“No. But who cares? You’re here now.” He picked her up off her feet and twirled her around twice.
“Put me down.”
He did, setting her down roughly. “Tell me you didn’t come all the way from Atlanta to see us.”
She couldn’t deny it. Although she’d left town to get away, she could’ve gone anywhere. They were the reason she’d chosen to come to Texas. “So Paul’s here, too?”
“Where else would he be? This is still our home.” He cocked his head to the side. “But you already know that, don’t you? Otherwise, why would you be out here driving around looking for our ranch?”
She ignored his dig, not wanting to admit she’d done exactly that. “So you still own Pleasure Ranch?” She scanned the area around them, making it clear that she didn’t see anything of a ranch. Hopefully, she didn’t sound as lame as she thought she did.
“Sure do. Let me guess. You got lost trying to find it. Naw, don’t try and say you didn’t.”
He was right. There wasn’t any use trying to fool him. “I didn’t see any signs to the ranch and Myrtle’s directions didn’t help much.”
His laughter both warmed her and irritated her. Was he laughing at her predicament or at her? “Shit, sugar, that old girl couldn’t explain how to lead you to her own house, much less ours. You’re lucky you didn’t wind up in Oklahoma.”
Apparently, Myrtle was a wealth of information, but a lousy one at giving directions. “I wouldn’t have made it that far. I’m about out of gas after driving around so long.”
“Don’t worry. You can either hitch a ride with me and we’ll fetch your car later or you can follow me back to the ranch.”
“I’m not leaving my rental car or my things out here.”
“Suit yourself. At least if you follow me, I’ll be there when you run out of gas.”
She nodded, then turned to get back into the car. If she didn’t, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. The compulsion to grab him and kiss him so hard his teeth rattled had her own teeth chattering. When she’d left Atlanta, she’d wondered if she’d feel the same overwhelming attraction to them that she’d had that night in the cab. If not, she would’ve headed somewhere else. Relief mixed with pent-up lust.
Oh, yeah. It’s still there all right.
Destin grabbed her, then pulled her around to face him again. “I know why you came, sugar. You loved what we did in the cab and you want more.”
“No.” She swallowed and tried to keep from thinking how his lips would feel on her.
“Don’t ever lie to me.” He cupped her under the chin. “But you need to answer a question before we go any further.”
Was he testing her? Would her answer to his one question decide her future? “Ask me.”
“When we dropped you off, we saw a man in the window.” His face darkened, his internal struggle showing in his gritted teeth. “Who was he? Was he your husband?”
“My husband? No.” She had to think a moment before she remembered. “That was my father.”
“Your father?” The struggle vanished, replaced by unrestrained hope.
“I lied to you that night. I took us to my father’s home, not mine.” She wasn’t sure why, but she had the overwhelming impulse to apologize. She never wanted to lie to him or to Paul ever again. “I’m sorry.”
He paused, studying her so hard it made her squirm. He skimmed his tongue along the seam of his mouth, catching her undivided attention. She copied his gesture and saw his focus shift to her mouth.
“I’m sorry what?”
Without thinking, she added, “Sir.”
His eyes glinted with glee that swept away any concern she’d had in making the trip. She’d made the right decision, if only to see that steamy glimmer in his eyes.
“I’m glad you remembered. You’re going to need to remember everything we told you.” Reaching past her, he turned the ignition key, shutting off the truck.
“I thought I was going to follow you?” Again, she couldn’t help but give him the respect he deserved. Just as it had that night in the cab, his charisma, his magnetism coming from an air of complete confidence proved that he deserved it. “Sir.”
“I’m glad to see you’re still willing to do as I say.”
Was she? With any other man, she would’ve balked, would’ve claimed that he was crossing the line, but with him, it felt right. The same would be true with Paul.
“I–I’m not sure.” Being confident, sure of herself and her place in the world, had never been a problem for her. Even as a small child, she’d stood her ground with other kids much older. And yet, inside, she’d felt empty, aching for something more. Waiting for someone she could let stand tall for her. Would the Casing men do that? Could she let them?