Expecting the Cowboy's Baby by Charlene Sands Read Free Book Online Page B

meltdown.
    She concentrated on the meal set in front her and when the waiter offered her a glass of Chardonnay, she didn’t refuse. She took a bite of her New York steak, picked at the small potatoes and played with her salad.
    â€œNot hungry?” Jake asked, watching her intently, those dark eyes considering her every move.
    She sipped from her wine again and shook her head. “I guess I lost my appetite.”
    But it was obvious Jake hadn’t. He’d finished his meal and was polishing off another glass of wine.
    He stood and took her hand. “Come on. Let’s take a walk.”
    As they strolled along the deck, Jake wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her in close. They moved along slowly, like two rapt lovers enjoying time together. He played the part well, she thought. No one would ever believe they’d only met yesterday when she’d crashed the rodeo shindig.
    Cassie gazed out as sunlight cast its last stunning glow on the water, a sheen that coated the surface with such brilliance that she had to squint slightly to take in the view. She let out a contented sigh. “Oh, this is lovely.”
    Jake stopped and turned her into his arms. Cassie gazed up into his eyes, the dark gleam perusing her intently. “It surely is,” he said softly.
    His hands found her waist and he pulled her in, pressing their bodies together. She took breath from her lungs, deep, soulful-steadying breaths, hoping to keep her balance, to keep from falling, but it wasn’t working. Not with the way Jake Griffin was looking at her.
    He cocked his head and kissed her again, this time with more heat, more passion than before. Parting her lips, he teased her with the tip of his tongue. The sensations whirling inside her stomach made her ache with need. She whimpered when his tongue took full possession and was gratified to hear him let out a groan of pleasure.
    He tasted like wine. He smelled of musk. He felt so solid. Cassie’s mind shut down. She was going on instincts now, those darn, pesky instincts she didn’t trust. But she gave in to Jake, to the power of his kiss, the press of his body, completely consumed by uncontrollable desire.
    â€œJake?” she said finally, pulling away from him. She was about to ask him what was happening between them. She was about to ask him what it all meant, this wild, crazy passion they shared, but then she heard a familiar voice and turned slightly to find Rick standing just a few feet away with his wife.
    Fool. Fool. Fool.
    Cassie berated herself mentally over and over for thinking that Jake might not have been pretending. That maybe he’d experienced the same overpowering urges she had on the dance floor, during dinner and on the deck right now.
    It had all been for show. She knew that now. Jake, making up for the date he felt he owed her, was doing his bestto play the part of attentive boyfriend. And she’d been foolish enough to read more into it than that. Jake was no slouch in the kissing department. He probably didn’t know how to kiss a woman any differently. And she’d fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.
    Proof positive her instincts were out of whack.
    Jake looked deep into her eyes. “Cassie? What is it?”
    Cassie struggled for an answer, a witty retort, something to keep Jake from looking at her with those searching, assessing, knowing eyes. “W-what time is it?”
    Jake blinked. “You want to know the time?”
    She bit her lip then nodded.
    He glanced at his watch. “It’s just eight.”
    â€œThat late? I have to get inside. I’m giving Brian and Alicia a toast before they cut the cake.”
    Eight o’clock, Cassie thought with newfound hope. Just another hour or two and they’d be off this boat then she would be done with this pretense and forget she’d ever laid eyes on Jake Griffin.
    Â 
    Jake helped Cassie step down from the Sundance onto the riverboat dock. He