by Silver James
“No.”
“Then I’ll leave. Let me go.”
“No. You aren’t going anywhere until we settle this.”
“Settle this? Settle what? I saw you, Chase. I saw you tonight in that bar with that woman. Kissing her.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What bar and what woman? Honey, I flew to Vegas yesterday. I texted you.”
“Oh, yeah. You texted. Told me you had some work and you’d be back in touch. You definitely did that. What I want to know is why. I never pegged you as being cruel.”
He breathed deliberately to keep his temper in check. First, he had to get to the bottom of things. Then he’d go pound on someone. “I’d never hurt you, kitten.”
“Don’t. Call. Me. That.” She hissed and snarled, renewing her efforts to get free. He was truly glad she worked with her hands so her nails were short and rounded. Harder to claw his eyes out that way.
“Savannah. I can’t fix what’s wrong if you don’t talk to me.”
“Fix what’s wrong? You can’t fix this. You leave my bed—our bed—lie to me, meet that bimbo, then make sure I see you? How is that fixable? Oh! And then you have your cousin call me to make up some excuse. What happened? You texted me instead of her about dinner? Except you didn’t seem surprised to see me, and you made damn sure I saw you lay a big, fat wet one on her.”
“Dammit, darlin’. Back up. What are you talking about?”
“You texted me, telling me to meet you for dinner before the concert. So I did. Only you were in the bar with that...that skinny skank from the Bahamas. The one you said means nothing to you. Only you were all over her like stink on sh—”
“Savannah! Look at me.” He took a chance and cupped her cheek, easing her face around to look at him. “I didn’t text you a second time.”
“Yeah. Right.”
“Honey, I didn’t. When I landed at McCarron Airport, my plane was met by the Feds, and I was escorted to the Clark County Courthouse. I spent all day and most of the freaking night with a bunch of attorneys, the FBI and more cops than I ever want to see again. I don’t know who you thought you saw—”
“Shut up, Chase. I saw you. You sat there on that bar stool with that model between your legs, your hand in the back of her dress stroking her butt.”
“Model?” He searched his memory, hit on a name. “Di Brandenburg?”
“Yeah, her. You said something to her and she turned around to look at me like I was...pond scum or something. Then she whispered in your ear and the two of you kissed. You. Kissed. Her! Looking at me the whole time.”
“Aw hell, kitten.” A headache bloomed behind his eyes as he rested his head against her shoulder. “I’m going to kill him.”
Savannah didn’t breathe for a minute. Her voice squeaked when she asked, “Him who?”
“Cash. We’re identical twins. Most people can’t tell us apart.”
She opened her mouth, probably to dispute his assertion, but then snapped it shut. She studied him hard. His hair. Eyes. Nose. Mouth. Then his eyes again. Her gaze stayed there, unblinking, before she closed her eyes and kept them that way for a few minutes.
“Your eyes. Your eyes are different.”
No one had ever noted that difference and he was curious what she thought she saw. “How so?”
“Even when you were angry, back when we first met and you threw me out? You weren’t...cold. Mad, yes. But there was this look, this...it was...” She shrugged and struggled to find a description.
“It was what?”
“You looked resigned, but there was humor there, like the world is a big joke and you’re the only who gets it.”
“Okay...” He stretched out the word. “And?”
“And last night...your brother. There’s something in his eyes. Hard. He has hard eyes.”
“I’m gonna kill him. For real.” Chase gazed into her eyes. “I’m sorry, kitten.”
“Why would he do that to you?”
“Don’t know, but I suspect Dad put him up to it. Whatever the reason, I plan to find out.” His gaze dropped to her mouth and he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “First, though, I want to make love to my wife.”
* * *
Chase made one phone call to Tucker’s brother, Bridger—who was second in command at Cash’s security company—and got Cash’s location. He seemed surprised when he opened his hotel room door to find Chase standing there. Pushing inside, Chase studied his twin as he shut the door and sauntered across the room to the coffeemaker. He poured a cup without offering one to Chase.
“You’re a jackass.”
Cash swallowed a sip of coffee while watching him over the rim of the cup, but made no comment. They stared at each for several minutes before Chase broke the silence.
“What the hell, Cash? Why did you set up Savannah like that?”
“It’s for your own good.”
“My own good? You have no clue what’s good for me.”
“Then I’m doing it for the good of the family.”
Stunned, Chase stared at his brother. It was like looking into a mirror, but seeing only the dark side of their personalities. “Family. Gotcha. So the old man put you up to this.”
“Somebody has to look out for you. This woman is an inconvenient complication in your life. She’s only after your money.”
“Yeah? You’re wrong, Cash. Not everyone is like our old man.”
“You think I’m wrong? I plan to prove it to you.”
“Stay away from Savannah, Cash. This is your only warning.”
Chase hated the expression on his twin’s face. Ugly, twisted and angry. What had happened to Cash to put that look in his eyes?
“You gonna choose that bimbo over your family?”
“I love her.”
He hadn’t meant to say the words. Not out loud. And definitely not to Cash or anyone else in his family. Savannah should have had those words first, not the angry man facing him. Chase knew what they all believed. But Savannah wasn’t what they thought she was, wasn’t who they thought she was. She was sweet and funny. Warm. Loyal. Every bit as special as his three sisters-in-law. He knew as soon as those words were out of his mouth they were true. He did love Savannah, and he wanted her in his world far longer than the year they’d agreed to. He wanted her for a lifetime.
“You love her? What the hell do you know about love, Chase? How many women have you bedded, then kicked out to chase the next one? Dad damn sure gave you the right name. This one isn’t anything special. She’s just one more notch on your bedpost.”
“You’re wrong. She’s the one, Cash. Like Cassidy is for Chance. Like Jolie always was for Cord. Like Georgie and Clay.”
“Jeez, Chase. When did you become whipped like them?”
“Jeez, Cash, when did you become such a bastard?”
“We only have one of those in our family.”
“Yeah, our old man.”
“No, our ranch foreman.”
Chase rocked back on his heels. “Wow. You went there. What the hell is going on with you, Cash?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s bull. You’ve been on a mission to be a complete jackass since Chance hooked up with Cassidy.”
“Someone needs to worry about this family.”
“And your way of doing that is to keep all of us single and miserable?” He rubbed his fingers through his hair, leaving it tousled. “I... Dammit, Cash, you seem like a stranger lately. You’re my brother. My twin, for God’s sake.”
“You’re the one who married a stranger.” Cash looked unapologetic and angry, his hands fisted at his sides and his shoulders tensed, as though he wanted to throw a punch.
“She’s not a stranger now. Would you be happier if I’d married Janiece? Talk about a gold digger. T
hat woman spends money like it’s dirt, and that whole deal was some business thing concocted by Dad. I would never love Janiece.”
Chase’s cell vibrated in his hip pocket and he pulled it out. Savannah. He very suddenly craved the sound of her voice, the touch of her hand in his. “Someday, Cash. Someday it will happen to you. Someday you’ll find the woman you love and I hope to hell you aren’t stupid enough to lose her. We’re done here. My wife is calling.”
He turned on his heel and headed for the door, his phone to his ear. “Howdy, kitten. I’m on my way.”
“You okay, hoss?”
He wasn’t, but he wouldn’t admit that to her. She’d worry even more. “S’all good, darlin’. I’ll be there shortly and will meet you behind the chutes. Gotta give my girl a good-luck kiss before she rides.”
Silence stretched between them, then he heard her breathe. “Am I? Your girl?”
“Yeah, kitten. You are.”
Nineteen
Chase had insisted they go out for brunch and explained his reasons. “Kitten, you can bet there were photos taken last night in the bar. It’s just a matter of time before they hit the tabloids. We’re going out for breakfast. I’m tweeting our location—”
“Wait! What?”
He blushed all the way to the tips of his ears, a look Savannah found oddly endearing. “I...sort of have a fake Twitter account and hashtag.”
“You have a hashtag?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or worry about the guy’s need for attention.
“Yes. When I want to be seen, I type—” he held up two fingers on each hand and made a hashtag of them “—hashtag FindChase.”
Her eyes widened, once she understood the implications. “Wait! You set me up. In San Antonio. And other places.”
He had the good grace not to lie. “It worked, didn’t it?” He leaned down and kissed her. She meant to break away, until his arms wrapped around her and he deepened the kiss. By the time he finished, she was on her toes, one leg hitched around his hip, her arms clenched around his neck as she held on for dear life.
“Damn, kitten. Keep that up and I’ll have you for breakfast.”
Laughing, she pushed away and got her bearings. “I’m hungry.” As his gaze grew heated, she quickly added, “For food.”
“Tweeting comes in handy. Like now. I’ll leak our location. Somebody will ask about last night. I’ll explain it was Cash. Then I’ll kiss you.”
“Uh-huh. And why will you kiss me?”
“Because I like kissing you?” He offered his boyish grin—the one with a hint of dimple—and a wink. “Technically, it’s a photo op. We’re still newlyweds in love.”
“What if they ask about the skinny skank?”
He choked back a laugh but it erupted as a snort. “That skank is one of the world’s highest paid models, wildcat.”
“So?”
“If the subject comes up, I’ll reasonably point out that the photo allegedly showing me with her was actually Cash, and that they’re having a secret affair.” He waggled his brows and it was her turn to giggle and snort.
“Turnabout is fair play, and payback is hell.”
“My thinking exactly.”
Brunch had played out as expected and then he’d kissed her goodbye, sending her off to the rodeo grounds. Unable to leave well enough alone, she’d called him. She had to make sure he was okay. His brother had cut him to the quick. The experience—and profound sense of betrayal—left her feeling shaky, too. She wanted assurances from Chase, wanted him to understand why she needed them.
She was riding Cimarron, warming him up in the practice arena, when she noticed Chase standing at the gate. She slowed the horse’s canter to a trot, then a walk as she approached. He opened the gate and she rode through before stopping and dismounting.
“Howdy, kitten.” Chase’s voice held a hint of something sad.
“Howdy, hoss. You got a kiss for me?”
“Always, baby.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips across hers.
Need blossomed within her. And desire. This man had worked his way under her skin in a way no other had. By mutual consent, they started walking, Cimarron trailing along as she led him by the reins.
“How bad was it?”
Chase’s expression firmed, the skin around his eyes tightening. “About like I expected.”
She slipped her hand into his and he laced their fingers. “I’m sorry, Chase.”
“No, I’m sorry. I saw your face last night. I...” He cleared his throat. “I’ve been a lot of things in my life. I’ve done a lot I’m not proud of.” Hesitating, he tugged her to a stop. “I wouldn’t set you up like that, Savannah. If I was going to step out on you, I’d be honest and tell you.”
Her chest grew tight, and she worked to keep her expression bland, obviously failing as his eyes softened. “I’d tell you, and I wouldn’t do it in public. It’s not going to happen, sweetheart. I’m not sure what’s going on between us, but whatever it is, it’s good. I like it. I wouldn’t hurt you like that.”
“Okay.”
His smile was tentative and a little sad. “I don’t blame you for not trusting me, kitten. I’ll work to change your mind.”
“Look, Chase, I... I don’t get why your brother did what he did. I know we don’t fit together. I’m not the type of woman your family would pick. I get that. But he hurt me, and he did it on purpose. It shouldn’t have bothered me, given our arrangement, but I’m gonna be honest here.” She paused to inhale.
Chase prompted her to continue. “Okay.”
“I know we have an agreement. I know you plan for us to go our separate ways after a year. I know that it’s convenient to hang out with me, to—” She had to breathe again. “To sleep with me.”
Throwing back his head, Chase laughed. There was a hint of self-deprecation hiding behind his obvious humor. “Kitten, there is nothing convenient about you.”
Savannah didn’t know how to take that. “Okay, fine. I’m inconvenient. Whatever. But just so you know, I don’t sleep around. In fact, I can count the number of guys I’ve been with on one hand. I don’t sleep with just anybody. But I slept with you. You remember that, Chase Barron. And you remember that I normally don’t give second chances. I don’t know if you just have bad luck or bad karma or bad...something. I won’t be made a fool of. So no more chances. Don’t blow what time we have left.”
She shook free from his grasp, turned on her boot heel, tugged Cimarron’s reins and stalked away. Chase watched, enjoying the angry sway of her hips far too much. Eventually, his brain lassoed his libido and he considered what she had—and hadn’t—said. He’d admitted to Cash that he was in love with Savannah. Up until the moment she dropped his hand and walked away, he believed she was falling in love with him. Now he wasn’t so sure.
Don’t blow what time we have left.
She’d implied that she’d keep to their original agreement, that she’d divorce him after their year was up. That’s what he wanted, too. Wasn’t it? Given his family history, he was a bad bet in the marriage game. But something about Savannah called to him. She wasn’t pretentious. She wasn’t naive so much as guileless.
I can count the number of guys I’ve been with on one hand... But I slept with you. You remember that, Chase Barron.
Her words reverberated in his brain. She was the last person on this earth he should be involved with—much less be contemplating a long-term relationship with.
Knowing all of that didn’t matter. He didn’t care that she was wrong for him, because being with her felt too damn right. He had six months to change her mind. Less, actually. He had until December, when she returned to Las Vegas to compete in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He was positive she’d be there. She’d be on his home turf, and he could make his move. He didn’t need another
chance. He was going to take the one he had and run with it.
Forget Operation Seduce Savannah. He was now all about Operation Rest of Our Lives, for better or worse.
His phone beeped with a text. He glanced at it. CALL ME!!! It was from Tucker, a man who never used all caps and thought exclamation points were for preteens texting about boy bands. His mind on ways to win his inconvenient cowgirl, Chase meandered to the arena and up to his box. Once seated, he texted Tucker back.
Little busy here. What’s so important?
His phone rang almost immediately. He answered with “Not a good time, dude.”
“Gonna have to make it a good time, cuz. The Feds are not happy you pitched a hissy and stormed out last night.”
“Didn’t have a choice, Tuck.”
“Gonna enlighten me?”
“Cash.”
“What about him?”
“He was here with Di Brandenburg.”
“So?”
“Pretending to be me.”
“Oh, crap. Savannah saw.”
“Yeah.”
“S’all good now?”
“Pretty much.” Chase couldn’t keep the smile out of his voice.
“Dang. Then this sucks. Sorry to burst your balloon, Chase, but I need you back here ASAP.”
“No. I have plans with Savvie.”
“I don’t care. And neither do the Feds. This is a big deal, Chase. The fraud ring isn’t just hitting us here in Las Vegas. They hit the Barron Crown in Scottsdale last night. Palm Springs. Miami. They’ve all been targeted in the past few months.”
“Why didn’t we know?”
“No clue. Justice Department is wondering if we aren’t helping them. Some sort of money laundering scheme or something.”
“Well...hell.”
“Look, I can probably stall them for a few days, but you need to get your butt back here as soon as you can.”
“I’ll fly back tomorrow. I want tonight with Savannah.”
“Uh, Chase? What’s the deal there?”
“It’s the real deal, Tucker.”
