Loving Lies by Lora Leigh Read Free Book Online Page B

he spent with only infrequent visits home, that bothered her. Not that he hadn’t settled in after coming back. He had, but Jessie was aware that in that year, Slade had changed in subtle, dark ways.
    There was also the fact that Slade wasn’t just a small-town boy anymore. He attended parties in D.C., moved in a cutthroat business world, and knew people that boggled her mind.
    He looked as comfortable now, though, in cut-off jeans with bare feet, as he did in the suit he had worn when he attended a fundraiser in Washington, D.C. She doubted she could pick out a proper dress for such a party, let alone appear as confident, as self-assured as he did.
    And she loved him. God, she loved him until it hurt, but the knowledge that she had no idea how to move in his world was beginning to weigh on her. She was a country girl, nothing more, nothing less. She had been raised in the mountains of Kentucky and had no desire to leave them. She wanted to settle down with the man who held her heart, have babies, do other people’s taxes on the side and spend her nights in his arms.
    But how could that ever be enough for him?
    Amy Jennings had been quite vocal for the past weeks that she had finally snagged Slade. Despite the fact that he had spent less than a week with her, she was smug, self-assured, and confident that a ring would be forthcoming. For a while, Jessie had worried herself sick that Slade would marry the other woman. Mostly because she saw in Amy something she herself didn’t possess. That same confidence and arrogance Slade wore so comfortably.
    Beside her, Jessie felt like a country bumpkin in borrowed clothes.
    â€œYou’re thinking too hard,” Slade interrupted her thoughts, his muscled arm stretching along the back of the lounger as his hand played with the long strands of her hair.
    â€œThe fish like the quiet,” she reminded him. She had no intention of sharing her fears with him. She would fake her lack of knowledge as far as she could then she would call her cousins, screaming for help. They might live states away, but they would come running if she needed them. And she had no doubt she would eventually need them.
    Slade grunted at her answer. “I know you pretty well, Jess. Your eyes narrowed, and you’re biting your lip. That usually means you’re thinking too damned hard. It usually ends up getting someone in trouble.”
    She cast him a glance from the corner of her eyes. “Lucky guess,” she murmured.
    â€œYour ass,” he laughed, his strong white teeth flashing in his sun-darkened face, giving him a rakish look as the thick, dark blond strands of hair fell over his brow. “Come on, baby, tell me what’s wrong? Did you finally figure out what a pervert I am and change your mind about being here?” His voice was teasing, but the undercurrent of seriousness slipped through.
    â€œI hardly think so.” She rolled her eyes at the thought. If it were just the sex, she wouldn’t have a problem. “Darlin’, that rod you’re packing is impressive as hell, but I think I can handle you.”
    â€œI think you might be right.” He lowered his head, his lips pressing against her hair. “You make me hotter than hell. And you scare me to death in the same breath. It’s a hell of a combination.”
    â€œI scare you?” She turned to him, folding her legs beneath her as she stared up at him in surprise. “How do I scare you?”
    She couldn’t imagine Slade being scared of anything or anybody.
    He moved from his chair then, kneeling beside hers. He cupped her face with his large hands, their fishing rods forgotten. Gently, his thumb smoothed over her lips.
    â€œBecause you make my heart race,” he whispered, his eyes stormy, his expression so serious, so intent it sent her pulse racing. “No one’s ever made my heart race, Jessie. Except you. For the past three years, every time I’ve caught