Killian (The Sons of Dusty Walker Book 3) (5 page)

“See you tomorrow.” His voice was thick with desire. “Keep my cinnamon buns warm.”

“Of course.” But she wasn’t thinking of pastry then. “See you.”

He waited until she was inside and had turned the lock. When she heard him jogging down the stairs, she leaned against the closed door and exhaled.
Well!
One evening with Killian Walker and she knew the man should come with a Danger sign. She touched her fingertips to her lips, remembering the pressure of his mouth, the hot sweep of his tongue. She hugged herself, pretending she could still feel his body pressed to hers.

For a brief moment, she had thought of inviting him inside, especially after those incendiary kisses. Then one of her frozen brain cells kicked in, and she forced the thought back. Not after one date, her inner voice shouted.

Tomorrow night, she told herself. The week would go by too fast, and she didn’t want to waste a minute of it. She desperately needed affirmation from this man that she was desirable and appealing. That she appealed to
him.
Oh, she was ready to go wild, all right. For one week she could let loose. At least she’d have the memories. Afterward? Who knew what would happen.

Chapter Three

Killian wished he could get rid of the itchy anxious feeling holding him in its grip since he’d gotten up that morning. No, since he’d arrived home the night before. No, no, no. Since he’d taken Lexie home the night before and walked away with unsatisfied desire and a raging hard-on. If it was just the physical attraction, he could deal with it and move on. After all, he intended to get his ass out of this town as soon as he could.

Unfortunately he had to face the fact it was way more. How had she captivated him so fast and so easily? What he was feeling for Lexie Choate had struck him with the force of runaway horses, and he had no idea what to do with it. She wasn’t a woman he could take his pleasure with and walk away. There was a lot more to her than the women he usually bedded. In less than twenty-four hours, he’d already figured that out.

Could he do what he’d had in mind, spend the week enjoying her company, and then head off to the rest of his life? It couldn’t be anything else. First of all, he had a plan, and now he’d have the resources to make it happen, just as soon as he fulfilled the terms of the will. And then, of course, there was his sudden re-examination of the kind of person he was. He carried the genes of a man who’d cheated on not one but five different women.

So, what did he do? Stay away from her? Hell, no. He might as well stop breathing.

Damn, Killian. You’ve really fucked up this time.

Okay. He’d do what he’s talked to her about last night. Spend time with her while he was here and leave with some damn good memories. She seemed on board with the idea, so what was his problem? By the time he pulled into the parking place behind D. Walker Minerals, he had worked himself up into such a lather, he wondered how he’d ever be able to concentrate on the complexities of mineral and oil rights and the delicate structures of royalties.

“Somebody bite your ear?” Abby asked as he walked in.

“No, why?”

“You look like you’ve been wrestling wild animals,” she told him.

“Must be trying to absorb all the info Elaine shoved at me yesterday.” He grinned

“I heard that,” the woman called from her office. “Better get in here, Killian. I’ve got another folder full for you today.”

He smothered a groan, sailed his hat onto his desk, and stepped into Elaine’s office.

“You trying to torture me? I thought you liked me.”

She smiled. “I do. And I have every confidence you can learn this stuff easily.”

He dropped into the chair in front of her desk. “Can I ask you a question and get an honest answer?”

“Uh-oh.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Sounds like I’m not going to like it.”

“You were with Dusty longer than anyone around here. Did you ever think he was the kind of guy to do what he did?”

Her brows pinched together. “What kind of
guy
do you mean?”

He shrugged. “You know. One who would cheat on his wife, collect a bunch of mistresses, and sire some bastard kids?”

“Wow. A pretty harsh description, isn’t it?”

“How would you describe it?”

She was silent for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. “I’d say he was a man who desperately wanted children to carry on his name, who loved four women equally, and who would have married any and all of them in a hot minute.”

“Yeah? And how do you suppose those women feel? Don’t you suppose they feel betrayed?” he demanded. “And what about his wife? How did she fit into all of this?”

Elaine sighed. “Quite a dicey story, Killian. I’m going to try and make you understand.”

“Please. It would be a big help.”

“Dusty’s wife knew he wasn’t in love with her from the beginning. He wanted into the oil and mineral business, and she wanted Dusty for a husband under any circumstances.”

“Just a business decision.” He snorted.

Elaine nodded. “And it would have worked out well if they’d had children. But poor Dusty found out after the fact that she didn’t want kids at all. It was a real blow to him.”

“But he stayed with her anyway?”

Elaine nodded. “That was Dusty. It went against his grain to divorce her. He’d made a commitment, and he was going to honor it.”

“Which is how he ended up creating a family with four other women.” Killian didn’t know whether to be disgusted or feel sorry for the guy.

“It wasn’t that he did it deliberately. It just sort of happened with each woman.”

“And his wife?” he asked again. “Did she know?”

“I think she knew he was attached to other women. But she was desperate to keep her marriage together, so she overlooked all the signs another woman would have made a fuss over.” She paused. “But you should know he took very good care of her and, when he was home, he was faithful as the sun coming up.”

Killian twisted his lips. “Saint Dusty.”

“No.” Elaine’s voice was quiet. “He was no saint by any means. But he loved all four mothers, and he loved each of you boys. He took care of everyone financially, which is more than a lot of other men would do.”

“So, I should overlook all the crap?”

“What you should do is spend some time thinking about everything. Talk to Marliss and Lou. They knew him better than anyone. But, meanwhile, get your ass back to work.” She handed him a thick folder, smiling to soften her words. “Now, cowboy.”

But, when he went into his office, his mind was still in turmoil, over both Dusty Walker and Lexie Choate. Reaching into his briefcase, he pulled out his favorite length of rope and sat there, sliding it through his fingers while his mind raced like a stallion chasing a mare in heat. How the hell was he supposed to concentrate on complicated contracts under these circumstances? Later this week, one of the guys in the office was going to take him out overnight to visit some of the sites already leased and explain the process to him. Then he had the weekend and he’d be gone. Could he possibly resolve everything in his mind by then?

Especially the situation with Lexie. Already he was itching to see her again. If he did, however, he’d get good and tangled up, and what would happen when he left? Because, at least from where he sat now, he couldn’t wait to shake the dust of Red Creek from his boots. His entire future was focused on getting his ranch.

How had he gotten himself in this situation after less than forty-eight hours in town? He hadn’t planned on finding someone like Lexie for damn sure. Sighing, he stuck the rope back in its place and went to work.

He spent a good portion of the morning studying the contents of the folder Elaine had given him, the rest of it being quizzed by her on what he’d absorbed so far. He surprised himself—and probably her—with the amount of information he’d absorbed and understood.

“You could be a natural at this, you know,” she told him.

“Thanks, but….” He flapped a hand helplessly, not wanting to give voice to his thoughts.

“But you don’t plan to make this your life’s work,” she guessed. “Or Red Creek your permanent home.”

He shrugged. “It isn’t who I am.”

She watched him silently for a long moment. “You know, Dusty really loved all you boys, and your mamas.” She gave a short laugh. “Although boys hardly describes the men you’ve become. He was proud of each and every one of you.”

“And did he realize what a mess he’d created?” Killian demanded.

“Of course he did.” She stared off over his shoulder. “He agonized over it all the time. Thing was, he loved each of the women equally. He knew what he did was wrong, but he did his best to make amends. He wasn’t all bad, Killian. I hope while you’re here you can learn about the other side of him.”

“People seem to want to keep cramming it down my throat, so it’s not as if I can exactly get away from it.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow in a gesture he was learning meant
Tell me everything.
“You’ve only been here since Sunday night, so who else has been pounding your ear? Marliss and Lou?”

“Not yet.” He winked. “But I’m sure they’re working up to it.”

“Hmm.” Her lips twitched. “So, who else could you have been talking to?”

His cue to end this conversation. He pushed himself out of the chair. “I think I’ll take a break. Maybe wander down the street for some pastry.”

Elaine burst out laughing. “You are about as subtle as a sledge hammer, Killian. Say hello to Lexie for me. Don’t forget to get Abby’s honey buns.” He was almost out of her office when her voice stopped him. “And Killian?”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“Take care with that young lady. Everyone thinks the world of her.”

He nodded. “Duly noted.”

All the way down the street, Elaine’s words echoed in his head.
You could be a natural at this.
Not if he was raising horses.
Dusty really loved all you boys, and your mamas.
Bullshit! And the worst:
Take care of that young lady. Everyone thinks the world of her.

So did he, and that was the trouble. More than the world, as a matter of fact. How was it possible? He’d known her less than twenty-four hours, yet he found himself on some kind of emotional roller coaster he was totally unprepared for. The memory of those scorching kisses were imprinted on his body. He’d had a hard time not dragging her into her apartment and tearing her clothes off, but he respected women, treated them well, even if the connection was only for one night. His mother had hammered it into his head.

Respect women, Killian. They deserve that
.

Had she been trying to tell him something? Had Dusty not respected her? Well, fucking damn, consorting with three other women besides her while he had a wife at home? Did he not respect any of them?

Shit, shit, shit.

His head was so fucked up he should go home and dunk it in a bucket of cold water. Except, he was already at Heart Starter. As if it had a mind of its own, his hand grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Since it was closer to noon than his visit yesterday, the place was pretty full, but Lexie looked up from handing over two coffee cups and gave him a million-watt smile. Then she held up one finger.

“One minute,” she mouthed.

He made an okay sign with his thumb and forefinger and hung back while she waited on her customers. At least half of the tables were filled today, and the people seated there stared at him with curiosity. Probably studying the latest Walker offspring to hit town. What did they all think about this circus? Leaning in a corner while he waited for Lexie, he nodded at everyone and gave them a casual smile. Several people actually smiled back at him. He had to admit this place wasn’t as bad as he’d expected.

He let his gaze wander around the shop, taking in things he hadn’t really noticed yesterday. The artwork on the walls, for instance. Yesterday, they had been blurs of color. Today, he realized they were great examples of contemporary Western art. The style was very distinctive and arresting. Someone had lovingly painted a magnificent stallion, a small herd of horses galloping across a pasture, a tired cowboy at the end of a long day, and other similar scenes. Whoever this was might have come from Montana like he had, because the essence of the cowboy had been captured perfectly.

He was still admiring them when someone touched his arm and he saw Lexie holding out a mug of coffee to him. He inhaled, and her jasmine scent filled his senses.

“I’m still in the middle of a late-morning rush,” she told him, smiling, “and lunch rush is coming in. I didn’t want to leave you without your coffee, though.”

Her smile lit up every one of his nerve endings and sent heat cascading through him. Jesus! If he got this way from looking at her in a roomful of people, what was he going to do when they were alone again?

“Listen.” He took a sip of the smooth liquid in the mug. “Why don’t I get my stuff to go, and I’ll see you later.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Later?”

“For dinner?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

Her easy smile unknotted his muscles. “Sure. Same time?”

“Yes, if that works for you. And, Lexie? I’d like to take you someplace really nice, if there’s one where we won’t be caught up in everyone’s radar.”

“I think I have just the place,” she told him. “It’s a little more expensive than The Roadhouse.”

“No problem. Any place you’d like to go is fine with me.”

“Okay.” She brushed a stand of hair back from her face. “Let me box up your pastries for you.”

He noticed the crowd gathering at her counter again. “I can wait.”

“Oh, no. This won’t stop for at least another half hour. Let me get your stuff.” She gave him a tiny wink. “On the house.”

“I can’t—”

“My pleasure. Don’t argue with the owner.” She was back in seconds with two small boxes in a plastic bag with the Heart Starter logo on it. “Enjoy. I’ll be ready at seven.”

Then he was back on the street, slightly dazed, the little bag in his hand. When he glanced at his watch, he realized it was barely noon. Seven hours until he could see her again. How would he ever last?