“Like most of America, I guess.” She cleared her throat and watched a clump of her dark hair fall to the floor. “But what about other places? Like maybe a bar? Or a club?”
Myrtle’s hands stopped. Her eyes narrowed as she met Georgia’s gaze in the mirror. “Club? What kind of club are you talking about?”
It was now or never. She lowered her voice. The fewer people who knew what she wanted, the better. “Well, I heard that there’s a club at a place called Pleasure Ranch.” She paused, waiting for a reaction, got none, then added, “It’s a special kind of club.”
Myrtle’s hands started working again. She snatched up the dryer, but didn’t turn it on. “Honey, if you wanted to know about that club, why didn’t you just come out and ask?”
“I wasn’t sure I should.” How often did people talk about a sex club in the open?
“I guess that makes sense. But around here, most people live and let live. As far as we’re concerned, Pleasure Ranch and its club have done a lot for the town. They contribute money and time, not to mention workers to help everyone keep their places up.” She shrugged, making the flowers on her dress bob up and down. “Besides, what people want to do on their own time is fine with me. I don’t judge.”
Georgia hadn’t expected such a liberal reaction. Weren’t most small towns conservative, especially about sex? “So…do you know Paul and Destin Casing?”
“Sure I do. Everyone does.” Myrtle started drying her hair, the noise cutting off their conversation. Once Georgia’s hair was dry, she switched it off and gave her a curious look. “You’re sweet on those boys, aren’t you?”
“What? No. I mean, I’d heard that they’re in charge, so I was wondering what they were like.” She did her best to maintain eye contact with Myrtle.
“Uh-huh. Then let me tell you something. They may run a different kind of place out on that ranch of theirs, but they’re two of the best men you’ll ever meet. Some snooty folks who don’t know any better might get on their high horses about what goes on at the club, but here in Pleasure, we figure a body has the right to decide how they want to live their life. As for the men, they’re solid and trustworthy with hearts as big as their—”
“Myrtle!” cried Brenda.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, relax. I was going to say hands. They’ve got hearts as big as their hands. Get your mind out of the gutter, girl.”
Georgia smothered a laugh and checked her new hairstyle in her mirror. Myrtle had done a good job of making her black hair shine and bounce around her face. “Myrtle, I have one more question for you.”
“And what would that be?”
“Can you tell me how to get to Pleasure Ranch?”
* * * *
Thirty minutes later, Georgia was sure Myrtle had played a prank on her. She’d checked the directions several times and knew she’d gone down the same back road at least twice. Pulling to the side of the country road, she studied the route Myrtle had drawn again, but couldn’t figure out where she’d gone wrong.
“Damn it. Where the hell is this place?”
“Georgia Fox, is that you?”
She jerked her head up, then put her hand up to shield her eyes from the setting sun. The silhouette of a man on top of a horse sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn’t see his face, but the voice lit a fire inside her.
It has to be.
The man swung his leg over the horse, gave it a pat on the neck, then strode over to her side of the car.
It’s him.
She pushed the button to open her window and tried to tone down her smile. If she didn’t, she’d look like a looney person with her big, sappy grin.
“It is you.” His smile rivaled her. “Girl, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“It’s good to see you again, Destin.” Good wasn’t the right word. Seeing him was downright exciting…and stimulating in all the right places.
He pulled the door open, reached in, and tugged her to her feet. She let out a yelp but didn’t fight him. Instead, she eased her body against his, then looked up into the light green eyes that had taunted her every time she’d thought about the Casing brothers. In the past six months, she’d thought about those eyes a lot.
He skimmed the backs of his fingers along her cheek. Her body came alive, pulsing under his touch, aching for more.
“You came.”
The way he’d said it made it sound as though he’d expected her to show up. “I’m sorry? Did someone in town let you know I was here?” As much as Myrtle talked, she wouldn’t have doubted that the woman had phoned the ranch to let them know she was coming.