Riding Her Rancher Boss Page 15

  He let out a sigh of exasperation. “It’s not that.”

  “Forget it, Jared. Why hesitate with what you want?” She shook her head. “This wasn’t going to work. It was sex. Plain and simple.”

  “I know it started that way. We found something together and explored it. It was good. Memorable.”

  Her throat went tight. What did she anticipate, for him to admit that he loved her? No. Clearly this was one sided between them, and it was playing out how she should’ve expected. “And that’s enough for you?”

  “Yes.”

  She drew in a breath. Met his steely blue eyes. “You’re right. It was enough.”

  Again, she’d been impulsive and leapt into the situation without thinking of the potential consequences. She thought something had changed within her, but no, she was still afraid, still possessed that same insecurity when it came to love. She’d given herself to Jared and ranching with him had been beneficial to her career, but emotionally detrimental.

  She shouldered past him, grimacing from the brief contact of heat and the flare it aroused deep within. He still made her feel, and she wanted to hate him for that.

  “I’m not finished. You don’t have to go, Cassie.”

  Her heart wrenched. Far as she was concerned, there was nothing more to say yet she couldn’t leave without telling the truth. “I need to because I love you. Goodbye Jared.”

  With a beer bottle in hand, Jared took a long sip and let the cool liquid ease his throat. He couldn’t stop thinking about Cassie’s departure and how he’d messed up with what to say to her. Why had the words just lodged in his mouth and he was left as inept as last winter’s foal? Her admission of love had rendered him stunned.

  It’d been two weeks and he hadn’t attempted to contact her. There was no point. He’d screwed up and let her go, and for all he knew, she’d moved on with her new life in Spokane. Another thing to add to his list of damn regrets.

  “Your hardheadedness is your undoing, son.”

  Jared glanced up at his father. His knee was less bowed than it used to be, and the improvement in his vitality was heartwarming. Aware he was referring to losing Cassie, he had to say, “I was a fool.”

  His father took a seat beside him on the porch step. “We don’t see what’s right in front of us. Or if we do, we just dismiss it. Easier that way. Less painful.”

  Jared met his gaze, aware of a past connotation.

  “Things with your mom weren’t good for a long time. I never apologized for putting you through that, extending the pain when it was obvious the marriage ended years ago. None of that mess was because of you, ever. Hope you weren’t stupid enough to believe that.”

  He smirked. Well, there were times he’d thought of it from that perspective, but couldn’t bring himself to admit it now. “Nah, I understood.”

  “Then why act so conflicted? You’ve got a woman like Cassie. You love her. I know I wasn’t the best father I could’ve been to you and I’m trying to rectify that now. I was closed off, frustrated over my marriage, how I couldn’t show you how much I loved you. I wanted Mountainbrook to be your home.”

  His jaw slackened. Yeah, obviously he’d come to terms with his feelings for Cassie. And to hear his father’s apology was another blow. Years of tension had eroded away and he was fully aware of his father’s consideration and love. He was an idiot for not seeing it.

  He cleared his throat. “Mountainbrook’s always been home.”

  His father’s blue eyes clouded briefly. “Glad to hear that. And I’m proud of what you achieved in New York. I knew your ambition would take you to great heights. I just…missed having you around. Things were said that I didn’t mean.”

  “I forgive you, Dad. Being rejected by my parents, well, it’s a feeling that never truly fades. When you took me in, you pushed for me to take up the ranch as tradition required. I thought that’s what mattered to you more than anything.”

  “No, son. You do. I was willing to support whatever you wanted to do, but when you returned after my accident, I thought you’d leave soon after. You stayed. I knew then that it was different. You’re just burying your passion beneath some old dream you had long ago, a dream you don’t care much for now.”

  Jared gave a curt nod, having come to that realization himself. This conversation had been long overdue and losing Cassie had been the instigator. He had to rise up and claim her back. He would.

  “I’m not returning to New York. I’ve made the right notifications.”

  His father hesitated before giving him a hearty slap on the back. “About time. You’re free to be with Cassie, live out your days together here on the ranch, make it your own and settle down.”

  He had to smile. So his father did enjoy playing matchmaker. Yet his smile faded.

  “It’s too late. I’ve never been afraid to pursue what I want, but when she said she loved me, it blindsided me. I didn’t tell her how I feel.”

  His father chuckled. “She’ll forgive you. I’m sure of that.”

  Jared set his beer bottle aside. He’d drowned his sorrows for long enough and confronting the past with his father had left him emboldened. Love was worth the risk. Cassie was worth it. It was time to find the woman he loved and make the commitment he’d been running from.

  Cassie smoothed down her one shouldered lilac bridesmaid dress, taking a sip of her rose wine as she surveyed the perfectly manicured grounds. It was a cool night. The sounds of laughing guests and Sharon’s eclectic music lingered in the background.

  She briefly closed her eyes, a familiar tug in her chest reminding her of the man she loved. Why did Jared still infiltrate her thoughts? It was time to move on from him. He didn’t love her or want more from her than sex, and it was over. He’d moved to New York.

  Opening them, she saw a figure moving toward her on the expansive driveway. A late guest. She leaned against a marbled statue of an angel, ready to welcome him since she needed a break from dancing and her feet were screaming to be released from her four inch heels.

  The bright lighting illuminated his charcoal tuxedo fitted to a very attractive physique. He moved closer. Shadows clung to his chiseled face. Something about the way he walked seemed familiar….no, it couldn’t be.

  Her mouth went dry. She took a long drink but it didn’t help. Standing before her was none other than Jared Weston. His dark brown hair was neatly combed, free of his Stetson, and his blue eyes gleamed softly. Nothing had changed. Heat rushed to her face. She still reacted exactly the same as the first time they’d met. And now he was here.

  “This is an impressive venue.”

  A man of few words that masked profound emotion. Before she could ask how he’d found her, he cut in, “Saw the advertisement for your sister’s wedding online. I could’ve waited to see you after, but I believe you mentioned needing a plus one.”

  Back when she’d painted a rosy picture of their relationship. She’d resigned to never seeing him again and had held in her tears to watch her sister’s happiness be bound in marriage. Here he was, threatening to undo it all. To undo her.

  She folded her arms. “How was the flight from New York?”

  “I came from the ranch.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. He’d stayed in Sandpoint? Hearing the clatter of heels approaching from behind, she turned to see her sister, beaming and looking beautiful in her wedding dress with her blonde hair tied back in an elaborate do.

  Sharon glanced at her uninvited guest. “Oh, you must be Jared. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Nice to finally meet you, ma’am.”

  Her husband came to her side. His smile faded. “Jared Weston. Haven’t seen you in a long time. Hoped I wouldn’t.”

  Cassie raised an eyebrow. “You two know each other?”

  “We go way back. Jared used his high society connections to land me what he called a prominent deal. I took it. Worst mistake of my life.”

  Sharon placed a hand on Matt’s arm. “Darling, not now
.”

  “I’m asking you, politely, to leave.”

  Jared nodded, his gaze falling on Cassie. “I’ll be right out here.”

  She bit her lip, recognizing that determined glimmer in his eyes. He wasn’t going to leave. And part of her didn’t want him to.

  Jared retreated a few steps and turned his back. Resigning to the fact that she wouldn’t see him for another hour or so, Cassie gave Sharon a smile before heading inside.

  She returned to her white silk laden table and set her empty glass down. It was tempting to get a refill to drown her sorrows. That would achieve nothing but repress her pain from seeing Jared again. He hadn’t given up on her and it left her conflicted after his earlier reluctance.

  Glancing around, she had to agree with Jared, it was an impressive venue. The floors and ceiling were polished wood, with strings of golden lights encircling above. The buffet table was encumbered with a variety of delicacies and each table was decorated with a vase of colorful roses, Sharon’s favorite, from Passionflower.

  There was a tap on her shoulder. “Your plus one’s here.”

  She faced her sister. “What?”

  “I invited Jared in. Matt’s being unreasonable. Go on, talk to him.”

  Sharon returned to her husband on the vast dance floor before Cassie could get a word in. She smirked. So her sister was intent on playing matchmaker. She cast her gaze across the crowd of fifty plus guests, most of them pretty drunk by now, including her parents.

  There.

  Jared stood by the buffet table, all six feet of toned muscle, looking very out of place in a suit instead of his rancher outfit. But he was still breathtaking. His eyes found hers and the smile that curved his lips made her heart flutter. She was drawn to him like nothing else.

  Weaving past several guests, she closed the distance between them. His gaze slowly ran down her body. The familiar tightness between her legs returned and she drew in a breath, not wanting to lose her composure.

  “You just can’t stay away from me,” she joked.

  “I can’t help myself.”

  She had to smile. “So, what went down with Matt?”

  “When I was CFO, I needed to ascertain prominent financial risks. I served as Matt’s advisor, offered him a deal. He used it to buy some high profile shares that entailed a high risk. I told him it would pay off. All I cared for was that he boosted my portfolio so I could take a shot at CEO. When the shares collapsed, he lost thousands.”

  “Oh, god. Because of you, my sister…”

  “Matt also set up fake charities for tax havens, and that’s the route that landed him in jail. None of that was my doing, I swear.”

  She shook her head. It was Matt’s fault more so than Jared’s that Sharon had been drawn into his financial misdemeanors. Blaming Jared was pointless, yet hearing about this side of him was troubling.

  “You cared about your benefit only.”

  Jared nodded, his eyes hard. “I forged a successful career from it and I’m not proud of it. I’ve put those desperate times behind me, the heartlessness, backstabbing and financial stakes. You said it sounds like the opposite of who I am now. That’s true. I’ve left that person behind.”

  She searched his face. Of course she believed him, even if her stomach churned from hearing about his former ruthlessness. “Why did you come?”

  “You know why. For you.”

  His gaze moved past her and she followed it to see Sharon and Matt separate, with Sharon heading toward the buffet table.

  “Hang on honey, I’ve got something to set straight.” Jared squeezed her hand before leaving. He strode toward Matt with that confidence she always admired and she watched with bated breath, hoping this wouldn’t go badly.

  Matt straightened upon seeing him. Jared spoke for some time before tapping him on the shoulder and they both shook hands. The terse exchange had weakened their animosity.

  Sharon appeared beside her. “I’m in awe. Matt hated him for years. I thought a fight would break out.”

  “You didn’t know about Jared being his advisor?”

  She shook her head. “The worst of Matt’s crimes was his own doing. He was trying to set up a future for me and he played a game that hurt all of us, but he had good intentions. He has a good heart. I’ve forgiven him for it. Mom’s found the heart to forgive him, Dad’s really warming up to him again.” She hesitated. “I’d love your approval, Cass.”

  It was surprising to hear her family had set aside their discrepancies to forgive. She recalled how much their father cursed Matt for involving Sharon in his crimes. But to have her sister ask for her support….

  She met her blue eyed gaze, concerned at the distress in them. “You’ve always had it.”

  Sharon pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you! Matt put us through a lot, and tore us apart briefly, but it all worked out. That’s what love does, it unites.” She released her, giving a wide smile. “I’m not surprised Jared showed up. He’s completely smitten with you.”

  “I know.”

  “He’s doing all this for you. Turning up at my wedding, risking confronting Matt….”

  And he stayed in Sandpoint.

  Sure, he screwed up with his words but his actions now were telling a completely different story. Looking around the dance floor, she noticed Jared and Matt had parted. Then her eyes fell on him. Jared. Looking breathtakingly handsome and sharing that look reserved only for her.

  She gave Sharon a reassuring smile before heading through the crowd to stand before the man she loved. “How’d it go with Matt?”

  “We decided to forgive and forget. More important things in our lives now.”

  Jared smiled, touching the side of her face. She bit her lip and stepped in close. He wrapped an arm around her and held her as they started dancing. He knew how to guide, to be gentle, and she rested her head against his chest, aware that their future was ambiguous, but right now, this was enough.

  Jared parked up outside the ranch. It was brightly lit, and Cassie noticed the parking spaces reserved for guests were taken. Mountainbrook was still busy and she couldn’t help but smile at that.

  “Did you notice a boost in visitors last week?” she had to ask. “That’s when my article was published.”

  Jared smirked. “I know, and I read it. Your photos did it justice.”

  “I’m glad they did.”

  A brief silence lingered. Unlike the first time they were in his jeep, there was no tension, just a welcome familiarity. She was so tempted to touch his hand and lean closer. When Jared had offered to take her back to the ranch, she wanted to refuse out of the stubborn intention to move forward. But he’d made the effort to return, and she had to give him a chance.

  “You know, something’s occurred to me. Were you aware you were trespassing on Mountainbrook?”

  The cold tone in his voice stunned her. And struck a chord. Mountainbrook wasn’t an accidental find, but planned, something she never wanted to tell him. “I…had a rough idea.”

  He smirked. “I had a ridiculous situation come to mind. That you trespassed to seek me out for the sake of your sister’s husband. Maybe take photos of the ranch and publish them for your own benefit.”

  Her mouth fell open. “It was nothing to do with them! It was my fault, as I explained. I never would’ve published the photos without permission. How could you assume that?”

  “I’m not. Just stating what I thought, what I would’ve believed if things were different.”

  “Things are different between us! I risked my career when I trespassed, but I risked more when I fell for you. And it scares me to think I’m willing to throw my photography job in Spokane away, to disregard everything I’ve worked for, to be with you.”

  Jared’s blue eyes widened. There. She’d blatantly revealed how much he meant to her and left herself open to the very hurt she intended to avoid.

  “The next time we dance, it’ll be for our wedding.”

  She lost track of her though
ts. “What? I don’t…”

  “I’m in love with you. I’m saying that right now and I’ll keep saying it for the rest of my life, honey. Because I was a fool not to tell you earlier. I shut down, refused to face what truly mattered, to accept the way I was towards my father and Mountainbrook. You’ve opened my eyes, Cassie. I want to show you every part of me I’ve concealed. Even the corrupt dealings back in New York and the sacrifices I made.”

  Absorbing his words, she had to say, “You were following a dream. I made a reckless decision myself.”

  “It was the best thing you could’ve done. You’re selfless and accepting.”

  He was saying everything she wanted to hear. Tears blurred her eyes. No, she couldn’t fall apart from a few words. Not when her heart was at stake.

  “How do I know you won’t do it again? Close off from me? Hide away? Being in love means exposing everything about each other.”

  “I learned from my mistake. You confronted your greatest fear. I overcame mine of falling for you.”

  He cupped her chin and she leaned in close, letting his lips take hers. This was what she’d missed so badly. His kiss was slow, tense, drawing out all the emotions she thought she’d repressed. The passion. The desire. Her chest rose and fell in time with his and she was tempted to grab that tuxedo jacket and peel it off him. She wanted, no, needed him naked. Now.

  Jared pulled away. “Still want you as much as I did when we first met.”

  Her lips tingled. “When you caught me being bad.”

  “I prefer you being bad in bed, not in any other form.”

  “Trust me, one criminal act is enough for me.” She smiled.

  He stroked her hair, his eyes not leaving hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you how I felt, back when I knew without a doubt. It was after we had that picnic. I knew New York was no longer an option, you were. You were part of my future and it scared me.”

  “I understand, and it’s okay.” She paused. “What happened with Diane?”

  “I decided Brandon and Green Investments needed a downgrade. I recommended her for the position with a glowing reference. She got the job. I predict the business will fail within a few months, she doesn’t have the skills or experience required, but that place deserves to go down. It was built and sustained on corrupt dealings.”