Jamie didn’t argue. She tucked herself into his side, the scent of his cologne—warm and woodsy—cutting through the crisp air.
Reaching the SUV Clayton yanked the door open and helped her in. She wasted no time scrambling across the leather seats to the farthest corner, pressing herself against the door like it might swallow her whole.
As Clayton slid in beside her and the doors locked, she finally released the breath she’d been holding.
“You good?” he asked, his deep voice softer now.
She nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure.
“Mind taking us to our hotel?” Clayton asked the driver.
“No!” Jamie said. “The paps will be waiting for me.”
“What’s the big deal?”
“Even if it’s just for publicity, it’s still embarrassing, Clayton.” She bent forward and placed her head in her hands. “You don’t get it. Derrick and I always get back together.”
“Why?”
“I—I don’t know. It’s just our thing.” She sat up, turning away from the window. “Why did you say there’s nothing like a new romance?”
“Because it’s true.”
“It seemed like you were suggesting thatwewere together.”
“Suggested nothing of the sort, darlin’.” He leaned toward her. “You’re reading too much into it.”
“I’m going to be on the cover of every tabloid.” Jamie’s voice was tight, frustration threading each syllable. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her worn leather jacket, her fingers balling into fists. “I need to call Ruth, but I don’t have my phone. She must’ve taken it with her.”
“Want me to call somebody?” he asked, his voice steady. “Your daddy?”
She shook her head.
A pause. Then, with quiet patience, he asked, “Okay, where do you want to go?”
She let out a long, measured sigh. “Anywhere but here.”
Clayton shifted, rubbing the back of his neck as if weighing his words. “Why don’t you stay at my ranch until this blows over? Nobody’s going to bother you there.”
Jamie snapped her head, her sharp gaze locking onto his. “You’ll be there,” she said bluntly, her skepticism evident.
“I’ll stay at my parents’ house.” He held up three fingers, his mouth twitching in a half-smile. “Scout’s honor.”
She arched her brow. “You were a Boy Scout?”
“Eagle Scout.”
“Figures.” She rolled her eyes, though the corner of her lips threatened to betray her amusement. “What about your girls?”
“They love staying at Momma’s,” he assured her, his voice softening when he mentioned them. “They’ve got a bedroom there and everything. Can’t keep them out of the barn—they’re crazy about horses. It’s in their blood. Come from a long line of rodeo champions.”
Jamie scoffed, crossing her arms as a smirk tugged at the edges of her lips. “Rodeo clowns I would have believed.”
He fixed his gaze. “You’ll be safe there, Jamie.”
“Oh, sure. Safe.” She folded her arms. “With your arsenal of guns.”
“No guns.” His lips twitched. “They’re locked away in the main house.” He raised his arms and flexed. “But I have these.”
