Without You (Love Wanted in Texas 1)

I looked at Lex’s breasts. She seemed to be showing much more cleavage than normal.

She must have noticed. “It’s a push-up top.”

“Well, it’s pushing ’em up, that’s for damn sure.”

She giggled. She put her finger in her mouth and gently bit down on it. It was a nervous habit she would do, and I didn’t think she realized that it was sexy as hell. I looked her body up and down again. I wanted her more than anything, but I needed to remember what I needed to take care of. I could have Lex all night long.

“Lex, you’re so beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered as she walked over to me. She pushed her hand through my hair and kissed me. “I think you’re beautiful, too.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Go, before Grace has a heart attack, and I die from blue balls.”

She walked over to her suitcase and pulled out a sundress. She slipped it over her head and blew me a kiss before leaving. “Don’t work too hard. Daddy needs to understand that we’re on our vacation!”

“I won’t. I promise.”

The moment she shut the door, I walked over to the window overlooking the deck and pool. I watched as everyone started making their way down to the beach. Luke and Colt were both carrying towels and a cooler.

I pulled out my cell phone, looked up the number to Mr. Shelton, and hit the button to call him.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Shelton, this is Will Hayes. Gunner Mathews talked to you about us using your house on St. Joseph Island this week.”

“Yes, Will. How are you?”

“I’m doing well. Thank you. How are you, sir?”

“I have no complaints at all. So, I hear you’re going to ask Gunner’s little girl to marry you?”

I smiled. “Yes, sir, I am.”

“You couldn’t have picked a better spot, son. I’ve already talked to my ranch hand, Kip. He knows what day to expect you, and he has taken care of the ride over to my place and the dinner.”

“That’s wonderful, sir. I can’t even begin to thank you for letting me use your yacht and house for this.”

“Well, when Gunner called me and told me what you had in mind, I couldn’t help but feel déjà vu. I asked my wife to marry me in a similar manner.”

“Really?”

He laughed. “Yes, I did. We’ve been happily married now for eighteen years with three kids.”

“I’ll take that as a good sign then.”

“Damn straight. After sunset, I suggest taking a stroll along the beach with a blanket, but I’ll deny I said that to you if Gunner ever finds out.”

I laughed and said, “I understand.”

“So, Jonathon will be the one taking you over to the island on the yacht. I’ll have him give you a call the morning of, so he can explain where y’all need to go.”

“Perfect. I’ve already planned to tell Lex that we are going on a private cruise to see the dolphins and the sunset.”

“That sounds reasonable. Now, if you need anything before then, don’t hesitate to give me or Jonathon a call. You have his number, right?”

“Yes, sir, I do.”

“Good luck, Will.”