“Dallas!” Red said, smiling brightly as always to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce you earlier. This is Maddie,” she said pointing to the blonde I was growing to hate, “and Monica and Jennifer.”
“How nice to meet you all. Sorry we got off to a bad start. I’m Dallas, the princess bitch that was cared for and pampered by Luke last night.” I said looking directly at Maddie who looked like she had been slapped in the face. Red busted out laughing, and before Maddie had a chance to retaliate Luke walked out saying his goodbyes. Perfect timing.
“Well ladies, as always I hate to leave great company, but I must get going. Make yourselves at home.” He walked over to Red, planting a peck on her lips and giving hugs to the others. Seeing him kiss Red did nothing to me, but when Maddie wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his neck, I almost lost it. She shot me a “go fuck yourself” look, but made sure to shield it from Luke. He grabbed my hand after hugging everyone goodbye and led me to the truck. Opening the door for me, he made sure I was in and settled before walking around to get in, giving me just enough time to flip Maddie the finger before he came into eye range. Feeling satisfied, and much like a Jr. High drama queen, I smiled with contentment as we pulled from the driveway and headed out.
Chapter 3
The front of Luke’s house appeared to be a lot larger on the outside than what it was on the inside. It was beautiful, made of wood that gave it a log cabin look. The yard was landscaped perfectly and I could see what I thought was a shop in the back. The driveway was concrete, but the road we pulled out on was dirt and lined with large pines all the way down as far as I could see. Only about a half- acre, where his house stood, was the only area that was not covered in trees.
“This place is amazing,” I said, mostly to myself.
“Thank you. I have two hundred acres of seclusion right by myself. I built it myself too, from the ground up. I even cut and cleared the timber with a little help from some heavy machinery,” he said with a sense of pride in his voice that I couldn’t help but admire.
“You should be very proud. That’s a great accomplishment.”
"Enough about me, tell me a little about you," he said to me, wearing that sexy smile and looking me over like it was the first time he noticed what I was wearing.
"I borrowed some of your clothes, I hope you didn't mind," I said a little embarrassed.
"They look much better on you than they do on me." We had finally reached the end of the road and he pulled on the highway heading north.
"So, where are we exactly?" I asked, once again avoiding the subject of me.
"South of Hattiesburg, just on the Forrest County line."
“Have you lived here all your life?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from me. He let out a light laugh.
"I know what you’re doing Dallas and it’s not going to work. Tell me about the woman who is responsible for this smile on my face." He said, pointing at that face that I had become infatuated with.
"There's really not a lot to tell," I said, turning to look out the window. I didn't like feeling exposed. I didn't want to open up and get too close to this man when I had no idea how long this, whatever this was, was going to last.
"I don't believe you. Tell me, I would really like to know you better." The sincerity in his voice and stare instantly put me at ease.
"I was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Herman and Kay Knox. My father was a real estate investor and my mother ran a clothing boutique downtown." I smiled to myself, remembering how graceful she looked sashaying from one customer to the other. "She would always let me sit in a chair facing the dressing room applauding the ladies that came out in an elegant evening gown or cocktail dress. She had such a way with fashion. My dad always wanted her to take it further. He even offered to open up her very own exclusive line, but she said her happiness was right there, in that little boutique she had dreamed of having since she was a child. I can still see my dad walking in there, sweeping her off her feet and kissing her like they were sixteen again. I don't think love like that exists anymore," I said, my eyes glossing over at the memories. The aching I felt in my chest was heavy. It had never ceased. Even after all these years the pain was still there.