Page 45 of The Playboy Meets His Match
He caught her chin in his hand. “I’m really in love with you.”
She smiled at him, a mysterious, feminine smile that left him unable to discern what she truly felt. “I’m glad.”
“I don’t think you believe me.”
“Of course I do, to a degree,” she said, twisting to turn onto her back to wrap both arms around his neck and pull him down to her. “I’ll show you, Jason.”
It was noon the next day before he kissed her goodbye.
“I have appointments all afternoon, and at four, I’m meeting with Sebastian, Rob, Will and Keith to tell them what we found in Dorian’s computer files and about my fire.”
“Be careful in town.”
“I will, and you stay on the ranch and don’t disappear.” He kissed her hard and long and then released her. “I have to break some bad news to my friends about our suspicions. See you tonight.”
She watched him stride away and thought about his declarations of love and reminded herself not to be taken in by them. Once again, she told herself that she needed to pack and go home, back to her regular life instead of this life that had turned into a dream.
Nine
Late in the day, Jason sat in the meeting room at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. The air-conditioned room was cool and quiet. Iced tea and cold beer had been served. Will and Sebastian had come from work and had shed their suit coats and ties and rolled up shirtsleeves. Leaning back in one of the comfortable leather chairs, Keith was in chinos and a green knit shirt while Rob was in jeans and a blue Western shirt like Jason.
Jason looked around the circle of solemn faces.
“Thanks for coming. I want to bring all of you up to date. I asked you to keep this meeting confidential,” Jason said. “We’ve cut Dorian out of the meeting.”
“Is there a good reason?” Sebastian asked with concern in his gray eyes, and Jason suspected Sebastian still wanted to believe the best about his half brother even though it was growing more difficult all the time.
“I think there is,” Jason answered. “Merry and I got into Wescott Oil—”
“You’re the burglars?” Will asked incredulously.
“Where and how is Merry?” Rob asked.
“She’s fine and she’s out at my ranch,” Jason replied evenly.
“Well, she’s not escaping now,” Will observed with amusement. “Is there some reason for this?”
“Hey, maybe I’m going to be the last bachelor left standing,” Keith said, staring at Jason. “I might win that bet after all,” he said.
“You can’t beat our resident playboy,” Rob remarked, watching Jason closely even though he was grinning. Rob tilted his head. “That’s right, isn’t it?”
Thoughts flitted through Jason’s mind as he hesitated before answering, a mistake, because instantly all of them were teasing and asking questions.
“Our playboy bites the dust,” Rob said. “The wildcat gets her man.”
“The wildcat lassos the cowboy, hog-ties and drags him to the altar,” Keith said.
“She won’t have to drag me,” Jason replied, and whoops of laughter and disbelief burst from his friends. He grinned and waited for them to settle.
“You’re going to be the last bachelor,” Rob said to Keith.
“Well, not quite so fast,” Jason cautioned. “The lady hasn’t said yes. I haven’t asked her yet.”
“Oh! Sorry, Keith,” Sebastian said, “The truth comes out. I can’t see our playboy popping the question.”
This brought more teasing which Jason put up with patiently.
“Okay, y’all,” he said finally. “Enough’s enough. We didn’t meet to discuss my love life—”
