Free Dream Lover (Denim and Spurs Book 2) by Aliyah Burke Page A

Laciee was his and he kept his safe.
    “You can’t just shoot people.”
    Watch him. “Mine, Bolton. Mine. You’ve been warned.” Turning his attention to Laciee he moved to her and bent, picking up her purchases. “Let’s go, darlin’.”
    She rose and he almost kissed her, just to be able to see the light and sparkle back in her gaze. Gritting his teeth against the urge, he led the way to his truck, constantly checking to ensure she followed. He needn’t have concerned himself. She kept pace easily and remained silent as he held the door for her.
    “What’s going on here?” he demanded as he climbed in the truck and started the powerful engine.
    “Going on?”
    “That crap with you and Bolton.” Lord, he was close to losing his patience.
    “You know, Karis told me about you but she said you didn’t talk much. Not sure where she got that from.”
    He knew the tactic and decided to let her run with it. For now. “You and Karis talked about me?” His lips quirked up briefly.
    She gave him a sideways roll of her eyes. “Not what I said. I said she told me about you.”
    As they left Branchwater, he watched her entire form relax with each passing mile.
    “I don’t normally talk much but you bring it out in me.”
    She grunted and stared out the window. He stole glances but she didn’t move. Biting back another curse, he stopped the truck, put it in neutral, and set the brake. Then he pivoted in the seat.
    Now she watched him, eyes wide. “Wh…what are you doing?”
    “I was going to let it go. Well, for a time. However, I’ve since changed my mind. Tell me what the fu…heck is going on.” Didn’t matter how pissed he was, manners were manners and he’d been raised not to curse before a woman. He was upset enough he’d slipped and had done so the first night she stayed at his ranch. It wasn’t something he would do again. Reluctance and hesitation swam together in her eyes. “Don’t lie to me and tell me nothing either.”
    “Let it go, Judd. Please.”
    That please was soft and heartfelt. Nearly got to him. Nearly was hella different than did.
    “No can do, darlin’.”
    “We’re stopped in the middle of the road. You can’t do that.”
    “Ain’t NYC around here, darlin’. Not much traffic. You talk or we can sit right here.”
    Her nostrils flared, a sure sign of her growing agitation. Good, he hated the void of expression and would gladly take anger over a blank slate.
    “Why are you pushing this?”
    “Because someone is out to scare you or even try to hurt you. Don’t sit right by me.”
    She glanced back over the Texas landscape. “So this is common for you? Rescuing damsels in distress. Or rather ones you feel are in distress.”
    Did he hear jealousy in her questions? He’d like to think so. “No. Never minded other people’s business before.”
    “So why start now?” Her light gaze found his. “What’s your end game?”
    He rested his right arm along the back of the seat. “End game?”
    “Yes. Your angle. What is it you’re after?”
    He shook his head. “You really need to find others to hang around, Laciee Dupree. What you see with me is what you get. Nothing hidden. No games, no hidden agenda.”
    “Why do you care?”
    He didn’t think she was ready for his answer yet so he countered with a question of his own. “Why won’t you stand up for yourself?”
    Her expression closed off and once again her stare migrated from him back out the window. He thought he’d lost her.
    “I stand up for myself when it’s important.”
    Anger churned. “Having that sh…crap happen to you and the obvious discount by the law isn’t important?”
    She barely moved. “Not to me.”
    “Why?” Her jaw set and he knew she was about to ignore him. “Talk, Laicee.”
    “Let it go.”
    Not a chance. He reached out and turned her head so he could see her eyes. “If I don’t know what it is, how can I protect you?”
    “Don’t try.”
    His chuckle wasn’t very amused.