Spanish Rose

Excerpt

Excerpt 1:

The tall pine trees bordering the cemetery whispered softly in the light breeze as Josie Lopez stood on the outer edge of the mourners. The voice of the minister giving the final eulogy to her father drifted out to her. She looked toward the flower-shrouded coffin where Jace Cantrell stood next to his mother Eve. On Eve’s left was Jacob, the youngest of the Cantrell's.
The minister spoke the final words and Josie walked toward her car, glancing back one last time across the green lawn. A flush covered her olive skin as she met the piercing blue stare of Jace Cantrell. She couldn't move, watching him leave his mother and brother behind and walk toward her.
Josie felt a sense of urgency to escape Jace Cantrell, but her legs refused to move. With a few feet separating them, he stopped. She didn't miss the glittering light of anger filling his eyes.
"I thought you'd have more respect for my mother than to come here.” Sarcasm coated his words.
"I beg your pardon.” Josie swallowed hard. Although Jace Cantrell looked intimidating, she felt an exciting reaction winging its way through her. "I don’t understand."
"You may have been Jim Cantrell’s illegitimate daughter, but he's dead.”
Josie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Did her father mention her to the other family members? It seemed so by Jace Cantrell’s reaction to her. She didn’t hide her displeasure as she met his look without flinching. "I have every right to be here.” She turned away abruptly and got into her car, leaving him to stare after her.
Josie fumbled putting the key in the ignition. She glanced in the rear view mirror and caught the image of Jace Cantrell still watching her. When she turned a corner and could no longer see him, the air finally left Josie’s body with a heavy sigh.

Excerpt 2:

Josie dressed in a gray pinstriped skirted suit on Friday morning. She brushed her hair until it glowed with a blue-black sheen and rested neatly on her shoulders. She applied a coating of powder to her small nose and blotted her red lips with a tissue. Josie was satisfied with her look, but wasn't looking forward to this morning.
After arriving at the office, she walked toward the conference room, bolstering her courage. She pushed the door open and saw Jacob and Eve at the long table. Jace stood across the room, with his back to her, pouring a cup of coffee from the serving tray. He turned and looked in her direction, but his face remained expressionless.
Josie claimed a vacant chair as Mr. Simon walked into the room. She breathed a sigh seeing at least one friendly face.
"Good morning, Josie,” he murmured, walking past her chair. His light touch on her arm was a reassuring gesture.
"Good morning, Mr. Simon,” she returned his greeting.
Mr. Simon sat at the head of the table. The rustling of papers was the only noise in the quiet room. He placed the documents in front of him and looked up.
"Is everyone ready to begin?" He glanced around the table.
After receiving nodding responses, he began reading the terms of the will made out by Jim Cantrell. "I bequeath to Eve, Jacob and Jace Cantrell ownership of the Lone Star Ranch. All of the real property extending to the Whispering Pine will be titled to them." Mr. Simon went on to name a monetary figure included in their inheritance.
"The remaining property of Whispering Pine is bequeathed to my daughter, Josie Cantrell. Along with the property will be a trust fund."
She looked up when Mr. Simon said her name. Josie found three pair of eyes watching her. Jacob's face was the only one holding a stunned expression.
"I don't see why we have to share with you!” Jacob’s angry outburst made her flinch.
"He was her father, too,” the old lawyer defended her.
Jacob didn't reply, but the new developments weren't pleasing him, judging by his expression. He reached out and clasped his mother's hand, squeezing it tightly as if he were trying to protect her from the woman seated across from her.
When Josie glanced at Eve, there was no hostility in her countenance; a tremulous smile curved the woman's soft lips. Suddenly, Josie thought she understood. She felt certain Eve knew who she was, and what part she played in her husband’s life. Josie returned her gentle smile, silently thankful Eve wasn't going to be her enemy.
A quiet settled in the room while Mr. Simon returned the sheets of paper to his briefcase. Jace didn’t say one word. Josie’s eyes lifted to his face, but he was intent on staring down into the contents of his coffee cup.
She felt the need to escape the stifling atmosphere in the room. Standing, she glanced at Mr. Simon, "If there isn't anything else, I'm due in court in half an hour."
"Run along,” he smiled at her, “but if you have the time this afternoon, please come by my office."
"I will. If the rest of you will excuse me, I have to go." She looked at the other three people seated across from her. Picking up her purse, she pushed her chair beneath the table. Jace finally lifted his eyes from his coffee cup and looked at her. Josie met his look calmly, before turning and leaving the room. As she reached the hallway, her breath left her with a sigh.
The experience wasn’t bad. The only one showing hostility toward her was her half-brother, Jacob. Jace was an altogether different proposition; he didn’t show any emotion. Before she reached the elevator, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and a frown covered her face finding Jace looking down at her. She noticed how his mouth curved with a slight grin watching her expressive face.
"I want to apologize for the rude way I’ve acted toward you,” he said softly.
"Apology accepted,” she said coolly. Although she mouthed the words, the resentment still filled her.
"It doesn't sound as if you want to accept my apology, but believe me, I'm giving it sincerely."
She glanced into his eyes and saw uncertainty reflected in them. Maybe he was sorry, and she wasn't giving him a chance. "I believe you.” She felt the heavy weight finally lifting from her.
"If you're free this weekend, I'll show you Whispering Pines." A soft look appeared on his face. His attitude toward her did a complete reversal from their earlier meetings.
"I-I don't have any plans.”
"Will nine o'clock tomorrow morning be too early?" His blue eyes melted into her dark eyes.
"Nine sounds fine.”
As she stepped onto the elevator, she saw his nod. The door closed, blocking her view of him. Josie sighed again. Her emotions were in turmoil from just talking to Jace moment’s ago. She couldn't understand the upheaval she experienced every time she saw him.

Excerpt 3:

She opened the door and Jace swaggered past her. He turned in the middle of the room and faced her, his jaw clenched.
"What do you want, Jace?"
"I stopped by to talk to you.”
He watched her a few seconds longer before dropping his gaze to the carpeting. The sight of her delectable curves, outlined by the thin robe, made his temperature rise. His insides trembled with want and a burning ache filled his loins. He tried keeping his emotional state under control, but found it wasn’t an easy job.
"Why did you stop by?” She clutched her robe tightly as she sat on the couch and tucked her legs beneath her.
"Do you think Jim Cantrell would have approved of the way you behaved tonight?" He said the first thing to pop into his head. How in the hell would I know what Jim would think? Jim kept her away from the rest of the family, so they weren’t given the chance to know her.
There was no way to tell her how he really felt seeing her at the party. She would think he was a crazy man since they barely knew each other. There was something boiling below the surface of their relationship since their first meeting and Jace couldn’t explain it.
She stood quickly and faced him. "I'm not a child, Jace, and if my father were alive, he couldn't tell me what to do. I’m letting you know, as well."
"Oh, is that right?" he muttered, reaching for her.
When his fingers grasped her rounded curves, something went off in his head. He couldn't stop from pulling her straining body tightly against his. She tried resisting him, but she was no match. Jace held her effortlessly loving how she felt soft beneath his fingertips.
The need to keep touching her filled him. His hands moved compulsively as they ran down her hips and on up again to cover her nipples peaked with excitement. His gaze landed on her lips and he couldn’t look away.
She wasn’t prepared for his kiss. The fierce capture left her breathless as his tongue pried her lips apart finding its target easily. The invasion sent a warm sensation slithering down her spine, although she tried hiding her reaction from him. His tactics suddenly changed. The gentle caress of her mouth made her want more of the same.
Desire rose swiftly in her, she trembled at the tender strokes he used, combing his fingers through the thick fall of dark hair cascading along her shoulders. His hands roamed her curves again, exciting her more. The sensuous movements of his tongue brought a desperate craving to feel his total possession. The burning need filled her and she pressed her warm body closer to his, melding her curves into his hard muscled thighs.
As he lifted her and started toward her bedroom, she draped her arms around his neck and her fingers trailed across his skin. She reached up and stroked his black hair, rubbing the strands gently together.