It wouldn’t be difficult at all for me to pretend to be dating him, especially not after he’d taken my breath away with that kiss. I touched my finger to my lips. They still tingled. Checking my reflection in the rearview mirror, I looked like I’d been kissed. My lips were full, and my cheeks flushed. Funny things were happening inside my chest too.
Jake was only supposed to provide a means to an end. In the hours we’d spent together, he’d become so much more. I got home and ventured into my closet to try to find something to wear. He didn’t strike me as the type to get all dressed up, so I set out a pair of dark blue jeans and a low-cut sweater that made me feel good about myself.
I’d barely had time to shower and dry my hair before someone was knocking on my front door. Barefoot, in my fluffy pink robe, and with a face free of makeup, I pulled open the door to find Jake standing there with a bouquet of red and white roses.
“You brought me flowers?”
“Candy cane flowers since you made me candy cane cookies.” He handed over the bouquet.
I buried my nose in the red and white blooms. The scent of peppermint mingled with the sweetness of the roses. “Thank you. Come on in. I’m not quite ready, but give me five minutes.”
“Nice place you’ve got here.” Jake followed me into the converted barn my dad moved to one of the outer corners of the ranch. My brothers thought it was an eyesore, but I loved how open and airy it felt compared to the ancient ranch houses they’d both chosen.
I moved into the kitchen and reached for a vase on the top shelf. Most of the time, I didn’t mind being on the short and curvy side, but a few extra inches would come in handy now and then.
“Need some help?” Jake came up behind me and easily reached up to grab the vase. “Here you go.”
I turned around in his arms, my ass backed up against the counter. He didn’t move, just looked down at me with his arms caging me in. Need pulsed through my veins as his gaze raked over me. My robe had slipped as I’d tried to reach the vase. I grabbed the sides to pull them together, but Jake’s hand came up and wrapped around mine.
“We don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. I could order in.” There was no mistaking the invitation in his eyes, and the surprising thing was, I was ready for it.
“Oh, yeah?” I teased. “What would we do if we didn’t go out?”
His mouth ticked up on one side. “We could watch a Christmas movie.”
“Mmm.” I circled my arms around his neck. “Or you could help me put up my tree.”
“You haven’t put up a tree yet? And here I thought you were like the queen of Christmas.” His grin widened.
“The only thing I’m queen of is falling off a horse,” I joked.
“You could be my queen, Roxy.” The teasing spark vanished from his eyes, and he looked down at me the way I’d dreamed a man might someday.
The mood had gone from teasing to a tad too serious. I wanted what he was offering, but it was too soon. We were supposed to be pretending to date, not really falling for each other.
Still, I wondered. What would it feel like to have a man like Jake Robinson treat me like a queen?
“And what would that entail?” I asked, trying to infuse my tone with a lightness I didn’t feel.
“I can show you.” His voice came out rough and low.
I nodded, ready to give over control.
Jake slid his palms under my ass and hoisted me up onto the counter, not an easy thing to do. Then he gently nudged me backward until my back rested on the granite countertop. He slipped his hand under my robe and his rough fingertips skimmed over my belly. I didn’t know what he wanted from me, but I was more than willing to give it to him.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous, Roxy.”
My cheeks heated, and I turned my head. I’d always been okay with my body. Sure, I’d rather be a size four than shop in the plus section, but after trying every diet craze I could find and not budging a pound, I’d embraced my curves. Still, I’d never considered myself gorgeous.
“Look at me.” He put his hands on either side of my face and turned my head to face him. Our eyes met. Truth shone bright in the depths of his gorgeous brown eyes.
Tears built behind my eyelids. I was determined not to let them fall.
“You’re so beautiful, inside and out. I don’t deserve to kiss the ground you walk on, much less touch my lips to any part of your amazing body.”
I shook my head. “That’s not true at all. You’re the one who’s building his own future, step by step, brick by brick. I didn’t do anything except luck into this family. You’ve worked hard for everything you’ve gotten.”
“We don’t make sense together, do we?” Heat simmered in his eyes. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want to ruin you for anyone else. Come here.”
