Always the Best Man (13 page)

“Were you some kind of a cat burglar in another life?” she asked, trying to wrestle her pounding heart under control. “You're far too good at being quiet.”

He let go of her, dropping his hands to his sides. “My dad wasn't much fun with a hangover. I learned to be quiet so I wouldn't wake him.”

“Oh.” Her comment had been meant as a joke. The way he answered made her remember they'd each been shaped by their past. “I'm sorry.”

“No need,” he said quickly. “It's a fact.”

“I meant for earlier. Even if it wasn't necessary, thank you for defending my honor with Aaron.”

“Again, no need. You don't deserve to be dragged into the long shadow cast by my family's reputation.” The music picked up tempo and Jase turned for the house. “Should we head back?”

Emily didn't move. “What do you mean your
family's reputation
? Aaron told me I might as well be campaigning for his father since I was distracting you from the usual attention you pay to Crimson and its residents. He insinuated that a relationship with a divorced mom of a kid with special needs would work against your bid for mayor.”

“I'm going to kill him,” Jase muttered. “I wish I would have knocked him out cold.” He ran his hands through his hair, leaving it so tousled Emily couldn't resist reaching up to straighten it.

“No,” she told him. “You shouldn't have hit him at all.”

He pulled her hands away from his hair, clamping his fingers gently around her wrists. “Emily, what is the real problem here?”

Where to start?

Your dreams. My fears.

Falling in love with you.

Definitely don't lead with that one.

She raised up on tiptoe and slid her lips along his, the knot of tension inside her unfurling at the warmth of his mouth and the roughness of his stubble when their cheeks brushed. He smelled like the mountains and tasted of mint and sugary wedding cake. Right now, he was everything she wanted in the world.

Show don't tell.

“The only problem is we're not undressed.”

Jase gave a harsh laugh. “You're trying to distract me.”

“Is it working?”

“Hell, yes.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the lights of the party, which was still going strong even in the absence of the bride and groom. “Think anyone will notice if we sneak away?”

“Let them notice.” She would deal with the consequences of her feelings for Jase another time. When he laced his fingers with hers, Emily almost forgot her doubts. She simply let them go.

Giving in to the happiness fizzing through her made her giggle.

Jase glanced down at her but didn't stop moving toward his SUV. “What's so funny?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I'm glad to be with you.”

He opened the passenger door and she slipped in. “You just made me the second-happiest guy on this ranch.” He pulled the seat belt around her, using it as an excuse to kiss her senseless.

She took out her phone and punched in a quick text to her mother as Jase came around the front of the SUV. “Everything okay?” he asked, turning the key in the ignition.

Emily waited to speak until her mother's answering text came through. Then she smiled at him. “I've got permission for a sleepover.”

“The whole night?” His voice was husky.

“Yep. I mean, I'd like to be home in the morning for breakfast. Davey usually sleeps until about eight on the weekend so that gives us...”

“All night long,” Jase finished, taking her hand and lifting it to his mouth. Then he cringed a little. “Unfortunately, the puppy doesn't like to sleep in so late.”

“I guess you're going to have to make waking up early worth my while.”

Of course, Ruby needed some attention when they got back to the house. “One of my neighbors came over a couple of times today to let her out and play with her.” Emily laughed as Ruby exploded out of her crate, yipping and running circles around Jase as he struggled to clip on her leash. “Clearly, she's ready for more. I'm sorry. This isn't exactly a great start to a romantic evening. I need to take her for a short walk so she won't be so wound up.”

“I'll come with you.” They followed the puppy into the front yard toward the sidewalk.

As Ruby sniffed a tree, Jase shrugged out of his coat and wrapped it around Emily's shoulders. She loved being surrounded by his scent and the warmth of him. They started down the sidewalk with Ruby happily trotting next to them. She seemed in no hurry to do her business tonight, making Jase groan and Emily laugh.

“I'm sor—”

“Don't say it.” She took his hand as they walked. “This is nice. I love the quiet of your neighborhood and this time of night, especially after the past week of planning the wedding. It feels normal.”

“Normal is underrated,” he said with a laugh. “Every birthday wish when I was a kid was for a normal family like yours.”

“As I remember, a lot of those birthdays were spent at our house.”

“Your mom would bake a red velvet cake and you'd refuse to come out of your room to sing.”

Emily pressed her free hand to her face. “I was horrible to you.”

“You were pretty mean to Noah, too, so I took it as a compliment.”

“Only you, Jase.”

Ruby finally found the perfect patch of grass and they turned back toward the house. They walked in silence for a few feet until Emily felt Jase's body tense.

“What is it?”

“I wanted to ask you something, a favor really,” he told her. “You know city council is holding a town hall meeting in two weeks. Charles and I are both supposed to be there. People will have a chance to ask us questions about our plans as mayor.”

She nodded.

“They'll want us to introduce our families as part of the meeting. I think it was Charles's idea as a way to discredit me. He can stand up there with his wife and sons as proof he's an established family man and I'll just be...alone.”

“I'm sure your dad will come if you ask him.”

Jase shook his head. “He doesn't like crowds. They make him anxious and that makes him want to drink.” He let out a small laugh. “Well, everything makes him want to drink but so far he seems committed to his sobriety this time around. I don't want to mess that up.”

“You've supported him in so many ways over the years,” Emily argued. “He can do this for you.”

“Honestly, I'm not sure if having my dad there would be a help.” Jase stopped at the bottom of his porch steps as Ruby nosed around in the bushes in front of the house. “I was hoping you and your mom and Davey would stand up for me.”

Emily felt her mouth drop open and quickly snapped it shut at the look of disappointment that flashed in Jase's eyes.

“Never mind. Stupid idea.” He let go of her hand to scoop up the puppy. “When you mentioned me celebrating my birthdays at your parents' farm, it made me think the Crawfords were almost more of a family to me than my own.” Ruby wriggled in his arms and licked his chin. “But you aren't my family, and I know how you feel about being in the spotlight. I'll bring Ruby.” He laughed, but it sounded forced. “Puppies are always crowd pleasers.”

He turned for the house, then stopped when she placed a hand on his arm.

Show don't tell.

Emily had assumed April meant those words from a physical standpoint, which was easy enough. She wanted Jase more than she could have imagined—longed to be in his arms. She thought about all the little things he'd done for her, from allowing her full control of his office to letting her take the lead on the wedding plans to showing up at the school ice cream social to check on her and Davey.

Despite her fears and doubts, she wanted to give something back to him. The town hall meeting was big, but she was coming to realize starting over was a mix of baby steps and giant leaps. Not pretending the past didn't happen but moving through the old hurts to create new happiness.

“We'll be there,” she said and had the pleasure of watching gratitude and joy wash over his features. It felt so good to give this to him. It felt right.

“You don't have to,” he told her. “I mean it. I'll be fine.”

“You're not alone,” she whispered. She leaned forward to kiss him but stopped when Ruby licked her right on the mouth.

Jase groaned as Emily laughed.

“You should still bring the dog,” Emily said as she wiped her mouth. “She's your ace in the hole.”

“Right now I want her out of my arms.” He nudged open the front door and deposited the puppy on the hardwood floor. “And you in them.” He pulled Emily against his chest.

“I take priority over Ruby?” she asked with a laugh. “I feel so important.”

“You take priority over everything,” he whispered against the top of her head. His words made sparks dance across her skin. “Thank you, Em. I know what I'm asking is a lot.” He tipped up her head, cupping her face between his hands. “If you decide it won't work, I'll understand.”

His touch was tender. “I'll make it work,” she told him and somehow she would.

Ruby scampered toward her basket of toys, picked up a stuffed bunny with her, teeth then walked into her crate to curl up with it.

“She's tired,” Emily said.

“Finally.”

Jase went over and locked the crate, then returned to Emily. “So how about a sleepover?”

Emily giggled. “Maybe you shouldn't call it that. It reminds me of being a kid...you know, pillow fights and nail-painting parties.”

“Pillow fights, yes.” Jase kissed the corner of her mouth. “Nail painting, no.” He moved closer and deepened the kiss. She held on to him and he lifted her as if she weighed nothing, moving down the hall toward his bedroom. “Do you want to have a pillow fight?” he asked as he set her down on the bed, then covered her body with his.

“Maybe later.”

“I'll hold you to that,” he told her. “After I hold you to me.”

She laughed again, loving how Jase made everything fun. She'd never thought of the bedroom as a place for laughter until the tall, sweet man watching her from chocolate-brown eyes had come into her life.

She slipped off her shoes and reached behind her back for the zipper of the cocktail gown she wore. Her fingers paused as Jase pulled his tie over his head, then undid the buttons of his tailored shirt. His broad chest made her mouth water.

He moved to the edge of the bed and slid his palms up her bare legs. He grasped the hem of her dress and she lifted up onto her elbows as he tugged it off her. His eyes darkened as they raced over her.

“The lingerie,” he said in a half growl, “I like it.”

Emily whispered a silent prayer of thanks to her new sister-in-law. Katie had insisted she buy the matching bra and panties during one of their prewedding shopping trips to Aspen. At the time it had seemed like a foolish expense, but now the lavender lace made her feel beautiful. Or maybe it was the way Jase was looking at her. Her whole body grew heavy with need.

She crooked a finger at him. “Come closer, Mr. Almost Mayor, and take it off me,” she whispered.

He toed out of his shoes and took off his suit pants, then climbed onto the bed, lowering his weight over her as he claimed her mouth. No more joking or laughter. His kiss was intense and demanding, and she moaned as his fingers skimmed across her breast. Emily arched off the bed as his mouth followed, grazing the sensitive peak with his teeth.

Then they were a tangle of arms and legs, sighs and whispered demands. The demands came mostly from her. She was impatient for him but he insisted on moving slowly, savoring each moment and lavishing attention on every inch of her body.

This man wrote the book on show don't tell. She'd never felt so cherished or been so fully possessed. As much as she longed to say the words
I love you
, Emily still held back. But when they moved together as the pleasure built and built and finally shattered them both, all of her defenses crumbled in a shimmer of light and passion. She knew things could never go back to the way they'd been, at least not for her. Jase Crenshaw well and truly owned her heart.

Chapter Thirteen

J
ase could feel Emily's heart beating steady against his chest early the next morning. She was wrapped around him, snuggled in tight and sleeping soundly.

She'd told him sleep was often elusive for her, so he reveled in the fact that she was snoring softly as morning light peeked in between the slats of the wood shutters that covered his bedroom windows.

He'd never allowed a woman to spend the night at his house before Emily. This place was a sanctuary to him, and he hadn't been willing to share it with anyone else. The satisfaction he felt at waking up with her beside him should be terrifying. It proved he was already in far too deep when he still expected her to break his heart.

Yet his smile wouldn't fade. It felt so damn
right
to have her here. He'd put the down payment on the modest bungalow shortly after taking over the law practice. It had been a rite of passage to buy a home he could call his own. But he wasn't sure how to be a host and the women he dated invariably wanted to take over the role. Minutes in the door and they began rearranging sofa pillows and suggesting wall colors.

So he'd stopped inviting anyone over but his guy friends. They didn't care his walls were bare and he had nothing but leftover carryout and beer in the fridge. To his surprise, Emily hadn't either. He'd even solicited her opinion on what he should do to make it homier. She'd told him to keep it as it was, which had been both refreshing and disconcerting. Especially given the ruthlessness with which she'd taken over his office.

At first he'd thought she was respecting his space but over the past few weeks, when she'd stop by but never stay, he'd wondered if it was more about her keeping what was between them casual. Now she was here, and it seemed like a damn good first step.

“I can hear you thinking,” she mumbled sleepily, rolling off him.

“Good morning,” he said and kissed her cheek.

She yawned, her eyes still closed. “What's got the wheels turning so hard this early?”

“Paint colors.”

“Is that code for kinky morning sex?”

He laughed and pulled her close again. “Would you like it to be?”

“Talk to me about paint colors.”

He combed his fingers through her hair, loving its softness and the way the scent of her shampoo drifted up to him. “I need to update the house, make it more mine. I was thinking about what color to use for the family room and kitchen.”

She rose onto her elbows. “While we're in bed together? What does that say about me?” She frowned but amusement flickered in her blue eyes.

“It says you inspire me to be a better person. Painting has been on the list for years, but I've ignored it. Even though I bought the house, I couldn't quite believe I deserved it. You make me believe.”

Her gaze softened. “You make the most unromantic topics into love poems.”

He tapped one finger against her nose. “Again, I give credit to you for inspiring me. Can we get back to kinky morning sex?”

“Dorian Gray.”

He thought about that for a moment and then shook his head. “As in
The Picture of
...? The creepy book and movie?”

“Yes and no.” She flipped onto her back again. “It's also a paint color, the perfect gray. You should use it for your family room and a shade lighter in the kitchen. It faces north so needs more light.”

Jase felt a smile curve his lips. “You've been thinking about colors for my house.”

Clearly misunderstanding, she crossed her arms over her chest. “You asked,” she said on a huff of breath.

He levered himself over her and kissed the edge of her jaw. “Paint talk as foreplay. Works for me. What do you know about the color wheel?”

“I know you're crazy,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Only for you, Em.”

She suddenly turned serious. “This isn't casual anymore.”

He thought about lying so he wouldn't chase her away, but he couldn't manage it. “It's not casual for me,” he agreed. “It never has been. We can still take it slow and I—”

She pressed her fingers to his mouth. “I like it slow.” Her hand curled around to the back of his neck and she drew him down for a hot, demanding kiss. “I like it most ways with you.”

“Emily,” he said on a groan. “Tell me you're good with where this is going.” He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “I need to know.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Then she looked at him again. “I'm scared of feeling too much. But I...” She paused, bit down on her lip, then whispered, “I want it to be more than casual. I want to try with you, Jase. For you.”

“For us,” he said. There was more he wanted to tell her, but she wasn't the only one afraid of being hurt. Jase was used to keeping the things he wanted most locked up tight. It was when he said the words out loud that his life usually went to hell.

Mommy, don't leave. Don't take Sierra.

Dad, stop drinking before it ruins you.

His requests met with disappointment so he didn't make them, and he wasn't going to now. He needed time to believe this precious thing between them wasn't going to be taken away.

He smiled and kissed her again. “We've got approximately not many minutes until the puppy starts whining,” he said, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. “We've established slow is good. Now let's see how we do with fast.”

* * *

The next two weeks flew by for Jase. One of his biggest cases went to trial early at the courthouse in Aspen, so he was out of the office most of the time. He'd never been as grateful for Emily, who managed his practice with so much efficiency he didn't worry about anything falling behind while he was in court.

He was even more grateful for her when he got home at the end of each long day. She'd taken over Ruby's care, picking up his energetic puppy in the morning on her way to the office and keeping her all day. She claimed both Davey and Tater, Noah's dog that was staying at the farm during Noah and Katie's honeymoon, loved having the puppy around.

When he could manage it, Jase drove directly to the farm after work. It was like he was a teenager again, showing up for dinner at Meg's big table, only now Emily greeted him with a kiss each time he arrived.

Everything in his life was exactly where he wanted it. Everything but the mayor's race. Charles was taking full advantage of Jase's busy schedule by planning campaign events all over town. Almost overnight, yard signs with the slogan Charles Thompson, A Family Man You Can Trust had popped up on every corner. Jase got calls from friends and business owners, suggesting he ramp up his efforts with the election date quickly looming.

The problem was he didn't want to take time away from the rest of his life to focus on the campaign. He couldn't stop questioning the reasons he'd decided to run for the position in the first place. Yes, he was dedicated to Crimson, but he didn't need to be mayor to prove that. Or did he?

He was getting pressure to be seen around town when all he wanted was to spend his free time with Emily and Davey. Although the boy was adjusting to school, he still preferred the quiet of home. Jase had set up a Lego construction area in the corner of his family room so Davey was becoming more comfortable at his house. That didn't solve the issue of Emily needing a quiet life with her son, while Jase's obligations to the town pulled him to be more visible with every passing day.

He checked his watch for the fifth time as he waited for the city council meeting to end late on Tuesday, one day before the big town hall event. Monthly council meetings were held in the evenings because so many of the members also had day jobs. Jase had never minded before because his life was the town. But Emily had texted that Davey wanted to show him his latest Lego structure, and he'd hoped to get out early enough to make it to the farm.

The council members continued to debate the date for the lighting of the town Christmas tree in December while Jase's mind raced from thoughts of Emily to the trial to the doctor's appointment he needed to reschedule for his father to the campaign he was pretending didn't exist.

“Jase, do you have anything to add?” One of the longtime council members lifted a thick brow.

Jase blinked and glanced around at his fellow council members, reluctant to admit he had no idea where the thread of the conversation had gone. Liam Donovan met his gaze and gave a subtle shake of his head.

“No,” Jase said firmly, as if he knew what the hell they were talking about now. “I agree on this one.”

Thankfully, the general comment was enough to satisfy everyone and the meeting adjourned. He checked his phone, disappointment washing through him. He'd missed a text from Emily, telling him Davey was going to bed and they'd keep Ruby overnight at the farm. She'd added an emoji face blowing a kiss at the end, which only made him want to hurl the phone across the room.

Jase didn't want emoji. He wanted Emily in his arms.

He punched in a quick text promising to stop by in the morning before heading to Aspen.

“You realize you can't speed up or slow down time by watching the clock,” Liam said from behind his shoulder.

Gathering his things, Jase turned and shook his head. “It's a damn shame, too. Thanks for saving my butt just now.”

Liam nodded. “You weren't exactly dialed in for this meeting. I'll walk out with you.”

Jase watched a group of council members standing on the far side of the conference table, heads together as they talked. Charles Thompson was in the middle, as if holding court, and the sight made a sick pit open in Jase's gut. One of the men glanced back at Jase, guilt flashing in his gaze before he waved.

“Looks like you weren't the only one to notice.” He followed Liam out into the cool autumn night. He should be sitting on his back porch with Emily right now. Instead he was heading over to his office to work a few more hours on the cross-examination he was preparing for tomorrow.

“Also looks like your campaign is in the toilet,” Liam said without preamble. “Before you got to the meeting, Charles made a pretty convincing speech about you being pulled in too many directions to give your full attention to the duties of mayor.”

“Which is not true—”

“He also hinted that your dad is having problems and you've got too many distractions right now.”

Jase cursed under his breath and turned on his heel. The town meetings were open to the public so Charles had every right to be there. But not to spread lies about Jase's father. “My dad is fine,” he ground out, moving back toward the courthouse. “I'm going to—”

“Whoa, there.” Liam placed a hand on Jase's shoulder. “It's not a coincidence Charles showed up tonight, made the comment and now is hanging out after the meeting. He's playing dirty, Jase.”

“Why the hell did you tell me, then?”

“Because
you
have a choice to make.”

Jase shrugged away from Liam's grasp and paced several steps before turning and slamming his palm against the side of the brick building. He cursed again and shook out his hand. “I've made my choice.”

“I'm new to the council,” Liam said, “but from what I've heard, the choice was made for you. When the former mayor took off, Marshall Daley stepped in as mayor pro tem. He was never going to seek another term, so the town council members suggested you run.”

“That's the basic gist,” Jase admitted. “It wasn't supposed to be this complicated.”

“Did you ever really want to be mayor?”

“Of course I did. I can do the job.”

“I'm not debating that.”

“I love this town.”

“Again, you'll get no argument from me there. Hell, you had a major impact on my decision to make Crimson the headquarters for LifeMap. But it felt different. You were on a mission to make a name for yourself. I didn't understand it then...”

“And now you do?” Jase sagged against the building, tired at the thought of rehashing his family history one more time. “Everyone around here thinks they know me.”

Liam shrugged. “It's clear you don't want it the way you once did.”

“Is it so wrong to also want a life for myself, as well?”

“No.”

“I won't let Charles win.”

“Even if it means you lose in the long run?”

Jase straightened. “I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen.”

“How?”

“Can I make a suggestion?”

Both men turned as Cole Bennett stepped out around the street corner.

“Evening, Sheriff,” Jase said. “Out for a stroll downtown or is this official business?”

Cole moved closer. He wore jeans and a T-shirt and held up his hands, palms out. “Off duty tonight. I was hoping to talk to you before the town hall meeting this week.” He glanced at Liam. “It's private.”

Jase started to argue but Liam held up a hand. “I need to get home anyway. Let me know if I can help. No matter what you decide.”

“Thanks, man.” Jase shook Liam's hand, then watched him walk across the street to where his truck was parked.

“You have some advice for me?” he asked the sheriff.

“Information,” Cole clarified. “Your office is on this block, right?”

Jase nodded.

The sheriff glanced over his shoulder. “Let's go there.”

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Jase asked as he led Cole a few storefronts down until they reached his office.

“Because you're not stupid,” Cole answered bluntly.

With a sigh, Jase unlocked the door and flipped on the light in the reception area. The scent of vanilla from the candle Emily burned at her desk filled the air, and his heart shifted. The subtle changes she'd made to his life mattered and he hated that his sense of duty to the town was keeping them apart.