Authors: Lynn LaFleur
WalkingSin (20 page)
Perhaps deep inside I knew the truth all
along. I was too selfish and wrapped up in my own life to get to the truth. It
was easier to ship you off to boarding school than to confront my brothers.
How I’ve regretted what I did! I missed
the most important years of my baby’s life. I missed watching you grow up, seeing
you wear makeup the first time, go on that first date, graduate from school and
college. I’ve kept track of you, my darling. I know you graduated from college
with honors and made a good living for yourself in Dallas. I’m very happy about
that.
After you returned the letters I worked
up the courage to write to you and refused my phone calls, I decided the best
thing I could do for you was stay out of your life. I had to give you the
chance to find your way, to be your own person. Losing your father made me
bitter and cold. You were always such a sweet little girl. If I hadn’t sent you
away, you probably would’ve grown up as bitter and cold as I.
I hope somewhere along the way you find
a special man who loves you the way you deserve to be loved. I hope you have a
wonderful, long life. I’m sorry I won’t be part of it. I’m sorry I can never
again hug you and tell you I love you. I’m sorry I won’t see you get married,
or hold my grandchild in my arms. I’m so very, very sorry for everything.
Mother
Kelcey’s hands trembled as she folded the
letter and put it back in the envelope. Her throat burned with the need to cry.
She was afraid if she started, she would never stop.
Bruce cleared his throat, as if Claudia’s
letter had affected him too. “I can give you the short version of what your
mother’s will says. Claudia was a very smart businesswoman. She took what your
father left her and invested wisely. You’ve inherited her entire estate, which
is valued at about twenty million.”
“Holy shit,” Emma whispered.
It was too much for Kelcey to comprehend.
She rubbed her forehead to help Bruce’s words sink into her brain. “I can’t… I
can’t accept that. I haven’t had anything to do with my mother in years.”
“Which she regretted. She couldn’t make
amends with you in life, so tried to do it after she died.” Bruce crossed one
leg over the other. “Part of that estate is a beautiful mansion overlooking the
San Francisco Bay worth about twelve million. The rest is in cash, bonds and
stocks. She had several offers over the years from people wanting to buy the
mansion. I don’t think you’d have any problem selling it if you don’t want to
keep it. I’ll be happy to take care of that for you.” He smiled at her. “After
you research me to make sure I’m legit, of course.”
The humor brought a smile to Kelcey’s lips.
“The fact that you have this letter from my mother proves you’re legit. I
haven’t seen her handwriting in a long time, but I recognize it, and her
stationery.”
Bruce uncrossed his legs, leaned forward in
his chair. “I know this is a lot for you to take in right now. Think about it
for a few days and then call me. I’ll be happy to help any way I can. I can
make arrangements for your mother’s assets to be transferred to you, or I’ll
work with your own attorney. Whichever way you wish to go.”
Kelcey nodded. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
Bruce stood and headed for the front door,
Kelcey by his side. Once he’d opened the door, he faced her. “I rented a car
and drove here, just to take a little break. I think I’ll turn in the car and
fly back to San Francisco tomorrow. I’ll be in my office Tuesday should you
need to speak to me.”
“Thank you again, for everything.”
Kelcey closed the door behind the attorney
and rested her forehead against it. Her mind whirled, her legs felt like
gelatin. She worried she might fall until strong arms slipped around her waist.
“You okay?” Dax asked.
She turned, wrapped her arms around his
waist, laid her cheek on his chest. His strength seeped into her. With Dax by
her side, she could handle anything that came her way.
“Hey, Kelc,” Emma said from her perch on
the floor. “Wanna invest in a restaurant?”
Emma’s joke helped ease the tension in the
room. Kelcey could always depend on her friend to make her feel better. “I’ll
think about that too.”
“Right now, we need to think about dinner.”
Beverly motioned for Alaina, Emma and Kelcey to follow her. “C’mon, girls,
let’s finish up in the kitchen.”
Just like that, everything was back to
normal. Kelcey accepted the soft kiss from Dax and followed the ladies out of
the room.
* * * * *
Dax handed a glass of wine to Kelcey, then
sat beside her on the couch. She leaned back against his chest and took a sip.
“Mmm, good.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He wrapped his arm
across her chest, nuzzled behind her ear. She felt so good in his arms, he
didn’t want to ever let her go. “I’m also glad we decided not to stick around
my folks’ place after dinner.”
“I wanted to be alone with you.” She laid
her hand on his arm, slid her fingers back and forth. “My whole life changed
today. I’m still trying to get used to it.”
“Finding out you’re an heiress was a big
shock.”
“A
huge
shock. And that was on top
of you telling me you love me.”
“I don’t think my confession measures up to
an estate worth twenty million.”
She tilted her head on his shoulder and
looked into his eyes. “It’s worth more than twenty million to me.”
A comment like that deserved a kiss. His
hand dipped down to cradle one soft breast as his lips covered hers. He loved
touching her, loved how responsive she was to his caresses. They’d make love
later…long, delicious, unhurried lovemaking that would last far into the night.
Now, they needed to talk.
“You never had sex after what your uncles
did to you?”
“No.” She took a sip of wine before
continuing. “I tried, once I moved to Dallas. I thought new city, fresh start.
I decided not to let what happened to me keep me from finding someone to love.
But nothing ever…worked. The memories would swamp me and I panicked.”
“Like you did that first night at my
house.”
She nodded. “I never gave a guy a second
chance. Not that he’d want one, after I screamed at him.”
He nipped her earlobe. “I happen to like
screaming.”
Chuckling, she accepted his kiss. “I don’t
recall doing any screaming except for that first night.”
“Then I’ll have to work a little harder in
bed.”
She relaxed against him once more. He
couldn’t resist kissing that spot beneath her ear that always made her moan.
“I’m glad I told you my feelings before Jensen showed up.”
“Why?”
“So you don’t think I want you for your
money.”
“I would never think that.”
“I hope not. I’m not rich—not like you are
now—but I make a good living. I still owe on my house, but otherwise I’m debt
free.” Wanting to lighten the mood a bit, he grinned. “I’m a great catch.”
Kelcey laughed. “Yes, you are.”
“I’m new at this love thing, Kelcey. You
have to be patient with me if I screw up sometimes.”
“I’m new at it too, Dax.”
He kissed that spot beneath her ear again,
smiling when he heard her moan. “How’s your neck?”
“A little stiff. So are my shoulders.”
“Think a full-body massage would help?”
“I think it would help a lot, as long as
you’re naked.”
“Are you going to insist on me being naked
every time I give you a massage?” he asked with a playful sigh.
“Absolutely.”
He gently squeezed her breast while he
kissed her temple. “Whatever the lady wants…”
The End
About the Author
Lynn LaFleur was born and raised in a small
town in Texas close to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Writing has been in her
blood since she was eight years old and wrote her first “story” for an English
assignment.
As well as writing at every possible
moment, Lynn enjoys reading, scrapbooking, photography and learning new things
on the computer. She’s a software junky and loves to try out new programs,
especially anything to do with graphics.
After living on the West Coast for 21
years, Lynn now lives 17 miles from her hometown in Texas. She’s a romantic at
heart and can’t imagine ever writing anything but romances. A full-time writer,
she spends her days creating stories of people who find their happily ever after,
sometimes with the help of an alien or psychic or vampire.
Lynn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email address on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
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Also by
Lynn LaFleur
Coopers’
Companions 1: Rent-A-Stud
Coopers’
Companions 2: Michelle’s Men
Coopers’
Companions 3: Almost Perfection
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Legendary Tails I
anthology
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction IV
anthology
Lavender
Lace 1: Business and Pleasure
Lavender
Lace 2: A Date with Mr. Wonderful
Lavender
Lace 3: Two Lovers for Molly
Men With
Tools 1: Scandal and Sin
Men With Tools
2: Irresistible Sin
Tarot Café:
A Different Path
with Randi Monroe
Tarot Café:
Turning Point
with Randi Monroe
Tarot
Café: Whispered Surrender
with Randi Monroe
Print books by Lynn LaFleur
Candy Caresses
anthology
Coopers’
Companions: Michelle’s Men
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Legendary Tails I
anthology
Ellora’s
Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction IV
anthology
Enchanted
Rogues
anthology
Holiday Heat
anthology
Tarot Café:
Destiny’s Path
with Randi Monroe
Tarot
Café: Whispered Surrender
with Randi Monroe
Turning Point
with Randi Monroe
Two Men
and a Lady
anthology
White
Hot Holidays Volume 2
anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the
multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer ebooks or
paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic
reading experience that will leave you breathless.