Heart & Hope (Rosewood Ranch #2)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

REED

I sit on the end of the hotel bed, dressed up in a suit and bow tie. If my buddies saw me now, I’d be the laugh of the town, or at least the bar. I can just see the look on Mack’s face if he knew where I was and what I was doing. I spin the wedding band on my finger, staring at the carpet.

The bathroom door opens, and Ruby steps out.

The air in my lungs disappears as I stand. Electricity flings through my veins, sending my heart into a gallop as I run my gaze over her in those red heels she loves. The black dress she wears molds to her shape, the sweetheart neckline highlighting her breasts, small cap sleeves, and the skirt finishing above her knee. She’s all class.

Her hair is curled and swept around her neck to one side. Her brown eyes, smoking with a little eye shadow, render my voice useless.

And when she smiles at me and spins for me to see the low-scooped back that shows off the small of her back, a keening noise slips from my throat. She laughs and comes back around with an elegant wave of her hands. “Think it will earn the Mary-Sue stamp of approval?”

I take a step toward her. “Baby, you look...”

She closes the distance between us and fixes the bow tie I didn’t realize needed fixin’. The ring on her finger shines. Another one with a small cluster of diamonds sits beside it. That’s new. And more legit, I guess, and I kick myself for missing the chance to fix that little issue myself.

“Thanks,” I rasp.

“You’re welcome, sweet man.”

Something low in my gut flips. This isn’t supposed to be real. It isn’t supposed to feel like this.

“Oh, shoot. I forgot my perfume.” She ducks back inside the bathroom and sprays something that trails to the bedroom. When she pops back out, the scent surrounds us.

Strawberries.

This woman is stunning, head to toe. And the fact that she is incredibly smart and talented at the thing she loves most sends a warmth through my body.

We make our way down to the enormous ballroom. When the ushers at the door wave us in, she stops still, and I slide my hand into hers. “You did good, Rubes. This is magnificent. Breathe.”

Her hand squeezes mine, and she glances up and nods.

A heartbeat later, Mary-Sue is by her side. They chat logistics for catering one last time before Ruby assures the older woman that everything has been checked and triple-checked, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I know she worries about every last detail and the clients being happy with each aspect of her planning.

The entrée comes around, and I take enough for me and Ruby, ensuring she has the chance to eat as the night goes on. When we are seated for the dinner course, she is making conversation with the owner Bill. His attention slides to where I sit, and he nods. “Hi there, you must be Mr. Robbins.”

“Absolutely. Great to meet you, the name’s Reed. Bill?”

I shake his hand, and he starts talking about business numbers and some other boring things I pretend to be interested in.

“What business you in, Robbins?”

Ruby and I haven’t talked about our backstory or what I am supposed to tell people. So I wing it and hope it doesn’t land us in trouble. “Few things, but real estate, mainly. Have a few clients over by Lewistown, so this trip was good for both of us.”

Not a total lie. I do have a vested interest in land and the ranch I now own. And Harry owns more again, so real estate fits.

“Keeping you busy then, hey?” Bill asks.

“Yup. Always busy. But it keeps me occupied while Rubes takes on the world.”

Bill laughs and slaps my shoulder. “Until the day you make her a mother, buddy. Then you’ll be the one bringing home the bacon. The way it should be.”

I clench my jaw and glance over at Ruby. How the hell does she work with this complete douchebag?

I pick up my beer and take a swig. “Excuse me.”

I stand and bend over Ruby’s shoulder. “Heading outside for a minute, baby.”

Her fingers brush over my knuckles as she nods, not breaking eye contact with the woman she is talking to. I wander outside. I can’t stand another minute sitting next to the chauvinistic old shit. I wouldn’t take away Ruby’s—or any woman’s—career so I can bring home the bacon .

What an asshole.

Outside is the pool area that meets the outdoor café area we sat at yesterday. Tonight, the shrubs and palms are lit up with fairy lights. The pool is lit up with rainbow lights. Soft music plays outside as it does inside. A few guests mill about, but most are too busy talking to notice me. I tug at my bow tie and suck in a breath.

Chlorine races into my senses as I lean over the pool fence and hang my head for a moment. Clacking heels behind me see me lift my head and turn back. Ruby closes the distance between us. “You okay, Reedsy?”

Looking back inside, I shove my hands in my pockets before meeting her gaze. “Yeah, I’m alright.”

“Good. Another half hour or so, and we can go back upstairs. I know this must be getting old.”

She gestures between us.

She means this fake marriage thing.

“Nah, it’s fine. Just needed some air. Bill’s kind of?—”

“He’s an ass. But Mary-Sue is nice. I’m focusing on that.”

I chuckle. “I see your coping strategy, Ruby Robbins, and raise you one.”

“Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?”

“Dance with me?”

“Reed, I’m working.”

“I know. It’s only three minutes or thereabout. You are allowed breaks, aren’t you?”

“I—”

I press a finger over her lips as Mary-Sue walks up behind her. “No buts, Mrs. Robbins. We’re dancin’.”

As we pass Mary-Sue, Ruby glances at me, lips parted in a covert oh .

I wink at her, and she takes my hand and bumps her shoulder into my side. The second we reach the dimly lit dance floor and the soft music plays, I pull her into my hold. How long have I waited to do that?

I hold her hand and spin her around. Mary-Sue and Bill watch on, a lovestruck expression on the older woman’s face. Bill simply shrugs with a smug smirk before walking back to the bar. A few other couples move onto the dance floor. We move around them all, trying not to bump into other people.

Ruby rises to her tiptoes, bringing her mouth to my ear. “Thank you.”

I tighten my hold on her and dip my head. “Anything to see you smile, baby.”

A grin lights up her face, and I twirl her out, holding her hand and pulling her back in. She rolls back and lands at my chest with a palm splayed over my heart. I step back and take her with me. We have a comfortable rhythm when I crash into a guy behind me. I turn back to apologize.

But a familiar face greets me.

Fuck.

“Rawlins, what are you doing here?”

Justin fucking Morley.

Of all the assholes to grace this place with their presence. If he doesn’t keep his mouth shut, he’s going to blow my cover. Our cover. Ruby’s job.

“Same as you, Morley.”

“You’re invested in the inn, too? Or was it your father?” His gaze darts around, as if Harry could be somewhere in the room.

“Nope, only me.”

Ruby’s hand moves on my jacket. “Ruby, this is Addy’s old boss, you remember?”

She doesn’t move to acknowledge Morley. “Yes, I remember.” Her voice is almost vicious, and I tamper the smile that wants to stretch my face.

“Ruby?” Mary-Sue calls from behind us.

“Later, Rawlins,” Justin says, swinging his dance partner, who has been ignored this whole time, away from us.

We turn back to face Mary-Sue.

“Rawlins?” Confusion twists her face. “Ruby?”

“Yes?” Ruby pulls out of my hold, dazed. She looks like she’s going to be sick.

Mary-Sue glances from me to Morley. The shithead has all but blown our story to the heavens. With a glance at our hands, I’m guessing she is scanning for the wedding bands. God, these people really have some nerve.

“If you’ll excuse us, Mary-Sue. I’m going to take my wife and turn in early.” The words are sand in my mouth. Like I would be able to look at myself in the mirror ordering any woman around like she had no choice in the matter, no say in what we do.

“I’m sorry, I have a splitting headache.” Ruby rubs her temple and leans into me.

“Very well. I will catch you two tomorrow sometime. Good night.” Mary-Sue’s gaze is still alternating between us and Morley, face pinched.

Sweet Jesus.

“Night.” I can’t get Ruby out of that room fast enough. She’s quiet all the way back to the elevator. And when we stop at the silver doors, I smash a finger into the Up button. She takes her hand from mine, putting a step between us.

Fuck.

I run a hand through my hair and turn to apologize. But I slam my mouth shut when Mary-Sue is walking toward us in a hurry.

Here goes . . .

“Ruby! Honey, you forgot your purse.”

“Oh, thank you, Mary-Sue.” Ruby takes her purse from her client and offers a smile.

Mary-Sue glances between us and frowns. “Do you know the Rawlinses from Lewistown?”

Sweet Jesus.

“Nope, don’t think so.” I push the button again.

She steps closer. “My cousin went to high school over there. There was a Harry Rawlins in her grade. Nice enough guy, bit rough around the edges for most people. But she always spoke highly of him. I think she was sweet on him in senior.”

“Still not registering. Sorry, not sure how it’s related to Robbins?” I say, desperate to throw her off the trail.

“Oh well, must be getting my wires crossed. Night, you two.”

When the woman is out of earshot, Ruby curses. “She’s on to us, Reed.”

Worry floods her gaze. I have to fix this. Mary-Sue is milling about in the lobby as if waiting to catch us in a lie.

“Rubes.”

She turns back to me, and I take her hands as the elevator bings. “Don’t let her doubt you, not for a minute.”

She looks up at me. “How do I make sure she doesn’t?”

Mary-Sue is straightening the business cards at the front desk, obviously watching us. Waiting for a sign our story isn’t right.

“You trust me, baby?” I say softly.

When her brown eyes find mine, she breathes, “Yes.”

I take her face in my hands and cover her mouth with mine. Her soft lips are like silk. My body automatically presses into hers. She tastes divine. Sweet, fruity like the wine she was drinking and something very Ruby. Her fingers tangle in the opening of my shirt, and heat coils in my core, sending my cock hard in a heartbeat.

When Ruby breaks away from the kiss, I stay frozen, still holding her face. Still pressed against her. She’s breathing heavy. So am I.

A small smile pops over her stunned face. “That ought to do it, Reedsy.”

“Yeah, that did it,” I rasp.

The elevator doors swing open again for the third time since it binged. She pulls me inside. But the second the doors meet, she drops my hand, and a blush covers her neck and face. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I kind of thought that might come up eventually.”

She huffs a strained laugh.

“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. It was the only thing I could think of to solidify our story.”

“No, it was a good strategy. Thank you.” Her words are breathy.

When we reach our level and step into the hallway, she walks to the door and opens it with the card. When I step through after her and shut the door behind me, I lean on it. She kicks off her heels and reaches under her shoulder as she tries to undo the zip. It doesn’t budge.

I close the space between us and put my hand over hers. “Let me.”

Her hand lowers, and she sweeps her hair around her neck, away from the zipper, lifting her arm. I tug at the zip. It’s tough, but it comes away a heartbeat later. I pull it down a few inches to start and drop my hand. She catches my hand and lifts her brown eyes. “Thank you.”

Her breathing is ragged as we stare at each other for the longest heartbeat.

I step away and slide the jacket from my shoulder and rip the bow tie from my neck before undoing the first three buttons of the shirt.

“I think I need a shower,” Ruby mutters and disappears into the bathroom.

What I need is a cold shower.

A long, cold, sobering shower.