A Rancher's Dangerous Affair

“We should get to bed,” Eliza said, pushing back her chair to stand.

“It’s not that late,” David protested.

“Come on, David.” Eliza took his hand and coaxed him to stand.

Reluctantly, he did, meeting Brandon’s reproving look in defiance as he slipped his arm around Eliza. Refusing to let it get to him, he stood and so did Jillian. He didn’t understand why Eliza was affecting him so much now.

“Good night,” she said to him and Jillian, lingering the longest on him.

“Good night,” he answered.

Jillian said nothing.

Brandon watched them leave the kitchen, David swaying a little against Eliza. He wished he was the one taking her to bed. He’d already shown them to their room, one that was far away from his. He’d be damned if he was going to sleep anywhere near enough to hear them. And that frustrated him. Aside from the alcohol David depended way too much on, he was his brother and Eliza was his wife. The two of them together shouldn’t bother him.

Turning to Jillian, he saw how she still watched him the way she had all evening. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

Jillian didn’t move when he took a step toward the living room.

“Can I talk to you first?”

There it was. She was going to grill him now. “Sure.”

She breathed out an uncomfortable laugh that he thought might be staged. “I don’t quite know how to say this.”

“Just say it.”

Slipping one of her hands around his biceps, she moved closer. Brandon had to smother the urge to shrug her away from him. How his sentiments had changed so rapidly bothered him.

She tipped her head up to look at him shyly. “I think it might be good if Eliza and David stay in town tomorrow.”

Her shyness contradicted her statement. “They’re staying here. David is my brother.”

“I know, but…”

“What’s wrong, Jillian?” He struggled for patience. Was she so insecure that she’d ask him to kick his own brother out of his house?

Sliding her hands over his chest, she leaned against him. “I can tell she still has feelings for you.”

Had it been that obvious? Had David noticed? He must have. A tide of guilt overcame him. “She’s married to David.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. She could still try and take you from me.”

Take him from her? Alarm bells buzzed in his head. That was taking insecurity to a new level. Brandon stepped back. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

“But, Brandon…” She angled her head coyly and manipulatively.

“We talked about this, Jillian.” He cut her off before she could continue. “I don’t want to settle down with anyone. I thought you were okay with that.”

“I am.” She crowded him some more, clinging, her hands touching too much.

He stepped back farther, feeling a familiar suffocation encroach. Women who demanded too much of him never lasted. Usually he saw this coming a lot sooner and ended the relationship before anyone got hurt. But Jillian was good. She’d snaked her way close to him and now she was striking.

“You better get going,” he said.

Something akin to panic flared in her eyes, and then she quickly recovered. “Sweetie, I know you’re afraid. So am I. But it will be all right. We’re perfect for each other.”

Perfect for each other. This was beginning to feel rather warped. “I’m not afraid. I just don’t want a serious relationship. I told you that.”

“You can’t stay single your whole life. At some point you’re going to have to get married.” She reached for him yet again.

This time he caught her wrists and stopped her. “Maybe we should take a break for a while.”

Now anger flowed into her pretty blue eyes, eyes that had enchanted him when he’d first met her. She jerked her wrists free. “You’re breaking up with me?”

“No. Let’s just take a break.” A permanent one. He’d just let her down gently. It wasn’t his style to use women. He made sure they understood what he was after. He must have missed the signs in Jillian. She definitely wanted more than he could give.

“I’m not an idiot, Brandon. I know when a man is trying to get rid of me.”

He bent his head momentarily, trying to think of what to say.

“It’s okay, Brandon. I understand. We don’t have to take a break. If you’ll just give it some time…You’re only confused because your old girlfriend came back.”

“She’s married,” he repeated.

“That doesn’t matter. I saw the way you looked at her, and her at you.”

That was ridiculous. But inside, her words mocked him.

“Please, Brandon.” He let her put her palms on his chest. “Please don’t give up on us.”

“There is no us.”

She stared up at him, finally believing him. This was it. He was finished.

“What did I do to scare you away?”

“Nothing.” Suffocate him. Try to control him. And the way she’d gone from angry to pleading…

Something wasn’t right about her. She was a little too desperate.

“I’m sorry.” He moved away from her, backing into the living room. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Tears swelled in her eyes.

Damn it.

“Brandon. I love you.” She came for him again.

He turned and strode toward the front door, hearing her stumble after him, sobbing, “Brandon.”

It made him ill. How could she possibly love him? They’d only dated a few times. He never allowed a relationship to last longer than a few months. Anything longer than that led to more. It had happened once. He’d gotten too close, too far out of his comfort zone. It had ended badly. If he ever settled down, it’d be with a woman who didn’t crowd him like that.

He could not be crowded.

After handing Jillian her purse from where she’d left it on the table in the entryway, he opened the front door. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

She stood there crying. “I don’t understand why you’re breaking up with me.”

“Sometimes I don’t understand it myself.”

Sniffling, her tears eased. “Then you aren’t sure.”

No, he was sure. Especially when she kept doing that, misconstruing his words and hanging on to hope that he wouldn’t end it between them. She’d probably had other experiences like this and that was why she was taking it so hard.

Reaching for him, she took his hand. “Let’s go up to bed. By morning you’ll feel better.”

He removed his hand from hers and backed up against the open door, giving her room to pass.

She looked through the open space and then back at him. Her eyes cleared of tears and anger seeped back into them. “You can’t do this.”

He angled his head. Really? Was she going to snap on him?

“You can’t be loving one minute and then let me down the next!” She marched right up to him and pointed at his face. “Before that bitch arrived, everything was fine. Now you’re telling me to leave?”

How had he missed this crazy streak in her? “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

The anger melted away. “Oh, Brandon.” She pressed her body against his and began kissing him. “I knew you were just confused.”

Whoa. Brandon grasped her arms and forced her away. “You need to leave now.”

“But—”

“Please, Jillian, just go.”

“No.”

He moved her so that she was outside his door and shut it.

“You bastard!” she screeched, pounding the door. “I knew you were hiding something from me about that bitch. Let me back in there! I’ll make sure she knows where you belong!”

Holy cats! The woman had lost it. Was she referring to Eliza? She’d questioned him about her. Maybe someone in town had let her in on the history between them. That he’d broken up with her, and she’d moved away with a broken heart. Had seeing him interact with her tonight triggered this bizarre tantrum?

A few seconds of silence passed.

“Brandon?” Jillian pleaded. “Please don’t do this. Please let me in. I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect you to do this tonight. It started out so good, and…Brandon?”

He didn’t respond.

The doorbell rang. Rang again. When he didn’t answer, she knocked. Pounded.

“Brandon?” she called louder.

She pounded for about a minute longer before she finally gave up.

“This isn’t over,” she growled from the other side of the door.

There had to be something wrong with her. She was unnaturally angry. Violently jealous of Eliza. What would she do next? Would she come after him? Or Eliza….

Chapter 2

Was that yelling she heard? And someone had pounded on the front door. Who was it? Was someone here for David? Alarmed and worried about Brandon and Jillian, Eliza checked on David. He’d passed out as soon as he lay down. He hadn’t even undressed or gotten under the covers.

In her nightgown, she left the guest room that was on the first level and made her way down a long hallway, opposite the kitchen. Stepping into the living room, she saw Brandon looking out the front window.

After a few seconds, he turned and saw her, his unwelcoming face impassive the way she remembered him. She had always wondered what lived beneath that thick wall. Glimpses of a softer man had sneaked out when they were kids. Maybe that was what kept her from being able to forget him and move on.

She stepped closer, searching for Jillian. “Is everything okay?”

He took in her knee-length nightgown with spaghetti straps and scooped neckline as she stopped before him. “Yes. Jillian just left.”

“Is she okay?”

“You should go back to bed.” He started for the stairs leading to the upper level.

“Who was at the door? Was it someone looking for David?”

Stopping, he turned and angled his head shrewdly. “Why would anyone be looking for David here?”

“Who was at the door, Brandon?” she insisted. Why did he not want to tell her?

She moved toward him. He undressed her with his eyes as he once again took her in, spending too long on her scooped neckline, which was demure enough to be proper. It didn’t hide the movement of her breasts, however. She supposed she should have put on a robe, but the urgent yells and pounding had made her skip that step.

“Jillian,” he finally answered. “She was upset.”

Upset? “What was she so upset about? And why was she on the other side of the door?” Recalling the way she’d glared at her, Eliza had a pretty good idea already.

“I’d really rather not talk about it.” He headed for the stairs again.

“Did you break up with her?”

With a hand on the railing, he turned his brooding gaze on her. “Go to bed, Eliza.”

“Was she getting too close?”

He sighed in annoyance and came back to her, standing close. “She didn’t want you and David to stay here.”

There was only one reason for that. Jillian was jealous. And then she’d gotten angry. Had he kicked her out? He must have. That by itself didn’t surprise her. Jillian’s reaction did. Eliza was married to David. Brandon wasn’t interested in her that way. What had Jillian seen? What had David seen? Were they both overreacting or was there some merit to this?

“She was that mad when you told her we were staying?” she asked.

Slowly, he nodded, his worry showing. And something else.

“You did break up with her, didn’t you?” Her original conclusion had to be correct. “She was getting too close.”

“Eliza, damn it.” He turned again.

Why had he broken up with her tonight, though? She’d heard them in the kitchen before Brandon was aware of their arrival. They’d sounded so infatuated with each other. What had happened to turn him off so quickly?

“You do that all the time, Brandon. When are you going to get over that? Why are you so afraid of commitment anyway?”

“I’m not afraid. I know when it isn’t going to work…unlike you.”

That gave her a jolt. “What is that supposed to mean?” And why was he so defensive?

“David shows up at one of your fancy parties and you think he’s the one. Well, all you’ve done is make matters worse for him. He had problems before he ran into you again. All you’re doing is compounding them.”

Why was he so angry? She’d nailed him with the truth and now he was retaliating by bringing it all back onto her. She had to breathe to calm her shock and the aftermath of the insult. “That’s not fair! He asked me to marry him.”

“Yeah, and I can see why. With you, the party never ends.”

“You’re going to stand there and blame me for the way David has been behaving lately?”

“Lately? What’s changed? He’s still as wild as ever. More so. I was close to getting him back on track when he met you at that athlete’s party and you two started having such a good time together.”

David must have told him everything. She certainly hadn’t had the opportunity to have a close and personal talk with him.

Eliza folded her arms. “So it was all me. David had nothing to do with it. He didn’t have to make any decisions on his own. He just had to do what you told him.”

Brandon glanced down to where her breasts had plumped. “Go back to bed.”

She refused to move. He was always the one walking away. Not her. Eliza wasn’t a quitter. When it came to relationships, Brandon was, and she had a flaming impulse to find out why.

He’d caused her enough grief in her life. Maybe it was time to get to the bottom of it and put an end to it once and for all. Maybe then she could leave him in the past where he belonged.

Eliza left the guest room. She was glad she had to prepare for her party. It kept her mind off Brandon, or more appropriately, her desire to mine through his rock-hard heart to learn what was in there. Uncover the layers, as it were. There had to be some. Many. All of which he kept hidden, especially from women.

David had protected him. Both brothers looked out for each other in different ways. When Eliza had asked about Brandon’s inability to stay close to anyone, he’d answered vaguely, guarding Brandon’s privacy. Which only made her more curious. What was so important to hide?

She checked her watch. David wasn’t here at the ranch. He wasn’t answering her calls, either. While that worried her, she’d waited too long already. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late. She’d only come back here to shower and change. The house was quiet. Brandon hadn’t come in from the stable yet. Good. She’d enjoy her evening without both men. Because she was pretty sure David wasn’t going to show up. He’d taken one of Brandon’s ranch trucks and gone God only knew where.

Opening the driver door of the rental car, Eliza stopped when she saw an envelope with her name on it.

Dropping her purse into the rental, she picked up the envelope and tore the paper, slipping out a card with a pretty red flower on the front. Opening it, she read, “You made a big mistake this time.” It was a blank card except for that.

An eerie chill chased along her skull and arms. Recalling how David had looked around when they’d first arrived, she did the same now. The sun was low in the sky. Birds chirped. A slight breeze toyed with the curls she’d put in her hair before putting it up.

Someone had come here and delivered the card. She and David had left the car doors open when they’d arrived.

Who had written it?

If someone was after David, it didn’t make sense to send it to her. Could Brandon have put it there? He held her responsible for David’s recklessness.

“Going early?”

Jumping, she turned. Brandon stood there. Wearing jeans and a long-sleeved, patterned green shirt, boots and a cowboy hat, he made her swoon. The low sun cast him in shadows.

“I need to make sure the caterers set everything up.”

She felt him take in her sparkly party dress and her carefully coiffed hair. She always looked her best for her events.

“What’s that?” He indicated the card.

Why would he ask if he had been the one to put it in the rental? “A card. Someone left it.”

Frowning, he stepped forward, taking the card from her and reading what was inside.

“Did you write that?” With him so close, the words came out a little too sultry.

His eyes lifted. “You think I wrote this?”

“You think I married David to—”

“I didn’t write it.” He handed her the card. She didn’t want it. She tossed it into the rental, and it sailed over to the passenger seat next to her purse.

Nor was she ready to get into the car and stop looking at him.

His brow creased. “Isn’t David going with you?”

“David hasn’t been home all day.”

Home. This wasn’t their home… .

“Maybe you should wait for me.”

He was going to her party? “You want to go?” She was afraid she sounded a little too animated.

“That note is suspicious.”

So he’d go to make sure she was okay. “Just like old times,” she teased. “Are you going to beat up some boys for me again?”

He chuckled, a rare sound from him. She breathed through the spark it caused.

“Just like old times, you’re going to drag me to one of your parties.”

“Who’s dragging?”

Still smiling, he didn’t reply, only touched her with his gaze all over her upper torso and face.

“You look beautiful.”

Tingles seeded and spread. “Thank you.” David never told her she was beautiful.

“It’s really good to see you again.”

Was he really talking to her like this? Eliza felt her face heat from all the tingling arousing her.

“It’s really good to see you, too.” She wished he’d have said this to her years ago. How could he, when she’d avoided him until now? Married to his brother, this felt a little dangerous. Alluring. Tempting. She was back in time to when she was a teenager. She loved it.

His boots scraped against the stone driveway as he stepped closer. His knee bumped her inner thigh, almost as if he’d nudge her legs apart.

Eliza put her hands on his chest as he leaned in. Her heart raced. Heat scorched her. Instantly out of control.

He kissed her, openmouthed and hungry. His arms went around her, and her body was deliciously pressed against him. He devoured her mouth, and she gave him everything he asked for.

Then he tore away from her, swearing gruffly.

He moved back, breathing erratically like her, dark eyes brooding with fiery lust. She was certain she looked the same. He had her so hot right now she might have a hard time driving.

What had just come over them?

Angrily, he turned and strode toward the house.

The guests were already arriving, and David hadn’t even called her yet. Where was he? She was beginning to worry. Who had followed him to the ranch? Was he on the run from that person? Is that why he was staying away? Maybe she should have paid more attention to that. Her husband could be in trouble and all she’d been doing was thinking about Brandon. She still couldn’t believe he’d kissed her!

It had been incredible. A kiss had never felt so good. Even when he’d kissed her as a teenager, and those had been potent enough. She thought she’d die. She’d have gladly taken whatever he was willing to give. He could have led her into the house and she’d have gone. He could have thrown her on the hood of the car. In the backseat. Hell, standing right there in the driveway!

It was appalling, shameful and exciting at the same time.

She looked around the banquet room. Everything was perfect. Elegant and color coordinated. She smiled. This was her favorite part. Before people dug in to the impressive display of food. Before the white-linen tables were obscured in the crowd. Before dishes littered every surface. The early conversations. The first glasses of libation. The end of the night would come, but right now, right here, the fun was just beginning.

Senator Merris entered with his wife, he in a suit and she in a conservative cocktail dress. He saw her and waved. Average height and thin, he kept his white hair short. His wife was something of a mousy thing, always in her husband’s shadow. A few years younger than his sixty-two, she tried hard to look young, but the look came across boyish. Short, dyed blond hair, minimal makeup and jewelry and rare smiles.

Eliza headed toward them. “Senator.” She greeted his wife, too.

“I see you’ve created another marvel.” He leaned in for a brief hug. “Your brother will be happy.”

She hoped so. “Thank you.”

“The entire town will show up for this one. With an open invitation and you the host, they’re all expecting you to bring Hollywood to Vengeance.” He glanced around. “And it appears you’ve succeeded.”

“The only thing missing are the stars.” She laughed at her quip.

So did he. His wife barely cracked a smile.

“Your party planning company is one of the best, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see one tonight.”

“I’m lucky that way.” Word of mouth and a few mentions on entertainment programs had boosted her business.

She did have Roy Greenwood playing tonight. The American Idol sensation was sure to be the real reason attendance would be high. And Eliza had planned it that way.

“Either that, or a natural.”

She angled her head at his generous praise, certain he was doing it so that she’d keep giving him discounts on the events she planned for him.

Over his shoulder, she spotted Brandon walking into the banquet room and endured a rush of passion and shock. He’d actually come to her party. In a dark suit and dark pink-and-gray tie, he put a hitch in her next breath. Was he really concerned about the card she’d received? Or was he here for her? Excitement obliterated guilt for a moment or two.

Greeting him would be torture, but if she ignored him that might seem suspicious. He was her brother-in-law.

A cocktail waitress stopped near the senator, and Eliza excused herself, wandering toward Brandon, greeting people on her way.

He saw her, and those brooding eyes darkened.

“This is a far cry from my Friday parties.” She hoped to lighten the air between them.

He scanned the opulent room. “I can see that.” And then his gaze roamed over her black sparkly cocktail dress again, dipping low in front and ending just above her knees. Her Jimmy Choo shoes brought her closer to his six-two height.

“Nice suit,” she said, then immediately regretted it.

She was married to his brother and flirting shamelessly. After that kiss, how could she not? If he weren’t her husband’s brother, she’d probably have an affair with him.

“Did David make it back to the ranch?”

“No.”

She checked the door and the thickening crowd. He’d been doing this a lot lately, abandoning her for his own agenda. Withdrawn and disinterested. Neglecting her. She was afraid that was directly related to her unresolved feelings for Brandon.

“Did he know you were coming?” she asked.

“I haven’t seen him.”

Her brother wasn’t there, either. Since he was the reason for the party, she’d be embarrassed if he didn’t show. Another check at the door produced Ryker. Her mood brightened. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about explaining why her brother didn’t show up at his own birthday party. He and his wife looked stunning. Six feet tall with brown hair and green eyes, Ryker was handsome in khaki pants and a white golf shirt. Aegina looked incredible in her little black dress, red hair up in a stylish clip and green eyes brighter than Ryker’s.

Behind them, her mother appeared. She was plump around the middle in a layered and flowing blue dress, and her graying hair was short now. She’d come out of her severe depression after losing her husband but was a quieter version of the mother Eliza had once known. She had her occasional bubbly moments, but losing her husband had devastated her. Her mother never really seemed to move on. Once you loved someone that deeply, there were no replacements.

Seeing her, Ryker led his wife and their mother over.

“Happy birthday.” Eliza hugged him, and he stiffly hugged her back.

“You could’ve stopped by the house. The kids keep asking why we had to leave them at home.”