The Maverick’s Virgin Mistress / Lone Star Seduction: The Maverick’s Virgin Mistress

Until now.

The words hung in the air between them.

“You’re used to being alone.” She bit her lip. “For all I complain about Alex, I admit I’ve never really wanted to live alone. I’m used to having my family about me, small as it is.”

“I could see how you worried about him being alone even for one day. I think that’s sweet.”

What would it be like to have someone care that much about you?

He’d been expected to fend for himself from a young age. Part of becoming a man. Or becoming a Dupree. It had never occurred to him before that those two things were different, that you could be a man without being a distant, patrician father who wouldn’t kiss his son good-night in case it made him “soft.”

“I think there’s a lot to be envied and admired about the close relationship between you and Alex. Kind of makes me wish I had a sister I could smother.” He shot her a mischievous smile.

“Much as I complain, I know he just does it because he cares. He’s a big softy, really, underneath the gruff exterior. I bet you guys will get along great once you get to know each other.”

“If you ever allow us to meet, that is,” he teased.

The waitress set down their lunch and he watched as Alicia took a bite out of her egg-salad sandwich. She chewed thoughtfully.

“You know what? Maybe it is time for you guys to meet.”

Justin froze.

“I mean, we’ve already been…intimate.” Her lovely complexion darkened a shade. “So, he can’t exactly forbid me to see you.”

“He might just insist we marry before sunset.”

Alicia giggled. “You’re so right. My honor is at stake.” She took a sip of water and flushed even darker. “But don’t worry. I don’t expect you to marry me just because you’ve claimed my virtue.”

She was embarrassed, but turned on at the same time. Her dark eyes glittered and her lips and cheeks were flushed. Alicia Montoya was apparently much more interested in making wild and passionate love than in securing a big rock for her finger.

There was something very reassuring—and totally hot—about that.

She leaned in. “Come to think of it, I pretty much threw my virtue at you.”

“You sure did.” His voice was husky, and his pants uncomfortably tight. “Lucky thing I’m a good catch.”

“I was so upset when you didn’t try anything.”

“It practically killed me not to. I had to take a cold shower that night. But after all you’d been through with the fire and the suspicion of arson, I didn’t want to take advantage of you.” He grinned at her. “I had no idea you were downright desperate to be taken advantage of.”

He raised a quail’s egg to his mouth and flicked his tongue over it for a second before popping it in.

Alicia’s eyes flashed. “I’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.”

“About ten years, I’d say. We’d better get cracking right after lunch. I’m going to take you to one of my favorite places.”

Chapter Six

Rick turned the car down a gravel drive and under the scrolled-iron arch leading to the Houston Bay Yacht Club.