There was no escaping it.
He reached out and slid a knuckle down her cheek, and she jumped. “Sorry,” he mumbled, taking a decided step backward.
Jane’s flesh felt cool where he’d touched, his hand stealing away the heat that had been there moments ago. She blinked and ignored the strange sensation. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t always that way. They had to claw themselves from nothing generations ago. It does take hard work, and that part of their lives can be… simple… I guess.”
She blushed again and forced out a laugh if only to stop herself from making a bigger fool of herself by saying something really stupid. “I guess in that case, I wouldn’t want something this big.”
His expression became unreadable save for a little curiosity in his eyes, so she continued.
“What I mean is that I don’t want a life where money is the biggest focus. I want simple. I want humble. I want to make sourdough bread on Saturday morning so we can have freshgrilled cheese sandwiches at lunch. I think money changes people. It’s needed, don’t get me wrong.” She sent a sweeping gesture at the area where they’d have the gala. “But it’s only needed in so much as the good it can do for others.”
Noah frowned at her. It was short-lived because the second she caught it, he smoothed his expression to a blank one. Had she offended him? He probably liked the fact that his cousins were well off enough to invite him here to stay.
She cleared her throat uncomfortably. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t want it because I don’t want it to change me. I don’t see myself as being one of those stuffy heiresses who throws money at problems to make myself feel better about what I have.” She craved knowing if he understood where she was coming from. In fact, she nearly asked him outright—but then she stopped herself. Jane didn’t need his validation. She knew where she stood.
Still, he looked somewhat wounded. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he cut her off.
“You know, you could take me up on our pact and live here… simply, of course. I’m sure you’re aware that the Reese family wealth doesn’t spread to each of the cousins on the premises. Of course, you might be required to get up at the crack of dawn to gather eggs, and milk a few cows while you’re at it.”
She snorted, though secretly not hating the idea. He was right. The money clearly belonged to the people who owned the ranch. Mack had said it was like a family compound, and his uncle had invited his family to share in the prosperity he’d garnered.
Jane cut a glance at Noah, only slightly surprised to find he seemed to be completely serious about his offer. She rolled hereyes and bumped her shoulder to his. “You really have to quit asking me to marry you. One of these days, I might say yes.”
His voice lowered as did his lips to her ear. “And maybe that’s exactly what I’m hoping for.”
Goosebumps rose along her arms, and the hairs on the back of her neck prickled with a different sort of feeling. It would have almost been pleasurable if she wasn’t so terrified he wasn’t teasing her.
Was Noah being serious? It was the second time he’d brought up their pact like it was a legitimate possibility.
Jane faced him and pressed two fingers to his chest to get him to back up a step. “I’m good. But if things change, you’ll be the first to know.” With that, she brushed past him and headed toward the platform for another sweep.
CHAPTER FIVE
Noah’s gazelingered on Jane as she set back to work. She really loved her job, that much was clear. And she wasgoodat it.
Reallygood.
And why wouldn’t she be?
Jane had always excelled at everything she put her mind to. She’d been a straight A student. When they were in school together, she went out for student government, and she won.
Well, this was just great. The more time he spent in her company, the harder it was to get her out of his head. His feelings had never really gone away—that much was clear. He could tell himself that he needed to leave her alone, but the chance of that happening was worse than expecting it to snow in July.
He scrubbed at his jaw. There was so much to unpack right now when it came to his feelings about her. Their friendship was easy right now. There was a give and take—a flirty sort of back and forth that continued to draw him to her. But that was how she was. She was kind and welcoming. She’d never push him away.In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if that was how she treated everyone.
He heaved a sigh and turned his back on her. Watching her wasn’t going to do him any good. Distance. That’s what they both needed. He could do that.
Right?
If he forced himself to go home and not come out, then he could manage it.
When night fell, Noah finally allowed himself to leave the confines of his home. It had become suffocating to be locked away in his house when the tug to just watch Jane when she was in her element pressed in on him.
The air was cool when he stepped outside. Thankfully, they’d gotten their usual work done before his charity had come to set up for the gala. Unfortunately, Noah needed to expel some energy. And the best way to do that was to get in the saddle and feel the sting of the air as it blew past him.
Noah cocked his head, gazing up at the deepening colors in the sky. It was still light enough that a ride shouldn’t be out of the question. If he were honest with himself, he would admit that the dark wouldn’t stop him from the opportunity to clear his head. Jane would be here again tomorrow for the gala. She’d likely be dressed to the nines, and he’d have to keep his hands to himself.
