Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) (14 page)

“You got anything to say?” Derrick asked McLean.

He tipped the rim of his hat down to cover his eyes and reclined in his seat. He wasn’t saying anything, but Derrick could see the grin on his face.
Good. Keep your smart-ass remarks to yourself, you and Bubba, then you might even get a ride back to the ranch tonight.

J
ack hadn’t been lying when he’d said the local diner was the best in town. The food he’d brought back was simply to die for. There was deep-smoked, barbequed brisket, mashed potatoes, fried okra, and homemade buttermilk biscuits. Casey was normally a light eater, more of a grilled chicken salad person. When she first saw her plate she felt terrible; she knew most of it would go to waste. But in the end, Casey found herself licking the sauce off her fingers.

So when Jack suggested they head to the local bar to have some fun, instead of sitting around the jail all night, she found herself agreeing. Anything was better than sitting in a sheriff’s office alone with Mark. That was only going to lead to lots of talking, and it wasn’t going to take much for him to break her and get the scoop he wanted. Her emotions were all over the place. She was angry and hurt and yet
somehow
missing Derrick. Casey couldn’t understand how she could feel all of those emotions at the same time.
How is that possible?
But worrying about losing her mind over a man she just met wasn’t going to help any.

When she said her only concern was not having another change of clothes, Jack told her not to worry. Within minutes of making a call, her worries or excuses were over. Sissie had shown up with an outfit. The jeans fit her like a glove, the shirt accented her curves, and those boots were the shit. She felt sexy and sassy in the new duds and boots. Not a professional look at all, but it would’ve been fantastic if she were on a date. Sissie knew her fashion.

Jack had offered to give them a ride, but Casey knew if she didn’t walk off some of her meal, she’d regret it tomorrow.

As they walked to the Wild Sass Saloon, which was only a few blocks from where they were, Mark asked, “What happened to all your clothes?”

“That’s a long story.”

He laughed. “I don’t remember you ever being so full of interesting stories before. What is it about this place? Does this story include one Mr. Derrick Nash as well?”

“Have I ever told you that you can be a royal pain in m—”

“The day you turned sixteen,” Mark cut her off.

“Oh yeah. The moment Dad said I was old enough to date, you said, ‘Only if you don’t mind me coming along.’” He never actually went on the dates, but she always felt as though he was watching. He probably had been; it felt like he had eyes everywhere since her parents always knew where she’d been even before she opened her mouth.

When they entered the bar, she realized it wasn’t like the bars back home. No, this was definitely the local social hangout. Music was playing and folks were dancing, some to a line dance and others were doing the two-step. Maybe this wasn’t a great idea. She had grown up with brothers, but she’d never been comfortable dancing. Staying here risked being asked to dance.
This whole scene would’ve been so much easier if they all thought Mark was my husband. At least, I would’ve had a good excuse to say no.

“Are you going to stand at the door or are we going in?” Mark teased as he nudged her farther into the room.

Casey didn’t move. She tried thinking of a plausible excuse not to go into the crowded bar. “I was looking for someplace quieter, so maybe we could talk and catch up,” she said, trying to find a way to get out of there.

“Casey, there is no way you are going to spend your thirtieth birthday in a quiet boring place when we can celebrate here.” He grabbed her hand, and half-dragged her into the room.

Is that what really brought you here? My birthday? Very slick, Mark. If there wasn’t so much going on with this assignment and Derrick, I never would’ve let something like turning the big three zero slip my mind.
What else am I forgetting
? It was too late to worry about that. No way would Mark let her leave anytime soon. She would be lucky if they didn’t stay to close the doors. She only hoped he didn’t have too many surprises up his sleeve, but that explained his arrival in Texas this morning. If she hadn’t been thinking so much about what happened between her and Derrick the night before, Mark wouldn’t have caught her off guard.

“Mark, I don’t want any—” It was too late. Her fears were coming true as they were interrupted by a loud, excited voice.

“Hey, everybody, look who’s arrived. It’s the birthday girl!” Sissie shouted over the already loud music and the crowd.

Everyone turned in her direction, and the bar erupted in hooting, hollering as they cheered her birthday wishes. Casey felt herself turning red and wished she could continue hiding behind Mark. He wasn’t having any of that as he seemed to be intentionally blocking her path. She’d left him alone with Jack only five minutes, and this was what he did? She looked up at her brother with a grin that said he was going to pay for this one day. He smiled down at her and gave her a kiss on the top of her head just like always.
How am I supposed to be mad at you when you’re such a great brother?

Sissie made her way through the crowd until she stood with Casey and Mark. “This is gonna be so much fun and exactly what this town needs, something happy to celebrate. As you can see, no one wants to miss this.”

Casey looked at the crowd and practically everyone she had met this past week was there.
I should’ve held my presentations here. Of course, I’m not sure how much of what I was saying they would’ve retained.

“And for him to show up . . . well for once I’m speechless,” Sissie said and pointed behind them.

She had no idea who Sissie could be talking about; she couldn’t imagine anyone throwing her off-guard. From the look on her face it was someone very unexpected. Casey didn’t know these people well enough to guess who that could be. If she were back in Buffalo with all her girlfriends around, she would be worried they hired a stripper. But Mark seemed to be running this show, and she knew she could cross that off the list. That didn’t mean Casey was ready to see who it was that had Sissie so shocked. Casey had enough surprises this week to last her until her fortieth birthday, but she might as well get it over with and see who it was.

Before she even turned around Mark’s voice was sending a warning from behind her. “We’re out celebrating her birthday tonight, so play nice or stay the hell out, Derrick.”

She wasn’t sure what shocked her most: Mark speaking as though he owned the place or the fact the Derrick was there. Not turning around was only prolonging the inevitable. Besides, these two going head-to-head could get loud and physical very quickly, as neither was bound to submit to the other. She had to do something to defuse what might come next.

Mustering up a smile she turned and said, “I thought you’d be in New York by now.”

Derrick never gave Mark a second look, and she felt his entire focus on her. His look was drawing her to him as though she had no will power to stop herself. One foot at a time, she closed the distance between them.

When they were only inches apart, he leaned forward. Without breaking eye contact with her, he asked so softly she almost wasn’t sure it was meant for her to hear. “Is that really where you want me to be?”

A yearning beyond her wildest imagination, started from the pit of her stomach and flowed through every cell of her body. Casey blinked and looked at everyone around them, watching, waiting. Had they heard? No. It was impossible. They were just watching because she was the birthday girl and tonight, unfortunately, she would be the center of attention.

Why ask her a question when he knew she couldn’t respond without causing the entire town to be suspicious of their relationship?
Maybe that’s why.
He is challenging me.

She had a couple options to handle this. It may be her birthday, but what she should do was remember her purpose here: business, which meant maintaining her professionalism. As she looked at Derrick, that thought flew right out the window, and the mischievous side of her took over.
Well, I have news for you, Mr. Nash. Two can play at this game. Let’s see if you can handle my mischievous, flirtatious side.

Not caring who was watching, including Mark, Casey met Derrick’s eyes and asked boldly, “Are you here to deliver me a birthday kiss, Mr. Nash?”

As far as Casey was concerned, this was a win-win situation. If he said no, then he would look like a jerk, and if he said yes, well then she was going to get exactly what she wanted for her gift.
I want to feel your lips on mine.

Damn woman. You
have no clue who you’re playing with. You’re going to get hurt. I can’t give you everything you need, but at least I can give you this.
Even as he bent to kiss her, he felt all eyes on them. They probably thought he would turn and leave, but they were wrong. No matter how much he didn’t want to be in a crowd, it was nothing compared to his desire to have her in his arms again.

His intention was to place a gentle kiss upon her sweet-tasting lips, and it would be over. What had he been thinking? The moment his lips touched hers it was as if his blood boiled, and his body came alive with need. It didn’t help when she parted her lips slightly. His heart was pounding rapidly, and he didn’t care what anyone thought. He had to taste her.

The tip of his tongue teased her to open for him. When she did he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the floor so he could feel her body pressed against his. His mouth was no longer giving, but taking, as his tongue entered her mouth. She moaned into him and instantly his cock began to spring to life.

The last thing he wanted was for this to end, but if he didn’t put her down now, it was going to get a lot more awkward. He didn’t care what they thought or said about him. After all, he had been the one to judge her harshly, send her running to the county jail for accommodation, banish her from his ranch. Yet, he was kissing her. And she was responding.
Magnificently.
No doubt the townspeople would wonder why. Especially why
she
, beautiful Casey, was kissing
him
. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone saying anything trashy about Casey.
But I don’t want this kiss to stop.

Without releasing her from his arms, he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. He saw the same desire in her eyes that flowed through him. Everything within him wanted to carry her out of there so they could be alone, and he could give her all she wanted and more. But what could he give her? Was one night together going to be enough for her? Somehow he doubted that. Even though he had misjudged her, she was the sweet woman everyone said she was. Hooking up with him for sex wasn’t going to be anywhere close enough to what she needed or deserved, no matter how damn good it would be.

The cold, hard truth wasn’t pretty or fair, but it was the reality he’d faced years ago. After losing Penny and Kim, he’d shut down. Even if he wanted to, he was incapable of caring for another person.
How can I when I don’t even care about myself?

No matter what his brain was saying, another part of him wouldn’t listen. Was he doing this to make her or himself happy? Derrick knew the answer. What he was going to do about it was a question left for another time. For tonight, he was going to enjoy his time with her. Tomorrow it would be back to reality.

“Happy Birthday, Casey,” he said to her softly.

She didn’t respond at first, as though she was still dazed from the passionate kiss sizzling through her body. He understood that feeling as she made it almost impossible for him to think straight. Then in the most angelic, sweet voice he’d ever heard, she said, “Thank you, Derrick.”

He loved how his name sounded when she said it. He could almost hear her screaming it when he made love to her. That was like a punch to his gut, knowing it was something that would only live in his dreams.

“Are you gonna hold her all night or are you gonna let the rest of us wish her a happy birthday too?” Jack asked while standing next to them.

He watched Casey blush, and only then let her slide out of his arms so her feet could touch the floor once more. Derrick didn’t fully release her, his arms still wrapped around her possessively. The thought of all the guys in the room coming over and hugging her wasn’t very appealing to him. Actually, it pissed him off.

Looking around the room, he saw a few men who looked like they would love to have her in their arms.
That ain’t gonna end well for any of you that try.

Casey looked up at him with confusion in her eyes as she tried to step out of his arms but found herself unable to move. No one seemed to notice except for one: her brother. There was something about him Derrick couldn’t figure out. The guy was a watcher and didn’t seem to miss a thing. Derrick grew up an only child, so he wasn’t sure if that was something all big brothers did to any guy around their kid sisters or not, but he found it unnerving. Then again, Derrick was usually the one doing the watching. It was an extremely lucrative strength when he went head-to-head in negotiations on a business deal. Was that what Mark was doing? Studying him, thinking business?