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“I give you the friends and family discount too,” he chuckled. “Still, it’s annoying to have to travel all that way just to see you. So, how’s the mission going? Jillian on board?”
“She’s stubborn.” I pushed away from the incredible view and poured myself a drink. “But she’ll come around. I’m not happy about blackmailing her, but I don’t see too many options. Have you discovered who my competitor for the land is?”
Gordon grimaced. “Unfortunately, no. I can’t even dig up a rumor of competition, and Harry isn’t an easy man to follow. He’s a spry guy for someone who’s supposed to be dying. There is, however, plenty of talk when it comes to his son.”
“As in, he’s planning to keep Harry’s ranch going for generations to come?”
Gordon snorted. “As in, rumor has it that he’s already looking for buyers for the horses. Whatever his plans are, it’s not to keep a horse ranch up and running. Officially, he can’t do anything, but he’s quietly circulating rumors.”
Shooting back the whiskey, I tried to keep a tight lid on my temper. “What a piece of dirt. It’s like he doesn’t even care about the Blackwell name. I have got to buy that land.”
Gordon snickered. “Your plan is foolproof. Convince the woman who publicly threatened to maim you to live with you for a few months. Hope she’s a good enough actress to fool Harry into thinking that you two are blissfully in love. Oh, and try not to screw it up by doing something stupid like sleeping with her.” I looked at him sharply, but he just shook his head. “You forget, I knew what you were like when you two were together.”
“It’s not like that anymore.”
I wanted her. I’d want Jillian Quinn until the day I died, but after what happened, I knew that she’d never let me touch her again. She blamed me for ruining her life.
Hell, I blamed me too.
“It will always be like that with you two. You’re a fool to think otherwise.”
Growling, I poured myself another glass. “You think that I don’t know how much she hates me? How much more she’ll loathe me by the time this is all over with?” I knocked that one back too. “You should see her, Gordon. She’s so different. She’s got this wall of ice around her.”
“You may not like the woman she’s become, but she’s driven and ambitious. When she graduates next spring and gets her license, she may very well become a huge success. You know that she has Cindy Collins as a client? With enough money, she’d have a very successful practice.”
“Good for her. I’ll give her whatever money she needs to make that happen.” I tried not to sound bitter about it. Never once did I think that she was pining for me. We both went our separate ways.
I was successful. She was successful.
There was just a time when I thought we’d be successful together.
“But first she has to play the role of the happy wife in your happy home?” Sarcasm dripped from Gordon’s words. “Your sister will blow her top if you bring Jillian back to the ranch.”
“I can take care of my sister,” I grumbled. “And I can handle Jillian.”
Gordon snorted and reached down for his briefcase. “You’re living in a dream world, man, and I’m happy that I’m not in your shoes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some money to make.”
“Thanks for stopping by to drink my alcohol and lend your unwavering support,” I snarled. He was unfazed by my bad mood and just gave me a cheeky smile before exiting the hotel room.
I didn’t have the situation as handled as I wanted Gordon to think. I promised Jillian that I’d give her time to think about it, but I hadn’t heard from her in two days. She couldn’t dodge me. We were legally bound, but she was obviously trying to find a third option.
How would she react when she realized that she didn’t have one? Would I get to see another crack in that stone foundation of hers?
As if she knew that I was thinking about her, my phone rang. “Hello, sweetheart,” I said with a lazy drawl as I answered. I didn’t want her to know that my heart was racing in anticipation.
“Brendan,” she said in a clipped tone. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t call me that.”
“I could think of a few other things to call you,” I teased, the words coming out before I could stop them.
“That won’t be necessary.” Her voice rose an octave. “I just called so that we could schedule a meeting. We have a few more things to discuss. Will tomorrow morning work for you?”
I gritted my teeth. “You want to schedule a meeting with me?” I repeated slowly. “Jillian, even if you don’t want to call me your husband, you have to at least acknowledge that I’m not someone you need to schedule a meeting to see.”
