The rogue laughed, not insulted in the least.
Feeling as though the situation was slipping out of her control—how could she battle with someone when they refused to rise to the bait?—she grabbed a pair of jeans and blouse and stormed into the adjoining bathroom to change.
She didn’t exit until she heard Seth leave the bedroom.
The countdown to their wedding night had begun.
Josie tried concentrating on paperwork for the Golden M, but found she couldn’t keep her gaze off the clock on the wall in her office. Every time she glanced up, which was entirely too often, it seemed some invisible finger bumped up the minute hand half an hour. She’d been sitting behind her desk for almost three hours now, and had accomplished nothing but brooding and worrying.
Blowing out an anxious stream of breath, she tossed the feed bill onto her desk and gave up on her attempt to keep her mind occupied and off Seth. It was no use—the man who’d become her husband, and the night quickly approaching, totally consumed her thoughts until she wanted to scream just to release the tension building within her.
It was difficult to believe how her life had changed, and so suddenly and drastically. In a span of a week she’d lost her father and had no idea where he was or if he’d return, she’d unwilling forfeited half of the Golden M, and she now belonged to a man she had every reason to hate. A man who didn’t seem the least bit discouraged by her aloofness, but accepted her cool regard as a challenge instead.
Feeling restless, she stood and went to the only window in the office, which faced the east pasture and the numerous pens that covered a few acres of land. She saw Seth and Mac standing at one of the fences bordering the corral Seth had put his mare into that afternoon. The two were talking amicably; no doubt Seth was taking advantage of her foreman’s knowledge and familiarizing himself with the operation of the Golden M.
Seth laughed at something Mac said, and her pulse quickened as the unguarded moment transformed Seth features, making him look incredibly young, handsome and kind. Like the boy she’d known in high school before she’d learned his interest in her was all a ruse. Her heart twisted at the bittersweet memories, and she swallowed to ease the huge ache in her chest.
Seth gave the older man a companionable slap on the back, then headed toward the stables. By the time he walked into the office, she was sitting behind her desk, pretending interest in the invoice she hadn’t been able to focus her attention on earlier.
Glancing up, she shot him a piqued look. “Don’t you know how to knock?”
He lifted a dark brow and continued into the office, his masculine presence seemingly dominating the small room. “Is there a reason why I need to?”
“I’m busy and I’d rather not be disturbed.” Her prim tone did nothing to discourage his progress toward where she sat.
Wicked amusement played across his features. “Can’t be all that busy considering I saw you standing at the window a moment ago.”
She scowled, unable to come up with a fitting explanation or caustic response to his observation. He propped his hip on the edge of her desk, sitting so close his leg brushed her thigh. Awareness rippled through her, but he appeared unaffected by their close proximity. As subtly as possible, she shifted away so he was no longer touching her and sending her senses into a tailspin.
He tipped his hat back on his head. “You ready to call it a day, bride?”
Frowning at him, she once again set the feed bill on a pile of invoices on her desk. “Don’t call me that.”
“Why not? You’re my bride until we consummate our marriage.” His voice was low and filled with husky nuances. “After tonight you’ll be my wife.”
“Don’t be so presumptuous about tonight, O’Connor,” she said, thwarting his arrogant statement.
“Making you my wife is not an assumption, but a fact, Mrs. O’Connor,” he replied with too much confidence. “Tomorrow morning you’ll wake up a brand new woman.”
She choked on incredulous laughter. “You think you’re that good, do you?”
He leaned close and murmured seductively, “You of all people should know I am. You might have used me eleven years ago for your own purposes, but I believe the pleasure was mutual.”
Her breath hitched in her throat at his crass reminder of how gullible she’d been back then, how easily he’d seduced her until she let him do things to her that still had the ability to make her blush. She’d found his caresses thrilling, could still remember how that tight coil of need he built within her unraveled upon the first deep stroke of his body into hers. The pleasure he’d given her had been so intense she’d nearly splintered into a thousand pieces. He’d always been right there with her at that crucial moment, burying his face in the crook of her neck and moaning her name as his entire body shuddered over hers.
She’d given him everything, and he’d taken her heart, her love, and ruthlessly crushed her hopes and dreams, leaving her entire world shattered. Now, she wanted to inflict on him some of the pain she’d lived with for eleven years.
“You overestimate yourself, Seth” she said, her tone flat and cold. “It was all an act.”
He stared at her, a muscle in his jaw ticking. His eyes glittered with dark emotions, and he suddenly looked like the same dangerous outlaw that had come to claim her a week ago. Josie experienced a prickle of unease—Oh, Lord, had she finally pushed him too far?
After what seemed like an eternity, he released a long, harsh breath rife with frustration and slid from her desk. Moving to the window, he braced a forearm along the frame and stared outside. His back was ridged, his lean posture unyielding.
She’d hurt him. The knowledge wasn’t as gratifying as she would have thought.
Josie squeezed her eyes shut, hating the regret rippling through her, and the apology hovering on her lips. What did she have to be sorry for? Seth had certainly had his own agenda eleven years ago and got exactly what he’d wanted. Revenge on a McAllister. And she’d lived with the pain of the rumors that had circulated about her, and the stigma of being “easy”. And for the first few years after Kellie had been born she’d had to endure the unkind whispers of her daughter’s parentage.
Seth turned around, shadows of old pain lining his features, though his gaze was purposeful. “You know, Josie, I understand our situation isn’t ideal, but I’m willing to compromise and make things work between us. Why do you insist on baiting me?” When she didn’t offer an answer, he added, “Why can’t you at least meet me halfway?”
The soft plea in his voice wove through her, reaching places she didn’t want him to touch. A part of her wanted to put their differences aside and make the best of bad situation, but she was a woman who didn’t do anything halfway. When she gave, it was with her heart and soul.
Seth had the ability to crush both.
“You got what you wanted Seth, and my father got his wish, too.” she said quietly. “Half of the Golden M is yours, and we’re married. There was nothing in that stipulation that stated we had to be friends, too.”
He crossed his arms loosely over his chest. “It would make the years ahead more pleasant, not to mention making things more comfortable for your daughter.”
“Why would you care about Kellie?” she asked, bristling like a protective mother cub. “For all I know you hate her as much as you do me.”
“I don’t hate her, Josie.” His mouth thinned in irritation. “She’s an innocent child, and had no control over the circumstances of her birth.”
“You mean she had no control over her parentage, don’t you?” She couldn’t hold back the provocation in her tone.
“Yeah, I guess I do,” he said, shocking her by candidly accepting her challenge. “Do you know who he is, Josie?”
A jolt of panic seized her, and her fingers curled around the armrests on her chair. His bold question ripped to the heart of her, and without thinking she pressed a hand to her chest as if he were physically prying open a ten year old secret. She hadn’t meant for
things to go so far; she’d only intended to goad him and possibly anger him enough to put some much needed distance between them.
She was quickly learning that he wasn’t a man easily diverted. From across the room, he appeared ruthless in his quest for the absolute facts.
“Who’s the father, Josie?” he prompted.
Knowing he’d never believe the truth, and unwilling to drag her daughter into any resulting unpleasantness, she grappled for a ambiguous, sarcastic reply. “Why, Seth, I have no idea who the father might be,” she said, tossing a flippant smile his way. “I slept with so many guys that just about anyone in your senior class could have been a candidate.”
He flinched, as if her words had the same impact as a slap across his cheek. Once he recovered from her offensive statement, his gaze narrowed and he studied her face intensely, as if searching past the surface for clues she wasn’t revealing. Dread and terror clashed within her. She didn’t want to answer the new questions leaping to life in his eyes, didn’t want to get trapped into a web of her own making.
Feeling extremely vulnerable under his scrutiny, she pushed away from her desk and stood. “I should head up to the house and get dinner ready,” she said, scrambling for an excuse to gracefully bow out of the subject she’d brought up. She headed toward the office door, but before she could escape Seth reached out and snagged her arm, stopping her progress.
His fingers burned her skin; his eyes bore into hers. “It doesn’t matter to me who Kellie’s father is. What matters is does your daughter harbor the same hatred for me that you do?”
How could he ask such a question after the way her daughter had taken to him? She searched his gaze, and beyond all the dark, angry emotions she’d provoked moments ago was something infinitely tender. Something kind and gentle she was powerless to resist.
Seth wanted her daughter’s acceptance as much as Kellie wanted his.
Her heart tugged in two different directions. Ultimately, she couldn’t bring herself to deny him, or her daughter, something so important. “No, Seth,” she whispered, forcing back the tears rasping her throat. “Kellie doesn’t hate you at all.”
He slowly released her arm, letting his fingers gradually fall away from her sensitized skin. “Thank you,” he said, and judging by the relief playing over his expression, she knew he meant it.
Chapter Six
Josie stared at the scene before her with a mixture of disbelief, shock and delight. The last of the three emotions was more prominent. It was also the most unwanted reaction to the wedding dinner her daughter had so painstakingly planned and created for her and Seth.
The kitchen nook had been transformed into a romantic haven for two. Josie’s good linen tablecloth draped over the dining table, and her fine china, crystal and silver made up two place settings at the nearest end. And it was difficult to miss the two taper candles rising amidst a ring of hand-picked roses and daisies, or the wedding bells made from construction paper and ribbon that hung from the light fixture over the table.
The scents wafting in the room smelled heavenly. Giving the kitchen a cursory once-over, Josie noticed that Kellie had taken the roast and vegetables she’d thrown into the crock-pot that morning before Seth had picked them up for their appointment with Reverend Wilcox, and put them in to a white scalloped covered dish. Next to the main course sitting on the counter was a decorative woven basket Josie used on special occasions; she peeked within the folds of the linen napkin and the rolls she’d made earlier nestled inside.
She glanced over her shoulder at Seth, hoping he wasn’t too uncomfortable with her daughter’s enthusiastic display. He looked surprised by the scene, a little overwhelmed, but not the least bit bothered by a young girl’s fancy.
“It looks like Kellie has been busy this afternoon,” Josie mused, impressed with her daughter’s imaginative flair. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the romantic atmosphere Kellie had created, especially since she was expected to share it with Seth.
“I think it’s sweet and very thoughtful.” Taking off his Stetson, he hung it on a peg on the hat rack by the back door and absently pushed his fingers through his hair. He came back to where she stood near the table, his gaze warm when it met hers. “She worked so hard to put everything together, let’s not ruin it for her.”
In other words, he wanted her to pretend to be in the throes of wedded bliss, which was the farthest thing from the truth. She opened her mouth to tell Seth it was wrong to create such a false illusion for Kellie when their marriage was borne of practical reasons only, but before she could utter a word of her lecture they were interrupted.
“Mom! Seth!” Kellie exclaimed. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Both of their gazes swiveled to where Kellie had come to an abrupt halt just inside the kitchen doorway. She looked a jumble of excitement and nervous anticipation, and Josie couldn’t bring herself to burst her bubble.
And so, for the sake of her daughter, the pretense of a happily married couple began.
She gave Kellie a bright smile. “I’m sorry, honey, we didn’t mean to spoil your surprise.”
“That’s okay.” She smoothed a hand over the ruffled apron tied around the waistband of her blue jeans. “I, um, wanted to do something special for both of you. Since I didn’t have time to buy you a gift, I thought I could make you a wedding dinner.”
Josie’s heart expanded in her chest. “This is lovely, Kellie.”
“And certainly very special,” Seth added in that deep, rich voice of his. “Thank you.”
Embarrassed by all the praise, Kellie fluttered over to the refrigerator, opened it, and peered inside. “Why don’t you two sit down, and I’ll get dinner on the table.”
Seth stepped in front of Josie and held a hand toward her. “Shall we?” he inquired.
She stared at the callused palm he so gallantly offered, the long fingers that seemed to beckon for her to place her hand in his and trust him. Her mouth twisted derisively. Placing so much faith in him was something she’d never be so foolish as to do again.
It was silly to accept his assistance; their chairs were only a few steps away. But he wasn’t backing down, which forced her to go with his charade. Knowing the act was for Kellie’s benefit, she placed her fingers against his palm. He led her to her seat, and just when he should have let go of her, he lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft, warm kiss on the pulse-point thrumming in her wrist.
Desire curled through her, and she valiantly fought the sensation.
His smile was shameless. “Enjoy the evening, bride. I’m sure many surprises lay ahead.”
She wrenched her hand away, and bit back a tart reply. The man was too bold and confident by half!
While she and Seth settled into their seats next to one another and placed their linen napkins across their laps, Kellie filled three crystal goblets with ice tea.
“I think somebody is supposed to make a toast to the bride and groom,” Kellie said.
Josie nearly groaned. Had her daughter taken notes from the wedding reception they’d attended last year?
“Why don’t you do us the honor?” Seth suggested.
“Okay,” Kellie agreed way too easily.
Seth passed a filled goblet to Josie, along with a warning look not to spoil the moment.
She gritted her teeth. As if she’d disappoint her own daughter!
The three of them lifted their drinks. Kellie looked from one adult, to the other, then her gaze settled on Seth, bashful but sincere. “I’m glad you married my mom, because she’s really special. I love her a whole lot, and I want her to be happy and not so lonely anymore.” Her voice trembled ever-so-slightly with nerves. “And I’m glad I have a dad now. I’ve always wanted one, and you’re pretty nice.”
Seth smiled gently at the compliment. Kellie clinked her glass to his, then her mother’s.
As far as toasts went, Kellie’s was hardly eloquent or polished. As far as speaking from the heart went, her speech packed a wal
lop of emotions Josie understood all too well. Josie fought the sudden urge to cry. When had her baby become so grown up?
Kellie set about bringing the food to the table, then lit the candles and turned off the light overhead. Though a low wattage bulb burned over the kitchen sink, the glow of the taper candles cast the room in a warm, romantic ambiance.
Now that her job as waitress was done, Kellie inched toward the door frame leading back into the living room. “Well, I hope you enjoy your dinner.”
“Where are you going?” Josie blurted, not wanting to be left alone with Seth and a candlelight dinner that was certain to be awkward and uncomfortable.
“I was going to go up to my room for a little while.”
“I think you should join us.” She must have sounded as frantic as she felt because an amused smile slowly curved Seth’s mouth. She refrained, just barely, from kicking the rogue’s shin under the table.
Kellie worried uncertainly on her bottom lip. “I thought you two would like to be alone.”
Whatever had given her daughter that idea? Or was it wishful thinking on Kellie’s part?
“They’ll be plenty of time for us to be alone later,” Seth interjected smoothly, though his intimation wasn’t lost on Josie. He pulled out the chair next to him and patted the seat. “Come sit with us. This can be our first dinner together as a family.”
Kellie’s eyes brightened with pleasure. “Okay.”
Josie had to admit that their wedding dinner was one of the most enjoyable experiences she’d allowed herself in a long time, or at least in the past week. Despite her best efforts, she found herself relaxing in Seth’s company. He made her daughter laugh and smile with silly anecdotes, and even had her joining in on the fun.
Too soon, the meal ended. Josie stood to clear the table, but Kellie popped up from her seat and motioned for her to sit again. Josie did so reluctantly.
The Cowboy's Gamble: Destined For Love Series Page 8
