Texas Hot by Regina Carlysle Page A

was no explaining it.
    Mitch narrowed his eyes as she approached their table and took her seat again. He leaned close. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
    She smiled, not wanting to alarm him with what was surely an overactive imagination. “No, I’m okay.” Gina shook her head. “Maybe I need therapy or something. Thoughts of Anthony crawl into my mind at times, even though I know he’s far away.”
    Mitch frowned. “You’re sure there’s no way he could know you’re here?”
    “Pretty sure. I know my family would never tell him where I am. I feel safe here.”
    “You should, you know. I’d never let anyone hurt you, especially that rat bastard. Just know that if he showed up here, I’d take care of him.”
    Gina grinned feeling suddenly lighthearted. “Oh really? Now why am I not surprised, badass cowboy that you are!”
    Mitch hauled her close and pressed his lips to her temple and then the high curve of her cheek. The warmth of him lulled her, prompting her to move in until, at last, he pressed his mouth to hers. A whole different sensation moved over her skin and curled in her belly. She was in Mitch’s arms, safe, and there was no boogy-man watching. Funny, how an overactive imagination could mess with a person’s mind. When he pulled back, ending the brief but powerful kiss, he smiled. “Ready to get out of here?”
    “If you are.” Her mind raced back to the ranch and the big bed waiting for them. “Let’s go.” But as they walked through the bar toward the front door, Gina looked back over her shoulder once again to scan the room and wondered at the source of the weird sensation that had shaken her earlier. But then Mitch reached for her hand.
    She had better things to think about tonight.
    Smiling up at Mitch, feeling the warmth of his fingers entwined with hers, she stepped into the night with him and left her worries, real or imagined, behind.
    As they drove the miles toward home, Gina relaxed back into the comfy leather seat of the truck but then frowned as Mitch passed the entrance by and slid her a look. His lips kicked up a one corner. “What’s going on? Where are we going?”
    “You’ll see. I have a surprise for you.”
    “A good one?”
    Mitch laughed. “So skeptical. Just hold onto your horses, Gina.”
    Eventually he slowed a bit then turned down a lonely dirt road that was really no more than a path and continued to follow it up. A clearing opened up. Trees surrounded the spot and in the distance the light of a half moon and a thousand stars glinted on the surface of wide creek. Mitch braked to a stop.
    “Wait here.” He left the headlights on and left her wondering as he banged around in the bed of the truck only to move into the light and begin unfolding a thick blanket on the ground. He placed what appeared to be an ice chest upon it before returning to the truck to flip off the lights. He grinned and Gina thought he might just be the best looking man in Texas.  Mitch took her hand. “Come on.”
    “This is it? The surprise?”
    “Yeah. I thought it was past time I took you parking.”
    “Parking?”
    Mitch led her to the heavy blanket and when then both sat, he began tugging at his boots before divesting her of her brand new pair. “You even been?”
    “Parking? Hm. Let’s see. I lived in Brooklyn and didn’t own a car. Most of the boys I dated didn’t own them either so I’d have to say no.”
    “Quite the little smartass.”
    “Count on it.” Gina laughed. “No, I’ve only heard about parking but it always seemed so great, especially in a setting like this. I always thought maybe it was a right-of-passage for people who lived in the country and in small towns.” She leaned back on her hands and looked up at the sky. It was wide and sparkling with stars, prettier than anything she could remember. “Where are we?”
    “It’s our land. Aside from the ranch entrance, there are several other ways to gain access to the ranch. You