What She Wants Tonight

by Jillian Neal

  “Okay, let me know what he says,” she stated robotically. “Love you.”

  “Love you too, sweetpea. You let me know if you need anything at all. If you and Jack decide maybe you like each other enough to make this permanent, my brother’s gonna have my hide. He’s holding out on you falling for a cowboy.”

  Meridian rolled her eyes. “Like I’m not surrounded by enough of those. I don’t need to bring more of them into my life.”

  “We’re not all that bad now, are we?” Barrett teased.

  “I guess not. You’re pretty great.”

  “I like to think so.” He chuckled. “I’ll let you know what Scotty says. You have fun out there, and tell Jack we said hello.”

  “I will. Bye.”

  Fighting the desire to rumple the sheets and remake the bed herself, Meridian reminded herself that there was nothing wrong with her family knowing people in high places that had direct impact on cattle ranching in Oklahoma. They were sixth-generation ranchers of the largest ranch in Oklahoma. How would they not know people in power?

  Her attention snagged as the door opened and Jack entered. Panic etched his features. “Are you certain you locked your office door before we left Friday night?”

  “Of course.” The alarm on Jack’s face did nothing to soothe her own. “Why?”

  “I was going to ask Mitch to go in and shred the continuance, but he was already going into the office when I called him. When he got there, he found your office door open.”

  Meridian tried to remain calm. “The lock sticks sometimes. Maybe it didn’t catch or something. Did he go in there? Had anything been moved?”

  “He went in and assured me that everything looked normal. I wasn’t sure where you had those pictures, so I didn’t want him digging too deeply anywhere.”

  Meridian’s face flamed. “Oh god. I forgot those were in there. Who would’ve…?”

  Jack joined her on the bed. “We don’t know that anyone did anything wrong. I found a tomcat in my office one morning a few months ago. The door was locked, but it hadn’t closed all the way so he was able to push it open. The courthouse isn’t exactly the most secure.”

  She tried to triage her panic. Worst case, someone had gone through her office and potentially found the boudoir photographs meant for Jack. Best case, it was nothing. “Maybe I could get Callie to go up there and make sure the photos are still in my filing cabinet. She took the pictures for me, so she’s seen them already.”

  Jack considered that. “Do you have a spare set of keys to your files somewhere that she can get to?”

  She shook her head. The only two keys were on the ring in her purse and in Jack’s pocket. “No, and Mitch would’ve been able to tell if it had been opened. It’s a legal file cabinet. You don’t just break into those and leave them unmarked.”

  Rubbing his morning stubble, Jack nodded. “That’s true. It’s probably nothing.”

  She finally gave voice to the dread gnawing her biscuit-laden stomach. “You don’t think Marsden would…?”

  “I don’t know,” he soothed. “I doubt it. Other than the case file on the mustangs, is there anything in your office he doesn’t already have access to in his copy of the suit? Is there anything that would help him with his case that he would suspect is in your office?”

  “No. It’s an open and shut case, like you said. The only thing that might help him win is in the bellies of those mares.”

  “Are you okay?” Jack finally asked.

  “Logically, there isn’t anything to worry about, but it is weird.”

  “Would it make you feel better to get Callie to go up there and see if she can get into the cabinet without the keys?”

  “Maybe, but she’s covered up in babies and calves and…my cousin generally.”

  He grinned at that. “Tell me how I can help. I can book us a flight back home if that would make you feel better. I do need to see my brothers before we go, and I need to check in with a few more staff members, but that’s all I’m really here to do.”

  Meridian refused to take away any of the good things that Jack had come to Kentucky to do just because her office door was open. It was far more likely that in her distraction of thinking of spending the week here with him, she hadn’t fully closed the door. “No.” She shook her head. “It’s fine. Nothing had even been moved. There isn’t anything in there other than those photos that I wouldn’t let people see. I’m beyond certain they are locked safely in my cabinet. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “I had Mitch make sure he shut the door and then try to get back in. He couldn’t.”

  That eased a little of her nerves. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “If you change your mind, just say the word.”

  “Has anyone heard anything about the wedding? Is it still going to happen?”

  “According to my brother, nothing has been called off yet, so I assume so. Now, if you’re sure you want to stay, I thought maybe we could go play tourist for the day. I don’t want you to judge all of Kentucky based on River Chase.”

  Pleased with his plan, she grinned. “That sounds fun.” Anything that got them out of that house suited her just fine. “What am I supposed to wear for playing tourist?”

  His eyebrow lifted in intrigue. “Are you asking me what I want to see you in or what’s appropriate for our activities?”

  “Yes.” She laughed.

  He considered for a moment. “There’s no dress code for today, but I love to see you in a pair of Wranglers and your boots.”

  “That works well for you because that’s my favorite thing to wear.”

  “I’m a lucky man.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jack wanted nothing more than to spend the day impressing Meridian. He longed for her laughter and those smiles she gave only him. He wanted to drown in them. He’d wanted to ask her since he’d gotten her back to the bedroom the night before if there was any chance she really meant what she’d so adamantly declared to his father.

  Could she really love who he was now? Asking her to love who he was then was out of the question. He wouldn’t want her to accept who he’d been. He only wanted to know if he had any chance at all, but he’d chickened out.

  It would’ve been too crushing to watch her try to gently let him down, because of course she was not in love with him. He wasn’t that lucky.

  Keeping his arm around her as he guided her the opposite direction on the estate from the guesthouse, he tried to think of anything else to say besides I know you don’t love me yet, but I’m hoping maybe someday I could change that.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” she finally called him on it.

  “Just thinking about us.”

  “Want to let me in on that conversation in your head then? It’s making you look a little constipated.”

  Laughing at her honesty, he shook his head at her. “Mighty feisty this morning, cowgirl.”

  “Yeah, well, I can’t seem to be around your parents without letting my rebellious side overrun my good sense.”

  And there was his answer. She was just trying to infuriate his father. That was something he more than understood. Palmer Denton had the same effect on Jack. “Here I was unaware your rebellious side wasn’t always running the show.” He winked at her and earned one of the first grins of the day as she elbowed him in the side.

  Trying to disguise the ache in his chest, he typed the key code into the barn that had been converted into a sixteen-car garage. Dust floated in the air dancing in front of the few windows.

  As soon as their eyes had adjusted to the light, she spun around between an R8 and his brother’s newly acquired Flying Spur. “Who the hell needs this many cars?” gasped from her.

  “No one,” Jack assured her, “but we do need to pick one for our day.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Do the Dentons have any that aren’t douche-mobiles?”

  Loving that the Audis and Bentleys did nothing to impress her, he laced his fingers through
hers and guided her to the back bay. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with the sports cars.”

  He lifted the cover off of his own personal favorite. Her mouth fell open, much to his delight, as he revealed the perfectly restored ’71 blue and white Chevy Cheyenne pickup. “An appropriate carriage for my princess.” He opened the passenger-side door and bowed for her to enter.

  “Holy fuck,” finally came out in broken syllables, making him laugh. “You seriously own a restored Cheyenne?!”

  Jack considered that question. “The estate owns it. I just happen to know where the keys are.” Again, he gestured to the door he’d opened for her. “Shall we?”

  “Do you seriously think I’m not driving this?”

  Humored at her preparing to dig in those boot heels, he shook his head at her. “I get to drive today, but I’ll let you drive it back here tonight after the bar.”

  “No.”

  “Meridian.”

  “Jack, it’s a Cheyenne, and you clearly already get to drive it whenever. I want a turn.”

  “You’ll get a turn, but you don’t even know how to get out of the gates, nor do you know how to get to all the places we’re going. Come on.”

  “You can just tell me where to turn.”

  “I’m telling you to turn and get your cute little ass in the passenger seat.” He wanted to see what she’d make of that.

  “I do not like being told what to do.” She threw that lie back in his face.

  “By anyone but me,” he informed her. She narrowed her eyes. “Would you like me to prove my case right here, honey? I’m more than willing.”

  He knew she was wavering when her shoulders eased. “You promise I can drive it tonight?”

  Rather enjoying teasing her, he held up one hand. “I, Jackson Hearst Denton, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and the amendments therein, and of this state—”

  She rolled her eyes at his recitation of the attorney’s oath and made her way over to him. He continued on, “That I will honestly demean myself in the practice of law—”

  “Would you shut up?” she goaded.

  “I’m not finished,” he informed her. “That I will discharge my duties to my clients to the best of my ability; and that I will conduct myself with integrity and civility in dealing and communicating with the court and all parties.”

  She climbed in the truck. “You really are a dick sometimes.”

  “So help me God,” he concluded before they were both cracking up.

  “I get to drive tonight,” she reminded him through a broad grin.

  He lifted his hand just to listen to the melody of her laughter again. “Do not…!” She grabbed his hand and yanked him closer. He leaned in and took her lips in a decadent kiss. She placed his hand on her breast and he was done for. A yearning growl spilled from his mouth to hers as she opened so readily for his tongue. His dick immediately suggested several changes to his planned schedule, mainly that he get her out of those Wranglers and himself deep inside of her.

  Her shallow breath escaped the tight trap of their lips. He moved his lips to her neck and caught her nipple between his thumb and index finger. Her moan made him throb. “Needy, honey?”

  Her eyes blinked open. “How is it I can’t seem to get enough of you?”

  “I plan to use that to my advantage.”

  “How so?”

  “I can’t reveal all of my cards to you, now can I?”

  “You could.” She smirked as he lifted his head.

  “I could, but I won’t. Now, should we go play tourist, or would you prefer to go make use of another one of the bedrooms in the guesthouse?”

  “Can I have both?”

  “You can have whatever you want, princess.”

  Eventually they made their way back to the garage, but Jack was only semi-sated despite having just been deep inside of her. She wasn’t the only one who wasn’t sure they’d ever get enough. Now he just had to convince her they were a match made in heaven, even if they were currently standing much closer to hell.

  They started at his favorite coffee shop over in Lexington. While she studied the chalkboard menu hung behind the registers, he studied her. “Caramel really is everything,” she informed him thoughtfully.

  “I have to disagree.”

  She pulled her gaze away from the menu. “You don’t like caramel? Were you dropped on your head as a child?”

  “I’m too hardheaded for that to have done any real damage, and I do like caramel. It just doesn’t taste as good as you do,” he whispered near her ear. A quick shiver shot through her making his banter more than worth it. “Therefore, it cannot be everything.”

  “You are very naughty,” she informed him.

  “I should probably be punished.”

  She cocked her jaw to the side. “And how would you like to be punished?”

  The barista at the counter cleared her throat rather loudly, shattering the heated air surrounding them. They both spun to face her. Jack had no idea how long it had been since the people standing in line in front of them had ordered. He grimaced.

  “Uh…” Meridian’s cheeks turned the same shade of auburn as her hair. “I want a water and also The Student.” She pointed to the caramel coffee confection on the board.

  “No problem,” the woman nodded and then turned to Jack.

  Still in the mood to flirt, he shot a lusty look at Meridian and announced that he’d have The Principal to go with her Student.

  While Meridian was laughing, the barista hit a few buttons on the register. “For here or to go, Mr. Denton?” Shit. Of course she knew him. Every blessed person in town knew him. Yet another reason he’d run far and fast from Kentucky.

  He swallowed down the heady dose of discomfort and prayed nothing he’d just said would embarrass Meridian. “Here.” The woman handed over the cup of water before they left the counter. Guiding Meridian to a table near the back windows, he tried to shake off the feeling that everyone in the shop was staring at them. “I’m sorry about that. I have no idea who she is,” he offered in an almost silent whisper.

  Meridian waved it off like it was no big deal that their flirting overtly about a yet-to-be-explored kink had been intruded on. “You do remember who I am, right? I can’t go anywhere in Oklahoma without everyone knowing me, my mama, my daddy, all of my uncles, my great-granddaddy, hell, even the ranch dogs we buried two generations ago. I’m used to it. It’s kind of nice that it wasn’t me, honestly. At least she didn’t want to let you know what she thinks you ought to have done with the profits from the distilleries a hundred years ago.”

  Intrigued at that, he said, “People try to tell you what they think you should do with the profits from the ranch?”

  She nodded as she pulled the wrapper off of a straw and flattened it between her fingers. “Everyone has opinions about everything we do. You get used to it, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying.”

  Not certain where the idea had come from, Jack caught one end of the wrapper and eased it from her fingers. He never considered himself particularly romantic or creative, but he went on with his idea. Taking her left hand in his, he threaded the wrapper around her ring finger and twisted the paper down until he’d effectively created her a paper engagement ring complete with a large wad paper diamond. “We’re supposed to be engaged, right?” He winked at her.

  She stared at the ring like he’d really put a massive diamond on her finger. “So fancy.” She giggled.

  “It’s the best I could do,” he offered with a laugh.

  “I love it!”

  But could she ever see herself loving him? That was the question he really wanted the answer to. The barista set their drinks down in front of them and smiled at the paper ring.

  Still beaming, Meridian held up her hand. “Stunning, isn’t it?”

  “Girl,” the woman laughed, “he’s loaded. You need to ask for more than that.”

  “Nah.�
� Meridian shook her head. “I think this is perfect. Money can’t buy happiness, right?”

  “You keep telling yourself that.” The barista made her way back to the counter.

  Chapter Thirty

  Still wearing her paper ring, that she secretly really did love, Meridian climbed back in the truck. “Are we going to do one of those tours of the bourbon trail? Do I get to wax seal a bottle or something?” Her laughter was cut short by Jack’s visible cringe.

  “If you really want to go, we can.”

  “Oh my god, do people rush you there? Do they want you to sign their bottles of Denton Family Reserve or something?”

  He rolled his eyes. “It’s not quite that bad.”

  “So…it’s almost that bad?” She tried to imagine what that would be like.

  “It’s more that if we go down there, word will immediately get back to my parents and they’ll get ideas that I do not want them to have.”

  “Ideas like what?”

  “That I have any interest in rejoining the company.” He eyed her cautiously before continuing, “All eyes would be on you, and you didn’t seem to like that at dinner last night.”

  “Why would all eyes be on me? You’re the bourbon baron.”

  He lifted his eyebrows but said nothing. That was enough of a clue though.

  “Because I’m engaged to the baron.” She lifted her left hand. “Of course.”

  “Please never call me a bourbon baron again. I…hate that.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s just…not what I want my legacy to be.”

  Supremely interested in that, she edged closer to him in the truck. “What do you want your legacy to be?”

  He turned down a tree-lined road dripping with fall colors. “That I reshuffled the deck I was given, maybe.”