"More like a chihuahah."
I laughed and shook my head, wheeling her out of the house to the car. It took both of us to get her into the seat and buckled in. I climbed in beside her and smiled.
"Might as well get this over with."
"Ange, you promised."
"I will be cordial but I am not going to flirt with the man!"
"Come on Angie, flirt a little."
I sighed as I pulled out onto the main road.
"We'll see."
Chapter Six Jackson
I was pacing back and forth while I reviewed the plans for the upcoming Fourth of July Horse Show and Picnic. It was one of our most widely attended events and it had to be perfect. I stopped and looked at my audience. Daniel and Jake were staring at me with matching expressions on their faces.
Not attentive, as I expected.
No, they looked amused.
"Have a drink brother. Relax."
Jake stopped Daniel from getting up to pour me a drink. He looked at me strangely, as if I had grown a third head. I frowned at him, starting to get annoyed.
"Are you sure you are recovered Jacks? That was one hell of a hangover you had the other day."
"I'm fine. I can pour my own damn drink."
Just to prove the point I walked to the bar.
"Are you nervous about something Jacks? The girl coming to dinner maybe?"
I turned to stare my cackling brothers into submission.
"Don't be ridiculous. I forgot she was coming. Is that tonight?"
Even Daniel rolled his eyes.
"You never forget anything Jackson. Everyone knows that."
"Forget what?"
Elle and Francesca came into the expansive living room with a fresh bottle of wine and glasses. We had servants of course, but we didn't stand on ceremony here. We got our own damn drinks.
Well, most of the time anyway.
"Nothing."
I was grateful for the interruption but I certainly did not want to open that topic of conversation again. Particularly when she was about to arrive.
Angelina Randall.
The girl had been haunting my thoughts all damn week. It was disconcerting to say the least. I didn't like it. In fact, I hated anything that was out of my control This girl-and my reaction to her-was definitely not in my control.
Not even close.
DING DONG
I straightened up and walked to the front door. I stopped, my hand on the knob. Maybe I should have let someone else answer the door? Did it make me seem over eager to be the one to let her in?
I shook myself mentally. What the hell was I thinking? I was a man. Men didn't think about this sort of thing. We saw what we wanted and we took it.
I told myself firmly that she was just another girl. A remarkably pretty one, true, but a girl all the same. And a really bitchy one at that.
I forced a cool expression on my face and opened the door.
What I saw there took my breath away.
Angelina Randall looked like a cool drink on a hot day. Fuck, she looked like a cold drink in the middle of the damn Sahara! I could imagine crawling into an oasis and ignoring the water just to get to her.
She didn't just clean up nicely. She cleaned up spectacularly. Her long hair was brushed and loose, flowing over her slender shoulders. Her eyes were sparkling, matching the emerald green top she wore. A top that skimmed over her curves in a tantalizing way, making me want to reach out and touch her.
Her lips were red and kissable. I was staring at them hungrily when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. Daniel stepped in front of me and smiled.
"We're so glad you could make it. Please, come in."
Angelina
"My brother is rarely at a loss for words."
We'd been introduced to everyone and were sitting in front of the fireplace in the Delancey's living room. I had to admit, I was a bit overawed by the grandeur of the place. I'd almost let Casey drink her wine before I snatched it out of her hand.
"You know you can't Case."
She shrugged, looking sheepish.
"I know. You should drink it though."
"I'm driving."
Daniel spoke up.
"We can get someone to drive you home between the six of us."
He grinned at me. He was such a nice man. They were all nice.
Except him.
Jackson Delancey had not said one word to me as of yet. No, he was staring at me like I had grown a third eye. I tossed my head, determined to ignore the rude man.
It wasn't easy considering the way he looked in a dress shirt and tight jeans. The shirt was tailored to perfection, cut extra wide to accommodate his thick shoulders. Even so, you could see the bulging muscles beneath plain as day.
"It's not like it's far. Go ahead and enjoy yourself."
Grudgingly I nodded, then took a sip. It was good. Really, really good. It had been a while since I let loose...
"This is delicious, thank you."
Francesca quickly refilled my glass. She was a stunning Italian woman, apparently living here with Daniel. Eleanor was equally beautiful. She was recently engaged to Jake, the youngest brother.