Feeling very underdressed in her skimpy bathing suit she’d bought with the hope of impressing him, she wrapped the damp towel around her. She shivered, but the trigger hadn’t been the cold wetness of the towel against her skin, the sensation came from the realization she still wanted Tate.
He folded his arms over his chest. “Yes. I hoped you’d come to your senses. Robert Jefferson isn’t right for you.”
“You don’t even know him!”
“I know he’s not here. I know he leaves you to go on trips. Never taking you with him. I know he wants you to leave your home to live in the city. And I know how much that has to kill you. You hate the city.”
The truth of his statement hurt. She’d wanted to go to Vegas with Robbie, but he refused to let her come along, saying she’d be too much of a distraction while he was working, which was his usual excuse. “He’s a businessman. Of course, he goes on trips. It’s the nature of his business. I don’t expect to go with him. As for living in the city, I’ll adapt. I already have.”
He dropped his arms to his side and turned toward the lake. “I broke it off with you because I thought I wasn’t right for you. I had nothing to offer you. To me, you were a princess and I was a broken down saddle tramp with no money and no future.”
His quiet voice was almost lost on the sound of the waterfall. She sat on the blanket and hugged her knees close to her chest. “I didn’t care what you had or didn’t have, Tate. You broke my heart.”
He settled beside her, but he didn’t look at her. “I broke my own heart that day, too.”
When he looked over his shoulder at her, she almost gave in to the hope mixed with pain swirling in his eyes. She swallowed and fought the burn of tearqs she wouldn’t dare let fall. “I didn’t care you were only a ranch hand. I loved you. But I’ve moved on and now it’s time you do, too.”
Chapter 7
Jamie leaned over the railing with Tate’s cell phone pressed against her ear and waited for an answer. The full moon lit up the night and danced over the crests of the waves. Rich scent of flowers, the lake and the mountains mingled to perfume the warm night air. A gentle breeze carried the sounds of insects and the water.
After a few hours of awkward silence and baking in the sun, she and Tate had been rescued from the beach by a patrol boat. Tate had paid for the lost motorboat and they went back to their cabin to get ready for dinner.
The meal had been delicious, and she’d been hungry enough to ignore the stoic man across the table. Her new game plan was to get through the next two days and go back to Texas, talk to her father and beg forgiveness from the man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.
“You’ve reached Robert Jefferson. Please leave a detailed message with your number and I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
Damn, she needed to hear his voice. After the beep, she cleared her throat, suddenly glad he hadn’t answered.
“Hi. Robbie, it’s me. I hope you haven’t been worried. Daddy sent me on a surprise birthday trip and I’ll be home Monday. I can’t wait to see you. Call me at...” She rattled off Tate’s cell number, glad Robbie would have no idea it belonged to the man she’d once loved. “I forgot my cell. Talk to you soon.”
She closed the cell and set it on the wide top of the railing. As she stared at the diamond on her finger, she remembered the day she’d met rich land developer Robert Jefferson. She’d attended a party with a girl friend from college and she’d introduced them. Robbie had been handsome and arrogant, but he was insistent and she eventually agreed to go out with him.
Three months later, he’d put that diamond on her finger.
Her father had been convinced at the time all he wanted was Raines Land because Robbie had made an offer for the ranch. She still didn’t believe it. Robbie loved her.
The phone rang, startling her. She looked at the number and put the old flip phone against her ear. “Robbie?”
“Where are you? Your father refused to tell me.”
Not hello, but a demand. She looked out at the sliver-flecked lake. Robbie was good at demanding. “I’m visiting my relatives in Colorado.” Yeah, it was a lie, but she couldn’t tell him she was here with Tate. “How’s business going in Vegas?”
“You know I never talk about work.”
She knew that, too. “When are you coming home? I’ll be back in Texas on Monday.”
“It looks like I’ll be here for another week. I have to go. See you then.”
The dial tone was deafening in her ear. Not a single I miss you or I love you or happy birthday. She went into her room and set the phone on her bedside table. She’d give it back to Tate in the morning.
With a startling realization, she dropped to the edge of the bed.
Robbie had never once told her he loved her.
But she’d never said the words to him either.
****
“Jamie?”
She heard the sweet, clear voice, but it seemed so far away, dreamlike.
“Jamie?”
The voice belonged to a young woman--it was the voice she often heard in her head--and it seemed a little closer.
“My sweet girl, wake up.” The voice was more persistent and sounded near her ear.
“Who’s there?” Jamie’s eyes flew open and she gasped.
Silhouetted by the bright moonlight shining through the open French door, stood a beautiful, young, dark haired woman at the foot of her bed.
“Momma?” Jamie choked on the name.
“Yes.” The specter seemed to float around the bed to stand beside Jamie.
“You’re a ghost?” She sat bolt upright in her bed. Her heart pounded hard.
“I’ve been looking out for you since you were a baby.”
“What?” Jamie shook her head. She had to be dreaming. There was no other explanation.
“Jamie, I don’t have much time, but I showed myself because I’m worried about you. You can’t go through with this marriage.”
“Robbie’s a good man.” Jamie’s voice shook as she answered.
“But he doesn’t love you. You don’t love him.” The ghost sat on the edge of the bed, causing Jamie to jump back. The specter didn’t seem to notice the alarm and instead laid a hand over Jamie’s trembling fingers where they rested at her side.
The touch was cool and feathery, and Jamie was too stunned to move. “Love is overrated. Look what it got me. A broken heart. And Daddy? What did love get him? You died and he’s been lonely all of his life.”
Her mother’s ghost frowned and shook her head. “Do you really want to live a life without love?”
“I won’t get hurt that way.”
“But you’ll never be happy either. Tate made a mistake, but he loves you and he makes you happy. As I always knew he would.”
“What do you mean by that?” Jamie was afraid she already knew. “Did you send him to the ranch?”
Tate had once told her he’d had a dream that brought him to Raines Land all those years ago.
Her mother smiled and touched Jamie’s face. “I thought I loved another man, but when I met your father, I knew I’d never be happy without him. When he asked me to marry him, I did not hesitate. I gave up a career I loved and moved to Texas to be with him. He made me complete, and he made me extremely happy. If I have a regret, it is leaving him and you. But unlike in the life we lead, we have no choice in death.”
“Can you talk about it... Your death? Are you in...heaven?” Jamie hoped her mother was happy in her afterlife.
Momma shook her head. “That’s one rule I can’t break. I can’t talk about where or what I am. What is Tate to you?”
Jamie didn’t even need to think about it. “He is my best friend, he’s always been there for me and I’ve tried to do the same for him.”
Jamie looked up at the smiling, glowing, beautiful face of her mother. “What do you feel for him?”
“I love him. I always have.” The words came out before she could stop them.
�
�What are you doing in here?” Momma smiled and leaned in. The kiss on Jamie’s forehead was like a fluttering of butterflies against the skin. “You turned into such a beautiful woman, Jamie. I love you.”
She stood and faded away.
Jamie’s heart sank and she leapt off the bed. “Momma, don’t go.”
In her head, she heard the voice she always thought was her conscience. “I will always be looking out for you.”
****
Tate couldn’t sleep. But sexual frustration and total confusion would do that to a man. After overhearing Jamie’s conversation with Jefferson through the open French doors of his room, he was more convinced than ever that she was making the biggest mistake of her life if she married that yahoo. He didn’t know what Jefferson’s game was, but Tate would bet it had everything to do with the ranch. And not because he wanted to raise black Angus cattle.
He rolled over and yanked on the covers a little too hard. He sighed and tried to ignore his cold feet, but when a draft passed through the room causing that weird chill down his spine, he sat up and threw the bottom of the blanket over his feet. He lay down on the pillow, putting his hands behind his head. The memory of Jamie came rushing back. The passion of her kiss and the way she responded to his touch. Her silky skin, the taste of her, the scent of her…He closed his eyes to stop the thoughts, but then he didn’t want to, even if it was torture for him.
The door opened with a soft click.
Tate opened his eyes, but he had to be dreaming. Jamie walked toward him limned by the soft glow of the moonlight coming through the windows. Her strappy, low-cut nightgown clung to every curve as she moved. “Am I dreaming?”
Her soft laugh brought his gaze back to her face. “I figured you hoped to see me actually wear this thing since you deliberately packed it. I don’t want to think about you going through my entire nightgown drawer to find it.” She put her knee on the edge of the bed.
Yeah, he’d found the sexy nightgown and hoped he’d get to see her wearing it. “Jamie?”
“Were you expecting someone else?” She leaned over him. Her tangy sweet scent surrounded him.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t want to fight this anymore.” Her touch on the sides of his face was warm and soft as she smiled. She kissed him with a passion that took his breath away.
He wrapped her up and held on to her, afraid she’d disappear if he didn’t. When she broke the kiss for air, she rested her forehead on his and met his gaze.
“I love you, Tate.”
“Oh, God, I love you, too.” His heart raced with happiness and desire. Tossing off the covers, he flipped her under him and crushed her lips with a kiss meant to brand her. He tugged on the sexy nightgown, pulling it over her head.
Her naked skin slid over his and his desire screamed at him to make her his, but he wanted to savor every incredible inch of her.
****
Jamie gasped and arched into him as he lavished her breasts with his hot mouth. The roughness of his cheeks adding to the pleasure. She moaned and pulled at his hair, wanting him to kiss her. Instead, he shifted to kneel between her legs. As he placed fiery kisses down her belly, he pushed her thighs apart and touched her soft folds, pushing them apart.
Oh, yes, this what she wanted.
“Tate...” She fisted her hands in his hair, guiding him to her achy center. He licked and nibbled on the needy nub. She lifted off the bed as the burning coil tightened. He sucked in the delicate tissue, and she shattered into a million brilliant pieces under his tongue.
He brought her down, then slid over her. She opened her eyes to meet his gaze and lifted a trembling hand to touch his cheek. His beard shadowed his face, black hair hung over his forehead and his passion-filled green eyes glittered with need. She had never seen a more handsome man. He bent to kiss her as he thrust into her. She gasped at the rightness of it and wrapped her legs and arms around him.
He rocked his hips, slowly sliding into her to the hilt and back out again. Unlike on the sex on the beach, this was slow and sweet and so damned good. He leaned over her and buried his face in her neck.
“Marry me, Jamie.” He breathed in her ear.
“Yes!”
He pulled back and held her gaze as he began to move faster.
She clawed at his back and bucked against him as the band of pleasure stretched thinner until it snapped.
Stilling above her, he threw his head back and growled through gritted teeth, “Princess!”
****
They awoke several hours later entangled in the sheets and each other.
“Wow.” Tate looked down at her auburn head on his bare chest. “I thought it was a dream.”
She propped herself up on her folded hands, resting her chin on them over his chest. Damn, she was gorgeous.
“No, it wasn’t a dream. Neither was me saying yes to your proposal. So, there’s no backing out of it now, buddy.”
His heart slammed into his chest. “What made you change your mind about me?”
Shrugging, she grinned. “I had some sense talked into me.”
“Who? Did you call someone other than Jefferson?”
“Nope.” She straddled him and kissed him. “My mother seems to think you are perfect for me.”
“Huh?” He had to have heard her wrong, but right now, he really didn’t care. She slid her hot, wet center over his raging hard-on.
She laughed at him. “My mother’s ghost visited me last night. She helped me realize I’ve been a complete idiot. Soul mates can’t be denied.”
Jamie kissed him again, and they both moaned as he easily slid into her. As she rocked her hips in a slow sultry rhythm, they were soon carried away again.
A few hours later, hunger finally forced Tate to leave the bed.
Jamie crawled out after him. “I think I’ll draw a bath.”
“Sounds good. I’ll bring in whatever I find.”
“The hunter has returned successful.”As he walked into his bathroom with a package of Oreo cookies and a bottle of red wine, Jamie bent over the large sunken tub filling with water. She was hot as hell wearing one of his shirts.
She glanced over her shoulder at him and chuckled as she stood up, shaking the water from her hand. “You realize how silly you look with that grin plastered all over your face?”
He set the cookies and wine on the marble edge of the tub, then took her into his arms. “What silly grin?”
She threaded her hand into his hair. “The I’m-so-in-love-grin.”
“Ah.” He moved his hands from around her and began to unbutton the shirt. “Get used to it because, Jamie Raines, I am so in love with you.” He kissed her and wanted her all over again, forgetting all about the hunger for food. “I think the water is good,” he said in a deep whisper as he slid the shirt off her shoulders. “Let’s try it out.”
“I thought we were going riding horses up the mountain today?” She kissed his neck.
He picked her up and brought her legs around his waist. She moaned as his cock touched her. He climbed into the tub with Jamie straddling him. As he thrust into her, he said near her ear, “Wouldn’t you rather ride a cowboy.”
“Oh, yeah.”
Chapter 8
The last night at the resort, Tate and Jamie went to dinner. Jamie wore the royal blue gown, knowing how much he’d liked it in the store. He asked to be seated in one of the private tables in the back. Candlelight glittered on the silver and crystal, and fresh flowers gave a sweet fragrance to the air.
After their meals were served, Jamie lifted her wine glass to take a sip. She hadn’t ever been so happy and it was all because of the man sitting across from her. “So, what exactly was my birthday gift?”
Tate stopped chewing and looked at her.
She’d bet the ranch he hadn’t expected to be asked that?
She smiled and set her glass on the table. “What exactly was my gift? Was it the clothes, the trip itself, or was it you?”
&nbs
p; Grinning, Tate took a sip of his wine and wiped his mouth on the cloth napkin. He reached into a pocket of his jacket and pulled something out.
He looked at the object with eyes glowing in the candlelight, then met Jamie’s gaze as he turned the object toward her. “Actually, I hoped to give you this.”
She gasped when he opened the jewelry box to reveal a beautiful antique diamond ring.
“I know I asked you the other night, but I... Well, want to make sure. You weren’t thinking clearly then.”
“I told you later that you were stuck with me.”
“I know.” He stood and came around the table. As he knelt next to her on one knee, he took her left hand, which she was surprised to notice trembled. “But let’s make this official.” He slid the ring on her bare finger. “I know it’s not as fancy or as flashy as the ring Jefferson gave you...”
She touched his face with her right hand and shook her head. “I have something more precious--your love and that’s just fine with me. The ring is lovely and my answer is still the same. Yes, Tate Dawson, I will marry you.”
He leaned in and kissed her. “I love you. Don’t you ever doubt it.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so sorry I never tried to fix things between us.”
“I’m not sure I would’ve let you.” He glanced away and his voice rumbled deep as he spoke. “I was convinced I was wrong for you, until you were ready to make the biggest mistake of your life. Then I realized what I was willing to give up.”
She kissed him again, then loosened her hold on him. Soft music drifted around them as a quartet played an old waltz. “C’mon, let’s go dance. It’s not roundup kind of music, but I think I recognize the tune.”
On the dance floor, only two other couples swayed to the music. Tate took her into his arms and swung her into step with the sweet strains of the violin and guitar.
She put her hand on his shoulder and the diamond reflected the dim light. “Where did you get the ring? It’s so unique.”
He tightened his hold on her. “It was my grandmother’s. She gave it to me before she passed the year my mom hightailed it to parts unknown. She and my grandfather had been married for nearly forty years before he died. I think she wanted to show me love can last, if it’s meant to.”
The Birthday Fantasy Page 5
