Be My Love Song Page 7

  When he considered the circumstances of their meeting, he was amazed it had all worked out as well as it had. What if he’d sent his secretary like he’d planned to do? Or what if her sister hadn’t been there giving Maddie a hard time? All of it had seemed to be orchestrated by a benevolent good that had placed each piece of the puzzle in exactly the right place. However it had happened, Weston Rogers was extremely grateful Madeline Cross had come into his life.

  Ring! Ring!

  Pulling out of his driveway, Weston answered his phone and grinned. “Hey, Dallas, I was planning on calling you tomorrow.”

  “I figured to beat you to the punch. I have a hot date tonight.”

  “So do I, brother.”

  “Really?” Dallas sounded skeptical. West knew his brother loved to give him a hard time. “How much did you have to pay by the hour?”

  Remembering how he’d met Maddie, he laughed. “There’s actually a story behind all of this, but I don’t have time to tell you now. How about we all get together tomorrow afternoon? Want to throw some steaks on the grill with me and Aiden?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Bring a six-pack and I’ll buy the beef. Aiden can bring dessert.”

  “You got a deal, Dallas.”

  “So, I saw Sunny yesterday. She is badmouthing you all over town.”

  West made his turn onto Seawall Boulevard. “I’m not surprised. She’s one lady who loves to get her own way.”

  “So, who’s the lucky girl? Anyone I know?”

  “I don’t know if you do or not. She’s an island girl. Her name’s Madeline Cross. She runs the Windswept down on the west end of the island. Her dad was Martin Cross. I think her mother and sister live in Houston.” He put on his brakes to let a few beachcombers run across the road. “I think you’ll like her, Dallas. She’s not just pretty, she’s really nice. Not full of herself if you know what I mean.”

  “Oh, yea, I know. When can I meet her?”

  “Give me time to operate, brother.” West had to rein Dallas in periodically. He tended to get the cart before the horse.

  “Is this your first date?”

  “Well, not exactly.” He grinned. He also liked to shock his brother. “I spent the night with her last night.”

  “You dawg!” Dallas snorted.

  “Well, nothing happened, we just necked.”

  “Sure, I believe you.”

  “It’s the truth. She’s a good girl. I didn’t want to take advantage.” West shifted in the seat. Just the thought of being with Madeline made his package swell.

  “Okay, I hear ya. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. And I’ll see you tomorrow. About four?”

  “Sounds good.” West hung up. Windswept was just ahead. He put on his blinker, ready to give Maddie an evening she’d never forget.

  * * *

  “Oh, that man is not going to know what hit him!” Elaine stood back and surveyed Madeline. “Curl a little more right there, Tilly.” She pointed to one lock of Maddie’s hair that wasn’t behaving as well as the rest.

  “I’m so nervous I could faint,” Maddie groaned.

  “Well, don’t faint, Morgana will swoop in and carry West off in her talons before we can revive you.” Tilly giggled. “There, I think you look perfect.”

  Maddie surveyed herself in the mirror. “Hopefully Morgana is about a mile offshore on Sergio’s yacht.”

  “Good, I hope a rogue wave hits her.” Elaine smirked. “Do you have condoms or are you on the pill?”

  “No and yes, but please don’t ask, I’m embarrassed enough.” She pushed through her overzealous helpers to pack her purse. They didn’t have to know this wasn’t a real date. West was being a good friend. “What time is it?”

  “Time for me to go down and watch for him.” Elaine took off. “I want to lust after him first.”

  “Oh, Lord. Be good, Elaine. I think you had enough excitement last night.” Maddie laughed.

  “You’re welcome.” Elaine winked at her.

  When their crazy temp was gone, she grabbed Tilly’s hand. “You aren’t going to believe this. Hugh Beaumont hit on me earlier. He said something about a big secret concerning Windswept and he also wanted to tie me up and spank me, I think.”

  “Whoa!” Tilly exclaimed. “Wait, one thing at a time. He’s into BDSM?”

  “I think so, he said something about a St. Andrew’s cross and I looked it up and that’s what I found.”

  “Shit, that’s weird. I have heard about some of those clubs in Houston. I bet he looks funny in leather wielding a whip.”

  “He’s not going to get a chance to snap it at me.” Maddie shuddered.

  “So, what’s this secret?” Tilly asked, flopping down in a chair where she could see Maddie’s face while she added more mascara.

  “I don’t have a clue, unless it had something to do with that metal detector he was pushing around this morning.”

  “Who knows? The old fool may be hunting buried treasure.”

  “If you believe all the legends, there’s buried treasure under almost every inch of this island. And we both know that’s not true.” Madeline added a bit more lip gloss, then gazed at herself critically in the mirror. “Will I do?”

  Tilly pushed a bit of Maddie’s long dark hair over her shoulder. “You’ll do very well. You’re beautiful.”

  About that time her phone rang. It was the front desk. “Hello?”

  “Ready or not, the hunk is on his way,” Elaine said with much joy.

  “Ack!” Maddie cried and threw the phone down. “It’s time.”

  “Time to make the donuts.” Tilly laughed as a knock came to the door.

  Maddie clasped her chest. “I’m going to hyperventilate.”

  “Do you want a bag to breathe in?”

  “No, no.” She held her hand out in the air as if she were trying to steady herself. “I’m good. I’m good.” Straightening, Maddie pulled at her dress, adjusted her shawl and smiled. “Let me at him.”

  West stood at the door, patiently—well, not so patiently, waiting. When he heard soft footsteps, he couldn’t keep the happy grin off his face to save his life.

  When the door began opening, he caught his first glimpse. “Damn,” he whispered and bit his knuckle.

  “West, come in.” Maddie was so excited, she bounced on her tiptoes. “Is this for me?” She spied the huge heart-shaped box of candy. “This is a day of so many firsts.” Clasping it to her chest, she thanked him. “You are being so sweet to me. I don’t know what to say.”

  “No words are necessary.” West teased. “I’d rather you give me the same welcome as you did last night.”

  Heat flamed up in Maddie’s chest, making her cheeks bloom. She figured he was acting for Tilly’s benefit, so she played along. “You want a kiss?”

  “I dreamed of your kisses all night,” he confessed.

  “Excuse me, excuse me, fifth wheel coming through.” Tilly pushed her way between them, furthering Maddie’s embarrassment and West’s amusement.

  When at last they were alone, he shut the door, took the candy from her and sat it on a side table and at last—long last—took her in his arms. “I missed you.”

  Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Maddie molded her body to his, lifting her arms to clutch his shoulders. She felt like she’d come home. “I was so afraid this would never happen again.”

  “Not a chance, beautiful.” He pulled her flushed face closer to his, staring into her serene wide eyes, inhaling her sweet scent. “I left this morning with the full intention of having you in my arms tonight.”

  “West, kiss me,” she whispered against his lips, amazed that he seemed to want her.

  Cupping her face, there was none of the tentativeness of the night before. He bit at her lips, his mouth opening over hers, demanding a response. With a sigh, she gave him what he wanted, parting her lips. West’s desire ramped high. She tasted sweet and wild. He was so excited, there was no way he could hide it. The evidence was there betw
een them—hot, hard and throbbing.

  Maddie pushed against him, needing to be as close as possible. Her fingertips dug into the muscles of his arms as he traced his tongue over the inside of her lower lip. “Mmmmm,” she hummed, letting him know she wanted more.

  So he gave it to her, kissing her harder, deeper, consuming her, until they broke away to breathe.

  “I saw fireworks, I swear.” When she backed away, her nipples were so swollen and hard, she brought her hands up to cover them. “I ought to have worn a bra.”

  “Hell, no. I love to see that you want me.” Swinging her up in his arms, he whispered, “Did you feel the earth move under your feet?”

  “Oh, yeah.” She smiled at him, so happy she was alive, Maddie thought she’d burst.

  Setting her down, he gently pushed a strand of soft hair behind her ear. “Let’s go. I’m taking you to Club 21 for dinner and dancing. Sounds good?”

  “Yes, sounds lovely.” She could’ve told him anything he suggested would be perfect, because that was exactly how she felt. Being with him and wanted by him, even if just for a little while, was worth everything to her.

  “Good.” He escorted her downstairs and through the lobby. As they passed by the desk, a group of guests waiting on a tour started clapping and Maddie blushed some more. Off in the corner, she saw her mother and Hugh Beaumont, talking to two other men in suits. She squeezed West’s hand. “Look, that’s my stepmom and the man who wants to buy Windswept.”

  “Are they giving you a hard time?”

  His look of concern gave her courage. “They’re trying, threatening me with a lawyer. I’m planning on going to the bank to see about a loan for the needed work. I can’t count on them to help me. And Mr. Beaumont is a whole other story.” She giggled nervously. “Remember last night when I told you he would proposition me? Well, he did and he sorta creeped me out.”

  “Jerk.” West tightened his arm around her.

  “He also alluded to some big secret, some reason I should sell. He said he’d make me rich beyond my wildest dreams.”

  “Don’t trust him.”

  “Oh, I won’t. Believe me. He’s just telling me what he thinks I want to hear so I’ll sell to him.”

  “Maybe.” West eyed the man, taking his measure. “If he bothers you again, I want to know.”

  Maddie felt an unfamiliar warmth invade her senses. West made her feel important and secure. She hadn’t known those feelings since she’d lost her father.

  He helped her into his car and soon they were on the road. Nothing in Galveston was very far from anything else. The island was only twenty-seven miles long and three miles wide at its widest point. “Look, you can see ship lights on both sides of us.”

  “I know. I love it here, don’t you?” He smiled at her, thinking how pretty she looked in the winter moonlight.

  “I do.” West turned the radio on low and reached across to take her hand. While they drove, he caressed the sensitive skin of her palm with his thumb, making her shiver. “What’s the most sensitive part of your body, Maddie? Where do you like to be touched?”

  “All over,” she blurted and then covered her mouth with her hand. Weston laughed.

  “Me too,” West admitted. His hand moved to her knee and he caressed it gently, not going any higher. Maddie wanted to spread her legs and invite his exploration. “But is there some special spot that if I touched it, you would purr for me?”

  His seductive tone coupled with his touch aroused Maddie beyond thought. “My back, I think,” she whispered as her mind shouted—my nipples, my clit! “How about you?”

  West considered his next words. He knew where he craved her touch, but the evening was early. “If I could feel those pretty lips on my neck and shoulder, you’d be able to do anything with me.”

  Oh, my goodness. She squirmed in her seat. Deciding two could play this game, she asked, “Do you like massages?” The girl in the spa room at Windswept had given Maddie some pointers. Just the thought of getting her hands on West made her weak with desire.

  Damn, he rolled the window down a crack. “I love them. Are you offering?”

  His hoarse excited response made her giggle. “I might be.”

  By that time they were pulling into the restaurant. “I’ll hold you to it.” When she started to open the door, he stopped her. “Let me be a gentleman. Sit tight.”

  Maddie smiled to herself. What had she ever done to be so lucky? He helped her from the car and Maddie felt like a princess. The club was crowded, but West had made reservations and they were seated at a secluded table next to the window overlooking the water. “This is beautiful, Weston.”

  “Not as beautiful as you.” He ordered a bottle of champagne, then asked her to dance. “I need an excuse to hold you.”

  If he only knew, she thought, the man needed no excuse.

  The music was slow and Maddie thanked heaven for the dancing lessons she’d endured as a child. Moving in time with Weston’s body made her wonder what making love with him would be like.

  “You feel so good,” he murmured.

  Maddie sighed, clinging to him, putting both arms around his neck. “Thank you for this, West. Everything is perfect.”

  “I have something for you.” He moved one hand to his pocket, and she started to step back. “No, don’t move. Hold on to me.”

  When he fastened something around her neck, she looked down amazed. “West! It’s gorgeous, thank you!” She touched the tiny heart, pressing it against her skin.

  “I saw it in a shop on the Strand when I went to order your roses. It reminded me of you.”

  His attention was making her head swim. Maddie laid her head on his shoulder and he let his hand rove over the bare skin of her back. As they moved, he shifted her gently until he could wedge his leg between hers, causing his thigh to rub right against the sensitive part between her legs. She gasped but didn’t pull away. West stroked her hair and flexed the muscles that she was pressed against. “Oh, God,” she whimpered as his movements caused her to ride against him.

  “That’s right, baby. Make yourself feel good.”

  Maddie closed her eyes and just felt—and she might have come, right there on the dance floor if they hadn’t been rudely interrupted.

  “Well, well, high and mighty Weston Rogers, did you crawl out from under your rock?”

  The slurring angry voice made Maddie cringe.

  “Sunny, I believe you’ve had too much to drink.”

  “I’ll decide that!”

  All of a sudden Maddie was jerked back. She cried out.

  “Who is this? Your next conquest?”

  Maddie didn’t know what to do. The woman was a beautiful blonde, even more gorgeous than Tilly. Her beauty made Maddie feel invisible. Unfortunately, Sunny seemed to see her quite clearly. “He’ll just use you!” She shook her finger in West’s face. “And he’s not that good in bed. I’ve had better from bikers I picked up on Stewart Beach.” Her words didn’t seem to faze West a bit, but they pissed Maddie off.

  “Leave him alone. Weston Rogers is perfect. If there was a problem in bed, I’m certain it wasn’t his fault. Maybe if you were more of a lady, you’d know the difference between a gentleman and a boor!”

  Sunny put her hands on her hips, and Maddie rounded on her. She wasn’t yelling, not like Sunny, but she wasn’t about to back down. West’s arm came around her waist and he pulled her protectively back against him.

  Sunny sneered at Maddie. “Well, look at you. You’re pretty mouthy for a plain little piece. You must be one of his precious clients, because he’d never date someone like you, not after he’s had a woman like me—not in a million years.”

  “Well, that may be.” Maddie couldn’t argue with her logic. “I might not be his type, but I can certainly defend his honor. He’s a better person than you’ll ever be.”

  “Sunny, it’s time to go.” West raised his hand and motioned. In a few moments a large bouncer escorted her from the room. She didn’t g
o quietly, snarling and snapping and calling out insults to both Maddie and West.

  Once she’d gone, Maddie let out a long breath. “She’s intense.”

  West stood still.

  Maddie looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Is that what you think?” He looked at her intently, eyes smoldering.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

  “Why do you think I asked you out tonight?”

  Maddie licked her lips, trying to figure out the best thing to say. “You’re kind and…” Her lips failed to move.

  “Do you think I did all of this because I’m still trying to playact for your sister? Or do you think I’m paying you back for those Elissa tickets?”

  “Ah…”

  Before she could speak, his mouth covered hers and he kissed her so thoroughly she went up on tiptoe to get more. A few low catcalls from other men reached Maddie’s ears.

  “What does that kiss tell you, Maddie?”

  “A lot,” she admitted, but she didn’t elaborate.

  “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. Life is too short to live to please others. I never attempt to hurt anyone, but I’m here with you because I want to be.”

  “I’m glad.” His words made her tremble.

  “How about you? Are you with me because you want to be or because you’re trying to make a point to your sister?”

  Madeline couldn’t believe it, but he sounded unsure. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. You’re the nicest man I’ve ever met. Even though last night was embarrassing, I don’t remember ever having a better time.”

  “That’s all I needed to know. Let’s eat and get out of here. I want to be alone with you.”

  Chapter Eight

  Candlelight. Soft music. Succulent lobster. Decadent chocolate.

  Maddie couldn’t have asked for a more romantic evening. Long white tablecloths hid the fact that he couldn’t stop touching her. If he wasn’t rubbing her hand or caressing her neck, he was sliding those erotically talented fingers up her thigh—never too high, just high enough to keep her simmering.

  It wasn’t clear to Maddie whether he was as effected as she was, because he could carry on a conversation with seeming ease while she had to concentrate to string words together.