Page 4 of Blame It On Midnight

She’d rehearsed this part. Collins shrugged and grabbed her drink from Jo. “Can’t I miss my brother and want to spend time with him?”

His look told her he wasn’t buying her explanation, so she shrugged and took a sip. “I just got back from Europe, and I needed some R & R. Paris was crazy, and Milan more so. I thought that a trip to Montana would be good for my soul. Maybe I’ll read a book or fall asleep under a tree.”

“You know how to read?”

She made a face and poked him on the chest. “No one cares who I am out here. Hell, they barely acknowledge your contribution to the Yankees.”

“Hey,” Kip replied with a slight grin. “I’ve got some star power in the state of Montana.”

“Maybe in the state,” she quipped, “but I don’t know about Big Bend.”

The two of them shared a plate of wings, though to be honest, Collins wasn’t eating much. Her stomach was knotted, and her nerves were bubbling just beneath the surface. She couldn’t stop thinking about the hottest night she’d ever had with a man. The sex had been incredible. Hot. Passionate. But this thing that had stayed with her was so much more. She couldn’t stop thinking about Benton Bridgestone.

His dark, mysterious eyes. Intense and kind of sad. His male, earthy scent. The feel of his hands on her body. The taste of his mouth.

She gulped half of her drink and tried to quell the heat building up inside her. She hadn’t laid eyes on him in months. No way was this reaction normal.

He would be there, wouldn’t he? Would he remember her? Would he ignore her? Would he?—

“Are you going to tell me the real reason you’re here?” Kip’s question came at her real sneaky like. It was asked quietly, and dry-mouthed, she nearly choked on the whiskey.

She glanced up, a small white lie at the ready, but one look at Kip told her the game was over. He about as serious as she’d ever seen him.

“I know you live a crazy life and that you’ve basically been an adult since you were ten. Mom and dad are never going to win any parents of the year awards.” He took another swig and looked at her sideways. “You’d tell me if something was up, right?”

She slowly nodded. “Yes.”

“Then tell me what’s going on. You’ve been quiet since New York, and quiet isn’t your thing.”

Surprising herself, Collins shrugged and came clean.

“I met someone.”

“Yeah?” Kip leaned closer and frowned. “What’s that got to do with Big Bend?”

Shit. Was she going to tell him everything? Could she hold all of this stuff inside any longer?

“I was in Nashville a few months ago. I needed some downtime after Paris fashion week. The family condo was empty, so I took advantage.”

“And?”

She blushed. Felt the heat rise and looked away. “I met someone.”

Silence followed her declaration, and she chanced a look at her brother. His frown had deepened.

“You gotta give me more than that.”

Here goes.

“In a bar.”

“That’s not earth-shattering news. It’s my preferred way to meet a woman.”

“I took him back to the condo and we…” Shit, the heat turned up all the way and she knew her cheeks were on fire. “Well, we?—”

“Okay. I see where this is headed.” Kip looked pained. Talking about one-night stands with his little sister wasn’t his thing. He cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow. “But what does this have to do with coming here?”

“This is kind of where it gets a little tricky.”

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