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  “Tell me more about Windswept’s history.”

  She swallowed hard, thinking she’d do better if his fingertips weren’t feathering about three inches above her knee. But she wouldn’t ask him to stop if the tide quit coming in. “Windswept was constructed in 1840 by my father’s great-grandfather. Even before that, there was another home on the same spot that my family lived in during the time Jean Lafitte reigned supreme. He called Galveston Campeche and there’s the legend of the ‘three trees’ being on our property, a place where Lafitte fought the Karankawa and perhaps where he buried the wife he loved so much.”

  “So, your family has lived in that spot for generations.”

  “Yes, Windswept housed wounded civil war soldiers after the Battle of Galveston and my family took in as many as possible after the hurricane of 1900.”

  “I knew that, I’ve read as much as I could about the hurricanes that have devastated the island.”

  “Roosevelt and Eisenhower both spent a night at the Windswept. My ancestors were quite the entertainers. I’m afraid I’ve fallen from grace since then.”

  West squeezed her knee. “I’m impressed and even more determined that Windswept be saved and restored to fulfill the code requirements.”

  Maddie looked sad. “Well, I’ll know more once I visit the bank and talk to my family. Why my father didn’t give one of us a true controlling interest, I’ll never know. I think maybe he always had hopes we’d work together instead of pulling apart.”

  “I’ll help you, Maddie.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

  “I want you to help me, but I also have to be able to pay for your time and services.” She shook her head. “Let’s not think about this tonight. I don’t want to worry.”

  “You’re right, let’s go home. The best part of the evening is ahead of us.”

  * * *

  Once they’d made the decision to leave, Madeline was in a dream state. He was constantly touching her. Gentle. Tender. Protective. He drove her to his home, a beach house overlooking the bay. She was breathless by the time they’d climbed to the sunroom on the third floor, but it had nothing to do with exertion and everything to do with anticipation.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” West breathed against her neck as he stroked her back from between her shoulder blades to the sensitive spot at the base of her spine. “This dress is killing me.” He turned on some music and they danced next to the full glass wall, the moonlight glittering on the crests of the waves like diamonds. His kisses intoxicated Maddie and soon he slipped her dress from her shoulders, his lips caressing every inch of skin he exposed.

  Maddie’s own fingers were busy unbuttoning his shirt. When she pushed it from his shoulders, she buried her face in his neck, kissing and licking, scraping her teeth on the spot that he’d confessed made him wild. And it did. He growled his arousal, picking her up and strolling from the back to the front and up another set of stairs before he laid her gently down on his bed. “Will you let me love you, Madeline?”

  “Please, yes.” She sat up while he pulled her dress over her head and then he groaned, covering her breasts with his palms. Maddie arched her back, pushing the tender mounds into his palms, moaning as he touched and petted, playing with her nipples until she was delirious with need. “West?” she implored, asking without words for his mouth to give her relief.

  He bent to her, taking one delicate bud between his lips and sucking, making her writhe and tremble. Feasting at her breast, he let his hand glide down her body to tease her beneath the delicate silk that covered her mound.

  “I want to touch you too.” She urged, tugging at his pants. Standing over her, he undressed. He was magnificent—broad, big, muscled. His manhood was proud and erect. Maddie reached out and let her fingers stroke him and he moaned, closing his eyes and throwing his head back.

  “God, you’re driving me mad.”

  “Come down here.” She held out her hand, and he went to her, his big body covering hers. She opened to him, spreading her thighs, making room for him. He kissed her over and over again, their tongues sliding and tangling, their breathing hard and desperate. She combed her fingers through the hair on his chest and gave in, sinking her teeth into the skin right under his shoulder, and he shuddered.

  “God, what you do to me,” he groaned. Lowering himself just enough, he rubbed his chest across her breasts, loving the way she writhed beneath him. “Feel good.”

  “Yes, oh yes, please, I need you.”

  “Are you safe?”

  “Yes, I just want you, just you.” Maddie raised her hips, wanting to feel what she’d been missing—but wanting him more. Just him.

  Shaking with need, West let himself sink down on her, letting Maddie feel his need, fitting himself to her body so he could pleasure her without taking her completely—not yet.

  Madeline whimpered, moving against him. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe we’re…”

  “Loving one another,” he whispered. “Take me in your hand. Guide me in, Maddie.”

  With shy fingers, she touched him, rubbing her hand gently up and down his length. He moved in her hand, and she bit her lip, in wonder of this man and her seeming power over him. Lifting herself, she began to join them, fitting the broad head to her tender opening. And as he pushed in, she dug her fingers into his shoulders, surrendering herself to the ecstasy.

  West took his time. She was tight, much tighter than he’d expected. Lord, it felt so good. He wanted to take her by the waist and thrust in, but he didn’t. He took his time, rocking his hips, relishing in the very feminine little breaths fanning his cheek. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, “don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

  West clawed the sheets, forcing himself to go slow. She was fire, sparkling beneath his attention. Her feminine channel was greedy, opening for him. Her heart rate matched his. His need built, but he’d go slowly if it killed him. There was no way he could miss it. His Maddie was untouched. He was her first. West felt humbled. How had he found her? “Maddie, my Maddie,” he growled as he pushed on in, taking her, possessing her, determined to give her as much pleasure as she was giving him.

  “West!” Her cries echoed in the room. The only other sound was their breathing and the breaking of the distant waves on the shore. “You feel so good,” she moaned.

  West moved in such a way as to give her ecstasy. He knew where to touch, how to grind down, where to rub so she flew apart in his arms, convulsing in sweet waves that grabbed onto him, causing him to explode within her.

  She held on, and he rested his head on the pillow next to her face, holding himself up so his weight wouldn’t be too much. “Thank you.” She stroked his hair, running her other hand over his back. “You’ve made my dreams come true.”

  West needed her closer. He eased off and pulled her next to him, kissing her lips tenderly. “You’re the dream, honey. I’m so glad I met you.” She exhaled, and he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Will you stay with me or do you need to go home?”

  Maddie sighed. “I’d rather stay. I’ve never felt more comfortable or content. But I suppose I need to go home. It’s a busy time and I am the boss.”

  “I’m doing the boss.” West snorted, kissing her on the end of the nose. He helped her up, and she redressed. He pulled on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. “I’ll drive you home, but I’m walking you to the door and I expect a goodnight kiss.”

  “I think I can handle that.”

  The moon seemed brighter, the ocean more magical. Maddie was a little sore between her legs, but in a very good way.

  “I want to know what’s going on,” he told her. “Let me hear what the bank says and if your family gets to be too much, call me.”

  Maddie smiled. Considering his caring attitude, her troubles were almost worth it. “Okay, I will.” She wanted to ask him when she would see him again so bad she could taste it. But she didn’t want to seem desperate.

  As pr
omised, he walked her not only to her door, but through the lobby and up the elevator to her private suite. To her surprise, Morgana waited inside and her face was distinctly tear-streaked. When she saw Weston and Madeline, she frowned and left the room.

  “Oh, someone didn’t have a good Valentine’s Day,” he said, somewhat sympathetically.

  “Looks like it.” Not that Morgana would welcome it, but she would check on her in a bit—but first, she had something really important to do. An honest to goodness goodnight kiss with a sexier than sin man. She gazed up into his eyes. “I had a wonderful time tonight.” She touched her throat. “Thank you for the necklace…and everything.”

  Her blush made him smile. “You’re always thanking me. This was mutual pleasure, sweetheart. I wouldn’t have traded this time with you for anything.”

  There was something about the way he phrased the last part of his sentence that made her uneasy. Was their time over? “Me neither.” She chose to ignore her twinge of anxiety.

  “Give me those lips.” She lifted her head, and he held her chin, rubbing his lips over hers, which gave Maddie chills. This time it was her who took charge, framing his face and kissing him just as she’d always dreamed of doing to a man she loved. She gave, she took, she worshiped his mouth with everything in her. And when she pulled away to look into his eyes, he pulled her close for more. If he hadn’t been holding her so tightly, Madeline might have slid to the floor. “Oh, mercy,” she whispered.

  “You are so damn cute.” West laughed, kissing her again. “I’ll call you.”

  She wanted to ask when, but she refrained. And when he left, she sagged against the door, weak in the knees.

  “Well, I see you’ve been a busy little bee,” Morgana said sarcastically from behind her.

  Turning, Madeline looked at her sister with amazement. “You have something snide to say when I don’t have a boyfriend and you have something snide to say when I do. There’s just no making you happy.” When there was no sharp retort but a sniff, Madeline had to ask, “What’s wrong?”

  Morgana’s face crumpled and she began to sob. “Sergio dumped me. He said I was a bitch and impossible to please. He put me out at the pier and left me.”

  As much as Madeline wanted to say something mean, she couldn’t. This was her sister. If she tried real hard, she could remember teaching her to swim and playing dolls together. She could remember the picnics their father took them on and how hard she’d cried the first day Morgana had gone to school and left her behind. “I’m so sorry.” She put her arms around her and gave her a hug.

  Morgana let Madeline hold her for about ten seconds before she pushed away. “We really have to sell this rat hole now. I need to go to New York with some of the girls and I need lots of spending money and new clothes.”

  Madeline didn’t argue. She just picked up a few things in the kitchen and retired to her room. As Tilly had said, she would worry about all of this tomorrow and tomorrow would be here in just a few hours.

  * * *

  “Miss Cross, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. This still has to go to the committee but writing a loan for this much money, especially when you don’t hold full interest in the property will be next to impossible. Are you sure you can’t get your sister and mother in here to sign with you?”

  “I don’t know, I can ask.” She knew the answer would be no, she just hated to admit it to this stranger.

  “Well, do. I for one would hate to see the grand old Windswept disappear.” He walked her out of the bank into the bright winter sunshine. She was only a block or two from West’s office, but she didn’t feel comfortable dropping this bomb on him. Madeline didn’t want him to think she was asking for his help at a reduced rate or anything. Because she wasn’t. She would rather let Windswept go than take advantage of anyone. For the first time, Maddie started to consider what life might be like without her beloved Bed and Breakfast.

  Her only other option was to contact a lawyer and see if there was any clause in the will or the deed that would help her at all. Frankly, Maddie didn’t know of one and doubted the possibility—but again, she had to try.

  When she arrived home, things were hopping. Some of the guests were staying for Mardi Gras and some were packing to go home. Madeline stood at the desk and bid some farewell, booking several for weekends later in the year. Late spring and early summer would see the beaches filled to overflowing.

  She wondered if Juliana and Hugh were still in residence. Morgana always stayed with her, but their mother had separate quarters on the first floor in the back with a private entrance. She didn’t want to think where Hugh was sleeping. Since they’d arrived unannounced and hadn’t asked her or her help for a key, they were undoubtedly sharing the suite—if not a bed. Maddie shuddered.

  News of her failure would reach their ears soon enough. She really couldn’t see any way out of her dilemma, but she wasn’t one to leave a sinking ship. If Windswept was going to go down, she’d ride it till the last wave topped the widow’s walk. For a few minutes she just walked around, surveying her home. There were many valuable antiques, but even if she stripped the place and sold them all, it wouldn’t be enough. All of her assets were tied up in this old mansion. Maddie didn’t have enough savings and her car wasn’t new or worth enough to matter. She had no valuable jewelry, other than what West had given her. She smiled and touched the heart. And its great value was more in what it stood rather than the money it could bring. No, if her mother and sister wouldn’t sign the loan, she guessed the Windswept would be replaced with a shiny new Beaumont resort. To see such a great piece of the island’s history vanish made her sad, but not as sad as knowing the last tie she had with her father and his past would be gone.

  “Phone, Maddie!” Elaine called. “Take it in your office. It’s studmuffin!”

  “Oh, Lord. I hope she had him on hold,” Maddie muttered and several guests laughed. Anxious to hear his voice, she hurried and shut the door behind her, sliding into the seat. “Hello?”

  “Maddie-mine, how’s my girl?”

  Smiling from ear to ear. “Better now that I’ve heard from you. How are you?”

  “Oh, I’m good. Missing you. When can I see you again?”

  Now. “I can fix dinner for us tomorrow if you’d like to come.”

  “Sounds perfect, I’m meeting Dallas and Aiden tonight. I’d rather see you, but I’ve already promised.”

  “No, that’s good.” She liked that he was a man of his word. “I have some things to do around here, dealing with family and such. Folks are checking out and we have a writer’s group heading in. Several romance authors are coming for some quiet time. They’re writing a series set in Galveston and they need to soak up some atmosphere.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be inspired by Windswept. How did the meeting with the bank go? Are we ready for Aiden to start ordering materials?”

  Telling him no hurt her a great deal. “I don’t think so, Weston. I’m so sorry. It’s not final yet, but without my family’s support, I don’t think I’m going to be able to pull this off. I’m sure they’ll be wanting to meet with me soon and read me the riot act. I still have to meet with my lawyer but unless there’s a miracle, I’m going to have to go along with the sale. I won’t have a choice.”

  Weston was quiet for a minute. “Maddie, don’t give up. Just sit tight. Talk to them, but don’t agree to anything until you’ve spoken to your lawyer and talked to me again. Okay?”

  “Okay.” She couldn’t imagine what he was thinking, but she was open to any suggestions.

  “All right. I wish I could hug you.”

  “Me too. I need one right now.” She hugged her own self, thinking how nice it would be if he were holding her.

  “Okay, baby. Take care. I’ll see you soon or talk to you sooner.”

  With that, he was gone. A heavy weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. Maddie though it was a bit strange. Even though things seemed bleak, she didn’t feel hopeless at all. No matt
er how dark the valley she would be called upon to walk through, the knowledge that she wouldn’t be doing it alone made all the difference.

  West made all the difference.

  * * *

  By night, her prior good mood was shot to hell. Everything she’d feared seemed to be falling down around her head. “Give up, Madeline. Selling the Windswept is best for everyone.”

  “Yes, here.” Hugh handed her the papers. “Sign. There’s really no better alternative.”

  “No, not till I talk to my lawyer.” She pushed them back across the table toward him.

  The old man’s face reddened. “You have no idea what you’re sitting on.”

  They were meeting in the conference room adjacent to the office. Maddie looked down. “My chair or my bottom?”

  Morgana threw a sofa pillow at her. She seemed recovered from her heartbreak. Women like her sister didn’t get too emotionally invested in a man. They got more invested in his money. “Don’t be impertinent to Mr. Beaumont. He could buy and sell God.”

  Instead of being insulted, Hugh looked pleased. “I’m going to level with you. I’ve studied the history books and the legends all of my life. And I think the Windswept is sitting on top of Jean Lafitte’s buried treasure.”

  Of course. Maddie shook her head. “Mr. Beaumont, you can read hundreds of accounts and theories that put Lafitte’s gold at a dozen places between here and New Orleans. There’s even some accounts of it being in East Texas near the Sabine River. You can’t seriously think you’d find buried treasure here, do you?”

  He pointed to the floor. “Beneath this building or on this property is buried treasure worth a fortune. The historical significance of it alone makes it worth twice what the value of the gold itself would be. We’re talking Jean Lafitte, one of the greatest pirates who ever lived. The man who fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, the man who spied for the Spanish during Texas’s war with Mexico. He claimed Galveston from Karankawa. There is even a persistent rumor that Lafitte rescued Napoleon from exile and they spent their last days in Louisiana!”