"Exhibit," Jack finished for her, still smiling. "I figured you’d like that idea so I’ll be takin’ you. We’ll have dinner first. Deal?"
Warm tingles spiraled through Holly. He understood how much the exhibit meant to her. Maybe, just maybe...
She sighed.
No.
This was only temporary. Once Jack found out the truth about her, he wouldn’t want her anymore.
Chapter Six
"How am I supposed to walk through Professor Fleming’s exhibit after that meal you just fed me?" Holly patted her full tummy. "You’re going to have to roll me out of here."
Jack’s husky chuckle was too low to resonate over the din of the restaurant, but Holly felt its vibration. Very sexy. Then again, everything he did was sexy.
"You do like a good steak, don’t you, sugar?"
"Yes, I do."
His smile was pure sin. "So many women these days won’t eat red meat. Heck, they won’t eat anything but rabbit food."
"Well, I enjoy eating," Holly said, "and life is too short not to do the things we enjoy."
"True enough," Jack agreed.
He had no idea how true. The man hadn’t even hit thirty yet. The whisper of a chill skittered up Holly’s neck. She hated thinking about his age. Thinking about his age led to the myriad reasons they could never be together long term. That saddened her, truly. She liked this man more with every minute she spent in his company. He was so much more than a hot cowboy. He was a father, a son, a rancher. Her lips curved. A nude model.
She had to end it tonight. The more time she devoted to him, the harder the heartbreak would be when it ended.
And it would end. That was inevitable.
"So you ready?" Jack said.
Holly nodded and rose. "Yeah, let’s go. Thanks so much for the dinner."
"My pleasure." He stood and helped her with her light sweater. "The gallery’s only a block away. Nice night for a walk."
She nodded again. "I’d like that."
"You okay, sugar? You sound a little down all of a sudden."
Just thinking about turning you loose tonight.
She sighed. "I’m fine, Jack. Just a little tired. But I don’t want to miss this exhibit. I’m a huge fan of Professor Fleming’s work. I hope this exhibit will be his big break."
"He’s hoping so, too." He took her hand and guided her around the tables and out the door of the restaurant.
He continued to hold her hand as they walked. The spring night was balmy and downtown Denver was hopping. Every woman who passed them seemed to be checking Jack out and Holly couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of her, the older woman, on the arm of the hot young cowboy. Her skin prickled with conspicuousness. They didn’t talk during the short walk and Holly breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the small gallery.
A hostess greeted them with glasses of wine and a tray of hors d’oeuvres, which Holly declined. She was so full from dinner she might never eat again.
"There’s Mark," Jack said, gesturing. "Want to go say hi?"
Holly shook her head. "I’m sure he’s busy."
"Not too busy for his favorite godson." Jack pulled Holly along behind him as he made a beeline for Professor Fleming.
"Jack, good of you to come," Professor Fleming said as they approached. "Meet my agent, Mary Rivers."