Page 33 of Perfect Scandal
Alana nods and gathers another bite. “So, are we still pretending that you didn’t spend the night with him in Vegas or…?”
I choke on my next breath. “Excuse me?”
“You were wearing his T-shirt when you came down to breakfast.” She stuffs the fork into her mouth and smiles. “You might’ve grown up on a ranch, but you don’t strike me as a Carhartt kind of girl.”
Shit. “Um… it’s not what you think.” Mostly. She probably assumes we slept together, and I can safely say that didn’t happen. At least not then.
“I’m pretty sure it is, but I’m the last person who’s going to give you crap about it. I like you both, and frankly, I think he needs someone like you in his life.”
“It’s really not like that.” I would love it to be, but tonight proved that we have a few things to deal with before we can even consider getting to that place.
“You reached into his pocket and took his keys, and the man didn’t so much as flinch. Then he let you drive his most prized possession when I’m pretty sure he’s never even let someone else sit behind the wheel before.” She blinks at me like I’m crazy. “It’s like that, Tessa. At least for him.”
Other than Ben and Cooper, she probably knows him better than any of us because she grew up here, too. But I don’t want to get my hopes up. Not yet anyway.
“You haven’t mentioned this to Holden?” I ask, cringing.
“Obviously not, or he wouldn’t have let you leave with him tonight.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s going to be pissed when he finds out. Kaden, too. You may be an adult, but you’ll always be their baby sister. And Dean…” She mulls it over as she sets the cake plate aside. “They respect him as the person who knows more about this ranch than anyone, but no one will ever be good enough for you in their eyes. Especially not another rancher.”
“That’s so hypocritical.”
“Hey, they know how miserable the job can be, and like Kaden said earlier, Dean’s already married to the Magnolia Blue. You know?”
Yep. And he’s married to me, too.
“I like him, Al. I’ve liked him since you introduced us in December. Running into him in Vegas… it felt like fate.”
“And maybe it was.” She offers a kind smile. “Just be careful. And don’t wait too long to tell your brothers. They’re going to be upset either way, but the sooner you break the news, the easier it will be.”
“He’s worried about losing his job,” I admit.
Alana’s eyes widen, as if she hadn’t thought of that. “Ah. I hope that doesn’t happen, but if he was reallythatworried, he should’ve kept his Wranglers on.”
chapter 13
DEAN
Tessa returned to Colorado the day after the party, and Holden headed back to the rodeo circuit. The days flew by, and now it’s Tuesday afternoon, and Kaden’s pulling his typical “gotta run an errand in town” bullshit. This time, I let him go without rolling my eyes too hard, because I’ve had an unread text from Tessa on my phone for damn near two hours now. The sooner he leaves, the sooner I can check it.
“Be back shortly,” he lies, and I wave him off as I make room for more hay bales in the cattle barn. But just as soon as his truck starts up in the distance, I ditch my gloves and dig out my phone.
Jeff wants to meet this afternoon. I’m nervous.
You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. Spencer’s the one who should be sweating,I text back.And I’m sorry for the delay. Your brother’s been a leech today.
I wish I could be a leech. On you anyway.
Chuckling, I drop onto one of the square bales and wipe the perspiration from my forehead.
She replies with a facepalm emoji before I can respond.That sounds stupid. But you know what I mean.
Uh-huh. I can’t resist the open invitation.You wanna suck me?
I imagine her blushing as she reads the message, and that quickly morphs into her kneeling before me with my dick in her mouth. I’m hard in an instant.
God, I’d love that. Still haven’t tasted you.
Fuck. Are we really doing this at two o’clock on a Tuesday afternoon?When you coming back to Montana?
