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Jax took a drink of ice water and studied her over the rim. “Aw, see, I was right. It was a man who turned you into such a jaded person.”
Cleo was not about to confess her long-ago teenage crush on him nor mention her college boyfriend, who got her to trust him—to believe they might have a chance at a future—before he two-timed her with her roommate. Some things were better not discussed.
“Let’s just say I grew up and learned that people always let you down.” She had to remind herself of that hard-learned lesson when Jax was around. With him it was too easy to fall into old patterns and let down her guard.
Throughout the meal they compared notes about college life and who had it worse. When Jax claimed he lived a semester with not much more than a can of tuna for his supper, he won hands down.
Since he’d started asking questions, it was time he answered a few. “Now, tell me more about your life in New York. You’ve said very little about what you do there.”
“What can I say, I like to be a man of mystery.”
Now that she couldn’t argue with. He’d been a mystery for as long as she’d known him. He’d give just so much of himself before a solid wall would come up and block everyone out. She always thought that it had something to do with the way his father mistreated him. She inwardly cringed remembering how that man would call Jax rude names in the middle of town.
“Well, I hate to tell you this, but you aren’t as mysterious as you seem.”
“Really?” Jax propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “And what is it you think you’ve uncovered about me?”
“I know you work in New York City for some investment firm.”
“So far you’re right. I run a hedge fund on Wall Street.”
“That sounds very impressive.” She couldn’t hold back a big smile. “I’m so happy for you. I just wish your mother was still around to see what you’ve done with your life.”
“I think she would have approved.”
“I know she would have. She was always proud of you.” Cleo’s thoughts filled with memories of the people of Hope Springs. “Do you ever think about going home?”
“This from the girl who moved to Connecticut for college and then graduated and moved to Vegas. I don’t see you rushing back to Wyoming.”
She shrugged. “I’m not cut out to be a rancher, even if I am a Sinclair. I just wish I could have convinced my family.”
“Ah, so you’re off in search of yourself.”
After all of these years it was as if he could still read her thoughts. Before she could tell him more, shouting came from behind her followed by the sound of shattering glass.
CHAPTER FIVE (#uee4f3a96-b1a4-5441-94cf-f47d18c9456e)
WHY NOW?
For the first time in forever, Jax had been enjoying himself. Instead of worrying about his test results or the upcoming trial, he’d taken time to enjoy a good meal and an easy conversation. Cleo was perfect, from her sparkling smile to the way the candlelight made her blond curls shimmer. This was the closest he could ever envision himself getting with a woman and he hated that the moment had come to an abrupt end.
Stifling a groan of frustration, he turned his head. A man stumbled to his feet while berating a young waitress as she set a cup on the table. The woman’s face was splotched with color while all around her on the floor were shards of broken glass.
“I’ll get security,” Cleo said, scrambling to her feet.
Jax wasn’t about to stand by and watch the scene unfold. He strode across the empty dining room, hoping to reason with the man. “Is there a problem here?”
“What’s it to you?” The man slurred his words.
“It looked like you might need some help.” He’d had his share of experiences with men in this guy’s condition and knew they could be unpredictable.
“Yeah, get her to bring me another drink.” The man’s bloodshot eyes glared at him and then turn to the young waitress. “I don’t want this coffee.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t serve you any more alcohol,” the waitress stammered.
Before the man could move, Jax situated himself between the two of them. He’d seen enough of this thing when he was a kid, when he was too young to do anything about it. Now he wouldn’t just stand by and let a man take his frustration out on this woman.
“Why don’t you try the coffee?”
“Fine.” The man glared at him before grabbing a large brown mug from the table behind him. “If you’re so interested in the coffee, you have it.”
The next thing Jax knew warm liquid hit him in the face. His hands balled at his sides and a growl started deep in his throat. With every muscle tensed, he stood there soaked as coffee continued to drip from his chin.
“Enjoy.” The man staggered away.
Jax took a step in the man’s direction then stopped. More than anything he wanted to go after him, but he knew better. Nothing good would come from exacerbating the situation.
He glanced over in time to see Cleo standing at the entrance to the restaurant with two burly security guards. “That’s the guy.”
While security dealt with the obnoxious man, Jax turned to the waitress. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and handed him a towel. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been here.”
He proceeded to dry his face. “Glad I could help.”
“I tried to make him understand that I have to follow the rules. I—I wasn’t sure what to do. I’m new and no one has ever acted like that before. I should have handled it better.” The girl grew flustered and he felt bad for her.
“You did fine. He was just a difficult man. Here, let me give you a hand cleaning up.” He knelt down and started placing the big pieces of glass on the tray.
“If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just ask for Marylou.”
“Thank you.” He flashed her a reassuring smile. “I’ll keep your offer in mind.”
Cleo returned with a mop and bucket. She looked him over. “Are you okay? Did you get burned?”
“I’m fine. Luckily the coffee had time to cool down. I’m just a little wet.”
She gave him one last look as though to determine whether he was telling the truth. Then she started mopping the floor. The three of them worked together until the mess was nothing more than a distant memory.
“Well, hero,” Cleo said, smiling up at him, “let’s get you back to the bungalow and into some dry clothes.”
He shook his head. “I’m no hero.”
“Yes, you are. Just like all those years ago when you stood between me and Billy Parsons when he insisted I hand over my lunch money. You’re still playing the modest hero. That’s one of the things that I always—” She clamped her lips together and glanced away.
His black mood started to lift. “That you always what?”
“That I...I always admired about you.”
The way she stammered around, he couldn’t help wondering if that was what she’d originally intended to say or if there was some other hidden truth that was making her look so uncomfortable. He knew she had a crush on him way back then. And in all honesty, he’d thought she was pretty great, too. But way too young for him.
“Come on. Let’s get you out of these.” She tugged at his damp, clingy T-shirt. “Then again your new cologne, eau de coffee, might be a big hit with the ladies.”
“You think so? How’s it working for you?”
Her petite nose curled up. “I don’t think it’s your scent.”
Her soft laughter was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. And her smile started a funny feeling in his chest. If only he could keep her smiling.
Her eyes twinkled. “Are you flirting with me?”
“If you have to ask, I must not be doing it right.”
She laughed some more. “I’m glad not everything about you has changed. You were always a great guy in my book.”
Her gaze lifted up to meet his. The tender look in her eyes touched something deep inside him—a part of him that he thought was long dead. In that moment, he felt more alive than he had in months.
Without thinking he reached out and caressed her cheek. “Thank you.”
She leaned into his touch, short-circuiting the logical side of his brain. The only coherent thought in his head was to pull her close and kiss her. And this time he wouldn’t be kissing her rosy cheek. This time he planned to find out if those cherry-red lips were as sweet and passionate as they were in his daydreams.
His head started to lower when he heard footsteps behind him. He pulled away. Frustration bound up in his gut. He’d been so close—a breath away from satisfying his desires.
His hands clenched at his sides as he worked to compose himself. A little voice in his head assured him that this was for the best, but it didn’t stop the wave of disappointment. Only a moment or two more and he’d have had a tantalizing memory to take back to New York.
“What’s going on here?” Mr. Burns demanded. “Security said there was some sort of incident.”
Cleo stepped forward. “Mr. Smith played hero. Everything is fine now.”
Mr. Burns frowned as he surveyed Jax’s stained shirt. “I’m sorry about that. Please stop by the men’s shop and pick out a replacement. Charge it to my account.”
Cleo clasped her hands together. “I can explain—”
“Trust me, you’ll get your chance in my office. I have something to take care of first, but I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cleo’s worried gaze moved from Mr. Burns to Jax. He wanted to reassure her that everything would be all right. That if he had to he would go over this man’s head because he was really starting to dislike her boss and the tone he used when speaking to her.
Not wanting to do anything to make her even more uncomfortable, he decided to wait until she was gone before he had a word with this man. Then he’d set him straight.
* * *
Talk about a long, miserable evening.
Not even the magnificent sunset with its brilliant orange-and-pink glow could lift Cleo’s spirits. She strode along the path to Jax’s bungalow, grateful for its privacy. Her steps picked up speed as she continued contemplating what had just happened.
What made everyone think they knew what was best for her? First her overbearing family. Then her two-timing boyfriend. And now Jax...
She’d been a fool to think Jax was different—that he respected her ability to take care of herself. Even if it was to learn from her mistakes. She could just add him to her ever-growing list of people who’d disappointed her.
Her lips firmed into a line, holding back a string of heated words. She only had herself to blame. When would she learn to be more cautious?
There had only been one other time when she’d been this worked up—the last day she’d argued with her father on the phone. Her stomach churned as the chilling memory surfaced. She recalled how her father had yelled and then the phone had gone dead. Not knowing what had happened to him, she’d practically climbed the walls waiting for him to call her back. Nothing could ever be that bad. And thankfully this day wouldn’t end with someone dying.
But before she was done, Jax would get an earful.
She stopped outside the bungalow and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Her tightly clenched fist knocked solidly on the door. She waited. No answer. She once again pounded on the solid wood door.
“I’m not leaving until you talk to me,” she shouted.
The door yanked open just as she raised her clenched hand.
“I think the entire resort heard you.” He glanced both ways. “I’m surprised no one has come running to find out what’s wrong.”
She lowered her hand and marched past him into the bungalow. “Do you know what I just spent the last hour or so doing?” Without even waiting for Jax to respond, she motored on. “I had to justify exactly why I should continue as a part of the player development team. And Mr. Burns wanted to know if there was something going on between the two of us. Otherwise he just couldn’t understand why you’d be so adamant about keeping me on as your host.”
Jax closed the door and turned. “And, gee, I thought you came here to thank me.”
“Thank you? If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Hey, this isn’t my fault. And as I recall, in the beginning I suggested another casino host take over.”
The fact he was making perfect sense was not helping matters. “Still, did you have to threaten my boss? He already dislikes me. Now he outright hates me.”
Jax crossed his arms, his biceps bulging. “I didn’t exactly threaten him.”
She pried her gaze from his muscles and looked into his blue eyes, which were just as disconcerting. “Are you saying you didn’t mention something along the lines of if he fired me, you’d take your business elsewhere? As well as that of your friends?”
Jax shrugged. “Someone needed to put that man in his place. He couldn’t keep treating you like that.”
“But that wasn’t your responsibility. I can take care of myself. Stop acting like one of my overprotective brothers.” She started pacing through the spacious living area. “I know how to handle men like Mr. Burns.”
“Fine. Maybe I did come on a little strong, but that man is annoying. I don’t know how you can stand working for him.” Jax strode out of the room and quickly returned with some water. “Drink this. It’ll cool you off.”
She placed her sunglasses and phone on the table in the entranceway and accepted the tall glass. After a long sip, she said, “I know I should be thanking you.”
“That’s not such a bad idea.”
She drew in a deep breath and leveled her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blown up at you.”
“Apology accepted.”
“But you don’t understand. My entire life my brothers have interfered with everything I do, never letting me stand on my own two feet. And my mother was constantly overriding my decisions. I thought that it was all behind me when I left Wyoming.”
“I remember how your brothers policed every guy who looked in your direction. Did you ever have a date in high school?”
She nodded. “Mama finally put her foot down and made them back off on the couple of boys she approved of.”
