Heated (13 page)

Bianca laughed. “Uh, more like a dog in search of a

bone,” she joked, because he wasn’t hard and erect.

He pinched her bottom and Bianca squealed.

“Come on, tell me,” he insisted.

“If I hear this again I’ll kill you and bury you and then

burn the spot where I buried you,” she warned him.

Kahron remained silent.

“She wants to see how we collect semen from the horses.”

“Eew.”

“Kill, bury, burn.”

“Gotcha.”

They both laughed a little.

“You know I like to sleep with the TV on.”

Bianca groaned. “Aw, hell to the no. I like it quiet. I’m a light sleeper.”

“I had the TV on last night.”

“We didn’t do much sleeping last night,” she reminded him in the darkness.

Kahron hands rose to squeeze her breast lightly, his fingers lightly grazing her nipple.

Bianca placed her hand atop his. “I am too tired for one of your Kahron specials, baby.”

“Thank God,” he said with obvious relief, his hand drifting back down to rest comfortably on her hip. “I’m
beat my damn self. I’ll just have to try it your way.”

“Thanks,” Bianca said, her voice already thickening with sleep.

Moments later her snores filled the quiet and Kahron found it was just enough noise to lull him to sleep.

Kade was in Holtsville that Sunday morning for a whist tournament at Charlie’s. He came down early to run by Kahron’s first.

He pulled his Ford Expedition in front of the house when the front door opened. He started to reach for his hunting pistol in the glove compartment, but his hand paused when he saw a woman step out onto the porch.

She looked up toward him in surprise.

He stepped out of his truck and moved toward her. “What are you doing in there?” he asked, his voice hard.

A face that had been slightly confused flashed with anger. “My job. What are you doing ’round here, besides being rude?” she asked, her Spanish accent prominent.

Her coloring was so deeply bronzed that he was initially surprised at her accent. “Are
you
Garcelle?” he asked, tilting his head back to look up at where she stood on the top step of the porch. She was a looker, there was no doubt about that, and the flash of eyes showed her spunk.

“Why does everybody say that when they meet me?” she asked. “
Si
, I am Garcelle.”

Kade eyes took in the way her white T-shirt hugged her small, plum-sized breasts and her dark denim skirt hung low on her wide hips falling just below her knee to show the shapely contours of her calves. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and her hands were on hips that were made to be held. Somehow, she was able to
look sexy and innocent all at once.

Kade felt guilt at the strong desire he felt for her.

“Are you related to Mister Strong?” she asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“Are you supposed to be here today?”

“Why else would I be here?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Kade reached for his cell phone and dialed Kahron’s cell number.

Garcelle mumbled something in Spanish and then turned and walked back into the house.

Kade took the stairs two at a time only to find the door was locked. He started searching for his spare key. Remembering it was on his key ring, he jogged back down the stairs to his SUV.

His phone dropped and closed, but as soon as he stooped to pick it up it began to ring. “Yeah.”

“Man, why are you scaring my housekeeper?”

Kade frowned at the sound of Kahron’s voice. “She called you?”

“Yes, saying some silver haired lunatic was outside accusing her of stealing or something?”

Kade’s frowned deepened.

“Do you know how many housekeepers I’ve had?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know how many horror stories I could recite about each one?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But hell,” Kahron stressed jokingly. “I need a new housekeeper like I need a hole in the head.”

Kade dropped his head and laughed, the tension easing from his broad shoulders. “I guess I did over
react. She caught me off guard.”

“Trust me. My first sight of her caught me off guard, too.”

“Where’s Bianca?”

“In her car ahead of me. We’re on our way back.”

“Think you’ll make it for the whist tournament.”

“I should.”

“Cool. See you then.”

Kade flipped his phone closed and made his way back up the stairs. He knocked twice and the door immediately opened. Her presence filled the doorway and Kade was again taken aback by the all of her—and for him that spelled trouble.

“With as much racism and prejudice blacks have faced in the country I don’t understand why you all think so badly of Hispanics. I am not a thief. I do not know any thieves. Everyone I know works hard… just like me.”

“I’m sorry, Garcelle. I wasn’t trying to imply you were steal…”

Her raised brow stopped his words.

“It had nothing to do with you being Hispanic,” he insisted with honesty.

“
Ridículo
,” she muttered.

“Did you just call me ridiculous?”

“If the shoe fits.” Garcelle shrugged.

“Look I apologize again for jumping to conclusions, okay,” he grounded at her, before turning and jumping into his Expedition. He steered the truck down the path leading to the ranch, but his eyes watched her in the rearview mirror until she was gone from his sight.

1
3

What a difference a week makes
.

Bianca was feeling good about her progress with the ranch and when she filled her father in during their brief conversation last night, even he had shown surprise. Kahron had suggested that the equipment was covered by the insurance on the barn and he was right, so Bianca put in a claim to the insurance company.

Although Bianca had a bone to pick with either Trishon or Papa Doc about discussing her father’s rehab stint, the word was out that Hank King was trying to get his act together and that led to several of his clients actually calling
them
about doing business again.

Bianca signed the lease on the townhouse with her return to Holtsville and discovered she could move in whenever she chose. She would spend her first night in her sparsely furnished apartment tonight. She was more than happy not to listen to Trishon’s backhanded comments on Kahron anymore. She would have her own space and escape that purple hell, just coming to work here at the ranch like a nine to fiver.

Harry was showing interest in buying her veterinary practice. Susan and her husband were interested in the
house. So, Bianca was in the process of getting both appraised for possible sales.

Bianca was even considering opening her clinic right here at the ranch. That was something she had to talk over with her father, so she put that idea on the back burner… for now.

Everything seemed to be flowing so well, falling right into place like puzzle pieces. Ever the pessimist, Bianca was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Busy as a bee.”

Bianca looked up from the ad she was composing to go in the local paper to find Trishon strolling into the office. “I could use some help if you’re offering,” Bianca said, leaning back in her chair to watch her stepmother.

“The help I’m offering, you ain’t takin’” she offered, moving to walk around the office.

“If you mean advice, your damn straight I’m not.”

Trishon glanced at Bianca over her shoulder. “Your Daddy’s not happy about you taking up with Kahron Strong.”

Bianca released a heavy breath. “And that’s something you felt the need to tell him while he’s in rehab?” she asked, her voice tight.

“My husband and I have no secrets, Bianca.”

Bianca returned her attention to the ad.

“It’s a shame that something your supposed to be happy about, your hiding from your father.”

Bianca eyes shifted to glare at the woman. “No, it’s a shame that his wife would purposefully call him with an issue that can hinder his recovery.”

“I have Hank’s best interest in mind.”

“And that’s why you spent money like it was water although you knew the business was struggling. That’s
why you set back and let him drink like a fish?”

Their eyes locked.

“Are you saying I married Hank for his money?” Trishon asked coldly.

“Damn straight I am,” Bianca countered. “This is a whole different lifestyle from where you came from.”

“You’re a bitch, Bianca King.”

“And you’re a whore my father made into a housewife, and we all know how that goes.”

Trishon stalked to the desk as if to strike Bianca.

Bianca rose from her chair to battle if necessary.

“At least I’m not a fool for Kahron Strong. Throwing yourself at him like you’re begging to be screwed. The whole town’s laughing at you trying to rebuild this ranch while your boyfriend sluts all over town and is trying to ruin the very thing your trying to build.”

“I am so glad I have my own place because I am tired of looking at you and listening to the garbage you’re always talking,” Bianca spat.

“Hank and I need
our
home to
ourselves
anyway, so I’m just as happy as you are.”

“Alcohol has been clouding my father’s view of you for the last fifteen years.” Bianca leaned forward to stick her face in Trishon’s. “Without those liquor goggles I wonder what he’ll think of you.”

Bianca hit a sore spot. She saw the flash of fear and uncertainty in Trishon’s eyes.

Kahron strolled into the office. “B, I got a surprise for you outside.”

Trishon whirled on him, her face filled with rage. “I can’t believe you keep showing your face around here while you’re trying to ruin my husband,” she yelled.

Bianca came around the desk to stand in front of Trishon as the woman advanced on Kahron. “Slow your roll,
Trishon,” Bianca told her in hard, uncompromising tones.

Trishon’s angry eyes shifted to Bianca in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re choosing him over your father, because that is
exactly
what you’re doing?” she said in a harsh and low whisper.

“Trishon, my father is wrong about Kahron, and so are you,” Bianca insisted.

“When it all comes out how he’s making a fool out your ass I will be the first one to laugh in your face.” Trishon brushed past Bianca and nearly spent Kahron as she knocked her elbow into his arm.

“She still spouting that b–s about me, huh?”

Bianca nodded, fearing that her father was as vehement about Kahron as Trishon. She rubbed her brows with her fingers, hoping to hold off the tension she felt creeping up.

“I don’t care what Trishon thinks,” Bianca said, letting Kahron pull her into his arms.

“But what about your father?”

Bianca shrugged, wrapping her arms around Kahron’s waist to hold him tighter. “He’ll come around.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

Bianca tilted her head back to look up at Kahron because of his serious tone.

“It’s important to me that you do believe me and trust me, B.”

“Well I do.”

Kahron shifted his hand up to lightly grasp Bianca’s head, pulling it closer to him so that his tongue could plunge into her mouth with heat and circle her tongue the way he knew she loved.

Bianca grunted softly in pleasure, her hand dropping to sit comfortably in his back pockets as she massaged
his buttocks.

He ended the kiss with one last press of his lips to hers, playfully swatting her bottom. “I have to ride to Walterboro. Wanna go?” he asked.

“Let’s ride. I can drop this ad to the paper while we’re there.”

Bianca followed Kahron out the house, climbing up into his truck.

“Let’s have lunch first,” he said, glancing at her before he accelerated the truck forward.

“Fine with me.”

Bianca took calls on her cell from the appraisers she hired back in Atlanta, jotting down information in her address book. She was so busy asking questions that she didn’t notice where Kahron had driven her until the truck came to a stop before one of the largest and most beautiful homes Bianca had ever laid eyes on.

“Can I get back to you? Thanks.” Bianca closed the phone. “Where are we?”

“Strong Ranch,” Kahron told her with pride as he climbed out of the truck.

Bianca loved the way nearly every space of the spacious brick home was glass. The lawn was well manicured with topiaries, well-trimmed bushes, and beautiful floral arrangements. The entire front yard was asphalt and the perimeter of the property was surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence.

She turned to look at Kahron in disbelief as he opened the passenger door. “Kahron, my hair’s in a ponytail and I have on sweats. I didn’t put on any make-up,” she protested, even as she climbed out of the truck.

“You look beautiful, B.” He smiled down at her.

“Yeah, whatever,” she told him, pulling a compact out of her purse to check that she was at least presentable.
“You dead wrong for this.”

A tall, slender woman of middle age stepped out onto the porch. “Kahron?” she called out.

He grabbed Bianca’s hand as they made their way up the walkway to the porch.

“You must be, Dr. King,” Mrs. Strong said, pulling her into a warm hug as soon as Bianca reached the top step.

Mrs. Strong smelled of vanilla, wise advice, home cooked meals, and that unconditional love only a mother could give. Bianca hugged her back, rapidly blinking away the tears she felt for the loss of her own mother before they could fall.

“Call me Bianca,” she offered.

“What a pretty name,” Mrs. Strong said, as they all entered the house. “Way too pretty for Kahron to call you by a letter.”

They entered the dining room and any words Bianca thought of saying evaporated as four silver haired men immediately stood. They all looked like Kahron in some fashion—all tall and strong and handsome.

It was a little overwhelming.

Kahron must have saw it in her eyes because he took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly as he made the introductions. “This is my father, Kael.”

“Nice to meet you, Dr. King.”

“Biana,” she softly corrected.

“And my oldest brother, Kade.”

“So you’re the one who has my brother’s nose wide opened, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” She smiled.

“And this is Kaleb.”

Kaleb winked at her and smiled, showing a twin set of dimples deep enough to drink out of. “Prettiest damn
vet I ever seen, that’s for sure.”

“Slow your roll, little brother.”

Everyone laughed.

“Well thank you, Kaleb,” she responded, trying to memorize the name with each handsome face.

“And I’m Kaeden.”

“You’re the money man, right?” she asked with a smile as he shook her hand.

“That’s me,” he said, looking almost identical to Kahron, save for the spectacles he wore. “Kahron told us what you’re doing at your father’s ranch, just let me know if I can help at all.”

“Thank you,” she said in genuine surprise and pleasure. “I will do just that.”

“Enough of the introductions, fellas, let’s eat,” Mrs. Strong said, setting a platter of homemade roast beef sandwiches and a tureen of vegetable soup on the table.

“Where’s your sister?” Bianca asked as she and Kahron set to the table.

“Cancun with her girlfriends.”

Bianca watched as the men dug into the food with gusto. She took a bite of the sandwich Kahron set on her plate and nearly stomped her foot at how good it was. “Mrs. Strong, this is sooooooo good,” she sighed, wiping a bit of gravy from the corner of her mouth with her finger.

“Thank you.” Mrs. Strong took a seat to the left of her husband. “Before I was married I used to run my own catering business in Savannah. Now I just cook for my boys.”

“Well I can see why none of them married with you…”

Bianca’s words trailed off at the expressions on everyone’s faces. She didn’t know what she said, but the taste of her foot was strong as everyone looked
uncomfortable.

“Don’t make her feel bad,” Kade offered. “She had no way of knowing.”

Bianca’s eyes shifted to him.

“I was married once, but she… she—” he cleared his throat briefly—“she died last year.”

Bianca reached out and squeezed Kade’s hand. “I’m sorry, Kade.”

He smiled at her but it didn’t reach his eyes—sadness filled them instead. “It’s okay,” he reassured her.

Kahron squeezed her thigh and patted it warmly.

“Kade’s daughter Kadina has the whole family in the palm of her hand,” Kahron added, changing the subject.

Bianca smiled warmly. “I wish I could’ve met her.”

“She’s at school or trust me she would’ve made herself known,” Kade mused.

“Bianca, Kahron says you’re planning to move your practice to Holtsville?” Kael asked.

“Yes, I really would love to incorporate it right into the horse ranch, but I’ll have to talk it over with my father and see what he says about it. That way I can serve as the vet on staff for the horse ranch for our boarders and still service others in the area.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Kaeden offered.

“My girl has a good head on her shoulders,” Kahron bragged, winking at her. “She’s really turning things around at her father’s ranch.”

“So are you scouting for land elsewhere to expand your business?” his father asked him.

“No, not yet.”

Bianca stiffened. Somehow she always felt as if her success at revitalizing her father’s ranch was in direct competition with Kahron furthering his dreams of expansion. Every time she was reminded of that her
father’s words came to her in a rush like a dry whisper—no matter how much she tried to forget them.

He wants my land
.

Late that night, after finishing up all the work she was going to for the day, Bianca climbed the stairs to retrieve the last of her clothing from the room she now called “Prince’s Purple Passion Pit” in lieu of the entertainer’s well-known fondness for the color.

Trishon—who was now officially no longer speaking to Bianca—had retired to bed and the house was quiet and still.

Bianca was anxious to get her things and hightail it to scoop up Kahron, who was spending the first night in her new apartment with her—of course. She closed the dresser with her hip as she carried her handful of her undergarments to the open duffel on the bed.

She froze, her head cocking a little toward the window at a sudden noise that was different from the cry of night creatures. Dropping the garments on her bed she made her way to the window. Bianca used the purple polyester curtains to shield her as she peeked down to the yard below.

She gasped and her heart raced as a dark shadowy figure passed by the bushes.

Reacting on a impulse she dashed from the room and made her way down the stairs and out the door in record time. The figure shot into the trees lining the road and Bianca took off behind him.

“Enough is enough,” she said, like a actress in a Lifetime movie.

She lurched forward at his back in the darkness, the thick grove of trees even blocking any illumination from
the moonlight. Bianca landed on her stomach hard enough to knock the air out of her with an “umf.” She reached out just enough to catch one sneakered foot and the figure tripped, cursing as he landed hard.

She dragged herself up the length of his slender body by his clothes. “I got your ass,” she said with effort as she also struggled to regain her breath.

The figure tried to roll over to get her off his back, but Bianca pressed all her weight upon him as she snaked her arm around his neck tightly.