A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess: A Lone Star Love Affair / Falling for the Princess

She inhaled deeply. He had a point. She was going to work with him. She thought of the few times she had been with Seymour Morris, purely business. She couldn’t equate Tony with Mr. Morris, but she was going to be thrown with Tony sometimes by working for him.

“I can see the wheels turning,” he said. “You’ll sit home alone tonight otherwise, will you not? No fun there when you have a real triumph. Stop making a mountain out of a definite ant hill.”

“You’re persuasive. I’ll have to give you that much.” She thought about sitting home alone with this fabulous new position dazzling her. One dinner. Maybe she was blowing everything out of proportion. She should be able to have a dinner with him without succumbing to his charm. She couldn’t keep from wanting to celebrate this new job. “Dinner it is,” she said, wanting to add, Seduction, it isn’t, but she knew he would stand by his word about that for tonight. She nodded. “Thank you, Tony.”

“Excellent. How about I pick you up at your house at seven?”

“Which means you are leaving work early tonight,” she said.

“For you and your celebration, definitely. I’m glad, Isabelle. You won’t regret your choice.”

“Are you always so sure of yourself, Tony?”

He smiled.

She picked up her briefcase. “Now I have to go to Human Resources and fill out paperwork. I’ve been told I’ll keep my same office.”

“Yes. You’ll get to do it over. We’re having them all redone. Soon you can make the selections of furniture, carpet, wall colors, everything.”

“Actually, it’s very much the way I like it now.”

“That’s your decision. Welcome to Ryder Enterprises, Incorporated,” he said, extending his hand, shaking hers. The moment his hand closed around hers and heat warmed her from his touch, she wondered again if she could cope with working in close proximity to him. She had spent a sleepless night processing his offer. The job was fabulous, a dream position and salary so good it was worth working with Tony. She reminded herself of how little she’d seen of Mr. Morris over the years, yet, she knew Tony would be different. It was just too good an offer to turn down. She ought to be able to work around him without being constantly drawn to him. And he was a workaholic. He would move on to other concerns. He was a deal maker. He didn’t sit in one office all the time. She didn’t really expect to see much of him after the first few months when he was getting the company set up the way he wanted. Even that, he probably left to others. Shaking off uneasiness, she withdrew her hand. His enthusiasm was contagious and she smiled at him.

“Thanks, Tony. I hope you’re keeping most of my people.” “We’ll have a meeting concerning that later this week.” “I’ll see you tonight,” she said, and left his office. The day was busier than she had expected and she got home with only a little over half an hour to get ready for dinner.

Was she already making a mistake by going out with him? But she had made her career decision and had no intention of fretting about it. She wanted to celebrate and she had begun to feel ridiculous for making such an issue about avoiding him. She should be able to treat him the same as any other man, Mr. Morris, Dylan, anyone. Just go to dinner, keep a distance, stay composed and cool and Tony Ryder would move on soon and forget all about her. No flirting. No intense reactions. Dinner with a new boss. Nothing more.

After showering, she changed into a red dress with long sleeves and a V-neck. She fastened her hair on both sides, allowing it to fall loosely down her back. Finally she stepped into red high-heeled pumps.

On impulse, she picked up the phone and called Dylan to tell him about her promotion.

“Awesome! That is terrific, Isabelle,” he said, his tone changing from enthusiastic to somber. “He remembered who you are and wants to go out with you.”

“Yes, he did. Whatever his motive, I couldn’t turn it down. It will give me a jump in the corporate world. Even if I just stay a few months, I can get a better job than I had.”

“As you told me, think about it. Be careful. His family is also Sydney’s family. They won’t accept you.”

She laughed. “Dylan, they won’t have to. Ever. Whatever I do, Tony Ryder isn’t going to propose marriage. He’s wrapped up in making a bigger fortune. I’m just going to work for the man. Speaking of Sydney. How’s it going between the two of you?”

“We’re talking. She wants to get back together. I still think it would be supremely selfish of me, yet I keep discussing it with her.”

“That ought to tell you something right there. You want to be with her.”

“Hell, yes, I do, but I can’t be the one to cost her a family split plus losing her inheritance.”

“Dylan, stop and think. She’s studying to be a doctor and you’re successful in graphic arts. You can both live comfortably and well. Multimillions aren’t a guarantee of happiness.”

“I’m not going to be the one to take her away from her family. Those kind of bitter feelings sometimes last lifetimes and that would be terrible. She’s been close to them.” He was quiet for a moment, then said, “Want to go to dinner? We’ll celebrate your job offer and I’ll buy your dinner.”

“I’d love to, but Tony asked me if I wanted to go to dinner to celebrate and I accepted. Had I known, Dylan, I would have turned him down. I thought I’d be sitting here by myself. And I didn’t want to make such a big deal out of trying to avoid him.”

“Ah, sorry I didn’t talk to you sooner. Call me on a night you’re free and we’ll go.”

When they hung up, she stared at the cell phone before she placed it on the dresser. She hated to see Dylan hurt and Sydney had seemed like a fine person. She wished she were having dinner with a friend instead of Tony. Isabelle thought about Tony supporting his sister. Perhaps family wasn’t as far down his list of what was important as she had first thought. She shook her head. She’d better not fool herself on that one.

When the doorbell rang, her heart thudded. Impeccably dressed, Tony wore a dark topcoat and his charcoal suit with a red tie. Only the thick, unruly curls proclaimed a streak of wildness in the handsome corporate tycoon whose whole life was wrapped up in his work. That and the look in his eyes, indicating his approval as well as his longing, made her pulse beat faster.

“You look gorgeous,” he said, taking her coat to hold it for her.

“Thank you,” she answered. “I’m excited over my promotion, whatever motives you have behind it.”

His smile broadened. “I want you in my company. I want us to work together. I’ve already told you, I want more than that, but we’ll go slowly. Have you told your family? If I recall correctly, you have a large family.”

“You really do remember me,” she said as they headed toward a waiting black limo. “A limo, Tony?”

“Sure. It’s easier.”

A chauffeur held the door and she stepped into luxury. Tony shed his coat and asked if she wanted to wear hers.

“I’m comfortable,” she said, looking at the fine leather and walnut trim of the interior, realizing what a difference there was between their lifestyles, something easier to forget at the office.

“This is beautiful and makes the evening seem even more of a celebration—at least to me. You’ve been riding in limos all your life.”

“I’m glad you like it. I didn’t remember what you were majoring in when we met. After I recognized you, it came back to me that you were interested in graphic arts even back then.”

“Yes. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

“If I had recalled that, I would have known you and Jessie were one and the same. I debated the possibility that you were Jessie and dismissed it. You’re more sophisticated now. You’ve been far cooler, less receptive, not the party girl I recall from that night.”

“Responsibilities. Also, some resentment over your buyout of Morris, something I can’t help. They’ve been great to work for and I had a dream staff.”

“Hopefully, you’ll like your new life even better. I’ll see what I can do,” he said, his tone conveying a promise that sounded removed from work.

“I’ll manage,” she replied, thinking he had incredibly dark brown eyes, almost black now in the faint glow inside the limousine.

He touched a lock of her hair on her shoulder. It was a casual touch, yet it was as fiery as a caress and made her wonder whether she was tempting fate by going with him.

“You’re decisive—another good trait,” he said. “Simplifies life. It’s always good to know exactly what you want to do.”

“One trait we probably have in common,” she answered, thinking she usually was decisive, but she hadn’t been around Tony.

Tony’s cell phone buzzed and he reached for it, giving her a nod. “Sorry, I better take it.”

“Of course,” she answered, turning to look at the scenery outside as they sped along the freeway. She heard Tony discussing a business problem with renovations on a hotel that wasn’t connected with Morris, so she ceased paying attention to his conversation, surreptitiously studying him when his focus was elsewhere. If she could continue to appear as cool and composed the entire evening, she should be able to get through this dinner, perhaps making him lose a degree of interest in her. She would have a celebration of sorts if she could only ignore the man beside her, but that was impossible. She focused on the new title and job prospect, clinging to it, feeling a tingly excitement over her promotion and trying to ignore who had caused it and why. Finally he put away his phone and turned to her.

“Sorry for the interruption. Tell me, what’s gone on in your life during the years between when we met and now?”

“Graduation, getting started in business, gaining experience at my job, making friends. What about you?”

“Mostly business. Nothing unusual. Have you told your family about your promotion?” he asked.

“No. Simply because I was late getting home from work and had to rush to get ready for tonight.”

He was staring at her. “I like your hair. I like it best completely down—the way I remember it. Maybe before the evening is over.”

“I doubt it,” she said. “This is a partial concession. I rarely leave it down and unfastened. As for my family—I’ll call them tomorrow night.”

“Are they all here in Dallas?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact. Makes it easy for us to get to gether.”

Shortly after, the limo turned into a private driveway, passing a pond with fountains as they drove to a canopied entrance with sparkling lights lending a festive atmosphere. She had heard about the restaurant, a famous one in the area, but beyond her means. Another reminder of the differences between her life and Tony’s.

The door was held open for them and inside, the maître d’ knew Tony, motioning them to follow as soon as they arrived. They were led to a cozy alcove with a fire burning in a fireplace and a view of the dance floor and stage where a small combo with a bass fiddle, a piano and drums played.

The table was covered in white linen with a bouquet of white gardenias floating in a crystal vase. She could detect the flowers’ sweet scent, but her attention was held by the handsome man she was with. A candle highlighted Tony’s prominent cheekbones, catching glints in his midnight curls.

A bottle of champagne on ice already waited and the sommelier appeared to uncork the Dom Pérignon. As soon as he received Tony’s approval, he poured the pale, bubbly liquid into crystal flutes. Iced shrimp, a steaming artichoke dip and a plate of bruschetta were brought for appetizers. Menus were placed before them.

When they were alone, Tony raised his glass. “Here’s to a fabulous promotion in your career and a night to celebrate.”

“Thanks to you,” she said, thinking he still made it sound as if work was the last thing on his mind even though he referred to her career.

“Actually, both Mandy and Porter were enthusiastic about you and deserve some of the credit for your job offer.”

“That’s nice to hear,” she said, surprised. She had assumed the exorbitant raise and promotion had been all Tony’s doing to keep her at Morris. “You can’t tell me Mandy and Porter helped set the salary you’ll pay me.”

The corners of Tony’s mouth raised slightly. “No, they didn’t. I don’t want to lose you. I go after what I want.”

Her heartbeat fluttered in spite of the red flags of warning his statement raised. He had made his intentions clear and she hoped she was making hers just as clear, although accepting dinner tonight had to have sent a mixed signal. Though turning down a celebration of his fantastic offer would have been its own announcement of how much she reacted to him.

“Don’t read too much into this dinner,” she cautioned. “I’m celebrating with you, which frankly, is more of a celebration than sitting at home by myself tonight or worse, working late. As you said, it is not a monumental deal,” she added, hoping she sounded casual about the whole evening with him.

He looked amused. “I’m glad you’re here, whatever the reason. I want to get to know you.”

“Try to keep an employer-employee view. That’s all it will be between us. Unless of course, you decide to become a marrying man. I’m interested in marrying in my near future,” she added, enjoying herself because she suspected he did not want to hear what she was telling him. She was not only telling him the truth, she was also hoping to make him realize they had no future together. She had no doubt that a woman looking for a husband was the last person Tony would want to spend time with.

“I’m not a marrying man. We can still enjoy an evening out,” he replied smoothly, and she wished she could remain as cool as he was. “As a matter of fact, with your attitude, I’m surprised there’s no wedding ring on your finger. I can’t imagine there haven’t been proposals.”

“I’ve been far too busy. The right person has never come along. Where we differ—You don’t want to be tied down for years. I do. I want a family, so our association outside of work isn’t a good idea.”

“We’ll see about that one,” he said, smiling at her. “I realize you know how to enjoy life. I have a memory.”

“I’m older now and life changes,” she said, sparring with him. “What are your goals, Tony?” she asked, hoping to change the conversation, which was taking a direction she didn’t want.

“I have a goal—billionaire by forty.” “Unattainable for ninety-nine point nine percent of the world.”

“I doubt if the odds are that bad. What about your main goal? Did your promotion bring you closer to achieving it?”

“No. I want to succeed and have a rewarding career, but I want a family like the one I grew up in. I love my family. I hope to be married by thirty.”

“Married by thirty. That’s unique today. Your goal doesn’t scare away most guys?”

She hoped it scared away Tony, which was why she was happy to continue bringing up the topic. “I don’t tell my intentions to every one. You may be the first to ask about my goals. You’re business oriented.”

“Not altogether,” he said softly.

“Oh, yes, you are. Time will prove my case.”

“Business wasn’t my driving purpose the night we met. It’s not tonight.” She gazed into his dark eyes across the candlelight. In depths of brown was craving that kept her excitement simmering. “Forget business. Let’s go dance once before dinner,” he suggested.

He held her hand and she stepped into his arms for a ballad. She already knew he was a good dancer, remembering vividly being in his arms the night they met. He pulled her closer and they danced in perfect rhythm. In that moment she realized just how hard it would be to stay away from him in her new role. Besides his handsome looks, he had too much else going for him. He had made it clear he was not into marriage, family, children—commitment—because they would interfere with his focus on business. He had already mapped out his most important goal. If she didn’t want heartbreak, she needed to continue to guard her heart.

“Why so quiet?”

“Thinking how strange it is to be dancing with my boss.”

“Stop thinking of me as your boss. It’s Tony—the Tony you met a long time ago. Forget the office. Enjoy the night.”

“I’m enjoying every minute. A limo, champagne, candlelight, a handsome man.”

“You’re beginning to sound like the Jessie I remember.

I assume you no longer want to be called Jessie by anyone, including me.”

“Maybe you most of all. I don’t want to explain to anyone why you would call me Jessie.”

“I won’t until you approve, but I can’t keep from thinking of you as Jessie.”

He looked into her eyes and smiled. How easily she could fall into his bed. Beware, beware. When Tony spun her around and dipped, she had to cling to him, looking up into his riveting brown eyes. Electricity sparked between them, generating desire.

“You’re beautiful, Isabelle,” he whispered as he straightened up and they danced together. “I’m glad I bought out Morris. I never would have found you otherwise.”

“Tony, let’s keep this an impersonal friendship.”

“Sure,” he said, his expression telling her something else. When the ballad ended, they returned to their table.

After the waiter finished taking their orders, Tony asked, “Where do you go on vacations?”

“I don’t take them much. Last summer I kept putting it off and suddenly the year was gone.”

“We have to change that. When is the last time you left the country?”

“Tony, I’m tied up in work. I grew up in an ordinary, working-class, blue-collar family. I haven’t been out of the country.”

“Definitely has to change. When was the last time you left Tex as?”

“I did go to a grand opening of one of the Morris hotels in Atlanta two years ago,” she said, sipping her champagne. “Unless you’ve made changes, the company is sending me to a preview before the official opening of an elegant new Morris luxury hotel in San Diego the weekend after next,” she said, wondering whether he already was aware of her trip.

“Excellent. San Diego is beautiful and I’m sure the hotel will be grand. What day do you leave?”

“Thursday morning. Three of us are going, two of the Morris vice presidents—Nancy Wrenthorp and George Franklin—and me. On Thursday night hotel officials will show us around. Friday, guests will arrive—mostly media, friends and families of some of the hotel officials. We’ll fly out Sunday morning early.”

“Do you have any time to yourself?”

“Yes, on Saturday. Friday, I have appointments with media representatives. Nancy and George will deal with hotel officials and look over the hotel and see if everything is ready and running smoothly.”

“You should enjoy your trip.”

The waiter appeared with their salads, crystal dishes holding greens and slices of tomatoes. Her appetite had diminished and she still felt excitement fizzing in her as steadily as the bubbles in her champagne.

It wasn’t long before their lobster and steak entrées appeared, more than she could possibly eat, yet all of it looking delicious. Again, Tony’s phone buzzed and she waved her hand dismissively.

“Take your call,” she said, understanding that as CEO and owner of multiple companies he was on call all the time. She surreptitiously studied him until he put away his phone.

“I couldn’t help overhearing you, Tony. There was a fire on an oil rig you own. I didn’t know you had anything besides hotels and the trucking line.”

“Ryder Enterprises incorporates a variety of businesses. The oil company is a small but profitable subsidiary.”

“Do you need to go? It sounded serious.”

“It’s serious and costly, but thank heaven, no one was hurt and they’re getting it under control already. No, I don’t need to go. I just need to be kept informed.”

She smiled. “No danger of that not happening.” She wondered if years ago he would have gone dashing out. Every moment spent with him drew her back into memories and heightened the attraction to him.

They both ate little and when their dinners had been removed, Tony took her hand to dance again. She went eagerly, wanting to be close in his arms while reminding herself to avoid getting too involved.

They danced to another ballad, followed by a fast number. Tony’s coat swung open and his dancing was sexy, bringing back more memories. When they returned to a slow song, he held her closer. “This is great, Isabelle. Thankfully, I’ve found you again.”

“I was never more than a phone call away, Tony,” she said, stirring the simmering anger over Tony’s buyout of Morris and his not contacting her again. Her anger with him had lost intensity. There were moments now when he charmed her and she let go her past feelings.

“You’re in my life now and I’m in yours and I intend to keep it that way,” he said and her heartbeat quickened. He wrapped her in his arms and gazed at her, his attention shifting to her mouth and making her heart thud. He would try to kiss her tonight and she wanted him to, but that’s a line she couldn’t cross. He had been building to that all evening with his flirting, his dancing, his compliments, his casual contacts. Everything he said or did fanned flames between them, even though this was supposed to be just a dinner celebration regarding work. Not a big deal, she reminded herself.

Shortly after midnight she told him she should go home. Tony didn’t try to persuade her to stay out later.

When the limo arrived at her condo, Tony walked her to the front door. His phone buzzed again. When he ignored it, she said. “Go ahead and take your call.”

“I’ll get it shortly. Not now. Give me your key and I’ll get your door.”

She handed him the key, watching as he unlocked and waited for her to enter. Every second that ticked past heightened her worry. Her insides fluttered.

“Do you have an alarm?” he asked as he followed her inside and closed the door behind him.

She turned to switch off the alarm and then faced Tony. “It’s off. This has been a wonderful evening that truly was a celebration,” she said, looking up into dark eyes that kept her heart racing. Her words were polite, somewhat impersonal. She intended to keep it that way in spite of wanting to be in his arms, to kiss and be kissed again.

She held out her hand to give him an impersonal handshake. “Thank you, Tony.”

“That won’t do.” He took her hand and pulled her toward him, reaching out to comb his fingers through her hair, carefully removing first one pin and then another. She felt the faint tugs against her scalp, which made her tingle. While her heart drummed, her gaze was locked with his.

“This is the way I remember you and like to see you—with your hair down. Preferably naked in my arms in bed.”

“Tony, that night is definitely over and it was very long ago,” she whispered, trying to hang on to common sense and avoid getting more entangled with him in spite of her racing heart.

“But unforgettable. You’re a warm, passionate, beautiful woman, and extremely appealing.” As he talked, he removed more pins and more of her long, blond hair fell freely across her shoulders until all strands were loose.

“Ah, Isabelle, you’re gorgeous.” He wound both hands in her hair and then his arms slipped around her waist and he drew her to him.

When he looked at her mouth, her lips parted and she was certain he could hear her thudding heart. “We’re not ending this night on a handshake. Since I saw you at the reception and realized you were Jessie, I’ve wanted to kiss you.”

“Tony, don’t,” she whispered, her heart beating wildly. The moment she had intended to avoid was happening. While his arms tightened to draw her closer, he brushed his lips over hers, a faint touch, but it changed the entire evening. Sparks spun from his kiss, transforming a casual evening into something more, making her forget any handshake. Tony brushed her lips lightly again, then returned to cover her mouth with his.

Isabelle’s insides clenched and heated. As his tongue went deep into her mouth, longing swept over her, demolishing worries, igniting fires and rekindling desire. Memories of a night long ago bombarded her. Wrapping her arm around his neck and an arm around his waist, she clung to him, pouring herself into the kiss.