Secret Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 4) (8 page)

“Too late, sweetheart. The money is deposited.” Seeing the disbelief on her features, he offered, “Do you need to see the ticket?” He held up a slip of paper.

She tugged at the hem of her skirt as if discomfort made her edgy. “Why would you do this?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He really didn’t owe her an explanation. He should walk. This was the time. Then he surprised himself. “Want to hash this out while I’m standing or should I sit down?” What the hell was wrong with him? Why would he sit? He’d come to tell her he bid for her, he guessed for the acknowledgment, and now she knew. He could go back to his room, have that steak dinner he promised himself, and forget Ruby existed. But deep in his soul, he knew he could never forget her, even if he reached in and cut out his own heart.

Her posture softened, and finally, she gave a quick nod. “Have a seat.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Ruby watched as he took the seat across from her. His large frame seemed to dwarf the wooden chair as he got comfortable. He examined her too, openly and without modesty. How had time been so kind to him? He hadn’t aged a bit. In fact, he was more handsome than ever. And here she was, lack of sleep had caused her permanent dark circles under her eyes and she had a muffin top that she called “Jack’s mark”.  Not that she was complaining. She loved her new body.

The way he looked at her, like he could lap her up in one swift lick, sent her adrenaline rushing. He’d practically fried the fine hairs on her arms with his heated stare.  No one had ever looked at her that way. In fact, she suddenly felt stupid for walking away from him as she had so long ago. What woman gave up on a cowboy who had everything, looks and kindness, so easily? And carrying his child to boot. Age had made her smarter in many ways.

Too late to change the past.

She couldn’t deny that her body still responded to him. The emotion scared her. She wanted to flee. Being near him came with risks. He made her feel funny—like a raging beast lurked in her body, begging to be set free.

And then there was the part—the very huge part—of her keeping a secret from him. Not just a secret, but a life.

Reaching for her fancy goblet of water, she downed it in one gulp.

“Need something stronger?” he asked, one corner of his mouth lifting, teasingly.

“Yes, I think I could.” She wasn’t much of a drinker, but for now, she needed something to ease the tension and to keep her from falling over from nerves.

“What would you like?” He was already waving the waitress over.

“A glass of red wine, please,” she said to the young woman in the white starched shirt and blank expression.

“I’m in the mood for steak. How about you?” he asked.

She didn’t much care what she ate, if she could eat anything. “Sure.”

He ordered for them both and the waitress left. He still watched her and her stomach fluttered. The waitress brought their drinks, a scotch for him and her wine. She sipped the liquid bravery, controlling herself from downing it like she wanted.

“We’re not really going to sit here and eat, right?”

“And miss the opportunity to catch up?” he said.

“Coming from the same guy who earlier acted like he couldn’t stand me.”

He shrugged. Did she hear a seam break? “How is it that you’re still single, Ruby?”

“Why do you think that I am?” Would he leave if she pretended she had a partner?

“No ring. And if you were mine no way would I allow another man to bid for a date with you.”

She swallowed. “I haven’t had much time for dating.” He brought his glass to his lips, drinking, and she watched his mouth, remembering how they’d made the same shape on her nipples. She took another drink.

“I’m not sure why I feel a sense of pleasure knowing you haven’t met the love of your life.”

“Misery loves company. What about you? What happened between you and your fiancé?”

One corner of his mouth curled. “She wasn’t you.”

Was he teasing her?

Her cell buzzed and she looked at the screen. “My sister.” She clicked on the message from Violet…

“I see you. Now, this is serendipity. Long lost cowboy bids for you.”

Ruby scanned the restaurant, spotting Violet sitting by the window with her companion, a burly, cowboy with a goatee. “Looks like my sister caught herself a mean-looking fellow.”

Jobe twisted in the chair, following Ruby’s gaze. “Ahh, he looks mean, but I promise, she’s safe.”

“You know him?” she asked.

“Been friends with Keefer for years.”

Ruby felt some relief. “Give me just a minute.”

“Take your time.” Jobe slumped back into his chair.

Ruby held the phone away from his watchful gaze as she typed into her phone…

“This isn’t a romance novel. Concentrate on your own date.”

And she hit send.

“Is she worried about you?” Jobe rubbed his smooth jaw.

“Quite the opposite. I’m more worried about her.”

“Keefer is harmless.”

Maybe I got the wrong date.
“Isn’t that what all men say?” Jobe was anything but harmless to her senses, and her body. The waitress brought their meal and she was happy for the intrusion. She cut into her juicy steak, popped a piece into her mouth and chewed. “Oh, wow. This is delicious.”

“I can’t complain.” His eyes lingered a little too long on her mouth.

“Jobe, I can’t repay you for your bid, but—”

“Is that what you think I want?” He sighed, one thick brow snapped up.

“I’m still confused on why you did bid?” She took another drink, eyeing him over the rim.

“Is it really that confusing?”

She dug into her sweet potato, piled high with butter and brown sugar. Her mouth watered before she even tasted it. “No, maybe not. The fundraiser is for a good cause.”

“True, but that isn’t the only reason.”

Her throat constricted. “Then why?”

“I couldn’t let you end up in the hands of just anyone.”

“I guess I owe you a thank you.” She sat back in the chair, willing away her emotions. “This was a little—a lot—outside of my comfort zone, but I see why it’s a success each year.”

He nodded and chewed. “No thank you needed. To be honest, I’d planned to show up here just to say hi and then walk away.”

She laughed. “I would have been highly disappointed if you’d done that.”

“You pulled the rug out from underneath me,” he said in a raspy whisper that sent sparks through her bloodstream.

“Seeing me on stage?”

“Leaving without saying goodbye.”

She locked her gaze with his, flames coming alive in her stomach. “Let’s not talk about that.”

“I think it’s too late to pretend it wasn’t spoken aloud.”

The past was there, between them, like a black hole. It couldn’t be ignored. “I knew we had no future.” She wanted to make it as simple as possible.

He dropped his fork and wiped his mouth with the white linen napkin. “But no goodbye. No “kiss my ass”. Pretty selfish, Ruby.”

“I did tell you I didn’t think it was a good idea that we see each other again.” She drained her glass of wine. The waitress was there to refill it. Sipping her second glass, her blood started to warm and her head turned woozy.

“I just didn’t think you really meant it. At least I’d hoped.”

“A woman knows when it’s time to make her exit.”

“Are you intentionally being vague?”

“I had to get back home, Jobe. No matter what I say it won’t change what happened.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny. She could tell him the truth, blurt it out here in the middle of the restaurant, but her timing always sucked.

“I heard about your mother and father passing. I’m sorry.”

The sincerity she saw in his gaze tugged her heartstrings. “Mom was in a lot of pain and I hated seeing that, but life hasn’t been the same without her—especially wasn’t for my dad. I do believe he’s proof that a person can die of a broken heart.”

“Understandable. That sets the bar high, you know, when it comes to finding a love of your own.”

She met his gaze, her knees clanking together. “I could only hope for a love like they had.” Had someone turned off the air? The room became stuffy.

“You got to give a man a chance first.”

Nope, not going down that path.
“I really wish you wouldn’t have bid on me. That’s a lot of money.”

He smiled and his eyes twinkled. “Hey, at least we get to have dinner together, even if you’re not very happy.”

She sighed. “You’re determined to make me feel guilty aren’t you?”

“A person can only feel guilty if they have reason.”

Her stomach dropped. “I guess so.”

The waitress stopped to ask if they needed anything. Jobe smiled—his charming smile that could make a woman melt into a puddle of lust. “Bring me your best chocolate dessert. And two forks.”

When she brought the plate, Ruby stared at the delicious cake, smothered in chocolate sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. She gained five pounds just looking at it. Jobe sank his fork into the richness and he pointed his fork toward her. “You try first and tell me what it tastes like.”

She wanted to deny the offering, but couldn’t. She leaned forward and took the bite. Ultimate pleasure bursts in her mouth. “Oh. My. Goodness. You’ve got to try.”

He took another piece, with the same fork, and brought it to his mouth. Knowing he ate off the same tines that she had in her mouth made her nipples pebble. There was an indescribable seduction in sharing dessert.

She drained the rest of her wine with the last bite of the cake. The golden light of the flickering candle cast a hazy glow on Jobe’s face and the earlier roughness was now gone. The connection she’d felt the first time she’d met him remained strong, an undercurrent dragging her out into an ocean of memories, tossing them into the storm of emotions.

Ruby couldn’t help but wonder how different things could have been between them if she’d told him the truth. But fate had separated them, and the past remained in the past. There were no do-overs, or second chances. She’d never thought she’d be having dinner with Jobe, and that he would be sitting across from her giving her a lady-killer smile and smoldering stare that made her core throb with desire.  She skimmed her gaze to where his shirt was rolled up on his muscular biceps. There was no forgetting how those strong arms had held her. His shoulders were broad and wide enough to carry the world. He was a real cowboy.

She’d found out that she had a lot in common with Jobe. They both loved their families and their home. They enjoyed sappy movies and pizza Fridays. They were different in ways too, enough to make things interesting. Ruby was high-spirited, while Jobe was easy going. She worked hard to appear strong and he had enough strength to make the bravest man cower.

The wine left her tongue unrestrained and the mood between them changed. “I’ve thought about you often.”

He arched an eyebrow. “That makes two of us.”

“You’re marrying material, Jobe Walters. I find it hard to believe some lucky woman hasn’t caught you.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. The same could be said for you.”

“Most men don’t want a package deal.” Once the words were out, she realized what she’d said. Shit!

“A package deal?”

“Yes…” She moistened her lips. “My career, I spend a lot of time at the computer, creating a fantasy world.”

He leaned forward, his gaze dazzling against the backdrop of his olive complexion. She could imagine, just for the time being, that she was the only woman in the world. No one had ever made her feel that special. “You just haven’t found a man who could handle you and your accomplishments.”

“My life has become quite boring.” She had changed so much when she became a mother. She guessed he hadn’t changed a bit. He was still a charmer and could make up to any stranger.

“You boring? No way. I don’t believe that for a second.”

She laughed, pressing her palms together. “I haven’t been out on one date since you.” He was so easy to talk to.