Read Online The Rebel's Return by Beverly Barton - Free Book Online Page A

there?”
    Maddie laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding. Do you really want to take a ride down Memory Lane?”
    â€œYeah, why not? I’d kind of like to see how things would’ve turned out seventeen years ago if the police hadn’t shown up.”
    â€œI’m not sure,” she told him, “but I think I might have gone all the way with you. You were pretty heady stuff for an innocent like me. Your kisses really curled my toes. I’d never experienced anything so powerful.”
    â€œLady, you know how to turn the screws, don’t you?” He grinned at her, even though he was hurting in the worst possible way. “You’ve got to know that telling a guy something like that is bound to increase the size of his ego…and certain vital parts of his body.”
    â€œAre you referring to a swollen head?” she taunted.
    â€œRed, you’re shameless. You know damn well it’s not my head that’s swollen.”
    Maddie burst into laughter. Dylan loved the sound. It was refreshingly genuine. Just like the woman herself. He’d dated so many phonies, so many womenwho pretended to be something they weren’t, that being with a woman as open and honest as Maddie aroused him unbearably. He felt he could see right through her, as if she had no defenses, as if she’d lowered her protective shield and allowed him a glimpse at the real woman beneath the polished exterior.
    â€œThere’s an overlook on the ridge,” Maddie said, a wide smile on her face. “It won’t take ten minutes to get there and the view is magnificent. Just take Goldenrod Road for about two miles. I’ll tell you where to turn.”
    â€œIs this a lover’s lane?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t think so. It’s on private property and is posted with signs stating that fact.”
    â€œAre you trying to get me in trouble with the law again?” he asked teasingly.
    â€œThe land belongs to me,” she replied.
    â€œAh, I should have known. Just another part of Delarue, Inc.’s vast holdings.”
    â€œA very small part.”
    He turned off onto Goldenrod Road and checked the mileage gauge. “So, why did you decide not to take over the reins of Delarue, Inc., when your father died?”
    â€œOh, but I did take over. At least for a while. I found out rather quickly that I hadn’t inherited any ruthless, cutthroat genes from my father, personality traits necessary to command a business empire the sizeof Delarue, Inc.” Maddie looked straight ahead, taking note of the passing scenery, visible by the light of the three-quarter moon. “I have a say in whatever major decisions are made, but I prefer to leave the day-to-day running of the business to men and women who thrive on it.”
    â€œI’m surprised you didn’t find yourself a husband who would’ve loved to take charge.”
    â€œTurn left at the next four-way stop,” she told him. “Are you applying for the position?”
    Dylan stopped at the four-way intersection, and not seeing another vehicle in any direction, he idled the Porsche and turned his gaze on Maddie. “Is that what you think this is all about? You think I’m interested in getting my hands on Delarue, Inc.?”
    â€œYou tell me.” Maddie stared directly into his eyes. “I heard you telling people that you’re a stockbroker in Dallas, which tells me that you’re a shrewd businessman. Shrewd enough to afford a Porsche and an Armani suit and a Rolex watch and—”
    He reached across the console, lifted his hand to her face and caressed her cheek. “I don’t need Delarue, Inc. I don’t want Delarue, Inc. I’ve got more money than I’ll spend in two lifetimes.”
    â€œThen you’re very rich?”
    â€œNot as rich as you, but then few people are.” He ran the tip of his index finger across her slightly parted lips.