Chapter Four
Jessie followed Chase inside the elegant hotel, doing her best not to gape at the impressive lobby.
In the crush of people, Chase took her hand in his and led her to a conservatory where she clamped her jaw to keep her mouth from dangling open at the stunning holiday decorations. After she’d admired the elaborate display for several moments, he maneuvered them out of the packed area and back to the lobby.
“Hungry?” Chase asked.
Unable to find her voice, she merely nodded her head.
He guided her through throngs of people and over to a popular restaurant where they were quickly seated at a quiet table away from prying eyes.
She’d done her homework, reading every article she could find about Chase Jarrett and studying photos of him she found online. Regardless of what she’d learned, she hadn’t been prepared to meet him in person.
He was even more handsome up close than she’d imagined. In fact, when she’d walked down the aisle at their mock wedding, the rapid pounding of her heart and the butterflies taking flight in her stomach made her wish she was really about to become his bride.
Far taller than she’d expected, he stood a few inches above her, even with her wearing heels. His shoulders were broader than she pictured — his form more muscular.
She’d nearly tripped when she’d caught her first glimpse of him in that tuxedo, waiting with his friend and the pastor. The moment he’d smiled at her, her knees began to quake and her temperature spiked.
Momentarily concerned she might faint, she took a deep breath and blocked out everything except the words the pastor said. She had to or she never would have made it through the ceremony with hundreds of eyes watching her every move.
For a wedding that was entirely fake, she thought Ashley had done a fabulous job of hiring an actor who actually seemed to be a pastor. Since the ceremony wasn’t real, anyone could have conducted it, but Pastor Randall certainly knew what he was doing, so perfectly portraying his part.
Jessie did find it strange Ashley asked if she’d mind if her father walked her down the aisle. Thoroughly charmed by the kind man, she also enjoyed meeting his lovely wife. It was easy to see where Ashley got both her beauty and outgoing personality.
Although she assumed everyone knew the wedding was bogus, it generated a lot of interest. She’d noticed a television news crew filming part of it and there were multiple photographers. No doubt, the wedding would be big news among the rodeo circles Chase frequented. It certainly appeared to encourage his most ardent fans. Every time one of them tried to plant a kiss on his mouth and ended up pressing their lips to his cheek or chin, she had to work to contain an urge to giggle.
Thoughts of kisses made her knees quake again, recalling how much she’d enjoyed the kiss Chase had given her when the pastor pronounced them man and wife. It had been the single most wonderful kiss she’d ever experienced. Sweet, gentle, tender, and full of emotion, the kiss was everything a bride would dream of receiving on her wedding day. No wonder women fell all over themselves trying to get Chase’s attention.
Even during the brief reception, Chase had kissed her cheek or temple a few times, as if he truly cared about her. He’d been attentive and charming, obviously doing his best to make her feel special. She absolutely felt like she’d awakened in the midst of a wonderful dream.
If Jessie could have planned a wedding, it would have been nearly identical to what Ashley pulled off. The only difference would have been that Jessie would have held it outdoors on a warm spring day and there certainly would not have been hundreds of strangers in attendance.
But the archway of burgundy and champagne roses with greens, her bouquet of flowers, even the boutonnieres were exactly what she would have chosen.
The gown she wore was expensive and exquisite. She’d dreaded having to wear something tacky or gaudy, but she should have known from her conversations with Ashley that the woman would make sure everything held a measure of class. Had Jessie walked into a bridal shop with the ability to select any gown, the one she wore down the aisle would have been her first choice. Simple yet elegant, it fit her perfectly and made her feel like a princess in her very own fairy tale.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that she had a handsome cowboy prince at her side, at least for the day.
Convinced Chase would be an arrogant jerk, she was pleasantly surprised to find him polite and gentlemanly. In spite of her efforts to do otherwise, she couldn’t help stealing glances at him. With tousled blond hair, fascinating hazel eyes, and a mouth simply made for kissing, it was no wonder he set female hearts aflutter everywhere he went.
“Ready to order?” Chase asked, drawing her from her musings.
She blinked, realizing she’d been staring at him. “Yes, thank you.” She glanced through the menu and decided on a salad right before their server returned to their table with glasses of ice water and the soda Chase had ordered.
“Are you sure you don’t want anything else to drink? Even lemonade?” he asked after the server took their orders and picked up the menus.
“Water is fine. Thank you.” She took a sip of the cool liquid, wishing she could hold the icy glass to her cheeks. They felt like they were on fire as Chase continued to study her.
Curious, she considered what he saw when he looked at her. She wasn’t exactly an ardent fan or someone who was given to silly crushes. Did he see a plain, hardworking girl? Someone most men looked right past since Jessie wasn’t one who spent a lot of time doing her hair or fussing with her makeup.
Presumably, he was used to being surrounded with beautiful women, all vying for his attention and favor.
Well, if that was what he was waiting for, he’d probably be disappointed. Even if Jessie wanted to go all fangirl on him, which she most emphatically did not, she was too shy to ever do such a thing. After all, she was twenty-five, owner of her own successful business, and not given to public demonstrations of craziness.
The feelings stirred up by the cowboy sitting across from her definitely qualified as crazy. Perhaps even certifiably so. There was no other explanation for the relentless desire to lean across the table and kiss Chase’s tempting mouth or run her fingers through that thick blond hair.
Disturbed by the thoughts swirling through her head, Jessie shifted in her chair and took a deep breath. She could do this. She could make it through another… a quick glance at the chunky silver bracelet watch on her wrist gave her the time… four hours with Chase Jarrett. He’d leave her at the hotel where she’d change clothes and head to the rodeo to watch him ride.
If tonight went like the past two evenings, he wouldn’t even glance her way. And that was fine with her.
It was undeniably exciting to pretend to be married to the virile man for a few hours, but the charade would end at five. Tomorrow, she’d be back home, back to her regular, if not sometimes boring, life.
Jessie glanced up as the server set their orders in front of them.
“Is there anything else I can bring you?” he asked, giving Jessie a long glance.
She shook her head and smiled. “Everything looks great. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.” The server smiled at her with undisguised interest before he walked off.
Jessie couldn’t miss Chase’s scowl, but had no idea what put it there. She bowed her head and said a silent word of thanks for her meal before digging into the salad.
Aware that he’d been the one to initiate most of the conversation, she swallowed and watched as he cut off a bite of steak.
Sensing her perusal, he held up his fork. “Want a taste? It’s pretty good.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine with my salad.” She pointed to the strips of seared steak among the greens. “I’ve got plenty of beef right here.”
He grinned. “It’s nice to see you eat meat. Most of the girls I’ve shared a meal with the last year or two go on and on about the horrors of eating meat. I take it as a personal insult since I raise a little beef.”
“What type of cattle do you run?” she asked.
“Angus. They’re solid producers and perpetually in demand. I also raise rodeo bulls.”
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I bet that’s interesting. How many bulls do you have now?”
“Right at a dozen. I’m hoping to have one ready to enter in the big-time in the next year or two. For now, they compete at smaller rodeos, just to get in the practice.”
“And how many cattle do you have, other than the bulls?” Jessie took a bite of her salad, waiting for his answer. He gave her a curious glance and shook his head, as though he needed to dislodge some errant thought before he leaned back in his chair.
“I’ve got almost two-hundred head right now. I just bought a ranch back in the spring, so I plan to continue adding to the herd.”
She nodded. “That’s smart. How many acres is your ranch?”
“Almost three thousand acres,” Chase said, pride shining from his eyes. “I got a pretty good deal on the place. Most of the buildings were just one windstorm away from falling down and every fence on the place needed to be repaired or replaced. The soil is rich and we got a good wheat crop off it, as well as produced more than enough hay to keep my cattle fed.”
Jessie bit her tongue to keep from asking him questions about the soil type, if he grew winter wheat, and if he had any thoughts on the sustainable farming practices she’d read about in a recent article in a farming magazine. Already feeling out of her element, she decided talking about beef production and crop rotation probably wouldn’t impress her faux husband.
She had an idea he much preferred his women to be of ornamental value only. Derisively, she thought about how spectacularly she failed on that front. She wasn’t and would never be anyone’s arm candy.
A farm girl at heart, she’d never look glamorous or turn heads. She was a simple girl who wanted a simple life. Or so she’d thought up until Chase had kissed her. In that moment, something electric, magical, and completely unexpected zipped through her veins, leaving her puzzled and off-kilter.
“Do you have any ranch hands?” she inquired.
Chase nodded as he cut another bite of steak. “I have a few. Lucas, he was my best man today, is my ranch manager.”
At her questioning look, he smiled. “Lucas and I have been best friends for what seems like forever. When he got hurt, we weren’t sure he’d ever find his way past the mental and physical challenges. Then I bought my ranch and offered him the job. He was reluctant to take it, but his wife encouraged him. Lori is his right hand helper and his legs when there are places Lucas can’t go.”
Curiosity got the best of her and she set down her fork. “Did Lucas get hurt at a rodeo?”
“No,” Chase said, eating the bite of steak before he answered. “You’d think a bull rider who ends up in a wheel chair would have had some horrible wreck in the arena. Lucas was helping a friend with his feeding. He’d climbed up on top of the haystack to unfasten a tarp and took a step back on air. He fell onto a concrete feed bunk. We’re lucky he survived the fall. He lost the ability to walk, but he brings a wealth of knowledge to my ranch and I can trust him implicitly while I’m out on the rodeo circuit.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said, then felt like an idiot. “I don’t mean about him getting injured, I meant about your friendship and him working for you, giving you peace of mind to be gone while you rodeo.”
Chase chuckled and the sound, a deep rumbling from his broad chest, made her heart somersault in response. “I knew what you meant, Jessie. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without Lucas or Lori. What about you? What do you do?”
Jessie pushed an olive around on her plate, uncomfortable talking about herself. “I work in graphic design.”
Chase looked at her. “Didn’t Ashley mention something about you owning your own business?”
Jessie nodded. “Yeah, she probably did. My company is Rose Above Graphics. I design everything from book covers to promotional pieces for small businesses.”
“Cool,” Chase said, grinning at her. “Do you have a business card?”
Jessie opened her purse and took out a silver embossed business card case, handing one to Chase.
He studied it a moment, and then tucked it in his shirt pocket. “That’s a nice logo. I’ll give this card to one of my friends. His wife is starting up her own ad agency and she might have some freelance work for you.”
Surprised he’d be willing to share her information, she stared at him. “That would be great. Thank you.”
“No problem.” Chase took the last bite of his steak. While he chewed, he watched her. “Why Rose as part of your business name?”
She shrugged. “My middle name is Rose. It was my grandmother’s name. She always made me feel like I was somebody, like I mattered, when to most others I didn’t. So I named my company after her.”
Chase continued to watch her. Guilty that she’d shared as much as she had, she didn’t know why she’d said anything at all. Yet, the rodeo star sitting across the table from her was entirely approachable and so easy to talk to, she’d felt drawn out of the shell she generally retreated into around complete strangers.
“I like your logo, and your name. It suits you.” He gave her a rakish grin. “In fact, with those roses blooming in your cheeks, I can totally see how the name fits you.”
A deeper shade of pink suffused her cheeks, and Jessie ducked her head. The server returned to the table and took their plates, asking if they wanted dessert.
“None for me. How about you, Jessie?” Chase asked.
“No, thank you. The salad was delicious and filling.” She smiled at Chase then at the server.
“Glad to hear it. I’ll be right back with your bill.”
Jessie fussed with her napkin instead of looking at Chase.
“Is there anything you’d like to do or see this afternoon?” he asked, breaking the silence hovering between them.
“I don’t have anything specific I’d like to see. You really don’t have to escort me around, if there is something you’d rather do.” She figured the last thing he wanted was to spend the afternoon with a girl he probably found boring.
“Nah, I’m all yours.” He smiled when her eyes widened at his comment. “At least until five when I turn into a pumpkin.”
She nodded. “Everything here is a new experience to me, so I’ll let you decide where to go.”
Chase dropped cash on the table to cover the bill, stood, and held out his hand to her.
The moment her fingers grazed over his palm, she felt a jolt roll up her arm and down to her toes. At the startled look on his face, she wondered if he felt it too.
Most likely, her imagination conjured his reaction. He settled his hat on his head, placed a hand to her elbow, and guided her out of the restaurant.
“Well, if I’m playing tour guide this afternoon, I better show you some of the best highlights,” he said, hurrying her out of the hotel.
Four hours later, he slid out of a cab and held his hand out to her. The now familiar jolt still rocketed through her as soon as their hands connected, but she managed to keep the intensity of how his touch affected her from showing.
Chase opened the front passenger door of the cab, removed the bags he’d set on the seat, and closed the door.
“I can carry this stuff inside for you,” he said, easily holding the bags of souvenirs he’d purchased for her in one big hand.
“No, Chase, I’m sure you need to get going.” Jessie took the bags from his hands. “Thank you for one of the nicest afternoons I’ve ever had,” she said, meaning every word.
Chase had been kind, generous, funny, sweet, and so much fun. The hours she’d spent with him had flown by. They’d visited several famous attractions on The Strip, including the Fall of Atlantis and the High Roller Ferris Wheel. They stopped for dessert at a place that served waffles of every flavor and variety. The one she had with caramel-topped bananas and chocolate had been so delicious.
After that, he’d taken her to a massive cowboy Christmas vendor show. Despite her efforts to refuse the gifts he attempted to buy for her, he’d laughed and said he held the right as her temporary husband to pay for anything he liked. Most of it was silly souvenirs, but he had purchased a beautiful silver cuff bracelet with raised roses on it. The moment she’d spied it, she’d admired it. Chase caught her looking at it and bought it before she could argue. Reluctant to accept such an expensive gift, she’d tried to pay him for it. He shook his head and guided her along to visit more booths.
Now, as she observed him, she felt a tug at her heart that she’d never see him again. Oh, she’d see him ride at the rodeo, of course, but it wasn’t the same. Not when she stood almost toe-to-toe with him, lost in the bright light of his hazel eyes and the warmth of his smile.
He stared into her face for the length of several heartbeats before he spoke in a husky tone that made her toes tingle. “I had a nice time with you, too, Jessie. Thank you for agreeing to Ashley’s crazy plans and participating in the sham wedding. It was fun to spend the day with you. You’re a great girl and anyone would be lucky to have you as their real bride.”
Jessie blushed and would have backed away, but Chase’s callused palm glided along her cheek before he cupped the back of her neck, drawing her flush against him.
His mouth settled on hers in a soft, gentle kiss that lingered far longer than she anticipated. When she attempted to draw a breath, he deepened the kiss, wrapping both arms around her.
Feeling boneless as he captivated her with passionate kisses, Jessie forgot they were standing next to the curb in front of a posh hotel. She forgot about contests, fake weddings, and ridiculous publicity stunts. She forgot about being shy or shocked by his unexpected affection.
All she could think about was the man holding her close to his heart, one that pounded in time to her own. His woodsy, leather-tinged scent tantalized her senses as she melted against him, wishing she belonged with him — to him.
Finally, he drew back and shot her a puckish grin. “Thanks again for being my wife for a day, Jessie. If I had to do this, I’m really glad Ashley picked you.”
Before she could gather her thoughts enough to respond, he climbed in the cab and disappeared.
Heat seared her cheeks as she realized she’d just stood in front of who knows how many people and engaged in a kiss more sizzling than any she’d ever experienced. Any she’d ever dreamed of experiencing.
Embarrassed, yet oddly invigorated, she rushed inside and up to her room. She had to hurry if she wanted to get to the rodeo on time to watch her make-believe husband ride.