Page 20 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

CHAPTER5

Jessica enjoyed the ride as Roark drove west toward the mountains.

He turned off I-70 at the exit for Lookout Mountain and headed towards Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum. They reached the turnoff for the tourist attraction, but he drove past it. He started down the Lariat Trail, a road listed on the National Register of Historic Places and known for its seven hairpin turns in just five miles. Several turns later, he pulled to the side of the road.

“Look up. What do you see?”

“Stars?”

“Yes, stars. You can’t see many in town because of all the light pollution, but you can see some here. I’ll take you a little farther west and you’ll be amazed. For now, look out east.”

She did and saw the vista of Denver and the suburbs laid out before her in spectacular color from all the lights. “It’s beautiful. The town looks so peaceful from up here.”

He reached over and took her hand. “It does.”

They looked a little longer, and he held her hand the whole time.

Then he turned around and went back the way they had come and headed west on I-70 again. This time, he stopped by the buffalo pens. Denver’s lights were far enough away they couldn’t be seen and so the stars absolutely carpeted the sky. The view was amazing.

Laying her head against the headrest, she looked up at a sky that took her back in time to one of her historical stories. The sky seemed magical. “When my dad and I would go camping, we’d see stars like this, carpeting the sky so that locating the planets was difficult. Dad had a small telescope, and we’d look through it to find them.”

“That’s a nice memory. Jessica, I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I believe there is something special between us. I’d like for you to accompany me to my ranch in Montana next week. There is a strong Wi-Fi signal so you can work there. I don’t want to interfere with your livelihood.”

She narrowed her eyes a little in thought. “I don’t know. We really just met and don’t know each other at all.”Regardless of this pull that I feel toward you. I like everything about you. She smiled to herself. Except when you ordered for me.

He turned in the seat so his body was angled toward hers. “What better way to get to know one another than spending the week together? If you’re worried about having sex, I won’t even suggest it.”

Should I spend the week with Roark? Do I trust him? I’m wildly attracted to him, more so than I’ve ever been with anyone else. So much so, I’d like to tear his clothes off right now. And didn’t Lanie say to live life fully?

I’ll do it. I’ll go with him to Montana. After all, I’ll only live once and I do want to get to know him better and if things don’t work out, I’ll stay in my bedroom and work. It will be excellent research for my book either way, though I’ll make it a happily-ever-after ending.

She nodded, and half smiled. “That’s right. I can. Very well, I’ll come with you.”

He smiled, and it reached his eyes, which crinkled with crow’s feet. “Thank you. I know you’ll enjoy it. Pack a swimsuit, and clothes for riding. Maybe even some for camping and fishing. If you want to dip your pole in the water, there is a great place to do it.”

She clasped her hands in her lap. “It sounds like fun. My dad would have loved all of that.” She heard the slight catch in her voice that was still there ten years after losing him.

He turned and took her left hand in his. Then he gave her a little squeeze. “I’m sorry he’s not here to come with us. I would have loved to get to know him.”

Liking the warmth of his hand around hers, she let her hand remain in his. “I’d have liked that, and I believe you would have liked each other.”

He gave her hand a last squeeze and then started the car. He put the roof up, then crossed over the bridge and headed back to town. When he reached her building, he stopped next to the curb. He didn’t move to get out.

Neither did she.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

She smiled and looked down before raising her gaze back to his. “I’m the one who should say that to you. This has been one of my most memorable dates ever.”

He grinned and took her hand in his. “I’m glad to be memorable.”

Jessica chuckled and shook her head. “Now, you’re fishing for compliments, but I guess you deserve that one.”

Roark grinned. “Already you know me so well. Just think how much better we’ll know each other after our trip.”

She lowered her chin. “That’s true. I just hope we like what we find out. After all, we might not.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute, but we’ll see. I guess I better get you inside.” He got out of the car and went around to open her door.