“I don’t know, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
My stomach turns and my heart drops. “More sense than him actually caring about me?”
Kaden tips his head, the crease in his brow almost sympathetic. “Tessa, come on.”
“I may be young, but I’m not unlovable, Kaden.”
“Jesus Christ.” He drives his hands into his hair. “I didn’t say you weren’t.”
“Then why is it so hard for you to believe that what Dean and I have could be real? Like you and Carly, or Holden and Alana.” The tears building behind my eyes finally break free, and I swipe them away. I could point out that Carly is only a year older than me, but my interest in arguing with him died the moment he implied that Dean might not want me for me.
“He kept your relationship hidden, Tess. And whether he actually gives a shit or not, you deserve better than that.”
“You’re damn right I do.” With false courage, I smile before I shift toward the porch steps. “And I deserve better than the way you and Holden have treated me, too.”
chapter 23
DEAN
You saw her as an opportunity.
Kaden’s bitter words replay in my head to the point I can barely think above the blood rushing in my ears. By the time I get to my cabin, my temples ache almost as much as my chest.
He accused me of using her.
Forget my job, forgethisopinion of me…
All that matters is the seed of doubt he’s probably planting in Tessa’s head right now about my true intentions with her.
I’ve held back so much, trying to protect us both, and now that restraint—along with this ridiculous allegation—is going to make her question the validity of the feelings I still struggle to express.
And then there are the annulment papers.
The papers still sitting in the bottom of the duffel I took to Boulder, because I couldn’t bring myself to mail them like I said would.
I signed on the dotted line right next to her, but putting that envelope in the mail and setting the ball in motion… why the hell would I want to end what we’ve only just begun?
Because I wanted something from her, Kaden’s going to say. Because I saw her as a fucking opportunity.
“Fucking bullshit.” Slamming the truck door behind me, I storm into the cabin and straight to the bedroom for those damn papers.
I could take them to mailbox right now. Hell, I could drive to Billings right now and hand deliver them to Kip so there’s no question about my intentions.
But fuck if the thought of losing her, even if on paper, doesn’t hurt worse now than it did a week ago.
And this ranch? Kaden can shove it up his ass, because I don’t want any part of it if I have to give upmy wifeto keep it.
“Dean…” Tessa’s voice calls down the hall followed by the soft click of the door. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
“Back here,” I answer, dropping down on the bed with the envelope in hand.
“Hey,” she says softly as she appears in the doorway, her eyes red and her makeup smudged. “I, uh, I’m sorry I freaked out on you in the truck.”
Ha. After all that, she’s apologizing for her feminist streak? “I would’ve worried about you if you hadn’t given me hell.”
A ghost of a smile flickers across her lips. “This partnership thing might take me a bit to get used to.”
I nod and hold up the papers. “I never mailed them. I know I said I would, but I couldn’t do it and—”
