Page 133 of Branded Betrayal

Safe is better.

“So if things are going well, why aren’t you jumping to meet his family? Are you nervous?”

“Well, a little, I guess. It’s a big step in a relationship, but to spend the whole holiday with them the first time we meet . . . it just seems a little . . . rushed. Further along than I am.”

Alyssa takes another sip of her champagne. “I get it. But does Luke know that? Because it seems like he’s definitely in that place.”

“You’re right.” I tap my fingernails on the side of my glass. “I guess we need to have a conversation soon.”

Alyssa holds up the bottle and dangles it in front of me.

I shake my head. “Nope, I need to do this with a clear head.”

“Suit yourself.” She pours the rest into her own glass and takes a long sip. Then she turns, gasps, and gives me a hard nudge. “Holy smokin’-hot cowboy.”

My heart stutters when the tall, muscular man walks into the bar. He slowly moves toward me, and my skin prickles under his heavy stare. His black Stetson casts a shadow over his face, his black-and-gray flannel brushing against me as he slides past toward a woman waving at him.

“Wow,” Alyssa murmurs. “He looks like . . . oh, shit.” She snaps a finger in front of my face. “Hello? You with me?”

I force a smile. “Yes, sorry. I’m fine. I was just . . . surprised. He doesn’t look like the type of guy who’d hang out in here. You know, with all the stuffy corporate types.” A high-pitched laugh follows, and I balk at how fake it sounds.

“Sweetie,” Alyssa says, pulling me into a corner. “Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours. Because my Spidey sense tells me something is off with you.”

I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just this weird feeling. I can’t explain it. Luke is fantastic, really. But maybe it’s just that we’re moving too fast. All that talk about family and holidays . . . it threw me for a loop. Maybe I just need to slow things down a little bit. The past few months haven’t exactly been easy.”

She rubs a hand up and down my arm. “I know. And fuck that asshole for screwing with your head the way he did.”

I give her a hug. “You’re such a great friend. Thank you for always being there for me, with wine, ice cream, and a shoulder to cry on.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.” She grins. “Just be honest with Luke. I’m sure he’d love some reassurance from you that he’s not just your rebound guy, especially since you kind of freaked out about the ranch invite.”

I clap a hand over my mouth. “Was it that bad? I didn’t want to come off as rude. It’s just . . . Nash and I are finally in a good place, and I really would love for him to come up here for the holidays.”

“So . . . no Red Rock? You’re not even a little bit curious about what’s happening there?”

I shake my head. “I know it’s operational. But I don’t ask questions. It’s not my business anymore.”

“But it is your ranch, right? It was bought for you? By that dickhead Blaze?”

I giggle. “Beware, anyone who messes with a friend of Alyssa Sawyer.”

“Oh, hell yes. Anyone dead to you is dead to me.”

A few minutes later, Luke returns. He dips his head close to my ear. “You wanna get out of here?”

I give his hand a squeeze and nod. “Sounds good to me.”

We say our goodbyes and head out the door. My apartment isn’t far from here, so we decide to walk the few blocks.

“You know, I’m really sorry about the way I reacted to your sister’s invite. I was caught off guard. I didn’t realize you’d told her about us,” I say.

“Of course I did,” Luke says, stopping under a streetlight. He stares down at me, intensity in his dark-blue eyes. “I’m in this, Savannah. A hundred percent. I think you’re amazing, and I want a future with you.”

My smile wavers, knees wobbling. “I . . . want that too. I just need a little bit of time. I’m not ready for that kind of commitment. Yet,” I hurriedly say.

“You’re worth the wait,” he murmurs. “I’m a patient man when I know what I want.”

I grin as he leans his forehead against mine and brushes his lips against the tip of my nose.