All Through the Night (Liar's Web)

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Liar's Web

All through the Night

May 2013

Copyright © 2013, Sandra Calhoune

Cover illustration copyright © (Elaina Lee)

ISBN Not Assigned

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

Published by
:
 
Sandra Calhoune

All Through The Night

By

Sandra Calhoune

Dedication

For my family. Thank you for supporting me in my writing endeavors. Without your love and support, none of this would have been possible.

Chapter One

Darcel nursed her Pinot Grigio and watched from across the courtyard as her sworn enemy chatted up a group of good-looking ladies.
It’s like watching a train wreck
.
 
She wanted to look away from the nauseating sight, but she couldn't tear her gaze from the wreckage.

Jake Trueblood was like a panther—dark, sleek, and deadly. And the eligible ladies of Liberty Creek were acting as if he were the last single man on the planet earth. She tried not to gawk as one of the women handed him a glass of lemonade and he took a long sip, his throat convulsing as he greedily consumed the contents.

He
wa
s
 
handsome—she had to admit—in a rugged, ruthless kind of way. He was tall, six-foot three, she would guess, with a massive build comprised of pure muscle. His features were strong and bold—high cheekbones, a hawkish nose, and full ruby lips. His skin looked like burnished copper, no doubt with a little help from the Texas sun. His onyx-colored hair hung to his shoulders in a straight, no frills style.

On another man, it might've looked girly, but it just served to make him look manlier. His brown eyes were dark as sin and looked almost black. His Native American good looks could certainly make a woman stop and stare.

Not that she would ever admit to anyone she found him attractive! He was mean, cocky, rude, and an absolute tool. And he'd made it clear on several occasions he despised everything about her.

You are hereby accused of being a small-minded, obnoxious gossip.

Trueblood's words had been cutting and to the point, leaving no question as to his disgust. It still bothered her that he harbored such animosity toward her, such unbridled hatred. She wasn't used to people not liking her. In her profession, it was vitally important she be likable, personable, and approachable. Without those qualities, she wouldn't be able to sell ice water in the desert, never mind million dollar homes in Texas. And she was good at her job, the best, in fact, in the entire region.

Heat seared through her as he looked up and met her gaze, his dark eyes inscrutable and forbidding. For God's sake, he was practically scowling at her.
Screw him
!
 
She had just as much right to be here as he did. Star was her best friend, and her relationship with Case had grown into a solid friendship over the past few months.

When Star sidled up and put an arm lovingly around her shoulder, it provided her with a well-needed distraction from Jake Trueblood's annoying presence.

Hey, girl, thanks for the fabulous party. Case told me how much you helped with the planning. I can't tell you how much it means to me.”

Her best friend was beaming. She radiated happiness. And she was looking more gorgeous than ever. Darcel held her hands up in protest. “Don't thank me. Your mom was like a machine, the way she ran things. She could be a professional party planner if she wanted to.” Self-consciously, she darted a glance in Trueblood's direction.

 
Star followed her gaze. “Like bees to honey. They're really swarming around him, aren't they?”

Darcel sniffed. “It's amazing what some people find attractive.”

Star let out a throaty laugh. “C'mon, girl. You may hate the man, but you have to admit he's gorgeous.”

“
And butt-ugly on the inside.”

Star swatted her hand at Darcel. “He's not so bad. I know the two of you got off on the wrong foot, but he's a really good guy.”

Darcel sputtered on her Pinot. “Wrong foot? That's putting it mildly. The last time we faced off, he called me every name in the book. And then some.”

Star patted her on the arm reassuringly. “I'm sorry about that. He doesn't know you like I do. You're one of the most generous, kind people I've ever known.”

Tears prickled in Darcel's eyes as she listened to Star's soothing words. She'd never wanted to admit how much it hurt when Trueblood had called her out and labeled her as a vicious gossip-monger. And all because of a simple rumor she'd passed on about him and the widow Jenkins. She hadn't created the rumor, for goodness’ sakes. She'd just passed it on a couple of times. Well, perhaps it had been more than a couple of times, but schmoozing with customers was part of her job duties as a realtor. Sometimes exchanging tidbits of information was part of the process of selling real estate.
So bite me, Trueblood!

Case suddenly appeared at Star's side and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her toward him in a tight embrace. As Darcel looked on, Case planted a steamy kiss on Star's lips, one that drew catcalls and whistles from the guests. Case pulled away from his wife and scowled at his audience. “Hush. Can't you see I'm trying to romance my wife?”

“
By the looks of it, bro, you've already done a bit of romancing,” Drew, Case's handsome younger brother, piped in as he pointed to his sister-in-law's bulging belly. His comment drew laughter from the crowd, and Darcel couldn't help noticing Trueblood threw his dark head back in laughter and clapped Drew on the back.

So he does laugh, after all. He isn't just brooding dark looks and snarky comments. He isn't just a bully with a badge. He is human.

* * * *

Jake Trueblood couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed himself more at a baby shower. Truth to be told, it was the first baby shower he'd ever attended. Only Star and Case could turn a baby shower into a festive, celebratory event filled with the best barbecued chicken and ribs this side of Texas. The citizens of Liberty Creek had turned out in full force, showering the expectant couple with massive amounts of love, friendship, and baby gifts.

Most people had hedged their bets by using yellow-and-green wrapping paper for their gifts since the baby's gender was still a closely guarded secret. He had his own hunch about the baby's sex, but as Case's closest friend, his lips were sealed.

The party had been perfectly enjoyable until he'd laid eyes on one of the sexiest women he'd ever seen in his life. He could only see her from the rear, but from where he was standing, the view was spectacular. The woman's fitted fuchsia dress showcased an amazing backside, a trim waist, and a pair of stunning legs that wouldn't quit. The graceful slope of her neck and back drew him in like a moth to a flame.

Her hair was elegantly styled in a chignon with little wisps dangling at the sides. The moment he spotted her, his pulse had quickened, he'd stood up ramrod straight, and the telltale thickening of his groin had alerted him to his arousal. Despite the fact he was surrounded by a group of women talking his ear off, his interest was solely focused on her. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this magnetic attraction, this mesmerizing pull toward a woman. A giddy feeling seized him as he anticipated when they'd come face-to-face. The possibilities were endless.

And then she'd turned around.

The moment he saw her face, recognition flooded through him. His gut tightened with awareness, and heat flared low in his belly. His heart started beating a crazy rhythm. It was her! Darcel Dawkins. Reckless gossip. Loose, lying lips. The bane of his existence. He was thoroughly disgusted with himself. How could he have mistaken the mouth of the south for a sexy, fascinating stranger? Where was his head at? His reaction to her was alarming. It shook him so much, he felt as if he needed to pick his jaw up off the ground.

Every time he came into contact with her, she got under his skin. As a man who considered himself as the calm, cool, and collected type, it bothered the hell out of him that she got him so riled up. He didn't like feeling angry and resentful. It dredged up too many painful memories from his past. It made him feel out of control, off kilter. He heard the high tinkling sound of her laughter as it drifted across the terrace.

His gaze settled on Darcel as she laughed and joked with the guest of honor, Star. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out why Star loved her so much. What qualities did she see in Darcel that made her best friend material?

Their eyes locked across the terrace, and he saw the laughter suddenly extinguished from her espresso-colored eyes. She held his gaze, staring back at him with a grim intensity. Even from this distance, he could see her body bristle. Her perfectly shaped lips were pursed while her eyes glittered with an emotion that looked a lot like anger. Her face mirrored his own emotions. Dislike. Contempt. Fury.

Heat burned his face as he saw her whisper something to Star then dart her eyes back in his direction. What had she said about him to his best friend's wife? That he was a brute? A rude Alpha male? A jackass? It was amazing how he'd become the bad guy when she'd been the one spreading lies about him all over town.

“
Lighten up,” Drew said as he walked up and handed him an ice-cold Corona. “This is a celebration, not a funeral.”

“
Thanks, Drew. You have no idea how much I needed one of these.”

He gratefully took the beer, raising it to his lips and downing it in four greedy gulps. As the cold ale trickled down his throat, he couldn't help but notice Darcel daintily sipping a glass of wine. A small amount of liquid dribbled out the corner of her mouth. He knew he should look away, but his focus lingered as her tongue darted out to lick the fluid off her skin. Desire seized him in its grip—strong, hot, pulsing desire. He shook it off, wanting nothing to do with these feelings coursing through his body.

He couldn't,
wouldn'
t
 
desire this woman. Purposefully, he turned around so his back was facing her, choosing instead to focus his energies on the bevy of beauties flocking around him. He had no intention of spending another minute thinking about a woman who made his stomach turn.

* * * *

The party was in full swing, complete with a rhythm and blues band, a famous psychic reading tea leaves, an impromptu performance by an up and coming blues singer, and enough catered food to feed an army. Judging by the ecstatic expression on her best friend's face, the baby shower had been a hit. Anyone who was anyone in Liberty Creek had shown up for Star and Case's celebration. It was the perfect time for her to slip out of the festivities unnoticed. She'd bet nobody would even notice her disappearance from the party.

She was exhausted. There was nothing she wanted more than a hot shower and some bed rest. After waking up at six this morning, she'd put in a full day at the office, then headed over to the Evans’ homestead for the baby shower. As much as she hated to admit it, she'd suffered a small twinge of jealousy at the sight of a very pregnant Star, radiant in her floral maternity dress, slow dancing with the love of her life. She'd watched from the sidelines as he'd lovingly patted Star's bulging belly, his eyes filled with worship as he whispered secrets to his unborn child and his soul mate.

In truth, they were her inspiration. Despite the fact they'd been separated for many years by lies and deception, the couple had found their way back to each other last year. Now they were married and blissfully awaiting the birth of their first child. Case liked to say they'd never stopped loving one another—they'd just lost their way. The fact they'd overcome incredible odds to end up together served as a reminder to her that with love, all things were possible.

Tears misted her eyes as a feeling of deep longing swept through her. She wanted a man to look at her the way Case was gazing at Star. She wanted a love that withstood all the bad things life threw at a person. She wanted her happily ever after moment, complete with a vintage wedding dress and a darkly handsome groom waiting for her at the altar. She wanted the fairytale.

Who was she kidding? She wasn't Star Evans Matthews. She wasn't a beautiful heiress brought up in a world of unimaginable wealth and influence. She wasn't the owner of the Diamond Lil, one of the biggest ranches this side of Texas. She was plain old Darcel Dawkins. Star's best friend. The working girl with the middle class background and the oversized mouth.