Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

As they waited in line to meet their host, Grayson idled away the time stroking his fingers up and down Lauren’s exposed spine. Every time he reached the lower curve of her back, she shivered and moved closer. Grayson’s confident smile widened. If he had his way, she’d be naked and straddling him very shortly.

He’d expected to see a different side of Lauren in her work environment, in fact, he’d looked forward to it, but she was definitely on edge. She was presenting a more sophisticated, harder image. It was like watching a little girl play dress-up in her big, bad sister’s clothes. All Grayson had to work out was which sister Lauren really wanted to be.

He placed his palm in the center of Lauren’s back as they were introduced to the owner of the house and his wife. From Lauren’s relaxed conversation, Grayson gathered that the Cooks were old friends of Lauren’s father. When Lauren introduced him, Grayson stepped forward to shake Mr. Cook’s hand.

The older man gave him a thorough inspection before relaxing his grip. Grayson wondered how long it would take for the news of his appearance at Lauren’s side to get back to her father. He knew, even if she didn’t, how business really operated—through old friendships, over a round of golf, in a men’s club. He realized Mr. Cook was speaking.

“Your name sounds familiar. What do you do, Mr. Turner?”

Grayson smiled. “I’m a rancher, Mr. Cook.”

Lauren pressed his arm. “Grayson runs a horse-breeding and training program in southern Oregon.”

Mr. Cook’s gaze lingered on Grayson’s jacket. “It was good of your employer to let you out for the weekend.” He smiled revealing over-whitened teeth. “Judging by that suit, he must pay you real well.”

Forgetting his party manners, Grayson winked. “Hell, no, Lauren bought me this. She didn’t want me to feel out of place with all you city folk.”

Lauren drilled her heel into his foot. He tried not to wince.

“Grayson’s just kidding. He’s actually his own boss.”

Grayson held Mr. Cook’s derisive stare and allowed the anger he felt to spill over into his gaze. He despised men like Cook and his own father who judged everyone by the size of their bank account. He already regretted his promise not to spoil Lauren’s evening.

“As the lady said, I was kidding. I wouldn’t want you getting the wrong idea about me being Lauren’s boy toy or something.”

Mr. Cook remained silent and lowered his eyes first, leaving Grayson feeling victorious. Lauren grabbed his arm and smiled warmly at Mrs. Cook. “Thanks for inviting us and give my regards to Amy. I heard she’s getting married in the fall?”

Lauren dragged Grayson as far away from their host as she could in the limited space available. Grayson steeled himself for her anger. In attempt to delay his fate, he plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to her.

“That’s one wedding I’m not going to be invited to and thank goodness,” Lauren said. “His daughter is the biggest bitch going.

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