Page 70 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

“I brought you another champagne, dear,” he said and forced the glass into her chest, his knuckles brushing her breast.

“Get your hands off my chest, Mr. Brady. You should be ashamed of yourself.” She didn’t step back, afraid it would look like weakness to him.

“Because I enjoy touching a beautiful woman?” He snorted, his hand staying against her.

“Because you have no right.” She bit out the words, “Remove your hand.”

His eyes widened, and then he laughed. “What happened to sweet, compliant Meredith?” He stepped closer, his hand going up and down the outside of her dress, curving around her boob.

“She killed a bear and therefore is no longer intimidated by you. This is my last warning.” She stepped aside and thrust his hand away, champagne splashing over the rim.

“Look what you’ve done.” He leaned close to her face,pinching her chin between his thumb and index finger. “I might have to spank you for that.”

A shiver of repulsion ran through her. Nothing about that sounded sexy. Every bit of it was meant to be controlling and demeaning.

Meredith stared him in the eyes. “I warned you.” She lifted her skirt. Lyle’s brows shot into his hairline, excited pleasure rippling over his face. Once her leg had enough room to move, she swung it back and kneed him in the groin, dropping him.

“I asked you to stop touching me. If you ever do it again, I will put more force into my swing. You understand me? And as for compliant Meredith? She got tired of being pushed around by people like you.” She didn’t wait for a response, but floated away, riding a magic carpet of pleasure and self-pride.

She felt good. Damn good. Next battle, Jace Shepard. She’d already told her father she wouldn’t live with him, but they could continue to talk and work on their relationship. She now needed to tell him that would have to happen in Wyoming. She was going home. She would tackle her fear of Jace not wanting her later.

She was halfway to the exit when she heard her name echo across the art gallery’s large, open room. She turned toward it, expecting to find her father and his anger. Jace stood by the bar dressed like he had the first day she met him. She blinked to clear her eyes, thinking it was a mirage.

Nope, it was him.

How crazy had she been to think this man wouldn’t suit her? To believe he might have been harsh without knowing anything about him. He walked toward her, his Stetson on his head, his face shadowed, but she didn’t need to see him in full light to know what he looked like. He was etched on her heart. She saw him everywhere she looked.

Now here he was. She met him halfway, swallowing the largelump of fear that had gripped her throat. It had to be good that he was here, right? He wouldn’t come all this way to give her a toothbrush, would he?

When they stood before each other, the chatter around them halted. Meredith crossed her arms over her chest and stood straight. “I have something to say to you, Jace Shepard.”

“I’m sure you do, but may I go first?” He took off his hat and brushed back his hair.

She fairly swooned, the stupid man, playing with her like that.

“Be my guest,” she said, hoping she sounded terse and not weak. She might throw herself on him at any moment.

“The other day, when you left, I meant to say something, but I neglected to.” He ducked his head then looked up at her.

Her heart slammed into her chest. The look of regret on his face was sending a signal she wasn’t sure she was reading correctly. It felt a lot like another break up.

“Well, get on with it.” She clenched her teeth so she wouldn’t cry.

“I meant to say I thought you should go and try to make amends with your father. Life is too short to have bad blood between you.”

She opened her mouth to tell him off. She already knew this, but he put his hand over her mouth to shush her.

“I also meant to say I would go with you if you wanted, but if it was something you needed to do alone, I understood. I want you to know that I’ll be waiting for you should you decide to come home.” He nodded once, kissed her cheek, and then stepped back. He turned on his heel and walked away.

Meredith’s mouth fell open as she processed his words. Was that a declaration of something?

“That’s it?” she called to his back.

He turned. “Pretty much.” He set his Stetson on his head. “You need something more?”

Time to go for broke. “Yes, actually.”

Jace nodded as if in thought. “I see.”

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