Southern Spice (Southern Desires Series Book 1) (22 page)

Casey thought they were safe on the ranch, but Mark had pulled him aside, making sure he understood no one was safe until he gave the all clear.

I couldn’t save my family, but if I have to, Casey, I’ll lay my life down for you. I’ll never let anything happen to you.

Casey knew by his gut-wrenching expression as he left the house and headed up the hill that he’d read the poem. She knew it would touch him deeply, but until she saw him drop to his knees at their graves, she hadn’t realized the extent of it.

I hope this helps you find some peace, Derrick.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she saw him wipe his cheeks while he began the descent back down the hill. How she wished she could ease his pain, but her place was not with him. She’d already intruded enough into his life. It was time for her to step away.

She pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket to call Mark, but she knew leaving the ranch wasn’t an option, and she didn’t want to. They may not have a future together, but she still cared enough to be a friend if he wanted. Casey stepped into the barn so Derrick couldn’t see her. He’d had an emotional day, and it was only sunrise. Perhaps he needed some time on his own.

Her heart skipped a beat.
Derrick couldn’t have made it down here that quickly.
Her eyes still hadn’t adjusted to the darkness inside, but her hearing was working just fine.
That
was the barn door opening. She felt along the wall for something she could use to protect herself if it was someone out to hurt her.

Her hands felt a hook used for bales of hay.
This will do.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see a dark figure coming closer. Jumping out, she wielded the weapon in front of her, still gripped tightly so the intruder couldn’t take it from her as he jumped back.

“What the hell, Casey?”

“Mark?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in the house?”

And aren’t you supposed to be gone?
“I needed air.”

“You’re crying. What did that bastard do to you? I swear I’ll—”

“He didn’t do anything, and don’t you dare lay a finger on him, do you understand? If anything happens to him, you’re going to see a side of me, big brother, you’ve never seen before,” Casey warned.

“Well, that answers one question.”

Cocking her head, she asked, “And what is that?”

“If you love him or not.”

He said it as though it were simple. Nothing about what she shared or felt for Derrick was simple. Discussing it with her brother wasn’t something she was ever going to do. “What are you doing here, Mark?”

“I got some answers. Thought I’d deliver the news in person. Let’s go to the house so I can update Derrick at the same time.”

Casey didn’t move. The answer wasn’t as important to her as it was to Derrick. She was just the tool used to open up the inquiry. The findings didn’t affect her.
Am I kidding myself? No matter what, I broke protocol and won’t have a job. Not that it really matters. I need more. So much more now. Who knows, maybe I’ll join Mom and Dad overseas. There’s nothing left for me here.

“I’ll stay here. You find Derrick and tell him what you found.”

“Casey—”

“Don’t
Casey
me. He doesn’t need me, Mark. What he needs are answers to what happened years ago.”

“You’re wrong, sweetness,” Derrick said from behind Mark.

“Derrick, I didn’t kn—”

“I know, and I’m glad. Otherwise, I might not have known you thought that I don’t need you.”

Mark stepped back and said, “I’ll wait for both of you in the house.”

“You don’t have to go. What I have to say isn’t private,” Derrick announced. Mark stopped and waited. When Derrick turned back to her, he seemed different somehow. “Besides, she seems to be ready to take someone out with that thing, and I might need help taking her down.”

Casey had forgotten she still held her makeshift weapon. “Sorry.”

Derrick smiled and reached out, took the makeshift weapon from her, and hung it back on the wall. Then he pulled her into his arms. “So let’s get back to how I don’t need you.”

“Derrick, you don’t—”

“Can you please for once just be quiet and let me talk?”

Casey heard Mark chuckle softly but said nothing.
Great. Now
two
men are telling me what to do. But this one I can’t seem to say no to.
She nodded.

“Casey, I might not have realized how much I needed you, but trust me, I do now. It’s been a long time since I felt anything, neither pleasure nor pain. You’ve opened up everything I’d buried along with Penny and Kim.” Touching her cheek, with the back of his hand he continued. “And I don’t want to stop feeling again. I love you, Casey Collins, and I know you love me too.”

She swallowed and held back tears. Were her ears playing tricks on her? Was he only saying this because of the emotional rollercoaster he’d been on? What could she give him? She was nothing like Penny.
Why would he want me?

“Nothing to say?” Derrick asked.

“I don’t know what to say,” her voice trembled.

“Say what’s in your heart.”

I’m so afraid to say what I am feeling, afraid you’ll get scared and bolt again. I couldn’t bear it if I wake and find this is all a dream.

“Say it, sweetness.”

She loved the endearing name he called her. All her life she’d been told she was too sweet, and she hated it. But when Derrick said it, her heart melted. Casey never thought she could feel this way about anyone. She loved him. More than any words were going to be able to express.

Once she met his gaze, she was lost. There was nothing more she wanted than to be with him always. “I love you, Derrick, with all my heart, I love you.”

He lifted her off the ground and kissed her tenderly. As he let her slip back to the ground he said, “So what do you say, are you ready to go and hear what your brother has found?”

“Derrick, I don’t want to intrude.” At that, he laughed, and she melted a little more at the openness and warmth she saw in his face.

“Oh, the irony. Sweetness, you intruded the moment your truck rolled into the ravine. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She rested her head on his arm and offered him her hand. “Well then, in that case, let’s go get some answers.”

C
asey’s head was still spinning with the unbelievable data Mark dumped on them. She knew things didn’t look right but not to the extent Mark’s contacts uncovered. The repercussions? The ripple effect would be huge within FEMA once the investigations began.
JT won’t be there any longer, thank God. He’ll be lucky to get a job picking trash off the side of the highway.
The news that he’d been removed immediately was comforting. Knowing one day he might see the inside of a jail cell was even more so.

“I still don’t understand how you knew about Donna.”

“Her father paid me an unexpected visit in New York. That was when I realized what you were doing . . . risking. I know I said I wanted answers at any price, but Casey, that price didn’t include you.”

She knew that long before he said it. The man, no matter how much he tried to pretend not to care for others, actually had a bigger heart than most people. If he didn’t, he never would have called Donna’s father with an update on what they’d found out so far.
Mr. Nash, your secret is safe with me.

“That man is scum. How could someone who has taken a job to help others take a payoff to cover up something like that?”

“I’m glad Mark was able to get the information I’d been trying to get for the past five years,” Derrick said as they sat on the couch, his arm around her, keeping her close.

“He has connections that never cease to amaze me. Normally it concerns me, but this time, I’m glad. If not, JT may have gotten away with burying the information proving willful neglect of routine maintenance and forged documents regarding the integrity of the dam. At least JT will have a friend with him in prison.”

“Mark hinted a cover-up like this probably has many players, and it will take a major investigation before all involved are brought to justice.”

That’s why Mark insisted on leaving a friend there. No matter how much she tried to stress she would obey his every instruction this time, but he didn’t seem to buy it.
Some things weren’t going to change. “You’ll always be my baby sister.” Does that mean I can look forward to this for another thirty years? Yeah, probably. And I don’t think I’d want it any other way.

“I know, but not letting me return to work is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Derrick shook his head. “Not at all.”

“Why?”

“Because it was my idea,” Derrick said smugly.

She pulled herself into a sitting position, frowning at him. “What do you mean, your idea? Mark is the one wh—”

“I like your brother. We see eye to eye on a few things.”

Oh, this isn’t good. If those two tag-team on me, I won’t ever have a chance.
“Should I even ask what they might be?”

Derrick pulled her onto his lap and said, “There’s only one thing you need to concern yourself with.” He kissed her briefly. “Your safety, sweetness.”

Mark and Derrick connecting on anything was shocking. The fact it was
her
was mind-blowing. Mark had never given his blessing to any male in her life. She had been sure Derrick would’ve been the one he would’ve strongly pushed away.

“Hmm. I’m not sure this is what Mark had in mind when he told you to protect me,” Casey teased.

Derrick flipped her so she lay on the couch and covered her with his long, fabulous, muscular body. Casey giggled at his playfulness. Seeing this side of him was incredible. A week ago he had walked around so full of negative energy, unable to smile, now he grinned. It was full of mischief, but still a grin.
Sexy actually.

“Is this better?” he asked as his hand slid up her thigh, sending chills all over her body.

Casey reached around him and pulled him even closer. “It’s a start. But I’d like to see what else you have to offer.”

She watched his eyes darken and the playful side was replaced with raw desire. She felt him harden. Her body reacted to his as heat spread from her core to every nerve ending.

He didn’t kiss her; he lay on top of her, staring into her eyes.
What are you thinking, my love? Maybe you think we shouldn’t do this here, in this house? So many memories. I should remember how difficult this is for you.

Casey loosened her grip around him, yet he didn’t move, only continued studying her.

His eyes are roaming my face as if trying to discern my concern.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, caressing her face with the back of his hand that had been teasing her thigh. “But never more so than when you’re lying beneath me.” Her heart pounded with joy. Until Derrick, she’d never felt beautiful, but with him, she felt so many things she never had before. Nothing in her appearance had changed, so she knew it was how he made her feel.
Loved.

He kissed her gently, tenderly. It wasn’t a passionate kiss. This was a different exchange. As though the past was buried, and two new hearts were joined and sealed with a kiss. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his lips against hers as they slowly moved across her. She yearned for more.

Casey couldn’t resist any longer. Her tongue slipped through her lips and traced his. He opened to her and sucked her tongue into his mouth. A moan escaped her and everything inside went wild. She needed to feel him, every inch of him.

He might want to be gentle and slow, but right now her body was begging for him to take her. She wanted to feel the way he’d made her feel the first time they’d been together. He knew how to make her quiver with delight as he touched and kissed her. She was wet with anticipation.

Her hands reached down and tugged, pulling his shirt out of his pants. He lifted himself off her slightly so she could unbutton it. Casey started one, then two. She had no idea what came over her, but her hands would no longer work the way she’d wanted them to. Each button became more difficult than the previous. Placing her hands on each side of the closures, she pulled with all her might and popped the remaining buttons off the shirt; they went flying onto the floor.

Derrick looked at her in amazement. “I see you have some southern spice in you after all.” He pulled himself up, picked her up into his arms, and started toward the staircase leading upstairs. “You already have me on fire wanting you, but I plan on taking my time and enjoying every lovely inch of you.”

Casey wanted to argue, but the thought of being naked in his arms for hours was too tempting. She’d have her time to take charge, give him what he’d given her, but that might have to wait.
Until tomorrow. And the tomorrow after that.

Derrick kicked open the door to his bedroom but didn’t lay her on the bed as she’d expected. Instead, he sat her on the edge. His lips came down on hers, a light caress, soft like the first, yet he didn’t pull away this time. Instead, his kiss deepened, his tongue traced her lips tenderly, prodding her to open to him. She parted her lips, giving him full access to all he desired.

She was overcome with a burning need for him. Entwining her tongue with his, she began exploring him even more eagerly than he did her.
Oh God, I love the taste of him.

Casey tried to pull him down to her, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he cupped her face in his large hands; his thumb stroked her cheek, then jaw. She was melting to his touch.

She raised her hands to push his shirt off his shoulders, momentarily disconnecting his hands from her face, letting the shirt drop to the floor. His flesh was so warm and hard against the coolness of her hands. If her mouth wasn’t exploring him, she’d tell him just how much she loved his body.

Her hands traveled down his arms, over his massive biceps.
No wonder he can toss me around as though I’m light as a feather.
Her hands went back to his shoulders then down his chest, only stopping at the waistband of his slacks. Finding his belt buckle, she unhooked it, then the button beneath, and finally the zipper.
I need to feel you, to taste you.

Casey tugged at his pants, letting them slide down, then she did the same to his briefs that were holding the prize she sought. She wanted to look at him, but he wouldn’t stop kissing her. It was hot and exciting to explore with her hands only. Her fingers felt him grow harder with each touch. Casey gripped him, stroked him gently at first then more boldly let her fingers explore him from base to tip.

He moaned into her mouth and broke contact only to begin some exploration of his own. His hand left her face, tracing her neck, then moving lower until his thumb brushed her cleavage. Instantly her body trembled with yearning. She wanted more from him, but at the same time, she wanted to give more too.
Please don’t stop.

Although she was enjoying his touch, she couldn’t resist what was in her hands, only inches away from her. Closing the distance, Casey leaned toward him and licked the tip of his shaft. She’d never taken a man in her mouth before, not that she hadn’t been asked, but she’d never wanted to before. With Derrick, it was a primal need she had no control to stop.

First one lick then another. Her tongue swirled around the head as her hand continued to stroke him. He tasted salty and sweet. She wanted more of him; she yearned to give him what he’d given her on the hillside when they’d made love the first time.
I want you to dream of me every night as I do you, Derrick.

Casey slowly took more of him into her mouth, each time sucking him harder. Soon he filled her mouth, her tongue eagerly stroking, teasing him till she heard what sounded like a low animal growl come from him. Her lips wrapped tightly around him. As his body began to tense, he said, “Sweetness, this feels amazing but if you don’t stop . . .”

She felt him throbbing with need, and she wanted him to give her every last drop of himself. But Derrick pulled away from her and didn’t allow her any further exploration.

“I want—”

“Me too, but not tonight. Tonight, my love, this is about both of us, and if you don’t stop now . . . let’s just say it’ll be over much quicker than I want it to be.”

Casey blushed, knowing she had the ability to make him lose his mind as he could to her.
Oh yes, my love, another time I will finish what I’ve started, and you’re not going to stop me so easily
.

Derrick pulled her shirt over her head, and she reached back to unhook her bra, letting it fall off her shoulders. He bent and took her taut nipple between his lips and nipped it softly. “Derick,” she moaned and arched her back to him wanting more.

He cupped the other breast and rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Casey felt heat flow through her. He ignited such need that it was almost unbearable.

“Derrick, oh my, I didn’t realize . . .”

He chuckled as he did the same to the other nipple.

Casey stood up and slid off her jeans and panties, so she stood naked in front of him. “Now,” she said boldly.

For a moment she thought he would hold back again, but she could see he was on the verge of losing control himself. She watched him reach into the nightstand drawer, pull out a foil packet, and sheath himself. When he returned he lifted her and settled her in the center of the bed, positioning himself between her legs.

She could feel the heat from his cock pressed on her delicate folds. She was so ready for him.
I need you deep inside me.
Casey arched her hips, trying to entice him to give her what she needed so damn badly.

She opened to him, and he stroked her intimately, arousing her even move. He gripped his cock and stroked her clit, bringing her higher and higher until her cries of pleasure filled the room. Biting her bottom lip, trying to hold back, he claimed her with one quick thrust of his cock. Her body shook as the waves rocked through her. He didn’t move, letting her clench around him as her climax continued until she thought she couldn’t take any more.

Derrick reached a hand between them, his thumb finding her clit as he thrust again into her. Her body hadn’t recovered from the first wave before he was bringing her to yet another. Each time he entered her more deeply than the time before, while paying such sweet attention to her clit.

“God, sweetness, I’ve missed the feel of you around me.”

God, how I’ve missed you too.

“Please.” Her body tightened around him intentionally as she begged him to give her more.