Read Online A Little White Lie by MacKenzie McKade - Free Book Online Page A

quickly gathered a pair of jeans, socks, a cotton T-shirt and a clean pair of underwear from a drawer, her mind whirling. For some reason she felt shy, so she stepped inside the bathroom to change. Her hands slid beneath the straps of her negligee and tugged it down, cool air caressing her body as the fabric floated to the tile floor. With each piece of clothing she put on, she became more nervous. Where was he taking her and why?
    When she exited the bathroom, JD held up her boots. “You’ll need these.” He pinned his dark glare on her, his gaze traveling from head to toe, making her feel self-conscious.
    Without a word she took the shoes, sat on the edge of the bed and put them on. Damn. She wished he’d stop looking at her like he was the wolf, which left her to be Little Red Riding Hood. Slowly she pushed to her feet. He pivoted on a toe and headed for the door. She followed, grabbing her purse. Silently he opened the door and eased aside to let her pass.
    The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She could feel his steely glare from behind as she walked through the hotel lobby and out the glass doors. Cool, clean mountain air surrounded her. She inhaled deeply. Spying his truck parked in front, she made a beeline for it, wanting to get to the door first and help herself in. Being near him, smelling his spicy cologne, only added to her anxiety. As her hand rose for the truck handle, the locks clicked, startling her. She jerked the door open and climbed inside. JD did the same.
    He crammed the key into the ignition and the engine started. Shifting the truck into gear, he pulled out of the parking space and headed for the street.
    Neither spoke on the trip. The quiet made the time stretch along the winding roads, but when they passed the Rusty Nail, Stella knew exactly where she was. Yet she had no idea where he was taking her until they grew closer to the Toliver’s ranch. Disbelief widened her eyes.
    No way. He wasn’t going to take her home to meet his grandfather, was he?
    JD glanced at her. “I see you recognize this place.” He turned his attention back to the road. “I haven’t been completely honest with you. I’m JD, Jonathan David, named after my grandfather. I recognized the boxes in your car that first night. I know I should have revealed who I was, but I didn’t feel it was important at the moment.”
    So he knew who she was all along. “And now?” she asked.
    “I don’t want anything between us.” For the first time today his expression softened, making her heart flutter. Uneasy laughter preceded “I know it sounds stupid, but it feels so right with you.” Glancing back toward the road, he swallowed hard. His eyes grew serious when they met hers again. “Truth is it’s only a matter of time before I have to take over Toliver’s Western Wear. My grandfather’s health is failing. Believe me, if I could walk away I would, but I can’t.”
    Every muscle in her body tightened. “So what are you saying?”
    “I want to see where this thing between us is going. If it means taking up the reins of the family business earlier than I had planned, then so be it.” He pulled in front of the large ranch-style house and braked, switching off the engine. He faced her. “I just need for you to tell me how you feel. Do I have a chance with you?”
    Chills raced across her arms. She fought back welling tears. Yes , whispered through her mind, but she was still in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. JD cared for her.
    A squeal squeezed from her throat as her door opened and she nearly fell out. Standing outside the truck with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face, Toliver met her surprised stare.
    “Miss Sinclair, it is so good to see you again.”
    It took Stella longer than she cared to admit to compose herself. When she did, she sat erect, clearing her throat. “Mr. Toliver.” She extended him her hand, and instead of shaking it he assisted her from the vehicle. “Purse.”