by Elle James
“The skies are so clear you feel like you can see to the next galaxy,” Gavin said.
“Exactly,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper, as if she stood in a library, afraid to disturb the peace and quiet.
For a long moment, Gavin held his tongue. He couldn’t ask her what Collin meant to her without revealing he’d overheard them talking. That would mean admitting he’d been spying on her. It would demonstrate his lack of faith and trust in her. He might not ask the questions, but he’d be more observant where the two of them were concerned. She’d come to Montana under the pretext of marrying him as a mail-order bride. Why would she bring Collin along if she was set to marry another man?
“Aurelia?”
“Yes?” She turned to face him.
“Why did you come to Montana?” Gavin asked.
She frowned. “You know why I came. I want to marry and have children. I don’t want to wait until my eggs dry up and I’m incapable of bearing children of my own.”
“You put a lot of faith in a stranger. I could have been a real horse’s ass and abusive.”
She smiled. “But you’re not.” Aurelia cupped his cheek and tilted her head up to stare into his face. Starlight glinted off her eyes, making them sparkle. “And you gave me the chance to back out if I didn’t think we would be compatible.”
“And now? Why are you staying?” he asked, still holding back, not reaching out when he ached to do so.
“Now…” Her smile faded as she stared into his eyes. “I’m more convinced than ever…I made the right decision.” Her brow dipped. “Why do you ask?” Her frown deepened. “Are you having second thoughts?”
He didn’t answer right away.
Aurelia’s eyes widened. “You are.” She shook her head. “I know I can be stubborn, and sometimes headstrong, but I don’t ever do anything out of spite. I can work hard, if you show me what you need done.” She rested her hands on his chest. “I think this can work. I really do. Just give me a chance.”
Oh, hell. Who was he kidding? The woman might not be telling him the entire truth, but he couldn’t stop what was happening. Not when she looked at him with stars in her eyes. When she touched him and leaned her body against his, his brain scrambled. She could be a serial killer, and he’d go willingly to the slaughter.
Gavin gathered her in his arms. “I don’t know what to believe or who to trust, but I know one thing…” He dipped his head, his lips brushing across hers briefly. “I can’t resist you. I feel like a moth to your flame.”
“And you’re afraid you’ll get burned.” She touched her lips to his. “The last thing I want is for you to be hurt.” She leaned up and pressed her lips harder to his.
Gavin crushed her in his arms, his mouth coming down on hers, his tongue pushing past her teeth to sweep across hers, staking his claim. This woman had come to him. To be his partner, his wife. He wanted her. Anything else seemed to fade by the wayside as he kissed Aurelia.
When he at last raised his head, he stared down into her eyes. “I want you to know...I don’t like to share.”
Her lips quirked upward. “That sentiment goes both ways. Neither do I.”
If she was going to tell him what was going on between her and Collin, his statement would have been a good lead-in. Apparently, she wasn’t going to fill him in on her relationship with the ranch hand.
Gavin brushed his thumb across her lips. “We have a long way to go getting to know and trust each other.”
She nodded. “We’ll work on that. There’s so much I want to know about you and want you to know about me.”
“I guess we’ll take it one day at a time.” He pulled her into his arms and just held her.
Aurelia wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into him.
He liked the way she felt against him. Her soft curves and sweet scent reminded him of all he’d missed since he’d been injured. All he’d denied himself, thinking he wouldn’t find a woman who would accept him for who and what he was. He still didn’t know how she would react when she saw what was left of his leg when he wasn’t wearing the prosthetic. As much as she said it didn’t matter to her, she might not be able to handle the reality.
“Are you sure you want to go forward with our plan?”
She nodded. “I’m still on board. And, like I said, I’m not getting any younger. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to have a family…children of my own.” She leaned her cheek against his chest. “I came here with the intention of marrying you. I haven’t changed my mind.”
He chuckled. “Why? I’m not rich. I barely have enough money for a down payment on my own home. But I work hard, and I’ll protect my family with everything I’ve got. I might not be the best choice for a husband, but I’m loyal, and you can trust me to be there for you and always tell you the truth.” He paused. “Unless of course, you ask me how you look in certain outfits. I’m not a fashion critic. And I’m sure anything you wear will be gorgeous.”
Aurelia laughed. “You don’t have to convince me. I pride myself in my ability to know and understand different people. I knew from your blunt ad you were a straight-talking man of integrity.”
“You got that from my ad?” He shook his head. “I can’t lie. Lori wrote the ad. The whole mail-order bride thing was her idea.”
She smiled. “I had that feeling when Lori told me she knew. She’s a good friend, and she’s looking out for you.”
Gavin could have stood there all night with his cheek pressed against Aurelia’s hair and his arms wrapped around her. But other parts of him were getting more excited by the moment. Was it too soon to take it to the next level?’
Sadly, yes. He didn’t want to scare her away yet. When they made love, he wanted her to want it as badly as he did.
He set her away from him. “I’d better call it a night before I forget I’m trying to build your trust.”
She nodded. “We have tomorrow to get to know each other better.”
“And the next day.”
Her smile stretched across her face, looking a little wistful.
He couldn’t resist adding, “Before you know it, we’ll have the rest of our lives.”
“If things progress the way they are…” Aurelia finished. “Goodnight, Gavin.”
“Goodnight, Aurelia. I’m really glad we met.”
“Me, too.” She pushed up on her toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Then she ran into the house.
Which was just as well. Had she stood there another second, he wouldn’t have been able to walk away. He’d have pulled her into his arms again. And then he might not have had the willpower to wait for the right moment to make love to her.
Aurelia ran all the way up the stairs to the top and into her room before she slowed and took a breath.
Sweet heaven, she had wanted to stay in Gavin’s arms all night long. He was so strong, the muscles in his chest so hard, they could have been a stone wall. And when he’d wrapped his arms around her, she’d melted into him, wishing she could stay there forever.
Every time she was near him reinforced her decision to come to Montana. Being here was the right thing. Marrying Gavin was the best idea. Ever.
One day at a time. That’s how they would build on their relationship.
But she didn’t have a lot of time to reach the proper conclusion.
Aurelia fished her toiletries kit out of her suitcase and crossed the hall to the bath room. She brushed her teeth, washed her face and pulled her hair up into a knot at the crown of her head before securing it with a ponytail elastic.
When she was done, she looked to be about fourteen years old.
She didn’t care. After the danger and sleepless hours of getting to Montana, she was ready to sleep. Tomorrow, she needed to be at her best to work on making Gavin fall in love with her. She hadn’t realized just how much she wanted this until they’d kissed.
When she opened the door to the bathroom and peeked out, the hallway was clear, and Gavin’s bedroom door was open,
the light off inside. Apparently, he was either downstairs or still outside. That would give her a little time to place a call back home to Lilianna. She’d promised to let her friend know she’d made it okay and everything was all right.
Aurelia hurried back across the hall and into her room. She closed the door and dug out the burner phone she’d purchased upon entry into the US. She’d read up on the internet and learned that WIFI and cell phone service in rural Montana was sketchy at best. She held the disposable phone in front of her and checked for a signal, surprised there actually was one. Aurelia walked into the closet on the side of the room away from Gavin’s and closed the door.
She entered Lilianna’s phone number, pressed the talk button and held the phone up to her ear, her heart pounding. She’d called Lilianna before when she’d made it to the US. With the news report on her country’s frantic search for their princess, Aurelia couldn’t help but feel sad that her country was worried about her. If she’d had any other choice, she wouldn’t have left. But to protect any man she considered marrying, and herself, she’d had to go into hiding.
“Hello?” a sleepy voice said on the other side of the world.
Aurelia held the phone tightly in her hand, a wave of homesickness washing over her at the sound of her friend’s voice. “Hey, Lili, it’s me.”
“Oh, dear, sweet Jesus.” The sleepiness vanished out of Lilianna’s voice. “How are you? Did you get there all right? Is he as dreamy as his picture? I miss you so much.”
Aurelia laughed. “I’m okay. I’m here at the Brighter Days Rehabilitation Ranch in the room next to him.”
“And?” Lilianna prompted.
“He’s even dreamier than his photo,” Aurelia admitted, her pulse fluttering at the remembered kisses.
“Have you told him who you are?”
“Not yet. I want him to get to know me before all that gets in the way.”
“Do you like him?” Lilianna asked. “You still have time to back out of anything more permanent. Just you remember that. You’re not obligated to marry him.”
“I know. I imagined it would be no big deal to marry someone I just met, but it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.”
“Is he a jerk? Because, if he is, I’ll be there on the next flight out of Lastovia. I shouldn’t have let you go. This idea was beyond crazy.”
Aurelia smiled at the phone. “No, Lili, he’s actually quite wonderful. It’s me. I haven’t told him why I want to marry and have children. I feel like the jerk, here.” Her shoulders slumped. “And if anyone learns where I am, it puts Gavin in danger. I haven’t been fair to him. And he’s a fine man who believes in truth, trust and loyalty. I’m not sure how he’ll react when he finds out about me and my…obligations.” Her voice caught. “Lili, what if he doesn’t want to come to Lastovia? And worse…what if he doesn’t want our child to leave the US?”
“Hmmm.” For a long moment, that was the only sound Lilianna made. “You are in a pickle.”
“I want him to get to know me first. If we can’t make a go of being a couple, none of this will mean a thing. A marriage wouldn’t last if we can’t stand each other.”
“I take it that’s not an issue on your part,” Lilianna drawled.
“No,” Aurelia admitted. “I like him. A lot.”
“Oh, Aurie, if you like him, this will work. You’re one of the most likable princesses I’ve ever met.”
Aurelia laughed. “I’m the only princess you’ve ever met.”
“True,” Lilianna said. “The point is that he’s bound to fall in love with you, if he hasn’t already.”
“I hope so,” she said, and meant it. “But will he forgive me for keeping the truth from him?”
“He has to. Because he has to love you.” Lilianna sighed. “Aurie, what’s not to love?”
“My lies. That’s what’s not to love.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing the tension to release from her shoulders. She was so tired from the journey, the intrigue and from the carrying the weight of her subterfuge. “I’d better go before someone hears me. I’m sitting in a closet to keep that from happening.”
Lilianna snickered. “I can just picture that. The princess of Lastovia, sitting in a dark, tiny closet while her country is frantically searching for her.”
“About that…is everything okay, otherwise?” Aurelia felt the tension seep back into her neck and shoulders.
“We haven’t fallen apart yet, but your cousin Rupert is posturing to be your replacement. I wouldn’t stay ‘missing’ for too long.”
“Understood. As soon as I can, I’ll let the world know I’m not dead or kidnapped. Until then, I need to get a man to fall in love with me, ask me to marry him and then give me the child I need to secure my reign. Piece of cake, as the Americans would say.”
“You make me tired just thinking of it. I wish you well and happy. Be safe. I’ll contact you if Rupert gets too comfortable sitting on your throne.”
“Thank you, Lili,” Aurelia said. “You’re a good person and a good friend. I could not have done this without your help.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
Aurelia rang off, warmed by the love she felt for her friend since primary school. She sat for a minute or two longer in the bottom of the closet, going over all that had happened that day. All in all, it had been a good day. She’d met the man she wanted to be her husband and the father of her children. He wasn’t completely averse to the idea of her as his wife. Aurelia would consider that a huge win. She was truly lucky to have found such a fine man, who was willing to give her a chance to prove herself a suitable mate.
Exhaustion drained what little energy she had left. If she didn’t get up and go to bed soon, she’d end up sleeping in the closet overnight.
Before she got to that level of need, she pushed to her feet, staggered into the bedroom, ripped off her clothes and rubbed lotion into her skin. Feeling a little better, she rummaged through her little suitcase for underclothing and a nightgown.
Once dressed for bed, she walked to the wall she shared with Gavin and listened for sounds of movement on the other side.
After a minute, she heard a chair scrape across the wooden floor and the sound of drawers opening and closing.
Her insides heated. She pressed a fist to her chest and imagined what Gavin might be wearing, or not wearing. Did he dress for bed or slide in naked?
The heat in her neck and face spread south to her core. Her exhaustion flew out the window as desire flooded her body.
If she didn’t screw this up, a union between her and the Navy SEAL would be incredibly satisfying. She had no doubt they’d be great together in bed. He’d more than make up for the fact he had only one leg. She had a feeling it wouldn’t slow him down one little bit.
Her breathing growing ragged, Aurelia tore herself away from the wall and climbed into the bed, pulling the blankets up to her chin. But sleep wouldn’t come for another couple of hours. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo long into the night with each thought she had about the man in the room next door.
Chapter 10
Gavin tossed and turned throughout the night. The fact Aurelia lay in a bed on the other side of a single wall kept him awake far into the wee hours of the morning. All the questions he wanted to ask churned in his brain until he gave up on sleep and stared up at the ceiling.
What was she hiding?
What was it between her and Collin?
What position did she like best when making love?
Oh, sweet Lord, he had to go there. Once on the path to mind sex, he couldn’t deviate until he’d gone all the way.
Around two in the morning, he rose from the bed, slipped on a pair of shorts that tented in the front and crossed the hall to the bathroom. A long, cool shower helped but didn’t completely alleviate his need.
He wanted Aurelia, whether he could trust her or not. He needed her like he needed to breathe, like his heart needed to beat. And he’d known her not e
ven twenty-four hours. This was pure insanity. Love at first sight didn’t exist.
However, lust at first sight was not only possible, but the likely conclusion he had to accept. He was in lust with the lovely stranger.
Gavin had to remind himself he wasn’t an animal. A woman should be treated with respect. She should be wooed gently and carefully so as not to scare her away. God, he didn’t want to scare Aurelia away. Now that she was there, he wanted to see if the connection he felt was equally experienced by her.
Tomorrow, he kept telling himself. He’d put into play his plan to court the pretty mail-order bride. Though she’d come to marry him, she had to know for certain that was what she wanted. He had to prove to her that he was worthy of her trust and loyalty.
With a plan in mind, he finally fell into a deep sleep, waking only when the sun knifed through the window and slashed across his eyelids. His eyes blinked open, and he shot a glance at the clock on the nightstand. Already seven, the rest of the residents of Brighter Days would be up and doing their pre-breakfast chores.
Gavin shot out of the bed, shoved his stump into the special sock and then the prosthetic leg, strapped it in place, and then slid into his blue jeans. Once again, he wondered how Aurelia would respond to seeing him naked. Hopefully, he’d know soon enough. Within the week, he wanted to test their compatibility in bed. Or was that too soon? Damn, he hadn’t dated in so long he didn’t know the rules. And what were the rules on easing a woman into a relationship with a man with a disability?
Hannah chose to think of it not as a disability but matter of different abilities. Whatever. He was different and hoped that didn’t make Aurelia change her mind. He’d been up front in his advertisement… She’d known before she came… Still, Gavin’s confidence in this one respect was lacking.
Well, he’d just have to get over it and prove to Aurelia that he could do anything any two-legged man could do. He could have been a lot worse off. He had two strong arms and one perfectly functioning leg. That was a lot more than many of the men had that he’d spent time with in physical therapy. More than Young had. And look at Young. The man had more spirit and chutzpah than most men with all four limbs intact.
