The Price (20 page)

He noticed two elegantly dressed women from afar, heading in his direction. As they drew closer, he couldn’t help but see that vanity ran deep in their veins, or maybe it was the Botox—because they both had the same twisted up mouth that made them look like a pair of badly painted marionettes.

“My good man, can you be so kind as to get me a glass of champagne,” the one woman asked him as if he were part of the staff, before chatting to her friend.

“I’m not the help, lady,” Jack laughed at her audacity. “I’m the guy Marnie’s daughter married.”

“Oh.” She looked at her friend, and Jack could hear her unspoken judgment loud and clear. “You’re Kathryn’s new husband?”

“That’s me,” He nodded, boasting an air of Nevada indifference to the pair. “You’re probably wondering why Kate married a guy like me. Come closer and I’ll tell you.”

The two women seemed to be intrigued. They moved closer as Jack leaned over and whispered loud for both to hear.

“She married me because I am the best damn lay in all of Virginia City, and I know how to make her toes curl,” said Jack with his infamous grin. “One night with me and you’d want to marry me, too.”

Jack winked at them then left the bar. As he walked through the crowd, a smile of satisfaction shined on his face, hearing the two women gasp behind him.
That’ll fix her
, he chuckled to himself. He was confident the news would travel fast through this community and find its way back to his mother-in-law. He pictured the look of disgust on Marnie’s face and thought his comment was well worth it.

Jack made his way through the crowd again, and came to halt in the foyer when he saw Kate descending the stairs. She was dressed in the evening gown that did no justice on a hanger as it caressed her body like a glove. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the stunningly beautiful woman gracing one step at time with her long legs peering through the slit of the black and gold shimmering gown. His stomach got all tied up in knots, and for a moment all he could think about was flinging her over his shoulder, and carrying her back upstairs to their bed.

“Hi there, gorgeous.” He gave her his best smile, hoping she was no longer mad at him.

“Hi yourself,” said Kate, as she didn’t stop and floating right past him like a twinkling star, with hair and gown sparkling in unison.

Jack fell in behind, following her like a lost puppy.

“You still mad at me?” he whispered over her shoulder.

“What do you think?” She was curt.

“Ah hell, Kate, don’t be mad at me.” He reached out and took her hand.

Kate stopped and he turned her to face him.

“What do you want, Jack?” she asked rather coolly.

“You look beautiful, tonight,” he whispered as he brushed the newly-colored strands with his fingers.

“Don’t try to sweet talk me cause’ it isn’t going to work this time,” said Kate.

“Are you sure?” He gave her another smile when he saw her blue eyes sparkle just a bit.

“I’m still mad at you,” she pouted.

“Are you mad or riled?” he asked in a husky tone.

“Is there a difference?” she huffed.

“You know there is, baby,” he said, running his hand along the back of her neck. “Riled gives me room to work with.”

“Then I’m mad,” stated Kate, and she removed his hand from her neck.

“How can I fix it?” he asked in a coaxing voice.

“If I have to tell you, then what’s the point?”

With that, Kate left the foyer, leaving Jack alone by the stairs. He watched her move through the crowd as several of the male patrons stopped and stared appreciatively at the elegantly dressed woman.

“Shit!” exclaimed Jack, and he took to the stairs two at a time.

He knew what he had to do to make it right, but it grated on his nerves to do it. There wasn’t anything in the world he wouldn’t do for Kate but this time he was going to have to swallow his pride, and that was one thing that was not easy for him to do.

Kate mingled through the host of guests. She looked around the room hoping to find someone she knew. Most of the people she didn’t recognize and the ones she did weren’t worth talking to. She found herself making her way to the bar. She placed her hands on its top, showing her manicured gold-tinted nails that matched the sparkle of her dress. At once the young barkeep approached.

“Champagne, please,” said Kate, but what she really wanted was a shot of whiskey with a chaser of beer, though she doubted her mother would approve.

She watched from the bar top as he retrieved a bottle chilled on ice, and poured it into a tall flute. Light bubbles rose through the gold liquid, foaming at the top. He handed her the glass and Kate took a sip, the fizz tickling her nose.

“A beautiful woman should never drink alone,” came a male voice behind her.

Kate felt a familiar hand on her shoulder.

“What would you suggest?” She turned her attention to the man with gray eyes she once knew so well.

“I would recommend you spend time with one of your many admirers,” said Paul.

“Hmm,” said Kate, taking another sip of her champagne and staring at her ex dressed in the tux she bought for him several years before.

“You look stunning, tonight,” he said, admiring her feminine form in the sleek gown.

“It’s a bit extravagant for a rancher’s wife, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps,” Paul smiled at her, “but it is so worth seeing you in it.”

“I’m glad someone approves,” said Kate, thinking about her earlier fight with Jack.

“Oh, I approve,” he said, eyes resting on the fabric and skin of her cleavage. “You were made to wear that dress.”

“Thanks,” said Kate, feeling a little bit better about herself.

Flattery always made a girl feel better—especially when the girl was wearing an eight-thousand-dollar dress. Paul couldn’t take his eyes off her, gazing into those sparkling blue eyes and staring at her figure that looked more-womanly than he remembered.

“There’s something different about you, Katie,” stated Paul, leaning against the bar and getting lost in the sweet fragrance of her perfume.

“It’s still me.” She laughed in a manner displaying her nervous state. He recognized it at once and inwardly grinned. He still knew her, and it was a good sign to see her get flustered by his presence.

“Maybe you are,” said Paul, flagging down the barkeep.

“What can I get you, sir?” the barkeep asked.

“Martini, extra dry,” he said as his eyes never left Kate. “There’s a rumor floating around here tonight that your tastes have changed.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear,” said Kate, taking a sip of her own champagne.

“I’m not so sure,” stated Paul. “Tell me, Katie, did I make your toes curl, in the bedroom?”

“What?” She choked on her champagne.

“Did I make your toes curl?” he asked with a sly grin.

Paul watched a line of pink wash up her face, then change to a shade of red.

“I’m not going to answer that.” Kate reeled with embarrassment.

“You don’t have to,” he laughed, already knowing the answer. “So I guess the rumor is true. The lamb has turned into the tigress.”

“I don’t know what rumor you’re talking about,” stated Kate, but in the back of her mind she had a good feeling that if there was a rumor flying around she knew who started it.

“The scuttle-butt I heard came straight from Charlotte Harrington’s mouth, said Paul with amusement. “And we all know how Charlotte is.”

“She’s a gossip,” said Kate, and she bit her lower lip.

“The worst!” laughed Paul. “You want to know who told Charlotte?”

“I can just imagine.” Kate rolled her eyes.

“Hubby dearest, that’s who.” He waited for her reaction.

“Jack has a tendency to say things for shock value,” Kate stated as she pictured the look on Charlotte’s face when Jack exposed their little secret.

“So where is this phantom husband of yours, and why isn’t he by your side?” He asked as he saw the smile leave her face.

So all was not well with the newlyweds, after all? It pleased Paul to no end to make such a discovery.

“He’s around here somewhere,” said Kate, suddenly missing him.

“He’s right behind you,” said another familiar male voice.

Kate felt a protective arm circle around her waist. She looked up and saw Jack dressed in black-tie attire. He looked stunning in his sharp, black tux and crisp, white shirt. Her breath caught in her throat seeing him look more handsome than any man had a right to look. Her heart instantly softened, knowing he wore it just for her. How could she stay mad at him knowing he swallowed his pride in order to wear the tux Marnie bought for him?

“Jack!” Kate exclaimed as a sweet smile formed on her face and her heart skipped a beat.

“Hello, Barbie doll.” Jack lowered his hand down over her back and rested it on her sweet bottom.

The only man who could do strange and wonderful things to her instantly consumed her world. She almost forgot that she was in a conversation with Paul until she heard him clear his throat.

“Oh Jack, this is Paul,” said Kate, waking up from her fog and growing increasingly nervous for the two to meet in person.

“I kind of figured,” said Jack, staring at the man who once knew Kate as intimately as he did now. The feeling did not sit well with him.

“Katie and I were just reminiscing about old times,” Paul stated calmly, as if unaffected by Jack’s presence.

“I’m not much interested in the past,” remarked Jack. “It’s the present and future that matters to me. Isn’t that right, baby?”

“Of course,” said Kate, feeling Jack’s arm stiffen around her.

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” added Paul. “We can’t change the past but we can certainly do something about the here and now. Isn’t that right, Katie?”

Kate didn’t know what to say. They were both putting her in the middle, and it felt like a tug of war for her affection.

“I don’t know,” she stated, feeling the tension bounce back and forth like a Ping-Pong ball.

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Jack looked at Kate and grinned. “You still mad at me, baby?”

Kate understood his underlying meaning as she found his sultry, green eyes consuming her.

“No, more like just riled.” Kate returned the grin.

“Now
that
I can work with,” said Jack, and he nodded with satisfaction. “If you’ll excuse us, I have a date with my wife to do a little toe-curling.”

“Jack,” Kate blushed again, wondering if he had overheard their whole conversation. “Not in front of the guests.”

“Just confirming the rumor, my little tigress.” He winked at her.

So he had been watching her the whole time.

“You’re a slick one, I’ll give you that,” said Paul, and his eyes narrowed in a challenge.

“No, I’m straight to the point,” answered Jack. “It’s you who is the slick one. Seems like you have a habit of always wanting something you can’t have.”

“Call me anything you like, but I’m not the one disrespecting a classy lady like Katie in or out of the bedroom.”

Jack saw red. He pushed Kate behind him and almost bumped chest to chest with Paul .

“No, you just do it behind her back,” he said, going right for the jugular. “Tell me, how much respect did you show Kate when you were cheating on her?”

“It’s more complicated than that,” stated Paul. Jack saw beads of sweat form on his forehead. “Besides, Katie and I have history.”

“You think so?” Jack snarled. “You may have history but we have a son, so I think I beat what you’re trying to lay out. A smart man knows when to fold and throw in his cards. I do hope you are smart for your own sake, cause’ I’d sure hate to have to lay you out and ruin this tux.”

“No need to threaten.” Paul took a cautious step back. “Can’t we discuss this like two civilized individuals?”

“Who said I was
civilized
?” Jack snarled, and possessively took his wife’s hand. “Say goodbye, Kate, cause’ I’m ready to go all disrespectful on you.”

Jack didn’t wait for her to answer. He shuffled her back through the crowd with Kate taking two steps to his one. She was literally dumbfounded by his encounter with Paul. No one ever stuck up for her much less threaten to lay someone out on her behalf. How did he always know how to make her feel utterly and totally claimed as a woman?

He could have been dragging her by the hair, acting all cave man like, instead of whisking her along by the hand as he marched her down the hall to a place where only God knew what he would do to her when he got there. She didn’t care. He was a man determined, and when Jack McBride got something in his head, not even Kate could talk him out of it, and at this moment she didn’t want to. The thought made her all tingly inside.

“Keep up with me, baby, or I swear I’ll swing you over my shoulder and carry you,” he said, leading her into a hallway and away from the party.

“Where are we going?” she asked, feeling his hand grip her firmer while she followed his lead.

“Somewhere that I can be alone with you.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we went to our room?”

Jack came to an abrupt halt and positioned her against the door to the study.

“Now what would be the fun in that?” He grinned as he reached behind her and opened the door. She fell back into the darkened room with Jack not bothering to turn on the light. He kicked the door shut with his foot, and in one quick maneuver he backed her against the wall, barricading her in with his hands.

“Did you know your ex was going to be here tonight?” He questioned her as his eyes raked hers.

“Not exactly,” she said, feeling his heated stare. “I found out this afternoon.”

She was not about to tell him she ran into Paul at the café.

“When were you going to tell me?” He waited for her to answer.

“I wanted to-” She bit at the corner of her mouth. “But then we were arguing, and I forgot.”

“Why is it I don’t quite believe you?” His head tilted and spilled a strand of sand over his brow.

“Jack, don’t you trust me?”

“Oh, I trust you,” he stated. “It’s him I don’t trust.”

“Are you mad at me?” She released her lip and pouted.

“No, more like. . .
riled
.” His eyes blazed a possessive green. “And you know what happens when I get riled?”