The Rancher Wore Suits

by Rita Herron

  At least for the Dex Montgomery she’d gotten to know the past week.

  But if he married or had children, she reminded herself, his kids would be Montgomerys. And she would have no part in it. Her hand automatically went to her stomach, the deep emptiness squeezing inside her again like a vice.

  “Hey, you guys, it’s story time,” the head nurse announced, quieting the group.

  The small children settled around a big rocking chair and an elderly woman wearing a big cape and carrying a bag of puppets took the center of the small stage. One last child slowly entered, wheeled in by a young nurse’s aide.

  “That’s Ashley,” Jessica whispered. “She’s the little girl who needs plastic surgery.”

  A muscle worked in Dex’s jaw at the sight of the pale child. “Where’s the little boy you mentioned—Donny?”He’s still in ICU. He’s not ready to be around the other kids yet. Too much risk of infection.”

  Dex nodded. “And the story lady?”

  “She’s a volunteer,” Jessica whispered. “I contacted one of the local churches and we organized a program to get their senior citizens involved with the kids. The older people were bored and lonely, so it’s been great for everyone. And the kids love the attention and time together.”

  Dex folded his arms across his massive chest, his voice rough. “I’ve seen enough.”

  Jessica stiffened. “Did you change your mind about helping us?”

  Dex cupped her elbow with his hand, sending a dozen sensations skittering up Jessica’s spine. His dark gaze pierced her to the core. “I never go back on my word, Jessica. Now, let’s go some place private so we can talk.”

  Jessica’s heart fluttered in her chest. They were only going to talk about the center, she reminded herself.

  Which was exactly the way it had to be.

  Chapter Nine

  Jessica eased into the corner booth at the small Italian café where she and Dex had decided to have lunch, her senses on overload. The booth was secluded, the room dark, the smell of wine and marinara sauce overpowering. As was the man she was having lunch with.

  Watching Dex with the young children before they’d left the hospital had completely touched her heart. He had promised them he would come back and visit, agreeing to read them a story when he returned.

  She had never imagined Dex Montgomery would be a sap with kids. But he had been putty in their creative little hands. And when he had hugged little Ashley good-bye, she’d thought she’d even seen a tear in his eye. She’d definitely had one in her own.

  Pushing aside her foolish thoughts, she studied the menu, trying desperately to distract her racing pulse and her pounding heart.

  “Would you like a drink?” he asked. “A glass of wine to seal the deal?”

  Jessica shook her head. “No, thanks. I have more patients to see this afternoon.” Besides, she didn’t need wine; her head was already spinning.

  The waitress arrived with water, and Dex ordered spaghetti and meatballs. She bit down on her lip, surprised. She could have sworn one of the nurses had mentioned he didn’t eat red meat.

  “I’ll have the spinach strombolli.” She handed the menu to the waitress and glanced up to see Dex watching her. Knowing she had to remain professional, she launched into a discussion of the hospital. When their food arrived, they fell into a companionable silence. It was too easy being with Dex, Jessica thought, too nice, too comfortable, too…too titillating.

  Her body thrummed with a strange kind of heat, and a yearning that seemed to be growing out of control.

  She had to deny her feelings. Didn’t she

  “I’ve been looking over M3I’s financial situation this morning—I have a few more files to review.” Dex placed his napkin on the table. “Then I can let you know an exact amount.”

  “Thank you, Dex.” She squeezed his hand, wanting him to know how much this project and his support meant to her. “I can’t tell you how excited I am. This is going to help so many children. Did I mention we’re going to build a therapeutic playground in conjunction with our physical therapy program?”

  “That’s wonderful.” Dex snapped his fingers. “Let me be your first volunteer to help build it.”

  Jessica had to struggle to contain her reaction. Dex was full of wonderful surprises. “You’ll really work on it?”

  “Of course. It’ll be fun.” He caught her hand again, twining their fingers together. A flood of sensations rushed through her. His dark eyes seemed almost black in the dim light, and the flicker of candlelight gave his tanned skin an almost bronze appearance, reminding her of a cowboy riding across the prairie at dusk.

  “What? Do I have food on my face or something?” He rubbed the shadow of his beard.

  “No, I was just wondering how you stayed so tanned when you work inside all the time.” And thinking about how handsome you are, and how much I want to touch your jaw.

  He shifted, his gaze darting down to his silverware. “Uh, tanned. I don’t know.”

  She had to keep the conversation light. “Playing golf, huh?” Jessica asked, enjoying the slight blush on his face.

  He shrugged. “Guess you caught me.”

  Jessica laughed. “I imagine you’re pretty good. You probably play a lot.”

  “Uh, not as much as I used to. I’m changing my priorities.”

  “You are, aren’t you?” Jessica said softly. The warmth of his palm seeped into her, sending all kinds of delicious sensations through her. She told herself she should pull away, yet a tingle rippled through her at the hunger in his eyes, and she couldn’t bear to release his hand. Instead, she curled her fingers into his, and met his gaze.

  His cheeks grew uncharacteristically red. “Yeah. I want to do good things with the Montgomery money.”

  “Thank you for coming to the hospital today.” She fidgeted. “And I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot when I picked you up at the airport.”

  “That was my fault,” Dex admitted. “I… So many people approach me because they want something—”

  “Money, you mean?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I guess I’ve gotten wary. So much that I shut you out before I heard what you had to say. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m just glad you did finally listen,” Jessica said softly. “This project means everything to me.”

  “Don’t you have room for a man in there somewhere?”

  Jessica sipped her water, the pain of her first marriage splintering through her. “I did once,” she admitted, her throat thick. “But I’m sure you heard about my divorce through the hospital grapevine.”

  “I don’t listen to gossip.” He arched an eyebrow. “Are you still in love with your ex?”

  Jessica’s gaze swung to his. “No… I’m not in love with him,” Jessica said, realizing it was true. She and Jack had dated while she was in med school, and they’d sort of fallen into marriage. Then the pregnancy…

  Come to think of it, she’d never really dated anyone else. She hadn’t been experienced at all and had probably been swept up just because he’d paid attention to her.

  Something she wouldn’t do again.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up old hurts.”

  She forced a smile. “Water under the bridge.”

  “Really? Then why no other man?”

  “Because I’ve been too busy with work, the kids, trying to get this new wing started.”

  “You have to stop and smell the roses sometime.”

  “Is that what you’ve decided to do, Dex?”

  The question seemed to catch him off guard. His fingers tightened around hers. “Maybe. But I want to take care of my family, too.”

  “Your grandparents?”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Yes. What about you? Where’s your family?”

  “Gone,” Jessica admitted.

  “All of them?” Dex asked in a gruff voice.

  Jessica nodded, staring at their joined hands. He had large knuckles, big fingers, calluses, strong ha
nds…she didn’t want to let go. “My father left my mom and me when I was two. My mother raised me alone.”

  Dex grew quiet. “I’m sorry. I guess you were close growing up.”

  Jessica shrugged. “She worked hard to raise me, but she…” How could she tell this man that her mother hadn’t been educated? That she’d drunk too much and smoked too much and that Jessica had pretty much raised herself. That even so, she’d still felt lost without her when she’d died. That she’d desperately wanted a family of her own…

  “Jessica.” He gently lifted her chin with his other hand, the contact so soft yet intimate that Jessica shivered. When she looked into his eyes, she saw concern, and tenderness, and a hunger unlike any she’d seen from a man.

  His masculine presence offered strength and comfort, things she hadn’t had in a very long time. Without thinking about the consequences, she slowly brought her fingers up and touched his jaw, traced a finger over the rough stubble she’d wanted to touch earlier, and down to his mouth.

  He caught her finger and pressed it to his lips and kissed the tip. Then, with a lowroan, he angled his head, cupped her face in his hands, and brushed his lips over hers in the sweetest torture she’d ever known.

  Ty knew he should have stopped himself, but he was so caught up in the moment, he couldn’t help himself. He’d already known Jessica was a spectacular woman, a great doctor, but he’d never guessed that underneath all that care for others beat a wounded heart.

  His was hurting as well.

  Because he wanted her to know that she was kissing Ty Cooper, not Dex Montgomery. What would she do if she knew? Would she hate him for lying to her? For deceiving her?

  Would she even like the real Ty Cooper?

  He hated being dishonest. Coopers had good values; he’d never lied to a woman or used one before in his life.

  But he had never tasted anything as sweet as Jessica’s lips. Guilt warring with desire, he deepened the kiss, his hunger intensifying at her touch. She tasted like Italian food and sweetness and woman. And she smelled like roses. Hot, passionate and wild, just the way he’d imagined.

  His fingers slid into her hair, tugging at the clip that held it, and suddenly her long auburn tresses fell across his hand. A low moaning sound escaped her that sent adrenaline straight to his groin, and he shifted, moving closer to her to pull her into his arms. Her breath brushed his cheek, her hand curled on his chest, burning his skin through the fabric of his shirt. He wanted her to unbutton the buttons, to run her hands over his torso, to touch him everywhere. And he wanted to do the same to her.

  But someone cleared their throat, rather loudly, and he remembered they were in a public place.

  Would Dex have behaved so boldly?

  He gently nipped at her lips, raking his tongue across them one more time before he eased away. Her eyes were closed, but when she opened them, he saw the dazed look of a woman struggling to control the passions within her.

  He wanted to dance with those passions. To take her right there on the table.

  What the hell had come over him?

  He heard the throat-clearing again, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a tall, beanpole woman with her skinny arms crossed, her lips pursed, her high heels tapping on the floor.

  Bridget, Dex’s financial advisor.

  “So this is your business luncheon?” she asked tightly.

  Ty grimaced. He’d made a mess of things all right.

  But he refused to let Dex’s right-hand woman tell him what to do. At least outside the office.

  “Yes, we were discussing the new wing for the hospital,” Ty said, the tension palpable.

  Obviously embarrassed by their public kiss, Jessica’s face had turned a thousand shades of red. Ty grimaced. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth, making him want to kiss it again, then brush more kisses on the slight abrasion on her cheek where his beard had chafed her. And he’d unfastened that clip in her hair so the beautiful tresses lay in a tangled web around her shoulders.

  Damn. He’d ne let a woman rattle his composure before.

  She looked loved and all sexed-up, like she belonged to him. He wanted to take her in his arms and finish what they’d begun.

  Was he an idiot? A glutton for punishment. He’d only known the woman a few days. Hadn’t he learned anything from Paula?

  “I thought I advised you against that deal,” Bridget said.

  It took Ty a minute to steer his mind back on track. Oh, yeah, the business deal. “You did.” Leaning back in the chair with a nonchalant attitude, he added, “But I’ve been looking over the books, and I think we can make it work.”

  “Is this how you close all your deals, Dr. Stovall?” Bridget cut her scathing gaze toward Ty. “And is she the reason you’ve been avoiding me?”

  Jessica’s mouth gaped open.

  Ty saw red, but he managed to keep his voice a low, lethal tone. “That’s enough, Bridget.”

  “I should go,” Jessica said, suddenly standing.

  Ty reached for her hand. “Jessica, wait.” He angled his head toward Bridget. “Unless there’s an emergency, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave us alone for a minute.” He remembered Dex’s advice. “And by the way, I need the monthly reports a little early. Could you work on those for me?”

  Bridget gave Jessica a menacing look, then frowned at Ty, turned and stormed away.

  Jessica’s fingers trembled as she released Ty’s hand and tucked her hair back inside the clip. A few people had noticed and were staring, so he coaxed her to sit down, and lowered his voice.

  “Jessica, look I’m sorry. Please don’t leave upset, let’s talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about, Dex.”

  Like cold water to a flame, hearing his brother’s name doused any remnants of hope lingering from the intimate moment.

  “We made a business deal, and we should leave it at that.” She reached inside her purse for her wallet, but Ty glared at her, daring her to offer to pay, and she slipped it back inside. “Thank you for lunch. Just let me know when you come up with the final figures.” She extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure working with you.”

  He swallowed and shook her hand, knowing she was right to keep their relationship on a business level. He didn’t like this attraction brewing between them—or want it. He had too much to do here and back home to get tangled up with her.

  And he’d make sure when he saw her again that their relationship reverted back to the way it was before—strictly business.

  JESSICA WAS MORTIFIED. Not only had she forgotten her vow to keep her arrangement with Dex professional, she had been caught making out with him in public by the barracuda.

  The news would probably hit the hospital grapevine in nanoseconds. And when Dex moved onto another woman, as she he would, she’d receive those pitiful sympathetic looks. Poor Dr. Stovall. Why couldn’t she hold a man?

  She couldn’t handle the gossip again.

  She had to get herself under control—even if she wanted to tear Dex Montgomery’s clothes off and make love to him right in the middle of town.

  And even if her heart was begging her to trust him.

  She hadn’t trusted anyone in a long time.

  As much as she hated to be the exact type of person Dex had described earlier, the kind that only wanted something from him—money—she had to stick to her resolve. Because money was the only thing she could take from him.

  No more kissing Dex. No more touching him. And no more dreams of being in his arms.

  TY COULDN’T STOP thinking about Jessica.

  But he could not repeat that kiss. He was making too much of this infatuation anyway. His crazy behavior was probably a result of being out of his element. It wasn’t as if he’d never kissed a girl before. Only it had been a long time. And there hadn’t been anyone special since…since when?

  Since Paula had made a fool of him.

  He’d have to look around town when he got home. Maybe he could find a girlf
riend at one of the dances. One who liked country music and country dancing and country life. Then he’d be laughing himself silly that he’d even entertained the idea of kissing a woman like Jessica Stovall. Chad and Court would probably laugh their asses off.

  Determined to find an answer on the exact funding the Montgomerys could offer, he spent the afternoon studying the company’s financial records, investments, debts and plans for future projects.

  By five o’clock, a massive headache pounded at his temple and his eyes were blurry from deciphering numbers. But he had found a few items he could trim from their budget, mainly champagne breakfasts and expensive gifts. There were a couple of smaller accounts labeled B&B. He made a mental note to ask Bridget about them.

  He was thankful she’d buried herself in her office beneath the monthly reports and hadn’t yet surfaced. Maybe he’d speak with his grandfather about the accounts tonight.

  He also had an idea for a fund-raiser he wanted to hash over with Jessica. He’d already phoned to talk to her about it, but she’d hadn’t called him back.

  He had a feeling she wouldn’t.

  With a long sigh, he turned off the computer. He intended to keep his promise and visit the hospital kids for story time tomorrow. According to the nurse he’d spoken with earlier, Jessica usually dropped in to visit around lunchtime. If he was lucky, maybe he wouldn’t run into her. Then he could get a handle on his libido and put it back in its cage where it belonged.

  And then he could focus on his plan, return to Montana and get on with his life.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, Ty pulled on Dex’s gym clothes, determined to master the treadmill today. After all, he’d ridden bucking bulls before and tamed wild horses; he could at least walk on a treadmill without killing himself.

  Afterwards, he would shower, speak to his grandfather and Bridget about those accounts and go to the hospital to visit Jessica.