At the time, Hunter hadn’t understood what the big deal was, but he now had a new appreciation for Wyatt’s feelings. As he listened to Bandit and Reagan talking and laughing, he could feel his chest tightening. Jealousy was rearing its ugly head at how well they seemed to be getting along.
Shrugging off his coat, he shook off the feeling. Bandit was a good guy, and Reagan was a guest. Aside from that, Bandit was more like a brother than a friend, and he wouldn’t go after a woman he knew was taken.
Once his coat was hung up, he slowly walked into the kitchen. Bandit and Reagan had their backs to him, and it was as he expected: two chefs speaking each other’s language. They’d cooked a feast, and it warmed him to see her as part of his family. Hunter had no trouble seeing a future with her.
Once the family was together, they took the prepared dishes to the dining room so they could eat breakfast together. The jealousy he’d felt earlier came back stronger as he watched Bandit and his…title-to-be-determined girl laugh and kid while they all sat around the dining room table eating. Hunter knew it was innocent, but his heart and insides were in a turmoil.
What if Carrie Anne had put Bandit up to pretending to be interested in Reagan to make Hunter jealous? He pushed the thought away as he realized how ridiculous it sounded. It wasn’t like Wyatt and Gabby. Hunter and Reagan were engaged. There’d be no reason to pull a stunt like that.
Somehow, he kept that from showing while everyone ate. Once the meal was over, Bandit and Reagan were told to go away so the rest of the family could get the dishes cleaned.
Now, he was standing at her door, debating whether he should talk to her or not. He lifted his hand to knock, and the door swung open. Reagan bounced off him, and he grabbed her before she could fall. “Whoa.”
A tiny squeak popped out, and she looked up at him. “I’m so sorry.”
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“Bandit was going to share some recipes with me, and in turn, I was going to show him how I make coffee.” She smiled.
“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll talk to you later, then,” he said softly, dropping his hands from her arms and turning to walk away. Maybe he had read her intentions with Bandit wrong after all.
She buried her hand in his shirt, bringing him back to face her. “It’s just recipes. They won’t take long. Now, why were you at my door?”
“Well, I was going to make sure you were okay staying through New Year’s. I know my mom can work the guilt like a pro.” He laughed.
She lowered her gaze. “It’s okay. I didn’t have any reservations anyway, unfortunately, even though holidays are supposed to be a peak time for tourism. I don’t mind staying.”
He hadn’t meant to remind her of the sad state of her business. “I was…I was also going to see if you wanted to go into town with me, but if you’re busy, it’s okay.” That was what his lips were saying, but his heart was screaming, It’s not okay at all! He tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice.
“Actually, I’d like that. I’d love to see your childhood home and take a walk.” She lifted on her toes and kissed him. “I like Bandit, and I love cinnamon rolls. But, I like you more than either one of them.”
“Would you mind making it a date?” He smiled as relief filled him. He’d known there was nothing going on, but hearing it certainly helped.
Her eyes twinkled, and she nodded. “I’d really like that. What should I wear?”
Slipping his arm around her waist, he pulled her close. “You can wear anything you want. I think you’re beautiful in anything.” He cupped her cheek and lowered his lips to hers. Just as sweet and soft as last time. He pulled back and locked eyes with her. “Do you have a dress to wear?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “I have a dress.”
“Okay. I can’t imagine you prettier than you already are, but so far, you’ve managed to change my mind every time I see you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you in a bit, okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
He touched his lips to hers once more and strode to his room, determined to show her a great time. That is, after a cold shower or ten. Twice now, she’d kissed him, and both times the earth had moved under his feet.
When he thought of the future, he could see an outline with two people holding hands, walking the beach at sunset. The longer he was in her presence, the more in focus those two people became. By the time the holidays were over, he wasn’t sure he’d want the bed and breakfast anymore. At least, not if it didn’t come with her. It wouldn’t be worth having.
Bracing his hand against the wall in his bedroom, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He needed to slow down. Savor the moment and keep things at a steady pace. For both their sakes.
There was also the issue of the contract. What if she was just playing a part? If he ran full steam ahead and it turned out that she wasn’t feeling the same as him, there was a good chance his heart would be crushed.
He’d been lonely a long time, and now that a spotlight was trained on it, he realized the depth of it. What if an act was all this was? Could he be reading too much into their interactions? She had kissed him. Twice. It was circular reasoning at its best and enough to make his head hurt.
With a groan, he pushed off the wall and kicked off his boots. Lonely. Yeah, that was true, but Reagan more than filled that spot. Still, it was better to walk than run. Otherwise, he could face-plant, and he didn’t want that outcome for either of them.
Chapter 12
During the drive to town, Reagan had debated over and over how she’d tell Hunter she knew about the lottery. The longer she kept it from him, the worse she felt. What if he found out she knew from someone else? When she thought back to their financial interactions, she worried that the times she’d asked for more money or had taken money he’d offered would be looked at differently, like she was gold-digging. Surely he would believe that she didn’t know. Would he hate her or question her growing affection for him?
The thought made her heart race. Growing affection? Well, she couldn’t deny it. Hunter was a sweet man and someone she enjoyed being with. His kisses were mind-melting, especially that last kiss. It was something straight out of a fantasy. He’d pulled her flush against him, kissed her, and then told her she was beautiful. Plus, the little kiss on the nose? Holy wow. It had been such a little thing but so, so intimate.
“Uh, Reagan?” The sound of Hunter’s voice broke through her thoughts.
She smiled. “I’m sorry.” Now she realized the truck was parked and the engine was silent. How long had they been sitting in front of his childhood home? “I…”
What if she told him and he did get angry? Could she really risk losing the other half of the money? It wasn’t her fault that she’d found out, but they’d started this trip as barely friends. What if he didn’t believe her?
“Are you okay?”
For now, she’d act as if she had no idea. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He took her hand and smiled. “Come on. Let me show you the house. After we get your ring, we’ll take a walk around town before dinner.”
For a man who thought he lacked charm, he sure had a lot. “Okay.”
He helped her out of his side of the truck, and what she found herself liking more than anything was that he kept holding her hand when he didn’t have to.
The outside of his parents’ home appeared to be freshly painted, and the wrap-around porch looked perfect for an early morning swing and watching the sunrise. She could imagine Caroline and King rocking back and forth. “This is a cute house.”
“I think so.”
They walked to the door, continuing to hold hands. He opened it and held it for her to enter first.
Her mouth dropped open as she stepped inside. “It wasn’t locked?”
“There’s no one in this town who’d steal. I don’t know that we’ve ever locked a door. Everyone knows everyone,” he said, following her in.
Reagan looked around the mod
est living room. Compared to the home at the ranch, this one was tiny, but it had been updated recently. “I love the colors. The soft gray is nice.”
“Yeah, we all pitched in and had the house remodeled earlier this year. I would have done it myself, but I was in the middle of a few projects at the time.” He let go of her hand and turned in place. “The men who worked on this did a really good job.”
She studied him as his gaze roamed over the room. Somehow, he’d grown more attractive since they’d arrived in Caprock Canyon. He was gorgeous from the get-go, but now…now it went so far beyond looks. She’d peeked into his heart and found gold. “You really enjoy remodeling homes, don’t you?”
He brought his attention back to her and nodded. “I do. Or better, I did.”
“Did?”
“Guess if anyone’s going to know first, it should be you. I finished my last house before we left Georgia. When I return, I’m going to ask Stone, my partner, if he wants to buy my share of the business.” He inhaled long and slow like he felt the words now that they were out.
Reagan approached and leaned in to catch his gaze. “You seem sad about that.”
A tiny smile lifted his lips. “Not sad. Just…torn. In a way, I feel like I’m leaving my success behind. I’ve flipped houses so long now that it feels like I’m having one of my legs kicked out from under me. I mean, I know that’s not true, but change isn’t easy.”
She touched her fingers to his temple then slid them down the side of his face and along his jaw. His eyes closed as he pressed his face into her hand. They stood there, letting the silence encase them and shut the world out.
“It’s not true. You can’t leave success behind, Hunter. It’s who you are. The rumor on Tybee Island was that this house flipper wasn’t like all the others. He used quality material, paid close attention to details, and worked efficiently so he could offer solid, well-built homes that lasted. Every home you’ve touched is a standing reminder to your success.”
His eyes opened, and their gazes locked. “You think so?”
Before spending time with him? No. But now? “With all my heart.”
“You don’t think I’m a bad guy anymore?”
“Let’s not get hasty.” She chuckled, making sure he knew she was teasing.
He flashed her lopsided grin. “You’re not that funny.”
It only made her laugh harder.
“Come on, comedian, let me show you the rest of the house.” He placed the flat of his hand on the small of her back, and that electric connection climbed her spine, frying her nerves the entire way up.
Each room had a story, and with each story, she learned more and more about him. When they reached his room, she looked it over, seeing little bits and pieces of him all over it.
“How long has it been since you stayed here?” she asked, turning to face him.
Hunter put his hands on his hips and blew out a puff of air. “Uh, maybe two or three Christmases ago.”
“I can’t picture all of you crowded into a house this small, but I bet you didn’t notice it too much, huh?”
“No, but now that Bear has that ranch house, there’s no denying it’s nice to have a little extra room. I can’t tell you how many times I had a drink spilled on me.” He laughed.
She nodded. “I can see that being a problem.”
He took a deep breath and tipped his head toward his mom’s bedroom. “Let’s find you a ring out of Grandma Jo’s jewelry box.”
“Okay.”
He led her back to his mom’s room, pulled the jewelry box from the shelf in the closet, and sat on the bed. She joined him on the bed as he opened the lid and a tiny ballerina sprang up. “There is all sorts of stuff in here. We call it Grandma Jo’s, but it’s more like generations of women in my family.”
Reagan moved things around, marveling at all the little rings, earrings, and necklaces filling the box. Some looked older than she was comfortable wearing, especially since their engagement was fake. The last word caused her to pause. “I don’t know if I can wear any of these. Our…engagement isn’t real. I don’t want something to happen or to lose it.”
“I trust you. Besides, I’m more scared of my mom than you losing that ring.”
She leveled her eyes at him. “Then you pick it.”
“Okay.”
After a few minutes of digging, he pulled out a ring with an aquamarine center lined with little diamonds. She was intrigued that he’d picked it. “What made you pick that one?”
He lifted her left hand, and as he slipped the ring on her finger, he said, “It’s bright and soft at the same time. Soothing and peaceful like the ocean.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “Like you.”
Her heart had climbed higher into her throat with each word spoken. It was sweet and sincere and wonderful, just like him. How had she not seen it before? Warmth spread from her chest to her face and raced to the tips of her ears. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She was speechless. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
With a smile, he brought the back of her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. Every nerve in her body felt frazzled and frayed. “How about don’t. Let’s go take that walk.”
Walk, run, jog, jet-fuel backpack, maybe even parachuting out of a plane…wherever he went, she’d be up for it. Okay, the plane thing not so much, but she’d be there for moral support if that’s what he liked doing for fun.
Inwardly, she groaned. She needed to tell him she knew about his money, but how? It wasn’t fair that he was being so great. This trip was supposed to end with her on one side and him on the other. Instead, the idea of not having him next to her made her want to cry. Maybe she’d figure out a way to tell him before the evening was over because she wasn’t sure she could keep it from him much longer.
Chapter 13
“So, what do you think of Caprock Canyon?” asked Hunter.
Their date so far had been fantastic. When he’d picked the ring out, he’d been afraid he’d said too much, but when he lifted his gaze to hers, the smile on her lips and the twinkle in her eyes were enough to melt him. He couldn’t understand why she hadn’t been told those kinds of things more often.
Reagan looked at him. “I love it.”
He pointed to the building where Gabby worked. “When Gabby isn’t at the orchard, she’s there. The newspaper shut down not long after the ranch, and when she returned home, she got it going again.”
“Neat. Do you think the town will come back now that the ranch is working again?”
He put his arm across her shoulders, bringing her closer. “We hope so. There aren’t many of us here, but it’s a great place to live and raise a family. Not really much to look at in terms of scenery, but the sunrises and sunsets can’t be beat.”
“I still can’t get over not locking the doors.”
“One of the perks of a tiny town.” He chuckled. “I’m getting cold and hungry. Are you?”
She nodded. “I think I’m walking on icicles. My legs are freezing.”
He groaned. “I should have thought about that when I asked you to wear the dress.”
“I think I would have worn it anyway.” She smiled.
“Well, you look incredible, but that wasn’t a surprise.” He knew this thing had started as a business proposal, but the longer they were together, the less business it felt.
She bumped him with her shoulder. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He pulled her to a stop and puts his arms around her. “Is that so,” he teased.
Her eyes dipped to his lips and back up, catching his gaze, and in an instant, he couldn’t breathe. If sultry had a picture next to it, it would be Reagan Loveless. Mercy, she did things to him that no woman had ever done. Lifting on her toes, she ran her hands from the collar of his coat down the lapel and buried her fists in it. “You were lying when you said you had no charm, Mr. West.” Her breath mingled with his, and his mouth went dry.
Swallowing hard, he sai
d, “Uh.” Twenty-six letters in the alphabet, and all he had was uh?
“Cat got your tongue?” She was a cat playing with a mouse.
“Uh. No?” His vocabulary needed serious work.
She chuckled and pulled him closer. “Was that a statement or a question?”
This time she didn’t let him answer. She pulled his lips down to hers, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He was flat-out undone. She teased his lips open, and the hunger he felt for her was soul deep. Not just for her kisses, but for every ounce of her, including her imperfections.
He slid his hand up her back, into her hair, and felt the low moan in her throat. Knowing he was the cause only fueled the need for her. When she broke the kiss, she seemed as breathless as he was. He touched his forehead to hers and continued to hold her.
“I’ve never kissed anyone like that before,” she said, her ragged breath matching his own.
“I’ve never been kissed like that before.” A few thousand more wouldn’t hurt either.
“That’s a very good response.” She chuckled.
He pressed his lips to her forehead and brushed them down the side of her face. “I think we should probably go have dinner now.”
“I think you might be right.” She tilted her head, allowing him easier access, and he continued pressing light kisses along her jaw and across her neck. Another soft moan escaped her lips. “We can go in a minute.”
With that, her fingers tangled in his hair as he brought his lips back to hers. He had no idea how long they stood in the middle of the town kissing, but when they broke apart again, the sun was definitely lower in the sky and the temperature had dropped.
She laid her head against his chest, clinging to him. “We can go now.”
“Okay.” So not okay. He could have spent eternity kissing her and being kissed by her.
The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary (Caprock Canyon Romance Book 2) Page 8
