Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
The woman was a vision.
No, that description didn’t do her justice.
Wendy was exquisite.
She was definitely his type, and then some. She was his type on steroids. Everything he wanted in a girl was wrapped up in a neat little package and that was just her looks.
Wendy’s hair was a pale blonde, almost white.
There was a faint smattering of freckles across her nose and more on her bare shoulders.
She was slender, but not overly thin—there was enough of her to hold onto.
He could already imagine what it would feel like to hold her in his arms as he kissed her.
The accent was an added bonus. When he’d gone to college in Georgia, he’d grown accustomed to the way women sounded and he’d loved it. After moving back to Montana, the twang that most people spoke with didn’t hold much appeal.
Did it stop him from dating?
Of course not.
But maybe it was time to finally settle down. Maybe his cousins all had the right idea.
Tripp chuckled to himself and shook his head.
Nah.
He wasn’t old enough for that frame of thinking.
If Reese and his other cousins liked the idea of hitching themselves to one person, then so be it. Right now? Tripp just wanted to have fun.
And the shy woman in front of him would be a worthy distraction.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels as he stared into her large, jade eyes.
They were just as amazing as the rest of her.
“I’m thinking this is kismet. You and me?
We’re inevitable. The universe put us in each other’s path and by the end of this, you’re going to be hooked. ”
Was she listening? He couldn’t tell. Her eye-contact said she was, but usually that line got a reaction.
“What about you?”
Wendy blinked and one side of her mouth quirked higher than the other. “I think you’re too cocky for your own good.”
He laughed. “You speak your mind. I like that.”
“Are you suggesting that most women you interact with are less superior? Dumb little dolls who don’t have brains in their noggins?”
Tripp stalled for a bit. There was a bite to her tone—one he hadn’t been prepared for. But, that smile… she was confusing him. “I’m sorry, did I say something to offend you?”
She waved a dismissive hand in the air and a laugh that sounded more rehearsed than anything else spilled from her lips. “Of course not. To be offended, I’d have to care.”
Well, that stung.
He frowned then fidgeted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He’d have to try another tactic to smooth everything over.
Gesturing toward her dress, he murmured, “That color looks good on you. It highlights your coloring.”
She arched a brow. “What are you?”
Another laugh ignited in his chest. “Sorry?”
Wendy flushed and her eyes narrowed. “Are you some kind of fashion designer?”
“What?” He cocked his head, smirking. “A man can’t appreciate fashion without making it a career?”
Her eyes slid down his frame and back to his face. “You’re the only one dressed like you were planning on getting married today. Not even the groom is as dressed up as you.”
“I feel like that wasn’t a compliment.”
“It wasn’t,” she muttered.
Tripp stepped closer to her, his voice lowering. “Maybe I was planning on impressing a certain someone who’s supposed to be my date during this whole celebration. Maybe I thought I’d charm her, woo her, and in the end, she’d gift me with a kiss.”
She scoffed. “I’d rather kiss a toad.”
He laughed again. “Setting the bar really high, aren’t we?”
“On the contrary, the bar is practically on the ground and you’re not even capable of stepping over it.”
Tripp brought a hand to his chest and made a face. “You wound me.” Irritation was starting to stir deep within him. What was her problem?
Wendy flushed. There was no denying that she was going to be a tough nut to crack, but he’d dealt with worse. All women were generally the same. They just needed a little push in the right direction.
He simply needed to figure out what made her tick.
Tripp dragged a hand down his vest, drawing her eye to his body. A flicker of heat in her eyes sparked the thrill of the chase he’d always had. At least that was something. She found him attractive. He could capitalize on that.
If he got her alone, he could inch into her space. Their proximity would only heighten her senses. Then she’d see they could have a little bit of fun together. It might not be a true love match, but it would be enough to get her wanting more.
He jerked his chin over toward the barn. “Do you like horses?”
Wendy’s eyes narrowed. “Who doesn’t like horses?”
Shrugging, he shoved his hands in his pockets again. “People who are allergic. People who are scared of horses—scared of a little adventure. There are lots of reasons.”
“What does liking horses have to do with adventure?”
Tripp leaned even closer to her, his lips nearly grazing the shell of her ear.
“No one gets on a horse without the expectation of adventure. And what other reason is there for having them? It’d be like buying a Ferrari and refusing to take a canyon drive in it.
” His eyes flicked to the partygoers. No one was paying them any heed.
Good. He didn’t need Leo or Reese judging him for wanting to take Wendy off for some one-on-one time.
His family was aware of his disinterest in settling down, but that didn’t mean they approved.
As long as the drama didn’t reach their doorstep, he could do as he pleased.
It was the reputation linked to his name that mattered. While most of the people at this party were extended family members, not all of them were.
The sheriff, the mayor, and their families were also in attendance along with Serenity’s family. He’d promised to be on his best behavior throughout the whole celebration and the last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself.
Not that he would.
The girls couldn’t resist him.
Wendy’s behavior was strange, but he could see the interest glinting in her eyes.
Pulling back, he smirked at her. But before he could ask her how she felt about taking a walk with him, he was splashed with a cup of lemonade.
The burning sensation of the acidic drink was nothing to the gasps of shock he heard rippling through those close enough to be in the splash zone. And those paled in comparison to the words that rang out over the music playing from the speakers.
“How dare you!” Wendy snapped. “I’m an honorable woman, not some conquest to be ravaged.”
What?
His head spun.
Honorable woman?
Conquest?
Ravaged?
He blinked, droplets of lemonade falling from his lashes. Wendy’s horrified expression smoothed for just an instant into a devilish smirk. Then she blushed as if on command and stalked away from him.
What. Just. Happened?
Tripp stared after her, at a complete loss for words.
But it only got worse.
Someone yanked at his upper arm and dragged him into the house, away from the party guests. Then they tossed a hand towel at his face. When he pulled the towel away, he found himself staring into four pairs of angry eyes.
Bo. Leo. Reese. And his father.
Shoot, this was going to be bad.
Bo, Reese, and his father all wore varying degrees of fury on their faces. The fire in Reese’s eyes was by far the worst, though. It was his wedding. His celebration. And Wendy was his fiancée’s friend.
A quick glance at Leo made it clear his cousin was battling with himself, attempting to decide if he was more amused or irritated with the situation.
Tripp folded his arms. “Thanks for inviting me to the party.”
“Don’t you start,” his father growled. “You swore when Reese asked you to be part of the wedding party that you’d be on your best behavior. Or was that a lie?”
Lips clamping shut, Tripp glanced to Reese. Of course he felt bad. While the scene that played out was the furthest thing from being accurate, he still had planned on getting Wendy on his good side. He’d been so close.
Or had he?
Tripp frowned. Wendy hadn’t warmed up to him at all after those initial moments when she’d smiled at him.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized something.
There had been a spark of defiance in her eyes when she’d smiled.
He’d been so focused on her mouth, he hadn’t taken the time necessary to really gauge the way she was sizing him up.
This had been her plan all along.
But to what end?
To embarrass him?
Belittle him?
“Tripp!” his father snapped. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
His eyes found his father again. Judd Gilley was on the shorter side but that didn’t mean he was any less intimidating.
He’d been a boxer in college and had the scars to prove it.
The guy could take down someone twice his size in one well-placed swing.
It was probably a good thing he didn’t have any daughters because no man would have been good enough.
Sometimes Tripp wondered if his father thought he was good enough for the sort of love his parents had found.
Swallowing hard, he lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Reese.” He wasn’t about to explain what had happened because he still couldn’t make sense of it himself. Wendy hated him. She wanted to hurt him. And he was going to find out why or die trying. “It won’t happen again.”
“You’re darn straight it won’t.” Reese muttered, raking a hand through his hair and mussing it. “Maybe I can ask Jacob if he’d be willing to—”
“No,” Tripp snapped, drawing all eyes his way.
“Jacob is a tool. And he’s probably busy getting ready for rodeo stuff.
He’s always prepping and practicing even in the off season.
” Tripp squared his shoulders and let his eyes linger with each man before him before they settled on Reese again.
“I’ll behave. I made a mistake, but I won’t let that happen again.
Wendy already knows me. And I’ll play nice. ”
Oh, he wouldn’t play nice. Wendy had just put a big target on her back. She better be prepared, because when Tripp Gilley was messed with, there would be no coming back from it. He’d figure out what her game was, and he’d make her pay for what she’d done.
Not only was his family angry with him, she’d destroyed his favorite suit. He’d saved up for this one, too—had planned on wearing it to most of the wedding festivities. Maybe the drycleaners could salvage it.
He dragged a hand down his face, noting the sticky residue that still coated most of his skin. “You won’t get any trouble from me,” he insisted quietly. “There’s plenty of time for me to make it up to you… and her. Just… give me another chance.”
Leo arched a brow. He’d been there when Tripp had been asked to join the wedding party. And he’d been amused at the fact that Tripp had wanted nothing to do with it. Now? Things had changed. And they both knew it.
Did Leo suspect that Tripp would be planning something?
It didn’t matter.
“I’ll go find her right now.” He strode from the kitchen, ignoring the startled and curious looks he got as he made his way directly toward the vixen who had managed to tear his reputation to shreds with one statement.
Serenity glowered at him, stepping in his path to prevent him from speaking to Wendy. The latter actually had the decency to look alarmed by his presence.
“Let me talk to her,” he murmured, his eyes flashing with warning.
Serenity’s chin lifted. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it to me.”
He scoffed then leaned so he could get a good look at Wendy. “What do you think, sweetheart, want me to speak to your bodyguard?”
She stiffened. “It’s okay, Serenity. Really.”
Serenity gaped, turning slightly to take Wendy in. “But—”
“Two minutes,” Wendy assured. “Then you can come beat him up for me.”
Tripp narrowed his eyes. “I won’t need more than two minutes.”
Wendy squirmed beneath his stare. The second Serenity left, Tripp closed the distance between them.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but—”
“What’s going on is that I don’t appreciate you hitting on me. I don’t want to be propositioned for whatever it was you were planning. And I wouldn’t date you if you were the last man on earth.” The last bit came out in a hiss.
His eyes searched hers for several moments, wasting precious seconds. Then he pulled back and offered her his best crocodile smile. He couldn’t decide if he wanted revenge or if he wanted the challenge she presented.
Maybe a little bit of both?
In that instant, his plans changed and he smiled. “One day you’ll love me, Wendy. Just you wait.”
She sputtered but before she could spew another hateful comment, he strolled away, his hands in his pockets like he didn’t have a care in the world.
“One day,” he called over his shoulder.
Who cared if anyone heard what he’d said. Wendy could tattle on him if she wanted.
Game on, sweetheart. Game on.