Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Jarvis did a mental eye roll to avoid getting lambasted. Again. He didn’t want to go anywhere with Selina if he could prevent it. A night with her pawing at him and selling an attraction he didn’t feel wasn’t his idea of a good time. “I’ll have to check my calendar,” he said.

“Your calendar.” Selina cackled. “Jarvis, you sound like a real Colton.”

Thankfully, he wasn’t in a position where she could see his face. He was a real Colton, even if Payne had refused to acknowledge the truth. In that moment, he decided he’d kick Selina out of her precious house if it did turn out Triple R belonged to him and his siblings.

He managed to make the connections without cussing her out or wrenching his arm out of the socket. Kneeling, he scooted the wine cooler back inch by inch into the space. Sitting back on his heels, he eyed the appliance and started to adjust it to level.

“Say something,” Selina demanded. “Seriously, Jarvis. Don’t be coy. You’re the hottest thing out here. Help me out.”

Thing. He took his time rooting around in his toolbox for the small level. He didn’t do relationships, either, but he hoped like hell he’d never treated a woman with as much disregard as Selina did him. “Not sure I can swing it,” he said. “I have a lot on my plate out here and a date goes over and above my usual tasks.”

“This would be vaguely personal,” she said. “You forget how much I know about this place. Asher gives you plenty of time off. I need to show up with the hottest man in town. Only the best eye candy is worth rubbing in Regina’s face,” Selina confessed.

“Sounds like some friend,” he muttered. He set the level in place and then purposely missed the mark just to keep her talking.

“She’s not all bad, but she is in a class by herself. Think about what you’ll gain, rubbing elbows with wealthy businessmen who could help you get your career back on track.”

“My career is on the perfect track,” he said.

She swore. “What will it take to convince you to help me out?”

“When is it?” He made incremental adjustments until the wine cooler was perfectly level. Selina didn’t tolerate anything less than perfection.

She gave him the date and time. “I’d need you to pick me up. And it’ll be dressy.”

“I’ll check my calendar,” he repeated.

She hopped down from the counter, arms crossed under her breasts. “While you’re checking the calendar, I’ll be checking with other available men.”

He smiled, stretching his arms wide, giving her a good view and oozing the charm she expected from him. “You won’t.” Dropping his arms back to his sides, he pulled out his phone and checked the ranch schedule. “I’d hate for you to show up to such an important event with the second-best eye candy.”

“Can you even do evening attire?” she demanded. “I can pop for a suit if you need it.”

He rubbed his hand on his shirt, pulling the fabric tight. Predictably, her eyes glazed and her lips parted. He politely ignored her practiced response. “I know how to clean up when necessary.”

She leaned back, her assessing gaze drifting across his body once more. “I bet you do. Put me out of my misery, cowboy. Just say yes.”

He scanned the calendar and confirmed he was not on duty that evening. It would’ve been nice to discuss this with Mia before giving in to Selina’s demand. Canceling on Selina would create more problems and make her a bigger nightmare than ever. Technically, he didn’t owe Mia anything, and maybe a little up-close recon of Regina would help Mia decide what to do next.

“Invitations like this one aren’t easy to get,” she pushed. Her hands on her hips now, she stared him down.

“You’re making it sound better and better,” he drawled. “Irresistible, really. You need a date, you’ve got one.” He ticked off the pertinent points on his fingers. “I’ll dress appropriately. I will pick you up. I will converse appropriately. I will not expect any relationship nonsense.”

“Mmm-hmm.” She tapped a fingertip to her lips. “Do you have a gray suit?”

“Charcoal,” he replied, more amused than offended at this point.

“Good, good.” she purred. “I can work with charcoal. Do you have a decent car?”

“Just my truck.”

“You’ll drive my sports car,” she declared.

“That will be an experience,” he admitted.

“But you can’t put the top down on the way to the party.”

“Scout’s honor,” he agreed with a wink.