Page 8 of My Rancher Valentine

I took Beau’s hand and turned toward Dallas. Just like his sister Maddie, he was a saving grace. Not only had he gotten us away from Devon, but if they had started fighting, Dallas was big enough that he could step in and break them up.

“What was really going on?” He asked when we rounded a corner and were almost at the door.

“I’m not sure, but I walked up in time to hear Kat here threatening to kick Devon’s ass.” He looked down at me. “What did he do to get you that mad, Kitten?”

I let the name go this time. “Same as always. Not understanding the word no.” I didn’t mention the hand thing.

Beau stopped walking and faced me. He brought his hand that wasn’t holding mine up to the side of my face and brushed his thumb over my cheek. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No.” The words were a struggle to get out. Beau might have his moments, but there wasn’t a soul alive that could argue he wasn’t one of the most attractive men god ever gave breath to. And his touch. He had never focused his attention on me this strongly. Turned out I wasn’t as immune as I thought I was.

“Good.” He put his arm around my shoulders and looked over at Dallas. “What’s Vic doing tomorrow?”

“Probably showing Halle around,” Dallas replied with a laugh. “That’s most of what he did today, and it’s pretty much his agenda every day they are together.”

“That’s the new girlfriend, right?” Beau asked.

Dallas nodded. “Yep. Did you meet her yet?”

“No, but I was wondering if he wouldn’t mind extra company.” He squeezed my shoulder.

“I’m sure Vic and Halle wouldn’t mind Kat tagging along as long as she doesn’t mind being a third wheel.” Dallas’s smile grew. “Nothing personal, Kat. They just have a tendency to get a little caught up in each other. Trust me.” He shook his head.

“I don’t need a babysitter.” I stepped away from Beau. He was taking this fake relationship thing way too seriously. “Besides, I have a job to do, and Devon isn’t going to stop me.”

“Kitten.”

“I told you not to call me that.” All warm thoughts toward Beau were quickly evaporating.

“Kat.”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. Now let’s go get this dinner over with before I change my mind.” I stormed off toward the parking lot.

I wasn’t necessarily mad that Beau tried to get me a bodyguard or that he called me kitten. No. I was upset with myself that I actually felt something other than annoyance when he touched me. That was definitely not part of the plan and if I didn’t snap it in the bud right now, there was no telling the damage Beau Wynters could do.

Chapter 4

Beau

Icouldn’t tell if Kat was still pissed at Devon or me, and you would think with two older sisters, I would know a little something about women. Nope. All I knew was that she hadn’t said a word since we got into my truck. That was a pretty good indicator that she had to still be pissed off.

She could also be upset because I asked about Vic watching out for her, but taking care of my people was something my parents ingrained in us as kids. Never let it be said that any of the Wynters treated anyone like crap. How many times had my father told me it didn’t matter how much money you had? You weren’t a man worth respect unless you respected others, and you took care of those that depended on you and could care for themselves. I knew Kat wasn’t dependent on me for anything but for the time being, she was my “fiancée”. I wouldn’t let anyone treat an acquaintance the way Devon treated her, let alone my girl. No way in hell. If that annoyed her, then so be it. The best I could do was explain. Especially because I really needed this to work.

I turned right onto the same street as the restaurant. If I was going to fix this, then I needed to do something now.

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