Their trip to Colorado the next day was uneventful, but for Ally, it was spectacular. She’d never been in Travis’s private jet, and the luxury of the aircraft was unbelievable to her. Of course Travis had wanted to spend most of their flight time showing her the bedroom, which she gladly enjoyed right along with him.
She leaned back in the leather seat of the BMW she’d rented for him, unable to find him the Ferrari he’d requested. “Sorry you have to slum it with the BMW,” she told him facetiously.
“I guess I’ll just have to be a regular guy,” he answered with a grin.
She snickered, knowing Travis Harrison would never be just a regular man. “Yeah, just a real average Joe,” she agreed, nodding her head. “With two security vehicles following us from the minute we left that luxury jet.”
“Tate’s guys,” Travis said, disgruntled, maneuvering through traffic once they left the city limits of Denver. “You’ll be pretty safe once we get to Rocky Springs.”
“Me? It’s not me they’re protecting, Travis.”
“Of course it is. That’s the only reason I told Tate to send more than one. I wanted to be alone on the flight, so I left your security at the airport back in Florida, and told Tate to send some of his guys to the airport here. I don’t worry much about my own security. I worry about yours.”
“I’ve never had security before.” She looked at him, puzzled.
“Sweetheart, your beautiful ass has been tailed ever since your ex showed up at your house. You just didn’t know it.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my woman and whether I like it or not, I’m a high-profile man. I want to make sure you’re safe.” He shot her a look not to argue with him.
“I didn’t know,” she murmured, not sure how she felt about being watched all the time, but touched that he was thinking about her safety. “I’m sure it’s not necessary.”
“It is,” Travis replied harshly. “Don’t argue with me on this one, Ally. I want you safe.”
Deciding she could deal with security because it was just part of who Travis was, she replied, “Okay.” She watched the scenery out the window, marveling at the high peaks of the mountains, the top of which still had snow. “Oh my God. Are those bighorn sheep?” she asked excitedly, looking at the rocky terrain by the side of the freeway.
“Yep,” Travis replied. “You’ve never seen one?”
“Never,” Ally replied enthusiastically. “I’ve rarely gotten out of Florida.” She rummaged in her purse for her phone to take a picture.
“Don’t bother,” Travis advised. “You’re too far away. Don’t worry. You’ll see plenty of wildlife here.”
“You know, that’s one of the things I was really excited about when I took this job. I wanted to travel, see other places. I was disappointed once I realized you’d never take me. But I guess it all worked out because I needed my other job.” She put her phone back in her purse.
“I wanted to,” Travis answered hoarsely. “But I couldn’t, Ally. It wasn’t possible. Even then, I wanted to fuck you. And to have you that close to me would have killed me.”
“It’s so hard to believe you were really attracted to me for that long. Travis, there are so many women who—”
“Didn’t matter. I haven’t fucked another woman since I met you. I didn’t want a single one of them,” he said irritably.
Ally gaped at him. “You haven’t had sex in four years?”
“Nope. Just me and my fantasies about doing the only woman I wanted. But they were pretty hot fantasies,” he said jokingly, trying to lighten the conversation.
“Why didn’t I ever notice?” Ally muttered to herself.
“Because I didn’t want you to. You were engaged to another man. I thought you actually had the perfect life. But if I had known he was a dick, that he wasn’t making you happy, I would have started taking you with me,” he answered angrily. “I would have done everything in my power to get you away from him.”
Ally felt tears well up in her eyes, the knowledge that Travis had been there all that time wanting her nearly breaking her. She knew how she felt about him now, and if he’d felt even a small portion of what she felt for him, it had to have been difficult. “I wasn’t happy. Rick and I hadn’t even tried to have sex in two years. He made excuses, but I knew—”
“Don’t, Ally. Don’t think about him,” Travis barked.
“I don’t hear his voice anymore, Travis. And I’m actually grateful he made me leave him. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she told him honestly.
“Whose voice do you hear?” he asked in a voice cracking with emotion.
“Mine.” Ally looked at his profile, his jaw clenched tightly. He obviously still couldn’t stand to think about her ex. “And sometimes I hear yours. Especially the naughty things.” She watched as he relaxed in his seat, his face softening.
“I wanted to kill the bastard for what he’d done. He’s lucky he just lost his job and his woman—if you can even call her that. Christ! She was barely eighteen,” Travis grumbled.
“How do you know that?” Ally inquired, slightly stunned that Travis knew about the other woman in Rick’s life.
“Because I filtered the right information to the head of his practice to get him fired, and then I bribed the woman to leave him. She was young, and dazzled by the fact that an educated man was interested in her. He’d fed her some line of bullshit about you, and she believed it because she was young and clueless. She never really knew the truth about you. She was mortified, Ally. I didn’t want her to destroy her life with an asshole. She was too damn young. I paid her tuition to go to college, provided she stayed away from him. She took the deal, and she told me she’d never see him again anyway.”
Ally stared at Travis for a moment, completely blown away. It was hard for her to feel sorry for Rick since she’d worked her ass off for years for him. And he’d get another job. Just not one as prestigious as the one he’d landed after college. But the fact that Travis had saved a young woman from Rick’s manipulative behavior touched her. “I knew she was young, but not that young. Thank you. He would have destroyed her.” Rick had nearly destroyed her, and she was older and wiser. She could imagine what damage he could do to a woman that young and naïve.
“You’re not pissed off?”
“No. Rick will get another job, but he might have to work a little harder. I can’t be sad about that. Maybe he’ll be too busy to go after barely legal women. But what you did for that girl is amazing. You’re amazing,” she breathed softly, knowing this wasn’t the first young woman he’d rescued. He’d also helped two young Indian women escape a bad fate when he’d been helping Asha.
Travis shrugged, looking almost embarrassed. “I thought it was the right thing to do.”
“It was,” Ally agreed, her chest tightening when she looked at Travis. He had so much integrity, so much hidden compassion inside him. And he never sought anything in return, never wanted recognition for the good things he did. In fact, he avoided the attention. Travis Harrison did what he thought was right, because of his sense of honor. “You’re one hell of a man, Travis Harrison.”
“I’m an asshole, Ally. And everyone knows it. But if you think that, I’m glad you’re delusional,” he said with a smirk. “Whatever it takes to keep you,” he added in a more serious tone.
Ally rolled her eyes. “And you think I’m delusional?” But her whole body flushed with pleasure. “Oh look! We’re coming up on the Eisenhower Tunnel,” she exclaimed, seeing the sign that they were getting close.
Travis shook his head, and smiled. “I didn’t realize you’d get excited over a big hole in a mountain.”
Ally gave him an admonishing look. “You’re cynical because you’ve traveled all over the world. The tunnel is incredible. It will take us right underneath the Continental Divide. And it tops out at over eleven thousand feet high. It’s one of the highest and longest vehicular tunnels in the world, Travis.”
“You did your research.”
“Of course I did. And it wasn’t research. It was fun. I’ve never been to Colorado. It’s beautiful here.”
“You might not think so when the snow starts to fly,” Travis answered wryly.
“I’ve never seen snow,” Ally answered wistfully.
“You will. You’ll be going everywhere with me from now on.” His statement sounded almost like a warning.
Ally thrilled at Travis’s possessive tone of voice as they entered the Eisenhower Tunnel. “This is incredible. We’re actually going right through a mountain,” she mused, thinking about how surreal it seemed to be in another part of the country, an area so different from Florida. “What’s it like in Rocky Springs? How big is the ranch?”
She’d only met Tate Colter a few times in passing, occasions where he stopped into the office to see Travis. He was blond, big, and gorgeous. But the only thing she’d really remembered was his incredible gray eyes and how polite he’d always been to her.
“Ranches,” Travis corrected her. “The town is small, but the Colters own over a thousand acres right outside of the town. They all have a ranch there. And then there’s a guest ranch, a spa, and ski resort. They have hot springs that run through the area.”
“Exactly how many Colters are there?” Ally had never known Tate even had siblings.
“Tate’s father is dead. But his mom still lives in the old homestead ranch near the resort with his sister. And he has three other brothers.”
“All wealthy, I’m guessing,” Ally mused.
“The Colters have been wealthy for generations. Their ancestors settled the town during the gold rush, and they were all innovative and started up some very prosperous ventures. So yeah, they’re all obscenely rich.” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “But they’re great people, too.”
Ally was nervous. This wasn’t a world she even came into contact with outside of Travis’s office. “I hope they like me,” she said tentatively. “But at least they think I’m just your assistant.”
“That’s not what I told Tate. And you’re not just my assistant,” Travis answered irritably as he exited the freeway and started navigating through a quaint mountain town.
“Then what did you say? We’re just…dating.”
“I told him I’m bringing my woman,” he answered matter-of-factly. “He put us up in one of the guesthouses on his property so we could have privacy. I think Sutherland is taking the other one.”
Ally hadn’t realized Jason was attending, but she was more concerned about what Travis had told his friends. “But I’m not really your woman. Not really.”
“If you say that one more time, I’ll pull this vehicle off the road and show you just how much you belong to me,” Travis said dangerously, leaving the small town and staying on a two-lane highway, navigating the twists and turns like they were nothing. “Don’t say it, Ally. That isn’t an empty threat. I’m more than ready to show you exactly what I mean right here and right now.”
Oh, God. Ally had never wanted to call him on a threat this badly. Her body ached for him, and she wanted him inside her so desperately that her panties were drenched. But it wasn’t exactly a safe area for him to be pulling off the road. And she had no doubt he’d do it. “Show me later,” she told him breathlessly.
“Count on it,” he warned darkly.
Ally was speechless, thoughts of what exactly Travis would do to her later drifting through her mind. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, visualizing Travis’s powerful body over hers, his fierce look of longing that he always had in his eyes whenever he was inside her.
“What are you thinking about?” Travis asked curiously.
“Nothing,” she squeaked guiltily. “Just plotting my third book.” Liar. Liar. I’m so not thinking about a young adult plot at the moment.
“When is it going to be done? You left me hanging again,” he grumbled.
Her eyes shot open. “You already read the second book?”
“Yesterday. And it was fantastic, but you need to end this with a trilogy or you’ll drive me crazy.”
“I plan on it. And I think you’re biased. The publishers hated it,” she answered with a sigh, but pleased that Travis seemed to genuinely like the story.
“I don’t give a shit what they said. It’s fantastic,” he grunted. “I’m a reader. So my opinion is much more important,” he said arrogantly. “You need a good agent who can submit to the bigger publishing houses. Or you can publish them yourself. I know a good businessman who’d be more than happy to help.”
Ally already knew who that good businessman was, and she smiled. “So you’d let Kade help me?”
She laughed when she heard the predictably unhappy growl from Travis that she’d expected. When she stopped laughing, she told him more seriously, “Just the fact that you believe in me is enough. I think this is something I need to accomplish on my own.”
“Stubborn woman,” he complained mournfully. He nodded his head to the right. “There’s a herd of elk.”
Ally marveled over the field littered with elk. “They’re huge.” A few were right beside the road, and Travis slowed down through the area to avoid hitting any of the animals.
After they passed the herd, Ally asked Travis curiously, “So why were you so insistent that I was coming with you to Colorado? You’re obviously comfortable with the crowd here. You know the Colters well. Why is this any different than any other charity function?” She’d been wondering that for a while now.
“It’s an auction and a ball,” Travis answered grimly.
“So? You attend auctions,” she shot back at him.
“It’s not a typical auction. Tate thought it would be interesting to have a billionaire auction to raise more money. Bastard! And he has the connections to gather a very wealthy crowd.”
“So only billionaires will be there?” Ally asked, bewildered.
“No. Billionaires are the auction items. Women are bidding on the billionaire of their choice to be their escort for the ball.” Travis visibly shuddered. “I can’t believe Sutherland showed up. Poor bastard. I hope he knows what he’s getting himself into. Tate’s own brothers conveniently had to be out of town.”
“So you’re going to be auctioned off?”
“Hell, no. I’m exempt because I have a woman. It’s just the single guys.”
“So you brought me along as your cover?” Ally asked, biting back a laugh, knowing that was probably initially the reason he’d needed her.
He hesitated for a moment and then answered, “Yeah. I’m not going up on some auction block like a damn antique or a prize show horse for sale.”
Ally snickered. “Well, you are priceless and a stud. That’s hilarious. And I think it’s very unique. I think it will be fun. And the men who are participating are good sports. Is Tate going to do it?”
“Yeah. Some unsuspecting woman will have to put up with his ornery ass all night,” Travis grumbled. “He got a surprising number of men who volunteered. We should raise a lot of money.”
“So I’m going to be in the same place as many of the world’s most eligible bachelors?” Ally asked teasingly.
“No. You’ll be there with me,” Travis told her gravely.
“Jason Sutherland will bring a hefty price. So will Tate. I know women who would give anything to spend an evening with either one of them. And I imagine there will be women there with very deep pocketbooks.”
“And are you one of those women who would love to spend an evening with Tate or Jason?” Travis questioned, his voice harsh, but a little vulnerable. He turned off the highway and onto a paved road that had a “Welcome to Rocky Springs Resort” sign beside it.
Ally looked at Travis in surprise. Was he serious? Not another man even existed for her anymore. Jason was certainly handsome, and so was Tate. But there was no other guy in the world like Travis. She found it incredible that he could even ask that question, that he still had any doubts. She panted after him like a woman in a perpetual state of heat. It was amazing that Travis had any insecurities, but apparently…he did.
Just like I do.
“No. I’m not.” She reached over and gently stroked his rough jawline. “I’m already living my fantasy with you, and I’m lucky enough that it’s been more than just one night.” She sighed as she stroked the hair at the nape of his neck. “If anything, I wonder why you want me. You’re a brilliant, incredibly handsome man who gives to others without any recognition for doing so. I’m just a regular woman, and I’m nothing special. My butt is too big, I’m much too curvy, and I’m not anything out of the ordinary, yet you still want me. Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll wake up and realize everything that’s happened with you was just one very long, one very hot wet dream. So no…I don’t dream or fantasize about any other man but you.”
Travis grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her palm reverently. “Jesus, Ally. Sometimes I feel exactly the same way.”
Time stopped for just a moment, as though only the two of them existed. Ally’s breath seized in her lungs, the beauty of Travis leaving himself wide open to her making her heart flip-flop in her chest. Her connection to him was so strong, so right, that she wanted to cry just from the joy of being with him. “I’ll never hurt you again, Travis. Not willingly.” She released the tremulous breath she’d been holding. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you of that. Even if I have to get out your ‘naughty boy tie’ and tie you up and ravish you until you’re completely convinced.”
Travis grinned at her wickedly. “I’m suddenly feeling incredibly insecure.”
She shot him an equally naughty grin. “Then I guess we’ll just have to work on that.”
Travis pulled into the driveway of an enormous, beautiful mansion with a circular driveway as he replied, “I’m going to take a lot of damn work.”
Even though Ally had butterflies in her belly at the prospect of meeting so many of Travis’s peers, she smiled.