“So now we’re a big secret?”
Rachel cringed at the scorn in his voice.
“No, of course not.” She frowned. “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t see any need to tell people we’re in a—a relationship, when both of us know it’s only temporary.”
Jamie snatched his sunglasses off. “I’m not going to lie if someone asks me about us,” he said, his voice hard with disbelief. “If you’re uncomfortable with that, then you’re always free to just walk away.” He inched closer, and Rachel found her breath catch at the intensity in his blue eyes. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
He slid his sunglasses back on and smiled. “You’re not walking away, so I guess that means you’re sticking around.”
Rachel arched an eyebrow as he adroitly spun his chair around and made his way toward the van, but she couldn’t quite suppress the smile that tugged at her mouth.
*
Jamie sat in the back of the van and watched Rachel in the rearview mirror, unwilling to admit how anxious he’d been when he’d all but given her an ultimatum. He’d half expected her to call his bluff and leave him there in the parking lot. Now he closed his eyes behind his sunglasses and tipped his head back against the seat, feeling relieved and guilty at the same time.
He’d lied to Rachel.
Dylan hadn’t just asked if he was sleeping with Rachel; he’d all but accused Jamie of taking advantage of his sister while she was emotionally vulnerable. Jamie wasn’t buying it, of course. Rachel’s marriage had been over for a long time. Those divorce papers were no more than a formality. There was no question in his mind she was better off without the Deke-wad. Dylan had at least agreed with him on that point, but had disagreed Jamie was what Rachel needed. He’d had some valid points, but when he’d insisted the difference in their ages was a contributing factor, Jamie had refused to listen, and had left.
He and Rachel were pretty great together. Better than great—they were amazing. He had plans to return to California, too, so they were on the same page if she really intended to open her own business on the West Coast. She was smart and funny, and they never ran out of things to talk about.
And the sex was off-the-charts phenomenal.
Their age difference was the one thing he couldn’t control, but he refused to let it be a deal-breaker. As far as he was concerned, Rachel was in the prime of her life. She was beautiful, in great shape, and she still had years in which to start a family, if that’s what she wanted. Lots of women were waiting until their mid to late thirties to have babies. He especially liked that she was mature. She didn’t play head games the way so many younger women did. He didn’t want a girl; he wanted a woman.
He wanted Rachel.
He thought again of his conversation with Dylan, and tried to suppress his frustration. He told himself it didn’t matter what other people thought. All he had to do was convince Rachel.
Chapter Thirteen
Jamie put the unpleasant conversation with Dylan out of his head, and focused instead on enjoying the time he had with Rachel. It had been years since he had watched a rodeo. Since the three-day event seemed to be all people at the lodge were talking about, they agreed it would be a fun way to pass a few hours, and made their way to the fairgrounds.
After parking the van, Rachel automatically reached for Jamie’s wheelchair, and he saw her surprise when he stopped her.
“I can get by with my crutches,” he said. “It will be easier.”
Rachel frowned. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to overtire yourself.”
Jamie gave her a lecherous grin. “Don’t worry, sweetheart; I’ll be sure to save enough energy for tonight.”
She gave a surprised laugh. “Jamie Colter, you’re unbelievable.”
As she leaned through the open door of the van to reach for his crutches, he took the opportunity to kiss her, gratified when she gave a small sigh and leaned in to him, kissing him back until finally they broke apart, breathless.
“We don’t have to see the rodeo today,” Jamie said, his voice husky with suggestion. “It’ll still be here tomorrow.”
Rachel leaned in and pressed her mouth against his. “As tempting as that sounds, I promised Dylan we’d come back later, so we only have a few hours.” She pulled back and looked at him, before stroking her thumb across his mouth, her smile full of promise. “But I’ll make it up to you tonight. Deal?”
Jamie gave a soft groan. “Lady, you are killing me.”
But Rachel just laughed softly.