The Cowboy Proposes... Marriage?

by Cathy Forsythe

  He forced himself to focus on what she was saying.

  “If I go by the house this afternoon, Daddy won’t be home from work yet. I can pack and be out of there before he realizes what’s happened. I’ll leave a note and the check, then come back here to stay with you.”

  He heard her words, absorbed them, then rejected them. But he wanted to see just how far she would take this fantasy.

  “We can start planning the wedding and be married by the end of the month if you’d like.” A faint tremor in her voice took the bravado from her words.

  She pulled in a breath to continue with her plans. He watched as her breasts rose, molding gently into the green sweater she wore. And he knew he would die from wanting if he had to wait an entire month.

  “No money until after the wedding.”

  Her breath caught, held, then escaped in a rush. “Jace, you know I need that money right away.”

  “Yes.”

  “By Friday.”

  He nodded.

  “This is Tuesday.” Her eyes widened as the trap closed around her. “But don’t you want a big wedding? Something we can invite all our friends to?”

  “No.”

  “But I need—”

  “Danielle.”

  She froze.

  “I want you.” He let the silence stretch. “Now.”

  Not in the mood to be polite, he slammed down his coffee cup, dragged her close and absorbed the taste of her with his mouth. Her lips were still relaxed with surprise and he took full advantage, probing the depths of her sweet mouth with his tongue. Unable to stop his low groan, he pressed his hips against hers and tortured himself with the feel of her, so near and yet so far.

  Desire flared through him like a freight train. Somehow finding the willpower, he released her and grabbed his coffee again, knowing he had to escape. “I have work to do.” He stopped at the doorway. “We’ll buy any clothing you need...on our honeymoon.”

  His last image was of Danielle sagging against the wall, her fingers hovering over her lips.

  He silently cursed himself for a fool, using every foul word in his broad vocabulary. If he gave in to his need at every turn, she would quickly learn to use it against him. And he had every intention of being the one in control of their marriage.

  Jace buried himself in his work, making certain everything was in order for him to leave. As soon as the roads were clear, he wanted to take Danielle away from Jackson for a few days. Her father was an unknown factor until they were bound by law. And there was still a remote chance she would change her mind

  Jace wasn’t willing to take the risk. He had everything he wanted in the palm of his hand.

  He left final instructions with his foreman, then dragged all the papers on his desk into a haphazard pile. He had one more thing to do before lunch.

  His luck was holding. There was a lodge in the Grand Tetons where they’d stayed once before. And they just happened to have a luxury suite available for the next few nights. An elegant meeting room would serve perfectly as a chapel and a local minister was on call. Jace left detailed instructions for their arrival, then went to see what Danielle was up to.

  The house had echoed with quiet all morning. If it hadn’t been for the snow, he would’ve half expected her to try to run away. But the top of her car was barely visible over a snowdrift and he didn’t think she was desperate enough to attempt the thirty-mile walk into town.

  He found her in the kitchen, cooking. With raised eyebrows, he leaned against the doorjamb and watched. When they first dated, she could burn water. Now, there was a calm efficiency in every move she made and something smelled wonderful.

  She glanced up at him with a wary smile. “I was bored, so I decided to make myself at home. I hope you like quiche?”

  “I don’t know. Never had it.” He edged toward her, wondering what her reaction would be if he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to nuzzle her neck.

  “What, no crack about real men not eating quiche?”

  He savored the lighthearted tone in her voice. This was what he wanted—a marriage with companionship, laughter, sharing. “Real men eat what ever doesn’t crawl off their plates.”

  “Well, at least you’ll be easy to feed.”

  He held out her chair for her, determined to make every effort to keep their life together civil. Joining her at the table, he poked at his food, then tasted it. “This is good.”

  The smile almost reached her eyes. “Don’t sound so surprised. If I wanted to survive, I had to learn to cook.”

  “Can you do meat and potatoes?”

  The smile flickered over her lips again. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you starve.”

  “I wasn’t worried. Cooking isn’t in your job description, but I won’t mind if you want to play in the kitchen.”

  She glared at him. “So just what do you expect me to do with myself all day?”

  “Rest up for the nights.”

  Her fork hit the table with a sharp snap.

  Knowing he was baiting her, anticipating the debate, he schooled his features into a look of bewilderment. “You can do whatever you want. Clean the house, cook the meals or sit in front of the TV all day. I don’t care. There’s already a housekeeper. And I can cook enough to keep myself from starving.” Her mouth tightened and he waited in vain for an answer. “I told you I wouldn’t be a demanding husband. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Far be it from me to drag you out of the Dark Ages. The little woman will find a way to amuse herself, I’m sure.”

  Jace scratched his jaw, secretly delighting in her reaction. “I suppose your nesting instincts are kick ing in. If you want to play housewife, I don’t mind.”

  “Jace.” Her teeth were clenched, her eyes sparkling with anger. “I think it would be best if you quit while you’re ahead.”

  This is what he’d missed. He’d forgotten just how much he enjoyed a simple argument with Danielle. And once that was over, there was the best part-the making up.

  After long minutes of silence, her next words caused him to choke.

  “What’s to prevent me from divorcing you after I get the money?”

  When the fit of coughing passed, he gulped at his coffee. “You won’t.”

  “I could.”

  “Not if you want Daddy’s business to survive.”

  The threat bit its target. Jace regretted the tactic but knew it was necessary.

  “So you want to spend the rest of your life with a woman who doesn’t love you?”

  He smiled, not the least threatened by her words. “We’ve always gotten along. And I think you’ll learn to love me.”

  She picked up her fork again and stabbed at her lunch. “Your arrogance boggles the mind.”

  He ignored her comment.

  But she wasn’t finished with the discussion yet. “And will you learn to love me?”

  He had to admire her courage. “I tried that. Once. It was enough for me.”

  The hurt echoed through her green eyes, making him want to call the words back. They would both have to forget the past if they wanted any kind of a future.

  “The roads should be cleared soon. I called and the snowplows are working this way.” He paused. “Plan to be ready to leave in the morning.”

  “Leave?” Something flickered in her eyes.

  A stab of regret knifed through him when he realized she was afraid. “Danielle, I’m not a monster. I have no intention of making our life together a battleground.” He paused, letting those words soak in. “I hope we can learn to be friends, to enjoy each other’s company. Can we at least make an effort?”

  When she nodded a hesitant agreement, he cupped her cheek with his hand. “I want to start this marriage off right. We’ll have a nice wedding, a short honeymoon, then I need to get back to work. Later, we’ll plan a trip somewhere special.”

  She gulped. “A honeymoon isn’t necessary right now. Let’s just wait until you have more time.”

&n
bsp; He cocked one eyebrow at the note of panic in her voice. “We will have a honeymoon. And we will enjoy every moment of it.”

  “So you have it all planned.” Her lips tightened. “And where will this wonderful honeymoon take place? Am I allowed to at least know that?”

  “We’ll stay at the Teton Lodge.”

  Her soft gasp pleased him. She remembered. That was where he’d taken her the first time they made love. He’d wanted it to be a special memory for her. Little had he realized at the time how it would haunt him.

  “But we’ll have a little bigger room this time.” He’d been on a tight budget eleven years ago. Now, he could afford whatever he wanted.

  Some of the tension seemed to melt from her body. “How long will we stay?”

  “I have to be back Friday morning. And I believe you have a rather large check to deposit.”

  The wonder quickly faded from her eyes at the reminder of the reason for their marriage.

  “This is awkward, Jace.”

  “I don’t know why. I’ve seen you naked before, heard you purr in my arms.”

  “That wasn’t what I meant.”

  He shrugged.

  “I loved you then.” Her voice broke and she turned away from him, but not before he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes.

  He covered her hand with his, trying to offer her some comfort. “People have successful marriages without love.”

  She stared at their clasped hands, his dark and tanned against hers soft and white. He was very aware of the loss of her warmth when she stood and grabbed their plates.

  As she moved gracefully around the kitchen, he indulged himself. Danielle’s movements always resembled a slow dance—a sexy, mind-numbing dance that never failed to turn him on.

  When she set his refilled coffee cup in front of him, he caught her wrist A gentle tug had her falling into his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his nose in her fragrant hair.

  “You smell the same. Even feel the same. Do you still love the same?” He nuzzled the side of her neck, anxious to remember the sweet taste of her skin.

  “Jace.”

  The single word was a plea, but he couldn’t tell for what.

  “Don’t, please.”

  He sucked in a deep breath of air, a mistake since that breath was filled with Danielle. Forcing himself to look into her green eyes, he recognized the pain and trepidation. Those were the same feelings he was battling. But he would never admit it to anyone, especially a woman who wielded far too much power over him.

  “We’re officially engaged.” He picked up her hand and caressed her fingers, pausing at the small token of their engagement. “You even have the ring to prove it.”

  She tried to stand, but he held her in place, savoring the feel of her soft bottom nestled against him.

  “I need time.” Her soft sigh caressed his cheek. “This is all a little sudden.” She shifted a little, brushing her breasts against his chest. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t touch me before the wedding.”

  He loosened his hold on her but didn’t release her. “You’re just putting off the inevitable.”

  “Two days ago, my life was taking a totally different path. Give me a chance to adjust, to get used to the idea of being your...wife.” Her eyes widened, sliced at his conscience. “Please, Jace.”

  Damn. He had never been able to resist her when she begged so sweetly. Tamping down his raging need, he gave a curt nod. “I won’t touch you until the wedding.” The promise cost him dearly. “Which is Wednesday, by the way. That gives you one more day to...adjust to the idea.”

  “But—”

  “It’s not up for negotiation. One day.”

  A little of the tension eased from her as she realized she had a short reprieve. But it flowed back at his next words.

  “I’ll expect a real wedding night, Dani. You’ll be in my arms until dawn.” He waited for that to soak in. “So I suggest you rest up while you have the chance. Because I don’t intend to be sleeping when I have you with me.”

  She paled, then pulled away from him. A feeling of cold washed over him and he knew he couldn’t afford to lose this time. The stakes were too high. He watched her move away, angry with himself for making such a rash promise.

  As she reached around him to set down the dessert dishes, her breast brushed against the back of his hand The heat darted through him, demanding he do something about it. But he’d just made a vow. And one thing Jace Farrell didn’t do was break his word.

  They finished their fresh-baked brownies in silence. Jace couldn’t help but wonder if he’d pushed her too far. But she had nowhere to run, nowhere to bide. Before she had a chance to escape, he would bind her to him in more ways than one.

  He stared into his half-empty coffee cup, for the first time questioning his decision to make Danielle his wife. Maybe he was setting both of them up for a fall. Maybe the resulting carnage would be impossible to heal. But he wanted her in his life again. And he hated to lose.

  The clock chimed the hour. When Jace glanced up, Danielle seemed mesmerized by the cat’s tail. Her teeth pulled at her lower lip and Jace found himself wanting to soothe the tortured skin. But he’d promised to give her some space.

  “I need to call Daddy.”

  Jace nodded, feeling the old stirrings of jealousy at her devotion to her father. Knowing he was flirting with disaster, he ignored that feeling, choosing instead to torment himself with the sight of her gently swaying hips as she left the room.

  Chapter Five

  Danielle closed the door to Jace’s office with a sigh of relief. He was too forceful and she was beginning to fear that she would lose herself after they were married. It would take every ounce of strength she’d gained over the years to maintain her identity.

  She glanced at the phone, feeling guilty for putting off the dreaded call for so long.

  Her father must be frantic.

  But for once, he was going to have to trust her to take care of things. For once, he was going to have to relinquish control to her. Maybe when this was over, he would finally realize that she was capable of helping him. His outdated notions about working women needed to be put aside.

  At the last minute, she lost her courage and simply left a cryptic message with her father’s secretary. A message that was sure to drive him to distraction. Danielle didn’t reveal where she was. She merely said she was staying with friends and that he shouldn’t worry, she was working on the money situation. She’d wanted to add that it was simply a matter of selling her soul.

  Her father wouldn’t understand her reasons for marrying Jace. She wasn’t totally certain she understood herself.

  After setting down the phone, Danielle fingered the locket at her throat, needing warmth, reassurance—strength. Jace’s touch still had the power to ignite her needs. No other man had ever affected her that way. But how could she bear to have him touch her every day as a husband touches his wife? How could she share his bed, share her body, when there was no love between them?

  How could she not after she’d pledged her life to him?

  All that remained of their past love was distrust, betrayal and deception. And she couldn’t see anything in their future that might be potent enough to erase their history.

  Children might ease the tension between them. She’d dreamed of having their children the first time she’d been with Jace. Then, it had been a distant fantasy, something for tomorrow. But three months ago, she’d celebrated her thirtieth birthday. Her childbearing years were growing shorter.

  When Jace had so callously rejected her love, she had focused all her energy on her career. After graduating from college with her business degree, she’d tried to convince her father to let her come and work for him. But he’d insisted she return to Jackson to take care of the house and perform hostess duties for him. He didn’t think women belonged in the corporate world, didn’t think they were hard enough, tough enough.

  After months of boredom and f
rustration, Danielle had set out to prove him wrong. Leaving the only home she’d ever known, she’d landed a good job at an investment firm in Denver and started a slow climb to one of the top positions in the company. But her father had been unimpressed. He had decided she was just going through a phase.

  When his call for help had come, she’d realized it was her last chance to convince her father she would do whatever was necessary to help the family business. And possibly her last chance to fulfill her desire for her own family.

  Since agreeing to a business marriage with Raymond, she’d allowed herself to dream. Those dreams had made her feel like she was being pulled between two worlds. She’d worked so long and hard to get into her father’s company, to win his approval.

  Taking care of a home and raising a family held a strong appeal, too, especially if she shared that life with the right man. Suddenly, she wasn’t certain she was capable of walking away from either dream without feeling like she’d cheated herself. But she was afraid to pursue them both, afraid of shortchanging either fantasy.

  Leaning back in Jace’s leather chair, she traced a pattern on the desktop. Two boys and two girls would be her ideal family. A smile crept over her face as she pictured a miniature version of Jace, stubbornly demanding his way. There would be squabbles, but also loads of laughter, something that had been lacking in her own childhood.

  On a day like today, the children would be outside, building elaborate snow creations. Jace would be working in his office. And Danielle would be in the kitchen, baking some delectable treat for an afternoon snack. The warmth of her illusion washed away her apprehension for a few seconds. At the sound of Jace’s voice, the negative emotions flooded back.

  “Share your thoughts?”

  Jace’s appearance was a cold dose of reality.

  The warm, cozy life she had envisioned might never exist. Unless she and Jace came to some sort of peace, their lives would never be that simple. She looked up and studied him leaning against the door frame in a deceptively casual pose. She couldn’t resist the question hovering on her lips. “Do you still want to have children?”