Stone Temptation [Texas Stallions 3] (2 page)

As the oldest of five siblings, and with no father to speak of, she’d been forced to find work at the age of fourteen. Now twenty-five, she shuddered remembering what she had to do to keep food on the table for her and her brothers. Without a true guardian, Gracie had been determined to keep her family together, and with no help from her drug-addicted mother, she did whatever she had to do to get the bills paid.

It wasn’t until recently that she had the opportunity to break free of those dark shadows and start living a better life, one she could be proud of.

After years of dreaming for that day, it finally happened. Her brothers had all turned of age. Joshua, the youngest, celebrated his eighteenth birthday a week ago, and now that her brothers no longer needed her, she was free to walk away from a past she wished she’d never had to remember.

She loved her brothers, but she despised the choices she’d been forced to make. Adam, Michael, and Noah had all chosen a path she could not stand by and watch consume them any longer. Each one had managed to follow in their mother’s footsteps, dealing and using drugs. Her heart twisted with worry and regret as she wondered what would become of them now that she wasn’t there to watch over them.

Frowning, she hated that she had little positive influence over her brothers and that no matter what she said they were going to do their own thing. Watching her siblings self-destruct was the hardest thing she ever had to do. Actually, what was the most difficult thing she ever did was walk away from them, but she had no choice if she was to escape the horrors of her life and the men that used and abused her.

Recently, a terrifying man with scars and tattoos marring his body approached her. His cold, menacing eyes sent chills down her spine, and the moment his fingers curled around her delicate throat, all the air in her lungs whooshed away. With the violence of rape and murder looming over her, he explained that Adam owed him for a drug shipment he was supposed to have sold. With a solid punch to the left side of her face, he confirmed that if he didn’t receive his money, he would take what was due out on her instead. That was the instant she realized she no longer could remain in Houston. If she didn’t escape, surely she would end up dead.

Brushing away a trickle of sweat on her neck, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. The seasonal heat was upon them, and the hundred-degree days had just begun. There was nothing like a Texas summer.

Casting a glance askance, she spotted a tall drink of water with a military bravado. She found men who had shaved heads, a fierce stare, and sexy posture mouthwatering. Men who sacrificed themselves for the good of all were something of a turn-on for her.

Even though sex was different for a woman who sold her body for a living, it didn’t change the allure and desires that lingered under the surface. The way he gazed at her, she could sense the attraction was mutual.

A second later, he stalked toward her. His towering, muscular frame shadowed hers as he closed the distance between them. Once they locked gazes, his dark eyes softened and a slow smile tugged at his lips.

“Forgive me,” he said, pausing a moment before adding, “I thought you were someone I knew.”

She arched a brow, and with an alarming amount of confidence, teased, “That’s too bad. I was sure I wanted to be the person you knew.”

With a crooked grin, he replied, “That can be fixed, you know?” He extended his hand out to her, and she took it. “I’m Stone McGraw.”

“Gracie Myles,” she acknowledged. “So who were you hoping to meet?”

Holding her hand a little tighter, he said, “It’s funny you should ask that, Gracie Myles. I was hoping to meet you.”

She nibbled her lip and smiled. Slowly they released each other’s hands. “Oh, that’s a good one. I haven’t heard that one before.” She winked at him. She couldn’t remember a time she intentionally flirted with someone who wasn’t paying her to do so. There was something naturally sexy and alluring about Stone McGraw, and the playful connection they shared simply felt right. “I have to admit, that was pretty slick.”

Chuckling, he said, “That did sound kind of cheesy, didn’t it?” He lowered his head as his eyes glanced down for a brief moment. The sweet, boyish grin that played at the corners of his mouth brightened his slightly scarred face.

Silently she wondered what had happened to him, but she wasn’t about to ask. The damage done to his skin did little to take away from the sexual appeal he possessed. He was a natural charmer, and the slight burn scars didn’t take any of that warmth away.

Besides, it was hard to see anything past his rich, brown eyes, shaved, dark hair, and towering frame that made him the perfect specimen to help her start a new life.

She patted him on his shoulder. The wall of muscle beneath her hands was solid. Slowly, her fingers trailed down his large, well-defined forearm. “I’ll still give you points for trying.”
You also get points for
being so damn hot and for making me think I could actually start over.

“Thanks.”

Staring into eyes that were filled with mystery and excitement, she realized that she wanted an adventure. Being forced to live a certain way the last eleven years had turned her cold against physical affections, but perhaps now was the time for her to start over again in more ways than just a career. Maybe it was time for her to explore men she wished to have a more intimate and personal relationship with. It was time that she felt like most women. It was time that she felt normal.

“So what brings you to Temptation?” he asked.

She pressed her lips together as she searched for the right words. Lord knew she wasn’t about to tell him anything about her past. Once word got out in a small town like this, she’d never be able to start fresh with a clean slate. Being the subject of town gossip was not on her list of things to accomplish.

She knew better than most that the world was not a forgiving place. Plus, she couldn’t stomach the ridicule she’d surely endure. Nor did she want to hear the haunting whispers or see the unforgiving stares of disgust. She already had enough of that lingering inside. She didn’t need anyone else adding to it.

“I’m looking for a job,” she told him.

Stone chuckled. “You do know that we’re in a recession and Temptation is a small town, right?”

Glaring at him with her hands on her hips, she replied, “Yes, but while everyone else is running to the big cities for work, I’ll be here picking up the jobs left available.”

Stone smiled, and the grin warmed her straight to her toes. His white teeth and soft, pink lips drew her attention sharply, and she found herself captivated by his mouth as he spoke. “Sounds like you’ve given this some thought.”

Her spine stiffened, and the strong person she wanted to be filled her mind with awareness. “Yes, I have.”

She had given this a lot of thought, and even though she worried that she may not actually find work here, she had to try. Anything was better than the life she had run away from. Shit, cleaning toilets with a toothbrush for twelve hours a day would be better than the hell she’d lived.

“Good,” he said with what seemed like heartfelt honesty. “I’m glad you did. I’m here to grovel at the feet of an old friend and hopefully find work myself.”

Gracie smiled. “Well, it sounds like we are peas in a pod, you and me.”

Nodding with a crooked grin, he teased, “Maybe we could be peas in a pod and grab some lunch together.”

For the first time in her life, a warm flutter filled her chest and she felt her face heat with desire. She was blushing. “I’d love to have lunch with you. Got any idea how we will get there or where we can go?”

Stone stepped up close to her, his chest inches from hers. Even though she was five foot ten, she still had to tilt her neck up to hold his stare. She swallowed hard as he leaned down alarmingly close to her body. He reached to her side and picked up her duffle bag. Glancing down at the powerful build of the man beside her, her heart pounded wildly.

What was it about Stone McGraw that had her responding this way? She wasn’t accustomed to these emotions. It wasn’t natural for her to feel this way.

“It just so happens that the building behind you has a diner sign out front. I figured we could walk there and enjoy a little lunch.”

As he stood holding her bag, he didn’t back up. His body hovered in front of her like a wall she wanted to run her fingers over and lay flat up against. She could smell his masculinity and a hint of cologne. The scent was soft but sexy and complimented the man standing in front of her.

“You smell very nice,” she said, biting her lower lip.

“Thanks. It’s the former soldier in me.” He smiled. “Living in the desert, sweating in hundred-degree weather every day makes for unpleasant body odor. I prefer to be more…approachable.” He winked.

“Well, I certainly do appreciate it.”

As they walked toward the diner, he asked, “Where exactly did you live before you came here?”

“Houston.”

He cocked his head in her direction. “Really? How funny is that? That’s where I’m from. Well, technically I’m from wherever the military chose to send me, but I grew up in Houston.” She could feel his stare as he asked, “What about you? Besides looking for work, what brought you to this neck of the woods?”

She glanced down at the ground as they walked. Her new, white tennis shoes were covered in dirt and dust. “You’ll laugh if I tell you.”

“So.”

She inclined her head to the side and narrowed her gaze to study him. Truthfully nothing was wrong with the way she had chosen to come to Temptation. Everyone was entitled to a fresh start no matter how they came about locating the place they’d do it.

“I opened up a Texas atlas and pointed.”

He halted his steps and turned to face her. His broad shoulders and large frame filled her vision. “Seriously?”

Nodding, she said, “Seriously. I’d never been anywhere outside of Houston, and I just needed a place to call home.”

He huffed out a breath. “I can relate to that.”

At that moment, she realized that she and Stone might have more in common than she had first imagined. He had plenty of his own secrets. His eyes told her that much, but he also didn’t seem to care that she had a laundry list of darkness lingering deep within her.

With a smile, she picked up the pace and followed him up to the restaurant door. His arms were occupied by the bags he carried, but he still managed to open the door and hold it for her. No one had bothered to act like a gentleman with her before. She guessed that no one really considered her worth it. Until now.

An attractive, dark-haired waitress greeted them and sat them in a booth toward the back of the diner. Her name tag read
Madeline
.

“So you folks are new to Temptation.”

Gracie nodded. “Yes, we are. How did you guess?”

Madeline grinned, glancing down at the two duffle bags on the floor beside the booth. “Well, I guess it has a lot to do with the bags you’re carrying, and I’m gathering you most likely just stepped foot off that bus.” She nudged her chin forward in the direction of the bus and then eyed Stone as she told him, “If you were passing through, you most likely would’ve left the bags in the car.”

Stone arched a dark brow. “Very observant.”

Madeline shrugged. “Working in a diner that’s open twenty-four hours a day will do that to you.” With a motherly grin, she added, “Also raising three sons keeps a mother looking in all directions at all times.”

Gracie smiled. “I can only imagine.”

“Well, can I get you something to drink?”

“Unsweetened tea would be great,” Gracie replied.

“I’ll have one, too,” Stone said.

Madeline turned and went straight to the counter to get their teas.

“She seems nice,” Gracie said, leaning forward as if she was afraid someone would hear her.

Gracie had so many worries about starting over, but mostly about people figuring out what her life had once been like. She never wanted to return to that ugly, vile place again.

“Most folks are, until they stab you in the back.”

She arched a brow. “Does that bit of advice come with personal experience?”

“Sadly, yes.” Stone’s eyes grew heavy as he reviewed the menu in front of him. “That’s why I’m here, to set things right with an old friend.”

Before Gracie could ask any more questions, Madeline returned with the teas. “Have you decided on lunch?”

“Yes, I think so,” Gracie said. “I’d like the club sandwich with fries.” She glanced toward Stone, letting him know it was his turn to order.

“I’ll have the bacon cheeseburger with onion rings.”

Gracie inwardly sighed. “Well, I guess you’re not kissing anyone tonight,” she said with a giggle. Then her gaze settled upon Stone, whose eyes were filled with wicked surprise. Gracie felt her chest tighten and her pulse race.

The desired heat within his eyes intensified as he asked, “Is there something I should know about tonight, Gracie Myles?”

Holy shit!
Was he asking if she planned to kiss him as a waitress hovered beside them? Is this what honest flirting was?

“I’ll get this out in a flash,” Madeline said, turning quickly from their table.

Gracie’s mouth felt dry, and she licked her lips, looking everywhere but directly at him. “Are you done teasing me, Stone?”