Page 28 of The Forbidden Texan
“That’s well and good, but—” he broke off and ran a hand through his blond hair “—Emily, be careful. You’re seeing a guy who comes from a family that is totally dysfunctional and not one bit like ours. His mother has had four or five husbands.”
“I know that and we’re not serious, and I’m not going to be involved with his family.”
Lucas shook his head. “I’m still warning you, watch out. Jake Ralston has a trail of broken hearts behind him and I don’t want him to hurt you.”
“There’s nothing between me and Jake but a business deal and it’s almost over. When it is, I’m sure he’ll go out of my life.”
“Doesn’t sound as if he will since he’s taking you to the big party and one that will honor him, so it’s special to him. But I hope you’re right. Just do yourself a favor and leave your heart at home on Saturday night.”
“Thank you for the brotherly concern. I’ll be okay and Jake will have a good time.”
“Oh, I don’t think you can find a woman who won’t agree with you on that one. They still love him after he dumps them.” Lucas threw up his hands. “I tried. Tell him if he hurts you, your brothers will beat him up.”
“Lucas, don’t—”
He laughed and shook his head. “I’m kidding. Well, you’ve been warned. I will let you cry on my shoulder and I’ll restrain myself from saying I told you so.”
She sighed and headed toward the door. “I’ll call Mom and Dad. I have other things to do. As charming as your conversation is, I can tear myself away. See you at the party tomorrow night. Remember, Jake was a ranger, a friend of Thane’s and he rescued a bunch of dogs.”
“Yeah, yeah. A hero. And you remember what I said to you.”
At the door, she turned. “I’m really glad you asked Harper Ralston. We’re going to make a difference in the old feud. Thanks, Lucas.”
“Sure. It was a sacrifice I made for you,” he said, grinning, and she laughed.
“I can’t wait to meet her,” she said and left, laughing at her brother and knowing Jake would be pleased to hear another Ralston and Kincaid would be together at the party.
Lucas
Lucas walked to the window and watched his sister drive away. She was heading for heartache—he just knew it.
Jake Ralston had a reputation, a well-deserved reputation, judging from the women whose hearts he’d left broken. His MO had probably started from the time he was in high school. Doug and Jake were in the same classes, but Lucas had been in sports with Jake and knew the guy was intelligent, competitive and athletic. And a magnet for the females.
Lucas sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. He couldn’t do anything about his sister. She’d never really been in love and usually was levelheaded, but some women seemed to lose all sense when it came to Jake. Lucas just hoped she didn’t get hurt badly. At least Jake wasn’t a marrying man, because as much as he wanted the feud to end, blending their two families would never work. With its history, Jake’s was light-years removed from his and Emily’s.
Lucas understood why she couldn’t turn down Thane’s million-dollar gift, but Lucas wished she wouldn’t go Saturday night with Jake. “You’re going to be another trophy, Sis,” he said to the empty room. It wouldn’t have done any good to have said that to Emily. She would do what she wanted to do regardless of what he said.
In the meantime, he had a date to get ready for. A date with Harper Ralston.
* * *
Saturday morning, Emily shopped and bought a new dress and shoes. Before noon, she got her hair styled, getting lighter blond highlights. Her long hair framed her face and the spiral curls fell over her shoulders.
Early in the evening, she dressed in a sleeveless red silk dress that had a low-cut V-neckline, a fitted waist and a straight skirt with a slit to her knee on one side. She felt bubbly excitement at the prospect of partying with Jake.
She had no idea what Jake really thought of her. She didn’t spend time wondering because they had no future. She knew that she shouldn’t have been going out with him and she shouldn’t have gotten all dressed up for him if she intended to guard her heart, but temptation had been too great. She wanted a night to party with him and she wished for one night that he would really notice her. She knew he was aware of her in her sweatshirts and jeans, but for one evening, she longed for a few hours of fun with a handsome, sexy guy whose kisses could melt her. Tomorrow, she would return to life as usual and soon Jake would disappear from her life completely, so she was at least going to have one great memory.
She was certain they would see a lot of people they knew and therefore tonight should be another big blow to the Ralston-Kincaid feud. She thought about Jake not really being a Ralston. Only a handful of people knew that and none of them would reveal that secret, so tonight, to the world in this section of Texas, more than one Kincaid and a Ralston were out together, enjoying each other’s company. They had worked long, hard hours on the ranch, way into the night, and she felt a growing eagerness to forget the tasks they still had to finish and simply enjoy the party with the handsome and sexy Jake.
The closer it got to six when he was picking her up, the more her excitement grew. She was ready and waiting when she heard a car and looked out to see a long white limo stop on her drive and Jake step out.
At the sight of him, her breath caught. He wore a white Stetson, a black tux with a white tux shirt, a black cummerbund and black boots. He looked gorgeous, a supersexy Texan.
She grabbed her small purse and hurried to the door. She shouldn’t have been doing this, but one night shouldn’t be life changing.
Seven
Jake went to the door in long strides. He had looked forward to this evening with Emily. He rang the bell and seconds later, she swung open the door. His gaze swept over her and he inhaled deeply while his heart hammered in his chest.
