Page 15 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

CHAPTER4

Roark walked straight through the crowd to the dance floor and took Jessica into his arms, dancing to a slow song.

He smelled her perfume when they embraced, and it hit him like a love potion. “I’ve wanted to get you in my arms since you opened the door to your loft.” He pulled her just a little closer.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. “I feel good in your arms. Like I belong here. Is that crazy or what?”

“It’s not crazy, Jessica. It just means we were made to be together. I don’t pretend to know how or why, but it just is. I can feel it.”

“So you feel it, too? I don’t want to be a plaything, Roark. You’ve had six fiancées. That doesn’t bode well for us, as your reputation precedes you in matters of the heart. You appear as ruthless in love as in business.”

“You’re no one’s plaything, Jessica, least of all mine. I will never treat you as such and if I do, you have my permission to bean me with a cast-iron skillet to get my attention.”

She laughed.

With her laugh, he felt lighthearted, something he hadn’t felt for a long, long time.

The music changed to a tango, and she followed him perfectly, even when he dipped her. She didn’t stiffen but trusted him, and they moved flawlessly with the music.

When the dance was over, he led her off the floor. They were both breathing a little hard.

She fanned herself with a hand. “That was fun. I haven’t danced for a long time, but I need something to drink.”

“You dance beautifully. Did you take lessons for one of your books?”

“Ding, ding, ding.” She looked at him and tapped the end of her nose. “Go to the head of the class. Yes, one of my historical stories required my learning to dance. I’m surprised I remembered. What about you? When did you start dance lessons?”

“I began lessons when I was a teenager, about fourteen, I think. My mother was determined that all of us have some sophistication and thought dance lessons were a good place to start. I can’t say that I disagree with her.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Those lessons let me hold you close, so to me, every session was worth it.” He straightened. “Let me get us some champagne.” He walked away and left her on her own. He wanted to see how she interacted without him.

* * *

“So you’rethe witch he threw me aside for.”

Jessica turned toward the voice and gazed at a woman with icy platinum blonde hair in a silver lame dress that emphasized her thin body.

“I don’t have any idea who you are or what you’re talking about.” She looked over the woman’s head, searching for Roark.

The blonde lifted her chin and tried to look down her nose at Jessica, even though she was shorter. “I’m Meredith Valkenburg. I was his fiancé until yesterday morning.”

Jessica cocked a brow and gazed at the woman again.Yesterday! Roark only broke up with her yesterday. I thought it had been some time ago. I had no idea that Meredith had treated him dirty such a short time ago.“I heard about you. Perhaps you shouldn’t have cheated.”

Meredith’s nostrils flared and her perfect eyebrows formed slashes over her narrowed eyes. “You don’t have any idea what I put up with. He deserved what he got.”

For a moment, Jessica wondered what the woman meant. Was she trying to warn me about Roark? Jessica decided whatever had happened was between them and she was determined to leave it there. “And you might have deserved what you got as well. Now, please go away. You’re ruining my evening.”

The woman suddenly narrowed her eyes, parted her lips in a snarl, and slapped Jessica across the face.

Jessica’s mouth opened and, astonished at what had just happened, she put her left hand against her cheek. With the greatest restraint she’d ever shown, she turned fully toward Meredith, her eyes narrowed. “Are you done? I suggest you leave now, before I have security call the police so I can press charges for assault. These nice people all saw you strike me, unprovoked.”

* * *

Roark appearedat Jessica’s side along with a tall, blond man, also in a tux. “Jessica! Are you all right?” He looked at her and cupped her hand as it lay on her cheek. “I’m sorry. I’ll take care of this.” He turned to the blonde woman, and could barely keep his anger in check. She’d hurt Jessica, and all he wanted was to hurt her in return. His instinct was to protect Jessica. Roark had to tamp those inclinations down. “What do you want here, Meredith?” He placed an arm around Jessica’s waist and drew her close.

“I wanted to see the little witch that you put me aside for.” She spat the words.

“I ‘put you aside,’ as you say, before I’d even met Jessica. I received pictures of you and your boyfriend leaving my London home two weeks ago. I should have called off our engagement then, but I waited until you made your demand to have the wedding in Rome, which I also know that Ben Green put you up to.

“Did you really think I don’t keep track of what goes on at my homes? Did you think paying off the caretaker was enough? I have security cameras in almost every room in my homes. If I’m not in residence, I always turn the cameras on. I fired the caretaker, by the way, because he took your bribe. I could tell you what I think of you, but this is not a place for such language. As for Jessica, even knowing her for just one day, I’ve learned what a genuine lady is like.Youare not one.”