Texan’s Wedding-Night Wager / The Oilman’s Baby Bargain: Texan’s Wedding-Night Wager. Michelle Celmer

in both hands and kissed her again and again, their breathing labored and intense. In the past, this kind of kiss had meant only one thing—a steamy night under the sheets. Kevin could always turn her inside out…

      The sobering thought of his blackmail returned full force.

      Damn him. Damn him. Damn him.

      She didn’t want this. She didn’t want to be swayed by memories of hot, mind-blowing sex with her husband. She’d put those thoughts out of her mind, for the most part. She’d come here for a signature and instead got a near-orgasmic experience just from one kiss.

      She pushed at his chest and broke off the kiss.

      Kevin glanced at her lips, which she was sure were red and swollen, and smiled. “Two weeks is gonna be a long time.”

      “We could finish it here and now.” Cara nearly died of mortification when Kevin noticed her glancing at the top of his uncluttered desk.

      “Tempting,” Kevin said, his gaze raking her over. “But we made a deal.”

      “Couldn’t we undo that deal, Kevin?” She prayed her plea came through sure and steady, instead of desperate.

      Kevin stepped away from her and shook his head. “The way you undid our marriage? No, Cara. This time you’re not running away from me. In fact, I want you to have dinner with me tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

      Cara jammed her hands on her hips. Who was this man? Certainly, he wasn’t the man she’d fallen in love with and married nine years ago. “You can’t issue orders like that to me, Kevin. I’m not at your beck and call.”

      Chagrined, Kevin scratched his head, acknowledging his mistake. “Sorry,” he said. “Guess I’m out of practice wining and dining a lady.”

      His confession touched something deep in her heart. Furious with him as she was, it was nice to know that behind all his anger there was a glimmer of the man she’d once known. And to know that Kevin was out of practice with women instilled great comfort within her.

      Kevin made a point of clearing his throat and beginning anew. “Cara, I’d like for you to join me for dinner tomorrow night. We have a lot to catch up on. And I could use your advice about something.”

      Curious, Cara raised her brows. “My advice?”

      “Yes, you always had a level head and you know the parties involved. I want to run something by you. Will you join me for dinner?”

      After raising her curiosity level a notch, Cara could hardly refuse. “Yes, okay. I’ll have dinner with you. I’m staying at the Four Seasons.”

      Kevin nodded. “I’ll pick you up at seven.” He moved to his desk to retrieve her attaché, and without pause laid a hand to her back and walked her to the door. Handing her the briefcase, he looked into her eyes. “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night, Cara.”

      Cara nodded, biting her lip to keep from making a snarky retort like, You’re blackmailing me into this. What choice do I have?

      But in fact she did have a choice. She could’ve made up an excuse not to have dinner with him. Maybe that would have been the wiser move. Yet Cara had been curious, not only about the advice Kevin wanted, but to learn what had become of her friends in Somerset.

      After leaving him, she’d lost touch with so many people and she’d always regretted that. Maybe it was time to renew those friendships while she was here.

      Cara bounded out of Kevin’s office with a bounce in her step. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned her encounter going—especially succumbing to Kevin’s kiss the way that she had—but her goals were in sight.

      And that was all that mattered to her.

      Cara walked the distance to her hotel, willing to trudge the ten blocks in high heels rather than hailing a cab. It was a good way to cool off from Kevin’s melt-your-heart kiss and his blatant blackmail. She didn’t know which of the two disturbed her more.

      She’d had little power over Kevin’s kiss. From day one, she’d never been able to resist him. That’s why she’d stolen off in the middle of the night four years ago, fearing that if she’d told him her plans he’d convince her to stay. He’d make his argument, as he had so many other times, and kiss her into oblivion.

      But she’d thwarted his blackmail attempt. Somewhat. She could take some satisfaction in that. He’d wanted a week with her when it was clear their marriage was over, and she’d offered him one night. Some might not think it a victory, but Cara knew how determined Kevin was and his compromise certainly meant a win, small as it might be.

      Cara clutched her briefcase and thought of the divorce papers inside. Soon, she’d have the independence she needed to expand her business without relying on her mother’s money, which she’d managed to do so far. Since leaving Kevin, she’d looked forward to being her own woman and was proud of her accomplishments. Everything she’d achieved, she’d done on her own. Though her mother had offered to fund her dance studios, Cara wanted to make it on her own. So Cara viewed negotiating with Kevin to get him to sign the divorce papers as a business proposition—a means to achieving her goal.

      “Soon, Cara-Bella,” she whispered, smiling at the nickname her dance instructors had bestowed upon her, claiming she danced like a princess.

       Soon, you’ll have what you came here for.

      As she moved along the sidewalk, taking in the sights and sounds of downtown Houston, gradually her steps slowed to a stroll. She calmed herself by window-shopping, glancing at the familiar storefronts, noting which had revamped their exteriors and which had gone out of business, replaced by newer, more upbeat trendy shops.

      People moved along the sidewalks at a quick pace, but that didn’t stop her from spotting Alicia Montoya across the street, bogged down with several shopping bags. She waved, trying to get her attention. “Alicia!”

      Alicia swiveled her head and saw her. Surprised, she smiled and waved back, then gestured toward the street corner. Cara met her there after crossing the street.

      “Cara, it’s so good to see you!” She gave her a double-armed, shopping-bag hug.

      Cara chuckled and knew the first moment of actual joy since coming to Houston. She hugged her back. “Alicia, I’m happy to see you, too. It’s been years.”

      She and Alicia had become friends in her first years of marriage with Kevin, despite her brother’s objections. Alex Montoya didn’t want his family involved with any friends of either Lance or Mitch Brody. Both those men had been close to Kevin since their college days, along with Justin Dupree and Darius Franklin. Alex’s extreme hatred carried over to anyone involved with the five men of the Texas Cattleman’s Club.

      “Yes, it has been. I wish we had stayed in touch,” Alicia said quietly.

      “I’m really sorry about that, Alicia. I went through a hard time. Leaving my home and everything I knew…wasn’t easy. I needed to make a clean break.”

      Alicia’s chocolate-brown eyes softened. “I understand. But you’re here now.”

      “Yes, I’m here for two weeks. I’d actually planned on calling you, so I’m doubly glad I spotted you. Looks like you bought out the store.”

      Alicia glanced down at the shopping bags she held. “I know, I went a little crazy. I don’t shop much, so I had some making up to do. Where are you staying?”

      “In a hotel just down the street. Do you think we can get together while I’m here?”

      “I was just going to suggest that. We can meet in Somerset for lunch.”

      “Sounds great.” Cara handed Alicia her business card. “Here’s my cell number. I’m looking forward to it.”

      Alicia smiled when she read the card designed with two dancing figures silhouetted