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his elbow and escorted her out to the sleek sports car waiting in her driveway. “I didn’t know you had a Jaguar.”
“One more perk of being a Colton ex-wife,” she said, her tone low and sly. “Coma or not, Payne will never say no to me.”
After opening the door and helping her into the passenger seat, he rounded the hood and sank into the supple leather upholstery. He rested his hands on the steering wheel, admiring the gleaming walnut accents, before adjusting the seat and mirrors to suit him.
Selina snickered. “When we get to the party, can you aim a little of that passionate infatuation my way?” She put the address into the car’s navigation app and sat back again.
“I promise.” He glanced over. “When I was in college, we used to daydream about status cars. Some of the guys went out and took test drives.”
“Not you?”
“Not me.” While the test drives motivated others, Jarvis knew that getting a taste of what he couldn’t yet afford would’ve only frustrated him. “I had plenty of time for that once the money was in the bank to back it up.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot you put yourself through college and landed a real job before you signed on here,” she said. “Are you really thrilled about riding a horse these days instead of driving a Jaguar?”
A few weeks ago, he might have bristled or felt defensive at the sly dig. After finding Mia and especially after their talk, he chose to take the comment at face value. “They’re both temperamental,” he joked. “Turns out the ranch is an excellent fit for me. I get to drive a horse and a Jag.”
“Just for tonight,” she reminded him, coolly. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into the small purse on her lap. “Listen. Even if Payne survives, I’m sure he won’t ever admit that your tenacity and independence impressed him.”
That hit harder than the reminders that they were from two different worlds. “I don’t know why.” He cleared his throat. “We were just three orphans who coincidentally shared his last name and hometown.”
Selina scoffed. “Whatever he says, I think he’s always been impressed by you.”
He shot her a quick look. That was a surprising reveal and he wasn’t sure what she gained by sharing it. Selina was impossible to figure out. He pulled away from the Triple R, taking the turn with care and minding the speed limit.
“Oh, open her up,” Selina said. “I’ll cover any speeding ticket.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. He forgot the strife and ghosts lurking in his family tree and drove toward a less-traveled stretch of road where he could let the Jag loose. The engine responded with a throaty growl and they were suddenly flying low through the twilight, the speedometer edging toward ninety, then ninety-five, miles per hour.
Selina made a sound that landed somewhere between a squeal and a laugh. Jarvis didn’t take his eyes off the road, even as he eased off the accelerator and brought the car back to a normal, law-abiding speed.
“That was exhilarating!”
He glanced over and caught Selina’s wide grin and bright eyes. She had color in her cheeks that made her look remarkably youthful and carefree. Right now, it was easy to see why Payne had fallen for her, and possibly, why he’d been convinced to keep her close both at Colton Oil and at the Triple R.
Darkness swept over the valley as they drove to the exclusive gated neighborhood where the Graves family lived. The pale stucco homes and red tile roofs were set well apart from each other and the landscaping, highlighted by low lights and streetlamps, seemed to be coordinated from the entrance to each individual drive.
Mia had grown up here. It was impossible not to picture her as a little girl learning to ride a bike or as a teen lounging away the summers with a pack of friends around a backyard pool. He’d done those things, too, but across town, and on a much more modest scale.
When they reached the Graves’ driveway, Selina flipped down the visor mirror to check her makeup. “Jarvis, I think your burst of speed was more effective than an hour with concealer and highlighter.” Her cheeks were still rosy and her eyes bright. She added a bit of gloss to her lips and then gave him a nod.
On that cue he steeled himself to run the gauntlet with the various items on his agenda. He came around to her side and opened her door, extending a hand. She emerged with such perfect grace he assumed she’d practiced the maneuver. Or maybe it was one of those things that society women instinctively knew how to accomplish. His mind inevitably drifted to Mia, recalling paparazzi photos that documented her vehicle exits through her modeling years. Beautiful, enticing photos of long, shapely legs and that stunning smile that made anyone she looked at feel like the only relevant person on the planet.
Selina slipped her hand around his elbow, bringing him back to the moment. Her fingers clutched his arm through his suit coat, tightening with every step they took toward the house. She didn’t lean too close, but she made it clear she wanted him to stick with her. He played along, stealing glances and smiling as if they shared a secret, all the while imagining Mia beside him.
Norton and Regina Graves were not waiting to greet them. The doors of the magnificent home had been thrown wide open, light spilling out over the walkway. Two men in catering uniforms stood sentry, checking identification and invitations.
“My place at the ranch has more square footage,” Selina said quietly as they stepped into the foyer. “But Regina upgraded with more marble when she remodeled and brought Norton’s decor into the current era.”
Jarvis bent his head to her ear. “Bigger is better,” he said, knowing it would make her smile.
“And younger is a plus, too,” she replied, her eyes twinkling as she caressed his biceps. “Let’s go raise some eyebrows, cowboy.”
He recognized many of the faces as he worked the room as Selina’s oversize accessory. She surprised him by making genuine introductions while they chatted with industry leaders from across the Southwest. He’d expected to be dismissed breezily if not outright ignored.
She paused between conversations, angling her body closer. Her fingertips stroked his lapel. “Here we go,” she said for his ears only.
Regina glided up, a glass of champagne in her hand. She wore her hair up, but that was the only similarity to the first time he’d seen her at the courthouse. Tonight the dress and heels, along with the jewelry, made a clear statement that she was the trophy wife every man should want.
