With a hand on the railing, he turned his brooding gaze on her. “Go to bed, Eliza.”
“Was she getting too close?”
He sighed in annoyance and came back to her, standing close. “She didn’t want you and David to stay here.”
There was only one reason for that. Jillian was jealous. And then she’d gotten angry. Had he kicked her out? He must have. That by itself didn’t surprise her. Jillian’s reaction did. Eliza was married to David. Brandon wasn’t interested in her that way. What had Jillian seen? What had David seen? Were they both overreacting or was there some merit to this?
“She was that mad when you told her we were staying?” she asked.
Slowly, he nodded, his worry showing. And something else.
“You did break up with her, didn’t you?” Her original conclusion had to be correct. “She was getting too close.”
“Eliza, damn it.” He turned again.
Why had he broken up with her tonight, though? She’d heard them in the kitchen before Brandon was aware of their arrival. They’d sounded so infatuated with each other. What had happened to turn him off so quickly?
“You do that all the time, Brandon. When are you going to get over that? Why are you so afraid of commitment anyway?”
“I’m not afraid. I know when it isn’t going to work...unlike you.”
That gave her a jolt. “What is that supposed to mean?” And why was he so defensive?
“David shows up at one of your fancy parties and you think he’s the one. Well, all you’ve done is make matters worse for him. He had problems before he ran into you again. All you’re doing is compounding them.”
Why was he so angry? She’d nailed him with the truth and now he was retaliating by bringing it all back onto her. She had to breathe to calm her shock and the aftermath of the insult. “That’s not fair! He asked me to marry him.”
“Yeah, and I can see why. With you, the party never ends.”
“You’re going to stand there and blame me for the way David has been behaving lately?”
“Lately? What’s changed? He’s still as wild as ever. More so. I was close to getting him back on track when he met you at that athlete’s party and you two started having such a good time together.”
David must have told him everything. She certainly hadn’t had the opportunity to have a close and personal talk with him.
Eliza folded her arms. “So it was all me. David had nothing to do with it. He didn’t have to make any decisions on his own. He just had to do what you told him.”
Brandon glanced down to where her breasts had plumped. “Go back to bed.”
She refused to move. He was always the one walking away. Not her. Eliza wasn’t a quitter. When it came to relationships, Brandon was, and she had a flaming impulse to find out why.
He’d 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.”
“The only thing missing are the stars.” She laughed at her quip.
So did he. His wife barely cracked a smile.
“Your party planning company is one of the best, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see one tonight.”
“I’m lucky that way.” Word of mouth and a few mentions on entertainment programs had boosted her business.
She did have Roy Greenwood playing tonight. The American Idol sensation was sure to be the real reason attendance would be high. And Eliza had planned it that way.
“Either that, or a natural.”
She angled her head at his generous praise, certain he was doing it so that she’d keep giving him discounts on the events she planned for him.
Over his shoulder, she spotted Brandon walking into the banquet room and endured a rush of passion and shock. He’d actually come to her party. In a dark suit and dark pink-and-gray tie, he put a hitch in her next breath. Was he really concerned about the card she’d received? Or was he here for her? Excitement obliterated guilt for a moment or two.
Greeting him would be torture, but if she ignored him that might seem suspicious. He was her brother-in-law.
A cocktail waitress stopped near the senator, and Eliza excused herself, wandering toward Brandon, greeting people on her way.
He saw her, and those brooding eyes darkened.
“This is a far cry from my Friday parties.” She hoped to lighten the air between them.
He scanned the opulent room. “I can see that.” And then his gaze roamed over her black sparkly cocktail dress again, dipping low in front and ending just above her knees. Her Jimmy Choo shoes brought her closer to his six-two height.
“Nice suit,” she said, then immediately regretted it.
She was married to his brother and flirting shamelessly. After that kiss, how could she not? If he weren’t her husband’s brother, she’d probably have an affair with him.
“Did David make it back to the ranch?”
“No.”
She checked the door and the thickening crowd. He’d been doing this a lot lately, abandoning her for his own agenda. Withdrawn and disinterested. Neglecting her. She was afraid that was directly related to her unresolved feelings for Brandon.
“Did he know you were coming?” she asked.
“I haven’t seen him.”
Her brother wasn’t there, either. Since he was the reason for the party, she’d be embarrassed if he didn’t show. Another check at the door produced Ryker. Her mood brightened. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about explaining why her brother didn’t show up at his own birthday party. He and his wife looked stunning. Six feet tall with brown hair and green eyes, Ryker was handsome in khaki pants and a white golf shirt. Aegina looked incredible in her little black dress, red hair up in a stylish clip and green eyes brighter than Ryker’s.
Behind them, her mother appeared. She was plump around the middle in a layered and flowing blue dress, and her graying hair was short now. She’d come out of her severe depression after losing her husband but was a quieter version of the mother Eliza had once known. She had her occasional bubbly moments, but losing her husband had devastated her. Her mother never really seemed to move on. Once you loved someone that deeply, there were no replacements.
Seeing her, Ryker led his wife and their mother over.
“Happy birthday.” Eliza hugged him, and he stiffly hugged her back.
“You could’ve stopped by the house. The kids keep asking why we had to leave them at home.”
It was a deliberate jab. “I’ll make it up to them.”
“Eliza, look at you. You’re my beautiful girl.” Her mother came in for a hug.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
She always said that. Over her shoulder, Ryker smothered a glare.
“Stop it, Ryker.” His wife elbowed him. “Eliza went to a lot of trouble planning this fabulous party for you.”
Sidling between Brandon and Eliza, her mother took in the room in delighted amazement. “Wow.”
“She’s come a long way,” Brandon said.
Eliza wondered what he meant.
“Where’s your husband?” Ryker asked derisively. He had always thought David was selfish and now he was married to Eliza, who was equally selfish in his opinion.
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. The truth was too complicated.
Brandon noticed her sinking mood. “I’m going to get a drink. Would you like anything?” he asked everyone.
“A pinot grigio.” Aegina Harvey was full of life. “I can’t pass up a night without the kids!”
“I’ll have the same.”
This was the brightest Eliza had ever seen her mother since her father died.
“I’ll go with you,” Ryker said.
Brandon waited for Eliza to answer. “Nothing for me.”
That gave him pause, and then he went with Ryker to one of the four bars. She was glad for the reprieve from both of them.
“He’ll get over it, Eliza,” Aegina said. “He goes through this every time you come here to visit.”
Her mother hooked her arm with Eliza’s. “I keep telling him to change his attitude.”
“Why does he blame me for leaving Vengeance?”
“You knew what you wanted at eighteen,” her mother said.
“And Ryker didn’t figure that out for himself until it was too late,” Aegina added.
That wasn’t enough for Eliza. “He wanted to be a doctor. He always talked about it growing up.”
“Yeah, but notice how he never did anything about it?”
Aegina’s tone caught Eliza’s attention. She glanced at her mother, not sure she should say anything more. Her mother did it for her.
�
��He feels he was forced to stay in Vengeance because of me. Responsibility isn’t part of his vocabulary.”
“He moved in with me before you did,” Aegina pointed out.
Ryker had fallen in love, and that was why he had stayed. Then why did he resent Eliza?
“He didn’t have the gumption that Eliza had. He didn’t go to college because he didn’t want it badly enough. That’s why I don’t move out of the carriage house, you know. He’s so confused he doesn’t even know he’s in denial.”
Eliza laughed a little and so did Aegina.
“Maybe that’s why he doesn’t love me anymore,” Aegina said.
Though she joked, Eliza could see she was serious. “He loves you. He must. Why else would he have stayed?”
“At first he may have believed he loved me. But as soon as he realized everything he gave up, that all changed.”
This was new, alarming news. Didn’t Aegina believe Ryker was only going through a phase? One that had lasted ten years...? “Are you two okay?”
She snagged a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. “Oh, yeah, we’re fine. What do you expect after a decade of marriage?”
“Love.” The kind her parents had before her dad had died. The kind Eliza never planned to have. She loved David, but he was more of a pal. Pals were safer.
Unless they were Brandon Reed...
She caught the faraway look in her mother’s eyes and knew the talk about love had sent her back in time. Eliza never wanted anyone to catch her looking like that.
Ryker returned with the wine. Brandon wasn’t with him.
A quick survey found him talking to a stacked brunette just south of the bar. Why that chafed her, she’d rather not explore.
With a scowl, her brother handed their mother her wine and then his wife’s, watching in disgust as she drained the champagne glass with one hand and took the pinot with the other.
The band started playing. Many in the crowd cheered. Even Eliza was impressed with the turnout. If only Brandon could appreciate it as much as she did.
“When are you going back to Hollywood?”
Ryker sounded as though he couldn’t wait for her to go. “We planned a week here.”
“Can you handle being away from all that excitement for so long?”
“It’s not excitement, Ryker. It’s my job. My business.”
A Rancher's Dangerous Affair Page 3