Read Vibrant Heart: Book 1 in the Great Plains Romance Series for Free Online Page B

anger. “Be careful with this one.” Raymond pushed by Jake. “She likes it rough.”
    Jake stared at Melanie, who felt the victory drain from her body. How much had he heard? Surely he didn’t think that she wanted Raymond in her bed!
    “My mother thought you might like to know that some of the guests are starting to leave.” His voice was clipped and icy. He was barely keeping his anger in check. He turned to leave.
    “Wait—”
    He called back over his shoulder. “And put some damn clothes on!”
    Melanie glanced down and realized that she was still in her underwear. She took two steps and slammed the door shut, her cheeks burning a bright red. She was never going to be able to live down this embarrassment.
     

Chapter Ten
    Jake didn’t bother saying goodbye to his mother or Stan. Or anyone else still at the reception, which would likely last well into the night. He wouldn’t risk running into Raymond, knowing he would pummel the man—the snake—with his fists until he was begging for mercy. But if he stayed in the house, he would risk seeing Melanie, and he was even more terrified of what he would do to her. Instead, he stormed out to his truck and tore off down the country roads. He rolled down the windows and cranked up the radio, but nothing could block out the memory of what he’d seen: Melanie, half-naked, her angry eyes sparkling.
    Sparkling in anger at Raymond, he reminded himself. A lover’s quarrel.
    He turned onto the highway, gagging on the bad taste it left in his mouth. Melanie didn’t seem like the kind of girl to fall for a married man, especially one like Raymond. Jake didn’t understand why any woman would fall for his charms, but they did. He’d seen it with his own eyes. Yes, usually the women were either clearly desperate themselves or feeling charitable for the evening. He couldn’t envision Melanie as either of those.
    He could only envision her in that damn lacy bra and panties. The bra and panties she had worn for Raymond.
    When he pulled into the parking lot at work, he was practically growling. He went in the back door to avoid seeing anyone, although Saturday nights were usually pretty slow in the hotel’s business offices. He sat at his desk and flipped on the computer, then spent the next half hour staring at the screen, trying to get Melanie out of his thoughts, chastising himself whenever he caught his mind wandering to her raspberry lips or her curves that fit so well into his. But it was when he imagined her eyes looking up into his that he nearly lost control. Reminding himself that she wanted to be looking up at Raymond instead only made him want to break something.
    He considered calling Stan. He didn’t think her father would be too happy about the hired help sleeping with his daughter, especially given Raymond’s impending fatherhood. Jake ran his hands through his hair. He couldn’t stand Raymond, but it was clear that Stan thought of him as a son. There was no way Jake was coming between that bond, especially if it meant making Stan choose between Raymond and Melanie. Stan would choose Melanie without a doubt, but Jake knew from his own father’s philandering that once such secrets got out, they had a way of wreaking havoc on the relationships of everyone involved. He wouldn’t do that to his mother and Stan, and he certainly wouldn’t do that to Melanie.
    He sat back in his chair, exhaling slowly. Why did he care so much about protecting Melanie? He tried to convince himself that he was concerned about the sanctity of his mother’s new marriage, but he knew he was lying to himself. He glanced at his watch. He’d known Melanie for less than twelve hours, yet every moment without seeing her dragged on as he tortured himself with thoughts of who she was with and what she was doing with him. This was not healthy.
    He headed to the front desk, glancing into the restaurant and bar as he passed. He nodded at a few of the regulars, then frowned at one regular in