If only he could force himself to deny his attraction to her. But, like before, she had taken hold. He couldn’t let go yet, even knowing what might happen.
Blythe would be on shaky ground with him and his brother. Shakier than she’d realize. She wore her insecurity on her sleeve, and Tucker would use that to his advantage. Tucker’s broodiness might sweep her up, but Jace knew she’d respond to his softer side too. Where Tucker sometimes lacked a certain gentility, Jace was a cowboy and a gentleman. Cowboys had a code when it came to women. Actually, cowboys had a code about everything, but women in particular.
Find her, protect her, spoil her, dance with her, and never stop loving her. Or someone else will.
Blythe looked like a woman who had never been treated the cowboy way, and he was just the man to show her how that felt. He’d let it go for tonight. He had at least two more days to woo Miss Blythe away from his brother, and he intended to make the most of it.
The other truth of it was, he needed the distraction. It hurt like hell to watch Irene embrace a life without him in it. When he came home from Spain a few weeks ago, all he could think about was seeing her. He had such plans for them. And then, in less than twenty-four hours, he realized she’d never be his. There hadn’t been any point in fighting for her. It only would’ve prolonged the inevitable.
Again with the damn cowboy code. He chose to be honorable. He’d called Billy Patterson himself and told him how to get his girl back. Not that Patterson had needed the advice.
3
If Tucker’s aim was to woo her, he’d picked the perfect place to do it. The setting was intimate and romantic. Tucker knew a lot about wine and chose the perfect red to complement the small plates the restaurant was known for.
“What are these?” Blythe asked him when the waiter brought another plate to the table. “They look like jalapeños.”
“Close. They’re shishito peppers, which are from the same family, but these are sweet rather than spicy, and stuffed with almonds.”
A few minutes later, the waiter delivered another plate with what looked like a thin-crust pizza. “And this?” she asked.
“Catalonian flatbread.”
“Renie mentioned you were recently in Spain. Do you miss it?”
“I did, until I met a fascinating and very beautiful girl in Colorado.”
She blushed. “And what are these?” She pointed to something on the flatbread.
“Those are dates and caramelized onions, sprinkled with blue cheese.”
It was all so good, Blythe couldn’t eat another bite, until Tucker ordered blood orange sorbet. It was light enough that she could allow herself a decadent spoonful or two.
All evening he’d watched every move she made. At first she found it disconcerting, but it hadn’t taken long before she began to enjoy it. No man had ever paid this kind of attention to her.
As much as she’d wanted to leave earlier, to get away from Renie’s criticism, now she was glad she hadn’t. Spending time with Tucker tonight made up for Renie’s indifference ten-fold.
At first she was nervous, and tried to initiate conversation. When he told her he didn’t want to talk about his brother, she asked about his scar.
“Not something I talk about,” he’d responded, but not in a way that made her feel self-conscious for asking.
She didn’t ask any more questions, and even though they didn’t talk much, she found she wasn’t bored or uncomfortable. Tucker seemed content to watch her, as if her every movement, even breathing, spoke to him in a way words wouldn’t.
He took her hand in his and ran his fingers over her wrist bone, and then circled it, over and over. He studied her fingers and the palm of her hand.
“I want to paint your delicacy,” he whispered, making her shudder.
He gently laid her hand on the table and moved her fingers so her palm was flat against the white tablecloth, with her fingers slightly bent. He moved the candle and traced the shadow her hand cast.
If he could get this lost in her hand, what would making love with him be like? When she closed her eyes and pictured them together, he lifted her hand and kissed her palm, open-mouthed, like he had before. It was as though he read her thoughts.
“We should go,” she said with regret, knowing it was late, but not wanting their night to end.
“I’m not finished with you yet, Blythe.”
“I’m not finished with you either,” she murmured.
He held her chair, and when she stood and he grazed her cheek with his lips, she felt a tremor stronger than any she’d felt before. If she didn’t get back to the ranch, and away from this man, she’d likely do something she might live to regret. After only a few short hours, Blythe was ready to hand Tucker Rice her heart. She’d be devastated if he didn’t want it.
“What is this, playing?” she asked when they were a few minutes into their drive. “It sounds familiar.”
The tempo of the combined trumpet and piano was audaciously slow, as if the music might drift apart at any moment.
“Blue in Green,” she remembered before he answered. It had been so long since she’d heard it.
“You know it.”
“My father loves Miles.”
“It’s my favorite piece of music on this recording. The depth of feeling…” As his voice drifted off without him finishing his thought, Blythe wondered again what making love with him would be like. Would it be slow, subtle, transcending like the music? She closed her eyes and imagined their two bodies moving together.
The truck came to a stop, and she looked around, wondering why Tucker had parked near the entrance to the ranch.
“I have to do this,” he said, his hand cupping the back of her neck as it had before. He brought his lips to hers and kissed her, like she imagined he would.
Heat spread throughout her body, and as much as she wanted him to, she knew he wouldn’t hurry. It would never matter what they were doing; Tucker would never hurry. Spending only a few short hours with him had taught her that.
When Tucker pulled away from her and drove the rest of the way to the house, she wondered if she’d done something wrong. Had she been too eager?
“Don’t,” he said without her saying a word. “When you and I are together for the first time, it won’t be on the bench seat of a truck.”
He didn’t turn to look at her when he spoke, but his tone resonated, telling her he felt the same way she did. The same need, same desire, same impatience, but this wasn’t the time or the place. They both knew that too.
Blythe was surprised when they pulled up and found the house dark and quiet. Her parents were night owls, but it had been a long day, and tomorrow would be equally so.
Tucker held her hand in his as they walked through the house, and downstairs. Blythe rested her hand on the doorknob of Renie’s room where she was staying, wondering if he’d follow her in. Instead, he kissed her quickly and went into the room directly across the hall, leaving her feeling both relieved and bereft.
Tucker wished he’d arranged for a place to stay in town, instead of here, in a bedroom across the hall form a woman his body pulsed with need for. He groaned, knowing sleep would not come easy for him tonight.
Jace saw it was after midnight when he looked over at the clock. He heard them come downstairs, but they didn’t speak. If they had, he would’ve heard every word. Seconds later, he heard both doors close.
He knew nothing had happened between them, or rather he would’ve known if it had. He felt Tucker’s pull to the girl, though. It was as strong as his own.
The mood throughout the house tonight had been joyful. His parents had arrived shortly after Tucker and Blythe left, and were disappointed they’d missed him, but the reunion between his father and Ben’s had been heartwarming.
Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and Tucker didn’t do holidays, this one in particular. When his brother withdrew, like Jace knew he would, he’d have his chance to make Blythe the center of his attention. Tucker wasn’
t the only Rice man with charm. He had it too, and he intended to use it.
Blythe couldn’t sleep. Every time she drifted off, thoughts of Tucker woke her. She wondered what tomorrow would be like for them. Would he be demonstrative affectionately, like he’d been tonight? Would he continue to woo her in front of their families, or would he pull back?
What about Jace? What had he meant when he said it wasn’t over? Again, she worried that, if this turned out to be nothing more than a competition between them, she’d be devastated.
She tossed and turned most of the night, and when she heard noises coming from the kitchen, she got out of bed and went upstairs. She didn’t care who else was awake. She needed someone to talk to—as long as it wasn’t Jace or Tucker.
“Morning, Daddy,” she said, happy he was the one she found puttering around the kitchen.
“Where’d you go last night?”
“Tucker took me out for dinner.”
“Mighty unsociable of you, wasn’t it?”
“I doubt anyone noticed I was gone.”
“I noticed.”
“I’m sure no one else did.”
“Oh please, Blythe. Don’t play poor-me. You’re above that kind of crap. Since when do you care what anyone else thinks?”
“It was Mom and Renie. My best friend and my mother. I’m not supposed to care what they think? Come on, Dad.”
“Take it in the context it was meant. Renie is a doormat. She always has been. It’s time she stood up for herself, and as it relates to you…hand it right back to her. There isn’t anything that says one of you needs to be the walker and the other, walked-on. You’re equals.”
“It’s weird.”
“Billy and Renie?”
“And a baby. You don’t think that’s weird? And Liv is pregnant. Weirdness surrounds us.”
“I heard that,” said Liv, joining them in the kitchen. She sat down on the bar stool next to Blythe.
“Coffee, or are you abstaining?” Mark asked.
“Give me coffee or die,” she answered.
“Okay. Not abstaining.”
“Did you have fun last night? Where did Tucker take you?”
“We went to a restaurant near the ski area.”
“Nice.” Liv wrapped her hands around the cup of coffee her dad set in front of her.
“It was very romantic.”
“You were wooed,” Liv smiled.
“There’s more where that came from, sugar,” said Jace, walking into the kitchen, too. He stopped to pour himself a cup of coffee. “My turn today.”
“Your turn for what?” asked Mark.
“Wooin’ your daughter. Tucker stole her away last night. I won’t let him get away with it again today.” Jace walked over and sat on the other side of Blythe.
“I’m not a thing for you to compete over. I’m a person. I’m not interested in participating in whatever game the two of you are playing.”
“No game, darlin’. I told you yesterday I wanted to get to know you. Didn’t I?”
“I don’t remember.”
Mark walked to the refrigerator and rummaged around for anything that looked like breakfast food.
“Want some help?” asked Liv, joining him. She lowered her voice. “Should we leave them alone?”
“Not sure that’s a good idea,” Mark whispered back.
“Aren’t you uncomfortable?”
“Very.”
“I have a few last minute items to get from the market. Will you run me into town?”
“You got it.”
Liv and her dad left the room, which Blythe was not happy about.
“We’re alone now,” she said. “Let’s lay this on the line. I meant what I said. I’m not a toy, Jace. Just because I’m the only single woman here this weekend doesn’t mean you and Tucker have to win me over. It’s Thanksgiving weekend, not singles’ weekend.”
“If you could do anything you wanted to do today, what would it be?” Jace asked, acting as though he hadn’t heard a word she said.
“No idea. I haven’t had enough coffee to start thinking about it.”
“Let’s go get somethin’ a little stronger, then. Irene took me to this great place, Rumors was the name of it. They have espresso. That oughta get your motor runnin’.”
“Jace, it’s Thanksgiving. I’m sure they’re closed.”
“Oh. You’re right. I bet there’d be somethin’ open at the ski area.”
“That’s what I’d do.”
“What?”
“Ski. You asked what I’d do if I could do anything I wanted to. That’s it. I’d ski.”
“Let’s do it, then.”
“What? Again I remind you, it’s Thanksgiving.”
“So? Are you on kitchen duty today?”
“No one would want my help in the kitchen,” she laughed. “I’m not what you’d call a chef.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go skiing. Dinner isn’t until later this afternoon. They don’t need our help.”
“Um…”
“What? Say what’s on your mind, Blythe.”
“What about Tucker?”
“He already knows we’re spending the day together.”
“He does?”
“Yep.”
“He doesn’t mind?”
“Not at all. He got you last night, today you’re mine.”
“Oh.” Blythe hoped the hurt she felt wasn’t obvious. So it was a game. Tucker had happily relinquished her to his brother today after making her feel like she was the most special woman on earth last night. Her fear was realized this morning and it made her sick to her stomach.
“What are you thinking about, beautiful girl?”
If Tucker didn’t care, why should she? Instead of wallowing in disappointment, she’d let Jace woo her all he wanted.
“I should talk to my mom first, but if she doesn’t mind, I’m all for it.”
“Go talk. I’ll get my stuff together. We’ll leave in twenty minutes.”
“Twenty minutes? Are you crazy? I can’t be ready in twenty minutes. It’ll take me at least an hour to get ready.”
“If that’s what you need, darlin’, take it. While you get ready, I’ll make breakfast.”
Blythe expected him to give her a hard time about taking an hour to get ready, but he didn’t. He was far too good-natured about it.
Instead of tracking down her mom, she went to get ready. Jace was right, no one would need her help with dinner. If anything, there’d be too many people in the kitchen. And since he hadn’t pushed, she’d see if she could get ready faster and surprise him.
Thirty minutes later, Blythe came upstairs, ready to go.
“Look at you,” he said, not seeming to notice the time. He walked over to the oven and pulled out two plates, which he set on the breakfast bar.
While she got ready, Jace had made omelets, sausage, and toast. There was even a fresh pot of coffee brewing.
She couldn’t help herself, though. She had to ask. “You’re sure Tucker won’t want to join us?”
“I already told you; it’s my turn today. I get you all to myself, except for the other people skiing and slidin’ out on the slopes.”
“Jace—”
“Blythe.” He smiled. “Two people on a lift, that’s the right number. Three won’t fit.”
“Most chairlifts hold four.”
“That’d be too crowded.”
“I have to rent skis. I didn’t bring mine.”
“Took care of it. We’re picking up Irene’s for you, and Billy’s for me on our way to the ski area.”
She finished eating and got up to take care of the dishes. Why not do this? Hadn’t she told Renie she wanted her to fix her up with a hot cowboy, or a skier? Jace was both. Made to order. She wouldn’t give Tucker another thought, since he wasn’t giving any to her.
Her only worry was that they had to pick up the skis, which meant she’d have to see Renie. Yesterday, she’d warned her away from Jace. She wasn’t go
ing to be happy about the two of them going skiing today. And with her new non-doormat policy, she’d probably confront Blythe about it.
“Ready?”
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”
“Wait, what happened? You were all in a few minutes ago.”
“To tell you the truth, Renie told me you were off limits yesterday.”
Jace’s demeanor changed. His body tensed. He walked over and took her hand. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice no longer playful.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for and neither do I. From where I sit, Renie is engaged to Billy. She doesn’t dictate who you or I spend time with. It’s none of her business.”
When they got to Billy’s, he asked whether she’d prefer to wait in the truck.
“I’m not hiding from her, Jace. We just haven’t been very close lately, and I don’t want to make it worse.”
“Come on, then.”
Renie glared at her when they came in the back door, and Jace noticed right away.
He walked over and stood right in front of her. “Knock it off,” he said. “Not your business.”
Renie looked stunned. Blythe didn’t know Jace very well, but from what she’d seen so far, this behavior was out of character.
When he turned his back, Renie raised her eyebrows at Blythe, who burst out laughing. Which made Renie laugh. Soon the two of them were doubled over, in tears.
“What’s goin’ on?” Billy asked, walking into the kitchen with Willow.
“Evidently, they think I’m funny.” Jace turned to the two of them, who were holding onto each other, still laughing. “Which I’m not.”
“Uh huh.” Blythe could hardly speak she was laughing so hard.
“They’re always like this,” said Billy. “They don’t even have to say anything. All of a sudden they both start laughing and they can’t stop. It’s been that way as long as I’ve known ’em.”
Before they came inside, Blythe told him her friendship with Renie was rocky. Maybe the best thing he could do for her today was give her a chance to spend time with someone who meant something to her.
Kiss Me Cowboy (Cowboys of Crested Butte Book 3) Page 3