Page 13 of Broncos and Ballads (Healing Springs Ranch #2)

Venus was as stunning as the last time he’d seen her. If it were possible, she was even more striking with her hair flowing in long waves, her eyes wider and bluer than he’d ever seen them before, and her gown shimmering.

And she was hugging him.

He’d told himself that he needed to do as Harper had coached him before coming into the restaurant.

He had to treat Venus better than any woman he’d ever gone out with, had to display the right amount of physical affection, and needed to look at her as if his whole world revolved around her.

If he could do those things, Harper claimed, he might be able to convince the skeptical press that he really was in love.

Otherwise, he was in a losing battle, because currently, everyone was saying his relationship with Venus was superficial, just like with all his past women.

He hated the prospect of having to lie through the whole evening, but he’d gotten himself into this mess with Venus and now had to bide his time until the three months of their fake relationship expired.

He wrapped his arms around her in return, pulling her close.

“Hey there, darlin’. It’s good to see you.

” He was relieved that much was honest. He was glad to see her.

She’d filled a pretty big portion of his thoughts throughout the week, and he hadn’t exactly been sure why.

Maybe because she’d been devastated the previous weekend but had tried to be brave about it.

Maybe because Reed had been callous to her about the whole engagement.

And maybe because he’d witnessed a softer side to her than he’d seen before, and, well, he’d liked that side.

He guessed a real dating couple would probably kiss when they pulled apart, and he’d been telling himself that he’d dip in and press a brief kiss on her lips and that it wouldn’t mean anything other than doing what Harper had instructed him to do.

But as she began to pull back, he released her all the way and couldn’t make himself steal a kiss. If and when he kissed her, he wanted her consent first.

For now, no matter the rumors or the gossip, he wanted to treat her the way she deserved—with respect and consideration—which obviously had been lacking to some degree in her friendship with Reed.

Was it because Reed took her for granted?

Brock hadn’t been able to figure out the dynamics even though he’d tried.

For tonight, none of that was important. Nothing else mattered but being fully present with Venus.

He stood back and held her at arm’s length. He swept his gaze over her, noting the way the elegant dress fit every curve of her body. But he didn’t linger on her appearance and instead focused on her smile. “I just love your smile, darlin’. And I’m glad I get to see it again.”

Her lips shifted slightly, curling up higher and losing some of the stiffness. At the same time, her eyes seemed to shine a little brighter.

Had he made her happy? Was her smile genuine now? He hoped so.

She dropped her gaze to his mouth. “I’m glad to see your smile again too.”

“What? This old thing?” He cocked up one side the way women liked.

She laughed lightly, and he liked that he’d been the cause of it.

She allowed him to help her into her chair, and then he took his place across from her.

He could admit that the few times he’d been in Paris, he’d never dined at Maxim’s.

While it wasn’t his usual style, an elegant, upscale place like this didn’t intimidate him since he’d grown up going to fancy dinners at the Cliffside Dining Room at his family’s ranch.

Of course, the Cliffside was no Maxim’s, but his mom had made sure he’d learned proper manners for a formal dinner.

Their server brought them a plate of gougères, poured them a signature cocktail, took their meal selections, and then left them alone. Even with the low hum of conversations around them as well as the live music spilling into the room, their table still felt private.

“How was your week?” Venus asked politely after she took a sip of her drink.

“Busy with two concerts—one in Oslo and the other in Stockholm.”

She placed her glass down and turned her attention on him. With all that beauty directed his way, he felt like he was looking directly at the sun and needed sunglasses to keep from being dazzled.

“I’d love to hear about your concerts,” she said. “What were they like?”

For a few minutes, he told her about the venues, the sold-out shows, the bands doing his opening acts, and the problem he’d had when one of his backup singers had shown up for the performance drunk.

As he finished, she was sitting forward, leaning closer to him across the table, her eyes wide with interest, her face so beautiful he half couldn’t believe he was sitting with her having dinner.

“So what did you do? Fire him?”

“Her. And yep. Unfortunately it wasn’t the first time she’s shown up at a sound check that way.”

“Then this was her second chance?”

He ducked his head. “More like her fourth or fifth.”

Venus didn’t respond.

He glanced up to see her smiling another smile that reached her eyes. “Brock McQuaid, you’re a big softy.”

For some reason her words settled inside him like warm honey butter on a fresh-baked corn muffin. “Figure since God’s given me as much as He has, I’ve got more responsibilities, and that means taking good care of all the people who work for me.”

“That’s very noble of you.”

“It’s the right thing. Which is why I sent her back to the States and offered to pay for her rehab, if she’s willing to go.”

Venus reached out a hand and captured his where he was twisting the stem of his wine glass. “Every time I see you, you surprise me more.” Her fingers were slender and cool…and they were elegant, just like everything about her. She squeezed his hand and started to lift hers away.

Before she could do so, he captured her fingers, not letting her get away. “Suppose I don’t have the best reputation.”

“The only thing the media cares to report on is how many women you’ve been with, not the stories that really matter like this one with your backup singer.”

Brock shrugged. “That’s partly because I like to keep those kinds of things private. Figured it’s nobody’s business what my backup singer’s doing and how I’m involved in helping her.”

“True.”

He met her gaze again, and he liked the admiration that was directed at him. “Hey, I’m no saint, that’s for sure. Just ask my band. They’ll tell you about all my flaws.”

“Maybe I will ask them.” Her voice held a teasing note.

“Maybe you should.” The moment he spoke the words, he had the sudden need to have Venus come to one of his concerts. She’d occasionally gone to Reed’s. Brock knew that because Reed always posted a selfie with her whenever she was there.

Before she could pull her hand free, he clasped hers more eagerly. “Come this week.”

“Oh, I couldn’t—”

“I have a concert in Reykjavík and one in Berlin. If you’re anywhere in the neighborhood, I’d love for you to be there.”

“I’ll be down in Cannes for four or five days before heading back to New York.”

“Stop over in Berlin on your way home.”

“I have several shoots waiting for me.”

“Let them wait an extra day.”

This time she didn’t immediately say no, which filled him with a ridiculous amount of hope. She was watching his face. Was she trying to gauge his sincerity? Whether he was doing this to play up their relationship or because he really wanted her to come?

“This has nothing to do with the—” He wasn’t exactly sure how to refer to their dating agreement.

He didn’t want to say anything about it in such a public place because there was no telling who was listening.

On the other hand, he wanted her to know he was sincere about asking her to come.

“Let’s put it this way. I’d invite you even if you weren’t my girlfriend. ”

She tilted her head, the candlelight on the table highlighting her cheekbones and the sleek lines of her jaw and chin.

“I promise it’ll be an experience you won’t forget.”

“How so?”

“Because my concerts are always unforgettable.”

“A tad arrogant, are we?”

“Just honest.” And yes, arrogant. But if arrogance got her to come, then he didn’t care.

“That will be two dates in one week.”

“I don’t mind if you don’t.” When his agent had laid out the plans for his fake relationship with Venus, he could admit he’d been a little disappointed they weren’t seeing each other more often. Once a week wasn’t much. And neither was a weeklong vacation.

Then again, he didn’t want to facilitate too much closeness and, in doing so, lead her on.

She hesitated.

He offered her another one of his killer smiles. “Pretty please with sugar on top.”

Her eyes filled with humor. “You’re difficult to resist.”

“Are you saying I’m irresistible?”

“Not at all. I certainly wouldn’t want to puff you up even more.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry. That’s not possible.”

She laughed lightly too. “Fine. I’ll come.”

“Good.” Satisfaction wafted through him. “You won’t regret it.”

As their server brought them a cheese soufflé appetizer, they talked more about his concerts and his tour. After being involved in Reed’s career, she was much more knowledgeable than most people about the life of a country music singer.

With each new course, they continued to talk easily about all that they had going on in their lives. She shared about her few days so far in Paris modeling for Fitzsimmons’s new makeup line. He didn’t know as much about all that she did and found himself eager to learn more about her modeling.