The kiss finished all too soon for Jena’s liking. It took a minute to calm her pulse and focus her eyes on his face.
“Better get ready, princess. I want to get there, get this over with and get home as fast as we can. I have plans for you and your dress.” With a sexy little smile, he kissed the tip of her nose, then sauntered from the room.
Leaving Jena dazed, horny and seriously confused.
The pub was packed, more so than usual for a Monday night. As Matt led Jena into the restaurant area, he got the impression people were there for more than the food. Word had spread round Invertary at warp speed. The curious were out to watch Jena and her mum. Matt wasn’t surprised; the locals treated everybody else’s business as the equivalent of a live reality TV show. There was an air of expectation in the room, a buzz of anticipation. He didn’t like it one bit.
As soon as Dougal spotted them, he rushed over. Another bad sign. If the town’s unofficial mayor and pub owner was tense, there was usually a reason for it. One Matt knew he wouldn’t like.
“Hi, Jena.” Dougal gave her a tight little smile. He grimaced at Matt. “Jena’s mother is in the booth round the corner of the bar.” He paused as he gave Jena a sympathetic look. “She has company.”
Matt was instantly on alert. “Don’t tell me she managed to get hold of Josh and Mitch. I gave them a heads-up that she was on the prowl.”
“No, lad, it’s not the boys. She’s with Frank.”
Jena froze beside him. He rubbed the small of her back through the silky material of his favourite dress to reassure her, and to remind her she wasn’t alone. Anyone wanting to mess with her had to get through him first.
“Your mum has been telling everyone you’re going back home with Frank. She also told anyone who would listen that you were”—he cleared his throat—“only sowing your wild oats with Matt, that your relationship isn’t serious.”
Jena hung her head. Matt felt her heart pound under his hand. “Everyone thinks we’re dating.” She looked up at him, her honey-coloured eyes wide and panicked at the thought. Matt wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or amused.
“No they don’t, princess. Remember, I’m still in one piece.”
She elbowed him in the ribs. At least she didn’t look so desolate anymore. “Be serious for one minute. This is a mess. We’re not dating. Tell him we’re not dating.” She pointed at Dougal.
Matt did as he was told. “We’re not dating.” He even managed to keep his face straight while he said it.
Dougal’s eyes flickered with amusement. “So what are you doing, lad?”
“I’m living with her.”
Jena gasped before glaring at him.
“I thought it was best to skip the dating stage,” he told Dougal.
“Wise decision.” Dougal nodded. His lip twitching as he hid a smile.
“Matt, it’s one thing to let my mom and Frank think we’re an item, but you can’t let it spread through town. Once Frank and my mom go home, people will still think we’re together.”
“You’re right,” he said. Really? What else was there to say? They were together. Jena would eventually catch on.
“Anything else we should know?” he asked Dougal.
“Nothing concrete. Although I have a bad feeling. Those two are after something, and I get the impression they’re not above using our Jena to get it.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
Dougal nodded as though he hadn’t expected anything less. He made his excuses and headed back to the bar. Matt pulled Jena closer to his side as they wound their way around the tables. People gawked and whispered. Matt ignored it. He’d been living in Invertary practically his whole life, so he was used to it. Jena wasn’t. He felt her stiffen beside him. If she didn’t relax, she’d never make it thro
ugh dinner with her mother and ex-boyfriend.
“Princess.” He pulled her to a stop beside the bar. He held her hand in his as she looked up at him. He hated the anxiety in her eyes. “You look gorgeous.” Her eyes softened slightly. He cupped her cheek with his hand. “You take my breath away.”
“Matt,” she admonished. The pretty pink flush that coloured her cheeks made him wish they were alone.
He leaned into her. Her scent engulfed him, making everything else fade away. “You are definitely the sexiest woman in town,” he whispered, pleased when she shivered. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you.”
He placed a light kiss on her luscious lips. Man, she was beautiful. He heard the murmurs behind him and didn’t care. He was well aware he’d made his claim on Jena as public as possible. It was a nice side benefit of getting her mind off their evening. Hopefully now the men of Invertary would stop asking his woman out. Because she was his woman. She just didn’t know it yet.