by Lauren Canan
Instinctively she knew Alec Morreston would be demanding, in bed as well as out. Even if the situation were different, a brief affair with a man like Morreston would take more from her than she could give. She suspected such a liaison would turn into an emotional roller coaster, and that was the last thing she needed in her life.
But it was a moot point. Morreston was long gone. It had taken him fewer than two hours to invade her world and turn it completely upside down. Then he had left, not even bothering to look back as she desperately tried to pick up the pieces from the devastation he’d caused. No doubt, he assumed she would just relinquish her home and quietly disappear. Well, he was in for a surprise—
“Hello, Ms. Hardin.” Shea jumped at the sound of the deep voice directly to her left. Her head snapped around and her eyes immediately grew wide in astonishment. She could feel the blood drain from her face as she stared into the amber eyes of Alec Morreston.
“May I join you?”
Before she could respond, he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. As his eyes scanned her face, his lips twitched with unrepressed humor at her stunned look. For a long moment, she couldn’t speak.
“What...what are you doing here?” she stammered, finally finding her voice.
“I’m about to have lunch,” he said innocently, as though misunderstanding the true meaning of her question.
Shea glared at him.
Alec shrugged. “I decided to take a few days and see some of the area. Thought it might be...beneficial...to the future development of the project.” He responded as if choosing his words carefully. “Have you ordered yet?”
“Have I...? No.” She shook her head. “No. I’m meeting someone.” She looked toward the front entrance, no longer sure she’d be glad to see Tim walk through it.
Alec regarded her silently for a moment. “I see. Well, then I’ll certainly move to another table as soon as she—or he?—arrives.”
If Shea had been nervous before Morreston’s unexpected arrival, that feeling was mild compared to what she was experiencing now. Suddenly, she could relate to every mouse ever caught in a trap that had looked up to find the cat walking in its direction. How on earth was she ever going to present her problem to Tim with Morreston hanging over her shoulder?
“The roasted chicken sounds good,” he commented, scanning the lunch specials. “What do you recommend?”
“You really don’t want me to answer that.”
He glanced at her face over the top of the menu and feigned surprise. But the deepening of the tiny lines around his eyes told her he found her remark amusing.
Before she could deliberate on this newest chapter of the nightmare, another voice beckoned her.
“Um...excuse me. Shea?” Tim Schultz smiled his apology. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Tim!” She smiled nervously. “That’s okay.”
She looked back to Morreston, hoping against hope he would just silently disappear. Apparently, that was not going to be the case. Politeness demanded she make introductions.
“Tim, this is Alec Morreston...Tim Schultz.”
Alec stood as the two men shook hands. Over six feet in height, he easily towered over the younger man by several inches while his broad shoulders and lean waist hinted at a muscular, athletic build that made Tim appear almost adolescent in comparison. His reddish-blond hair and fair complexion seemed pale, almost sickly, as opposed to Morreston’s dark features.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Alec said, a grin tugging at the corners of his well-defined mouth, “I’m sure you two have a great deal to discuss. I certainly don’t want to interrupt.”
“Would you care to join us?” Tim asked, unaware of the situation.
“No!” Shea almost shrieked. Both men looked at her—one with curiosity, the other with increasing amusement.
“Thanks, Tim,” Alec said, and Shea’s heart all but stopped. “But I think Shea wants to speak privately with you. Maybe another time?”
He knows. He knows exactly why I’m having lunch with Tim Schultz. And apparently, he found the situation extremely amusing. That infamous smirk was firmly in place.
“You knew I was here, didn’t you?” It was no coincidence Alec Morreston just happened to show up at the exact time she was meeting with Tim, even if it was the lunch hour and this was the only decent restaurant in town. When he didn’t immediately respond, she added, “How?”
“I believe his name is Hank. Your ranch foreman? He said you might be having lunch here today.”
Alec moved away from their table, giving her a quick wink as if to seal the private joke between them. She immediately turned away, biting back the angry retort that sprang to her lips. Ignore him, she told herself. Just be thankful to be rid of him.
But before she could enjoy a second of relief, to her utter dismay, Morreston pulled out a chair at a table next to them. In that location he’d be able to hear every word they said. Something akin to panic formed in her stomach.
“So,” Tim began as he took the seat Alec had occupied. “How are you, Shea? Haven’t seen you in what—three years? I was surprised to get your call. What’s going on?”
She forced a smile and reached for the glass of ice water, needing something to steady her nerves. Her hand shook slightly, and a small amount of water spilled onto the table. As she fought to find the right words, her gaze wavered, and she found herself looking directly into the mocking face of Alec Morreston.
“Shea?”
She heard Tim’s voice, but her gaze was captured by amber eyes.
“Shea? Is something wrong?”
* * *
She couldn’t suppress the overwhelming desire to slam something as she stomped out of the restaurant. She was furious. No, she mentally corrected herself. She was beyond furious. She wanted to kill something. She wanted to kill Alec Morreston.
Each time she’d broached the subject of her meeting with Tim, Morreston had cleared his throat or apologetically interrupted to ask Tim a question or made some asinine comment. Between his little interruptions, he’d sat back in his chair and stared, never taking his eyes off her, exactly as he’d done that first day in Ben’s office. That knowing smirk had remained etched on his lips, his tawny eyes alert to every movement she’d made, every breath she’d taken. For almost an hour, he’d made her feel like a bug under a microscope.
About the time she’d started to ask Tim if he would walk her to the truck, Morreston had folded his napkin, placed it on the table and leaned toward her lunch date to strike up a conversation. If they’d tried to leave, she’d known Morreston would have followed. Pleading a headache, she’d excused herself and asked Tim if she could call him later.
Now apprehension increased with each step as she made her way to her vehicle. Her time was almost up. It was down to a few short hours before she would lose the home she loved forever. She’d almost been tempted to stand in the center of the restaurant, loudly declare her problem and ask if there were any takers. If she didn’t come up with a plan very soon, it just might come to that.
As she drove toward the parking lot exit, the front doors of the restaurant swung open and out walked Morreston—with Tim at his side. Seemingly engaged in light banter, only Morreston noticed her as she passed. He tipped his head to her in silent acknowledgment. She clutched the steering wheel in a death grip. Her hands itched to slap that arrogant smirk from his face once and for all. In the rearview mirror, she saw him turn to Tim, nod and laugh.
In that moment, she knew she never would have a second chance to speak with Tim. Morreston would see to it. That was why he was here. He knew what she was attempting to do, and he was determined to see her fail. The devil had just sprouted horns.
In the same instant, she also knew she’d reached the limit of her patience with the man and this bizarre situation. She
slammed on the brakes and, without pausing to give her actions a second consideration, threw the truck into Reverse. It quickly roared backward before grinding to a halt directly in front of the two men. Their conversation immediately stopped and they both peered at her with curiosity.
She rolled down the window, a phony smile pasted to her lips. Alec watched her with guarded interest.
“Sorry to interrupt you gentlemen. But, Alec—?” She used his given name, implying a familiarity that was not there and never would be if she had anything to say about it. She gave him a look of pure innocence.
“You know, I’ve had a chance to think about our meeting earlier in the week. About the little problem we discussed?”
She had his attention.
“And, well, I think your attorney was right when he pointed out your family’s unwavering concern that a single, unmarried woman can’t possibly run a ranch...all by herself.” The sarcasm dripped from her voice. Her tone was venomous.
Tim looked from one of them to the other, as if struggling to understand any part of their conversation.
“Since Mr. Long was so kind as to explain my alternatives and well...since you’ve gone to all the trouble to stay here in case I needed you, and in light of all the care and understanding you’ve shown, I think you’re absolutely right.” She looked directly into the golden depths of his eyes, an effort that challenged her sanity. “I will marry you, Alec. Under the circumstances, how can I possibly refuse?”
Only Alec comprehended the true meaning of her words. His head drew back, his eyes narrowed and her phony smile almost became genuine as she saw the flare of annoyance in those chiseled features.
“If you’ll meet me at Ben Rucker’s office in, oh, about an hour? I’m sure he can help us sort out any little details we need to address prior to the ceremony.”
Before she switched her attention to Tim, she noted with satisfaction that the smirk was finally, effectively wiped from Morreston’s face.
“Tim, I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to discuss this with you inside,” she apologized. “But my reason for asking you here was to solicit your help in convincing your father to perform the ceremony on such short notice. Would you mind speaking to him for me?” She surprised herself at how quickly and convincingly the lie rolled off her tongue.
“No,” Tim shrugged. If he believed this conversation to be as bizarre as it sounded, he managed to hide it well. “I’ll see him this afternoon. When is the wedding? And where?”
“This evening. At my house.” Her eyes returned to Alec’s face and she noted, with immense gratification, he clearly showed signs of irritation. His jaw worked convulsively as he made a futile attempt to remain calm.
“Will eight o’clock be all right?” she asked.
For a long moment, Alec didn’t answer. His eyes searched her face as if attempting to discern what she was up to, as though he couldn’t believe what she had just said.
“Eight will be fine,” he said finally.
If he’d refused, she’d have been surprised. She knew instinctively that Morreston was not the type of person to back down after the first stone was cast.
She put the truck in Drive and smiled at Alec. His amber eyes narrowed in a silent declaration of war. While she suspected her triumph would be short lived, it would certainly feel good while it lasted.
* * *
“I can’t let you do this,” Ben Rucker stated for the third time. “Suppose the man doesn’t refuse to marry you? What then?”
“Then we’ll get married,” she said firmly. “At eight this evening. Don’t worry, Ben, you’re invited.”
“This is not a joke!” Ben pulled the glasses off his face and stood up from the desk. “For God’s sake, don’t do this, Shea. Take the money he’s offered and buy land elsewhere. I’ll help you. You can—”
“No, Ben. This is my home, my family home, for six generations. I can’t just pack up two hundred years of memories and close that door behind me saying, ‘Oh well.’ If Morreston wants this land, my land, he’ll have to fight for it.”
Ben’s eyes, full of concern, silently beseeched her to reconsider. “Is there no way I can talk you out of this?”
“Not unless Alec Morreston will renew my lease.”
“Which he is not willing to do.” The deep voice responded from the open doorway just behind her. Both Shea and Ben looked around in time to see the subject of their conversation walk casually into the room.
He had shed the sports jacket and tie, leaving his shirt open at the neck but still tucked into the navy slacks. They hugged his slim waist, hinting at muscular thighs beneath the fabric. Somehow, his shoulders seemed broader than they had only an hour ago. The strong line of his jaw was set in determination.
“Don’t do this, Morreston,” Ben pleaded.
“It’s not completely my doing,” he answered. His eyes focused on Shea. “Ms. Hardin had a choice, and apparently she decided on this option.”
“You gave her no choice at all and you know it,” Ben argued. “What kind of man are you to take advantage of her like this?”
Alec pointedly ignored the question. “I’d like to speak with Ms. Hardin in private.” His eyes never left her face.
“You can discuss anything that needs saying in front of—”
“No, Ben. It’s all right,” Shea interrupted. This was her battle now. If she had any hope of making Morreston back down, she couldn’t do it hiding behind her attorney. “Shall we step into the next room, Mr. Morreston?”
Alec followed her into the small, adjacent conference room and closed the door behind them with a resounding click. For a few moments they faced each other in silence.
“Are you really serious about this?”
“Yes,” Shea replied without hesitation. “I am.”
“You would marry a complete stranger in order to keep the land?”
“Yes.”
“There is other land.”
“Then perhaps you should go and find it.”
Alec stared at her. “How much more do you want?” he asked quietly.
Had this man never loved anything in his life that didn’t have a price tag attached to it? Could he not understand the legacy she was fighting to save?
“Two million,” she said flippantly, and immediately saw a knowing look cross his face. The slight nod of his head indicated his initial acceptance of her outlandish but bogus demand. She was tempted to see how far he would go to buy her off but common sense came rushing forward.
“I don’t want your money, Mr. Morreston. This is not about money. It’s about my home. My life. Family values and tradition. Things you, apparently, don’t know anything about.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks and walked past her to stand gazing out the large window on the opposite wall. For long moments, he stood there, saying nothing. From the corner of her eye, she watched as he rubbed the back of his neck. His shirt did little to hide the muscular tone of his arms and back. The silky texture of his dark hair caught the subtle light coming through the window, accentuating deep auburn highlights. As he turned toward her, she quickly looked away.
“It won’t work, you know.” His voice had a slight raspy quality, which, under different circumstances, she might have found extremely sensual. “Even if I agree to this, no marriage can survive for a year under these circumstances. Eventually you’ll concede defeat and the land will revert to me. It’s inevitable. Why put yourself through it?”
“That’s a very chauvinistic attitude, Mr. Morreston. What makes you so sure I’ll be the one to call it quits?”
He didn’t immediately answer as a look of indulgent amusement crossed his features. Then all traces of humor disappeared. Slowly, he closed in until barely a foot separated them. Without any warning, he reached out and stroked t
he side of her face.
She inhaled sharply and adjusted her stance at the unexpected contact but determinedly held her ground. His hand slid from her face to cup the back of her neck and, applying the slightest pressure, drew her even closer to him. She watched his gaze roam over each detail of her face before coming to rest on her mouth. She noted the faint shadow that darkened his face as he bent his head toward her. His lips, wide and defined, parted slightly as if intending to kiss her, but stopped a mere breath away, and only his thumb touched her mouth, tracing the curving fullness in an incredibly intimate gesture.
Time stood still. The close physical contact brought her challenge into clear focus. The pulse hammered in her throat. She swallowed back the overwhelming sensation of panic that rose within her and tried to look away.
Alec gently tilted her chin upward, forcing her to look into the golden depths of his eyes. The bittersweet fragrance of his cologne teased her senses. She could sense the disciplined power and virility of his body as he stood mere inches away from her. There was no doubt he was all male. Her stomach muscles involuntarily contracted as a shaft of sexual awareness shot through her. An intense heat seemed to envelop her as her breath became shallow, almost nonexistent. A little voice inside screamed to run while she could.
Three
“All right, Ms. Hardin.” His throaty voice penetrated the silence of the room. “We’ll play this one your way and see what happens. I’ll honor the conditions as set forth by our ancestors and we will be married. And there will be no development on any of the land as long as the marriage continues or if this...union...should exceed one year.”
He paused, tilting his head slightly as though studying her reaction. “But know this—” the tone of his voice reflected the seriousness of his words “—you will be my wife as stipulated in the original lease. Legally and spiritually, body and soul. You’ll share my life, as well as my bed, for the duration. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
It was time to bail out. She knew it but couldn’t seem to move. He was telling her exactly what she would have to agree to, up front. He was giving her every opportunity to walk away. She took a deep breath and hoped her strength was as unfailing as her stubbornness.
