The Cowboy's Pride and Joy

“I won’t. This has been a long time coming.”

Cass knew he meant that, but a part of her simply didn’t understand it. He was severing ties to his family. Okay, not emotional ties, financial ones. But they were still ties. Family was something Cass never took for granted because she’d fought so hard to hold on to the pieces of her family that she had left. She couldn’t imagine a time ever coming when she would want space from Claudia or Dave. She had spent years holding tight to the threads that kept her and her brother and sister together, and the fact that Jake could so easily walk away from even one part of his family mystified her.

“Your mother is hurt by this, you know.”

His features tightened and Cass thought she had probably stepped over a line. But there was no going back now that the words had been said.

“That forthright business can be annoying.”

“I know, but that doesn’t change the truth.”

“She’ll get over it,” he said simply and stood up.

His physical presence was so overwhelming, she almost took an instinctive step backward. Instead though, she stayed just as she was—though it cost her a jangle of nerves. “You’re her son and you’re turning down what she and your father worked to build.”

He blew out a breath and looked down at her. His eyes were shadowed, his thick hair fell across his forehead, and she could see the shadow of stubble on his jaw with a clarity that made her want to know if it felt as rough as it looked. Then her brain took that thought and ran with it, providing her with images of that stubble rubbing against her skin as he moved down her body, lavishing her with kisses.

Whoops.

Instantly, she dialed back the hormone rush and tried to focus on what he was saying.

“My parents built the dream they wanted. I’m doing the same thing. My mother gets it—” he gave her a brief, wry smile “—even if she wants to pretend she doesn’t. And if you’re worried about Hunter Media, don’t be. My sister Beth is the right person for the job of running the company.”

“Maybe,” she said and wondered why she was saying all of this. Elise hadn’t asked Cass to intervene on her behalf and would probably be horrified if she knew that Cass was haranguing her son over a decision that had been made months ago. But Cass couldn’t seem to stop herself from continuing. “But your mother hates that you’re so far away. Hates that you don’t want to be a part of their daily lives.”

Frowning, he eased down until one hip rested on the edge of his desk and their eyes were leveled on each other. “Why are you trying so hard? What does any of this matter to you?”

“Because it’s not about the business. Though,” she added as an aside, “most people would kill to be a part of Hunter Media. It’s about family, and for me, that’s important.”

Even in the shadows, she saw his features tighten again and she wondered if she was the only one who could irritate him so easily.

“And you think my family’s not important to me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Didn’t have to.” His blue eyes darkened. “I don’t know why I’m even bothering to talk to you about this. You’ve only been here a few hours. You don’t know me, yet you think you can tell me what my life and my family should mean to me.”

Cass winced, knowing she had that coming.

“I’m going to say this flat out. Listen close because I won’t be repeating it. I love my family. That doesn’t mean I’m willing to live in a crowded, noisy city to prove it. This is my life. This ranch. This mountain. Loving them doesn’t mean I’m willing to give up on my own dreams. And since I was a kid, my dreams were centered here.”

His voice was rough and low, and carried a passion she had already noticed appeared only when he was talking about the home he’d built here. He was defending his choices to her when he really didn’t owe her any explanation at all. And she wondered why he was telling her this rather than stalking out of the room.

“You’re right,” she said. “I don’t know you and it’s none of my business what you do. I was just—”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said and picked up the sheaf of papers from the top of his desk. Handing them over to her, he said, “It’s done now.”

Cass hated being interrupted, but it was clear that he was finished with this conversation and completely uninterested in any kind of apology she might make. His hand brushed hers as Cass took the papers and she felt that same zing of electricity that she’d experienced before. Worse, she was sure he felt it too, because his eyes narrowed and darkened—which told her he was no happier about it than she was.