Page 22 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

She blushed naturally enough and then placed a huge smile on her face. Cole guided them both off the floor and bypassed the table and headed for a quiet corner next to the bar where he ordered them both cold drinks. She gripped the glass to keep her hands steady and sipped the refreshing liquid.

Several people stopped by to offer more congratulations to the couple and Jesse was grateful when Uncle Joe and Katie appeared at their side.

“Don’t know about you, Katie, but we better get these two young people home before midnight. Emmie did give them a curfew as we left.” He winked at Jesse.

“Yes, she did,” Cole agreed. “Guess we better say our good nights to the hosts and not be late. Must set a good example for my daughter to follow when I allow her to date…when she turns thirty.”

They all laughed at that comment.

*

You had tokiss her… again.Cole had beat himself up all the way back to the ranch. Uncle Joe and Katie said their good nights on the front porch, and they left in their car a few minutes after their arrival. Cole had opened the house’s front door for Jesse, and she entered, then moved to the stairs. He called to her, and she stopped and turned on the first step, her hand on the railing beside her.

“Thanks again for the evening. And for being a good sport with the people tonight. They all meant well and just wanted to make you feel welcome.”

Jesse smiled. “They did try their best. And I know they were being very kind and the laughter and all was good fun. It was unexpected.”

“Still, you were a good sport. And I have thought a lot about the fact that you might think I should apologize for the kiss that precipitated it all. And possibly the other one in the parking lot. And then there was the one at the lake. So, you probably think I should say I’m sorry.”

“Well, if this is your idea of leading up to an apology, it is a little strange but…”

“I’m not apologizing.”

“Okay,” Jesse said, not sure what he was saying. “I’m not sure what I should say then except I didn’t expect an apology. You were just playing a part…we both were. People were watching and…”

“Not at the lake. Not in the parking lot. And the dance…well the others were the furthest thing from my mind at that moment.”

“I see.” But she didn’t.

“I didn’t play to an audience. It came because I simply wanted to kiss you. Not in the rule book probably. But I’ve never been one to play by rules. You didn’t seem to mind, but then again, you were probably doing your duty.”

Jesse knew he was watching and waiting for her reaction to what he had just stated. She always played by the rules on her assignments. But this one certainly felt different from the first moment. And he was a huge reason for that. She was a rule follower…except when those gray eyes were looking into hers and she felt herself drowning and air was hard to come by.

His hand reached out and snaked its way around the back of her neck. Standing almost on equal footing, it was easy for him to draw her towards him. With an inch to spare, his whisper feathered across her slightly parted lips.

“No one is looking, and I am going to kiss you again.”

His lips found hers and drew them into his. Her hands reached to steady herself as they slid onto his shoulders. Jesse forgot about duty and all the reasons that she should go to her room.

The kiss deepened.

“Our daughter is asleep upstairs, and this is what I find going on downstairs. What an example for the child.”

They broke apart as if doused by cold water. A tall, willowy woman with long, black hair swept back from her face watched them. She wore a deep purple silky robe. Her eyes were dark and as piercing as a hawk’s talons.

“You always had rotten timing,” Cole said, there was a thread of contained anger in the deep timbre of his voice. “Jesse, this is my ex and the woman who gave birth to Emmie. And Madeleine, this is the woman I am going to marry. I trust you to remember you are just a guest here. Jesse belongs here. Now that we have that straight, good night.” He turned to Jesse and took her hand in his.

“I’ll see you at your door.” He did not glance back at the woman still standing in the same spot.

Jesse did dare a glance as she turned. And the look on the painted face was one of blatant hatred that caused her to turn away and walk with Cole to the upper landing and they were out of sight of the woman. Jesse felt a chill cross through her.

“Well, now it begins,” Cole whispered at her door. “Madeleine will do her best to upset the peace of this house. And whatever trouble she brought with her here, is the unknown factor.”

Jesse nodded. “And we are prepared. Now it is imperative that we do remember that nothing can be forgotten, no guards let down. And Emmie will be safe…I gave my word.”

Cole looked tired at that moment and sad, too. “Yes…no letting guards down. Not now. Good night, Jesse. Sleep well.” He turned and left her there, watching him disappear down the hall. She stepped into her room and shut the door. And she turned the lock for the first time since her arrival. But she knew well that no lock really worked against a danger if the intent was to inflict itself.

Chapter Eleven

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