Saved by the Rancher

chapter Seventeen


DAVID HID HIS disappointment and annoyance with the woman beside him as the party continued around them. A nice substitute, but the woman he really wanted remained out of reach. He inhaled and imagined the musky scent beside him was softer, tinged with sweet floral notes and Jenna’s elusive scent. He missed the way Jenna smelled, the way her hair flamed red in the sunlight and deepened to rich chocolate in the dark spread over a pristine white pillow, her skin soft and supple beneath his hands. He ached to spread his hand over her creamy stomach, slide it up to cup her rosy pink tipped breast, higher to her elegant throat . . . and squeeze, until she begged him for mercy.

“I see the mayor. Let’s say hello. My family helped get him elected,” she bragged.

“Go ahead, darling. My grandfather is headed this way, something’s on his mind.”

“Patricia, you look lovely this evening, my dear,” his grandfather said, kissing her cheek.

“Thank you, Charles. It’s nice to see you again. Excuse me.” With a pretty smile for his grandfather, she excused herself.

“She’s perfect, David. Beautiful, educated, wealthy, connected. You could do worse.”

“You mean Jenna.”

“You changed when you married her . . . And not for the better. Forget the past. Focus on your future.” His grandfather raised his glass, indicating Patricia across the room. His future, according to his family.

Not according to him. He would get what he wanted. He always did.