they were going to do in this room, and Macy’s face flamed as hot as her body burned. The Pucci dress was an easy target for a man with roaming hands, and Carter made sure he touched every part of her. His sweet assault made her moan his name over and over, and she knew they’d never make it to the bed.

His kisses moved from her lips and down her throat, his chin pushing material away so that his mouth could cover her breast. She arched for him and closed her eyes to the sensual sensation. Then he rode his hand up her thigh, and within seconds her clingy dress was hiked up to her waist. Impatient, he groaned when his fingers met with her hot, wet center. He pleasured her and little moans of ecstasy huffed out of her throat.

It was a whirlwind from then on, Carter taking time only to sheath himself before he brought her the most exquisite, erotic, exciting sexual encounter of her life.

Afterward, she slumped against him breathless and sated from head to toe. “Is…that…all…you…got?”

A deep, satisfied chuckle rumbled from his throat before he lifted her into the circle of his arms and carried her to the bed. “Just wait, sweet darlin’. Just wait.”

Macy woke to air-conditioning cooling the hotel room. She lay on a luxurious bed of silken sheets, completely naked with sunlight streaming into the suite. She reached for a plush comforter and met with Carter’s hand. He brought the covers with him as he rolled toward her, setting his hand possessive and firm on her hip. Warmth seeped in immediately.

He kissed her cheek. “Mornin’.”

“Mmm, morning.” She gave him a smile, and her heart surged when his dimples appeared as he smiled back. She felt things for Carter that went beyond her simple fascination for a Stetson-wearing hunk. She cared for him, and heaven knew she admired him. But anything more than that would just be suicide on her part, a head-on collision waiting to happen.

“You still tired?” he asked, rubbing her hip in ways that sparked illicit thoughts. Last night, once they’d made it to the bed, Carter had shown her the stars of Texas without ever looking out the window.

“Not too tired to…shop.” She grinned.

He flung himself onto his back and groaned. “I was afraid of that.”

She gathered herself up, covers and all, turning to face him. “A promise is a promise, McCay. Not to mention it was part of your apology.”

He studied her through thick lashes, his mouth angling down. “I thought maybe the two ‘apologies’ I gave you last night would do the trick.”

He did have a persuasive argument. He’d given her two mind-bending orgasms last night. But, Macy gave as good as she got, and Carter knew it. They were evenly matched sexual partners. “You’re not getting out of it, Carter. Cowboy up.”

Carter’s mouth opened then shut. He lifted up and grabbed her around the waist, bringing her down on top of him, tickling her until she giggled uncontrollably.

“No! No! Stop it…stop it!”

He stopped and his mouth spread into a big grin. “Don’t ever say ‘cowboy up’ to a Texan. We invented the term.” He kissed her then set her down beside him.

Macy’s laughter finally ebbed and she sank deeper into the bed, gazing up at the ceiling. “You don’t play fair.”

Carter put his arm around her shoulder and brought her close. “I know. I like to win.”

Winning was important to Carter. He’d worked hard to build a business and succeed without trampling anyone on the way up. He was honorable and decent. He had confidence and knew how to make everyone feel at home. Macy envied him a little, even though she admired him.

The room went silent, Macy deep in thought. “You know who you are, Carter McCay. I like that about you.”

“You say that as if you don’t know who you are.”

“Sometimes… I’m not sure. I know I’m an actress by default, the daughter of a legendary screen star. It was sort of expected of me, more by the public than pressure from my parents. I know how to read lines from a script. Acting pays the bills.” Except that now she was a two-time lawsuit victim who had paid off her debts and was flat broke. “But I have dreams I’ve never realized. Dreams that one day I’d love to come true.”

Carter turned to her, seemingly intrigued. “Such as?”

She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I want to open a drama school for kids. I want to teach. It’s what I know. Unlike my mother and father, I’m happier behind the scenes than on camera. And I love children.”

“So, why not do that when you go back to Hollywood?”

His suggestion unnerved her. Raw pain worked its way to her belly and made her ache inside. Not that she’d expected an open invitation to live at Wild River, but she didn’t want to think about leaving. She needed the respite and to continue whatever she had going with Carter for however long it lasted. At the moment, going home to Hollywood wasn’t even on her radar. “I can’t…not right now.”

Carter became quiet, and his silence was another jolt to her nerves. He stared out the window, and every so often his eyes flickered with an emotion she couldn’t name. “You’re right,” he said finally. “You don’t have to make that decision right away.”

They left it at that and checked out of the hotel an hour later.

On the way home Carter drove them to several local antiques shops bearing rusted signs outside and musty wood paneling inside, and together they perused furniture, looking for the best fit for the Wild River Inn.

They made their fifth stop at a little out-of-the-way shop off the highway called Addie’s Antiques. Macy had to smile at Carter when they entered the place. He’d become really involved in the decorating process and walked straight over to the one selection Macy would have chosen.

“This armoire could be refinished.” He studied the piece from the forties with chipped edges and a broken hinge but made from sturdy wood.

Macy examined it closely and nodded in agreement. “I love the footed legs and the way it curves like an S. It has just the character I’m looking for and would go perfectly in the third bedroom.”

“Sold,” Carter said to Addie, who turned out to be the twenty-something granddaughter of the original owner.

Usually when Carter McCay entered a room, female heads turned in his direction and they would repeatedly cast him admiring looks. But Addie kept her eyes trained on Macy nearly the entire time they were shopping. Her curious stares were making Macy a bit uneasy. Carter completed making the arrangements for the sale as Macy continued to browse. Afterward, the antiques dealer followed Macy outside to the dirt-paved parking lot and finally asked, “Excuse me, but have we met?”

Macy dreaded that question. She’d heard it a thousand times, and it usually led to someone figuring out who she was. Standing near Carter’s expensive sports car, she wished they’d taken the Jeep, which garnered a lot less attention as they traveled through small towns. She sighed silently and shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

The girl’s face contorted, as if trying to place her. “It’s just that you look so familiar. You actually look like that actress-”

Carter came up beside Macy to kiss her cheek. “Hurry now, darlin’. You know our boys are gonna drive Mama to drink if we don’t get on home soon.”

Macy caught on right away. When Carter took her hand, Macy followed his lead. She sent Addie an apologetic look. “Sorry to rush off, but he’s right. Toby and our little Kenny are a handful of mischief. It’s hard for his mama to handle our boys on a good day, but our littlest one is teething, and well, you know how that can be.”

Addie’s expression wavered. “Oh, uh, not really. I don’t have kids.”

Carter opened the door for her, and Macy hurried inside and fastened her seat belt. Carter gave Addie a quick smile then got behind the wheel of the car, and the powerful engine roared to life. As they pulled away, Macy waved to the young girl. “Bye now!”

Carter drove down the road, leaving Addie standing there with an odd expression on her face. He slid Macy a sideways glance, his mouth twitching in amusement. “Toby and Kenny? Are those the names of our children?”

Macy let go a small rumble of laughter and then confessed, “They were the singers of the last two songs we heard on the radio.”

“Ah,” Carter said, still smiling. He reached for her hand and gave a little squeeze. “Fast thinking.”

The sensation of his tender touch ripped through her. Her heart pounded as she envisioned holding Carter’s sons in her arms. Their sons. Thinking like that could get her in trouble. But for a few seconds while leaving Addie’s Antiques, the notion didn’t seem so far-fetched. Then a thought struck. “She’ll probably guess who I am anyway once she thinks about it. People usually do. And she knows where you live.”

Carter shot her a smug look. “No, she doesn’t. I paid cash and arranged for Henry to pick up the furniture.”

Macy felt somewhat relieved. “Well, that was fast thinking, too.”

She should have known Carter would have all angles covered, just in case. Not that Addie would go running to a tabloid just because she recognized her. Of course, if the antiques dealer had seen the internet news lately, she might realize that Carter McCay was the mysterious cowboy whom Macy Tarlington had run away with that New York night. There wasn’t much she could do about it, but she hoped to prolong her anonymity a little while longer. If she was ever discovered here, the media would come down on Wild River with cameras blazing.

They spent the next few hours shopping and found a dresser, a side table, two lamps and a hammered-iron queen-size bed. Once again, Carter paid cash and arranged for the furniture pickup in order to protect Macy’s identity.

As they arrived at the ranch, Carter announced matter-of-factly, “We’re home.”

Macy glanced at the beautiful ranch house as a sense of belonging settled into her system. It was a beautiful, tranquil place, despite the occasional pungent scent of cow dung and raw earth that wafted to the main house. Entrenching sadness stole over her and her heart dipped as she realized how much she loved living at Wild River. But Macy couldn’t allow herself to think behind the here and now. This was Carter’s home, not hers. She was a temporary guest, and she’d always be grateful to him for inviting her here. And for making her feel welcome.

“I think we made a lot of progress today,” he said, turning to her as he parked the car.

She smiled at him, though her heart wasn’t in it. He was speaking of furniture. Macy thought the progress went deeper than that. “I think we did, too,” she replied softly. “I’m hoping it all fits in the rooms the way I envisioned it.”

“It will.” Carter leaned across the seat toward her, cupped her head and pulled her close until his lips were an inch away. “Hollywood, you’re good at what you do.” Then he took her in a long, sweet kiss.

Macy came up for air seconds later and stared at him. He was deadly handsome and hard to resist. Joy entered her heart just being near him, and it frightened her how quickly her feelings for him were developing. She tried for levity to keep those feelings at bay. “I’m good at spending your money.”

He chuckled and kissed her again. “You’re good at a lot of things,” he murmured, nipping at her throat. “I wish I didn’t have a dozen things going on today. You could show me more…”

Carter walked up the steps to the house, holding her hand. Macy was floating in a sea of contentment and couldn’t remember another time she felt this happy. Carter brushed a quick kiss to her lips. “I’ve gotta talk to Henry and get some work done. I’ll see you later, okay?”

When? How much later? she wanted to ask. He handed her overnight case to her. “Okay.”

She’d spent the night and a good part of the day with him, and she already missed him. She watched him retreat, his strides long and confident as he headed toward the bunkhouse. He had an impressive backside with broad shoulders, a perfect butt and long legs fitted into faded blue jeans. Macy walked into the house just as Mara was coming out of the great room. She was holding the manila envelope Carter had shown her yesterday.

“Oh hi, Mara.”

“Good afternoon.” Mara’s gaze went to the overnight bag in her hand. Never one to pry, she didn’t say a word, but the inquisitive look on her face said it all.

Mara had always been kind and nonjudgmental, and Macy missed having female companionship while at the ranch. She shrugged and smiled at the older woman. “We went on a…a shopping date,” she explained. “We bought some beautiful antique pieces for the inn.”

Mara’s free hand went to her hip. She spoke with a charming Texas drawl. “I’m glad Carter’s finally come around to renovating that place. If you influenced him in any way, good for you. Henry and I have been hinting for him to get that place up and running for quite some time. I remember when it shined. It was a looker back then.”

“When I’m through with it, I hope it’ll measure up to your memories.”

“Well, I bet you make it even better.”

It was a kind thing to say.

“You said Carter took you shopping?” Mara asked.

“Well…it was more like I took him. I think he really enjoyed it though.”

Mara looked at her with newfound admiration, her gaze drifting over her in a pleasant sweep. “Any woman who can get Carter to furniture shop has my vote.”

Macy chuckled, and a part of her was glad she had Mara’s approval. From the few conversations she’d had with her, Macy picked up on the faintest innuendos about Jocelyn Grayson that didn’t paint her in a good light. But then, after the way she’d hurt Carter, Macy figured not too many people at Wild River Ranch held Jocelyn in high regard. Macy did a mock curtsy. “Well, thank you for that.”

Mara smiled and handed over the envelope. “I saw this on the table. It’s addressed to you. I thought it might be important since you don’t usually get mail here.”

“Yes, it’s probably important,” she said. “Thanks.”

Macy tucked it under her arm. She didn’t want to spoil her good mood by opening the envelope right now. She’d seen enough legal paperwork in the past few months to cover the entire square footage of the ranch house. For just a little while longer, she wanted no reminders of her life back in Hollywood.

“I have lunch waiting in the refrigerator. Chicken casserole. I can heat it up.”

“Oh, I’m not hungry right now, but I appreciate the thought. I think I’ll head over to the inn in a little while. I’m kind of excited about the new purchases. I want to make sure everything is ready.”

“I’ll give it a look when it’s done. I know it’ll be a big improvement,” Mara said before she walked away.

Macy dropped her overnight case in her room and set the attorney’s papers down on her dresser. She moved to the window and looked out over Wild River Ranch. The land lay flat and stretched wide for acres and acres. Cattle grazed and she heard horses whinny from the corral. Off to one side, she noticed Carter McCay talking to a few men. He was easy to spot. She could pick him out of a crowd. She was that attuned to him now.

With a sigh, her shoulders slumped and she allowed the mad rush of emotion to overtake her. For a little while longer, her life would be pure bliss.

“Have you seen Rocky?” Macy asked Bill Fargo as they sat down on the steps of the gazebo together. She handed him a cup of iced tea. “Usually, he’s practically tripping over my boots keeping me company on the walk over here. I miss him today.”

Bill thought about it a few seconds. “Come to think about it, I haven’t seen him today, either. That’s strange.” He had a quizzical look on his face.

“That Rocky’s not here?”

“Yeah. It’s probably nothing, but I ran into Mr. McCay at the diner in town this morning. He was spouting off to the waitress and he-”

“Mr. McCay? But I was with Carter… Oh,” Macy said, when it dawned on her, “you’re talking about Carter’s father, Riley.”

“Yeah, it was Riley McCay, all right. Everyone in the diner seemed to know him, though they were trying their best to ignore him. He was complaining about his son and his high and mighty ways, spouting off that he wasn’t allowed to step foot on Wild River Ranch or see his dog anymore. I remember hearing him mutter something about getting his dog back.”

Macy swallowed, fighting off the impending dread creeping up her spine. “Does Carter know?”

Bill sipped his tea and then shook his head. “Not yet. At the time, I didn’t think anything of it. The old guy just seemed to be letting off steam, but now it appears Rocky might actually be missing.”

Macy rose from the steps, worried. “You don’t really think he took him, do you?”

“I haven’t seen the dog anywhere on the grounds this afternoon.”

“But, you didn’t see any intruders on the property last night, right? And you start work later in the day, so maybe Rocky is just taking an extra long nap somewhere in the shade.” Macy tried to convince herself that was the case. The alternative, that Riley had taken Rocky, would cause only a bigger rift between Carter and his father.

Bill gave her a slow nod. “Maybe. Of course, if the old guy did snatch the dog, your boyfriend will have him arrested.”

“He’s not my…boyfriend.”

Fargo rolled his eyes and then sent her a wise, knowing smile. “If he’s not, then what’s the holdup?”

Macy shook her head, unable to answer him. The lines that had once been so clearly defined were beginning to blur in her mind. She didn’t have an answer for Bill because she didn’t know where she stood with Carter. Their relationship was fragile and new right now. “I don’t…know.”

“You didn’t see the look on his face when McCay thought you were in danger the other night,” Bill said. “Believe me, that man wasn’t concerned about anything but getting to you.”

“Really?”

“I think you know that, Macy.”

Macy’s heart warmed. Was that really true, or was Carter just being Carter? He had a protective streak a mile long. He was protective about the dog, too. If Riley McCay had come onto the property and taken Rocky, Carter’s blood pressure would explode. And he’d have his father arrested.

“What I know is that I have to find Rocky.” Macy closed her eyes briefly. An idea bounced around in her head. It was risky, but Macy never let that stop her before when right was on her side.

Bill pursed his lips and spoke with fatherly concern. “Macy, whatever you’re thinking about doing, please consider the consequences. You know I have to tell Carter what I heard this morning.”

“I understand. But I have to do what I feel is right, too.” She reassured him with a smile and then kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry about me. We’re not even sure Rocky is missing.”

But Macy had a strong suspicion that he was, and finding the dog would serve two purposes. Even if it meant facing Carter’s wrath, she had to try to bring the dog home.