Christyne Butler - The Last-Chance Maverick

“Well, you know what they say about all work and no play, architect.”

Yeah, many probably considered him a dull guy, but dedication to his work was what got him through the hardest time of his life.

Not wanting to go down that path, Jonah figured he and Vanessa probably should get to know one another better since they were going to be working together, but first things first.

He tightened his grip on her hand before bringing it in to rest against his chest. “I owe you an apology for my rudeness this morning.”

She leaned back and looked up at him. “I take it finding out about me and the mural was a surprise?”

Boy that seemed to be the word for the evening. “Yes.” He waited a moment and then added, “But a nice one.”

A tilt of her head told him she wasn’t sure if she believed him. “Why do I get the feeling a certain architect doesn’t like surprises.”

That had been more of a statement than a question, so Jonah remained silent. The truth was he hated them. Always had. Even as a kid, he liked knowing what was happening, what was coming down the road and when.

Birthdays and Christmas mornings were only made better once his folks took his detailed lists of gift ideas seriously. His brothers had messed with him a time or two over the years, but once he got into high school his life revolved around his studies and the girl he’d started dating his freshman year.

The only girl for him until everything changed eight years ago.

“No apology is necessary,” Vanessa continued, cutting into his thoughts. “I’m happy you’re on board with the idea now.”

Glad she wasn’t upset with his behavior, Jonah wove his way back to his original intent. “Very much on board. I’ll need to get our interior-design team in the loop on this, sharing any preliminary drawings and color choices you have for the mural with them.”

Vanessa dropped her gaze from his. “Yes, of course, you will.”

“I’ll admit I don’t know much about your work or even how a mural is painted. Do you have any ideas or sketches yet?”

“I just found out about Nate’s idea this morning, as well.” Her shoulders stiffened and her feet once again became tangled with his. “Oops! Sorry about that. Ah, it’s going to take me some time to come up with...a plan, a design.”

Jonah wondered how much time, the analytical side of his brain already making plans as he mentally reviewed the upcoming schedule.

“The main hall where you’ll be working is pretty much finished except for the furnishings and such, so you won’t have to worry about any construction mess getting in the way,” he said. “Of course, we’ll have to build you scaffolding depending on the size and scope of the mural.”

“Yes, I know, but—”

“And find a way to give you as much privacy as you need, but then again, it is a construction site so I hope you can work with noise and people. Do artists tend to prefer quiet?”

“Yes, s-some do. I usually work alone, but I’m sure I’ll be able to manage.”

Jonah picked up on the hesitation in her words. “Did Nate tell you the grand opening of the resort is planned for the Christmas holidays? That’s less than twelve weeks away. Does that time frame work for you? I hate to have the project half finished—”

“Wow, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

Vanessa’s question cut into his sentence, silencing him for a moment as he gave it serious thought. “Yes, actually, it has been mentioned a time or two. Especially when it comes to work.”

“So, let’s not talk about work. Or talk at all.” She trailed her fingertips across the back of his neck, just along the edge of his shirt collar. “Just enjoy the music, the dancing...the moment.”

She was right. They had plenty of time to talk about the mural and resort later. It’d been a long day and while dancing was the last thing he’d ever thought he’d be doing tonight, he had to admit it felt pretty damn good to hold her in his arms.

Pressing his cheek to her hair, he pulled in a deep breath and a fresh, flowery scent filled his head. He relaxed for the first time since he’d come home.

As the song ended and another began, Vanessa didn’t make any move to step away. In fact, she seemed to cling tighter. Her lush curves felt great, especially since the last woman he danced with was so thin and delicate he’d often wondered if she’d break if he held her too tight.

“Not going anywhere,” he whispered.

The tension eased from her body and they danced through that song and a third one before the music selection changed and things got lively again.

“Let me guess,” Vanessa stepped back when he stopped moving. “You’re not interested in doing any line dancing.”

“You’ve guessed right.”

She smiled, moved out of his embrace and headed off the dance floor. Jonah fell into step behind her as they made their way through the crowd, almost bumping into her when she suddenly stopped.

“Ah, hello, Tommy.”

Jonah looked over her shoulder and found the cowboy she’d been trying to dodge standing right in front of them. Taking a step closer and to one side, he again placed a hand at the small of her back, and moved in next to her.

“Jonah.” She turned, a look of relief on her face. “This is my friend, Tommy Wheeler. Tommy, this is Jonah Dalton, my...um, my...”

“Date.” The word popped out of his mouth before he could think about it, but the dazzling smile of Vanessa’s was worth the white lie. “Nice to meet you, Tommy.”

The cowboy pushed up the brim of his hat and offered Jonah a long look before finally taking his outstretched hand. “Dalton,” he said. “You related to Anderson Dalton?”

“My cousin, why?”

“Just curious.” Tommy finished the handshake. “I’ve worked on the Daltons ranch for the last ten years or so.”

Okay, so maybe that’s why he looked familiar. “They’re a good outfit. Right up there with The Circle D.”

“You don’t work for your family’s ranch.”

It wasn’t a question. “No, I’m back in town to work on the renovation of the new resort.”

Tommy only responded with a nod of his head, and then turned his attention back to Vanessa. “So, how about a dance?”

“No, thanks. It’s getting a bit late.”

He glanced at his watch. “At ten o’clock? You and I have been out later than this, darling.”

Was it his imagination or did Vanessa just lean in a bit closer to him?

“Yes, but that’s all in the past now,” she said, her fingers playing with the numerous bracelets on her wrist. “And I think it’s time I head home.”

“We.” Jonah corrected her, again surprised when the word came out of his mouth. Not bothering to think as to why, or maybe he was just too tired, he drew her against his side and slid his hand around to cup her hip. “We’re heading home.”

They were?

Vanessa felt like a tennis ball, bouncing back and forth between Tommy and Jonah, but she never expected him to say that.

Heck, hearing him call himself her date had weakened her knees. Or was the sensation from how amazing it’d been to be in his arms as they danced? Or the way he held her right now?

“We are?” Her gaze collided with his for a second and she read understanding in Jonah’s dark hazel eyes. She turned back to Tommy and smiled. “Ah, yes, we are. So, I’ll—ah, we’ll see you later.”

With Jonah’s hand pressing against her back—oh boy, that felt good, too—she walked past Tommy and headed back to their table. Eli Dalton still sat there alone, but the bottles and glasses had multiplied, indicating he had company at some point while they were gone.

Jonah dropped his hand from her hip, putting some distance between them just before Eli looked their way. On purpose? Probably. A few dances and a few fibs to an ardent admirer didn’t make them a couple.