caused her enough grief in her life. Maybe it was time to get to the bottom of it and put an end to it once and for all. Maybe then she could leave him in the past where he belonged.
Eliza left the guest room. She was glad she had to prepare for her party. It kept her mind off Brandon, or more appropriately, her desire to mine through his rock-hard heart to learn what was in there. Uncover the layers, as it were. There had to be some. Many. All of which he kept hidden, especially from women.
David had protected him. Both brothers looked out for each other in different ways. When Eliza had asked about Brandon’s inability to stay close to anyone, he’d answered vaguely, guarding Brandon’s privacy. Which only made her more curious. What was so important to hide?
She checked her watch. David wasn’t here at the ranch. He wasn’t answering her calls, either. While that worried her, she’d waited too long already. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late. She’d only come back here to shower and change. The house was quiet. Brandon hadn’t come in from the stable yet. Good. She’d enjoy her evening without both men. Because she was pretty sure David wasn’t going to show up. He’d taken one of Brandon’s ranch trucks and gone God only knew where.
Opening the driver door of the rental car, Eliza stopped when she saw an envelope with her name on it.
Dropping her purse into the rental, she picked up the envelope and tore the paper, slipping out a card with a pretty red flower on the front. Opening it, she read, “You made a big mistake this time.” It was a blank card except for that.
An eerie chill chased along her skull and arms. Recalling how David had looked around when they’d first arrived, she did the same now. The sun was low in the sky. Birds chirped. A slight breeze toyed with the curls she’d put in her hair before putting it up.
Someone had come here and delivered the card. She and David had left the car doors open when they’d arrived.
Who had written it?
If someone was after David, it didn’t make sense to send it to her. Could Brandon have put it there? He held her responsible for David’s recklessness.
“Going early?”
Jumping, she turned. Brandon stood there. Wearing jeans and a long-sleeved, patterned green shirt, boots and a cowboy hat, he made her swoon. The low sun cast him in shadows.
“I need to make sure the caterers set everything up.”
She felt him take in her sparkly party dress and her carefully coiffed hair. She always looked her best for her events.
“What’s that?” He indicated the card.
Why would he ask if he had been the one to put it in the rental? “A card. Someone left it.”
Frowning, he stepped forward, taking the card from her and reading what was inside.
“Did you write that?” With him so close, the words came out a little too sultry.
His eyes lifted. “You think I wrote this?”
“You think I married David to—”
“I didn’t write it.” He handed her the card. She didn’t want it. She tossed it into the rental, and it sailed over to the passenger seat next to her purse.
Nor was she ready to get into the car and stop looking at him.
His brow creased. “Isn’t David going with you?”
“David hasn’t been home all day.”
Home. This wasn’t their home… .
“Maybe you should wait for me.”
He was going to her party? “You want to go?” She was afraid she sounded a little too animated.
“That note is suspicious.”
So he’d go to make sure she was okay. “Just like old times,” she teased. “Are you going to beat up some boys for me again?”
He chuckled, a rare sound from him. She breathed through the spark it caused.
“Just like old times, you’re going to drag me to one of your parties.”
“Who’s dragging?”
Still smiling, he didn’t reply, only touched her with his gaze all over her upper torso and face.
“You look beautiful.”
Tingles seeded and spread. “Thank you.” David never told her she was beautiful.
“It’s really good to see you again.”
Was he really talking to her like this? Eliza felt her face heat from all the tingling arousing her.
“It’s really good to see you, too.” She wished he’d have said this to her years ago. How could he, when she’d avoided him until now? Married to his brother, this felt a little dangerous. Alluring. Tempting. She was back in time to when she was a teenager. She loved it.
His boots scraped against the stone driveway as he stepped closer. His knee bumped her inner thigh, almost as if he’d nudge her legs apart.
Eliza put her hands on his chest as he leaned in. Her heart raced. Heat scorched her. Instantly out of control.
He kissed her, openmouthed and hungry. His arms went around her, and her body was deliciously pressed against him. He devoured her mouth, and she gave him everything he asked for.
Then he tore away from her, swearing gruffly.
He moved back, breathing erratically like her, dark eyes brooding with fiery lust. She was certain she looked the same. He had her so hot right now she might have a hard time driving.
What had just come over them?
Angrily, he turned and strode toward the house.
The guests were already arriving, and David hadn’t even called her yet. Where was he? She was beginning to worry. Who had followed him to the ranch? Was he on the run from that person? Is that why he was staying away? Maybe she should have paid more attention to that. Her husband could be in trouble and all she’d been doing was thinking about Brandon. She still couldn’t believe he’d kissed her!
It had been incredible. A kiss had never felt so good. Even when he’d kissed her as a teenager, and those had been potent enough. She thought she’d die. She’d have gladly taken whatever he was willing to give. He could have led her into the house and she’d have gone. He could have thrown her on the hood of the car. In the backseat. Hell, standing right there in the driveway!
It was appalling, shameful and exciting at the same time.
She looked around the banquet room. Everything was perfect. Elegant and color coordinated. She smiled. This was her favorite part. Before people dug in to the impressive display of food. Before the white-linen tables were obscured in the crowd. Before dishes littered every surface. The early conversations. The first glasses of libation. The end of the night would come, but right now, right here, the fun was just beginning.
Senator Merris entered with his wife, he in a suit and she in a conservative cocktail dress. He saw her and waved. Average height and thin, he kept his white hair short. His wife was something of a mousy thing, always in her husband’s shadow. A few years younger than his sixty-two, she tried hard to look young, but the look came across boyish. Short, dyed blond hair, minimal makeup and jewelry and rare smiles.
Eliza headed toward them. “Senator.” She greeted his wife, too.
“I see you’ve created another marvel.” He leaned in for a brief hug. “Your brother will be happy.”
She hoped so. “Thank you.”
“The entire town will show up for this one. With an open invitation and you the host, they’re all expecting you to bring Hollywood to Vengeance.” He glanced around. “And it appears you’ve succeeded.”