Page 19 of A Montana Childhood Promise (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #3)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Noah peered over the book he was reading at the woman he still couldn’t believe had chosen him. Seated on the couch with his legs propped up on the coffee table, he had opted to spend time at her apartment rather than leave her to do her work alone.

While he was perpendicular to the couch, she was spread across it. Her knees bent over his lap as she worked. A pen was stuck between her lips, and flashes of teeth appeared as she nibbled on the end while she went over the stapled document in her hands.

Noah had lost track of how many times he’d reread the same page.

He was enjoying watching Jane far more than he would ever readily admit to her.

The crease between her brows was adorable, to say the least. The way her focus remained locked on the work at hand only solidified that he’d made the right decision in forcing her supervisor’s hand.

Jane deserved the task and promotion she’d been given. She was darn good at it. Already she’d scribbled notes into the proposal she’d been given from his board. She’d crossed a few things out as she shook her head, then scribbled some more. The event she was planning was going to be perfect.

She must have felt his gaze on her because she lifted her eyes without moving her head. A smile tugged at her lips, and she tilted her head to get a better look at him. “What?”

He shook his head, brows lifting somewhat. “Nothing.”

Her lips stretched wider. “You’re staring.”

“Am I?”

This time Jane rolled her eyes, but based on how quickly her cheeks colored, it was clear she was flattered by his attention. When her focus flicked up to meet his as if she was making sure he was still looking, he grinned right back.

Noah nodded to the document in her hand. “How’s it going?”

At that, she sighed, and the professional side of her reappeared. She gestured to a spot on the paper. “They’re requesting an exorbitant amount of security. I mean, I get it to a degree, but it’s unnecessary.”

He was more than aware that those in attendance were paranoid about their wealth.

The people who would attend this particular event usually wore clothing and jewelry that cost more than Jane’s annual salary.

They had every right to want to protect their property.

But her statement tugged at something in the back of his mind. “Why would you say that?”

She gave him a flat look. “You think they should be spending that amount of money on security?” She turned the document around with a huff.

His eyes darted to the number—one that the board had agreed upon—but he didn’t react to it. “I would assume they know what they’re talking about since they’ve been holding these events for years.”

Jane nodded. “You’re right that they’ve been running these events for a couple of years…”

“But?” He could sense it coming, and he pushed her forward.

“But,” she sighed, “when you’re running something like this, every single penny has to be accounted for. The point is to not spend more than is needed. In the beginning, they can only make assumptions. But based on this? I would say they’ve never adjusted their numbers.”

“And that’s… bad.” It wasn’t ideal. But Noah knew better than to mess with something that worked. He wanted to assure his guests that they were safe. If that meant they spent a premium for their security, he was happy to do it. Jane was making it sound like his opinion was wrong.

“Yes.” She said it with such a matter-of-fact tone that he couldn’t bring himself to tear his eyes from her.

Jane must have understood the expectant look on his face because she leaned forward and grabbed her laptop.

In a few short minutes, she had found what she was looking for and turned the device around.

A list of stats was displayed on the screen.

“These are all the events. These are the prices they’ve paid.

And these,” she pointed to a column off to the side, “are the recommended prices for the suggested security measures. Yes, the numbers go up and down based on location. But you’ll notice that the amount that was actually spent has remained the same. ”

Noah reached for the laptop. He’d trusted his board in deciding the price for security.

According to what he was seeing here, Jane was right.

About twenty percent of the events he’d hosted had far more security than was necessary.

It wasn’t terrible, but it was wasted money they could have put toward things they needed for the vets they were helping.

He lifted his eyes to meet Jane’s as he handed the computer back. “And your event doesn’t need as much?”

She scoffed with a rueful smirk. “No. We’re not in the middle of a huge city.

Crime in Rocky Ridge is near nonexistent.

I’m not suggesting we don’t have security present, but I know we don’t need the same kind of surveillance as we would if this event was being hosted in the heart of California or New York. ”

He nodded. She was probably right. “So you’re going to tell them, right?”

“I already did,” she huffed. “They said that they weren’t going to change anything.”

The frown he wore on his face drew her attention.

“There’s nothing else I can do.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I could write an email to the CEO and go over the board’s head.”

If only she knew she was speaking to the guy in charge. A smile tugged at his lips. “I think you should try. It can’t hurt, right?”

“No, I suppose not.” The smile she gave him had heat pooling in his core. She shifted, her body brushing against him in a way that stirred his desire. If he was a weaker man, he might have pulled her into his lap and kissed her right then.

He wouldn’t, though. If he started, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop. It was the way she looked at him. Or maybe it was that smile. Heck, it could be her brains and the fact that she’d found something he hadn’t been aware of.

Jane’s eyes tangled with his, and he saw that same desire he felt simmering within him mirrored in her features. A sly smile tugged at her lips, and she tossed the document to the coffee table before she returned to him. She straddled his lap and placed her hands on his shoulders.

His heart stuttered in his chest as he stared up at the angel who hovered overhead. He was the luckiest man alive. His thoughts grew hazy at her proximity and only worsened when she moved closer to him.

“Noah,” she breathed. “I wanted to ask you for something.”

She could ask him for anything, and he’d give it to her with the way he was feeling. She had his heart in her clutches, and there was no going back. “What’s that?” he rasped.

Jane shifted. Her hand reached up to his hairline, and she toyed with his locks.

Her attention went there as well, and he felt the loss of her eyes on his potently.

The flirty smile stole his focus, and he watched her mouth as she formed her next statement.

“This event is going to be the biggest one of the year. I’m already terrified that I’m going to fail. ”

“You’re not going to?—”

She pressed a finger to his lips and met his stare. “Not only do I have to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, I have to find something appropriate to wear and make sure that everyone enjoys themselves.”

He wanted to tell her that last one wasn’t part of the job description, but with her finger still on his lips, he kept his mouth shut.

Jane chewed on her lower lip, and her cheeks flushed a deeper color. “You’ve been a huge support for me, and I really want you to come with me. I think if you’re there, then I can relax a little bit.”

He didn’t think before the words, “Of course I’ll be there,” slipped from his lips.

Her eyes brightened, and an excited breath bursts from her lips. “Are you sure? I’m sure the people who will be there will be stuffier than the ones who came to the last one. But the food should be good, and the entertainment is going to rock.”

Noah laughed, pulling her hands into his grasp. “Nothing could keep me away.” He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm.

She’d pulled her lower lip between her teeth again, but it was tugged free when she grinned at him. “You’re the best.”

He shook his head, turning his attention to her other hand and kissing the tender skin of that palm. “Actually, I’m selfish.”

Her confusion was quickly wiped away when he continued.

“You’re going to be at an event all night with the most eligible bachelors on this side of the continent. If you think that I would risk letting one of them catch your eye, you don’t know me very well.”

Jane tilted her head. “Is that jealousy I hear?”

Again, he shook his head. “Jealousy would indicate I’ve witnessed you getting attention from someone else, and I feel the need to drag you away from the threat. Like I said. I’m selfish. I’ll be by your side, holding your hand, and kissing you so everyone at that event knows who holds your heart.”

She stared at him with a look he couldn’t read. Was she upset about his opinion? Worried that they were moving too fast? When she didn’t speak, he knew he wasn’t capable of reeling in his overthinking.

Noah opened his mouth to insist that he was cool with them taking their relationship as slow as they needed to, but Jane stopped him with a kiss.

Her lips crashed down against his, consuming him from the inside out.

Her hands pushed into his hair, and his arms wrapped around the small of her back.

They’d shared multiple kisses since that first one beneath the mistletoe, and each time, it felt new.

Excitement built along with the passion between them.

Jane was the first to break off their kiss, a moan on her lips as she touched her forehead to his. Her lashes fluttered closed, and her breathing had ticked up.

He brushed her hair behind her ear, holding his breath as he waited for her to speak.

“Noah,” she whispered.

“Yeah?”

Her eyes shone with light when she opened them to meet his gaze. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

His heart leaped in his chest. This was it. The turning point.

“Noah… say something,” she murmured, her voice tinged with anxiety.

He tugged her hand to his lips again, kissing her palm, then her wrist. “I’m not falling in love with you, Jane.”

She sucked in a breath and tugged at her hand, but he managed to keep ahold of it and kiss the tender spot on the inside of her elbow. A strangled gasp tore from her throat.

“Because,” he continued, kissing her again, “I’ve already fallen for you.” He lifted his eyes to meet hers. “I love you, Jane.”