‘Lauren’s a busy woman. She’s got better things to do than worry about me.’
Mrs Paulson patted Grayson’s arm, her enormous platinum and diamond wedding band catching the light. ‘You’re such a gentleman. I’m sure that whatever little job Laurie has she does it real well.’
Lauren stepped away from Grayson and took a moment to rummage in her purse. She handed the obnoxious Mrs Paulson her old business card. It was nice of Grayson to leap to her defence but she was quite capable of handling Mrs P. She hadn’t endured a year at a top finishing school without learning how to deal with the princesses of the world.
‘My “little job” means that my time is valuable. As is my client’s.’ Lauren looked around the rapidly filling hall. ‘Perhaps we could forgo the social chit-chat and get on with the business at hand?’
After reading the card, Mrs Paulson tucked it in her Gucci purse. ‘Are you Grayson’s lawyer?’ She turned to Grayson, her sapphire eyes wide with alarm. ‘Surely it hasn’t come to that? We should be able to handle our problems within our own vibrant local community, don’t you think?’
Lauren smiled sweetly. ‘Do you mean a public trial followed by a good old-fashioned Western hanging?’
Grayson cleared his throat, slipped his arm through Lauren’s and steered her away. Mrs Paulson rushed across the room to an older man who immediately put his arm around her.
Lauren fluttered her eyelashes at Grayson in a poor imitation of Mrs Paulson as he smiled down at her. ‘I think she meant we should sit down and talk it through, which is exactly what this meeting is all about. Now she’ll be complaining to Mr Paulson about you and my goose is cooked.’ He led Lauren to a seat. ‘As the president, I’ll have to sit up front. Wish me luck.’
Lauren watched him exchange greetings with some of the crowd and take his place. He winked at her as he sat down, flanked by Alan Howard and Mrs Paulson.
As the discussion grew heated, it became clear to Lauren where the problem lay. Grayson and most of the older residents wanted the industrial complex. Despite Grayson’s pledge to gift the land to the town, the newer, richer folk who’d retired or retreated to Springtown wanted to keep things exactly as they’d found them.
Lauren frowned as the exquisite Mrs Paulson edged her chair closer to Grayson’s. If she leant any further over, she’d be sitting in Grayson’s lap! Trying to concentrate on the arguments became difficult when all Lauren wanted to do was leap over the table and pull Mrs Paulson’s unnaturally blonde hair. Had Grayson slept with her? It seemed likely. They were easily the most beautiful people in town. Lauren pictured them in bed together and mentally set the sheets on fire.
Grayson stood up to speak, drawing Lauren’s attention to his long frame and spectacular eyes.
‘Perhaps we could hear from some of the younger members of the audience.’ His gaze swept the rows of expectant faces. ‘How do you feel about having to leave your families to find work?’
A young man wearing a battered cowboy hat and a red shirt got to his feet. ‘I work on a ranch in northern California and I’m not complaining.’ He winked at the older couple sitting beside him. ‘I think my folks were glad to get rid of me. They sure cleaned out my bedroom fast.’
After the laughter subsided the blonde-haired girl on his other side turned on him. ‘Well, Scott, it’s good to know how much you like being away. If I marry you, I want to live right here near my family. What are you going to do about that?’
Lauren felt a pang of sympathy for Scott as his girlfriend glared at him. He whispered urgently in her ear.
Marcie Howard stood and smiled shyly at Grayson. ‘Even if we do want to live here, it’s impossible to afford a house.’ Marcie’s gaze hardened as it swept the Paulsons and Lauren. ‘When new folk come in, the prices always rise.’
Grayson nodded and Marcie flushed with pride before sinking down into her seat. ‘Marcie’s right. One of the projects I hope to start after the small business units get going is a reduced-cost housing programme for original residents and their children.’
A smattering of applause greeted his remarks and Lauren joined in. Mrs Paulson attempted a frown through her smooth Botoxed forehead.
‘But that kind of social do-gooding can destroy a community,’ Mrs Paulson said. ‘It encourages the wrong type of people.’ She pretended to ignore Marcie’s audible snort. ‘This town needs people with money to keep it viable. A town lives or dies by its ability to adapt to market forces.’
‘Exactly, Mrs Paulson,’ Grayson said. ‘That’s why we need to move with the times and get those business units in.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Alan Howard shouted, earning himself a glare from Mrs Paulson.
The hum of conversation grew louder until Grayson banged on the table. ‘I think we have enough support to present the issue to the town council. Then everyone will get a chance to have their say.’
Mrs Paulson pursed her lips. ‘I’ll be starting a petition against this.’
Grayson nodded amiably. ‘Go ahead, Mrs P. That’s what democracy’s all about.’ He pushed back his chair. ‘Thanks for coming out here tonight, I appreciate it.’
At Grayson’s words, the majority of people began to leave. Some loitered in the doorway to talk to their neighbours and keep an eye on their teenagers before they disappeared. Lauren remained in her seat as Grayson finished a leisurely conversation with Alan.
Lauren’s view was blocked by the last group of chattering teenagers. By the time they slouched away, Grayson and the table had disappeared. Lauren followed the sound of voices to the back of the hall to a walk-in storage closet.
A weak glow from the overhead light revealed Grayson leaning against the wall. Mrs Paulson stood in front of him, hands on her hips.
‘Why are you doing this to me, Grayson?’ Mrs Paulson said. ‘You know how frail Roger is. All this upheaval could affect his heart. We came out here for peace and quiet and you’re proposing to destroy it.’
Grayson sighed. ‘Anna, can you get it into your head that it’s not about you? You have five hundred acres of land on the opposite side of town. You’re not exactly going to be bothered by hoards of people.’
Anna Paulson crossed her arms in a defensive posture. ‘You can pretend all you want but I know you’re up to something. And I know that your peculiar code of honour means you’d prefer Roger to die before you sleep with me.’
Grayson straightened from the wall. ‘What did you say?’
‘I know you still want me,’ Anna said. ‘It wouldn’t surprise me if you were prepared to go to any lengths to achieve your aim.’
Grayson laughed. ‘Hell, Anna, if this was in one of your lousy movies I might just go along with it. Do you seriously think I proposed the whole business scheme in order to kill off your husband?’
‘Well, why not? You were as mad as hell when I married him.’
‘No. I wasn’t. You’d already done too much damage. By then, I couldn’t have cared less.’
‘I should never have followed you to Springtown.’
Grayson tipped the brim of his hat. ‘That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said so far. Why don’t you persuade old Mr Moneybags to take you somewhere nice and expensive to live? I’m sure he’d be happy to.’
Anna slapped him hard on the cheek. ‘You’re a bastard.’
Grayson caught her wrist before she delivered another blow. ‘I only wish that was true then I wouldn’t have known my father and neither would you.’
He dropped Anna’s hand and turned to the door. He stared straight into Lauren’s eyes. ‘Are you ready to go, honey? I’ve just got to put some more chairs away.’
Anna brushed past Lauren without a word and headed for the parking lot, slamming the door behind her. Grayson returned to the hall and brought in a load of stacked chairs. He glanced at Lauren as he passed her.
‘Did you get all that?’
Before she could reply, he deposited the chairs in the closet with a resounding crash and went to get more. Lauren waited until he’d finished his third run before following him into the closet where he stood breathing harshly.
‘So, it’s Anna now is it?’
Grayson didn’t reply as she advanced towards him.
‘And she thinks you want to kill her husband?’
Grayson brought out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face. ‘Anna was an actress before she met Roger Paulson. She’s always had a problem distinguishing fact from fiction.’
His flat tone alarmed Lauren. ‘You knew her before she moved to Springtown, didn’t you?’
Grayson frowned. ‘Yeah, and before you ask, I knew her in the biblical sense too.’ He thrust his hands into his pockets. ‘She’s one of those women who look so frail and beautiful that stupid young men like me feel the need to protect them.’
Lauren tried not to react to his even statement, surprised by how much it stung. She knew Grayson must have had other lovers before her. He was hardly lacking in sex appeal.
Grayson smiled. ‘That’s one of the reasons I’d never get back into a relationship with her. She spent more time in bed worrying about her make-up and how fat she looked than on enjoying the sex.’ He shrugged. ‘I guess she just can’t believe I’ve moved on.’
Lauren stepped close, brought her hand up and curved it around his jaw, her thumb caressing the hard pulse throbbing in his throat. A surge of possessive pride swirled low in her stomach. ‘Did she dump you for Roger Paulson?’
Grayson nuzzled her fingers, bringing them close to his mouth. ‘Something like that.’
Surprised at the depth of her anger, Lauren stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Grayson’s neck and kissed him on the mouth.
‘How could she do that to you?’
Grayson’s tongue met hers halfway and the kiss turned from slow and languorous to hot and dangerous. A pulse drummed between her legs, as she pressed herself against his groin and felt his instant response. Her hand was working on the top button of his jeans when Grayson went still. The sound of a key turning in the lock of the outside door and a truck driving away filtered through into the back room.
‘Shit,’ Grayson breathed. ‘I think we’re locked in.’
Lauren finally loosened the button and slid her hand inside his jeans. His cock was so huge that there was barely enough room to move her fingers. She squeezed his shaft and he groaned.
‘How on earth could any woman let go of this?’ Lauren whispered. She encircled the wet tip of his cock with her finger and thumb. ‘She must be crazy.’
Grayson picked her up and pressed her against the door, his hands pulled at her jeans, ruthlessly working her left boot off until she was half-undressed and open to him. Resting her left foot on his hip, he slid inside her. Lauren gasped at the sudden blunt heat and hardness as his mouth closed over hers.
The click of an opening lock echoed across the empty hall. Grayson muttered an obscenity, closed his eyes and pulled out. Lauren stifled a moan as he lowered her to the ground. His expression was indescribable. He struggled to zip his jeans over his massive erection.
Lauren stumbled to pull up her jeans and locate her boot as Grayson moved in front of her.
Marcie’s hesitant voice floated down the hall. ‘Grayson, are you here? My daddy locked up but then I saw your truck in the parking lot so I told him I’d check.’
Grayson took a deep breath, glanced back at Lauren to see if she was decent and opened the door. Marcie’s confident smile wavered as her gaze slid past Grayson and fastened accusingly on Lauren.
Grayson grabbed his hat and, holding it in front of him, walked up to Marcie. ‘Thanks, sweetheart, Lauren and I were beginning to wonder if we’d have to bed down in the hall for the night.’
Marcie grabbed Grayson’s hand, almost dragging him towards the door and away from Lauren. Lauren struggled to keep up, afraid that Marcie might lock the door on her. When they reached the parking lot there was no sign of Alan Howard.
Marcie turned to Grayson, a satisfied smirk on her face. ‘Dad must have gone without me. Could you give me a ride home?’
Grayson’s frustrated gaze met Lauren’s and she shrugged. Giving kudos to Marcie for her excellent planning, Lauren climbed into the back seat allowing the girl to sit up front. In a way, it was a relief not to be too close to Grayson. Her body hummed from their brief coupling, craving more. If she were sitting next to him, her hand would stray to his lap, eager to finish what they’d started.
Marcie talked a lot. Most of what she said seemed deliberately aimed at showing Lauren what an outsider she was and how Marcie would suit Grayson so much better. Lauren let the constant noise wash over her and concentrated on retrieving the sexual thrill of Grayson inside her. There was nothing like a little competition to make a girl realise how hot her man was.
When they reached the Howard house, Grayson left the engine running and got out of the car.
‘I’ll just check that someone’s home, Marcie, or else I’ll drop you at the diner.’
Lauren closed her eyes and listened as the thrum of the idling engine vibrated through her skin.
‘He won’t marry you.’
Lauren opened one eye. If only Marcie knew the truth . . .
‘Who won’t?’
‘Grayson won’t. He has loads of girlfriends like you who last about a week and then he dumps them.’
‘Really.’ Lauren didn’t want to fight with Marcie. Being a teenager was hard enough without some adult criticising you or giving you well-meant advice. She tried to ignore Marcie’s angry face, inches from her own.
‘He needs a woman who understands what it’s like to live in a small town and manage a ranch. He needs a wife who’ll let him stay here.’
Lauren nodded. ‘You’re right, Marcie he does. Are you warning me off?’
For a second, Marcie looked unsure and then her face flushed a defiant red. ‘Yeah, I am. If you’d just go away, he’d start to realise I’m the one he wants. All I need is a little more time.’
And twenty more years, thought Lauren. Grayson reappeared on Marcie’s side of the car and tapped on the window. Lauren leant forwards, grabbed Marcie’s hand and shook it. Marcie looked shocked and tried to pull away. ‘Good luck, Marcie. Any man should be glad to have you.’