Chapter 6
Jagger took Chelsea’s hand as they watched Kaden ride along the small roller coaster track.
When he’d seen her walking toward their picnic area, relief the size of a tidal wave washed through him.
She was his best hope for retaining custody of Kaden, and if she hadn’t come, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.
Her showing up told him she was in on the ploy and he decided to start right there by giving her a kiss.
Not a kiss a friend would give, but one of a lover.
Of a man in love. The minute his lips touched hers, another wave swept through him, although it wasn’t relief.
It was something different. Chelsea was the ideal choice for a wife in this situation because she was the girl next door.
Wholesome. But there was something in her kiss that hinted at sensuality and daring.
It had taken him off guard. Just for a few seconds and then he wanted more.
So he kissed her again, this time not to start the show, but to discover more about what was hidden inside Chelsea Beemer.
At first, she seemed taken aback by his sudden display of affection, but almost immediately, she’d sunken into the kiss, adding to the thrill of it.
Her eyes were dreamy and dazed when he’d lifted his head to look at her; pulling off this scam might not be so hard after all.
He’d glanced around the area to see if anyone had noticed their interlude. He was sure they were convincing.
At that point, something in her had changed. He’d promised not to touch her in the bedroom, but if they were to succeed, they’d need to look like a couple out in public. People in love held hands, kissed, and showed affection, so she’d need to allow him that.
He let go of her hand and instead, put an arm around her, as Kaden’s train started off. She looked at him again with surprise and wariness in her eyes. “Do you think people are going to buy this?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” He forced a smile.
“Because we’re not a very likely couple.”
He released her so he could turn and look at her. “I get that I’m not good enough for you—”
“I never said that.” Her eyes widened as if surprised by his statement. “Is that what you think?”
“Yes. Don’t you?”
“No. We’re not a likely couple because you’re a rich man from New York and I’m an average woman from the middle of Virginia.”
He frowned. “Is that what you think?”
She nodded. “It’s the truth.”
He shook his head. “You don’t think I’m good enough for you because I’m rich and from New York?”
“No.” She gave an exasperated sigh. “I think you’re good enough. I just don’t think I’m your type.”
Back to that. Jagger wished he could go back to his twenty-something self and warn him that seeing all those women would come back to haunt him. “Why not?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think I’m unattractive, Jagger, but I’m nothing like the women you’ve dated before. I’m not like Dana Dalton.”
Jagger jerked back. How’d she know about Dana? God, did everyone know? He gathered his thoughts and leaned closer to her. “You’re clear on where we stand as far as bedroom games, so I know you’re not like Dana.”
Chelsea looked down, as if she didn’t want him to see her.
He used the crook of his finger to lift her chin to look at him. “Thank God you’re not like her.”
She pulled her chin away from his touch. “I get why I’m good for this situation. My family has been here forever. I’m a teacher. But if not for that, I’m not a woman you’d pursue.”
“That’s not true. I was interested in getting to know you but Mitch…” He didn’t want to delve back into that conversation.
Her deep brown eyes studied him and he hoped to hell she saw something she liked. He needed her. She was the only one who could help him and Kaden.
“Chelsea, you’re beautiful and smart.”
She gave a snort of derision as she leaned forward conspiratorially. “I know you’re saying that for show.”
His brows pulled together in a mixture of annoyance and puzzlement.
“No, I’m not. When I kissed you the first time, and held your hand, that was for show.
Right now, it’s just you and me. And I’m telling you, I think you’re beautiful and smart.
More than that, you’re down to earth and genuine, qualities I’ve come to appreciate because they’re not that easy to find. ”
“What we’re doing isn’t genuine.”
He swore under his breath and turned away, resting his hands on his hips.
“Jagger!” Kaden’s train came around and he waved.
Jagger mustered a smile and gave him a thumbs-up.
Then he turned his attention back to Chelsea.
“Look, if you’re having second thoughts, tell me now.
I understand this is awkward, but not because you think we don’t go together, or whatever you’re thinking.
Unless you have a problem with me, which is the more likely scenario.
I mean, why would a nice girl like you be interested in a former vapid playboy who is raising his uncle and comes from a family that wouldn’t know kindness or love if they were drowning in it?
” Pain and anger roiled in his chest. For several years now, he’d tried to live the right kind of life.
He’d protected Kaden from Tanya, and later from Jagger’s father, who’d stop at nothing to get his hands on Kaden’s trust.
”Jagger.” Chelsea’s dark brown eyes showed concern and kindness.
“I have no problem with you.” She looked like she was going to say more, but she must have determined it was enough.
And it was. Because he could see she meant it.
Those few words wrapped around him like a warm blanket.
It wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Not many people made him feel safe and grounded.
The feeling overwhelmed him for a moment. He rested his forehead against hers. “Then please help me. Help us.”
“Well, look at this.”
Jagger lifted his head, disappointed when Chelsea jerked away from him as if she didn’t want to get caught kissing behind the bleachers.
Lexie joined them. Speculation danced in her eyes as she stood, bouncing the baby snuggled in a baby carrier hanging from her chest. Drake stepped up beside her with a second baby attached to him.
“Jagger.” Drake extended his hand.
Jagger shook it and said hello. He’d known Drake in New York, not as friends, but as acquaintances that sometimes ran into each other at events.
It had been a surprise to Jagger, as well as to most who knew Drake, when he’d left the Big Apple to marry Lexie.
Jagger knew most felt the same about him leaving his life of partying to settle down in Virginia to raise Kaden.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be here.” Lexie’s words said one thing, while her eyes asked Chelsea another. After all, she’d found them in a very intimate situation.
Chelsea hadn’t answered his plea and while she’d shown up at the fair, it was clear she was having second thoughts. So Jagger held back from putting on a show, waiting for Chelsea to make the first move.
“Jagger!” Kaden ran toward the roller coaster exit where they’d been watching and waiting. “Can I go again? Please.”
Jagger smiled, glad he could keep Kaden occupied. “Sure. I’ll take you—”
“I can do it. I go in right there.” Kaden pointed to where the carny stood only a few yards away. Jagger scanned the area for Tanya and any other questionable-looking figures.
“Okay.” He nodded as he pulled the strip of tickets they’d bought when they’d entered the fair from his pocket and handed Kaden five of them. “Don’t get sick though.”
“I won’t.” Kaden grabbed the tickets and ran to the ride’s entrance. Jagger watched until Kaden was in the train.
“He’s grown.” Drake nodded toward Kaden.
“It goes fast.”
“So you didn’t have to work after all?” Lexie brought the conversation back to what was ripe in her mind.
Jagger inhaled as he waited for Chelsea’s response.
She looked at him. Her eyes filled with uncertainty, and Jagger felt a sense of disappointment.
“I guess we don’t have to hide it anymore.” Chelsea turned her attention back to Lexie and Drake. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other for some time now.”
For the second time that day, relief and gratitude washed through him. Chelsea put her arm through his. He covered the hand that rested on his arm with his other hand and gave a slight squeeze to let her know how appreciative he was.
“I know I told you differently before, but we were keeping it under wraps.”
“Why?”
Jagger’s relief continued as he saw pleasure at the news instead of concern in Lexie’s features. Of course, she’d only told them they were seeing each other, not that they were engaged.
“It wasn’t appropriate for me to date Jagger since Kaden was in my class. So nobody knows.”
“Oh, they know now.” Lexie laughed. “Mrs. Crosby and old lady MacAulay made a point to tell me they saw you two in an ‘intimate embrace,’” Lexie said, using air quotes. “Does Mitch know?”
“Do I know what?” Mitch and Sydney stepped up from behind Chelsea to join the group..
Chelsea tensed and Jagger hoped it was to steel herself to stand up to him.
She inhaled. “Jagger and I have been seeing each other. Dating.” As expected, Mitch turned a dark gaze on Jagger that said, “I told you to stay away.”
“Oh, how nice.” Sydney smiled; either she didn’t know or didn’t hold her husband’s opinion of Jagger.
“I thought so too.” Lexie directed her comment toward Mitch
“Why the big secret?” Mitch couldn’t hide his angry undertone.
“Not because we were trying to hide from you.” Chelsea exuded a bravado that made Jagger look at her in surprise. “Don’t think I don’t know you tried to keep us apart, Mitch McKenna. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done for me, but I’d appreciate it if you’d stay out of my love life.”
The word “love” hung in the air. Lexie grinned while Drake and Sydney looked perplexed.
Mitch’s jaw tightened. “Are you happy?”
“Very.”
She said it with such conviction that, for a moment, Jagger believed her too.