Bettie sniffed loudly. “I see your point, I just feel horrible. That’s why I talked Deckland into coming here to speak to you.”
“I’m not sure there’s anything I can do. I’m not Dillon’s favorite person at the moment.” She fidgeted with the silver ring on her right hand, rolling and sliding it on and off her finger.
“If any of us can reach him, it’s you.”
Peyton held Bettie’s gaze. “There’s so much that you’re not aware of—”
“Of course. The young think the old folk know nothing, but we’re smarter than given credit for. Right, Marty?” She winked at him.
“That’s right.” It was the first time Marty had spoken.
“Anyway, I saw the way he looked at you at the fish fry.” Bettie patted Peyton’s hand. “His feelings were obvious. I’m not sure if he’s a prideful ass or he’s afraid of getting his feelings hurt. Out of all my nephews he’s the most stubborn, but he also has the deepest of emotion.”
“Thanks, Auntie.” Deckland’s bottom lip puckered dramatically.
Bettie turned and squeezed his shoulder. “Each of you have your own set of qualities. You, my dear boy, are a natural leader and very powerful, more than you know.” His lips returned to normal and he seemed satisfied.
“Do either of you know where he’s gone?” Peyton asked, clasping her hands in her lap.
“I think I do,” Deckland said. “We have a cabin a few hours away. He loves it there. It’s close to the water and he can do all of the fishing he likes. He’s probably there now, sulking over a boat load of fish.”
“Do you think he’d see me if I went?” She would never rest knowing that Dillon was hurt and alone. He may not want to see her, but she had to try.
“Listen, Peyton—”
She met her uncle’s protective gaze. “It’s okay. If things were different, wouldn’t you want Dillon searching for me?” After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. “Okay then,” she said to Deckland, “can you give me directions?”
“Sure,” he said.
“And Uncle Marty, I need you to watch Ollie. Okay?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” He patted her hand.
“I’ll stay and help,” Bettie offered. Marty’s smile widened.
“All three of us will,” Deckland added.
“You won’t have to worry, young lady,” Marty said.
Several hours into her trip, Peyton checked the written directions and sketched map Deckland had drawn for her. Her GPS sucked. She’d followed it here most of the way, but once she reached the middle-of-nowhere, it went bonkers and started spewing out deception. Deckland’s directions weren’t much better. His scrawled writing hurt her eyes and the map didn’t do much good when she had no clue where the landmarks were located.
Crumbling the useless paper, she tossed it aside and decided to stay on the gravel road until she came to a gas station.
Shutting off the A/C and rolling down the window, the breeze billowing through her hair relieved some of her stress. She’d driven to the boondocks. She didn’t even know if she was still in Texas, although she hadn’t seen a state line marker. The last thing she wanted to do was turn around and go back.
She needed to see him.
During the drive, she’d prepared what she’d say to Dillon. He may send her away, but she’d take the chance. She loved him, even if they wouldn’t have a future together, and she wanted to help him.
Dishonesty had a way of seeping into reality, no matter how hard people tried to cage the truth. Although she could see why his parents had kept the secret, still, someone was bound to get hurt.
She’d almost made the same choice for Oliver, not telling Richie about their son. Would Oliver had held it against her?
The sun was setting and her irritation grew. Would she ever find the cabin?
Reaching into her purse, she dug out her phone and read the screen. “No service. Oh, that’s just great.” Stretching out her arm, she held the phone closer to the window.
Up ahead, a sign came into view. “Beaver Pike.” She remembered seeing the road on Deckland’s map. Relief bubbled inside of her and she realized Deckland’s directions would be handy after all. Keeping an eye on the road ahead, she reached to the bottom of the floorboard for the crushed paper. Damn, why did I have to toss it?
She could feel it at her fingertips…so close…she had it in her grasp…
And then a flash of white appeared in front of her. A dog. She jerked the wheel to the right, and then to the left, slamming on the gas.
This wouldn’t end well for her.
****
Dillon stomped into Doctor Henshaw’s office. The bearded doc was slumped over a patient. “Where is she, Danny?”
Doctor Danny Henshaw looked up and pointed down the hall. “Back room.”
“Thanks.” The door was open and he stepped into the sanitary examination room. His jaw automatically clenched, and when he heard teeth crack, he took a deep breath. Peyton was asleep on the table and her breathing was soft. “Peyton?”
Her lashes fluttered against the top of her cheeks. Her lids slowly opened and her gaze met his. “Dillon?” One corner of her lips lifted.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
She brought her head up from the pillow. A dark bruise surrounded her left eye and a small cut crossed her cheek. The suspicious moisture developing in her eyes made his protective side blossom and his anger bud. “Let me guess, this was Deckland’s fruity idea. I’m going to kick his ass when I get home.” Her bottom lip trembled. Her emotions ripped through his chest and his fury died under the spell of one beautiful woman.
“We were worried about you,” she said as she sat up, hanging her legs off the side of the table.
He forced his breathing to even out as his adrenaline stopped pumping. “Doc Danny told me what happened when he called. Why would you swerve to miss an animal?”
Her mouth opened slightly. “Because it’s instinct.”
“You’re never supposed to swerve. Damn!”
“Relax, Dillon. I got lost and I wrecked my car in the ditch. The last thing I need is to hear your complaining.”
“You should never have come here.”
“I have the right mind to call a cab and go back home.”
“You’re not thinking because, if you were, you’d remember where you are. The last time I saw a taxi out in these parts old man Juniper had bought one from a company that was going out of business.” He dropped his fists to his hips. “It’s not you I should take my anger out on. It’s my blabber mouth brother who can’t seem to keep his nose out of my business.”
She hopped off the table and grabbed her purse. “Goodbye.” She darted past him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He stomped after her.
“Anywhere but here with you.” She kept walking.
When they reached the front room, Doctor Henshaw came around the corner, his eyes wide in curiosity. “Are you over the dizziness?” he asked.
“I was until Dillon walked in. He’s capable of turning my stomach and raising my blood pressure all at the same time.” She pushed a hand through her disheveled hair. Realizing it must be beyond a finger combing, she dropped her hand.
“I could hear you yelling all the way in here, Dillon. She shouldn’t be stressed.” Doctor Henshaw scowled.
Dillon turned his attention to his friend. “And what do you know? You’re a veterinarian.”
Peyton’s gasp bounced off the walls as Doctor Henshaw shook his head. “If I’d thought it necessary, I would have sent you to the hospital.”
“You’re a vet? As in a doctor for animals?” Peyton shrieked. Doctor Henshaw smiled, as if that would smooth her irritation. Nothing was hilarious about her pale skin, bruised face and shocked expression, but Dillon laughed. Hell, it had to be better than raising his voice again. He could see by Peyton’s glare that she didn’t like his amusement. “Is this funny to you?” she snapped.
“Com
e on, sweetheart, admit it, this is slightly funny. Don’t worry though, Doc Danny is as smart as any doctor I’ve ever met. He chose animals instead of people because he doesn’t have much of a bedside manner.”
“You’re just not right, Dillon. My bedside manner is fine.” The doctor snorted and scratched his balding head. “It’s a good thing you and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. Otherwise, I’d take your poking as an offense.”
“I guess I should be saying thank you, old friend. I do appreciate you making sure Peyton was okay. I’ll get her out of your hair now.” Dillon gave the doctor a friendly slap on the back as he passed.
Doctor Henshaw smiled until he thought over Dillon’s words. “Is that a poke at my lack of hair?”
Peyton sniveled. “If you two are done pestering one another, I’d like to find out where my car is and how can I get it back. Any idea where it was taken?” she asked the doctor.
“You’ll find it at Grover’s Wrecking Service.”
“Good to know.” She turned to Dillon. “Can you take me there?” He knew her sugary sweet smile was an act.
“That could be a problem. The shop will be closed.” Dillon told her. “But let’s get out of here and let the doc get home to his family.”
“Make sure she gets plenty of rest, you hear?” Doctor Henshaw said as they walked out the door.
Once they were in Dillon’s truck and out on the road, he slipped a glance on her profile. He hated seeing her hurt and bruised. And although he’d been angry at first that she came all this way, he had to admit he felt a large dose of flattery. “Tell me, Dillon,” She turned in the seat and he could see her features in the dim dashboard lighting. “How are you?”
“I’m peachy.” What more could he say?
“Oh, sarcasm is alive and well.” She huffed.
He couldn’t target her with his resentment. She wasn’t the source of the pain. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his forehead. “I do appreciate you coming out here, although crazy. We’ll get your car taken care of first thing in the morning and send you back home.” He needed to be alone.
“Are you going to skirt around the bigger issue?’
Would she give up? He doubted it. “You know the story. What can I say? The people I trust have lied.”
“It doesn’t change who you are. They don’t see you any differently, and neither should you.”
He darted a glance over at her as his chest ached. He wondered why she’d come? Did she feel pity for him? “Who sent you here? Did they want you to talk me into coming home?” He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Not going to happen. Not yet.”
“Bettie and Deckland were worried, but I made the decision to come on my own. They both feel bad. Deckland thinks this is his fault because he brought the subject up to you and of course Bettie is beside herself.”
He couldn’t feel sorry for either of them at the moment. “There’s nothing wrong with a man being alone for a week or two.”
“As long as you’re not melting away in a puddle of self-pity.”
He narrowed his gaze. “I’m far from feeling sorry for myself.”
Her hand came up and swept through her hair, giving it a toss. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out as I meant it.”
“Shouldn’t you be home with Oliver?” he asked.
“Ollie has a whole crew watching out for him. I bet between Deckland, Bettie and Uncle Marty, he’ll be spoiled by the time I get back home.”
“Don’t ask me to come back with you.” He stared at the road ahead.
“I won’t,” she answered.
Turning the truck, they continued onto the dirt road that led to the cabin his parents had bought when he was a kid. He guessed they’d needed to work on their marriage, and what better place than a getaway? A few minutes later, he pulled in front of the cabin and, like always, his heart inflated. He loved it here. The silence welcomed him and a man could get plenty of it away from the world.
He slid out of the driver’s seat and met Peyton in front of the truck. “Welcome to the hideaway in the woods.”
“Deckland wasn’t joking when he said it was a cabin lost from people.”
“I guess I know my way around here as well as I know every line and callous on my hands. My brothers and I practically grew up here. Every summer we’d visit. I have some great memories.”
He pushed open the door for her.
Luckily, embers remained in the fireplace and after he stoked them, the fire made the room toasty. He grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch. “Here, let’s put this around you.” He wrapped it around her shoulders.
She stared up at him, several emotions flicked across her bruised features. The woman could reach inside of his chest and stroke his heart. Having her here should be a trespass, but instead, he liked her company. He wanted to hold her, but he couldn’t allow his wall to drop. He pulled back.
“Why did you tug away?” Her curious gaze broke through him.
“Because I want to kiss you,” he admitted.
“Would that be so wrong?”
“In my book, yes. You’re hurt.” He pushed his hands into his front pockets.
“I have a couple of bruises. I’m fine. I’ve had worse injuries while dancing.”
The light of the fire cast a golden hue to her skin. Pure radiance. “Doc said you needed rest.”
“And like you said, what does he know? He’s a vet,” she said. Her eyes sparkled, beckoning him.
“I was only teasing him.”
****
Peyton looked across the room at Dillon, his hands were wrist deep in his pockets and he shuffled his booted feet. The man had a lot on his mind.
Before she thought about her next move—or any move for that matter—she dropped the blanket from her shoulders and went to him. His eyes were on her, warm and willing. Touching his cheek, the stubble of his beard scraped against her sensitive fingers. More than anything, she wanted to soothe him, but at the same time, she couldn’t deny she ached to sink into his arms. It’d been too long.
“Why did you come, Peyton? Truly why?” His voice was like a soft breeze to her heated thoughts.
“I care, Dillon. Maybe I shouldn’t without knowing where your heart is when it comes to Cassie, but heaven help me, I can’t stand to think of you hurting.” She’d just divulged so much in a short sentence. Vulnerability snaked its way through her. Yet, she knew here was where she belonged.
“Cassie is a blip on the map of my history. That’s all. Believe me.”
“Tonight I want to feel you all around me,” she whispered.
He stepped closer, cupping her face. “You are beautiful.” Warm chills spiraled through her as his breath swept across her neck. She whimpered in need. Every nerve ending came to alert, especially the profound ones between her legs. Her clit throbbed and the moist lips grew wetter.
Saying she cared for him didn’t quite match the true feelings inside her heart. Maybe all she had was here and now with no future on the horizon. Would she change her mind? Not in a million years. She’d still want him to make love with her—to touch her in all the delicate places with his magic stroke. If this could only last one night, then she wanted to experience everything.
His lips lowered to the dip between her neck and collarbone, the tip of his tongue slid out to moisten her skin, leaving a slick pathway. Her breathing stopped as she absorbed the feeling, the scent, the waves of heat. Moving her chin, she gave him better access to all of the parts that longed for his attention. Her nipples ached and her breasts throbbed with a desire sparked by wanting him. He slightly moved and his beard scraped against one breast as she sucked in a quick breath. His mouth grew closer… “Dillon…”
“You smell delectable,” he whispered against her skin.
She brought her hands up and threaded her fingers through his hair, clinging to him. Worry melted away as a feeling unlike any other floated through her. His mouth fell on hers and she ran her tongue along the curve of his.
He tasted good and she wanted more and more. She gasped as his teeth scraped her bottom lip and tingles burst through her body. His tongue plunged in and out of her mouth, dipping and teasing, sampling and leaving sweet promises.
His hand slipped inside of her shirt and cupped her breast, flicking the nipple underneath the pad of his thumb. She arched, wanting all of his devotion on that part of her. Her core seared with desire and juices soaked her panties.
“You’re fucking hot,” he growled. He clenched the hard nipple between his fingers, gently squeezing and tugging. The heavenly attention made her insides throb as she dropped her hands to his brawny back, scraping his skin through the material of his shirt.
“Please, put your mouth on me,” she begged. The smile he gave her told her she wouldn’t have to ask twice. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head then made quick haste in removing the bra. Barrier gone, he dropped his head and suckled the nipple, dragging the skin deeper into his mouth, circling his tongue across the sensitive nub. A groan echoed in the room and she realized the sound had come from her, from a place where only Dillon had reached. Skilled at lovemaking, she knew he’d take her to new place.
Peyton closed her eyes, rejoicing in the sweet sea of torture. As the scorching grew between her legs, she lifted her hips and felt the bulge behind his zipper. She wanted his hard cock deep inside, pounding her flesh until release came. Opening her eyes, she stared up into the lines of his face. She loved how her broad shouldered cowboy could work miracles with her body.
Her cowboy?
She wanted him as her cowboy…
The thought faded as he took the other nipple into his mouth, playing a game of how much he could fit inside of his mouth. This was as close to heaven she’d ever be on earth.
The pleasure became too much to handle. A red-hot flame burned her insides, sizzling logical reasoning. “I love you.” The words penetrated the air and for a mere second, she stiffened, realizing what she’d said. If he’d heard, he didn’t acknowledge her slip of tongue. He continued his action on her breasts.
His hand moved to his waist and she heard the clang of his belt buckle and the unzipping of his jeans. His hand moved fast between their bodies. “Touch me,” he said in urgency.
Second Dance Cowboy (Second Chance) Page 14