Taming a Heartbreaker

Chapter One

Redford St. James froze, with his wineglass midway to his lips, when he saw the woman walk into the wedding reception for Jaxon and Nadia Ravnell. Frowning, he immediately turned to the man by his side, Sloan Outlaw. During their college days at the University of Alaska at Anchorage, Sloan, Redford, and another close friend, Tyler Underwood, had been thick as thieves, and still were.

Redford had been known as the “king of quickies.” He would make out with women any place or any time. Storage rooms, empty classrooms or closets, beneath the stairs, dressing rooms...he’d used them all. He had the uncanny ability to scope out a room and figure out just where a couple could spend time for pleasure. He still had that skill and used it every chance he got.

Although he, Sloan and Tyler now lived in different cities in Alaska, they still found the time to get together a couple of times a year. Doing so wasn’t as easy as it used to be since both Tyler and Sloan were married with a child each. Tyler had a son and Sloan a daughter.

“Why didn’t you tell me Carmen Golan was invited to this wedding?”

Sloan glanced over at Redford and rolled his eyes. “Just like you didn’t tell me Leslie had been invited to Tyler and Keosha’s wedding three years ago?”

Redford frowned. “Don’t play with me, Sloan. You should have known Leslie would be invited, since she and Keosha were friends in college. In this case, I wasn’t aware Carmen knew Jaxon or Nadia.”

Sloan took a sip of his wine before saying, “The Outlaws and Westmorelands consider themselves one big happy family, and that includes outside cousins, in-laws and close friends. Since Carmen is Leslie’s best friend, of course she would know them.” Sloan then studied his friend closely. “Why does Carmen being here bother you, Redford? If I recall, when I put that bug in your ear after my wedding, that she’d said she intended to one day become your wife, you laughed it off. Has that changed?”

“Of course, that hasn’t changed.”

“You’re sure?” Sloan asked. “It seems to me that over the past two years, whenever the two of you cross paths, you try like hell to avoid her. Most recently, at Cassidy’s christening a few months ago.” Cassidy was Sloan and Leslie’s daughter. Redford was one of her godfathers, and Carmen was her godmother.

“No woman can change my ways. I don’t ever intend to marry. Who does she think she is, anyway? She doesn’t even know me like that. If she did, then she would know my only interest in her at your wedding was getting her to the nearest empty coat closet. The nerve of her, thinking she can change me.”

“And since you know she can’t change you, why worry about it?”

“I’m not worrying.”

“If you say so,” Sloan countered.

Redford’s frown deepened. “I do say so. You of all people should know that I’ll never fall in love again.”

Before Sloan could respond, his sister Charm walked up and said the photographer wanted to take a photo of Jaxon with his Outlaw cousins.

When Sloan walked off, leaving Redford alone, he took a sip of his wine as he looked across the room at Carmen again. Sloan’s words had hit a nerve. He wasn’t worried. Then why had he been avoiding her for the past two years? Doing so hadn’t been easy since he was one of Sloan’s best friends and she was Leslie’s, and both were godparents to Cassidy. Whenever they were in the same space, he made it a point to not be in her presence for long.

He could clearly recall the day he’d first seen Carmen at Sloan and Leslie’s wedding rehearsal two years ago. He would admit that he’d been intensely attracted to her from the first. It was a deep-in-the-gut awareness. Something he had never experienced before. He hadn’t wasted any time adding her to his “must do” list. He’d even flirted shamelessly after they’d been introduced, with every intention of making out with her before the weekend ended.

Then he’d gotten wind of her bold claim that he was the man she intended to marry. Like hell! That had wiped out all his plans. He was unapologetically a womanizer, and no woman alive would change that.

Carmen wasn’t the first woman to try, nor would she be the first to fail. Granted she was beautiful. Hell, he’d even say she was “knock-you-in-the-balls” gorgeous, but he’d dated beautiful women before. If he’d seen one, he’d seen them all, and in the bedroom they were all the same.

Then why was he letting Carmen Golan get to him? Why would heat flood his insides whenever he saw her, making him aware of every single thing about her? Why was there this strong kinetic pull between them? It was sexual chemistry so powerful that, at times, it took his breath away.

Over the years, he’d tried convincing himself his lust for her would fade. So far it hadn’t. And rather recently, whenever he saw her, it had gotten so bad he had to fight like hell to retain his common sense.

Although Sloan had given him that warning two years ago, Carmen hadn’t acted on anything. Was she waiting for what she thought would be the right time to catch him at a weak moment? If that was her strategy then he had news for her. It wouldn’t happen. If anything, he would catch her unawares first, just to prove he was way out of her league...thanks to Candy Porter.

Contrary to her first name, he’d discovered there hadn’t been anything sweet about Candy. At seventeen, she had taught him a hard lesson. Mainly, to never give your heart to a woman. Candy and her parents had moved to Skagway the summer before their last year of high school. By the end of the summer, she had been his steady girlfriend, the one he planned to marry after he finished college. Those plans ended the night of their high school senior prom.

Less than an hour after they’d arrived, she told him she needed to go to the ladies’ room. When she hadn’t returned in a timely manner, he had gotten worried since she hadn’t been feeling well. He had gone looking for her, and when a couple of girls said she wasn’t in the ladies’ room, he and the two concerned girls had walked outside and around the building to find her, hoping she was alright.

Not only had they found her, they’d found her with the town’s bad boy, Sherman Sharpe. Both of them in the backseat of Sherman’s car making out like horny rabbits. The pair hadn’t even had the decency to roll up the car’s window so their moans, grunts and screams couldn’t be heard.

Needless to say, news of Candy and Sherman’s backseat romp quickly got around. By the following morning, every household in Skagway, Alaska, had heard about it. She had tried to explain, offer an excuse, but as far as he’d been concerned, there was nothing a woman could say when caught with another man between her legs.

Heartbroken and hurt, Redford hadn’t wasted any time leaving Skagway for Anchorage to begin college that summer, instead of waiting for fall. That’s when he vowed to never give his heart to another woman ever again.

That had been nearly nineteen years ago, and he’d kept the promise he’d made to himself. At thirty-six, he guarded his heart like it was made of solid gold and refused to let any woman get close. He kept all his hookups impersonal. One-and-done was the name of his game. No woman slept in his bed, and he never spent the entire night in theirs. He refused to wake up with any woman in his arms.

Redford knew Carmen was his total opposite. He’d heard she was one of those people who saw the bright side of everything, always positive and agreeable. On top of that, she was a hopeless romantic. A woman who truly believed in love, marriage and all that bull crap. According to Sloan, she’d honestly gotten it in her head that she and Redford were actual soulmates. Well, he had news for her, he was no woman’s soulmate.

When his wineglass was empty, he snagged another from the tray of a passing waiter. When he glanced back over at Carmen, he saw she was staring at him, and dammit to hell, like a deer caught in headlights, he stared back. Why was he feeling this degree of lust that she stirred within him so effortlessly?

There wasn’t a time when she didn’t look stunning. Today was no exception. There was just something alluring about her. Something that made his breath wobble whenever he stared at her for too long.

He blamed it on the beauty of her cocoa-colored skin, her almond-shaped light brown eyes, the gracefulness of her high cheekbones, her tempting pair of lips, and the mass of dark brown hair that fell past her shoulders.

Every muscle in his body tightened as he continued to look at her, checking her out in full detail. His gaze scanned over her curvaceous and statuesque body. The shimmering blue dress she wore hugged her curves and complemented a gorgeous pair of legs. The bodice pushed up her breasts in a way that made his mouth water.

“Now you were saying,” Sloan said, returning and immediately snagging Redford’s attention.

“I was saying that maybe I should accommodate Carmen.”

That sounded like a pretty damn good idea, considering the current fix his body was in.

“Meaning what?” Sloan asked.

A smile widened across Redford’s lips. “Meaning, I think I will add her back to my ‘must do’ list. Maybe it’s time she discovers I am a man who can’t be tamed.”

Sloan frowned. “Do I need to warn you that Carmen is Leslie’s best friend?”

“No, but I would assume, given my reputation, that Leslie has warned Carmen about me. It’s not my fault if she didn’t take the warning. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I’ll head over to the buffet table.”

He then walked off. At least for now, he would take care of one appetite, and he intended to take care of the other before the night was over.

“I wish you and Redford would stop trying to out-stare each other, Carmen,” Leslie Outlaw leaned over to whisper to her best friend.

Carmen Golan broke eye contact with Redford to glance at Leslie and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips. “Hey, what can I say? He looks so darn good in a suit.”

Leslie rolled her eyes. “Need I remind you that you’ve seen him in a suit before. Numerous times.”

“Redford wore a tux at your wedding, Leslie, and he looked good then, too. Better than good. He looked scrumptious.” Carmen watched him again. He definitely looked delicious now.

She knew he was in his late thirties. He often projected a keen sense of professionalism, as well as a high degree of intelligence far beyond his years. But then there were other times when it seemed the main thing on his agenda was a conquest. Namely, seducing a woman.

Carmen knew all about his reputation as a heartbreaker of the worst kind. She’d witnessed how he would check out women at various events, seeking out his next victim. He had checked her out the same way, the first time they’d met.

She’d also seen the way women checked him out, too and definitely understood why they fell for him when he was so darn handsome. His dark eyes, coffee-colored skin, chiseled and bearded chin, hawkish nose, and close-to-the-scalp haircut, were certainly a draw.

Then there was his height. Carmen was convinced he was at least six foot three with a masculine build of broad shoulders, muscular arms and a rock-hard chest. Whenever he walked, feminine eyes followed. According to Leslie, although he made Anchorage his home, his family lived in Skagway and were part of the Tlingits, the largest Native Alaskan tribe.

Since their initial meeting two years ago, he’d kept his distance and she knew the reason why. She’d deliberately let it be known that she planned to marry him one day, making sure he heard about her plans well in advance. And upon hearing them, he’d begun avoiding her.

“Granted, it’s obvious there’s strong sexual chemistry between you and Redford,” Leslie said, interrupting Carmen’s thoughts. “Sexual chemistry isn’t everything. At least you’ve given up the notion of trying to tame him. I’m glad about that. You had me worried there for a while.”

Carmen broke eye contact with Redford and looked at Leslie. “Nothing has changed, Leslie. I’m convinced that for me it was love at first sight. Redford is still the man I intend to marry.”

Leslie looked surprised. “But you haven’t mentioned him in months. And at Cassidy’s christening you didn’t appear to pay him any attention.”

Carmen grinned. “I’ve taken the position with Redford that I refuse to be like those other women who are always fawning over him. Women he sees as nothing more than sex mates. Redford St. James has to earn his right to my bed. When he does, it will be because he’s ready to accept what I have to give.”

“Which is?”

“Love in its truest form.”

Leslie rolled her eyes. “I’ve known Redford a lot longer than you have, and I know how he operates. I love him like a brother, but get real, Carmen. He has plenty of experience when it comes to seducing women. You, on the other hand, have no experience when it comes to taming a man. Zilch.”

“I believe in love, Leslie, and I have more than enough to give,” Carmen said softly.

“I believe you, but the person you’re trying to give it to has to want it in return. I don’t know Redford’s story, but there is one. And it’s one neither Redford, Sloan nor Tyler ever talks about. I believe it has to do with a woman who hurt him in the past, and it’s a pain he hasn’t gotten over.”

“Then I can help him get over it,” Carmen replied.

Leslie released a deep sigh. “Not sure that you can, Carmen. Redford may not ever be ready to accept love from you or any woman. You have a good heart and see the good in everyone. You give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even those who don’t deserve it. I think you’re making a mistake in thinking Redford will change for you.”

Carmen heard what Leslie was saying and could see the worried look in her eyes. It was the same look she’d given her two years ago when Carmen had declared that one day she would marry Redford. She understood Leslie’s concern, but for some reason, Carmen believed that even with Redford’s reputation as a heartbreaker, he would one day see her as more than a sex mate. He would realize she was his soulmate.

“I’m thirty-two and can take care of myself, Leslie.”

“When it comes to a man like Redford, I’m not sure you can, Carmen.”

Carmen shrugged. “I’ve dated men like Redford before. Men who only want one thing from a woman. I intend to be the exception and not the norm.” Determined to change the subject, she said, “I love June weddings, don’t you?”

The look in Leslie’s eyes let Carmen know she knew what she’d deliberately done and would go along with her. “Yes, and Denver’s weather was perfect today,” Leslie said.

“Nadia looked beautiful. This is the first wedding I’ve ever attended where the bride wore a black wedding dress.”

“Same for me, and she looked simply gorgeous. It was Jaxon’s mom’s wedding dress, and she offered it to Nadia for her special day.”

Nadia not only looked beautiful but radiant walking down that aisle on her brother-in-law Dillon Westmoreland’s arm. Both the wedding and reception had been held at Westmoreland House, the massive multipurpose family center that Dillon, the oldest of the Denver Westmorelands, had built on his three-hundred-acre property. The building could hold up to five hundred people easily and was used for special occasions, family events and get-togethers.

Carmen glanced around the huge, beautifully decorated room and noticed the man she had been introduced to earlier that day, Matthew Caulder. He’d discovered just last year that he was related to the Westmoreland triplets, Casey, Cole and Clint. It seemed the biological father Matthew hadn’t known was the triplets’ uncle, the legendary rodeo star and horse trainer, Sid Roberts.

It seemed that she and Redford weren’t the only ones exchanging intense glances today. “You’ve been so busy watching me and Redford stare each other down, have you missed how Matthew Caulder keeps staring at Iris Michaels?” Carmen leaned in to whisper to Leslie.

Leslie followed her gaze to where Matthew stood talking to a bunch of the Westmoreland men. Iris was Pam Westmoreland’s best friend. Pam was Nadia’s sister and was married to Dillon. “No, I hadn’t noticed, but I do now. Matthew is divorced, and Iris, who owns a PR firm in Los Angeles, is a widow. I understand her husband was a stuntman in Hollywood and was killed while working on a major film a number of years ago. I hope she reciprocates Matthew’s interest. She deserves happiness.”

Carmen frowned. “What about me? Don’t I deserve happiness, too?”

“Yes, but like I told you, I’m not sure you’ll find it with Redford, Carmen, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“And like I told you, I can take care of myself.”

At that moment, the party planner announced the father-daughter dance, and Dillon stood in again for Nadia’s deceased father. While all eyes were on them, Carmen glanced back over at Redford. As if he’d felt her gaze, he tilted his head to look at her, his eyes unwavering and deeply penetrating.

Like she’d told Leslie, she didn’t intend to be just another notch on Redford’s bedpost. Their sexual chemistry had been there from the first. It was there now, simmering between them. He couldn’t avoid her forever, and no matter what he thought, she truly believed they were meant to be together. She had time, patience and a belief in what was meant to be.

She would not pursue him. When the time was right, he would pursue her. She totally understood Leslie’s concern but Carmen believed people could change. Even Redford. His two best friends were married with families. She had to believe that eventually he would want the same thing for himself.

Was he starting to want it now? Was that why he’d been staring tonight after two years of ignoring her? Her heart beat wildly at the thought.

When everyone began clapping, she broke eye contact with Redford and saw that the dance between Nadia and Dillon had ended. Now the first dance between Jaxon and Nadia would start. As tempted as she was, she refused to look back at Redford, although she felt his eyes on her. The heat from his gaze stirred all parts of her.

When the dance ended, Jaxon leaned into Nadia for a kiss, which elicited claps, cheers, and whistles. As the wedding planner invited others to the dance floor and the live band began to perform, Jaxon and Nadia were still kissing.

Carmen smiled, feeling the love between the couple. She wanted the same thing for herself. A man who would love her, respect her, be by her side and share his life with her. He would have no problem kissing her in front of everyone, proclaiming she was his and his only. He would be someone who would never break her heart or trample her pride.

How could she think Redford St. James capable of giving her all those things when he was unable to keep his pants zipped? Was she wrong in thinking he could change? She wanted to believe that the same love and happiness her sister Chandra shared with her husband Rutledge, the same love Leslie shared with Sloan, and Nadia shared with Jaxon, could be hers. Even her parents, retired college professors now living in Cape Town, were still in love.

People teased her about wearing rose-colored glasses, but when you were surrounded by so much love, affection and togetherness, you couldn’t help but believe in happily ever after. She was convinced that everyone had a soulmate. That special person meant for them.

Unable to fight temptation any longer, she glanced back at Redford. His eyes were still on her and that stirring returned. He smiled and her heart missed a beat.

Then her breath caught in her throat as he began walking toward her.