His arm tightened around her waist, and he stared into her eyes. The heat from the barn had nothing to do with the rise in her temperature now. She realized how wonderful it felt to be in his arms, and she hoped this dance would last forever
“Do you want me to lust after you?” His voice turned seductive, which made her heart pump madly.
What had she gotten herself into this time? Couldn’t she remember what it did to her insides? “That wouldn’t be a good thing to do to your fiancée’s sister.”
“You’re right. It wouldn’t be a good thing to do at all.”
Straightening her posture, she concentrated on her steps, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep from staring into his intoxicating eyes. Unfortunately, none of the other men could compare to Jesse. The poor lost souls couldn’t even compare to Adam.
“Summer? Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Depends on how personal it is.”
His lips turned up into a lopsided grin. “I’m sure you’ll think it’s very personal.”
“Ooh, now I’m curious.”
Silence lasted a few awkward moments. “I want to know... Well, shoot, how can I say this without soundin’ like some over-protective father?”
She laughed lightly. The look of agitation on his face told her of his discomfort.
He took a deep breath. “Why are you lettin’ Fairbanks take you outside?”
The question startled her, making her miss a couple of steps, but she quickly recovered. “What kind of question is that? Have you forgotten I’m his mail-order bride?”
“How could I forget somethin’ like that?”
“Then why are you worried about me being alone with him?”
He shrugged. “It just doesn’t seem fittin’. I mean, you hardly know him. What if he’s not the honest man you want him to be? What if he’s not a true gentleman?”
She wrinkled her forehead. “Do you consider yourself a true gentleman?”
“Usually.”
She rolled her eyes. “What worries you, Jesse?” She lowered her voice. “That he’ll take me in his arms and kiss me like you did?”
His expression turned serious. “Yes, because I know how passionate you are, and I don’t know if he can control himself around you. What if Mr. Fancy-pants forces himself on you?”
Slowly, she released a sigh. “Once again, Jesse, you are forgetting I’ll be marrying the man by the end of the week.”
His eyes widened. “That soon?”
“Yes.”
“I think you should wait at least a month.”
“I really wish I knew what was wrong with you and why you care so much, especially for a man who will be marrying my sister.” Irritation rose inside her, and she just couldn’t stop it this time.
“This isn’t about me,” he grumbled.
“Well, I think it should be because you aren’t acting like a man who wants to marry Rosie. However, I want to marry Adam.”
After she said it, her chest tightened. Why couldn’t she convince herself that having feelings for Jesse would only bring her heartache?
The music stopped, and she turned sharply on her heels, leaving Jesse standing on the dance floor. Steam threatened to rise from her ears. Summer was suddenly in great need of some fresh cool air. Nothing, and nobody was going to stop her from going outside with Adam now. Thankfully, he waited for her at the barn’s door, and she hooked her arm around his.
Once outside, she released an exhausted sigh as the cool night air touched her face. She gazed up into the star-filled sky and replayed the conversation with Jesse in her mind. Anger threatened to consume her once again, but she glanced at Adam and allowed herself to be calmed by her walk with him.
