Page 42 of Untamed Heart
‘I sure do like you, Lottie,’ he said, adjusting his hat, his brilliant white smile giving him the perfect model pose. ‘I’m pretty sure Cole was just fine with the arrangement.’
I tried to hide an almost instant smile, and failed.
‘As long as it pissed Eli off,’ I replied, shrugging. ‘But listen, I’ve got something to ask, something I need your help with.’
He raised his eyebrows, a suggestive expression taking over.
‘Hold on now, wait a minute – is it my turn to distract Eli?’
I blushed despite myself, giving into Jesse’s irrepressible charm. There was a reason the woman had called earlier to book a stay after seeing him at the rodeo. He was classically handsome, yes, the epitome of a gentleman cowboy, with his gravelled voice, strong jaw and beautiful grey eyes. But it was his natural warmth, his unguarded joy that really shone through. I could imagine it being all too easy to love Jesse, and receiving this kind of genuine, unfiltered love in return.
‘Quit it,’ I replied, mimicking his accent, making his smile even more broad. ‘No, I want to film you for social media.’
His eyebrows rose and eventually, in the pause, he removed his hat, running his hand through his hair.
‘Film me? Sounds like stepping up a gear from fake kissing in a bar?’
This time I laughed.
‘I’m going to promote the ranch across social media, try and boost our bookings. Once people get to know you and the others, I just know we’re going to get booked up. We just need something . . . compelling to get them interested.’
He shook his head, smiling.
‘I’m all yours, ma’am – use me however you like.’ His voice was light, casual, but the tone was suggestive. ‘I just need one favour in return.’
I folded my arms as though bracing myself against his charm.
‘Okay,’ I replied, eyes narrowed.
‘Elk Creek are having some kinda open day at their ranch this afternoon – something to do with their new backer. I reckon we can sneak in, have a nosy around and report back. If I go with you, no one’s going to try and start a fight, and if we need to distract Eli again, I’m sure I can help.’
‘Does Lil know?’ I asked, seeing the logic of snooping on the rivals, but wondering how Cole would react. Then reminding myself it didn’t matter.
He nodded, replacing his hat and turning back to the bench.
‘It starts at two, so I’ll just finish this up and we’ll head over, right?’
I agreed, and began walking back to the ranch.
The next hour was spent planning, quickly securing usernames for the ranch on various social channels, making notes and planning things out on my phone. It wasn’t until a horn beeped from outside that I suddenly realized the time, grabbing my hat and running out towards Jesse’s truck.
I climbed in and as we headed down the drive, passing the barn, Jesse raised his hand in greeting.
Looking up from my phone, I caught the edge of Cole’s stare but looked away, knowing that if I kept it up for long enough, he’d stop.
CHAPTER12
Umm . . . so Kyle turned up at my studio?
Hestia’s message flashed on my screen as Jesse and I walked through Elk Creek Ranch.
He is PISSED. Naturally I told him to fuck off before I could tattoo ‘cheating twat’ on his forehead, but not before he said he wasn’t going to take no for an answer when it comes to getting you back. Something about a big mistake . . . the usual cheater bullshit.
My jaw dropped; I couldn’t physically imagine Kyle in Shoreditch, face to face with Hestia. They’d met before, of course, but on his terms, in places he knew where he could lead proceedings. She was the antithesis of everything about him. I should’ve known then.
‘Y’all okay?’ Jesse said, glancing over as we walked.
‘Sort of,’ I replied, stopping. ‘I need to reply to a message from home – could we maybe stop for a drink for a minute?’
