His thigh was still braced between hers, still pressed intimately against her body, still drawing a completely inappropriate reaction from her.
Why? he asked.
I dont know, she nearly wailed. What had happened? Why had they combusted like that? They barely knew each other.
I mean, why is it nuts?
Because She struggled over the question, not finding a satisfactory answer. At least, not one that she could share with him. Its you, and its me. And were She couldnt find the words.
Attracted to each other? he finished for her.
Apparently, she responded dryly.
He let his thigh fall away, and she nearly groaned with the sensation.
Stephanie would be pleased, he pointed out.
Melissas gaze darted to the window, suddenly wondering who had seen what before they moved away. What if Stephanie had seen them?
Nobody saw a thing, said Jared, guessing her concern. They were too busy running from the storm.
The rain had turned to a steady drum, while thunder and lightning punctuated the darkened sky. The yard was empty, everyone having taken shelter in one of the buildings. Horses were huddled in small groups, most of them under run-in shelters, some in the larger pens moving into the shelter of the trees. Tarps still billowed, cracking and snapping in the wind.
Jared gently stroked his thumb across her swollen bottom lip, making her desire flare all over again. Our secret is safe.
She gazed into his eyes, unable to hide her renewed longing. And try as she might, she couldnt bring herself to walk away.
His eyes darkened further and his voice went husky. You want to make it an even bigger secret?
Six
Before Melissa could even open her mouth, Jared knew to retract the question.
Im sorry, he quickly told her. That was way out of line.
He was her boss. Just yesterday hed threatened to fire her, more than once, if memory served. He had absolutely no business propositioning her. It was unprincipled, immoral, probably illegal in most states.
It wasnt
It was. He forced himself back, hands tightening by his sides as he put some distance between them. The torrential rain was still dripping through the open windows, and he slammed one window shut, then the next and finally the third, taking some of his frustration out on the inanimate objects. Hed never felt this way before, never desired a woman so quickly and thoroughly. Yet he was wrong to feel this way, and he had to make it stop.
Jared? Her voice was tentative, and he felt like a complete jerk.
He latched the final window, then turned back to face her. Her hair was wet, messy from his hands. The damp blue tank top clung to her breasts, highlighting her nipples. Her eyes were round, sea-foam green and confused.
Im mad at myself, he assured her. Not at you.
She took a step forward. It was my fault, too. How about we forget it happened?
Can you forget it happened? Hed give it a shot, but he wasnt holding out much hope.
Sure. She nodded, offering a small smile. Easy.
She seemed sincere, and he tried not to be offended. Maybe hed imagined their explosive passion. Maybe to her it had been a simple ordinary kiss. He gave himself a split second to ponder exactly who the hell else shed been kissing like that, but then he acknowledged that it was none of his business.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. Sure, he forced out, adjusting his damp shirt and raking his fingers through his hair. Well just forget it ever happened.
Melissa glanced down and plucked at her own wet shirt. Then she quickly folded her arms across her breasts. Just as well, Jared told himself. Her clinging clothes were turning him on. So were her swollen lips and messy hair.
You have a comb? he asked.
She shook her head. Its in my bag downstairs.
He realized they couldnt risk leaving the room with her looking like this, so he steeled himself against the inevitable reaction and moved toward her.
Her arms stayed protectively crossed over her breasts, so he reached for the hair clip. Ill just He raked spread fingers through the mess, straightening out the worst of it, wondering how hed ever manage to get the clip back in.
A voice called from the hallway. Jared? The door burst open, and Stephanie instantly appeared.
He and Melissa both jumped guiltily back, her covering her breasts, him holding her hair clip.
Stephanie stopped abruptly. Im sorry. But she didnt look sorry in the least. A broad grin grew on her face and her eyes sparkled in delight.
Barry Salmon and Hal Norris halted behind her. All three of them stared at the incriminating scene.
Jared inwardly groaned. Why the hell hadnt he kept his hands to himself? Melissas reputation was about to tumble over the falls and be washed down the Windy River. Why the hell hadnt he kept his hands to himself?
She was the first to speak. Its not what you
But he cut her off. I was inviting Melissa to join us for dinner, he told Stephanie, giving the two cowboys a warning glare.
I knew it! Stephanie beamed.
The rain blew right in the windows, he went on, to explain their appearance. Then he handed Melissa the hair clip. Thanks for your help.
She gave him a puzzled expression. Theres no need
He stopped her with a stare. There was every need to protect her reputation, not to mention his own. Shed be gone in a week. In the meantime, hed rather have the ranch staff think they were dating than carrying on a clandestine affair in the stable office.
He turned to his sister. Did you need me for something?
Royce just called, said Stephanie. Hes at the airport.
A day early? That surprised Jared. He hoped nothing was wrong.
And McQuestin called, Hal put in. Some of the herds still in the south canyon, and theres a risk of flooding down there.
Hal and Barry are going to take half a dozen men, said Stephanie, but her goofy gaze was still on Melissa.
Jared knew hed have to deal with his sisters letdown later. But at the moment, seeing the pure joy on Stephanies face, he was inclined to wait until they got through the graveside visit on Sunday. He wondered if Melissa would be willing to go along with the charade. It would definitely distract Stephanie from missing their grandfather.
Do you need me? Jared asked Hal. He hadnt played cowboy in a few years, but he was ready and able if they needed an extra hand.
Hal shook his graying head. Should be done by dark.
Jared gave the man a nod of acknowledgment. Then he looked at Stephanie. Ill be right down.
She all but winked in return as she pulled the door shut.
What are you thinking? Melissa demanded as the footsteps receded down the hall.
That you cared about your reputation. He stated the obvious.
This isnt 1950.
Its also not Vegas. Its Montana.
People dont kiss in Montana?
That you cared about your reputation. He stated the obvious.
This isnt 1950.
Its also not Vegas. Its Montana.
People dont kiss in Montana?
They didnt know we were just kissing.
But Melissa took a step back.
Your lips, he told her softly. Your hair, your clothes. You look like you just tumbled out of a haystack.
But we didnt do anything.
We thought about it, he told her gruffly. And it shows.
Her glance went down to her chest. Oh.
Yeah. Oh.
Melissa swiftly pulled her hair to the base of her neck and fastened it with the clip. What about Stephanie? You know what shes going to think.
Jared nodded. I wanted to talk to you about that.
Melissa raised her brows.
Would you mind playing along for a few days? Have dinner with us, pretend you like me, just enough to make Stephanie think theres a possibility well fall for each other.
Melissa seemed genuinely astonished. Why? Why would you do that to your own sister?
You saw how excited she was, Jared pointed out.
Yes. And I know how disappointed shes going to be when she finds out the truth. Not to mention how ticked off shes going to be at you.
Who says she has to find out?
Im leaving in a few days.
Thats perfect, he said. Itll get us through Sunday. Then well act like it didnt work out. Shell be disappointed, sure. But shell also be past the hard part of commemorating our parents deaths and remembering how much she misses her grandfather.
I dont think you can postpone grieving.
Sure, you can. You could postpone it. You could ignore it. And you could replace it. With, for example, anger.
Melissa shook her head. Im not comfortable with this.
Then, hed simply have to make her comfortable with it. How much are we paying you?
Minimum wage, why?
Ill double it.
You want me to ignore my principles and fake being your girlfriend for two times minimum wage?
Triple.
Jared.
Name your price.
Its not about money. Its about integrity. For some reason her voice trailed away on the final word. Her gaze focused on the window as she watched the rain streak down the pane of glass. Do you really think its best for her?
I do. He moved up behind her. He couldnt help but admire Melissas decision-making process. Do you think you could pretend to like me?
He saw her smile in the blurry reflection of the window. Im a pretty good liar.
Good to know. He restrained himself from resting his hands on her shoulders, even though he longed to touch her again.
She turned, and his desire ramped up. What do you want me to do?
Jared bit his tongue over the loaded question, but his expression obviously gave him away.
You. She poked him squarely in the chest. Have to promise to behave yourself.
I will. If you tell me what that means.
Her eyes narrowed. It means She seemed to stumble. It means not looking at me like youre the big bad wolf and Im carrying a basket of goodies.
Itll probably help the charade, he reasoned.
Itll make me jumpy.
It should, was his blunt answer.
Jared, she warned.
Ill behave myself, he promised. But itll help if you do a couple of things for me.
What?
Wear a gunnysack, and a veil, dont talk in that sexy voice and, for the love of God, quit smelling so decadently delicious.
Back inside her cottage, Melissa was all but shaking with reaction to Jareds words. And to his kisses. And to the overwhelming opportunity hed unknowingly handed to her.
She was having dinner with his family. Dinner with the Rydersa private meal where she could ask as many questions as she liked, about growing up, their ranch, their charity trust, their businesses.
She already knew the article would show them in a positive light. Both Jared and Stephanie were hardworking, successful people. The fact that they commemorated their parents deaths was admirable, and their grandfathers recent death would add a poignancy that readers would lap up like kittens with fresh cream.
She lowered herself into the armchair beside the cottage window, struggling to frame her thoughts. It was Friday today. Shed planned to give herself one more day, maybe two at the most, to gather facts at the ranch. Then shed have to rush back to Chicago and write the article in time to have it sitting on Seth Stricklands desk for Monday morning.
But that timetable was out the window now. Her greatest interview opportunities would be in the next couple of days. Which meant there was no way to be ready Monday morning. Which meant shed have to call Seth and confess.
She drew a breath, squeezing the fabric-covered arms of the chair as she tried to still her racing heart. She could only hope her editors excitement over the article would overrule his anger that shed lied to him.
She glanced at her watch. Two oclock. That made it three in Chicago. No time to lose. She pulled her cell phone out of her bag, pressing the buttons for his number. It rang three times, but then jumped to voice mail, giving her no choice but to leave a quick, vague message.
She replaced the phone in her bag when, over the sound of the continuing rain, she heard footsteps on the front porch. She glanced through the window to see Stephanie, a dripping white Stetson pulled low on her head, waving cheerily through the pane.
Melissa sighed inwardly. She wasnt ready for this. Being undercover to get a story was one thing, but leading Stephanie on was another thing entirely.
But Stephanie had seen her, and Melissa had no choice but to open the door. She crossed to the little foyer.
Hi, said Stephanie, beaming as she entered the cottage.
Melissa couldnt help but smile in return. The young womans grin was infectious.
I told you so, Stephanie sang, hanging her hat on one of a long row of pegs on the wooden wall.
The entry area of the cottage was practically laid out. There were pegs for coats and hats. A small bench beneath, with room for footwear under it, and a bright, woven Navajo rug decorating the wooden floor.
The foyer took up one corner of the small living room. The rest of the room boasted a simple burgundy couch, a leather armchair, a small television and two low tables with ivory lamps.
There was a compact kitchen beside the living room, a table and two kitchen chairs under the front window, and a door to a bedroom/bathroom combination on the far side. Melissa had to admit, she adored the brass bed and the claw-foot tub. And the oak tree outside the bedroom window rustled in the night breeze, while the muted roar of the river outside filled in the background.
Melissa took a step back to stay out of the way of Stephanies wet raincoat. Not that she wouldnt have to change clothes, anyway. Standing in front of the open window with Jared had been well, it had been amazing, of course. But mostly it had been foolish. And not just because shed ended up with wet clothes.
Stephanie kicked off her boots. Do you know how long its been since Jared invited a woman home for dinner?