Thorn's Challenge - Brenda Jackson [50]
Letting her get under his skin had definitely not been part of the plan. But it had happened anyway. His thoughts went back to the harsh words she’d spoken. Did she really see her sole reason for being here as she had described it? But then, how could she not, when he had pretty much spelled out why he wanted her here?
He wondered just when his thoughts on the matter had changed. When had he decided that he wanted more from Tara than a week in bed? When had he decided he wanted more from her than sex?
He sighed deeply. He had been in denial for two long years, but he wouldn’t lie to himself any longer. It had taken him long enough to come to grips with his feelings for her. He could now admit that he loved her and had from the first time he’d seen her. He had lied through his teeth when he’d told his brothers he didn’t love her. At this very moment he was faced with the truth. He desperately loved her and didn’t want her to pick now to start getting temperamental and difficult.
The last of his pent-up anger floated away in the wind as he rounded another curve at high speed. Now was not the time to get mad; he would get even and teach a certain doctor a lesson. Tara would soon discover that Thorn the celibate was moodier and grumpier than hell, but Thorn in love was a force to be reckoned with.
“Enjoying yourself, Tara?”
Tara glanced up from her drink and met Stone Westmoreland’s curious stare. She then glanced around the table and met the gazes of the other Westmoreland brothers and smiled. It seemed every one of them was interested in her response.
“Yes, I’m enjoying myself,” she responded cheerfully. She knew they weren’t fooled and were well aware she was having a lousy time. The only thing she enjoyed was seeing Dare and Shelly and how they interacted with each other. The two were so much in love they practically glowed. Even now she couldn’t help but watch as they danced together. It was a slow number and Dare was holding his wife as though she meant the world to him.
It touched Tara’s heart deeply, the thought of a woman being loved that much by a man. She sighed. No man had ever loved her that much, certainly not Derrick.
“You want to dance, Tara?”
She glanced up at Chase. She wasn’t fooled either. She was well aware that the brothers knew the one person she wanted to dance with wasn’t around. What they probably didn’t know was that she was intentionally keeping Thorn at bay.
“No, but thanks for asking.” They were all seated around a table in a nightclub that had live entertainment. All the Westmoreland brothers were present except for Thorn.
She hadn’t seen him since he had paid her a visit at the hotel three days ago. Each day she had made it a point to drop by the booth where his Thorn-Byrds were on display, hoping that he would be there, but he never was. According to Dare, Thorn was keeping a low profile and would probably be doing so until the day of the race.
“Tara?”
She smiled and glanced around, wondering what question one of the Westmoreland brothers had for her now, when suddenly she realized it hadn’t been one of them who had called her name. Her name had been spoken by the man who stood next to their table.
Derrick!
Surprised, she met his gaze and wondered what on earth Derrick was doing in Daytona during Bike Week. Although Bunnell was less than sixty miles away, she had never known him to show an interest in motorcycles. But then she had to remember many people came to Bike Week just to check out the festivities.
She had planned to rent a car and drive to Bunnell to see her family tomorrow. It had been two years and it was time she finally went home for a visit. The main reason she had stayed away was now standing next to her table.
She plastered a smile on her face as she reached for the glass of soda in front of her. “Derrick, what are you doing here? This is certainly a surprise.”
He was nervous, she could tell. But then after