“Who the hell cares about money! You thought you were doing it for me, didn’t you? And I doubted you. My jealousy makes me blind and it’s only because I love you so.” His grip tightened around her shoulders as his fingers caressed the soft, velvety skin. “God knows I don’t want you to leave, my darling, but I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
Mariah cuddled closer, peacefully aware of his strength and silently vowing never to let anything come between them again. She knew without a doubt that she loved this wild, stubborn man with an abiding strength that strife and conflict had only deepened. She ran a loving hand across the matt of golden hair on his chest, and rubbed her head against his shoulder like a kitten who had just finished a bowl of warm cream. “I haven’t changed my mind, Jared,” she said, trying to keep a straight face against his chest. He deserved to be teased a little. “I love Stuart as if he were my own father, but I want to go home and take Jenny with me.”
Jared had been tense awaiting her reply, unconsciously holding his breath, and now he released it in a heavy sigh, his muscles slumping in defeat. He thought she had forgiven him and let her guard down and yet…he’d lost. “That’s your right to decide, Mariah. For once I’m not going to bully you into staying, but I’m not happy about your traveling alone.”
Mariah pulled away from him, then leaned her head back on the pillow and smiled mysteriously, pausing before she let him off of the hook. “Alone, sir? I’d never think of traveling without my husband’s protection!” Her smile deepened as she gazed into his eyes. “My husband is a very jealous sort, you know.” Her nose wrinkled a moment in mischief and she giggled as his expression changed from dismay to joyful awareness. Her lashes swept back to display the adoration shining from the depths of her eyes. “Please come with me, Jared! I can’t imagine ever leaving you again.”
Jared stared at her in amazement; she’d been teasing him the entire time! He leaned over her, his lips lowering to hers in a tender caress. “Just try to get rid of me, madam,” he whispered, and added, “once I’ve made up my mind, I’m impossible to shake loose!” Mariah’s arms went around his neck, clinging possessively as, once more, he lowered his mouth to hers.
For the first time, their bodies came together without the stormy clash of a battle of wills that had marked all previous encounters. There was no victory, no surrender except to the sweet tyranny of love. Mariah and Jared had come home at last.
Savage In Silk Page 44
