Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) Read online

  Instead of pulling away, she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung desperately to him, totally ignorant of her half-naked state. He wished she would stand on her own two feet and climb out of there herself. Based on how tightly she was holding him, that wasn’t about to happen, and with the water still rising, he didn’t want to spend more time trying to pry her hands off him.

  He adjusted her so her bare legs wrapped around his waist and he could hold her with one arm. Once he had a strong grip on her bottom, he both regretted and was thankful he was still wearing the gloves. He needed to concentrate if he was going to pull them out of the ravine by himself. He grabbed the rope with his free hand. It wasn’t just the rain making it hard to hold on, but blood from cuts on his arm had run down onto his glove, adding to the difficulty. Digging his boot into the slope, using it as a ladder, he began the slow climb up. He would take two steps up and slide back one, but eventually they made their way to the top. Even then she didn’t loosen her grip but kept her face buried against his chest.

  Her sweet smell filled his nostrils. It had been a long time since he’d held someone in his arms like this. Even with the storm crashing down around him, his body ached to feel more of her, to lift her face and taste what those trembling lips had to offer. What the hell? Derrick had no room in his life for a woman, not even one as tempting as this. After what I did, I deserved my solitary life and much more.

  Firmly he said, “Let go. We need to get on my horse and get the hell out of this storm.” She finally loosened her grip, and in one swift move, he lifted her onto the saddle. Even soaking wet, she weighed hardly anything. Despite the violent thrashing of the rain and wind, he heard her whimper. Fuck. She’s probably in pain, asshole. “Hold on to this.” He took her hands and placed them on the horn of the saddle before he climbed up behind her. She was shaking. Considering what she had just experienced, shouldn’t she be crying? Screaming? In the rain and darkness, it was impossible to tell if she was bleeding, and she wasn’t forthcoming with that information either. She must be in shock.

  As soon as he was settled behind her, she leaned back into him. He wanted to tell her to sit up straight, keep her distance, but there was no time for chatter. The rain was coming down in buckets.

  With his arms around her, he grabbed the reins and urged Spirit toward the house. Fortunately the horse knew his way back to the barn even better than Derrick did, as visibility was near impossible. If he were back in the city, he would have waited for an ambulance to come and treat her. But there were no such luxuries out this far, even on a clear day. They were on their own here, and right now there was no time to waste. Whether he liked it or not, he needed to take her to the house to assess her injuries. But why the hell had she come here in the first place?

  Spirit seemed anxious to get back, and within minutes they were at the house. Derrick carried her up the steps to the porch. Every step felt like a punch in the gut. When Penny died, Derrick swore he’d never have another woman there again. This ranch was all he had left of Penny and Kim. It was our home. Our life. There was no option but to take this woman to the house. Once the storm ends so will this visit. She’ll be out of here just as quickly as she came.

  Casey Collins was shaking inside as her knight in shining armor released his hold on her. Her legs felt wobbly, and she had to force herself not to reach out to him for support. It was bad enough she’d clung so intimately to a man she didn’t know. She wasn’t going to again. I’m in shock, and that’s all. Anyone would do the same.

  But she wasn’t just anyone. She dealt with one natural disaster or another daily in her job. The volume of destruction and loss of life at times had almost been too much to bear. But this was what she wanted to do, and nothing was going to make her quit. Not even when her supervisor put her on probation for getting too emotionally involved. Every member of her family served the needs of others in one fashion or another. She had two older brothers. The oldest was in the Navy, and other in the Marines. Her parents were both still active in the Peace Corp. Maybe to them her job wasn’t as impressive as theirs, but to her, it meant everything. It gave her the opportunity to help others, and that was all that mattered.

  And I almost became one of those people. A chill ran through her as the reality of what her foolishness in driving in such a storm almost cost her. She was lucky to be alive. She had spoken to families and read way too many reports of people who were in similar situations, yet weren’t so lucky. If this stranger hadn’t been there . . .

  Quickly she brushed that horrid thought out of her mind. Her training had taught her better than to live in what if. Considering anything but the facts wasn’t beneficial to anyone. The fact was he had been there, and she was safe. No amount of words could express her gratitude, but sometimes it only took two. “Thank you.”

  “You need to get out of what’s left of your clothes,” he said.

  What ever happened to “You’re welcome”? Well, there went my idea of you being a southern gentleman. “They will dry,” she answered with her hands planted firmly on her hips.

  Her finger brushed her cool flesh and only then did she notice her shirt was no longer covering what it should. Oh shit! As though it didn’t bother her one bit, she pulled it down to cover herself. She knew her hands should’ve made contact with the skirt she’d been wearing. But all she felt was the thin lace of her panties. Please don’t tell me. I can’t be standing here almost naked.

  She looked down and found herself in one embarrassing situation. Her cheeks began to burn, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t remember how or when the skirt came off.

  When she looked up again, she noticed him watching her, but he looked more angry than anything else. What the heck is this guy’s problem? I’m not thrilled with this situation either.

  “Don’t move. I’ll be right back,” he said while walking away, leaving her alone.

  Where did he think she was going to go? Casey had no idea where she was, and she was practically naked. What I’d give for a hot shower and blanket. He was right about one thing—she should get out of the wet clothes—but she didn’t make a habit of being naked in front of others and especially not a stranger. Not even if he just saved her life. Of course I’m not exactly dressed right now either.

  Planting her feet, she stubbornly waited. For exactly what she didn’t know. She wasn’t scared of him, and he wasn’t going to intimidate her either, no matter how big and angry-looking he was. Now all I have to do is dig deep and convince myself of that.

  When he returned, he tightly gripped a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She appreciated the change of clothes, but he certainly seemed far from happy about turning them over to her.

  “Put these on,” he said in his gruff voice as he tossed the clothing in her direction.

  Everything in her wanted to let them drop to the floor and tell him no thanks, but as he threw them at her, she also noticed his right arm was cut and bleeding and her natural instinct to nurture took over. “You’re bleeding,” Casey said, holding the clothes as she stepped closer to him to look at his wound.

  He raised a hand to stop her, then looked down at his arm. She wasn’t a doctor, but in her opinion, he needed a few stitches. “You should let me at least clean it and then get to the hospital. It looks deep.”

  His eyes grew dark and distant. Before he turned to leave her alone again, he said plainly, “I’ll live.”

  He had pulled her from her truck, which she doubted would be salvageable, thrown her on his horse, and unloaded her into his home without as much as a comforting word. If I had to describe him in one word, I’d use stormy. Like the raging storm outside, he is angry, volatile. He made it very clear she wasn’t welcome. Was he like this to everyone, or was she special? Casey wanted to call him out and set him straight. Instead she shouted, “You don’t expect me to change right here in the open, do you?” At this point, that wouldn’t surprise her.

  He didn’t even bother to turn back to face her. Instead, sh
e saw him point to a door to the left of her as he reached the top of the stairs and then disappeared from sight. If the rest of the town is as bad as him, then JT won’t have to lecture me about getting too personally involved here.

  Casey carried the garments provided and headed to the door. Women’s clothing. I can’t picture this beast being married. At this point, she didn’t care if it was a closet, as long as she had some privacy. A sigh of relief filled the room as she opened the door and found a bathroom with a shower. Now we’re talking.

  Removing what was left of her shirt, she folded it then removed her bra and panties and hung them on a towel rack with the hope they would quickly dry. She’d ask him if he had a washer and dryer, but it probably was better not to ask for anything.

  Her body was aching. Stepping into the shower, she welcomed the hot water as it pounded against her back. How had I not realized how cold I’d been? She could have stayed there forever, but it was going to take more than water to eliminate the tension within her.

  If this were her own house, she would have stayed there till every last drop of hot water had drained from the tank. No matter how badly she yearned to enjoy the moment, she wasn’t sure her host would appreciate her lingering any longer than needed. Reluctantly she turned off the water and quickly dressed in the dry clothes he had brought her. Whoever the pants belonged to was much taller than she was and Casey needed to roll them up several inches. He was tall, so maybe they belonged to a sister. Since he seemed to be the quiet type, Casey decided it was best not to ask any questions.

  She debated what to do with her wet clothes but decided to leave them where they were for now. Walking barefoot she opened the door and, with her body still aching from the accident, left the bathroom, hoping to sit or maybe even lie down on the large leather couch she’d spotted earlier. Quiet. She needed it desperately to think through what had just happened.

  Any hope for quiet vanished when she saw him sitting exactly where she’d been dreaming of, but he was not as relaxed as she had wanted to be. He sat straight up as though he didn’t want to be there any more than she did. Maybe this wasn’t his house. She’d never asked any questions as he didn’t seem approachable. He didn’t look in her direction, only sat holding what smelled like coffee in his hand. He seemed in deep thought. One of us has to say something eventually. Might as well be me.

  Forcing a smile, she made her way toward him, extremely self-conscious given she hadn’t put her wet panties and bra back on. Doubt he’d notice anyway. Her leg hurt, but right now there wasn’t much on her body that didn’t hurt, so she ignored it and moved forward.

  “Thank you for the dry clothes.”

  He turned to face her but said nothing. His expression was one she had seen too many times before. It was one of torment. She’d been told there had been no fatalities from the tornado, only massive property damage. Maybe he was the type of person who valued things above all else. It was easy enough to find out.

  Casey opened her mouth to ask but thought better of it before the words slipped past her lips. Whatever troubled him, it wasn’t any of her business. She was here on a job, and that didn’t entail trying to figure out what made him so darn unfriendly. Stay focused. I can’t afford to screw up again. JT hadn’t been joking when he’d said I’d be fired, and I’m finally off probation. This assignment has to be perfect, or I’m going to lose the one job I’ve always wanted. Something I’m actually good at.

  When he finally spoke, his tone was flat. “I will take you into town once the storm passes. For now, make yourself comfortable here on the couch.” He got up and headed for the stairs once again.

  She didn’t want to be where she wasn’t welcome. And there was no way she was going to feel the least bit comfortable with him in the house. The office had booked her a room at the High Hat Hotel in town, and that was where she was going to spend the night, with or without his help. “I’ll call a cab.” She looked around the room for a phone to use as everything, including her cellphone, was lost somewhere in the ravine.

  He didn’t even turn to face her as he said, “The phones are out.”

  This rudeness was driving her crazy. Yes, she should be grateful he pulled her out of the ditch—saved her life most probably—but that didn’t give him the right to treat her poorly. At least, not in her book. You get what you give in this world.

  “Do you treat all your guests this way or am I just special?” Casey asked boldly.

  He stopped in his tracks, turned, and walked back to face her. If she thought he was tall or intimidating before, the look he gave her shook her to the core. His eyes were so dark they were almost black, his nose looked like it may have been broken in a fight or two, and his jaw said he was as stubborn as the day was long. She forced herself to meet his gaze, but inside she could feel the acid in the pit of her stomach begin to turn. He was too close for comfort. Don’t be sick. But then again, vomiting on him might get him to back away.

  “First, you’re not a guest. You’re a trespasser. That’s all.” His voice was sharp. “Second, if you would have read the sign at the gate, you would not be standing in my living room right now. So if anyone should complain, it would be me.”

  It was hard for her to argue either of those points. Never before had she made such mistakes. It could have cost me a lot more than just my phone, laptop, luggage, and truck.

  Casey couldn’t continue to stare her opponent square in the eyes. It was no longer about fear. I’m so embarrassed. To have gotten lost. If they knew about this in the office, they would never send me out into the field again. Maybe JT is right. Maybe I don’t belong in the field. Maybe I’ll always be behind a desk, processing the claim paper work, and not a field agent.

  Giving up wasn’t an option, but she couldn’t deny his accusations. Softly she said, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  He stood quietly as though trying to read her true motives. How she wished she could claim to have a poker face. Unfortunately, her brothers told her time and time again she was more like an open book. All anyone had to do was look in her eyes, and they saw exactly how she felt. His eyes continued to search hers and slowly they went from almost black, back to brown. I wonder what he saw that I didn’t want him to see?

  Whatever it was he seemed to relax a bit, but not enough to make her want to break the silence first.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Casey.”

  “Do you need anything before I go upstairs?” he asked.

  Maybe some pleasant conversation. A cup of coffee. Or a bite to eat. “Just your name.”

  “So you weren’t coming here to see me?” His brow arched as he watched for her response.

  Confused, shaking her head, Casey answered. “No. Not at all. It was an innocent mistake. I must have taken the wrong turn a few miles back and lost my sense of direction because of the heavy rain. Trust me, none of this was intentional. I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here.”

  He laughed a deep husky laugh. “Then you really don’t know whose ranch you’re on?”

  She didn’t know. “No. Is this your ranch?”

  A simple yes or no was what she expected but received neither. Instead, he said, “My name is Derrick Nash.” The name didn’t mean anything to her. It wasn’t on her list of people she needed to meet with either. But Casey wasn’t about to question him, at least not at the moment. She was tired, her body was aching, and all of a sudden a sharp pain started shooting through her right knee. Standing there was becoming impossible so she tried to walk toward the couch but found it difficult, and she started to limp to keep the weight off her leg.

  “Are you okay?” she heard Derrick ask, his tone almost sounding concerned.

  The next step she took hurt even more than the first ones.

  There were only a few more feet to go before she reached her destination, but she feared she wouldn’t make it. As her knee began to buckle, she prepared herself for an inevitable drop to the floor. Yet, for the se
cond time that night, Derrick’s timing was perfect. She found herself swooped up and safely cradled in his strong arms. He carried her the rest of the way to the couch and sat her ever so gently down as though she was fragile. If only your words were as kind as your actions.

  No matter how good it felt at that moment, her brief experience with him said once there was any distance between them, it was going to be over. Her training had taught her never to trust feelings right after a close call with death, as she just experienced. Every sense was heightened. That must be the explanation for her strong physical attraction to him. Of course being drop-dead gorgeous with the look of danger in his eyes wasn’t helping any.

  Her cheeks were flushed for many reasons, but she brushed them away. “I’m okay. Really I am.” That wasn’t true. She knew something was wrong with her knee. Maybe it was the adrenaline from earlier that caused her not to notice how bad it was before. Whatever it was, it had worn off, and her knee felt like it was on fire and standing on it was no longer an option. Thank God it didn’t happen while I was in the shower. That would have been awkward, to say the least.

  “No, you’re not. Take off your pants. I want to see your leg.” This was demanded not asked.

  And this is also awkward. There was no way she was removing any of her clothes in front of him. She had made that clear once, and that hadn’t changed any. “I said I’m okay. It will be fine in the morning. I just need to rest it.” With a lot of ice.

  Derrick wasn’t hearing it. He reached down unrolled her cuffed jeans and grabbed the hem of the pants with both hands, gripped it and tore it wide open to her thigh. Casey gasped in shock. She moved quickly to pull away and the pain shot through her.

  “Ah . . .” Casey couldn’t hold back crying out.

  “Damn it! Look at your knee.” Derrick’s voice sounded shocked. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you were hurt?”

  You never asked. Casey didn’t need to look at her knee. She could tell it was bad by the pain and lack of flexibility. “I’ll ice it. It will be okay.” It was a slim chance, but it was a good place to start. Once in town, she’d get proper care for it, but she had to keep this injury on the down-low. Only me. Only I could have gotten lost and rolled off a road. If it wasn’t for the fact I was driving my personal vehicle instead of a company car, I would have to add it to the list of “I can’t believe she did that.” I’m not sure, but this one might beat the time I was trapped in the ladies’ room at a gas station for three hours because the doorknob fell out and I had to wait until someone walked by. If it wasn’t all on the job, she might find it humorous. But to Casey, it seemed like another reason not to be taken seriously. It was standing in the way of what she wanted. I deserve a promotion if shit like this keeps happening.