“I mean, I think it’s utterly adorable, but people are going to wonder how long we’ve really been dating if you keep blushing like that every time I reach for you.” His voice had a sexy growl to it, pitched low so only she could hear it, and it was making her feel all kinds of things. He thought she was adorable? He’d pulled her so close that his face was practically in her hair, her body pressed against his. Sure, it was just to hide his whisper, but it felt so darn good, so right.
Her hand moved to his waist, and for a moment, she wished they could stay like this forever. “People are going to wonder, anyhow. They’re going to be bugging me all week, laughing that Sage finally got herself a boyfriend at the old age of twenty-nine.” Funny how that didn’t bother her as much as she thought it would. She’d initially thought that the questions would be a terrible price to pay for not looking like a loser, but right now? It didn’t seem so terrible. At all.
He pulled away from her ever so slightly and looked down. “You’ve never had a boyfriend?” The look on his face was full of disbelief.
Well, now she felt like a huge loser. How could she explain to him that this town was so small that the dating pool wasn’t that big to begin with, and she’d always been painfully awkward? To add to that, her father was the mayor, so he’d dragged her along with him on all kinds of projects and jobs that kept her busy enough that she didn’t hang out with the others after school. They’d had a very small class size—twelve people her age—and the girls had always outnumbered the boys. Now that they were older, it was even harder to find someone to date. It was just one of those things that she kept waiting for but never happened. She knew it made her a big dork, but hearing the surprise in his voice just made things worse.
“Long story,” she managed to choke out and then pointed at a table nearby. “I think I see our place cards.”
Jason gave her a skeptical look but said nothing else, leading her toward the seating and pulling her chair out for her.
Relieved, she sat down and smiled at the couple across the table from them. Becca’s cousin and her husband. Sage had met them a few times before, and they wouldn’t give her weird looks for having a date, which was a relief. Jason sat down next to her in his chair, stared down at the place setting, and then leaned over. “Don’t look now, but there’s mistletoe on the plates.”
What?
Sage stared down at the place setting. Sure enough, the dainty white plates and bowls set at each seat had a cluster of leaves in the middle of the bowl. She’d thought with a quick glance that it was holly, but now she could see that it was mistletoe. It was cute for a wedding . . . except that she’d brought a fake date. Oh no.
“Well?” Becca’s cousin Simone prompted, laughing at them. “You’re just going to ignore it?”
“Never,” Jason said, and pulled Sage’s chair a little closer to his. He touched a fingertip to her chin, turning her toward him, and before she could say anything, his lips brushed over hers in the barest of kisses.
Oh.
Oh my.
He’d just kissed her as if it were nothing, but it was everything to her. Sage’s mouth felt as if it were throbbing with sensation, and she wanted to touch her lips and savor the kiss, but Simone was watching. Even as the tables filled up and Jason talked with Simone and her husband, Sage was quiet. She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. The feel of his mouth against hers. It had been the briefest of caresses, but what would it have felt like if it were more?
What would it have felt like if they weren’t pretending?
Jason cleared the mistletoe off her plate and gave her a look that took her breath away.
Sage didn’t say much as people got to their seats and the dinner was served. She was barely aware of her surroundings, keeping her answers to Simone’s questions brief but pleasant. She knew she wasn’t being great company, but her mind was still focused on that kiss. And when she’d looked over at Jason after their kiss?
It was like he was thinking of it, too.
After they were done eating, Jason pulled her chair closer to his and put his arm around the back of it, as if hugging her close. Gosh, he really was good at this pretending. He was making her feel cherished and cosseted, and it wasn’t even her wedding. He’d lean in to whisper a comment into her ear, and just knowing that made her blush all the more.
She saw Dustin and Annie across the room, waved at them, and hoped Jason hadn’t noticed they were here. She hoped that their presence wouldn’t make him nervous.
At some point, he leaned in again. “Look at Greg’s face.” His lips brushed against her ear, and it took her distracted mind a moment to figure out what he was saying.
She forced herself to quit staring at him and turned to look at Greg. Sure enough, he was sitting across the room, next to Becca, who was beaming at the people at her table. Greg was looking directly at Sage, and the look on his face was confusing. He didn’t look happy for her. As she watched him, Jason leaned over again, and Greg’s eyes narrowed.
“He looks like he’s ready to spit nails,” Jason murmured.
“I just . . . Maybe he’s stressed?” There couldn’t be any other reason Greg would look so unhappy that she had a date.
“Or maybe he’s realizing you’re not going to wait around for him forever?”
But that was ridiculous. Greg wasn’t interested in her. He just liked to talk to her and wanted her to make cookies for him and run errands for him. There had never been anything romantic there, and Greg had always teased her about her crush—everyone had. It wasn’t a secret that Sage Cooper had been madly in love with Greg Wallace. In this town, everyone knew everyone else’s secrets. But now Greg didn’t look happy for her, and it was confusing. He didn’t look happy for himself, either. He was getting married in a matter of days. Why did he care if she dated?
“I don’t understand,” she whispered back at him.
“Me either, but who knows what he’s thinking.” Jason gave her a thoughtful look and then reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “All I know is that he glares at me whenever I touch you.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to shamelessly suggest he keep touching her, but someone tapped the microphone, indicating that speeches were about to begin now that the dining was done.
Somewhere in the kitchen, a stack of plates was dropped in a loud crash.
Sage jumped in her seat. Everyone did, and then a wave of nervous titters filled the room. Jason jolted to his feet, moving in front of her, and Sage noticed he’d gone deathly pale.
Oh no. The crash of dishes had triggered him.
She carefully got to her feet even though everyone was staring at them. Even Greg and Becca were frowning in their direction as Greg’s father held the microphone and looked at Jason and Sage.
Jason wasn’t moving. He was breathing fast, and his pupils were dilated, making his eyes seem incredibly dark.
“Jason,” she murmured, touching his arm gently. “Look at me.”
He whipped around, giving her a wild-eyed stare, and for a moment, she thought he was going to bolt.
She wrapped her hands around his arm like a clingy girlfriend. “Let’s get out of here, all right?”
A few quick breaths panted out of him, and then he grabbed her hand and hauled her out of the party. She knew he wasn’t trying to drag her like a sack of potatoes—he just had a desperate need to get out of there, to compose himself. So she let him pull her with him, rushing out of the crowded pub and into the snowy street outside.
There were dozens of cars lined up and down the street thanks to the party, but the street itself was empty, most of the town was at the celebration or gone home for the day. Fat snowflakes drifted down, and somewhere distant, Christmas music was playing.
Jason’s clammy hand squeezed hers, and he panted heavily, as if trying to compose himself. His gaze darted back and forth, and s
he recognized that almost hunted look in his eyes. She could help with this, she decided, and took his arm, holding on to him. “Let’s walk the street so you can check everything out. Come on.”
So they walked. She let him set the pace, let him pause in front of as many buildings as needed, or check the narrow alleys between shops. It was brisk out, but the wind had died, so it wasn’t so bad, even without a coat. She was a Wyoming girl, and she’d been through worse. She wouldn’t die from a little time outside in only a sweater, and Jason needed her more than she needed her coat.
Eventually, his breathing slowed and the wild-eyed look on his face went away. She still held on to his arm, and she was surprised when he gently touched her clasped hands and looked over at her. “I’m sorry, Sage.”
She frowned up at him. “What are you sorry about? There’s no need for an apology.”
“I ruined your evening.”
“You absolutely did not.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m the one that’s sorry. I put you in a situation that made you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t know that someone was going to drop some dishes and make me flash back.” He raked a hand through his short hair, and it stuck straight up, which told her he was sweating. “You should return and try to enjoy the party. I should get home.”
She wanted to tell him that he was the only enjoyable part of it, but that might have seemed too bold. He still looked scattered and distracted, and they’d ridden in one car tonight—hers. Either way, they’d both have to go back to her house for his vehicle. “Let’s finish our walk. Why don’t you come stay at my house tonight?”
Jason looked down at her in surprise. “Stay with you?”
Selfishly, she wanted him to stay just because she loved his company. Because she was crushing on him. Because she cared for him and wanted him close by where she could watch over him and help him if he struggled through the night. “Why not? Your truck’s already at my place and it’s snowing.” She put a hand in the air as if to catch a handful of the fat flakes drifting down. “You look like you need to get away for a bit, so come stay with me. Text Dustin or Eli and let them know you’ll be there in the morning, but I’m weeping over the loss of Greg and you’re doing your best to comfort me.” She gave him an impish smile. “It’s a totally believable lie.”
But he frowned down at her. “Sage, I don’t want to make you sound like an idiot just to cover for me. That’s not fair to you.”
She shook her head. “Jason, I don’t care what I sound like to the others. I don’t care what they think. I’m leaving them all behind as soon as it’s spring, remember?”
“That doesn’t mean I like it.” He cupped her face with cold hands. “I shouldn’t have to sabotage you just to try and make me look like less of a coward.”
He thought he was a coward? That was insane. Sage shook her head and put her hands over his, as if she could let him see how she viewed him with that small touch. “You’re anything but a coward. You’re one of the strongest, most determined people I’ve ever met. Don’t you ever think otherwise.”
Jason smiled down at her, and his thumb brushed over her cheek. For a moment, she held her breath, hoping against hope that he’d kiss her again—really kiss her, not just brush his lips over hers. She wanted tongue and lips, his breath mingling with hers, and sexy nibbling. She wanted it all.
But he just smiled. “You really are the nicest person.”
And for a long, despairing moment, she worried that she was turning invisible all over again. That no matter what she did, no one would ever look at her as if she were girlfriend material. She would always be Sage Cooper, dependable and forgettable.
Of course, that was selfish of her. He was struggling with post-traumatic stress and here she was mentally pouting that he didn’t kiss her? She shook herself out of it and patted his hand. “Come on. Back to my house where we can hide away from the world for a while.”
“If you’re sure . . .”
She was more than sure.
CHAPTER TEN
They drove back to Sage’s house, and as if the weather was in cahoots, the snow started pouring from the skies, thick and heavy. Good. All the more reason for him to stay with her overnight, since it would be dangerous to drive in this after dark. He texted Dustin to let him know where he was, and while he checked the perimeter of her house, she went into the kitchen to make hot cocoa and texted Cass to let her know that he was staying with her tonight and he’d be back after sunrise in the morning.
It made her feel guilty to go behind his back like that, but she also didn’t want him to lose his job, either. Cass texted back in agreement, and then Sage turned her phone off so it wouldn’t ping while Jason was with her.
He came inside, covered in snow and hollow eyed, but she handed him a hot cocoa, said nothing, and led him to the couch. She’d gotten out blankets and pillows and made a comfy nest, and she turned on one of her favorite Christmas movies, Die Hard, and they watched it in silence, curled up on the couch together. At some point, long after she’d finished her cocoa, she nodded off in the movie and woke up to find that Jason’s arm was around her and her head was tucked against his neck.
“Oh,” she murmured, wiping at the corners of her mouth in case she’d drooled. “I fell asleep on you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You want me to help you up to your room?”
“Actually, I thought we’d both sleep down here. There’s plenty of room on the couches, and you seem like you need the company tonight.” She gave him a sleepy smile.
“You don’t have to do this, Sage.”
“I know. But I don’t mind it. I like your company.”
He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. She realized belatedly that his arm was around her waist, and it felt good to curl up against him and relax. “You can lean against me and nod off again if you want,” he offered.
Sage took him up on it. She leaned against him, cheek on his shoulder, and watched the movie for a time before her eyes started to close again. At some point, she was aware of the movie turning off and the room going quiet, but Jason’s arms were around her and he was stroking her back, and she felt too good to move.
So she went back to sleep.
* * *
• • •
Jason didn’t deserve someone like Sage Cooper as his friend. He woke up the next morning feeling curiously refreshed despite the crick in his neck. He blinked at his surroundings and then glanced down at the beautiful woman curled up against his side. They were both wedged onto one of her large sofas, Sage’s body tucked along his and her breasts pushing against his chest. Her hair was everywhere, and she slept with her mouth slightly open in a way that was completely adorable and somehow sexy at the same time. Her hand was curled against his chest, her leg between his, and he had a raging case of morning wood.
God, he wanted to touch her right now.
He closed his eyes and willed his body to behave. Sage deserved better than him. He was a mess, and she was just being friendly and kind. She was hung up on that dumbass Greg, so it didn’t matter that her body fit against his perfectly or that her hair was silky soft and tickled his skin. It didn’t matter that he loved the sight of her dimples and how he’d stared at her in that slinky, figure-hugging sweater last night.
It sure didn’t matter that he’d kissed her and she’d flushed and given him a soft look that normally told a man to kiss a woman again.
She’d just wanted a pretend date, he reminded himself. She’d never indicated to Jason that she wanted more than friendship, so lusting after her was a bad idea. Very bad, even if she was incredibly soft and sweet in his arms. She was snuggled against his side, and when he shifted his weight, she moved even closer to him, her hand sliding to his waist.
And then he had a really hard time thinking innocent thoughts. That hand was edging into dangerous territory. He wouldn’t let it go a
ny farther, but he’d leave it there and just . . . daydream about it for a bit. He thought about peeling that clingy sweater off of her and revealing her pale skin and seeing if she flushed everywhere. He wanted to graze his knuckles over the tip of one breast and watch it harden in response. He wanted to hear her moan with passion.
He wanted a lot of things from Sage, and none of them were friend-zone type things. That was a problem. The more time he spent with her, the less he wanted to just be her friend and the more he wanted to kiss her. That quick peck he’d given her last night had been too easy and over far too fast. He should have knotted his hands in her silky fall of hair and held her to him while he kissed the daylights out of her.
But . . . then he probably would have lost her as a friend. And right now? Sage was the only thing keeping him balanced. He was pretty sure that without her, he’d have been fired from the Price Ranch and sent packing.
The Price Ranch. Damn. He had to return. He glanced out one of the big windows, and the sun was creeping over the horizon. That meant it was time to go. They’d be expecting him, no matter how badly he wanted to stay curled up with Sage.
Last night, she’d been so kind and understanding when he’d acted like a fool. She hadn’t judged him or made him feel stupid for his knee-jerk response. She’d taken action, ushering him out of there, and then let him go up and down Main Street patrolling until the edge wore off. She’d never complained . . . and she hadn’t left him alone. Having her support was the difference last night, and he needed to find a way to thank her for her generous, kind heart.
It’d have to wait, though, if he planned on remaining employed.
Easing his body off of the couch, he watched Sage to see if she woke up. She just mumbled and turned over, burying her face into the pillows, and that was kinda cute. Clearly, she was a heavy sleeper.
He made it out of the house without waking her, then stopped to feed her cattle and give them water. It was rather cold outside, the temperature having plummeted overnight, so he didn’t let them out into the pasture. Instead, he gave them extra cake pellets like she’d shown him, and he thought of her and her lessons while he did so.
A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe Page 10