“Not at all.I just came back to tell you what a fine young man Billy is, and that if I was ever going to lose the heart of a young lady to anyone, I wouldn’t mind it being him.”
“That’s kind of you, Jace.”
“I actually grew up here next to the Connors and am fixing up my dad’s ranch now that he’s passed.That makes us neighbors.”
She shook his extended hand, and her posture relaxed.
“Welcome to the neighborhood.I knew your dad and liked him very much.I hope you like being back in Banberry.”
Jace didn’t have to look at Aurelie to remember her megawatt smile that had just knocked the breath out of him.He liked everything about being back home so far.
“I sure do.Y’all take care, now,” he said.Before he made his way back to Aurelie and his whiskey, he stopped off at the cashier stand to pay for Billy and his mom’s meal.He tried not to do that all too often in California because it drew too much attention to him, but he didn’t think that would be an issue here.
He slid into the booth, and his knee grazed Auelie’s calf.“Wow.That’s twice since I’ve been here that mygood looks and moneyhave been called into question.”
Aurelie laughed.“He’s a sweet boy.The day I delivered his sister, he asked to be my boyfriend.So, now it’s your turn.Why acting?”
Jace had often wondered that himself when he looked at the surreal life he was living with more money and shit than he could wrap his head around.What had started him on this path in the first place?He knew what had catapulted him into the limelight, but the rest was a blur.Maybe it was the show choir and acting he’d done at Banberry High School?He’d enjoyed it fine, but he didn’t remember making the conscious decision to pursue it head-on.In fact, when he thought back to his childhood on the ranch, followed the timeline through college, he’d actually always wanted to be one of those cowboy poets he heard about, the romance of ranch life part of his genetic fabric.
One thing he was certain of was that he was ready to be done with the typecast roles he’d been handed down from his agent recently.He craved something with substance, with meat behind it.Until that came down the chute, he’d use the ranch as a stop-gap to figuring out what came next.
He filled Aurelie in on all of this, sipping on his whiskey until his thoughts calmed and peace relaxed his limbs.She was actually the first person he’d met that he felt comfortable sharing the inner workings of his crazy brain with.Even more surprising was the way she seemed to hang on every word.
She nodded, laughed when it was appropriate, but otherwise just let him speak until he’d said all he could think to say.He felt like a teenager gushing to a crush, the way his mouth was on overdrive, along with the hormones that surged through his very-adult body whenever he focused too long on her full lips and what he’d like to do with them.
Finally, he stopped.She looked at him, brows furrowed, and he wasn’t sure what to do.Had he said too much?
“You’re entirely too good-looking to be any good at ranching.Real ranching off a set, I mean.”
His laugh echoed against the walls of the small bar.How did she make that comment—the thought he’d been fearing since he decided to come back was that he wouldn’t be able to hack this life even for a week—sound alluring?
“Gee, thanks.But there you go with the good-looking thing again.I get it, you think I’m hot.”
He didn’t miss the heat that crept up her neck, landed softly on her cheeks.
“Ugh.That issonot what I meant.I simply mean you can’t be a movie star, handsome as the devil himself, an athlete, and then a good rancher on top of it all.The stars aren’t that kind to anyone.”
“How about we talk to your friends, I get this house fixed up and the cattle ready for calving, and then I take you out to dinner to hear what you think?”
Aurelie eyed him through long, thick lashes.He’d bet his new land she didn’t need mascara, or makeup in general, her skin and lashes were so perfect the way they were.God, he’d love to see her just after a run, or better yet, after a shower.He shuddered, the image almost too inviting.
“Maybe.I’m not going to be here that long, Jace.Which is why I need to make this place safe for my friends, for my goddaughter.”He liked the way she said his name.Jace, the emphasis on the last syllable.So much so that he had to double back, replay that last part of what she’d said in his head.
“Wait.Why not?I thought I fixed that with my news.It’s not good news, but it is when it exonerates me and puts some other schmuck in your line of sight.”The giggle that erupted from Aurelie’s chest sounded like a song.He wished he could record it, listen to it on repeat.He’d make it his alarm, his ringtone, his everything.
Damn.Maybe he should go easy on the whiskey.He wasn’t sure he was gonna be here long, either.
“It’s complicated.”
Hmmm.Maybe because she and Paige seemed at odds the night before?Or was it something else?
“Listen,” he said, putting his hand on hers.She flinched again, but the slight tremble calmed quicker than last time, and she put a thumb over his.That was progress.“Why don’t we meet at Paige’s house, and I’ll fill them in.The guys don’t know what’s up, and we’re supposed to work on the renovations together tomorrow.”
“Together?”she asked.Her voice was thick, sultry.Damn if his erection didn’t press heavier against his jeans.This woman was walking, talking sex, and the worst—and best—part about it was she had no idea.
“Yeah, they’re helping me get this thing squared away.I wasn’t exactly planning on running a ranch and fixing up a house when I got here.”
“So, you’re really staying,” she said, the frown lines on her forehead all but gone, the corners of her full, pink lips turned up instead.
