“Justin…”

  The warning in her voice made him smile. She was just as anxious as him. Flicking his tongue over the taut peak, he was devouring her before long. His plan to take it slow ceased to matter as she urged him on with soft moans and gyrating hips.

  “Do you have protection?” he whispered as he tested his theory that she was more than ready for him.

  “Yes,” she said, throwing her head back as she gripped his shoulders. “In the nightstand drawer.”

  Justin reached over and withdrew a plastic square. Within seconds, he was poised, ready to erase the worst months of his life as he found a new beginning in the arms of the woman who loved him.

  Gliding inside of her was effortless, as though she held the secret to all of his problems, physical and emotional. The reason why he could never sustain a relationship became clear in the ecstasy he saw in her eyes: He’d been waiting for her. His subconscious wouldn’t let him settle for less. He hadn’t been able to make love to another woman since the accident because his body knew better than he did. He needed her help to heal, to release the burden of guilt, and to trust that she could guide him toward happiness again.

  As he made love to her, he whispered, “You gave me my life back, Anna.”

  She smiled as a tear glided down her cheek. “I feel the same way.”

  Justin closed his eyes and submitted to a sense of inner peace he’d never known in the arms of a woman. He didn’t know another person could make him feel so… fulfilled. He’d thought the only thing that would ever make him feel that way was drowning in champagne as he hoisted racing’s big prize.

  “Anna…” Her name came out as a groan and a curse as he looked into her eyes. She was already lost in the throes of her release. As he watched her give herself over to him, he knew she was the only woman he would ever want.

  Her eyes grew wider as he thrust into her one last time, barely able to support his weight on trembling arms. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.

  “No,” she agreed, closing her eyes. “It doesn’t.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next morning, Justin rolled over, pulling a sleepy Anna against his chest. “I’m racing in Bristol tonight. You should come and watch.” He was nervous about inviting her, but he knew she would have to get used to races since they were a couple.

  “I’d like to, but my mama’s having a dinner party for this new TV broadcaster she’s representing. Apparently, she’s from L.A., but she signed on to host a show on the country music station here in Nashville.”

  Kissing her shoulder, Justin said, “That sounds like quite a leap.”

  “Yeah, that’s why my mama wants to do everything she can to make her feel at home. She’s even invited her to stay as a guest at their house.” Anna laughed. “That should last all of five minutes before the poor girl decides she needs a little privacy. With all of Nick’s ranch hands coming in and out of the main house all the time, she won’t get five minutes peace.”

  “What’s the set up there anyway?” Justin asked. “Does your brother have his own place?”

  “God, yes! I can’t imagine Nick still living under my parents’ roof. My parents are pretty hard on him. They keep telling him he should find a nice girl and settle down.”

  “But he’s younger than you, right?”

  “Yeah, a few years. But he’s the one who gave my parents their gray hairs. I think they’re beginning to wonder whether he’ll ever finish sowing his wild oats.”

  Justin yawned and rolled over onto his back, taking Anna with him. With her head settled on his chest, he ran a hand up and down her bare arm. “Your brother will find someone when the time’s right.” He kissed the top of her head. “Just like I did. Hell, my parents thought they would have to take drastic measures to find me a nice girl.”

  Anna slid her hand over his chest before looking up at him and batting her eyelashes. “I’m glad it didn’t come to that. If they’d stepped in, we may never have met.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re exactly the kind of girl they would have chosen. It’s probably a good thing they didn’t meet you on the island while you were engaged. They would have plotted to break you and Tom up so I could have you.”

  Anna laughed. “I doubt that.”

  “Speaking of your ex…” Justin waited, hoping she would answer the question he was almost embarrassed to ask. “Have you heard from him since you left the island?”

  “He’s called a few times.”

  The arm around her tightened as Justin tried to force himself to sound nonchalant when he asked, “What did he want?”

  “Just to talk. I guess he doesn’t have a lot of friends out there yet, and from what he said, he’s not dating.”

  “Why’s that? Is he still hoping you’ll change your mind?” Just the thought of that happening made Justin feel queasy.

  “I don’t think so. We had a good talk on the island. I think we both got the closure we needed.”

  Justin finally felt like he had the reassurance he’d been waiting for. “That’s what that teary good-bye was all about? Closure?”

  “Sure,” she said, tilting her head back to look at him, “what did you think it was about?”

  “I thought maybe you still had feelings for him.” Justin knew it was time to voice his fears. He didn’t want to feel insecure every time Anna brought up her ex’s name.

  “No!” She propped her weight on one arm to look at him. “Is that why you left?”

  He shrugged, refusing to look her in the eye. “I was already getting in pretty deep by then. I didn’t want to get in any deeper if you still had a thing for your ex.”

  Anna giggled. “I guess Lauren was right. She guessed that was the reason you left the island so quickly.”

  “Were you disappointed I left?” Justin knew leaving was the right call. If he’d stayed, he may never have returned to racing, and that wasn’t the way he wanted to leave the sport he loved.

  “Of course I was. Why do you think I came home? I didn’t want to be there without you.”

  Justin smiled, pulling her closer. “We’ll have to go back soon to make up for lost time. Maybe Christmas break?” Normally he’d be scared of making plans for months away, but with Anna, he couldn’t wait to start planning for the future.

  “That sounds nice,” she said, smiling.

  “Are you sure you can’t make the race tonight?”

  “As much as I’d love to, I promised my parents I’d be there. Can I get a rain check?”

  “Do you want one?” Justin didn’t expect her to love his sport, but he didn’t want her to fear it either.

  “Of course I do.” She stroked the stubble on his jaw. “I love you, and that means I want to share the things you love.” She shuddered dramatically. “Even racing.”

  He laughed as he pulled her against him. “I’m glad to hear you say that. It won’t be as bad as you think, I promise. In fact, you may even learn to like it if you give it a chance.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’m not making any promises, but I will give it a shot.”

  “Does that mean you’ll watch me tonight?”

  Anna laughed. “Company or no company, I can pretty much promise that daddy and Nick will be glued to the TV set.”

  “And you?”

  “I’ll be right there with them.”

  ***

  Anna smiled politely and tried to follow the conversation flowing around the dinner table, but she couldn’t get her mind off the race starting in less than an hour. She wondered if it would always be like that. Would she ever get used to the idea of her boyfriend driving that death trap?

  When Avery shot her daughter a quizzical look, Anna knew it was time to get her head back in the game or risk her mother’s version of twenty questions. “So, Megan,” Anna said, smiling at their dinner guest, “my mother tells me you’re from L.A. How are you adjusting to life in Music City?”

  Megan smiled. “It’s a lovely city, but it’s different from what I’m used to, that’s for sure.”

  In spite of her polished façade, Megan seemed friendly and genuine, or at least that was Anna’s first impression of her. Only time would tell the real story behind that bright white smile. “Do you think you’ll like it here?”

  Megan shot a quick glance at Avery. “Um, I don’t know. I signed a one year contract with the network. Beyond that, I can’t see sticking around.”

  “Really?” Anna smiled her thanks when her father passed her the sweet potatoes. “Why’s that?”

  Megan looked down at her plate. “I came here hoping to reconnect with my father. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Anna said and wished she wasn’t sitting too far away to offer physical comfort. Once the professional veneer fell away, Megan obviously needed a friend. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “You didn’t,” Megan said, tracing a track through her vegetables with her fork. “I don’t mind talking about it. My mother passed away last year, and I’ve never really known my father. I came here hoping to rectify that, but it turns out there’s no room in his life for an illegitimate child he never wanted.”

  “How do you know he doesn’t want a relationship with you?” Anna was the eternal optimist. She had a hard time imagining a parent disowning their own child.

  Nick rolled his eyes at Megan’s story. “Would you like a tissue?” He held up a paper napkin. He tried, unsuccessfully, to hide his smile when Megan reached for it.

  “That won’t be necessary.” She scrunched it in her fist as she treated him to a fake smile.

  Anna had been the last to arrive, and she suspected she’d missed something because the animosity between her brother and their guest was palpable.

  “I’m sorry, Anna,” Megan said, offering her a genuine smile. “You asked me how I knew my father doesn’t want a relationship with me. He told me so himself. I don’t know why I should be surprised.” She brushed her long dark hair off her shoulder. “He knew where I was all those years, and he never sought me out. I guess I thought if we lived in the same city, things would be different. Obviously, I was wrong.”

  “It’s not too late to go back to L.A. if you don’t like it here,” Nick said, reaching for his beer.

  “Actually, it is,” Avery said, giving her son a pointed look. “Megan has a contract with the network, like she said, for a year. And you’re a woman of your word, aren’t you, Megan?” Avery squeezed her client’s hand.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Megan sat taller, pressing her back into the upholstered seat. Her new agent’s opinion was obviously important to her. “So,” Megan said, turning her attention back to Anna, “your parents tell me you’re seeing Justin Hunt. That must be exciting.”

  Anna laughed. “If by exciting you mean terrifying, yes, it is.”

  “I understand,” Megan said, winking. “I was engaged to a race car driver myself. It was thrilling, in more ways than one, but my heart was in my throat every time I watched him suit up.”

  “Just one driver?” Nick asked, settling his arm on the back of Megan’s chair. “I’m surprised. So, what is your type? Actors, producers, athletes, models-”

  “Nick!” Avery glared at him. “Watch your manners. Megan is a guest in our home, and you’ll do well to remember that!”

  “Your mother’s right, Nick,” Ty chimed in. “I’m not too old to kick your butt if you forget how to talk to a lady in my presence.”

  Nick chuckled, but Anna knew her brother had been properly chastised.

  “Speaking of Justin,” Ty said, “why don’t we head into the family room and watch his race?” He checked his watch. “It should start in about ten minutes.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Nick said, scraping his chair across the hardwood floor in his haste to leave the table.

  Their housekeeper entered to clear the plates and offer dessert and coffee in the family room. Everyone gratefully accepted before she bowed out of the room, her hands filled with stacked plates.

  Anna couldn’t help but notice her brother’s eyes fall to the back pockets of Megan’s designer jeans after he gestured for Megan to precede him into the family room. She couldn’t blame the poor guy. Megan had a body centerfolds would envy.

  “Behave yourself,” Anna whispered, elbowing him in the ribs. “You heard what Mama and Daddy said about minding your manners. If you’re not careful, you’re going to get a slap upside the head.”

  Nick chuckled. “Don’t worry about me, sis. I’ll save my tauntin’ for when she and I are alone.”

  “Why do you have it in for her?”

  “Come on, look at her,” Nick said quietly as he turned his back to the woman in question. “She’s too perfect. It’s like everything she says is scripted. Her jeans are designer, her heels are too high to be comfortable, and it looks like her makeup was applied with an airbrush. That may be the way they do things in L.A., but she’s on a ranch now, and she needs to get used to our way.”

  “Just go easy on her,” Anna said, poking Nick in the stomach. “She seems like a sweet girl, and I get the feeling she could really use a friend.”

  “Did she tug at your heartstrings with that ‘poor me’ routine? She failed to leave out the part about her old man bein’ Manny Moore. He kept her and her mama in the lap of luxury her whole life. She’s gone to private schools, driven fancy sports cars; hell, why do you think she’s so stuck up?”

  “I don’t think she’s stuck up.” Anna’s eyes drifted to Megan. “You can’t judge her because her father’s a famous country singer, Nick. So is ours. She had all the same opportunities we had. Except we had our father in our lives, and she didn’t. As far as I’m concerned, we’re a hell of a lot better off.”

  “Whatever,” Nick said, sticking his hands into the pockets of his faded blue jeans. “I’m just sayin’ she’s not a poor victim.”

  “I don’t think she ever tried to portray herself that way,” Anna said with a frown. “I was asking her about her life, and she just filled in the blanks for me. Why are you being such an ass?”

  “I just don’t like the idea of Mama takin’ this girl in. Based on her background, I think it’s pretty safe to assume that she’s an opportunist, and I don’t want to see her take advantage of our parents’ generosity. If you ask me, she came here to try to bilk more money out of her old man.”

  “That’s a terrible thing to say,” Anna whispered, glaring up at Nick. “You don’t know her reasons for coming here, and you have no right assuming the worst.”

  “What if I told you she had to leave her last job because she was caught in bed with the married producer?”

  Anna gasped, covering her mouth when Megan spared her a glance. “Are you serious? How do you know that?”

  “I did a little diggin’ when Mama told me Megan’d be movin’ in with them for a while. You can’t be too careful. Dad’s a celebrity. That makes him a target for all kinds of crazies.”

  Anna couldn’t argue with her brother’s reasoning, but the thought of digging into Megan’s past still made her uncomfortable. Everyone had a right to privacy, and even Anna had a few secrets she would rather keep buried. “You don’t know the whole story. Reporters love to sensationalize-”

  “Come on over here, you two,” Ty said, beckoning his children. “The race is about to start.”

  Anna forced herself to take a deep breath as she took the seat beside Megan on the sofa. Avery curled up on the loveseat, and Ty and Nick claimed the armchairs, stretching their long legs out on the ottomans.

  Megan smiled at her. “It doesn’t matter how many times you watch these things. When someone you care about is behind the wheel, every time is the first time and possibly the last.”

  Anna knew she must have looked horrified because Megan reached out to squeeze her hand.

  “God, I’m sorry, Anna. That was a really insensitive thing to say. Don’t worry about Justin. He’s one of the best. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  “You follow racin’?” Nick asked, sneering at Megan.

  “I was engaged to Brock Logan. He got me interested in the sport.”

  “Is that so?” Nick laced his hands over his flat stomach. “What happened? Justin nudged him out of the running for the Cup and you lost interest?”

  “Nick…” Ty glared at his son.

  “Fine,” Nick said, raising his hands. “I’ll just watch the race and keep my mouth shut.”

  “We can only hope,” Anna muttered, smiling sweetly at her brother when he shot her a look.

  “I missed out on growing up with my brother,” Megan said. “It’s nice to see siblings as close as you two.”

  “I feel another sad story comin’ on,” Nick said. He winked at their housekeeper when she walked in with a tray containing coffee and homemade cookies. “You mind bringin’ in the tissue, Hazel? I have a feelin’ there won’t be a dry eye in the house soon.”

  “What is wrong with you today?” Anna asked, unable to believe her brother’s attitude. He was usually so polite and respectful, which was why the ladies at Jimmy’s started lining up to dance with him as soon as he arrived.

  “It’s okay, Anna,” Megan said, reaching for her arm. “I handle guys like him all day long. It comes with the territory.”

  “Guys like me?” Nick asked, raising an eyebrow when he looked at Megan. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’ve probably got a mad on because your last girlfriend dumped you or cheated on you, and you’re determined to make the whole female race pay for her mistake.” She grinned at Nick’s look of shock. “Don’t worry, I can take it. I wore my big girl panties today, cowboy.”

  “Why you little…” Nick said, planting his cowboy boots on the floor as he leaned forward in the deep seat. “Where the hell do you get off-”

  “Hush,” Anna said, raising her hand. “The race is about to start. I don’t wanna miss it because of your big mouth.”

  Looking like a sulking six-year-old, Nick sat back, arms crossed, and glared at the big screen in front of him.

 

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