Chapter Two
Easy-breezy. That thought ran through Redford’s mind as he moved toward Carmen. He felt her response all the way across the room. He saw it in her light brown eyes and noted it in the way she stared back at him. Granted, he doubted she would agree to a quickie in one of the closets somewhere in Westmoreland House, but as far as he was concerned, she was ripe for the picking.
She’d had two years to change her mind about that marriage foolishness. Other than acknowledging her presence whenever he saw her, he had not given her any reason to think he supported that nonsense. If the meaning behind him avoiding her for two years hadn’t been clear, then that was her problem, not his.
Sloan had reminded him that Carmen was Leslie’s best friend. He loved Leslie like a sister, but like he’d told Sloan, Leslie should have talked her best friend out of her foolishness long ago. According to Sloan, Leslie had tried, so as far as Redford was concerned, Carmen had been dutifully warned. There was nothing left for Leslie to do but stay out of his and Carmen’s business. They were both adults and old enough to do what they wanted to do.
The people Carmen had been standing with earlier were out on the dance floor and she’d been left alone. Coming to a stop in front of her, he extended his hand. “May I have this dance, Carmen?”
He wondered if she was aware that her smile contained a spark of sexual energy. She placed her hand in his. “Yes.”
The moment their hands touched that energy increased, and a ball of need burst to life inside his stomach. He wasn’t surprised by the reaction, just by the magnitude of it. Blood pounded at his temples and for the life of him, he couldn’t stop staring at her face...especially that smile. It was as if her beauty was hitting him up close and personal, and had him spellbound. How was that possible when he’d never let a woman get to him?
They reached the dance floor where others were moving to a slow song. Drawing her into his arms, he said, “I think us dancing together is long overdue.” From the look he saw in her eyes, it was obvious she agreed. Her next words confirmed it.
“You’re the one who’s been avoiding me, Redford.”
There was no need to deny it when she was right. “I had my reasons for putting distance between us.”
She lifted a brow. “You had your reasons? Does that mean they aren’t there anymore?”
“It means I’ve abolished any misgivings I had in the past.” She could take that to mean he’d surrendered to her foolishness, if that’s what she chose to believe. However, that’s not what he’d said. What he meant was any misgivings about sharing her bed were gone.
“I’m glad you’re open to change, Redford.”
Open to change?Did she honestly think that one dance with him meant that? If she did then she was totally wrong. Just like he didn’t expect her to change her optimistic, cheerful attitude, she shouldn’t expect him to change his “bed as many women as you can” frame of mind.
“When it comes to change, Carmen, I’ve heard it’s the one constant.” No need to tell her that’s why he’d changed his mind and added her back to his “must do” list. Life was too short not to do those things you enjoy. His pleasure was bedding women.
“I understand you’re a college professor,” he said, starting a different line of conversation.
She smiled proudly. “Yes, I am. I come from a long line of them. My grandparents on both sides, my parents and my sister. I guess you could say education is in our blood.”
He also knew from Sloan that she and Leslie had met when Leslie had left the University of Alaska Anchorage to attend Howard University in Washington, DC, where the two had become roommates. Carmen was an economics professor at Georgetown University. “You like teaching?”
The way her smile brightened gave him her answer, but he wanted to hear it anyway. He liked the sound of her voice. “Yes. I love teaching. I started out being an elementary school teacher while working on my PhD. Once that was done, it took me two years before I was hired as part of Georgetown’s faculty. That was four years ago. I love it there and hope to get tenured in a few years. My home is right in the neighborhood. That makes it convenient, and I don’t need a car.”
“Tell me about your family.” He knew from Sloan that she had a sister and her parents were alive.
“My parents are retired college professors who moved to Cape Town five years ago. My sister Chandra is also a college professor. So is her husband, Rutledge. They both teach at Georgia State University in Atlanta.” She paused and then added, “Then there’s Elan, my twelve-year-old nephew. He’s adorable.”
Redford lifted a brow. “Adorable at twelve?”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I know, right? That’s the age when they begin getting beside themselves. So far, Elan is still as lovable as ever. However, he has informed us he intends to break family tradition since he has no intention of being a college professor. His love of trains overrules such a notion.”
Redford smiled, recalling the days when he loved trains. Like his father and grandfather, he’d wanted to become an engineer for the Skagway Railway System.
“Both my father and grandfather retired as engineers for the Alaska Railways. Dad was one of their best. Even now he occasionally works as an engineer for the train tours in Skagway. It’s such a scenic route through the mountains, glaciers and waterfalls.”
He watched her eyes light up. “I can’t wait for Elan to meet you. He will be thrilled to know the son of a train engineer.”
Redford was just about to ask her what made her think he and her nephew would ever have a reason to meet, when the dance came to an end. “Want something to drink before we dance again?”
“Yes, and will we be dancing again, Redford?”
He smiled down at her as he led her off the dance floor. “Yes.”
No need to tell her he intended to keep her in his arms on the dance floor—and later tonight in his bed.
Carmen couldn’t believe that instead of avoiding her like he normally did, Redford had stuck by her side the rest of the night. He was being very attentive, dancing with her for every dance, whether fast or slow. Even after the newlyweds left to start their honeymoon, the party continued well into the night.
The Westmorelands had been gracious enough to make sure all the attendees at the wedding had a place to spend the night on the grounds of Westmoreland Country. Some of the traveling family members would be guests in several individual homes, and others would be staying at Bella’s Retreat.
Bella was the wife of Dillon’s brother, Jason. Years ago, Bella inherited land connected to the Westmoreland property from her grandfather. When the ranch house burned down, she rebuilt it into a beautiful fifteen bedroom guest house for family, friends and associates of the Westmorelands. Over the years, as the Westmoreland family continued to grow, Jason and Bella added numerous guest cottages on the property. Carmen had been invited to stay in one of them.
“Well, it’s certainly been a wonderful day,” Carmen said, glancing up at Redford. “The newlyweds are on their way to their honeymoon in the Maldives.”
Redford chuckled as they danced to what the DJ had announced would be the last song. “Not quite. When they left, unknown to Nadia, they headed straight to Jaxon’s ranch in Virginia to stay the night. He has a special surprise for her there.”
Carmen couldn’t help but smile, wondering what the surprise could be. She started to ask Redford but changed her mind. According to Leslie, the Outlaw and Westmoreland men and their friends often exchanged confidences they didn’t share with anyone when asked not to. At times, not even with their wives. She figured it was no different from when women kept each other’s secrets. “That’s wonderful.”
When the dance came to an end, Redford asked, “So how long are you staying here?”
“I fly out tomorrow evening after dinner. What about you?”
“I plan to hang around for a few days. There are several card games happening, and I plan to participate.”
Carmen often heard how the Westmoreland and Outlaw men, along with their friends, enjoyed playing poker whenever they got together. “I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thanks.”
At the sound of a baby crying, Carmen glanced over to where Bane and Crystal Westmoreland were surrounded by six kids. Two sets of triplets. One set, around six years old, and the other set, all three in diapers, were boys they’d named Raphel, Ruark and Rance. All six of Bane and Crystal’s kids had their father’s hazel eyes and were adorable.
“Sounds like someone isn’t happy,” Redford said, removing his tie and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt but keeping his jacket on as they reached the elegant hallway that led outside. Why at that moment did he have to look so sexy?
“Yes, sounds like it,” she said, trying to concentrate on what he was saying and not on how sexy he looked. “Do you like kids, Redford?”
“Yes, I like kids. However, I don’t plan to ever have any of my own.”
His words surprised her. “Why?” she asked like she had every right to know. In a way she did. When they married, she wanted at least four.
“Because I just don’t want any.”
He’d spoken with such finality that Carmen couldn’t help wondering why he would feel so strongly. She knew from Leslie that he was an only child, but she hadn’t heard anything about him not having a good family life to the point where he wouldn’t want a family of his own one day. In fact, she could hear the love in his voice when he’d spoken of his father.
His not wanting kids would definitely be a subject they would need to address again. She suspected there was a reason he didn’t want any children, just like she knew there was a reason he never wanted to share a serious relationship with a woman.
When they headed out of the building, which was decorated with greenery and lanterns, she asked, “Is there a card game tonight?”
He glanced down at her. “Yes, but it won’t start until after midnight. I understand Nadia’s sisters, Pam, Jillian and Paige, will be hosting a wedding after-party for the ladies and expect the men to make an appearance for at least an hour.”
“Are you going to the after-party?”
“No. I’ve had enough partying for one day.”
She nodded. “Like you, I’ve partied enough today, too.”
“So, what are your plans for tonight?” he asked her.
“I don’t have any.”
He slowed his pace. “I have a suggestion.”
“What?”
She wondered if this was where he would suggest that they go to her cottage or his. If that was his plan, she had news for him. It wouldn’t happen. Although she would admit that just being near him had desire like she’d never felt before twisting inside her. This was all new to her, but regardless, she wouldn’t lose her common sense over it.
“A wine and cheese moonlight picnic by the lake,” he said.
She stared at him. Why had he suggested something so romantic? The smart response would be to decline. Now that he seemed to be showing interest in her, she should set a pace that wasn’t too fast.
“Carmen?”
She was about to say she wasn’t interested in such a picnic, when instead she said, “A moonlight picnic sounds wonderful.” He smiled and she wished that smile didn’t stir her insides the way it was.
“Good. How about we meet at the gazebo in about thirty minutes? I need to get everything.”
She lifted a brow. “Get everything?”
“Yes, the food, wine and blanket.”
Blanket? Right. They would need one to sit on. “Okay. I need to change out of this dress anyway.”
His gaze roamed over her. “No, don’t change. I like seeing you in that dress. It looks nice on you.”
Why did his compliment make her heart skip a beat? “Thanks. I’ll see you in half an hour.”
“And I’ll be waiting.”