The Winner Takes It All Read online

  Cecilia waved her hand, thought briefly about the folly of discussing family business, then discarded it. “It’s nothing official like with you and Mitch. I’m merely ignoring him.”

  Next to her, James chuckled but covered it up with a cough when Maddie shot him a glare. Cecilia smiled at him appreciatively and to her shock, he winked at her.

  Mitch swallowed a bite of hamburger, then slanted a glance at Charlotte. “I’d think you’d be happy Cecilia and I are bonding.”

  Was that what they were doing? Bonding?

  Charlotte frowned. “Over your father.”

  “Well, something good should come from all his fuck-ups,” she said without thinking.

  “Cecilia! Language!” her mother admonished.

  Spine straight as an arrow, Cecilia sat primly. “I’m sorry, but how would you like me to say it? There’s no spin I can put on it to make us family of the year.”

  Mitch laughed, shaking his head. “I might like you after all.”

  Maddie patted Charlotte’s hand and nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m sure this is healthy.”

  “It’s unnecessary to be so caustic,” Charlotte said, but the tension in her face relaxed, and Cecilia tried to ignore the stab of envy. It wasn’t Maddie’s fault she was such a lovely person.

  With his knife, Mitch pointed back and forth between Cecilia and him. “Have you met us?”

  Look at that, finally something in common with her brother.

  Maddie cleared her throat and shifted in her chair. “Let’s talk about something else.”

  An impulse took hold of Cecilia, surprising her. She wanted to know her future sister-in-law better. Wanted to see who she really was instead of the perky, cute-girl role Cecilia had placed her in. “Maddie, do you need any help with your wedding plans?”

  Maddie’s whole face lit up, transforming her from pretty to breathtakingly radiant. “I’d love that.”

  “Great,” Cecilia said, picking up a bowl of corn on the table and scooping a heap onto her plate. “My only commitment is Friday. I have to go back to Chicago to go to a benefit, but I’ll be back Saturday.”

  Maddie blinked. “The Children’s Hospital benefit?”

  “Yes,” Cecilia said, her good mood evaporating. While she donated to the hospital every year and helped organize several of their events, this wasn’t something she looked forward to. She’d committed to attend with Miles as part of her engagement duties.

  It’s all for the campaign, she reminded herself.

  She frowned. A campaign she hadn’t even thought about. She remembered her mother’s question on the day she arrived. Why did she want to run for office? She was on vacation. She was simply taking some much needed relaxation before she started the heavy lifting of the upcoming months.

  At least that’s the spin she sold herself today.

  “Shane,” Maddie said, ripping Cecilia away from her pondering. “Isn’t that the benefit you’re going to?”

  Her attention snapped to him in time to see a muscle jump in his jaw. “Yes.”

  An entirely inappropriate jolt of excitement shot through her. Which was very wrong. Horrible. She was going with Miles. She put on her calmest expression. “Why are you going?”

  His eyes narrowed. “I’m giving a speech.”

  How had she missed this? “I see.”

  “Why are you going?”

  She couldn’t very well blurt out the real reason, so she gave an answer that was 75 percent truth. “I’ve done work for the board. I go almost every year.”

  Maddie beamed, shifting back and forth in her chair like she had ants in her pants. “How convenient. You guys can drive together.”

  Cecilia had to stop herself from gasping. “Oh no, I’m sure that’s not necessary.”

  Shane said nothing. Just watched her with those jungle-green eyes of his.

  “Don’t be silly,” Maddie said. “Why should you take two cars when you’re going to the same place and plan to be back at the same time?”

  Because she didn’t think she could be alone with him without wanting to jump him. But, of course, she couldn’t say that.

  Shane remained silent.

  Cecilia’s brows furrowed and she thought frantically, finally hitting on a good reason. “I need my car to get around the city.”

  Maddie waved her hand. “Take your car; Shane has extras.”

  Mitch grinned, wearing that amused, fond expression he reserved for his soon-to-be wife.

  Cecilia glared at Shane. Why was he so silent? He’d barely said two words. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head toward Maddie, hoping he’d get the hint and help her out.

  Instead, he shrugged. “Makes sense to me.”

  Maddie looked like she was about to burst with some unknown delight Cecilia couldn’t understand. “It’s settled then. You’ll drive together.”

  Damn it. There was that excitement again.

  She looked at him with his perfect face, that blond disheveled hair and killer body. A regular female fantasy come to life. She couldn’t be alone with him. Trapped in a car for three hours.

  She’d talk him out of it. Later.

  The phone rang and Maddie jumped up. “I’ll get it.”

  James smiled innocently. “It’s kind of you to take one for the team. It saves gas and the environment.”

  “Go green,” Cecilia said drily. This middle Donovan brother was quite an enigma, with his reserve and dry comments.

  Maddie came back into the room.

  “Who was that?” Mitch asked.

  She slid into the chair. “Gracie. You guys will have to entertain yourselves tonight. Cecilia and I are going out.”

  “We are?” Cecilia straightened in her chair.

  “Yep. She said, and I quote, ‘Cecilia promised we’d go to Big Red’s and get our drink on.’”

  Cecilia’s lips quirked. “Does that sound remotely like me?”

  Maddie laughed. “Nope, but eat up. We leave in thirty.”

  Three hours later, Shane, James, and Mitch sat nursing their beers and watching a baseball game on the big-screen TV. Shane pretended to watch, but his mind was preoccupied with Cecilia.

  It was just like Sam said. Every day she spent in Revival she got a little less reserved, a little less pinched. She’d looked absolutely gorgeous at dinner, even with her hair pulled back in that tight ponytail.

  He’d about broken into a sweat every time he’d looked at her.

  That T-shirt she wore. He shook his head. Unless it was wet, a white T-shirt should be boring, but hers stretched and clung to every curve. Plunged to expose the swell of her breasts.

  He’d been so distracted by her cleavage and her surprisingly real behavior he’d barely been able to concentrate. His brain only cleared once to take the gift Maddie plopped into his lap. He’d snatched at the chance to drive with her.

  Even though logically he knew it was a mistake.

  But then again, he’d never been much of a logic guy. Instinct had never steered him wrong and he wasn’t about to start ignoring it now—despite all the evidence to the contrary.

  There was something between him and Cecilia. He didn’t know what, but it was more than lust. As hard as he tried to talk himself out of her, it hadn’t stuck.

  Instead of focusing on her lies and her engagement, all through dinner he’d only been able to think about the way she kissed him. The sound of her throaty laugh. The way she felt under his hands.

  And how she’d looked as she jumped from that tree branch.

  Complete and utter abandon.

  It had been his undoing.

  He didn’t think she was in any better shape. Not with the way her gaze kept drifting to his, her blue-gray eyes filled with longing.

  The chemistry between them had been so hot, so palpable, it had felt alive. By the end of the meal, her nipples had been hard and the way she’d squirmed in her chair made his cock ache and strain against his zipper.

  He’d had to force himself not to
lunge for her right there at the table.

  He’d been plotting a way to corner her, but then Gracie had shown up and his opportunity had passed.

  Cecilia had come bouncing down the stairs, her hair a loose, wild mess around her shoulders. A fierce, primal possessiveness had shaken him to the core and he had to clench his fists so he didn’t order her to stay home like some Neanderthal.

  Those porn-star lips had curled into a sassy smile that his primitive brain took as a challenge, and then she’d been out the door.

  She confused the hell out of him.

  It’s like she was transforming before his eyes.

  The crowd cheered from the TV speakers, jarring Shane from his thoughts. He shook his head as though he’d been in a trance. “What happened?”

  Mitch chuckled. “The Cubs hit a homer.”

  “Oh,” Shane said dumbly, straightening from his slumped position on the couch.

  Mitch assessed him with that lawyer’s gaze.

  “What?” Then wanted to kick himself for the telling defensiveness.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on between you and Cecilia?” Mitch asked.

  In the recliner, James sat reading a book. He raised his head, expression alight with amusement.

  Shane squinted at the TV. “What makes you think there’s something going on? She’s getting married.”

  Mitch scoffed. “And you’re pissed as hell about it.”

  “I’m not. I just think it’s strange she never said anything.”

  “Do I look like an idiot to you?”

  James put his book on his stomach and folded his hands. “This conversation seems familiar.”

  “Would you stay the hell out of it?” Shane barked. He didn’t need a sledgehammer over the head to recognize this was the same conversation he’d had with Mitch about Maddie not too long ago.

  Mitch grinned before taking a long pull from his beer bottle. “Well, I know you’re not sleeping with her.”

  “Why do you say that?” Shane asked, answering entirely the wrong way. The correct answer was silence.

  Mitch shrugged. “You wouldn’t be this on edge if you were.”

  “You’re making it hard to relax,” James said.

  “I’m sitting here minding my own business.”

  “Grinding your teeth,” James said helpfully.

  A meanness rose inside Shane. Mitch was right, he was on edge and damn aggressive about it. “Gracie looked pretty damn hot tonight, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” James’s tone was far too indifferent for a heterosexual male. Then he grinned and shifted his attention to Mitch. “The only reason they’re not screwing is because I interrupted them before he could seal the deal.”

  Shane growled, sitting up. “I warned you.”

  James shrugged, unconcerned.

  Shane narrowed his eyes. “At least I’m not exhausting myself running to deal with my sexual frustration.”

  “I’m training for a marathon,” James said drily.

  They were brothers, and in Shane’s mind James had broken code, so he had to pay. That’s justice. “Sure, that’s why you needed to run again after Gracie came in here like a walking wet dream. Tell me, how do you think that top even stays on? I bet there are plenty of guys desperate to find out right now.”

  “She can do what she wants. She’s not my type.” James spoke each word slow and distinct, but his knuckles were white on the chair.

  Shane snorted. “I believe that. I’ve seen your type. And that’s what kills you, doesn’t it? That you can’t control it, even though you want to.”

  James’s gaze turned to pure menace and he said to Mitch, “When I walked in, Shane had her on the kitchen counter practically undressed. So now we’ve both seen your sister naked.”

  “I don’t want to hear this,” Mitch said.

  Shane saw red and yelled, “That’s a lie! I haven’t seen her naked. And James sure as hell hasn’t.” Shane had only touched her and seen glimpses of various parts. Something that it now seemed imperative he rectify immediately.

  “All right, calm the fuck down.” Mitch shook his head. “Jesus, you two are pathetic.”

  Shane and James engaged in a minute-long staring contest reminiscent of grade school recess, while they weighed the consequences of making it physical. But in the end, they remembered they were adults in their thirties and shrugged it off, turning their attention back to the game nobody was really watching.

  Fifteen minutes passed in complete silence before Mitch punched him in the arm.

  “Hey,” Shane said, rubbing the spot. “What’s that for?”

  “For messing around with my sister.”

  “I’d say I was sorry but turnabout is fair play, and you’re not in a position to talk, considering you violate my sister nightly.”

  “True.” Mitch rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “How long are we going to sit here without going to see what they’re up to?”

  Shane stood, not even pretending to play it cool. “Let’s roll.”

  They turned to James, who looked back at them, his jaw a hard line. “Count me out.”

  Shane jerked his thumb toward the front door. “Come on, everybody knows you want her. It’s no big deal.”

  Mitch shoved his hand into his pocket, bringing out a set of keys. “Well, not everyone. Gracie doesn’t have a clue.”

  “I don’t want her,” James said, but stood anyway.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Shane said and clapped his brother on the back, sympathizing.

  Uncooperative lust was a real bitch.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A cotton cloud.

  That’s what Cecilia felt like. A wonderful, fluffy, white cloud where nothing could hurt her. With the help of something called a Jägerbomb she forgot about her future, her lack of motivation, and her campaign. Forgot her father’s betrayal and her engagement to a man she didn’t love.

  Blissful relief.

  Nothing mattered except the country music pounding through her head, these women who’d taken her into their fold, and Jägerbombs.

  Fabulous Jägerbombs.

  When they’d arrived, she’d ordered her normal white wine, but Maddie and Gracie insisted this was better. Cecilia had to agree. The drink’s contents were a mystery, but she felt divine. Alert and alive. Ready for anything.

  She swung her arms around Maddie and Gracie, hugging them close. “Thank you so much. I never get to have any fun.”

  Gracie laughed. “There she is, the Ce-ce I know and love.”

  Maddie raised her glass. “Damn, I’m having a good time.”

  Sophie whooped, some of her margarita slopping over the sides as she took another gulp.

  Penelope shook her head, pressing a finger to her temple as though she was getting a headache. Since she’d volunteered to be designated driver she was dead sober while the rest of them were on the drunk side of buzzed.

  A song blared over the loudspeakers, the bass vibrating through her body as a country song came on. The dance floor shifted, the patrons moved into lines as they began an organized dance. Cecilia narrowed her eyes, watching the steps. “What’s this song called?”

  “‘Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),’” Gracie said.

  “I like it,” Cecilia said.

  Sophie grabbed her hand. “Let’s go dance!”

  She was so cute and small, Cecilia couldn’t help grinning and patting her on the head.

  Sophie scowled, batting her away. “I’m not a puppy!”

  “But you’re soooo cute,” Cecilia said in a voice that sounded nothing at all like her.

  Penelope grimaced. “Yikes, don’t say that.”

  Little Sophie balled her hands into fists. “I am not cute. I’m fierce.”

  Maddie gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “You are.” She winked at Cecilia. “She used to get me into so much trouble.”

  Cecilia was about to answer, but the dancers on the floor turned and clapped, then
walked forward two steps before kicking out their heels, distracting her. How long had it been since she danced? Years of lessons perfected her technique as she’d worked relentlessly to obtain an acceptable level of poise. She’d danced at functions all the time, a nice waltz, gliding effortlessly around the room with some random partner, subtly leading when her companion didn’t know what he was doing.

  But had she ever just cut loose? Danced for the fun of it?

  The dancers took another turn, repeating the steps from before.

  The speakers blared the country song.

  She studied the dancer’s feet. She could do that. It was easy. Cecilia downed the rest of her drink, slamming the glass on the bar. “Let’s go.”

  Sophie, Gracie, and Cecilia made their way to the floor, leaving Maddie behind with Penelope to keep her company.

  Freedom sang in Cecilia’s heart in time with the music and alcohol streaming through her blood. For tonight, she had no responsibility. Nobody to approve or disapprove of her. Nobody to please.

  Tonight she could be whoever she wanted.

  People parted, making room for them as they fell into line. Cecilia studied the dancer’s feet stomping on the wood floor. It took four beats to figure out the pattern and two more to catch the beat of the song, and then she was off.

  All the years of practice paid off, because she took to the dance like she’d been born to it. Next to her, Gracie and Sophie stumbled, laughing as they missed steps. Sophie yelled over the song, clutching her hand. “Damn girl, how do you do that?”

  Cecilia laughed. “Twelve years of ballet and five years of ballroom dancing.”

  She spun, her head going deliciously dizzy, before she clapped.

  One song turned into another and the steps modified, but she’d always been a quick study and caught right up. The music washed over her, filled her up with the kind of happiness she hadn’t felt in so long she almost didn’t recognize it.

  She let go. Sweated. Laughed.

  And in that moment she was free.

  The song changed, slowing down in tempo, but before she could be too disappointed, a tall guy in a black Stetson grabbed hold of her waist and swung her into his arms.