Ian's Ultimate Gamble - Brenda Jackson [29]
"No, that will be all for now."
What Ian wanted was a quiet moment to just sit, sip his wine and pine for the woman he desired more than anything else. He longed to see her again, take her into his arms, make love to her on his bed or hers— which technically was also his because he owned the casino— and take her to a place he hadn't been since they'd separated. A place that had his insides coiling just thinking about it. It had been a place they'd discovered years ago; it had been their own universe, their own solar system, a personal space only the two of them occupied.
The hand holding his wineglass tightened as he felt that same squeeze in his groin. How could one woman stir up his passion, his desire and his lust to such unprecedented proportions'?
"Ian?"
Snatched from his heated musings, Ian glanced up at the very attractive woman standing beside his table. He smiled at her. "Casey, what are you doing here in Memphis?" he asked his cousin as he came to his feet. The last time he'd seen her was at his brother Durango's wedding reception in Atlanta.
"I'm on a buying trip for my store," she said smiling back at him. "I'll be here for a couple of days. What about you?"
"I'm here on business and I'll flying out in the morning." Ian knew she owned a fashion boutique back in Beaumont, Texas. "Come join me," he invited, pulling out a chair for her. "Would you like to order something?" he asked, not sure if she'd eaten yet.
"Thanks," she said as she sat down. "But, no. I’ve just finished eating and was about to leave. I thought it was you from across the room, but I wasn't sure, and for a moment I was hesitant about coming over to ask. You seemed deeply absorbed in thought."
He sat back down and chuckled. "I was," he said without any further explanation. It was best she didn't know what he'd been thinking about. "So are you coming to Delaney's surprise party next week at the casino?"
He saw her grimace slightly and knew she hadn't yet made up her mind. Whereas her brothers Clint and Cole had quickly meshed into the Westmoreland family fold, Casey was still a little reserved. Evidently after thinking for years that her family consisted of only her and her two brothers, the multitude of Westmorelands overwhelmed her.
"Do you know if my father is coming?" she asked.
"Yes, as far as I know Uncle Corey's coming," Ian said, taking another sip of his drink. "I can't see him missing it."
He knew Casey was still struggling to develop a relationship with the father she hadn't known she had. All those years she'd thought he was dead.
"I'm thinking about taking him up on his offer and spending a month in Montana," Casey said.
Ian raised a brow. He'd heard his uncle making the invitation, but Ian hadn't been sure Casey would accept it. For her to be considering the visit was a huge step in building a relationship with her father.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Casey." Ian said. "And I'm sure Uncle Corey and Abby would love having you spend some time with them."
While kicking back and enjoying the taste of his wine, Ian listened as Casey brought him up to date on her brothers, who were both Texas Rangers. She knew for certain they would be at Delaney's party, but Ian noticed she still hadn't answered his question as to whether or not she would make an appearance.
An hour or so later, Ian opened the door to his hotel room. He glanced across the room. His bags were all packed and he was ready to go. Hell, he would leave tonight if he could get a flight out. To say he was eager to return to Lake Tahoe was an understatement.
Even now he wanted to pick up the phone and call Brooke but he kept reminding himself he had spoken to her earlier. He shook his head as he began undressing, wondering what in the hell was happening to him. Brooke walks back into his life and his mind goes bonkers. Okay, she was the sexiest thing he'd ever laid eyes on, both then and now, but still, that wasn't a good enough reason to get carried away.
But he was getting carried away. He was beginning to feel emotions that