There were quite a few people there already, most of them probably waiting to see the jilted bride, but I had news for them. If they were expecting a spectacle they were going to be sorely mistaken. I’d made sure and outdone myself while getting dressed because I knew I would be on display. I had given the town way too much fodder already, and besides, I didn’t want people thinking I was so weak as to still be pining after that ass Joel.
“Good evening.” Crap, I wasn’t quite ready to see him yet. I thought for sure the maid or someone else would answer the door. I composed myself before looking up at him. Yep, he still had that effect on me. I was very aware of my family at my side, and one more thing, his scent. His essence tickled my nose and did something strange to my insides. I swallowed audibly and forced myself to look him in the eye even though it took all my willpower.
He was a cool one that’s for sure. Not even a twinge of discomfort on his face. Fine, two can play that game. “Good evening Mr. Colfax, thanks for having us.” I bypassed him, ignoring mama’s harsh inhalation of breath at my obvious rudeness. I’ll have to apologize for my crass behavior later; right now I needed a drink. It promised to be one hell of an evening.
Chapter 9
GRANT
So that’s the way she wants to play it, fine by me. I had to throttle back because of her family, but first chance I get I’m going to show little Ms. Politeness, who’s in charge. That’s another thing, she’s been so spoilt all her life how in the hell is she going to be able to conform to my way of thinking, of doing things?
It’s true that both times I’d taken her we hadn’t done much talking except ‘put your leg here, or harder, faster’ and a few grunts and moans, so we were in definite need of some vertical conversation.
I watched her as new guests arrived, listened as people offered their apologies for her broken engagement. I knew her so well that it was easy for me to tell that she was more putout by their constant reminders than by the act itself. That was good to know, because although I’d convinced myself that she hadn’t really been in love, that her heart hadn’t really been engaged, there was no real way for me to know that.
Halfway through the festivities as I was talking to one of the other ranchers is when I realized what the hell I was doing wrong. In life I’ve always been a go-getter, anything that meant anything I went after with a vengeance. Here I am, after years of wanting her from afar, still letting things slip away. I’d already made up my mind, so there was no need for the hold up was there? Not to mention the fact that every swinging dick in the place seemed to think that she was fair game.
And who the fuck had dressed her? Instead of one of her usual country lady of the manor getups, she was showing a little more skin than I would’ve preferred. Not to mention the way the off the shoulder number hugged her curves and made her breasts look more bountiful than usual. No wonder these hick assholes were all but salivating all over her.
Her obvious avoidance of me started to rub me the wrong way and there was a slight chance of me losing my shit, and letting everything hang out for all to see. If she thought this high school bullshit was gonna work with me then she really must think I’m no better than Joel; the fuck with that.
Her laugh rang out one time too many and I wondered if anyone but me noticed the false tinge to it. False or not, the idiot she was fawning all over didn’t seem to realize that she was putting on a show; the young fool was eating it all up; another green behind the ears clown who she could lead around by the balls. I didn’t even think about my next move, just went with my gut.
“Let’s dance, excuse us.” I dragged her away from the latest admirer none too gently and over to the emptiest corner. I didn’t care that there might be others watching; let them make of my actions what they will. My eyes met her father’s over her head and his nod of approval and lifted cognac snifter was enough to tell me that he didn’t have a problem with it. Of course he had no way of knowing that this was just the beginning of what I had in store for his little darling.
“Are you insane? That was very rude, Reggie was just telling me about his new horse.” I looked down at her beautiful face, for the first time allowing myself to appreciate it openly without fear of reprisals. “You were flirting.” I held her a little tighter to me as we swayed in place to the music. Damn she felt good, like she belonged there.
“I was not.” She tried pulling away but my hand around her back kept her in place, just where I wanted her. “Yeah you were and I don’t like that shit. My woman does not laugh and bat her damn lashes at other men, make this the last time.” Her mouth was open wide enough to catch flies and I could see her gearing up for one of her fits.
“Your woman? What in the blazes has gotten into you?” I could see confusion written all over her face, I wasn’t too far behind. I should’ve known that there was no way to do things the right way when dealing with her. I’d planned to sit down somewhere like two civilized people and talk this out, not just throw it out there like that, but it was too late to take it back.
“You heard what I said hellcat. Now is not the time or the place for this, but now you know, so if you do anything else to piss me off it’s your ass.” Her thorns came out and she got prickly. “Did grandpa give you some of his special blend? Because you’re not making any sense; and no one tells me what to do, I’ll flirt if I want to.” Shoulda known she was gonna be stubborn as hell too.
“You do and I’ll tan your ass later. If you misbehave in any way this evening I will kiss you in front of all these people and you’re not ready for that. Now be quiet and listen very carefully. After tonight I’m giving you exactly one month to publicly get over your farce of an engagement.” She stiffened up in my arms but a quiet little shake soon had her calming down again. “Behave.”
“As I was saying, publicly we’ll let everyone think you’re giving yourself time, but privately you’re going to get to know me, all of me.”
“What in the hell are you talking about Grant, have you lost your mind?” “Shut up and listen. It took me a while to figure out why you went off in my arms the way you did each time I turned to you.”
She tried giving me the lost at sea look, but it was too late, the pulse beating wildly in her throat told me all I needed to know. “From now on we’re not going to dance around each other you and I. It’s up to you what you want to tell your family and when, but make it quick because I don’t plan on sneaking around behind your daddy’s back.”
“And what makes you think that I’m interested?”
“I didn’t ask.” Yeah that stumped your ass didn’t it! “Just as well that you know from the get, I’m not one of these little boys that you’ve been playing around with all your life. I happen to be a real man who will not think twice about heating up your ass if it becomes necessary. I do not fear you or your daddy, best you remember that.”
If I didn’t know better I’d think that shit turned her on, the way her eyes went all glazed on me. I’ll have to test that theory later. Right now I eased up on the stranglehold I had on her waist and soothed it with a slight caress. Without looking I was sure that we were the center of attention, if only because everyone was watching her to see if she was really okay.
“Do you understand what I just said to you? Tell me you understand.” She took he sweet time but in the end she nodded her head. That was easier than I thought, almost made me suspicious until I remembered the way she’d melted into me that last time. The noise of the crowd finally intruded and brought me back to the here and now where I had been about to kiss her.
If it was up to me I’d ask them all to leave and drag her upstairs so I could put an end to this damn throbbing in my dick, but I’d already told her I’d give her time. Already I was thinking of ways of sneaking her out of her father’s house though, so I could play with her a little. At the risk of giving shit away I lowered my lips to her ear.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on you.” I heard the catch in her breath and raised my head a
gain. “Don’t look like that babe or everyone would know you’re in heat.” Joel my ass, I bet she never went up in flames for him the way she did me out on my lawn. And I know the little shit never made her tremble with mere words the way she was doing now at my whispered promise.
“By the way, I didn’t run out on you, something came up on the ranch that I had to take care of. It’s not for my woman to dwell on so I won’t share, just know that I didn’t leave you intentionally.” She seemed to relax after that and some of her thorns went away.
“I’m going to let you go mingle with your friends because I don’t want them thinking you’re still hung up on your ex, but no more flirting.” Knowing her she’d do that shit just to get under my skin, but this was her first trial, let’s see how she does. I’m hoping she heeds my words of warning, because it’s a fact that the good people of Sutter’s Ville, has never seen the darker side of me. Not unless they were sitting across from me in the boardroom or on the wrong end of my gun barrel.
I led her over to the corner where a group of high school cheerleader type debutantes were watching our every move. I wonder if she knew that some of them had tried to find their way into my bed at some point or other over the past five years? Some of them still looked hungry, but I ignored them. Just before I left her to them I whispered one last thing in her ear. “ By the way, you look very fucking mountable.” She almost fell over her own feet.
“Ladies.” I gave her one last look of warning before turning and walking away. The whispers and hushed tones started before I crossed the room. I was soon caught up with the men who always wanted to talk shop at these things, and though my mind was full of her, I could always talk a good deal. It was a good cover, kept anyone from noticing my preoccupation with her.
An hour or so after our little talk a surprise guest showed up. I should’ve known she would find a way to get herself invited; she was resilient if nothing else. This shit complicated things though, added an extra wrinkle that I wasn’t expecting. I wasn’t surprised when she made her way over to me though. “Marcy, what’re you doing here?” I didn’t trust the smile that came across her face, or the way she reached for me.
“Well that’s not very nice, aren’t you glad to see me?” The jackass she was with didn’t have the good sense to be offended by her behavior and I couldn’t very well march her out of the room since everyone there was probably aware of our history. Not to mention I’d just told Cami she couldn’t even look at another man, and knowing her penchant for firearms I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
“Okay then, enjoy.” I escaped after evading her claws and my eyes went right to the last place I’d seen my little hellcat. She might pretend all she wants, but there was no disguising that look of green in her eyes. I would smile at my little victory but I was pretty sure she’d get back at me somehow.
It sure was strange seeing her through the eyes of her man, as opposed to the neighbor who had always tried to avoid her at all cost. Now that I’d thrown down the gauntlet it was easier to admit certain things to myself. Like the fact that I liked everything about her, even her annoying ass uppity attitude. Or the way she looked down her nose at me like I was beneath her. I knew now that that was nothing more than a defense mechanism she’d put in place to keep me off her scent. Plus it only made me look forward to fucking all that attitude out of her all the more.
It was eye opening to realize that the same way I’d spent all these years trying to hide my true feelings from her and everyone else, she’d been doing the same. And I knew all this from just being inside her body. There’s no way that what I’d felt that day was new to her. No woman lit up for a man like that unless there were some serious feelings involved. Now she was giving me looks because she’d seen the little byplay between Marcy and I.
Come to think of it, Marcy has always had a strange fascination with my girl. I used to think it was some left over high school drama, but now I’m not so sure. Cami tends to bring out the worst in some people and I could see her being one of those females that all the other women despised. I let my eyes scan the room and wasn’t surprised to find Marcy off in the other corner keeping a watchful eye on Cami and her friends with a not so friendly look on her face. Well shit.
Chapter 10
CAMI
I think Mr. Colfax has bitten off more than he can chew. So what I liked his kisses and other things, he didn’t know that and I certainly wasn’t about to let on. And where in the Sam hill did he get the idea that he could tell me what I can and cannot do. I was a little thrown there for a minute what with him being all forceful and such. It’s easy to say that no one has ever taken that tone with me, and the fact that it had a not too unpleasant affect on me was neither here no there.
This evening sure wasn’t shaping up the way I’d expected it to. I had half expected to have to prove to him that I hadn’t been affected by his loving or the rejection that followed, I was more than prepared for that. What I wasn’t expecting and could never be prepared for was the way he looked at me as he spewed all of that stuff he’d said to me. I was almost convinced that had we not been in a room full of people he would’ve taken me down to the floor.
Now my whole program was messed up once again. I hadn’t given Joel or the librarian a second thought all evening, except when someone mentioned the broken engagement, and I felt kind of silly that I had been going to marry him now. What had I been thinking? I know what I’d been thinking alright and he was standing right across the room keeping his eye on me.
I was doing my best to keep up the charade, showing a nice balance of hurt but not too much because I’m strong. It was my first time in a public setting after all, and people were expecting something, how would they react if they knew I didn’t give a fig about that, and that my mind has been full of Grant for the past week? I’m pretty sure no one would understand; I barely understood it myself.
I can pretend all I want, even try to convince myself that it was nothing, but seeing him here tonight, having to be in the same room with no means of escape, I had no choice but to accept what was real. The things he’d said to me earlier were enough to wipe away the sting of his rejection. Now I was confused by this new turn of events, but there was nothing I could do about it now, I had to wait until we were alone. Leave it to him to switch things up and leave me floundering.
I was relieved to have the answers to why he’d disappeared and to know that I’d blown the whole thing out of proportion, but I wasn’t about to lay myself at his feet either. He was gonna have to work for this if he wanted me and I sure knew how to put him through his paces.
I was hiding the fact that he was getting to me very well, or that I even cared one lick about anything he’d said, and then she walked in. I all but forgot the conversation going on around me and for a minute there I forgot that Grant and I weren’t really a couple. All that talk about me flirting and there he was with her hand in his chest.
His eyes caught mine over her head for a split second and I gave him a scathing look before I turned my back on him and pretended a great interest in what was being said. Now I was back to being pissed. How could I have forgotten what started this whole mess in the first place? That it was rumors of him asking her to marry that had driven me to make the stupid mistake of becoming engaged myself? His woman indeed, we’ll just see about that.
***
GRANT
Shit, I knew there was going to be trouble after that look. I wasn’t really interested in Marcy and what she felt. I’d told her the truth a while ago, it’s not like I was stringing her along or anything like that. But that look from the hellcat spelt trouble plain and simple. I guess I was about to find out what it meant to be on the receiving end of her shit.
I tried keeping her in my view, but other guests were vying for my attention and there was no way to avoid them unless I gave everything away. That wasn’t looking like such a bad idea, and the only reason I held off was because of her. I knew she wouldn’t appreciate it now, n
ot so soon on the heels of the other major scandal in her life. If it were up to me I wouldn’t give a shit, people are gonna talk either way, but she’d been through enough.
I saw what she was up to from across the room, could practically write the playbook. One of my friendly competitors was in the middle of telling me about some new deal he’d just struck that was supposed to save him hundreds of thousands of dollars, but all I saw was her heading away from the others. It was the set of her shoulders and that look on her face that had me on high alert. Fuck, what now?
I left poor Jerry in the middle of a longwinded sentence when she ended up in the arms of one of my known enemies. I should’ve known she’d pick him. I was beginning to realize that that little girl knew about as much about me as I did her. How else would she know that of all the men here, seeing her anywhere near him would send me over the edge? I’d already told her once to stay away from him yes, but I hadn’t told her why.
I know she had no idea what she was doing, knew that it was her hotheadedness that was leading her now, but there was no way I was going to leave her alone with him. When the two of them headed out a pair of French doors into the garden that ran the length of the house all bets were off.
There was no way Tom could know what I felt for her, how could he? I’d only just acknowledged it myself. I still didn’t put it past that snake to try something with her out there alone though. I was just in time to hear him start his usual spiel. The jackass had the same M.O every time, whether the female was willing or not.
“Tom I think your wife is looking for you.” That caught both of them off guard.
“His wife?”
“Yes didn’t he tell you? He got married within the last month under not very ideal circumstances, I think there was something about a barely legal pregnancy.” His face was like a thundercloud as she moved away from him like he was contagious. He had the good sense not to say anything to me as he huffed his way back inside. “As for you…”
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