The Hottest Ticket in Town (8 page)

He lifted up on his elbows. “I
served
my country. I didn't run off to
play
,” he corrected her with a narrowed gaze. “I'm sorry you're unable to think past your own hurt to realize that it was a blessing. We're not meant to be together, honey. That's the plain truth of it. It's not my fault I saw that truth before you did.”

She growled and then gripped a handful of his shirt to pull him straight to her mouth. She sealed her lips to his, demanding his full attention as she deepened the kiss, sweeping his mouth with her sassy tongue, and just about the moment when he was ready to shuck their clothes and pound himself into that sweet body, she released him and said, “You lied, Kane. We are meant to be together and it's just your plain bullheaded nonsense that tells you otherwise. You can sleep in the pump house tonight and think about it.” Then she climbed off him and walked back to the house, leaving him in the dark with nothing but the fireflies and an empty Mason jar.

Well, hell.

So much for doing the right thing.

13

L
ACI
LEFT
K
ANE
in a huff, caught between pissed off and hurt that everyone in her life, since before she even realized, was managing her life as if she were some helpless kitten who couldn't handle a conflict on her own.
Why, Daddy?
The fact that her father had had a hand in pushing Kane away hurt more than a little, but what hurt worse was that Kane had been all too happy to just walk away, using her daddy's objections to their relationship as the reason. She wasn't a stranger to the fact that her daddy didn't want her dating anyone seriously—hell, he'd come out and admitted it to her while they were driving to one of her earliest recordings.

“You need to focus on what's important, girl,” her daddy had admonished when she'd been wiping her eyes, crying over leaving the Bradford ranch and leaving Kane the summer she turned seventeen. “That boy, he ain't nothing but a chapter in your life. You're meant to do big things, not hang laundry and bake pies, honey.”

“Who's to say I can't do all those things and sing, too?” she'd retorted, still wrung out from saying goodbye to the boy who'd stolen her heart. “I mean, Kane loves my singing. He'd never stand in my way.”

“Trust me, honey, boys like Kane, they grow up to be men that can't be caged. He's never gonna be happy following you around while you shine. He's a good kid, don't get me wrong, and I like that he's always seemed to treat you right, but honey, you're too young to know what your heart really wants. Stick to what is plain in front of your face—your singing talent. Ain't nobody that can sing like you, honey. No one. And Kane, if he loves you, will step aside and let you be who you're meant to be.”

“Kane will never leave me,” she assured her daddy. “That's a fact. He'd follow me anywhere.”

“That's all you need, some guy hanging around distracting you,” her daddy grumbled. “No boy is worth your future. Trust me when I say that boys will lead you nowhere. They're all looking for one thing and that has nothing to do with anything but their own selfish needs.”

“Daddy,” she'd admonished, knowing that Kane was the sweetest, most considerate boy she'd ever known. If anything, he always sacrificed for the people around him. “You don't know Kane like I do.”

“I don't have to,” he said, glowering. “I know all about boys and even more about men. The thing is, honey, you believe the best in people and that's one of your sweetest qualities, but I'm not hamstrung by the same quality. Your future is destined to be more than making babies and sweet-potato pie for your man. Your star is so much brighter and I aim to make sure that nothing stands in your way.”

“Kane's not standing in my way,” she insisted. “If anything, he's the one pushing me, just like you. He wants me to be a famous singer.”

“Well, then, he can enjoy seeing you on television and go on his merry way.”

“I love him, Daddy,” Laci said, annoyed and hurt that her daddy was being so disagreeable. “I truly do and nothing's gonna change that.”

He graced her with a short derisive look that she found insulting as he said, “You don't know what love is, sweetheart. Not true love. You're too young, and besides, there's more to life than love.”

“How can you say that when you loved Mama the way you did?”

At the mention of his beloved wife, he scowled. “Not the same and don't go using my past against me.”

“You and Mama were just as young as me and Kane and I know you loved each other.”

“Yeah, and that love didn't get us nowhere but heartache and misery,” he said. “Sometimes I think it was a blessing your mama died when she did. Do you think she'd like to live the way we do? Living off the scraps of others? Being gypsies from one season to another? I can't do nothing about our finances, but you can. You got the talent to pull us out of this mud pit and that's what you're gonna do. No more distractions, girl. No more talk of boys and love. I won't listen and I won't let you throw away your life for something so fleeting.”

“I can't believe what a pigheaded mule you're being,” Laci said, her tears starting fresh. Her daddy was her biggest champion, her hero most days, but today he was so damn mean-hearted that she almost didn't know him. “Well, you can think what you want, but Kane will never leave my side. We love each other and nothing's gonna change that.”

“Girl, trust in your daddy. I would never steer you wrong. Now, stop your crying over that boy and warm up your voice. We got one shot with this big-time producer and we don't want to disappoint him.”

“Fine,” she'd said with a glower. Laci hadn't wanted to sing but somehow she'd found the ability to focus. By the time they'd reached their destination, Laci could hit every high note and belt out every chord. Suffice to say, she'd aced that audition and had made her first real recording connection. Riding high on her success, she couldn't wait to tell Kane, only to find out through the Bradfords that Kane had left the same day to join the military. Her mouth had dropped open and her heart had contracted as the words had registered. Kane had left her. Kane—the boy who'd sworn to go wherever she went—had abandoned her. Just like that.

That was the day she'd learned the heartbreaking lesson that love wasn't enough.

At least it hadn't been for Kane.

* * *

K
ANE
HAD
EVERY
intention of sleeping in the pump house, but his feet had other plans, and before he knew it, he was heading to Laci's bedroom all fired up and ready to say his piece.

He pushed open the door and went straight to Laci, ignoring her fierce stare and unwelcome vibe. He didn't care if she didn't want him there. She was going to listen and that was that. “I was a kid faced with a choice that I never imagined happening to someone like me,” he said. “I didn't like it but the facts were clear, you were going places and if I hung around, all I'd be was a distraction and I couldn't have that on my conscience. I left because it was the only way I could make myself do the right thing, but don't think for a minute that leaving didn't leave its scars because it did.”

“No one could ever have convinced me to leave you,” Laci said, hurt and angry. “But you caved at the first sign of trouble.”

“That's not how I see it. I made the right choice for both of us.”

“Well, that's not how I see it.”

“Fair enough. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then and move on.”

Outrage colored her voice as she exclaimed, “Move on? To what? You're not going to just sweep this under the rug and let it be because you don't want to talk about it. We're going to have the conversation we should've had years ago and we're going to have it right now!”

“Like hell we are,” he countered, pulling her into his arms. “Nothing can be done about the past, babe. Best to leave it there. All that matters is the now.” And then as she opened her mouth to likely skewer him, he silenced her the only way he knew how. She stiffened against his carnal onslaught, but soon enough she softened in his arms and they were tumbling to the bed. There was something about Laci that made him insatiable, sparking an itch that was always just out of reach, which made him need more, and as she twisted in his arms, kissing, squeezing, clinging to him even as he ravaged her body with his touch, he knew a lifetime would never be enough with this woman.

Pulling Laci to her knees, he sank into that sweet, slippery heat, losing himself between the dewy folds that promised heaven with each hard thrust. He wanted to sink so deep that they no longer recognized where each started and ended because they were one. The sound of their harsh breathing, guttural moans and slapping flesh filled the air as did the musk from their lovemaking, and Kane knew only Laci in that moment. Talk about living in the now. He would gladly live in this moment for the rest of his life if he were able. No uncomfortable reality to contend with, just the complete bliss found between the hot legs of the sexiest woman he'd ever known.

Laci moaned, her body shaking with each thrust as he found her G-spot and hammered it hard. He knew just the way Laci liked to be taken and he thrilled at the privilege of that knowledge. Within moments, Laci gasped, clutching at the comforter, crying out his name as she came and he quickly followed with a brutal explosion of his own. He collapsed beside her, his legs hanging off the bed as his heart threatened to shatter. His spent cock still pulsed from the epic orgasm and it was a long moment before he could speak.

But it was Laci who spoke first, her voice hoarse and throaty as she said, “That's an unfair way to end an argument.”

He climbed fully on the bed and gathered her in his arms, ready for sleep. “All's fair in love and war, sweetheart.”

She nestled against him and murmured, “That was a battle, not the war.”

And he knew for certain, this conversation was far from over. But at least, for the moment, she wasn't sending him back to the pump house.

That was something, right?

14

T
HE
FOLLOWING
MORNING
Kane and Laci rose early, and while Kane was out tending to the cattle and horses, Laci spent time in the kitchen, happy to be simply domestic. The phone rang and she picked it up without hesitation. When she heard Warren's voice on the other end, she shocked him with an exuberant hello.

“Warren! It's me, Laci,” she said, smiling at Warren's momentary confusion. “Bet you didn't expect to hear from me on the other line, huh?”

“Laci? What you doing, girl? Aren't you supposed to be on tour or something?”

“Taking a brief break to get my head on straight. The road's a terrible place to stay for too long,” she answered, cradling the phone against her shoulder while she molded piecrust with her hands. “Kane told me all about Cora... How's our girl doing? And why didn't you tell me about her being sick? Jiminy, Warren, I would've flown in the best doctors in the world to tend to Cora if you'd just asked.”

“I know you would, little lady, and you're a sweet one for even suggesting it, but I take care of my own, you know that.”

“That's silly, you old goat. Cora's like a grandma to me and I can't stand the idea of her suffering none when it can be prevented with a single phone call. I've got the resources and nothing to spend it on. Let me help you out a bit.”

“Listen, I appreciate the gesture, but we're doing just fine. Keep your money and invest it. The last thing you need is to start throwing away cash like there's no tomorrow and end up broke like those professional sports stars who don't know their asses from a hole in the ground when it comes to spending their money. Spending it on fast cars and loose women...that's a quick ticket to poverty.”

She rolled her eyes. “I promise you I'm not out spending money on fast cars and loose women and I would consider it my honor and privilege to help cover Cora's treatment costs.”

“I said no, girl. Leave it be,” Warren said sharply, shocking Laci with his curt tone. Warren had never spoken to her that way. She blinked back sudden tears and was momentarily speechless, which was a first because she rarely ran out of words on any particular subject that she could remember. “I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I've said my piece on the subject and that's final. It's real good to hear from you, Laci. Feel free to make yourself at home and don't give Kane too much grief. He's a good man,” he said, pausing a beat to say, “Speaking of...is Kane around?”

She found her voice to answer. “He's in the barn. I'll get him for you.”

“No, no, I don't want to bother him when he's working. Just have him call. Here's a number he can reach me at. I had to get one of those dang-gummed cell phones because Cora's treatment takes hours and they have to be able to reach me at a moment's notice. Goddamn gadgets...that's no way for a man to live his life. I miss my land and my animals. Everything okay at the ranch?”

Laci wiped at her tears and nodded, even though Warren couldn't see her nod her head. She spoke up, saying, “Yeah, real good. Kane and I are catching up on lost time. I can't believe Jasper's still around and wouldn't you know it, he still remembers Kane? It's the darnedest thing I ever seen.”

“Horses are smart,” Warren said unnecessarily, which made Laci feel they were just stretching out the conversation in the hopes of smoothing out the jagged edge of the earlier conversation, but no matter how many benign topics they touched on, nothing would erase the hurt in her heart at her help being rebuffed so sharply. Her gaze drifted to the new appliances and she wondered if she'd made a huge error in judgment in buying them without their approval. She bit her lip, worried. Maybe she ought to mention it? No, she knew Warren's reaction would be negative at this point because that's where he seemed to live at the moment, so she kept that information to herself.

“Cora will be real happy to know you're at the house,” Warren said. “I just wish you'd dropped by sooner, maybe caught us before we left.”

“I know,” she acknowledged with a guilty murmur. “But this was really unexpected. I sort of...collapsed and then ran away from my manager. It's just a temporary thing but I needed some time to myself to think things out.”

“Everything okay between you and Kane?” Warren asked. “Last time I checked, you weren't even friends anymore.”

Laci thought of how to answer that question honestly. What were she and Kane doing? Were they friends? Were they more than that? She hated the term
friends with benefits
and she was pretty sure Kane would hate it, too, but she didn't know that what was happening between them was easily defined. “We're catching up on lost time,” she finally answered, going with a variation of the truth. “But we share a common concern and that's for Cora. Please keep us updated, okay?”

“Of course, sweetheart. And I'm sorry for being so gruff with you earlier. It's just hard. Cora's a tough old bird, but this treatment...it's taking its toll. Can't hardly watch to see what it's doing to her. I think I might've made a mistake in bringing her here.”

Fresh tears pricked her eyes at his admission. “It's okay. I understand. And I'm sure the treatment is doing Cora some good. Those doctors know what they're doing. You just got to keep the faith.”

“I'm trying. I really am.”

The lump returned to her throat, but she tried to reassure Warren in the only way she knew how. “Don't you worry about the ranch. Kane will keep it running smooth for you, and if there's anything you can think of that I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks, I'll keep that in mind,” Warren said, even though Laci knew with a certain amount of frustration that he wouldn't ask. Warren was old-school. It was something she loved about him, but it came with its drawbacks, too. He suddenly perked up to add, “Hey, since you're in town, you ought to check out the harvest festival. Should start tonight. I remember your loving that little carnival.”

The Woodsville Harvest Festival was the little town's big shindig, where home-baked goodies, crafts, carnival rides and nostalgia were everywhere. She'd even won a blue ribbon or two with Cora's help with a few of her pies—peach and blueberry, to be exact—and, of course, she and Kane had sneaked quite a few kisses on the Ferris wheel.

“I'll see if Kane wants to go,” she said, wondering what Kane's reaction would be. He'd never been a huge fan, only going when they were kids because she'd begged and pleaded. Kane had more bad memories of Woodsville than anyone she knew and he didn't find the same appeal in the country carnival, but maybe he'd do it for her. She said her goodbyes to Warren and then, after popping her cherry pie into the oven, she went to find Kane.

She found him securing the gate for the cattle as they ambled in for their morning meal. A few clouds scuttled across the hazy sky and a cool breeze swept a few turning leaves from the trees, heralding the coming season. Laci drank in the beauty and perfection of the moment with a heavy heart. Soon enough, she'd find herself back on a tour bus, eating up the miles between cities, and her life would become a blur.

She couldn't imagine Kane cooped up in a bus for hours on end, only to stand in the shadows while she performed. She supposed her daddy had been right; a man like Kane wasn't meant to be caged. And she'd never want him to be. That's what she liked most about the man—his strength and virile presence.

He caught her standing there and waved before coming toward her. Muscle rippled beneath his worn T-shirt as it clung to his perfect form and Laci caught her breath. He was, without a doubt, the sexiest man she'd ever laid eyes on. Funny how, even though years had passed since they were kids, learning about physical attraction and all that came with it, that little tingle in her belly whenever she saw him had never gone away. It was still there—reminding her that Kane, for all the improbability of things working out, would only ever be the man for her.

* * *

K
ANE
SAW
—
NO
, that wasn't accurate, he felt—Laci standing there, watching him, and a grin found him easily. The cattle were happily chowing down on their feed and the horses were taken care of, as well. Dundee, Warren's old yellow Lab, loped alongside Kane, happy to be out in the field, sniffing and exploring, though he was half-blind and probably half-deaf, too, but still happy. “C'mon, old man,” he said to Dundee, rolling his eyes when the goofy dog stared up at him with his tongue lolling out and what looked like a grin on his mug. “Warren must have a knack for keeping animals going long past their expiration date. You're a damn miracle dog to still be alive after all this time.”

Dundee's response to that was an enthusiastic bark, but as far as Kane knew, the dog couldn't tell what or who he was barking at because then he shambled off, going a little sidewise, back to the house where he knew a nice comfy bed awaited him—and probably a treat.

He met Laci on the porch and she gave him a fresh sweet tea to wet his whistle. He could count on his hand the things he missed about living in the South and sweet tea was one of them. He finished his tea in a few gulps and leaned in for a quick kiss. “That hit the spot. The humidity is kicking my ass. I'm used to a dry heat now, not this wet, collapse-your-lungs-when-you-breathe stuff.”

She laughed. “It brings back memories. Honestly, my home base is Los Angeles, so I know what you're saying.”

He cast a surprised glance at Laci. “You live in LA?”

“Well, as much as you can call it living. I feel as if I'm hardly there enough to qualify as actually living there.” He took a moment to process that. He'd been living in Los Angeles for years and he'd never realized that Laci was in the same city. Now, granted, he also made a point to avoid any reference to Laci and he wasn't one to peruse the gossip rags, so missing that piece of information wasn't too surprising, but still...it rocked him a little that they'd always been relatively close to one another.

Laci frowned at his sudden silence. “You okay?”

“Just surprised, is all. I didn't realize you lived in the same city.”

She risked a shy glance before admitting, “When you mentioned that you and Rian were working in SoCal, I wanted to ask if you lived there, too, but it didn't seem appropriate to ask, you know? I mean, there's so many questions between us, I hardly know which ones are safe to ask and which ones I ought to leave be.”

“You can ask me anything,” he told her quietly, and he meant it. He wouldn't shy away from her questions even if the answer wouldn't do him any favors. “You were right earlier...some of these questions should've been answered a long time ago.”

“Thank you, that means a lot,” she said, her gaze softening. “You know, I've dreamed up all sorts of scenarios between us, but none were as perfect as the real deal right now.”

He smiled, but her admission cut. If things were perfect, they wouldn't be ignoring the fact that reality was waiting to bust up their happy peace like a bully in the school yard, punching his palm with a gleeful expression. “I'm all yours, sugar,” he told her with a playful grin to cover the pain in his heart. “I'm at your mercy.”

Her delighted smile warmed and soothed as she said playfully, “Is that so? Well then, I might as well ask every question I've ever wondered, seeing as I have a captive audience.”

“Be gentle,” he begged, and she laughed. He sobered and said, “Okay, what do you want to know?”

“How'd you end up in California, of all places? I would've thought maybe Montana or someplace with mountains and plenty of space. I know how you value your privacy. Los Angeles isn't what you'd call a mecca for guarding your privacy. I should know...I've had three people arrested for trying to climb my gate.”

“You really need better security,” he said, frowning. “What kind of alarm system are you using? If it's the Iron King 2000, it's crap. It's the easiest to disarm and a virtual joke, but every celebrity client I have seems to buy into their propaganda. Personally, I always suggest—”

She silenced him with a finger against his lips. “I don't want to talk about alarm systems,” she said, shaking her head. “I want to talk about how you ended up in the same city as me and I never knew it.”

He settled down, realizing he'd been way too eager to jump into a whole different conversation than what they were inching toward, but Laci wanted answers and he'd promised he would give them. “I moved there after I left the military. It seemed the best place for me and Rian to start up our business. It was either LA or New York and neither of us wanted to deal with New York winters, so we settled on SoCal.”

“Do you like it?”

He shrugged. “It's all right. I like that everything's within driving distance that I need, but I wish I had more open space. That's one thing I haven't gotten used to...all the people.”

“Growing up in the country, you take certain things for granted.”

“Like being able to breathe,” he quipped, and she grinned. It felt good to joke even though they were both processing the information they were sharing in their own way. He supposed she was just as startled as he that they'd always been so geographically close to one another. “You know, I always thought you would've picked a place in the South as your home base,” he admitted.

“Like you, Los Angeles is just convenient. Can't say I love it, but I have a small ranch in Ojai that's far enough away from the city with enough acreage for some semblance of privacy. It's the best that I can get under the circumstances, but it's nowhere near as homey as this place right here.”

His place was small and functional with a parcel that was just big enough to justify the millions he'd paid for it, but, just like Laci said, it was nowhere near what he'd really like.