Her Texas Dom (Dominant Men Book 4) Read online

  The job as foreman paid well, so he couldn't afford to give it up just yet to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time graphic artist. He had been socking money away into a savings account in the hopes of someday hanging up his spurs, but for now, it was out of the question.

  When he reached his cabin, he tended to the grooming and feeding of his steed before going inside for his much-needed shower. Standing under the spray of steamy water, his thoughts drifted to the lack of female companionship in his life. His last girlfriend had moved on with someone else. It wasn't a great loss; he hadn't been heartbroken, but he hadn't found anyone worth giving a second glance since her. The pickings were slim these days. All the girls around were either attached or not his type. He would wait for the right one, this time around. He had no intention of getting wrangled up with someone unless there was a future in it. He was at the age where the idea of settling down was becoming more and more appealing to him. Until he found her, he would continue to work hard on the ranch during the week and indulge in his love of art on the weekends. Somehow, the two didn't seem to go together—cowboy during the week and artist on the weekends. But it worked for him, and, hopefully, it was only a temporary situation.

  When he had stepped out of the shower and toweled himself dry, he slipped into a pair of jeans and went into the kitchen to warm up the leftovers his mother had brought by the night before. Mama always made sure he was fed, even though he was quite capable of cooking for himself. He often used a crockpot, preparing his meal in the early morning before heading to the pasture. The years he was away at college had taught him to fend for himself. He and his roommates had taken turns in the kitchen rather than spending money on fast food. Not many would believe the rugged, handsome cowboy created beautiful book covers and gourmet meals. He was a romantic at heart, and the woman he chose to spend his life with would be one very lucky lady. He just had to find her. And lately, since working for Cora, he had begun to think about a different type of lifestyle. He'd been researching the D/s websites, trying to learn more about it. Some of the books he'd formatted and created covers for had piqued his interest. So, adding that to his lists of must-haves for a future partner might make finding the perfect woman even more difficult.

  As he took the meatloaf out of the refrigerator and got ready to put it into the microwave, he heard a beep coming from the direction of the table. A text message was coming through on his cell. He put the meat, along with a potato, in the microwave and set the timer. Opening a can of sweet corn, he poured it into a pan and turned on the burner before checking his phone message. When he finally picked up the phone, he saw that the message was from Cora.

  Hey, cowboy,

  We need to touch base whenever you get a chance. Things are getting a little crazy, and I know you're on a limited schedule, so give me a call to set up a meeting soon.

  Cora

  He had been right to be concerned earlier. Cora was bringing in more and more authors. How would he be able to keep up with the demand? He didn't want to relinquish his role at Texas Flame Publishing. He replied to the text by telling her he would call her in a few days to set up a meeting with her.

  The microwave beeped, and he removed his dinner. Sitting at the table, he thought again about Cora and her company. The woman had his respect in every way. She had built her little company from scratch, using her experience and contacts from her previous work in Chicago and New York. Hell, she'd even written a book about her own romance with her attorney husband, Dale Barton. She was talented, yet she was real people. She'd grown up right here in Texas, and even though she'd lived a whole different lifestyle in the years she'd been away, once she came back home to settle down, she'd fit right in. Beau had gone to school with Cora's younger sister, Cassie. The Watson girls were popular in school, and they'd both grown into beautiful, talented women, marrying well. Yes, Dale Barton was one lucky son of a bitch, and Beau was pretty sure he knew it. Dale had dated Cora when he was the school football hero and she was a cheerleader. After several years apart, with Dale living in Austin and Cora living first in Chicago and later New York City, they'd somehow found their way back to each other. There wasn't anyone from his own past he'd consider getting back together with. No, if he was to find the right woman, it would have to be someone new. He just wished he would hurry up and meet her.

  Rinsing his plate and putting it in the dishwasher, he washed down his meal with a glass of milk and went into the living room to watch a little TV before hitting the sack. Tomorrow was going to be another long, hot day on the ranch, but it was Friday.

  Audrey

  Audrey Carter looked up from the slush pile on her desk. She sighed as she placed the story she'd just read in the rejection stack and picked up the next one. It was another romance. That was just great. She loved a good romance novel, but more and more, lately, it was becoming difficult to read about lovers with happy endings. She hadn't had a date in weeks. Her last date had not gone well, and there hadn't been a second. In fact, she'd never been in a serious relationship. For a pretty thirty-two-year-old heiress, that was a bit unusual. She frequented the local BDSM clubs with her coworker Kayla, but even that had become a thing of the past recently. She just wasn't interested anymore. Audrey came from good stock; in fact, her family had ties to the prominent New York Carters. Her father owned a law firm in the city, and Audrey had grown up with all the advantages. When she'd graduated with a degree in journalism, she'd quickly secured a job as an assistant to the multi-talented Cora Watson. When Cora had resigned her position as the acquisitions editor to move back to her home state of Texas and become Mrs. Dale Barton, Audrey had been promoted. The job was fascinating but time-consuming. It didn't leave much time for a social life, but that by no means meant that if the right opportunity presented itself, Audrey wouldn't make time for it. Lately, she'd been distracted, though. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Was she overworked, tired, or just simply dissatisfied with her life? That was the reason she was planning a two-week trip to Texas to visit Cora and her family soon. She needed a change of scenery. Hopefully, she would return to New York refreshed and ready to start again.

  Cora had been ecstatic when she'd called and asked if she could visit.

  "Of course you can! I've missed you so much," her friend and former boss had said.

  "I'll figure out my schedule and let you know. I just need to get away. I couldn't think of any place I'd rather be than with my old friend," Audrey had explained.

  "Is everything okay?" Cora asked.

  "It will be. I just need a break; that's all."

  She looked at the clock and saw that it was time to call it a day. She stuffed the romance story into her briefcase to read at home later and headed out the door. She noticed that everyone else had gone, so she locked the door and went to the bus stop on the corner to wait for her ride home.

  Letting herself into the loft she'd lived in for the past few years, she threw her briefcase on the chair and kicked off her heels. After changing into comfortable clothes and rummaging in the kitchen for food, she decided on a salad for dinner. She hadn't had much of an appetite the past few weeks, due in part to her hectic schedule.

  After dinner, she looked through her closet at the vast collection of outfits she'd purchased in the past year. I'm really going to have to start thinking about the clothes I'll be packing for the Texas trip, she thought as she pulled a shirt out and looked at it. What do people wear in the Lone Star State?

  Deciding to leave the packing for the weekend, she settled into bed with the manuscript and started to read. She normally read on her laptop, but the stack she was working her way through this week were hard copies that had been sent by snail mail for a contest the publishing house was holding. So far, she'd only chosen two to go on to the next round. She sincerely hoped this one made the grade, because she was running out of options. Reading until well past midnight, she finally finished it and turned out the light. The story had touched her heart. Well-written, it was the
story of a couple torn apart by war, who had found their way back to each other after the hero had suffered extensive injuries. The heroine had believed him to be dead, but she had never moved on. It was a sad story, but in the end the couple had realized their love was real and could withstand the horrors they'd both been subjected to.

  Oh, to find a love like that. Does it really exist? Audrey thought as she rolled over in bed. Her dreams that night found her with a man. She couldn't see his face, but she knew he was someone very special. When she woke the next morning, she didn't want the dream to end. She had been at peace, fulfilled and happy in the dream, and it was a good place. It was a place she wanted to be, a place she had yet to find in this world.

  She made it through Friday, finding another story for the contest, bringing the total to four. She still needed one more for the semi-round, and there were two more to read. Hopefully, one of them would make the grade. She stayed late to finish, notified the contestants by email of the status of their entry and made her way back to the loft, exhausted but looking forward to her trip. She'd be flying out on Monday, from New York to Austin, where Cora would pick her up. The two friends were planning a day in the city before driving back to Cora's home in the small town of Fredericksburg. Her weekend would consist of packing and last minute preparations. She had driven to work that day, so she could stop off and do some shopping on the way home. Once she'd picked up some essentials for the trip, she let herself into the loft, checked the mail and sat down. Ready for a night of relaxation, she treated herself to a long soak in the tub, heated a can of soup for dinner and curled up in bed to watch a movie.

  That night, she dreamed again of a peaceful life in a quiet place with a man, whose face she still couldn't make out. That romance novel had really done a number on her senses.

  The rest of the weekend was a flurry of excitement as she chose her clothes for the trip, finally deciding on jeans, various tops, leggings, and a couple of casual dresses. As she zipped her bag shut and took a deep breath, she picked up her cell and dialed Cora's number.

  "Hey, Audrey, are you getting excited?" Cora answered.

  "Just finished packing and all set. Can't wait to see you, that handsome hunk of yours, and those precious babies," she replied.

  "I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my gal. It's been way too long. It's too bad Kayla couldn't come out with you."

  "You know we can't both be gone at the same time. Besides, she's got a new man in her life, so I doubt she could tear herself away from him for two weeks."

  "Oh, really, you'll have to give me all the dirt when I pick you up, tomorrow afternoon."

  Audrey laughed. "Why did I know that was coming? I've got to be at the airport at the crack of dawn, so I'm going to grab a few hours of sleep if I can. I'll see you in Texas."

  "I'll be there waiting for you. Goodnight."

  Audrey put the phone in her purse, made sure one last time that she had everything she needed, and carried her bags to the front door. She crawled into bed and fell asleep immediately, in spite of her excitement about the trip. The last thought on her mind as she drifted off had been, I really hope this trip does the trick and gets me back to a good frame of mind. If it doesn't, I don't know what will.

  Chapter 3

  Audrey hurried out to the cab waiting for her at the curb. As the driver loaded her bags into the trunk, he gave her a cheery hello and opened the door to the backseat for her.

  "Good morning. You certainly are chipper for such an ungodly hour on a Monday morning," she said to him.

  "No reason not to be. It's a new day, full of promise."

  Wow, Audrey thought to herself. I'd do well to remember that with the feelings I've been having lately. Maybe this trip is just what I need.

  As she waited to board the plane to Austin, she found a small café in the airport and treated herself to a breakfast of bagels and coffee. A short while later, she was comfortably seated on the plane and decided to try to catch a nap during the flight. She wasn't going to read, not on this flight. She was officially on vacation. While most people liked to read on a trip, she was the opposite. She read for a living, and unless she was behind on her work, it was the last thing she wanted to do. Putting her head back, she closed her eyes and drifted off. The dream came to her again. It was so peaceful again, in a place where cool water flowed from a brook, grassy hills surrounded her and birds were chirping in the background. She could see horses in the field beyond the brook. But most of all, she was sitting beside the brook with a man. He was whispering something in her ear. She couldn't hear what he was saying or see his face, but his presence was noted. When she woke to the stewardess announcing they would be landing soon, she grabbed her purse, took out a compact and checked her face and hair. She rummaged for a stick of gum, took it out of the wrapper and put it into her mouth. Texas, ready or not, here I come.

  When she walked off the plane, she looked around. True to her word, Cora was standing near the walkway with a huge smile on her pretty face. She looked radiant, happy and fulfilled. Audrey rushed to her, and the two friends hugged.

  "It's so good to see you," Audrey said when she finally stepped back and looked at Cora.

  "Oh, honey, it's good to see you, too. Let's collect your luggage and find a place to have a nice, long, relaxing lunch, so we can catch up."

  Once they'd retrieved Audrey's bags and loaded them into Cora's SUV, Cora drove to a nearby restaurant. "This should be perfect," she said as she pulled into the parking lot.

  The hostess seated them after a short five-minute wait, and after ordering their drinks, Audrey began the conversation, "Tell me all about the company. You'd mentioned it's growing by leaps and bounds."

  "It's true. I'm signing new authors nearly every day. It's getting harder to keep up with it all from home. I am at the point where I'm going to start looking for a place to work from, other than my home office. I was hoping you'd help me with that while you're here. I realize you're on vacation, but I value your opinion so much."

  "I'd be honored to help you. Do you have some locations in mind?" Audrey asked.

  "A few, I have a realtor friend who's helping me. I can set up appointments to see them this week."

  "So, if you're growing that much, aren't you going to have to hire some people to help you?"

  "I have editors who freelance for me, of course, but I will need to think about hiring someone to help out in the office, an assistant, for sure. Possibly even another acquisitions editor. I have no idea how I'll find someone in Fredericksburg to fill that position, though."

  "Maybe someone you know from one of your past jobs can do it from where they live."

  "I had thought of that; I just don't know who."

  The waitress brought their drinks and took their lunch order, promising to have it to them soon.

  As Audrey sipped her cool drink, she asked, "Who does your graphics and all that?"

  "A local guy, Beau Birch," Cora replied. "He went to school with my sister and has always been interested in art, even studied it. He works as a cowboy during the week and helps me out on the weekends. His work is amazing. He also does formatting, maintains my website, and does other various technical things for me."

  Audrey giggled. "A cowboy, you say? Are we talking a real, honest-to-goodness Texas cowboy? Somehow, that just doesn't fit."

  "Oh, if you saw him, it would fit. He's the perfect cowboy. In fact, I've often teased him about being on one of the covers. He's gorgeous, tanned, muscular, pretty damn hot, in fact. But don't tell Dale I said that."

  Audrey laughed. "Dale has nothing to worry about. But one thing puzzles me. If he's such a good artist, why is he tending to cows all day?"

  "He's trying to save money to pursue a full-time career in publishing. You know it takes a while to get there. His foreman job pays very well, and he's just not quite ready to give it up yet."

  "Makes sense, I guess. But being from New York, you know the artists I have come into contact
with are definitely not the cowboy type. They're more sophisticated and refined."

  "Are you saying cowboys can't be sophisticated and refined? We are really going to have to give you a dose of Texas while you're down here, girl."

  "I can't wait to meet this Beau person. He sounds interesting."

  "And unattached, at the moment," Cora added.

  "Oh, no, I'm not interested in a vacation fling with a cowboy, no matter how hot he is."

  "So, your interest is strictly business?" Cora teased. "We'll see."

  "Now, really, Cora, can you see me with a cowboy, of all things?"

  "Life is strange, Audrey. It can throw us many curveballs. Now, fill me in on Kayla's new man. I want to hear all about Camille, too."

  "Oh, where to start with that one; it's an interesting tale," Audrey said as she took another sip of her drink.

  "I'm intrigued already," Cora replied as the waitress brought their salads.

  Audrey thanked the girl, and as she drizzled the dressing on her salad, she began, "Kayla went through a bit of a rough patch with her last relationship. She found out the guy had been lying to her all along. He told her he was divorced with no kids. She found out, quite by accident from a mutual friend, that he was actually separated with a four-year-old son. The friend knew his wife, and it seems the wife wasn't ready to give him up."

  "Oh, boy, did she confront him?"

  Audrey took a bite of her salad before continuing. "She did. He admitted to her that he and the wife were discussing trying again, and Kayla went ballistic on him. She demanded to know when he was planning to tell her."