Only You by Francis Ray Page B

him feel any better.
    “So why pick on Sierra?” Brandon wanted to know.
    “She’s out of pigtails,” Luke said with a wry twist of his mouth.
    “Your sister is beautiful, intelligent, resilient, and resourceful,” Ruth Grayson told her middle child. “She is coveted by many, but only one man will match her fire and spirit.”
    “Mama, if you have the man for Sierra, it would be a good time for him to make his appearance.” Luke rounded the desk and hunkered down to her. “Sierra sometimes acts before she thinks.”
    For a moment, just a moment, fear flashed in his mother’s dark eyes; then it was gone, replaced by the lioness fierceness all of her children were familiar with. “If he causes her any pain, he will regret it.”
    Luke squeezed Ruth’s hands. There was no need for further words. Sierra would have her chance, but all of them would be watching, waiting. If Blade hurt her, he’d regret it until the moment he died. They’d make sure of it.

FOUR
     
    F rom the second-floor terrace of the Navarone Place sales and information center, Blade waited for Sierra to emerge from the car that had just pulled up in front of the W hotel next door. First her long, shapely legs emerged, then her incredible upper body. She looked breathtaking in a magenta-colored suit with a straight short skirt.
    He remembered her smile, the punch it sent to his mid-section. That hadn’t changed. He hadn’t really expected it to, but he had wondered.
    As soon as she straightened, John Perry was there to greet her, his trusty administrative assistant, Delores, by his side, ready to take any requests their latest arrival might have. There had been a car for the other invitees as well, but Delores had met them at the W alone.
    Sierra’s long, straight hair whipped around her shoulders. With a practiced sweep of her hand she smoothed the swirling black mass around her head, letting it fall over her left shoulder. Blade’s hand clenched. He recalled the silky texture, the urge to bury his face in it, then later staring at the diamond comb she’d left. He’d been as reluctant to sever all connection and send the comb back as he had been to send its owner away.
    He’d thought he’d forget her in time. Instead she had occupied his thoughts more with each passing day. He usually didn’t make mistakes and only mildly considered that he might be making another one by ensuring that they’d meet again.
    He almost smiled as he noted the amount of luggage being unloaded. There were three pieces of monogrammed multicolored Louis Vuitton suitcases. The invitation was for a week. Apparently, his information was correct; Sierra loved to shop. Besides her close-knit family, her only indulgences and passions were clothes and their accessories.
    Blade planned on adding another passion. Himself. He’d build on the attraction that had leaped between them the second they met, the kiss that seared both of them that night on the beach. His body tightened with sexual hunger.
    He hoped it was quick.
    He had never missed or wanted a woman as much as he missed and wanted Sierra. His love for his wife, Mary, had been that of a young man, almost worshipful. He didn’t understand what he felt for Sierra, but it wasn’t love. After losing Mary he’d promised himself that he would never love another woman, but he wanted Sierra with a growing fierceness that couldn’t be denied.
    He’d tried.
    When he finally accepted it wasn’t going to happen, he’d given her name to John Perry and left it up to fate, or so he had told himself. Watching John escort Sierra inside the W hotel, Blade knew it wasn’t. He didn’t stand over his employees in management, but all of them would follow through on any suggestion he made.
    During the time he and Sierra had spent apart, he had personally looked into her background. He hadn’t wanted Shane or any of his men doing it. By then Blade had accepted he was possessive where Sierra was concerned, a first with a