Page 45 of Wed to You-
She laughed. He was right. If this had been just the three of them enjoying the day, and not the start of their ruse, it would have been a perfect first date.
“I regret even more that I listened to Mitch.” Jagger reached out and gently tugged on a strand of her hair.
Warmth spread through her body at his words and gesture, but Chelsea fought against it, reminding herself that it wasn’t real. “You managed him pretty well today.”
“He didn’t shoot me.”
“Well, he didn’t have his gun on him.”
“Would you have protected me if he did?”
She cocked her head to the side and pressed a finger over her lips as if she was considering his question. “For Kaden’s sake, yes.”
He laughed. “Speaking of which, I should take him home.”
“Of course. What time should I come tonight?”
“About seven.”
“I’ll be there.”
He studied her for a moment and then stepped closer, leaning his head toward her. “Thank you, Chelsea.”
Up so close, his eyes seemed even bluer. His male scent even more masculine. It was all she could do to keep from sighing. His gaze dropped to her lips, before lifting back to her eyes. For a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her, but then he straightened. “I’ll see you at seven.”
Chelsea swallowed her disappointment. “Seven.”
Chapter 7
“Higher this time.” Kaden swam into Jagger’s waiting arms. Jagger lifted and tossed Kaden, who landed with a splash a few feet away, his water wings pulling him to the surface, where he emerged laughing.
The time at the fair with Chelsea had been pleasant if he ignored the scowls from Mitch. Once Chelsea’s friends had gone their own way, and it was just the three of them, the day had been nearly perfect. Initially, pretending to be in love had been awkward. He’d never been a hand-holder or someone who showed affection in public before. But as the day wore on, he didn’t think about how to act, he simply did what came naturally whether it was brushing his thumb across her lower lip to wipe off cotton candy or tugging at a beautiful auburn curl blowing around her face. When it was time to say goodbye, he nearly carried natural instinct too far by kissing her. God how he wanted to kiss her, especially since he teased himself earlier with hertaste. Their agreement was to show affection only as part of the ruse. He might have been able to get away with it in the parking lot, except there would have been nothing fake about it. At least on his end.
Once they’d returned home, Kaden napped while Jagger checked on the horses. They decided to swim before Chelsea came for dinner.
“Again.” Kaden paddled his arms back to Jagger.
“You’re going to grow gills.”
“Like a fish. No, a dolphin.”
Jagger was pretty sure dolphins didn’t have gills, but it didn’t seem worth explaining. Not every minute had to be a learning moment. Would that be different with Chelsea there? As a teacher, would she seize every opportunity to impart knowledge as Kaden’s step-mom...or actually step-niece? Jagger laughed at the sound of that.
“Mr. Talbot.” Grayson’s voice broke through Jagger’s thoughts and Kaden’s splashing in the water.
“Yes, Grayson.”
“Detective McKenna is here.”
Of course he is.“Bring him out here. See if he wants anything to drink.”
“Higher, Jagger.”
“This is the last time, sport.”
“Aww.”
“I’ve got to meet with Mitch and you need to get cleaned up to see Miss Beemer.” Jagger wondered what he should have Kaden call Chelsea now. It seemed a little too formal to call her Miss Beemer. He’d been in Virginia long enough to know that most children didn’t call adults by their first name. He’d received some odd stares from people in town when Kaden called him Jagger. So maybe she’d be Miss Chelsea.
