The Cowboy Proposes... Marriage?

by Cathy Forsythe

  Her breath froze in her throat as she was confronted with his masculine aura. Temptation flickered through her-to drop her clothes and join him, to absorb his heat and let him make love to her but she quickly squashed it. To go to him now out of an emotional need would only hurt her in the end.

  Jace put aside the magazine he’d been reading and crossed his arms. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?”

  “I don’t want to end the evening like this. We still need to talk, to sort things out.”

  He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Would it be any dif ferent from before, Dani? Or would we just ignore the real issue and never resolve anything?”

  Danielle smoothed her hands down her slacks, desperately wanting something to occupy her fingers. “Nothing has changed, so I imagine it’ll be the same territory as before.”

  She waited for his answer. But none came. She tried to push away the anger and remember that she needed his help.

  “Jace, I can’t turn my feelings on and off like a faucet. What we had is over and we have to begin another relationship now, one based on friendship rather than sex.”

  He threw the covers aside and leaped from the bed, coming to a stop just inches away from her. Danielle forced her gaze away from his hard chest, ordered her eyes not to drift downward to where a pair of sweatpants hung low on his hips.

  “You think we can live together and just be roommates?”

  Slowly, she nodded, knowing she was lying to herself and to him.

  “And my return for paying off your father’s debts is to gain a friend?”

  She couldn’t even answer his question this time.

  His voice dropped to a low growl. “Can you live the rest of your life without a man kissing you? Without a man making you whimper with need? Without a man making you cry out when all the passion breaks loose inside you?”

  She stared at him, a thousand images crashing through her thoughts, images of Jace, stroking, kissing, making her crazy with longing. The smoldering heat inside her burst into flames.

  His voice dropped to a ragged whisper. “Can you, Dani girl?”

  She tried to step away, terrified of her feelings, tried to escape the burning intensity in his eyes. “I don’t need...” She couldn’t finish, couldn’t admit the truth. Not to Jace.

  “You need, Dani. Just like the rest of us mortals.” He grasped her shoulders, shook her gently. “Admit it.” His voice deepened to a growl of frustration.

  “There’s more to a relationship than sex. We can have a very good marriage, be the best of friends without sleeping together.”

  He laughed.

  The full, rich sound of his voice filled the room. She’d have slapped him just for the satisfaction, but she couldn’t raise her hand. He had no right to belittle her, no right to judge her.

  She squirmed against his grip.

  Jace’s grin widened.

  “That’s enough.”

  “You’re so naive, Danielle.”

  Anger flooded through her, giving her the strength to break away. Rubbing her arms in agitation, she looked around the room, her gaze desperately searching for something to look at besides the tempting expanse of Jace’s chest. “I can’t stay here. I’ll take my chances with the snowstorm.”

  She should have made a grand exit, but she couldn’t resist one last look to see his reaction. He didn’t respond. He was standing with his hands propped on his hips, head dropped forward as if he was deep in thought.

  The picture he presented was so out of character, she stopped. “Jace?”

  His chest heaved as he dragged air into his lungs. “I’m sorry, Dani. I had no right to say that.”

  Surprised by his apology, she simply stared. Jace Farrell had never apologized to her before.

  When she started to answer, he stepped closer and gently laid his finger across her lips. “Stay, Dani girl.” He traced her mouth, leaving a path of enticement. “We will be husband and wife. The rest will take care of itself.”

  Finally, admitting defeat, she nodded in agreement.

  “Sleep with me?”

  She was tempted, so tempted. She needed his strength, his confidence, his energy, tonight. She needed to feel loved and special.

  The words almost choked her. “I can’t.”

  He simply nodded and moved away. She stared at him for what seemed an eternity, waged a silent, internal battle and finally found the courage to step into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

  A flood of dread filled Danielle as she realized that she’d only made her situation much worse. She’d thought she could control the old feelings for Jace, that she could relegate their past to a simple physical need and ignore it.

  But she couldn’t.

  Chapter Four

  Danielle slowly stretched each muscle, feeling only warmth and contentment in her cocoon of blankets. Soon, she would be Mrs. Jace Farrell. Soon, she would have his loving twenty-four hours a day instead of just when they could squeeze in a moment for each other.

  Her toes connected with a cold, empty space—a space where she’d expected to find Jace. It was then that reality burst her dream world.

  She’d dreamed of their past, of the way things used to be between them.

  Burying her head in the pillow, she groaned. Going downstairs this morning would be much worse than the typical morning after.

  Waking up next to Jace had always been filled with laughing and loving. When they’d first become lovers, there had been no awkwardness between them. But then, she’d been nineteen years old and thought herself madly in love with the man she’d planned to spend the rest of her life with.

  This morning would be different. Their past, their anger and a singing tension would hover between them.

  Danielle glared at the watery gray light seeping through the curtains. Her mind wasn’t helping matters one bit. During the night, her dreams had been very vivid...and very explicit.

  But totally unsatisfying.

  The time she’d spent with her dream version of Jace had been magical, more than she’d thought possible between a man and a woman. And it left her aching. If the real-life Jace managed to read the remnants of her night fantasies on her face, he’d realize just how much power he held over her.

  In spite of their past, of the pain he’d caused her, she wanted him. She tried to change the direction of her thoughts, but there was only one other question lurking in her brain.

  Was she doing the right thing? Did she dare risk a lifetime with Jace? Did she have any other options?

  The doubts chased around in her head until she was forced from the security of the bed.

  Wincing as her feet touched the cold floor, she hurried to pull on the same clothes she’d arrived in last night. The soft wool slacks always looked good, but she’d never put them through a two-day test before. The matching hunter-green sweater would at least keep her warm. Not finding her shoes, she hoped Jace had brought them in from the mud-filled yard.

  She glared at her image in the bathroom mirror. There was an emergency supply of makeup in her purse, but not enough to mask the dark circles shadowing her eyes, not enough to convince Jace her emotions were untouched.

  She smoothed the taupe-colored shadow onto one eyelid. Last night when she’d arrived at the ranch, she’d honestly believed she could convince Jace that marriage would be a mistake and still find a way to ask him to lend her the money.

  She hadn’t arrived prepared to spend the night. And even though she’d been in Denver for over ten years, she should have remembered how quickly & late storm could trap the unprepared in Wyoming.

  But she would have plenty of time to remember.

  From this day on, her path was set and she saw no way out. She needed to hide her doubts and fears from him.

  Trying to dismiss the haunting memories of the night, she concentrated on planning her day. First, she needed to see if the roads were clear. If she could get to
the highway, she could make it home—home where she would be safe for a little while longer. At least until Jace decided it was time for them to marry.

  Danielle froze when she touched the necklace at her throat, Her father would be furious. A cold chill of foreboding skidded down her spine.

  But he was the one who’d concocted the idea of an arranged marriage. Raymond had been willing to pay well for a wife—and of course, a partnership in the company. Why should it matter who was the groom?

  Because Jace had hurt her once. Hurt her badly. And Tyrone Simmons didn’t forgive easily when it came to his daughter’s happiness.

  If only Jace loved her, cared for her even a little bit. If only he weren’t so bitter about the past.

  She had resigned herself to a loveless union with Raymond, one in which friendship and mutual respect would be the basis of their relationship. Her heart had been shattered before and she had vowed then never to risk love again.

  Marriage to Raymond would have been better than coming home to an empty apartment every night, preferable to being alone for the rest of her life. She had known him for years as a business acquaintance, had been comfortable with him. And she’d have helped her father in the process. Danielle had even allowed herself to dream of having a family.

  Now, all that was impossible.

  If she could control her desires, a marriage to Jace would be no different. The flutter of her pulse at the thought of his touch mocked her.

  She went to the window, hoping for distraction, but nothing more than a wide expanse of white greeted her. There were a few tracks in the snow, snowmobiles probably, but nothing else to break the vast white wasteland. Shivering, she let the curtain drop back into place.

  Maybe she wouldn’t get home today. Maybe she would be stuck here, forced to deal with the power of Jace’s determination. At least the snow gave her time to negotiate the business side of her arrangement with Jace. As soon as she received his check for the amount of the loan, she would deposit the money in her father’s business account, then start planning the promised deed.

  A deed that felt like a life sentence.

  With a sigh, she wondered just how long she could delay this marriage. Even Jace would understand that it took time to plan a society wedding.

  Danielle checked her makeup once more, sighing over her lack of supplies.

  She hesitated with her hand on the doorknob.

  Determined to make an effort at pleasantness, she tried to prepare herself to descend the stairs and greet Jace as if he truly was her fiancé.

  So where was the rush of anticipation, the thrill of seeing him again? At one time, she had tingled just at the thought of him—had longed for him every moment they were separated. Today, all she felt was dread.

  The battles between them were only beginning. And there would be battles because she wasn’t going to just roll over and play dead to his masculine arrogance. Before they went any further with this charade, she needed to hear one promise from him.

  He’d never committed to giving her the money her cooperation demanded. And she would have to find a way to control her temper until she had that money in hand. The important thing right now was to pay off the debt. Then she would find a way to deal with her marriage to a man who held the power to destroy the little bit of her heart that remained intact.

  Pouring a much needed cup of coffee, Jace listened. When the bottom step of the stairway gave a warning creak, he turned in anticipation, the coffee cup halfway to his mouth.

  His heart slammed to a stop.

  And when the blood roared through his veins again, he doubted a gallon of pure caffeine could have a better effect.

  She was beautiful.

  The wounded shadows reflected in her eyes made his heart twist. The veneer of sophistication she normally wore like a suit of armor had disappeared overnight. Her tousled hair and lack of makeup gave her the look of an innocent.

  He couldn’t stop the memories, hadn’t been able to all night. Introducing Danielle to the secrets of her body had changed his entire perspective on the art of making love. Those months they’d shared so many years ago had taught him more than he could ever hope to teach her.

  And in spite of the old hurts, he wanted more.

  She edged into the room. “Has the snow stopped?”

  Jace swallowed his sigh. They hadn’t indulged in small talk before, never talked about the weather. But at least for now, he would try. Maybe it would help put her at ease. He certainly didn’t want a wife who jumped every time he walked into the room. Unless it was for all the right reasons.

  “Yeah, but the roads are blocked by drifts.”

  “Any idea when they’ll be clear?” Her eyes held a wary look.

  He shook his head, memories halting any chance of speaking. The last time they were snowbound together, they’d taken full advantage of the time to explore each other’s needs.

  She took a step toward the coffeepot.

  Finally, he took pity on her and moved out of her way. He would play the gentleman and give her a little while longer to adjust to their new relationship. But when she sipped her coffee and closed her eyes with a gentle sigh, all his good intentions landed in the snowdrift outside the back door.

  As her eyelids slowly opened, her guard was down and he saw the almost sensual pleasure reflected in their green depths. Her lips parted slightly and he found himself battling his libido so he wouldn’t cross the room and kiss her until that pleasure ignited into full-scale passion.

  As soon as her gaze connected with his, the walls slid back into place.

  “You haven’t changed the house much since I was last here.”

  She had practically lived with him for the six months they’d been together. They’d both had commitments during the day, she to several charities, he to his fledgling ranch, but they’d met here every night.

  And they had shared.

  Cooking, cleaning, laughing, loving.

  It had terrified him at the time just how much he needed her. And after he lost her, he’d vowed never to let another woman become that important to him. Not even Danielle. Because losing her had almost destroyed him. And his dreams.

  So he shrugged away her comment. “No need to. I’ve always been satisfied with what I have.”

  “Then why do you need me?”

  Her words landed a direct hit. She would never be allowed to know how badly he wanted her again. Rather than let her see his reaction, he chose to turn her words around. “You’re available, darlin’. And you owe me.”

  She stiffened and he could see the anger building inside her. He waited for the explosion, relishing a good fight. The night had left him aching and he needed a release for the tension simmering within him.

  But he was disappointed.

  The battle with her anger was tangible, but she finally claimed victory and turned away.

  Silence ticked between them as she stared out the window. He wanted to know her thoughts, wanted to ask if she meant to honor her marriage vows. Was it possible to change those vows, make them even more binding?

  Once he had her, he wouldn’t give her up. For any reason.

  “Did you sleep okay?” He winced at the mundane words. The faint bruising under her eyes gave visible testimony that she’d spent less time sleeping than he had. He wanted to ask if she’d dreamed of him, but he knew she’d never admit that she had. He consoled himself with the fact that he’d done everything in his power to insinuate himself into her dreams.

  “I never sleep well in a strange bed.”

  “My bed used to be very familiar to you.”

  Her body pulled taut, but she didn’t choose to answer. Jace searched for something else to say, then shrugged, wondering why he was trying. They had years ahead of them.

  He turned to leave the kitchen, anxious to get the ranch ready for his departure, but her words stopped him.

  “When do you want the wedding?” There was a note of hesitation in her voice.

 
He had his plans, but he wasn’t ready to share them yet. “Soon. And I want you to stay here until the ceremony.”

  “I have other commitments.”

  “You can’t leave until the roads are plowed. Besides, I don’t want Daddy spiriting you away before you have my ring on your finger.”

  “My father will honor any agreement I make.”

  “Right.” She obviously didn’t know what her father was capable of. But Jace did.

  Pursing her lips, she went to the coffeepot. After refilling her cup, she stared into the rising steam. There was no sign of her reaction to his demand. He used to be able to read her every emotion. It saddened him to think that life had taught her to hide her feelings, to develop a hard outer shell.

  “I’ll need clothes.” She turned slowly, her green eyes challenging, daring him to refuse.

  The images came hard and fast. And in those images, she wasn’t wearing any clothing. “No need to dress on my account.” The blush that washed into her cheeks only made him want her more.

  Her chin notched upward. “I’ll need clothes,” she repeated. “And I have no intention of staying here without anything more than what I have on.”

  “Pity.” He gulped at the coffee, felt the burn all the way to his stomach and tried to force his thoughts to the business of running a ranch in a snowstorm. His men all knew their jobs and did them well, but he needed to make certain everything was dealt with before he left on their honeymoon.

  Honeymoon.

  The mere word sucked the breath from his lungs.

  Soon. Very soon. She would belong to him again. Anticipation curled through him. And he would make certain that she enjoyed the nights so much that she wouldn’t want to leave him.

  “Jace?” She waved her fingers in front of his face. “My father has nothing to do with our agreement. I’ve said I’ll marry you.”

  “I know you will. I won’t allow you to back out.”

  “Then at least trust me enough to let me do what I need to.”

  “It’s not you I don’t trust.”

  She seemed to consider his words and he watched her carefully as she marshaled her next argument.

  He pushed away from the counter. It was impossible to think with her so close. But when she followed him to the window, he had the sudden sensation of the hunter becoming the hunted. His legendary self-control slipped another fraction.