Read Online Taken Home (Lone Star Burn) by Ruth Cardello - Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t going to be happy when he heard that Chelle was coming to California. Might as well face that and get it over with. He called Charles and, after a brief exchange, said, “I thought you should hear it first from me that Chelle is coming to Sacramento.”
    “The same Chelle I asked you to stay away from?”
    “Yep.”
    Charles sighed. “What are you doing, Mason? She’s not your type.”
    “She called me and said she wanted to visit. The next thing I knew I was asking her to pretend to still be engaged to me. I don’t have much more of a defense than that.”
    “That’s no defense at all.”
    “Exactly. So yell at me. Be pissed. I’d like to tell you I know what I’m doing, but I’d rather be honest. I want to see her again, Charles. It’s as simple as that.”
    “Are you looking for my permission? Because you’re not going to get it. This has disaster written all over it. Chelle is as sweet and innocent as they come.”
    “And I’m what?”
    “Angry. Bitter. Mason, you’re talking to someone who knows you. The past has a stranglehold on you, and as long as it does, you don’t have anything to give anyone.”
    “Then it’s a wonder we’re friends.”
    “I mean with women. I’m not a psychologist, but—”
    “Then don’t try to be one. Listen, I called you because I respect our friendship enough to not want this to come between us. But I don’t need advice from someone who has always been as fucked up as I am.”
    “I’m not like that anymore, Mason. I’ve made peace with the past. Can you say the same?”
    Mason hung up instead of answering.
    He turned his cell phone in his hand and thought about Chelle. Maybe Charles is right and I have nothing to give her. This is about nothing more than getting her into my bed. A better man would call her and tell her not to come.
    But I won’t.

Chapter Six
    Friday was a day of firsts. First plane ride. First limo. First time out of Texas. Chelle smoothed her hands over the skirt of the dark-blue sundress Sarah had assured her would fit in anywhere. The limo driver spoke to one of the attendants, and her luggage was whisked away. A man in a dark suit walked up to her and introduced himself as the hotel manager.
    “Welcome, Miss Landon. My name is Julian. It’ll be my pleasure to escort you to our presidential suite. If there is anything you need during your stay, do not hesitate to request me personally.”
    Chelle shook his hand while taking in the elegance of the hotel and the expensive clothing on the people entering and exiting around them. It took her a moment to register what he’d said. “There is something. This has been a mistake. I didn’t request a suite. I’m only one person. And I’m not even that picky. Any room will do.”
    The man referred to a paper in his hand. “The reservation was made in your name by Senator Thorne. We are at full capacity this weekend, or I would offer you another room. I’m sorry.” He turned and led her through a door that was held open for them by another man. “Follow me, please. I’m sure you’ll find the accommodations to your satisfaction.”
    Once inside the elevator, Chelle said, “I’m paying for this room myself. Can I ask how much it is a night?”
    Blandly, the man stated a sum that was a fourth of Chelle’s savings. She gasped and leaned back against one side of the elevator. “Oh. That’s not good.”
    Sympathy warmed what had, until that moment, been a professionally blank expression on the man’s face. “Senator Thorne is a valued guest here. I am quite sure the bill will be added to his account.”
    With her head still spinning from the amount they charged for the suite each night, Chelle said, “I can’t let him do that.”
    “May I humbly suggest that you settle into the suite and ring Senator Thorne regarding your concerns? Refreshments are already waiting for you. Would you like someone to unpack your luggage?”
    “No, thank you,” Chelle answered absently when