Page 31 of A Rancher's Bride
May as well begin the way she meant to go on.
Kelli leaned against him and slid her hand into his back pocket, ignoring the way he stiffened up like she’d poked him with a cattle prod. “That’s really generous of you. If you’re sure we won’t be putting you out…?”
“We wouldn’t have offered if we didn’t mean it,” Jack insisted. “If you’re good with that plan, Luke and I will go tell them so they can give us a full set of wristbands and take your luggage up.”
“Meanwhile, I’m starving,” Diane said, grabbing Kelli by the hand and tugging her toward the restaurant. “It’s only a couple times zones different, but I swear we missed three meals already today.”
Kelli glanced over her shoulder. Luke was still standing there, seemingly in shock as he twisted his gaze between Jack and Kelli.
She widened her eyes and pulled her lips back into a patently fake smile, making sure neither Jack or Diane noticed.
Luke’s lips twitched. Then he shrugged before offering a firm nod and a thumbs-up. Which she supposed meant whatever chaos they’d just stepped into, he would deal with.
She didn’t have time for butterflies to develop because Diane was tugging her toward the most wonderful aromas.
“I hear they have triple decker hamburgers,” Diane shared conspiratorially, guiding Kelli down a side passage that held a discreet plaque that said Triple Crown and nothing else.
“With or without bacon?” Kelli asked.
Diane squeezed her arm. “I can tell we’re going to get along just fine.”
* * *
The day had startedwith a bit of nervous energy in his belly, but Luke completely in control. That was hours ago, and with every minute that ticked past, control became more of an illusion.
How the hell had this happened? It was a good thing Kelli seemed to have gotten past the stage of wanting to rip his guts out, but he wasn’t sure how long that would last, considering they were now being forced to share a room.
He kind of doubted the suite ran to Jack and Jill beds.
Kelli had made her point clear. She had agreed to come and play along on this gig, but he bet being forced to share a mattress was pushing it a little hard.
Add in the fact she was acting weird…which in turn made him react like a hyperactive hare. She’d never been so touchy-feely before, and while her cozying up against him wasn’t out of line with them being a couple, it had set off an uncomfortable reaction.
A whisper of heat that was completely unexpected. Luke wasn’t sure what to blame it on, but he knew he needed to get it under control as quickly as possible.
By the time he and Jack had settled everything with the front desk and sent the luggage on up, Diane and Kelli had already ordered for them.
Or more accurately, Diane had ordered with Kelli’s approval.
Jack slid into the bench seating next to his girlfriend and placed an arm around Diane’s shoulders. “There we go, all set up.”
Luke settled next to Kelli, suddenly uncertain where he should put his hands.
“We really appreciate it,” he started again, but Jack waved it off.
“It’s been a couple years since we got to talk. And while I know we’ve got the week ahead of us, you’re going to be busy chatting it up with everyone else.” Jack squeezed Diane’s shoulders as he glanced at her with affection. “This way we’re guaranteed to get some of their attention, right, darlin’?”
“See? We have selfish motives for our generosity,” Diane offered with a wink. She stared intently across the table at Kelli, one brow rising the longer she focused. “I haven’t met you before, have I? Because you look familiar.”
Kelli shook her head. “Unless you’ve been out to Silver Stone or the Calgary Stampede, it’s doubtful. I don’t get around that much.”
Then she messed with his mind, leaning against Luke’s side as she wrapped her fingers around his biceps. With her cuddled up against him once again, that hitch in his belly shot back to high.
She was acting like they were a couple, and he couldn’t fault her on that, but every time she moved he was far too aware of her strong grip on his arm. Her thigh under the table brushing his.
The food arrived, and the temperature in the room seemed to skyrocket. He thoughtlessly pulled off his jacket, not realizing that the next time Kelli touched him, her fingers would brush bare skin.
It was hard to concentrate on the conversation, and the only thing he truly remembered about lunch was admiring the way Kelli slid into her comfort zone the instant Diane brought up the topic of horses.
