In the Car.


    As soon as Ste Quinn climbed into the car, she scooted to the far side, pressing her cheek to the window and staring out into the night.


    Ronald Quinn didn''t need her to say a word he could tell she was upset.


    "Hey, Star."


    His voice was low and a little rough, like he''d swallowed gravel.


    Ste didn''t answer. She just kept gazing out the window, her eyes shining with stubborn hurt.


    Tonight''s dinner party hadn''t been that long, but a lot sure had happened. The gossip from those two women had said enough, and Melissa... well, it was obvious she hadn''t given up on Ronald. Not since the Norton family''s second son had be governor of Rhodewell. Melissa saw her chance and she was clearly still interested.


    Ronald watched her for a moment, then reached over and pulled Ste into hisp. "Are you jealous?"


    Ste huffed, not even trying to hide her feelings. "You tell me have you been seeing Melissa these past two years?"


    Her tone was pure, pouty usation, and the whole car seemed to fill with the scent of jealousy.


    Any other woman would be terrified of looking petty or childish in front of Ronald. But not Ste. Every little bit of her annoyance was written all over her face.


    Ronald gently caught her chin and pulled her in for a kiss-firm, possessive, but still somehow gentle.


    "Mmph, let me go-" Ste protested, trying to wriggle away, but Ronald''s warm hand cradled the back of her head, leaving her nowhere to escape. The kiss was overwhelming and sweet all at once. Eventually, Ste''s resistance faded, swept away by his touch.


    It wasn''t until she was breathless that Ronald finally let her go, his voice low and teasing, a rough edge that always made her heart skip. "You''re such a little rookie. Can''t even handle a kiss."


    Ste sulked, burrowing into his chest, her cheeks red. Ronald ruffled her hair. "Stop squirming."


    The air in the car was growing warmer by the second.


    "You''re still snapping at me," Ste grumbled.


    "I''m not." He smiled, his voice softening. "How could I ever be mad at you?"


    For once, Ronald was all gentle affection. Ste blinked, a little surprised he was usually all tough love, like a mountain: protective, solid, but hardly ever this sweet. Even with Ste, moments like this were rare.


    She softened, her attitude melting away. "Then what about Melissa?"


    He rolled his eyes. "What about her? There''s nothing going on."


    "But they said..." Ste started, her voice small and wary, "the Norton family wants to set up a marriage alliance with you."


    Ste had never been the type to hide her feelings. If something bothered her, it showed up right on her face-or spilled out of her mouth.


    Ronaldughed at her jealous tone. "Who are ''they''? Am I supposed to live my life by their rumors?"


    Here in Ferrond, there wasn''t a single soul who could tell the Quinn family what to do.


    Ste pouted.


    Ronald gently pushed her back so he could look her in the eye, pinching her cheek. "You, honestly..."


    "Has Melissa tried to get close to you thesest few years?" Ste pressed, still not ready to let it go.


    Up front, their driver, Idris, was doing his best not to burst outughing. Only Ste could get away with grilling Ronald like this. The whole of Ferrond knew the Quinn family''s boss didn''t take lip from anyone-except the girl he''d raised like a princess.


    Ronald squeezed her hand, patient and sincere. "She hasn''t had a chance." Idris chimed in, grinning. "Miss Ste, you can rx. Nobody''s been around the boss these years. The only female who''s gotten close is a mosquito."


    Ste huffed, crossing her arms, still bristling at the thought of Melissa.


    Ronald pressed her head gently to his chest and called up to Idris, "Call the Norton family. Tell them we''re not interested in any extra arrangements."


    Idris nodded. "On it, boss."


    The "extra arrangements" were the under-the-table benefits the Nortons wanted to split with Ronald-nothing official, but still a juicy deal for them. Ronald didn''t really care, but for the Nortons'' second son, the new governor, those side benefits were a big deal.


    By turning the deal strictly professional, Ronald was shutting down any chance for those secret perks—and making it clear where he stood.