The Second Chance Rancher

by Kate Pearce

  “It’s a damn shame you left.” Patrick sighed. “With you, Tide, and Hopper gone? I don’t know who to hang out with anymore.”

  It was only because Daisy was superfocused on Jackson’s face that she saw the flicker of grief in his eyes.

  “Yeah . . .” Jackson blew out a breath. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”

  Patrick held his gaze for a moment before he answered. “Seven, so I should get to bed and try to sleep as I’m fairly sure I’m not getting an upgrade to first class.”

  “You never know.” Jackson finished his beer. “A decorated war hero like you.”

  Patrick patted the service medal bar above his pocket. “My fruit salad? I’ve done my share. Same as you.” He rose to his feet. “It was nice to meet you, Daisy.”

  “You too, Patrick. Take care.” Daisy gave him a hug, and he turned to Jackson, lowering his voice.

  “Five. You know where I am if you need anything. Don’t ever think you’re alone out there. We all understand what you went through.” After another brisk hug, Patrick walked away, leaving Jackson and Daisy still standing.

  “Do you want to go up to bed?” Daisy asked, aware that Jackson was staring after his friend.

  “Yeah, if you’re ready.”

  Daisy hastily downed the rest of her wine and set the glass back down. “I’m good to go.”

  He took her hand as they walked back to the elevators and rode up to the fifth floor, where their room was situated. The drapes were still open. They had a fine view of both the San Mateo Bridge, spanning the bay, and the lights of San Francisco in the distance. Jackson walked over to stare out into the darkness.

  “Patrick was nice,” Daisy said tentatively, aware that he wasn’t his normal chatty self.

  “So was Ian.”

  “Which means we both have great taste in friends.” Daisy yawned hard and covered her mouth. “Excuse me. It’s been a really long day.”

  “Yeah.” He didn’t turn around. “Do you want to use the bathroom first?”

  “Sure.”

  * * *

  Jackson waited until the bathroom door clicked shut and the water started running before he let out a long exhale. Seeing Pez again, realizing everything he’d given up had shaken him far more than he’d anticipated. At least Pez hadn’t pressed him on anything. His friend wasn’t stupid, and knew everyone who served had to come to terms with what they’d seen and dealt with in their own good time.

  Except Pez obviously thought Jackson hadn’t dealt with it and had chosen to run away instead, which was kind of the truth. At least Pez had offered his support.

  Jackson sank into the nearest chair and rubbed his hands over his face and stubbled chin. He needed to get a grip before Daisy came out of the bathroom. She wasn’t stupid, and she wasn’t averse to asking a few loaded questions of her own. He stripped off his clothes, folding them neatly onto the chair. He’d had a shower just before he’d gone down to the bar and only needed to brush his teeth to be ready for bed.

  She appeared in the bathroom door, illuminated from behind by the bright light. He went toward her, swept her off her feet, and deposited her on the bed right underneath him where he needed her to be.

  “Jackson?”

  He kissed her, tempted her to kiss him back, his hands roaming under her long T-shirt until she attempted to shrug it off, and he helped her throw it to the floor. With a groan, he buried his face in her neck, inhaling the mint of her toothpaste and the slight hint of wine lingering on her breath. This was where he wanted to be. Right here with Daisy, where he could forget everything but his need to be inside her and make her come as many times as she wanted.

  He cupped her rounded ass, bringing her against the hardness of his need, and sighed into her mouth as she undulated against him. Changing position, he slid down to tease and play with her breasts, and then even lower to feast on her most sensitive flesh. It was so easy to lose himself in the taste of her, in the sharp scrape of her nails against his scalp and her stifled cries of pleasure.

  When he couldn’t hold out any longer, he reached for the protection he’d left beside the bed, covered his cock, and drove into her with one long thrust that made her scream his name. Her bare feet climbed the outsides of his thighs until they were firmly planted on his rocking hips and she was coming again.

  He drove on, slowing his pace until she begged him to give her more, and then taking everything until he forgot his name, his sense of self, and drowned in the wonderful physicality of making love to Daisy Miller. Eventually, he had to come and let go, crashing down over her, his breathing so ragged, it sounded loud in the air-conditioned stillness of the room.

  It took him a long while to roll off her onto his back, where he stared up at the ceiling and struggled to get himself back together.

  He blinked as Daisy snapped on the bedside lamp and came up on one elbow to look down at him, her hair sliding over his shoulder and chest.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Why are you asking?”

  “Because of what we just did.” Daisy gestured at the disordered bed.

  “I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” Jackson said warily.

  “You just . . . took over everything.” She wasn’t backing down. “You didn’t say a word, you just went for it.”

  He eased himself up to sit against the headboard as she moved away from him. “You didn’t enjoy it?”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “So you did enjoy it, but for some reason you’re mad at me.” Jackson met her gaze. “Got it.”

  “Don’t get all flippant with me.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “If you don’t want to talk to me about something, don’t, but don’t overwhelm me with sex.”

  “Overwhelm you?” He felt his own temper rise to match hers. “You came at least six times and I only got one.”

  “That’s basic biology and don’t you dare start with that!” She scrambled off the bed and found her T-shirt.

  “Start what?”

  She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving him alone, and the shower went back on. His anger died as swiftly as it had risen, and he got out of bed and followed her into the bathroom.

  “Daisy, I’m—”

  “Go away, Jackson.”

  She came out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and pushed past him, slamming the door in his face.

  * * *

  “Daisy, will you just let me talk to you?”

  She swung around to face him, gripping the towel she’d wrapped high over her breasts. Everything was so confusing—the high of the lovemaking mixed in with the realization that he wasn’t being open with her, and that it hurt. But he didn’t have to tell her anything, did he? She was the one who’d insisted they weren’t in a real relationship.

  “You want to talk to me now?” Daisy asked.

  He came slowly into the room. “Look. I obviously screwed up here and I’m really, really sorry.”

  “No, you didn’t.” Daisy found a smile somewhere. “You have a perfect right not to tell me anything, remember? Do you want to shower, because I’m done in the bathroom and I’m ready to go to sleep.”

  She was offering him a way out. Would he take it?

  “Sometimes I find it easier to do something rather than talk about it.” He sat down in the nearest chair and studied the carpet with great attention. “I was . . . unsettled by seeing Pez.”

  “So you decided to sweep me off my feet and make love to me before I could ask you any awkward questions?”

  “Yeah.” He still wasn’t looking at her. “And that’s not okay. I realize that now.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I just knew that as soon as I touched you, everything would be better.”

  She walked over, perched on the arm of his chair, and looked down at his bent head, admiring his honesty even as it made her want to cry. “Did it work?”

  “No, because here we are, and now you’re mad at me, and I thoroughly deserve it.” A sigh shuddered through hi
m. “I’m not making any excuses for myself, Daisy. If you want to tell me to get out, I’ll go.”

  “You just stopped talking,” Daisy reminded him. “I’m not used to that from you.” She hesitated. “You do know you can tell me anything, right?”

  “No, I can’t.” He slowly looked up at her, his smile making her heart hurt. “You don’t want that kind of relationship with me.”

  “I’d still like to be your friend.” Daisy couldn’t seem to let it go. “I’ll listen.”

  “That’s really nice of you.” He stood up and dropped a gentle kiss on her nose. “But I think you’ve had to put up with quite enough of me for one night, don’t you? I’ll go brush my teeth.”

  Daisy waited until he closed the bathroom door before she let out her breath and climbed into bed. So much for them getting on better away from their respective families . . . But hadn’t she gotten what she’d wanted? Fantastic sex with no emotional commitment? If so, why did she feel like crying?

  Chapter Twelve

  “Thank you for your time.”

  Daisy closed her laptop and tucked it under her arm before following Ian out of the VC’s office. She accepted his lame attempt at a high five.

  “You were awesome!” Ian whispered.

  “Do you really think it went well?” Daisy walked out into the central lobby where the elevators were. They were currently on Sand Hill Road near Palo Alto, where all the venture capitalists tended to have their offices. “It’s hard to tell with these guys.”

  “I saw definite interest.” Ian was an eternal optimist. “We’re going down to the lobby now, and in ten minutes we have another meeting on the second floor.”

  “Same building?”

  “Yeah, it’s like VC central here.” Ian dug into the pocket of his pants. “Do you want something from the machine?”

  “Just water, if they have it.”

  She went off to use the bathroom and make sure she still looked presentable in her navy pantsuit, tied-back hair, and lipstick, which was about as far as she was willing to go to impress anybody. She’d left Jackson finishing his breakfast before he went to the hotel gym. He’d been contemplating a ten-mile run or something equally horrific, so she hadn’t stayed too long in case he asked her to join him.

  He’d been fine with her over breakfast: respectful, funny, and very much his usual happy self, which made her wonder how much of the real Jackson Lymond he was still actually concealing from her. And that wasn’t on him, it was definitely on her. She’d wanted him to confide in her, but he’d politely turned her down, reminding her that she didn’t have the right to ask him anything.

  Which served her right.

  She left the bathroom, checking her phone and only looked up when someone called her name.

  “Daisy Miller?”

  She froze in place as Clive Cassler, one of her least favorite people in the universe, came sauntering—make that slithering—toward her.

  “You’re back in town?” He stuck his hand in the pocket of his bespoke suit and leaned against the wall, barring her way. “New project?”

  “I’m just here to support a friend of mine,” Daisy lied.

  “That’s not what I heard. Word on the street is that you’ve come up with something amazing again.”

  She raised her chin. “Like I’d tell you if I had.”

  “Are you still whining about that?” His smile was smug. “You lost, little girl. Get used to it.”

  “My team ‘lost’ because you preyed upon our goodwill until you were able to stick the knife in and take us down,” Daisy retorted.

  “There’s no need to be so dramatic.” Clive chuckled. “That’s business, my dear. Don’t take it personally.”

  “Good, then don’t take this personally, but you’ll totally understand why I don’t ever want to do business with you again.” She shoved past him and marched back down to the lobby, her whole body shaking.

  Of all the people to run into at this moment, Clive had to be the worst. Now he’d be nosing around, trying to work out how he could get involved in funding the new venture, and screwing them over on that one as well.

  “What’s up?” Ian handed her the bottle of water.

  “I just bumped into Clive.” Daisy unscrewed the lid and took a sip of water.

  “Our Clive?”

  “I don’t think there are many people named Clive who happen to be venture capitalists in Palo Alto, do you?”

  “Probably not.” Ian grimaced. “What did he want?”

  “He was nosing around, trying to find out what we were doing here.” Daisy snorted. “Like I’d tell him anything after what he did to us last time.”

  “The problem is that this is a very small world, and venture capitalists do like to gossip,” Ian reminded her. “If Clive wants to find out what’s up, he probably will.”

  “It doesn’t mean we have to make it easy for him,” Daisy retorted. “I’m going to ask all the VCs we speak to for a confidentiality clause.”

  “We can certainly try, but it’s probably too late for that now. Clive’s lot have their tentacles in all kinds of shit.” Ian checked his cell. “Hey, we’re due at the next meeting. Are you okay to go through with it?”

  “Okay? I’m super-fired up to make sure Clive doesn’t get his paws on our work ever again.” Daisy screwed the cap on her water bottle.

  “That’s the Daisy I know and love.” Ian grinned at her. “Now, these guys are more angel investors than straight VCs, and they were very interested in the humanitarian aspects of our product.”

  “Got it. They sound like our kind of people.”

  Ian held open the door into the offices so Daisy could go on through. She smiled at the young receptionist behind the desk.

  “Hi, we’re here for a meeting with Jake Magnusson?”

  “Hi, you must be Daisy and Ian, right? Come on through to Jake’s office. He’s been looking forward to meeting you all day.”

  Daisy couldn’t help but respond to such positivity after colliding with the black hole of Clive. She was still smiling as she entered the office and saw two guys, one sitting behind the desk and the other perched on the corner of it.

  “Daisy?”

  For the second time in an hour, Daisy found herself staring at someone who really shouldn’t be there. She wished she’d taken the time to look at the notes Ian had offered her about the makeup of each investment firm. She’d been in too much of a rush and trusted Ian’s judgment 100 percent.

  “Hi, Chase!” She grinned weakly at Chase Morgan, who looked weird without his Stetson. “Fancy seeing you here!”

  Ian came forward and shook Chase’s and Jake’s hands as Daisy’s feet were still locked in fight-or-flight mode. How could she have forgotten that Chase spent half his life away from Morgan Valley tending to his tech business? Seeing him was almost as bad as seeing Clive, but in a much more personal way.

  “You two know each other?” Jake looked from her to Chase.

  “Daisy’s family have a ranch in Morgan Valley,” Chase said. “I didn’t realize you were still involved in the tech industry, Daisy.”

  Daisy tried to smile. “I’ve been . . . helping Ian out with this particular project.”

  “And when she says helping, she means that without her skill set, we would never have gotten it off the ground.” Ian patted her shoulder. “She’s the most amazing software designer I’ve ever met.”

  Jake gestured at the circle of chairs beside the whiteboard. “Why don’t we sit down, and you can run through the specifics of the project again?” He stood with some difficulty and used a cane to walk the few steps to the chairs. “I assume you’re staying, Chase?”

  “Unfortunately, I have to run.” Chase sighed. “I’m counting on you to fill me in later, Jake, okay?” He smiled at Daisy and Ian. “Nice to see you guys.”

  “Are you going home tonight, Chase?” Daisy blurted out before he reached the door.

  “No, I’m here for a couple of days,” Chase sai
d, his blue eyes fixed on her inquiringly.

  “Any chance you could meet me for a drink at some point?” Daisy asked.

  “Sure.” Chase handed her his phone. “Put your number in here, text me the address of your hotel, and I’d be happy to speak to you.”

  Daisy almost sighed in relief as he went out. Now at least she’d have the opportunity to talk to him and ask him . . . Ask him what? To lie to her family for her? Wow, once you practiced to deceive, things really did get bigger and bigger, just like her Auntie Rae had warned her. If she weren’t careful, she’d have to pay off the whole darned valley.

  Aware that she might be getting a little ahead of herself, Daisy settled down, opened her laptop, and prepared to give Jake her spiel.

  * * *

  Jackson was enjoying a quiet nap when the door opened and Daisy blew in like a miniature storm. She took off her shoes and threw her jacket toward one of the chairs, missing it completely.

  “Oh bother! I can’t get anything right today.” She kicked one of her shoes so hard, it hit the wastepaper basket with an earsplitting clang.

  “Hey, I’m trying to sleep here,” Jackson complained.

  She spun around, one hand pressed to her cheek. “I’m so sorry, Jackson. I didn’t think you were here!”

  He slowly sat up and studied her. “What’s up?”

  She sighed. “I don’t even know where to start.”

  He patted the bed, and she climbed up onto the mattress and knelt in front of him, giving him an excellent view of her cleavage.

  “Did your presentation suck?” Remembering to stick firmly in friend mode, Jackson tried not to let his gaze drop and maintained eye contact.

  “No, they all went really well.” She frowned and undid the button and zipper of her pants. “Geez, these things are uncomfortable.”

  “Don’t let me stop you taking them off,” Jackson suggested. “You might as well get comfortable.”

  She wiggled out of her pants, making everything male in him sit up and take notice. But he was on his best behavior. Any sexual invitations were going to have to come from her.

  He held out an arm and she joined him, her shoulder against his, her back to the headboard.