deep, silky sound of Jake’s voice made her breath catch. Her heart did little joyful flips and shivers of delight carried throughout her body. He’d made it on board. “Jake?”
She turned and was immediately thunderstruck by his appearance. He was dressed in black, from head to toe, starting with that shiny black Stetson she’d had fantasies about, a dark Western suit and newly polished snakeskin boots.
“In the flesh,” he answered, downing her whiskey sour in one giant gulp. “There, less temptation for you.”
She swallowed, noting that he was all the temptation she could manage tonight. “I—I was sure you changed your mind.”
“Nope, just got behind schedule. Rodeo didn’t start on time.”
“Did you win?” she asked, relief at having a date for tonight mingling with her fear at having a date for tonight. At having Jake as her date for tonight. Jeez, it was a definite catch-22 situation. But he was here now, and Cassie had to keep her head. They’d have a pleasant evening, then part ways. Jake hadn’t offered anything else, so she shouldn’t be worried. They could pull off one night together.
But heavens, the man sure cleaned up nicely.
“Yep. I won.” He grinned, a charming lifting of lips that had Cassie remembering how good his kisses were. “I’m in the finals for tomorrow. You said you’ve never been to the rodeo. Why don’t you come?”
“Oh, I couldn’t. I’m leaving for L.A. first thing in the morning.”
He shrugged. “If you change your mind, I’ll leave a pass for you at the gate. Starts at twelve noon.”
“Thanks, Jake. And thanks for coming today.”
He nodded. “You look gorgeous,” he said, and from the appreciative gleam in his eyes Cassie knew it wasn’t just a line. Jake had a way of looking at her that made her feel soft and feminine. At least the two hundred dollars she had spent on the black satin cocktail dress hadn’t been for nothing. Jake seemed to like it on her just fine. “Just promise me, no more hard liquor. Your head must have just settled.”
Cassie laughed. “Well, yes. The throbbing did simmer down about an hour ago. I guess I wasn’t thinking when I ordered that drink.”
And she was barely able to think straight now, having Jake standing so close. He took her hand. “Come on, Cassie. Let’s take us a little stroll on deck.”
Holding hands with Jake had the desired effect. The same people who’d given her sympathetic stares not twenty-four hours ago were now casting her appreciative nods. It shouldn’t matter. It shouldn’t be so all-fired important. And perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad if the man who had jilted her hadn’t been attending the celebration with his new wife. Cassie could have managed Brian’s wedding otherwise. And Cassie admitted to herself, Jake Griffin was a boost to her ego, even if this whole evening was a sham. He was drop-dead gorgeous, likable and dangerous enough to keep her on her toes. For tonight at least, she’d enjoy having him be her pretend date.
Jake stopped by the railing and, pulling her close enough to brush hips, whispered in her ear, “That’s your ex over there, isn’t it?”
With a slow turn of her head, Cassie spotted Rick with his wife by the bow of the boat. “Yes, how’d you know?”
Jake turned to her, looked into her eyes then bent his head. When he lowered his mouth to hers, Cassie knew he was about to kiss her. A thrilling sensation caught her completely off guard. She put thoughts of Rick, the wedding, the boat—everything—out of her head. Jake’s lips met hers, drawing deep from the contours of her mouth. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she moved into him until their bodies meshed.
The impact stunned her. His nearness. His sexy scent, made up of musk and man. When the brim of his Stetson brushed her head, her legs wobbled and her heart raced with each moment that passed. Being in Jake’s arms did astonishing things to her. She shouldn’t indulge in such pleasurable, exciting, risky things, yet she hadn’t the power to stop it.
Jake broke off the kiss, leaving her trembling. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you. I saw him darting glances when his wife wasn’t looking. Thought we’d give him something worth watching.”
“What? Oh, you mean, Rick?” All was suddenly clear. The kiss was meant for Rick to witness. Jake was playing the part of boyfriend, kissing her in front of the man who’d dumped her, making sure he’d taken a good hard look. It was a sweet gesture but Cassie’s stomach churned bitterly at the deceit. Secretly she’d hoped Jake had kissed her for other reasons, none of them having to do with showing up her ex-fiancé.
“Yes, we gave him something look at,” Cassie agreed quietly. She turned to gaze out at the scenery passing by. White water vanished into blue as the paddle wheel spun around and around, not entirely unlike Cassie’s head at the moment.
An hour later Cassie dried her tears with a wipe of her hankie. Brian had just spoken his vows to Alicia and two had become one on a crystal-blue lake under an ancient, elegant bridge. Jake stood by her side, and when he glanced down at her teary face, he cast her a quick smile and took hold of her hand, entwining her fingers with his. The gentle pressure he applied to her hand was meant to reassure, but it had a different effect entirely. Tingles surfaced, a common occurrence she’d come to know when making contact with Jake, and every nerve in her body was fully, completely aware of the hunky cowboy.
Cassie warned herself not to indulge in her fantasy.
She had to come to grips with reality—Jake was doing her a favor. The wedding was probably the last place he’d choose to be right now. He was a rodeo rider, focused on winning the championship. He had places to go, people to see, a man without roots, it seemed. She’d better remember that her wild attraction to him would be fruitless and a big mistake. She’d witnessed passion in his eyes when speaking of his life with the rodeo. She’d sensed his drive and something underlying on his expression, something guarded, something he kept hidden. Perhaps there was more to his great ambition to win the championship than he would allow a stranger.
After the ceremony Jake led her over to the newlyweds in the reception area, where she hugged Alicia with great affection and kissed her brother’s cheek. “It was a beautiful ceremony. I wish you both all the happiness you deserve.”
Jake shook Brian’s hand and kissed Alicia’s cheek. “Congratulations.”
“I’m so glad you made it to the wedding, Jake,” Alicia said, smiling.
“Jake is with the rodeo, Alicia. He had a competition today and made it just in time,” Cassie offered in explanation.
“Oh, then the captain must be a fan of yours. He said he wouldn’t leave the dock until a very important guest arrived. I take it, that was you, Jake?” Alicia asked, her curiosity written all over her face.
Jake cleared his throat, darting her a glance. “I guess so. Lucky for me, he didn’t shove off right on time.”
Brian leaned in to kiss Alicia’s cheek. “The music is starting up. It’s time for me to take my new wife for a spin on the dance floor. They’re playing our song, sweetheart.”
Cassie watched Brian whisk his bride away. They stepped onto the small parquet dance floor as a five-piece band began to play. After the first song the bandleader welcomed all other
