Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“No. Said he wasn’t discreet and that his secrets and misdeeds were her gold mine.”

Asher swore. “She was the one who slept around. All of the financials from their marriage look clean.”

“I’d say it’s more than that.” Jarvis held up his hands. “Gut instinct, that’s all,” he added. “I wanted to ask more, but she fell asleep.”

Asher swore softly. “It was too much to hope for a written confession. And confirmation that she does have legitimate leverage is helpful. I know it couldn’t have been an easy night.” He popped Jarvis lightly on the shoulder. “Thanks for going the extra mile. Take tomorrow off.”

That startled him. “You sure?”

“I am.”

“Thanks,” Jarvis said with feeling.

Once Asher was gone, Jarvis sent Mia a text to confirm her father was healthy, promising to explain everything tomorrow.

He waited, but she didn’t reply immediately. She was probably asleep or dealing with the baby. Desperate to wash off the clinging scents of heavy perfume and cigar smoke, he went to take a shower. He’d check for a reply once he was clean.

His short shower went long and when he finally felt like his skin was his own, he turned off the tap and toweled off. With the towel wrapped around his hips, he picked up his phone. Still no reply from Mia.

With Regina’s nonsense ringing in his ears, his gut clamored for him to get out there and check on her. It was nearly one in the morning and startling her at this hour was crazy. Rude.

He needed to go to bed and he sure as hell didn’t need to interrupt her sleep. Even if he wasn’t on the schedule tomorrow, his body was used to ranch hours and he would be up with the sun, anyway. He could check on Mia then. Maybe take her some breakfast.

He was about to toss the towel on the rack and climb into bed when his phone buzzed. The screen showed a text message from Mia.

Are you still awake?

He sent back an affirmative reply immediately.

Can we come in?

He stared down at his phone, momentarily dumbstruck. What was she doing here? If anyone saw her, she’d have to leave before word got back to Regina.

A soft knock at the door followed and he rushed across the room to invite her in. She stood there, her hair loose around her shoulders, both hands gripping the handle of the car seat. Silas was sound asleep.

The threat of disaster crashed over him and he pulled her inside, reaching around her to close and lock the door. “Mia. You shouldn’t have come,” he said, his voice a low growl.

“I know. I—” Her gaze dipped, then came back up to his face. “I was worried about Dad.” Her eyes cruised over his mouth and lower again. “Thanks for the text...”

He would’ve sworn she was touching him, the way his skin tingled under her gaze, but her hands were locked onto the handle of the car seat. If she kept looking at him like that, he was going to want a lot more than kisses. He already did.

Chapter 8

Mia stared at Jarvis. He didn’t even have to touch her and she was speechless. She knew coming here was a huge risk, but she’d thought the danger revolved around Regina finding her hiding place.

No. Not even close.

In this tidy room filled with Jarvis—his tempting scent, his presence, his heated gaze—she was risking much more. Personal humiliation was only the start. Jarvis stood before her, essentially naked. If she gave one small tug of the towel, she could enjoy the full view. She wasn’t as ashamed as she should be that her fingers itched to do just that.

Thank goodness her hands were busy with the car seat. Car seat. Her son. A cowboy who claimed he didn’t want a family. Those should be all the reasons she needed to behave herself.

“You’re sure Dad’s okay?” she managed.

He reached over and took the car seat out of her hands, setting it gently on the floor. Silas didn’t even twitch. “Norton is fine. I heard his friends talking about recent golf outings and meetings over a few lunches or drinks and cigars after work. No one expressed any concerns about his health or well-being.”

“Okay. Good.” Since he’d relieved her of the car seat she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Weaving her fingers together, she tried to keep her gaze away from his body. She’d known Jarvis was in shape, but to see most of his potent build on display was messing with her head.

While working as a model, her sense of modesty had died a quick death. Behind the scenes at photo shoots and fashion shows, all kinds of things happened and all types of bodies were on display, by accident or design. She’d been up close and personal with many men the world considered perfectly photogenic, including her husband.