Texas-Sized Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t own the house she lived in. The Santerres were not considerate of the women in the family.”
    â€œNo. When I’m in the house where I grew up, my blood father and Will are an insignificant part of it. My father and Will were at her house for family get-togethers, rarely any other times. Grandmother couldn’t own the land or the house, but she had other assets. She left Will a token $25,000, otherwise all her money, savings, stocks, bonds, went to me. One thing, Will had to mind Grandmother and he hated that. Will never took orders well from anyone except Grandmother and sometimes his father. Grandmother made him mind and it irritated him no end, but she was the one person on this earth Will truly feared. He feared and cooperated with his father just to the point to keep in his good graces. Will’s mother spoiled him terribly. She may have contributed greatly to Will being the selfish, self-centered person he is.”
    â€œDid you ever go to your father’s house?”
    She shook her head and stood, watching the rain. “No, except for Christmases when I was young. Later my father and Will would travel to exotic places to celebrate. I think they were both frightened of Grandmother. They didn’t mess with her. I haven’t seen Will since my father’s funeral. We talked on the phone after I learned about the sale of the ranch. That’s how I know Will is living in California and Paris. I’m my father’s daughter by blood only. Since I didn’t grow up with him, he had little influence on my life. Grandmother raised me to think for myself and form my own opinions. I keep telling you, please don’t categorize me with Will.” Caitlin tilted her head, studying Jake.
    â€œI haven’t. I can keep you and Will separate in my mind.” Jake reached out to touch a stray lock of her hair. “I have a suggestion. Let’s set aside business so we can enjoy the nextfew hours. For a while, let’s forget that I’m a Benton and you’re a Santerre. We can get to know each other on another level that doesn’t involve the past, but is the present. If we’d just met, we wouldn’t be into all this family history. I think we’ll have a better evening that we’re compelled by rain to share.”
    She smiled. “You feel compelled to share this evening with me?”
    â€œYou’ve already said we’re captive for tonight and I never said the time together was a bad thing. I’m just trying to make it better by removing some of the remnants of the family feud for a few hours. We can always return to swords’ points.”
    She laughed softly. “Deal. At least we can try. We’ll see how long it lasts.”
    â€œExcellent,” he said, smiling at her. Again, there was a flicker in the depths of her eyes and his insides tightened. She was responsive to him, willing to flirt. She wanted to kiss, he was sure of it, but he was determined to wait until the right moment.
    â€œSo, Caitlin, tell me about professional photography. Do you have a studio somewhere?”
    â€œYes, I do in Houston as well as galleries in Houston and in Santa Fe. I have homes both places.”
    â€œImpressive.”
    She smiled as she peered over the edge of her drink at him. “You’re not really impressed. I like my work. Actually, I love my work.”
    â€œAnd what kind of photography do you do?”
    â€œDon’t sound as if I’m playing marbles for a living,” she said, her smile taking the bite out of her words. “I take pictures of people, families, children, celebs, pets. I specialize in black-and-white photography of people and children. I already know about you—the CEO of Benton Energy, Inc.Your father is retired now and you run the company. Your brother Gabe is CEO of Benton Drilling.”
    â€œRight. Before hunger sets in, I’ll fire up the grill for steaks. I’ll put potatoes