Page 6 of Broncos and Ballads (Healing Springs Ranch #2)

Venus felt every eye in the garden swing to her as she stepped outside under the sparkling lights strung over the arboretum.

She’d chosen the black silk Chanel mini dress she’d worn at a recent fashion show.

The spaghetti straps revealed her elegant shoulders and neck, the short skirt showcased her legs, and the camellia lace at her waist gave a teasing show of skin too.

She’d styled her hair into a sleek updo so that her long diamond earrings sparkled along her neck.

Her makeup was painted on to perfection, including ruby red lipstick that added a pop of color to the otherwise dark outfit.

Tonight of all nights, she wanted to be stunning. To impress Reed.

She spotted him near the banquet tables under a white tent.

He was sipping champagne and eating hors d’oeuvres with Lexi by his side, his attention focused on her.

He looked incredible in a tan suit over a white shirt and a eucalyptus-green tie that matched Lexi’s flowy gown of the same color.

With his hair slicked back and his face tanned, his expressive features looked even more handsome than usual.

If only she’d had the chance to talk to him before the party had started. She’d texted him and invited him to her room. He’d said he’d come, but at the last minute claimed he didn’t have time. So she’d resigned herself to singling him out at the party and asking for a moment alone.

Should she do so now?

The shadows had lengthened with the evening, and she tugged up the silky tulle draped over her shoulders as a sort of shawl. It was more for decoration than warmth, and with the cooler temperatures of the higher elevation, maybe she should have chosen a different outfit.

As she stepped away from the door, several of the closest guests greeted her, a curiosity in their eyes that was different from usual.

She supposed it had something to do with Lexi’s Instagram post from the afternoon, pairing her with Brock McQuaid.

When her agent had texted her the picture, Venus had glanced only long enough to see that it was the picture Peter Flemming had taken of her in Brock’s arms.

Even though her agent had also sent her the caption—something about congratulating the happy couple for their love—Venus had given little thought to the post. The media and paparazzi liked to make a big deal whenever she spent time with a man, conjecturing about whether she was finally dating someone. This time would be no different.

She’d later tell the press Lexi had been mistaken, that just because she and Brock had spent some time together didn’t mean they were a couple. It would make Lexi look like a fool, but she shouldn’t have posted something without asking.

Venus smiled and made small talk and mingled, slowly inching her way toward Reed. She only made it halfway before the resort door opened and Brock stepped out.

The attention shifted his way and conversations lulled. She didn’t want to show any interest in Brock, knew ignoring him would squelch the rumors more quickly. However, her gaze was drawn to him anyway.

In his dark-gray three-piece suit, he looked more like a wealthy gentleman than a country singer.

He wasn’t wearing his usual cowboy hat or the ball cap from earlier, and his dark hair was combed neatly back with styling gel.

His suit coat stretched taut over his shoulders and biceps, and his trousers were close-fitting, as was the current fashion.

The five-o’clock shadow did nothing to hide the hard lines of his face—his strong, square jaw that flowed into equally strong, well-defined cheeks and a broad forehead.

There was no sense in denying it. Brock McQuaid was a hot specimen of manhood, one of the best-looking men she’d ever seen—and that was saying a lot, because she knew dozens of male models who were at the top of the scale of good looks.

Brock shoved his hands into his pockets, paused, and peered out over the crowd.

He had an air of self-confidence that said he was used to people admiring him and wasn’t bothered by it.

After all, he stood on stages and sang and played his guitar in front of thousands of people on a regular basis.

He could face a small group at a party like this and not even blink.

Several women immediately approached Brock, smiling in excitement and hoping to catch his attention. He nodded but sidled past them, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until halting on her. Those deep, dark eyes reached across the distance and yanked at something inside her. A strange tug.

Without breaking his gaze, Brock started toward her, each stride long and certain and unswerving. He didn’t answer anyone, didn’t even seem to notice the greetings and questions as he made his way directly to her.

When he stopped, she was oddly breathless, waiting for him to tell her she was beautiful or some other effusive compliment that men usually paid.

But instead of dropping his gaze to her dress, he held her eyes. Something there was serious, almost grave. “I need to talk with you privately for a moment.”

She hesitated. She didn’t have time for this. She needed to speak with Reed before he got down on one knee in front of Lexi. From the corner of her eye, Venus could see that he was finally looking at her after ignoring her since she’d joined the party.

Should she play up this interaction with Brock just a little? After all, Reed didn’t know yet that the relationship was pretend. Maybe she could get another reaction out of him like she had outside the rooftop lounge.

He’d been upset at her for being with Brock.

But why? Although she’d thought about it over the past few hours, she still didn’t understand the reaction.

She hoped it meant he didn’t like her being with another man…

because he cared about her and needed to admit it, although he wasn’t usually upset at her when she went out on her infrequent dates.

Whatever the case, Venus could see a determination in Brock’s stance that said he wouldn’t be swayed from talking with her.

Pairing off alone would only cause more gossip about the two of them being a thing. But with a shrug, she stepped toward him, tucked her hand into his arm, and began to walk away from the gathering toward another area of the spacious garden with its maze of flowerbeds, shrubs, and water fountains.

As they headed down one of the flagstone paths, she could feel the gazes following them. What must Reed think now? And was she hoping he would get jealous?

That was ridiculous. And immature of her.

Even so, as she turned a corner, she couldn’t stop herself from casting a glance in his direction to find that he was still watching her with a furrowed brow and a frown.

He was jealous of Brock.

A small sense of satisfaction wafted through her.

Maybe she didn’t need to have a conversation with Reed after all.

What if she just allowed him to go on thinking she and Brock were a couple for a while longer?

She didn’t have to resolve the misunderstanding tonight, did she?

Tomorrow would come soon enough to let him know that she wasn’t really with Brock.

But what about his proposal to Lexi? She didn’t want him to get engaged, especially so publicly.

“We’ve got a problem.” Brock surveyed the secluded nook as if making sure they were alone.

No one else was in sight, and the trimmed shrubs provided a barrier between them and the other guests.

A small pond with a bubbling fountain at the center was surrounded by several stone benches and exotic flowers in planters.

She released her hold on Brock’s arm and walked to the edge of the pond. A moment later, she felt his presence beside her. He had a powerful, magnetic aura that was difficult to ignore.

“I’m sorry,” he started.

She waved a hand. “If this is about Lexi’s post, I’ll straighten things out.”

He was quiet for a beat. “Then my people haven’t talked with yours yet?”

She shot him a sideways glance. His brown eyes were darker than usual, almost the color of a thick, soft corduroy. “Why would your people want to talk with mine?”

He cleared his throat and stuffed his hands back into his trouser pockets, pulling the material tighter. “They came up with a plan to deal with Lexi’s post.”

Venus’s phone was in her clutch, which was tucked under one arm. All the while she’d been getting ready, her agent had been texting and calling. She’d finally sent a quick message back to Kristin that she couldn’t talk and would call later. But mostly, she’d just ignored the texts and calls.

Was this what Kristin had wanted to discuss? Why she’d been calling nonstop for a while? Because of Brock?

Brock’s shoulders slumped. “I just wanted to let you know I wasn’t the one to come up with the plan, and I told them you wouldn’t go through with it.”

“Through with what?” She turned to face him.

He stared straight ahead. “Since my breakup with Ainsley Rose is causing some chaos, my manager thinks I need to prove that I know about love.”

Everything was falling into place now. “So they’re hoping I’ll keep up a relationship to give you time to repair your image?”

“I told them no. That I didn’t want to do it.”

“Really?” She wasn’t sure why his refusal surprised her, but it did.

“Really. And I didn’t tell them anything about Reed.”

“But they wanted to know why I started this?”

“I told them we were just fooling around and having a little fun.”

“Did they buy it? Because most people know I don’t fool around.”

He shrugged. “Naw, they didn’t really buy it. But they didn’t pry any further.”

Another beat of silence passed between them, and she shifted to look at the pond.

“Did you talk to Reed?” Brock’s question was low.

She wished she didn’t have to answer him, but he’d taken the time to warn her of the coming barrage from their managers. The least she could do was be honest back. “I didn’t have the chance yet. I was making my way over to him.”