Brenda Jackson - Sensual Confessions (Madaris Family)

J ust who do you think youre fooling, Blade? Youre interested in Sam. Admit it.

What was thisan interrogation? Blade Madaris thought as he ignored his cousin Luke and glanced around the restaurant before looking down at his watch. It was almost six. He had just arrived in Oklahoma City a few hours ago and Luke had picked him up from the airport.

On their way into town, Blade had persuaded Luke to make a pit stop at a restaurant downtown. Hed even suggested that Luke call his wife, Mac, and invite her to join them, conveniently extending the same invitation to the other two female partners in Macs firm, Samari Di Megliobetter known as Sam to her friendsand Peyton Mahoney. Since Macs marriage, the law firm that used to be known as Standfield, Di Meglio and Mahoney was now Madaris, Di Meglio and Mahoney.

Of course Im interested in Sam, Blade finally said, easing back in his chair and taking a sip of water. His great-grandmother had always said that confession was good for the soul. Shes a woman, isnt she? And a good-looking one, so quite naturally I want to get to know her better.

Luke stared at him. Irritation was clearly etched in his face. But whats the reason?

Blade rolled his eyes. Why? Does a man have to have a reason to want to get to know someone?

Luke gave him a suspicious look.

Blade sat his glass down on the table. For crying out loud, Luke, he said. Youve only been married ten months and already youve forgotten that you were once a skirt chaser.

I havent forgotten, but I consider Sam a friend.

Blade glanced at his watch again before looking at Luke. Good for you. But to me shes a prospective conquest. Will it make you feel better if I told you she doesnt even like me?

Doesnt surprise me. Your reputation precedes you, even in Oklahoma. Shes heard about you and detests everything you represent, Luke said bluntly.

Whatever. Blade wasnt the least bit bothered by Lukes warning. She wouldnt be the first woman who detested him, and he figured she wouldnt be the last. Besides, women might complain about him being a player, but that had never stopped them from jumping into his bed.

Admittedly, he had picked up on the negative vibes from Samari at Luke and Macs wedding, and had found it rather amusingchallenging in a way. It didnt bother him in the least that Sam was difficult, because the one thing he liked when it came to women was a challenge. He took it all in stride and figured her resistance would make the victory that much sweeter. He was confident that he would be getting what he wanted. And he had decided the day of Lukes wedding that he wanted Sam. Clarification, he wanted Sam in his bed . There was a difference.

Lukes phone rang. Blade watched as his cousin stood to pull his cell phone out of his jeans pocket, sliding it open as he sat back down. Yes, sweetheart.

A few moments later Luke nodded. All right, were at the restaurant waiting, he said. No problem. I love you, too.

Luke put his phone back in his pocket and glanced at Blade. That was Mac.

Like I thought it was anyone else, Blade said, chuckling.

They got slightly detained but are on their way now.

He nodded and detected that Luke was just as eager to see Mac as Blade was to see Sam. Marriage certainly agrees with you, Luke, he said after a while.

Luke grinned at him. Hmm, maybe you ought to try it.

A scowl quickly appeared on Blades face. And maybe you ought to keep your opinions to yourself.

Luke couldnt help but laugh. Not that I think youd really care, but Mac mentioned Peyton couldnt make it. Shed made other plans.

Blade took another sip of water. It wasnt that he didnt care, especially since Peyton Mahoney was a good-looking woman in her own right, but hed set his sights on Sam. There had been something about Samari Di Meglio that got to him, just below the gut.

So how long will you be in town?

Blade glanced over at his cousin. He, Luke and his brother Slade were thick as thievesalways had been, always would be. The only kicker was now Luke and Slade were married and he was still single, and that was taking some getting used to.

Not sure yet, he replied, glancing at his watch once again. Im meeting with J. W. Mosley tomorrow. Slade and I are glad we won the bid for the contract. I understand we had some pretty stiff competition.

Luke nodded. Blades construction company, which he jointly owned with his fraternal twin, Slade, had been hired to do extensive renovations to Luke and Macs home, as well as build the Luke Madaris Rodeo School. And now the company would also be building the new thirty-four-story Mosley Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

Over the past few years, the Madaris Construction Company had earned a reputation as one of the best firms in the country. With Blade as construction engineer and Slade as master architect, their designs were renowned worldwide.

Youre sure theyre on their way?

Luke glanced at Blade. He recognized the look on his face, since hed seen it on several occasions over the years. It was Blades predatory look. Luke swore silently to himself and decided it wasnt any of his business, since hed given his cousin fair warning. Samari Di Meglio was not your typical Blade Madaris kind of woman. Sam despised players in the worst way, and Blade was definitely a playerof the card-carrying variety. Hell, he even had membership in the notorious Gentlemens Club, and everyone in Houston knew that its members were far from being gentlemen.

Yes, theyre on their way, Luke said, taking a sip of water after deciding to mind to his own business. Blade was a grown man and Sam was a smart, intelligent woman. There was no doubt that the two would tangle, bump heads and even try to do each other in before it was over. He smiled as he leaned back in his chair. Things would definitely be interesting and all he could do was settle in for what he knew would be a wild and crazy ride.