Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Dakota
M y mind races as I watch Chance across the kitchen island. His stoicism threatens to break under my scrutiny; I can feel it. I can’t help that my courtroom persona comes out during my line of questioning with him, but I’m also not ready to let him off the hook with his deflection and evasion, either.
I’m shocked he told me about his family. That was a revelation I hadn’t expected.
When I moved to Whiskey Falls after finishing law school, I didn’t know what to expect from the small rodeo town. After spending so much time in the city, I expected a lot of dirt roads and hot summers like the ones I experienced back home. What I didn’t expect was a town that wasn’t so small, you knew everyone, but rather a tight-knit community that still provided some anonymity for anyone who wanted it. Chance can’t hide because of how high-profile the ranch is, and while we have never crossed paths, I know of him. The people in town love to gossip about his personal life, always seeing him as the playboy rancher that likes to party. It only got worse when his dad passed away and he inherited the ranch. From what I’d heard, Chance was a shrewd businessman and ran the ranch well, but his way with women was stopping the town fully supporting him in his position.
I might not agree with what the sponsors are doing, but I understand it. They want stability and to protect their image. They don’t want the rodeo tarnished with a scandal or bad press, not that I’ve heard of Chance involved with any.
What really makes me curious is why he chose me. He could pick from any of the blonde bunnies on his arm on any given night. I bet they would fawn all over him, falling at his feet to get the chance to be his girlfriend, even if it was temporary and fake.
I don’t know what the fuck I’ve gotten myself into, but I’m going to find out.
“The gala is next Saturday.” Chance places his large, rough hands on the counter. They’re tanned with dirt-laced nails, from what I assume is from working in the fields with his crew. I don’t take him for someone that would rather hide in an office all day, and seeing his dirt-stained hands only proves my point. I also can’t deny my thoughts race to what else those hands could do.
What would they feel like fanning against my body? Would he have a feather-light touch skimming down my sides? Cupping my breast? I imagine they could turn rougher, more possessive, the longer they explored.
Would he place those hands on my neck, letting me know who was in charge while he thrust into me?
I shift in my seat, bearing my line of thought. I can’t go there with him. I don’t even know him. But yet, here I am sitting in his kitchen thinking about the wicked things those dirty hands could do.
“Alright, say I agree to this; what do I need to know?” I let my gaze drag up his body until I meet his striking green eyes. The same green eyes that made my heart race when I first saw them. The very green eyes that now stare at me with what I can only describe as a mix of heat and annoyance.
“It’ll be here at the ranch.” He stops for a moment as he lowers his head to his chest and takes a deep breath. “All the sponsors and bigwig assholes I need to impress will be there.”
“I’m sure you’re going to win them all over with an attitude like that.” Chance doesn’t respond, just raises his head, eyes narrowed as he looks at me, which makes me chuckle. “Why does this rest solely on you to impress?”
“Other than being the largest ranch in town?” He smirks, making my core ignite. I hate my reaction to him. The more he speaks, the more I’m sure he’s going to land high on my asshole-o-meter. Another reason why I can’t get involved with him. “We host a fair here on the ranch ground for the families. Carnival games, food, the like. We are also the biggest sponsors of the rodeo and it’s important that we get the right people on board to keep it successful.”
“Okay, so what do you need me to do?”
He stares at me for a long moment before answering. The tension between us is thick. I usually have a good read on people, a necessity in my job, but I can’t read him. He shuts down his emotions like Fort Knox, leaving me confused and curious. I don’t know what made him this hardened, but deep down, I want to find out.
I just don’t know why.
After making me wait, his smooth, gravelly voice answers in a clipped tone. “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend. Make it look like it’s serious. Hell, I don’t know; do what you have to do so that they can stop fucking around and invest in the rodeo.”
“Okay…” I draw out the word, trying to figure out how we could make this work. We don’t even know each other, and we have just over a week to make it look like we’re in a serious relationship.
“Weren’t you just seen out with some tiny blonde a few days ago?” I ask.
“So?” he growls.
Damn, that voice is going to get me into trouble.
His hands shift from the counter to the edge of the quartz, holding on so tight his knuckles turn white.
“So,” I repeat. “I’m trying to figure out how we are going to get people to believe that we’re a couple when you’re still being seen with your revolving door of women. I refuse to be made a fool of in this project of yours, Chance.”
“Dammit, Dakota!” he bellows, slamming his hand on the counter, making me jump. “I’m not going to apologize for who I am. Not to you, not to this city, and definitely not to the board of fucking investors that have sticks up their asses!”
His breath heaves as he looks at me. The room is too quiet around us. I don’t dare move. I don’t dare speak. I’m trying to make sense of everything that’s happening. How I got caught up in all of this. How I can make it believable that one minute he’s with a small blonde and the next he’s with me. And I need to make it look like he’s been with me all along.
I just went to the bar for a drink. One damn drink after a long day, and now I’m stuck in this ridiculous situation with Chance fucking Declan.
“And if I say no?” I ask, lifting my chin.
“I don’t think you really have a choice, sweetheart.” He uses the term of endearment mockingly. He holds my gaze as he stalks around the island; each step bringing him closer and closer. He doesn’t stop until he’s an inch away from me. My chest grazing against his with every breath. The scent of beer on his breath fanning over me as he holds my chin with his thumb and finger, daring me to give anything but him my full attention. “You made your move when you put your hand on me tonight. You made it your choice when you declared in front of the bar that I was your boyfriend. Do you really think Laughlin is just going to let this go? Laugh it off as some joke?”
“I don’t think…”
“That’s right, you didn’t think . And look where it landed us.” He stops, towering over me as I stare up at him, perched on my stool. He doesn’t let go of my chin, just like he doesn’t break his gaze from mine. All I can do is drink him in, everything from his strong, broad chest to his crystal blue eyes. It should be illegal for a man this sexy to have the personality he does.
“So now, do you really think you have the right to say no?” he growls, leaning in further. My heart stops as I feel his warm breath on my cheek. I shouldn’t be this turned on, but I am, and I hate myself for it.
I have options. I’m a smart, independent woman. A strong-willed lawyer known for my ability to stand up for what’s right and fight against those who use their power against those less fortunate. I deal with people like Chance Declan all the time.
There is the option to walk right out that door with my head held high, knowing that I won’t be pushed around by the likes of him, the man now firmly in place on my asshole-o-meter.
Who does he think he is? He may own this ranch, but he doesn’t own the town, and he certainly doesn’t own me.
On the other hand, if I want out, the town and Laughlin will know I lied. I’m not prepared to look like an idiot in front of him. He’s taken enough from me and damaged my pride in the breakup. There’s no way I can give him that satisfaction.
I also can’t risk my reputation as a lawyer in this town. I’ve spent too long working my way up since law school.
I have no other option.
“Fine,” I grit. “But you still won’t make a mockery of me. No more women while we are ‘together.’” I make air quotes with my fingers. “As for everything before that, we’ll say we were keeping it a secret until we were more serious. The women you were seen with were just friends until I was ready to be seen with you publicly.”
He looks at me for a long, hard moment. “Why wouldn’t you be ready to step out with me publicly?”
“You don’t have the best reputation with women, Chance, and I’m not someone that just has one-night stands. I don’t buy into hookup culture. I think that would be a pretty good reason why I wouldn’t want to be seen with you.”
Chance reels back as if I’d slapped him. While I feel a little bad about hurting him like that, it’s the truth. I’ll also admit, I appreciate the physical distance it puts between us. It’s too hard trying to think, having him so close.
“Fine,” he barks. “We’ll make it look like you weren’t ready to publicly associate with the likes of me, as long as you keep up your end of the bargain. We are happily in love and all that shit.”
“You’re so romantic,” I scoff. “I don’t know why you have such a hard time finding someone to stick around.”
“Look, just because we’re doing this doesn’t mean I have to like it. In fact, I hate all this bullshit. It’s no one’s business but mine who I spend my personal time with. I don’t need you judging me from your pedestal.”
Who the fuck does he think he is talking to me like that? Like I’m some love-struck bunny that’s trying to reform him.
I jump to my feet, feeling my blood pressure spike. Even though I’m a good foot shorter than him, only coming to his chest, I don’t let that stop me. I will not back down from this.
“I’m not judging. I’m commenting on what I see, and what I see is a definite level two of the asshole-o-meter.”
“The asshole-o-meter?” He smirks that frustratingly sexy smile of his while he rubs a finger over his lower lip.
Why is that so sexy? I’m mad, not turned on!
“Yes, that’s how I tell who’s an asshole and who’s not. I wasn’t sure where you landed on it until now!” Letting my frustration get the better of me, I raise my voice and thrust my hands to my hips. “Just because I’m going through with this doesn’t mean I like it either. The more you speak, the less I like you. But I agree; I helped put us in this situation so I will play along.”
I grab my purse from the counter, sliding it onto my shoulder.
“Where do you think you’re going? We aren’t done talking.”
“Yes, we are.” Reaching into my purse, I grab my card and slam it onto the counter. “When you’re done being an ass, text me and we’ll work out the next steps. Right now, I need to get as far away from you as I can.”
And get a very large, stiff drink.
“Whatever you say, princess.” I don’t miss his lighter, mocking tone. Narrowing my eyes at him, I huff as I turn, making my way toward the door. Slipping my shoes back on, I almost barge back in to keep giving him a piece of my mind when I hear that low chuckle.
The sound echoes through my brain as I slam the door and stomp down the steps.
Damn him!