The Cowboy Proposes... Marriage?

by Cathy Forsythe

  She winced. “I forgot. Usually when I shop, I get suits for work. One of those would be perfect. If we stop by the house, it would only take me a minute to gather everything together.”

  He pictured her, hair tight, clothes buttoned up, a businesslike mask on her face. That wasn’t what he wanted for his bride. “No suit.” Jace bent forward, determined to be reasonable, but just as determined to make her change her mind. “I want to see you walking toward me in something special, something soft Do it for me.”

  Her joy from the morning faded away and she looked down. “You almost act as if we’re marrying for love.” She traced a fold in the pristine white tablecloth, her voice low.

  He reached across the table, needing contact with her, wanting her to understand. “Dani.” He sighed when he saw the flash of irritation in her eyes. “I don’t want to fight you every step of the way. But I do want you to have a nice wedding.”

  “That’s a lovely thought, Jace, but a little out of character with the rest of your caveman tactics. Besides, I imagine we’ll simply have a quick ceremony in front of the preacher and get on with our lives.”

  Every little girl dreamed of her wedding. Because of their circumstances, he was forced to deny her those satin-and-lace fantasies. Jace tried to ignore the guilt tweaking at his conscience. It would still be a memorable time for them. He would make it memorable. The plans had been set and he had every intention of surprising her. But now it was essential to gain her cooperation.

  He nodded as a bowl of soup was placed in front of her. “Eat your lunch. We have some ground to cover in the next hour.”

  It took almost all of that hour before they found what Jace was looking for. The dress was a soft, flowing creation of satin and lace that showed just enough of her leg to tease and tempt

  As if she didn’t already tempt him to distraction.

  “Do you like it?” He held the dress up for her inspection.

  “It’s beautiful, Jace.” She smiled softly, reaching out to finger a section of lace. “Very romantic.” Then she spoiled it all by checking the price tag. “But far too expensive for something I’ll only wear once.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Somehow I doubt price has ever stopped you before.”

  She had the grace to look a little abashed.

  “Nothing’s too expensive for my bride.” It didn’t take much encouragement for her to try it on and he insisted she model it for him.

  She peeked over the dressing-room door. “But it’s bad luck for you to see me in my dress before the wedding.”

  “Sweetness, if we haven’t jinxed this wedding yet, we can’t possibly do it now. Let me see you.”

  His heart stopped when she stepped out and shyly did a slow turn for him.

  His bride. His wife.

  Words he thought he’d never have an opportunity to use in connection with Danielle. He frowned when he caught the gleam of the locket she never seemed to be without. But when she stepped closer and peered at him through her eyelashes, he forgot all about the ever present piece of jewelry.

  “Do you like it?”

  Stroking his fingers across her cheek, he lowered his head to tease her lips with his own. “You are beautiful.” His mouth sought hers again. He kept the kiss chaste and sweet, pride for his bride-to-be swelling inside him. “Wear the dress to the lodge. Let me enjoy you in it until the ceremony.”

  She nodded her agreement.

  The clerk quickly picked out accessories, helped remove the tags and rang up the purchases. Jace experienced a twinge of regret when she covered the dress with her long wool coat but consoled himself with the thought of revealing the dress later, when the moment was perfect.

  As they walked by the lingerie department, Jace couldn’t resist pausing to finger a see-through creation designed with the express purpose of driving a man wild. His imagination filled in the flowing material and he could envision Danielle, waiting for him, a welcoming light in her eyes.

  “No, Jace.”

  Her tone was laced with amusement but brooked no argument.

  He turned and almost grinned at the high spots of color in her cheeks. She knew exactly what he’d been thinking. “Why not? It would be perfect for our wedding night.”

  “I thought this was a business merger.”

  “Does that mean we can’t enjoy ourselves?”

  “Yes.” She went over to another rack, one with serviceable flannel nightgowns on sale. Winnowing through the choices, she finally held one up. “What do you think of this?”

  The high collar and long sleeves left everything to the imagination, and the frolicking teddy bears printed on the fabric were anything but sexy. But Jace figured the gown would keep her warm when he wasn’t available to do the job himself. “I’d say it’s perfect.” He smiled when she blinked at him in surprise. Two could play this game. A game he fully intended to win.

  Suddenly impatient to get on the road, Jace paid for the nightgown and hustled Danielle. outside. They had one more stop to make, the most important one of all.

  When he parked in front of the courthouse, Danielle stared at the building for a long moment. Jace walked around to her door, pulled it open and held out his hand.

  “Should I carry you inside?”

  She stiffened before a smile tugged at her lips. “That would certainly give them something to talk about.” She stepped down without his help, but when she tried to walk past him, he grabbed her hand, tucking her fingers into his.

  The paperwork was short, impersonal. Then the clerk spoiled her stern image with a smile and a wink. “Have fun, kids.”

  It was a matter of minutes until they were on the outskirts of Jackson, headed for the lodge—and their destiny.

  Laboring snowplows left them idling on the highway for almost thirty minutes. With each second that ticked by, Jace felt his impatience build. He checked his watch, figured they still had plenty of time and tried not to anticipate the evening ahead.

  He would move slowly with Dani if it killed him. He wanted to indulge himself and take extra time to learn the changes eleven years had made in her body, make certain he fulfilled her every wish and desire.

  But most of all, he wanted to hold her while she came apart in his arms. He wanted to watch as the need and desire grew to a breaking point in her, then push her over the edge. And he wanted to do it over and over.

  When they arrived at the lodge, it was to discover that their room wasn’t ready yet. The impatience simmered hotter.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” the manager explained. “Because of the weather, not all our staff were able to make it to work today. We’re running a bit behind schedule.”

  Jace bit back harsh words, certain the powers-that-be were trying to test his resistance to Danielle. After securing their luggage, he turned to her, asking what she wanted to do for the next hour.

  “Run away?”

  The twinkle in her eyes assured him she was only partly serious. As the day wore on, she had become more comfortable with him, with their situation. The tensions between them had shifted and become tangled with a potent blend of discovery and desire.

  When he didn’t respond, she made another suggestion. “Let’s just look around. This is such a beautiful area and I want to catch a little sun before it goes back into hibernation again.”

  They wandered the carefully shoveled pathway that led through a snow-covered garden. Jace smiled when he realized he was trying to think of excuses to take her hand in his. He’d cupped her elbow to help her over several icy patches, but she’d immediately pulled away again. He wanted a connection with her, an assurance.

  Finally, he realized he didn’t need a reason. And with a firm grasp, he pulled her hand into his and laced their fingers together. She glanced at him, obviously puzzled, but didn’t try to pull away.

  Their silence was comfortable, companionable until she spoke again. “Do you really believe my father set you up?”

  A different kind of tension flowed through him. Sto
pping, Jace stared at the Grand Tetons in the distance, hoping to draw strength from the craggy peaks. He couldn’t tell her, not yet, not while their relationship was still so fragile.

  But one day she would have to know that two years after she’d left town, her father had gloated at a party about how he’d gotten rid of that worthless Jace Farrell. And when Jace walked into that conversation, everyone else had shown the good sense to melt away.

  But Tyrone Simmons had smiled at Jace and announced that finally they were even. Jace’s father had outmaneuvered the Simmons company in a land deal years before Jace was even born. The failed deal had cost the wealthy family both in money and in pride.

  In Tyrone’s mind, he had not only rescued his precious daughter from a poverty-stricken existence, but he’d also extracted a belated revenge in the process. Everything had worked out perfectly for the Simmons family once again.

  And Jace knew he couldn’t admit that he’d gone to her engagement party to prove Simmons was the true loser. Jace wanted to show the family that he’d succeeded without their help and was now more successful than they were. He wanted to rub their noses in the fact that if he chose to, he could save them. But he’d had no intention of offering.

  Then he’d seen Danielle for the first time in too many years and some unnamed emotion had kicked him in the gut. His motives and intentions shifted. He’d remembered what had brewed between them before.

  And he wanted it again.

  Today, she was almost within his grasp.

  Danielle touched his arm, bringing his attention back to her, to the moment. “I need an answer, Jace. Do you really believe my father set you up?”

  He sighed, not wanting to ruin their tenuous truce with the truth. He tugged his hat a little lower over his eyes. “Yes, I do.”

  Pain and doubt flickered over her features. “Why?”

  “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.” He glanced at his watch, relieved to see they needed to meet with the minister soon. “Right now, I believe we have a wedding to attend.”

  A frown marred her smooth forehead. “I believe I’d like you to answer me now.” The quiet insistence in her voice gave him pause.

  If he said anything, an argument would ensue. And she could get angry enough to refuse to go through with her promise.

  Glad of the interruption, he watched as a clerk from the lodge made his way toward them.

  “Your room will be ready in about an hour.”

  Jace held back his growing frustration. This wasn’t anyone’s fault, unless he wanted to get angry at the weather.

  “I’m afraid I have some additional bad news.”

  One more delay and Jace was certain he’d lose his temper. As it was, his demand was sharp. “What?”

  “The minister has been delayed. Due to the heavy snow, he won’t arrive until morning. He promised to try to be here by nine o’clock.”

  The fantasies of the night ahead disappeared in a puff of reality. And the desire that had been intensifying all day clenched at his insides.

  Danielle’s quiet sigh of relief only irritated Jace further.

  Chapter Seven

  The walk to their room was a tension-filled, silent affair. When they stopped in front of the door, Danielle turned to face him, tempted to hold out her hand for a handshake in order to set the tone for their goodbye.

  But she didn’t.

  Because she realized that she really wanted him to kiss her. But if she allowed that, she wouldn’t have the strength to halt what might develop.

  He took a step toward her.

  She retreated against the door, trying to resolve her inner battle.

  His eyes spoke of seduction. “We’ll be married in the morning.”

  Danielle clenched her hands into fists to prevent herself from pulling him closer, to keep herself from weaving her fingers through his thick hair. Dipping his head, Jace nibbled a path of kisses from her chin to the neckline of her wedding dress.

  He tempted her so badly.

  “Jace, please.”

  He paused, sucked in a deep breath and raised his gaze to meet hers. The blue fire burning in his eyes almost made her relent. She wanted those flames to consume her, to burn away the pain of their past.

  “I want you, Danielle. And I’m not willing to wait another night to have you.”

  It took all her willpower to push her hands against his chest. He inched back just enough to give her room to breathe, but not enough so she could think clearly. With one hand braced against the door behind her, he watched, waited. All she had to cling to was her vow not to make love with him until they were married. It had been a meaningful promise when she’d made it, even if that importance was fading in the face of his desire.

  She slid away from him, away from temptation. He remained as he was, his back to her.

  “You’re going to refuse me again?”

  “I’ll be your wife in every way after the wedding. Please respect that, respect me.”

  He finally turned to face her. “Oh, I respect you.” His grin was a rueful twist of his lips. “That doesn’t make me want you any less.” Reluctance in every move, he crossed the hall to the second room he’d been obliged to rent. “And that won’t make my bed any wanner tonight.” He unlocked the door, then turned to face her once more. “Are you sure?”

  She wasn’t. But she couldn’t back down now. “Yes.” The word was barely loud enough for her to hear, but he understood and nodded before disappearing into his room.

  Danielle stood in the empty hallway, listening to the rapid staccato of her own heart, willing her breathing to slow. After a moment, she opened her own door, closing it with a decisive click.

  A minor image of herself waited inside and Danielle studied her reflection ruefully. All dressed up and no place to go.

  Frustration filled her.

  She’d been granted a short reprieve. But suddenly, she wasn’t completely certain she wanted it.

  The day with Jace had been close to perfect. Their hours together had reminded her why she had fallen in love with him the first time. The marriage was inevitable. And so was the loving.

  She wanted the ceremony over with, the vows spoken and witnessed. She wanted to spend the night in Jace’s arms, wanted to remember how safe and secure she’d always felt with him in the past. She wanted to melt the cold ice that had settled around her heart.

  Danielle looked around the cozy room with regret It was a room for lovers. The fireplace had been lit by a well-trained bellhop and glowed with a friendly flame. The lights were turned low and every piece of furniture had been selected with the comfort of two lovers in mind. A bottle of champagne was chilling by the bed.

  Not even the teasing bubbles of the numbing wine would keep her warm tonight.

  She trailed her fingers across the downy quilt. It seemed a waste to sleep alone in the big four-poster bed. But one of the few things left in her life that she still had control over was when she and Jace made love. And she intended to make him wait until they were married, even if it killed her.

  Stretching and straining, she managed to tug down the zipper at the back of her wedding dress. For a moment, she toyed with the idea of walking across the hall and asking Jace for his help. But she also knew exactly where that would lead. Her actions would be an open invitation.

  Pulling off her dress, she carefully hung it in the closet, smoothing her hand over the white lace. It was a lovely dress and it warmed her heart to think that Jace cared enough to pick it out for her.

  As she slid her new nightgown over her head, she knew even the soft flannel wouldn’t manage to warm her tonight. And she wished that she had let Jace buy her the frothy creation he’d been fingering.

  She wanted him so badly she ached with the need.

  As she slipped between the cool sheets, she couldn’t halt memories of Jace’s touch, his kisses. Punching her pillow, she berated herself for her own stubbornness. It was going to be a long night.

  But to her surprise, s
he slept straight through until a knock at her door roused her from a deep sleep. Waking slowly, she found her arms wrapped around the extra pillow as if she were embracing her lover. She shrank away from the image, uncomfortable with how often her thoughts were occupied with the idea of making love to Jace.

  The knock sounded again.

  Shoving a tangle of curls from her eyes, she stumbled to the door, cringing as the cool air swept up her nightgown. Without questioning her early morning caller, she jerked the door open.

  And forgot how to breathe at the sight of a handsome cowboy draped against the door frame, his arms crossed, his smile slowly fading.

  “You’re beautiful even in flannel” Jace’s voice held a husky throb. Without hesitation, he reached for her and drew her close. As her unrestrained breasts came into contact with the hard plane of his chest, desire swamped her. Her blood awoke and hummed through her veins, wiping away all traces of sleepiness.

  His mouth covered hers, his tongue begging entry—a request she gladly granted. His hands cupped her bottom and pulled her more tightly to him, wedging her against the evidence of his own burgeoning desire. She wanted to invite him in, to let nature take its course, but this time, it was Jace who resisted temptation.

  He drew in a ragged breath. “I came to see if you wanted breakfast.” A grin flashed over his lips as a wicked wink closed one eye. “I wasn’t expecting you to be the main course.”

  A few more hours. She just had to resist that deadly charm a few more hours. Then she could share the lovemaking without feeling as if she’d lost a major battle. Confident in her ability to control the situation, she smiled and leaned back to study his face.

  “I’m not on the menu. But if you’ll give me thirty minutes, I’ll be ready to join you downstairs.”

  He sighed in exaggerated disappointment. “I guess I could settle for bacon and eggs.”

  She pushed the door closed on his wounded expression, feeling a tingle of anticipation—a tingle that stayed with her until she opened the door again. Her breath caught when she saw Jace, still leaning against the doorjamb, desire smoldering in his gaze.