The Cowboy Proposes... Marriage?

by Cathy Forsythe

  His breath caught in his lungs as he absorbed her words.

  Then with a tug, she pulled him down so his lips met hers. The kiss was sweet, healing, offering a salvation he desperately needed.

  His senses swimming from her touch, he struggled to drag himself away. When she tried to follow his mouth, he put his hands on each side of her head and held her still. Her eyelids were half-closed, her lips already looking well kissed, and bright spots of color shaded her cheeks.

  “If you wanted me, why the hell did we have to wait so long?”

  Her teeth tortured her bottom lip. “You left me little choice in matters that would affect the rest of my life. I’d lost control of everything—everything but when I gave myself to you.”

  Yes, he’d done that. He should feel guilty. But he didn’t. Not when the reward was this version of Danielle, warm and willing.

  Her tongue traced her lips, the look in her eyes an open invitation. “I choose tonight.”

  Draw the moment our. The words taunted him and he knew the reward would be all the sweeter for the wait. One more hard kiss, then he set her on her feet. “Then I suggest we order some dinner so we can keep our strength up.”

  She laughed, delight and surprise reflected in the sound. “I thought you were anxious to get to bed.”

  He stood, crowding her space, but she didn’t back away. “Oh, I am, darlin’. Once I get you there, I don’t want any complaints. By feeding you first, I’ll eliminate one problem.” He grinned. “When I make love to you, I want you thinking only about me and how I’m making you feel.” Grabbing the room service menu, he sat in front of the fireplace and pulled her down beside him. “What are you hungry for?”

  “You.” She reached over and nibbled at his ear.

  Jace dragged in a long breath of air, desperately trying to gain some control. When she traced his ear with her tongue, he gave up the battle. Tossing the menu aside, he captured her mouth, easing her to the floor. Their breaths mingled, their tongues collided, and their bodies touched in every way possible.

  Then Danielle’s stomach growled. Loudly.

  Jace broke away from the temptation of her mouth, resting his forehead on her shoulder. Silent laughter vibrated beneath him and he smiled. When he broke into a deep chuckle, her laughter blended with his.

  She stroked her hand down his back. “I guess you have a point. Maybe we’d better eat first.”

  Needing a break in the tension strung between them, he tickled her ribs, eliciting a squeal. As she rolled away from him, he watched the firelight dance over her, the shadows revealing and concealing. He could only hope room service responded quickly. They had more important matters to attend to.

  When she stood, he remained on the floor, enjoying the view of shapely nylon-clad legs.

  “I wish I had something more comfortable to change into.” Smoothing her hand down her stomach, she molded the dress closer. Jace followed her movement with his gaze, then forced himself to look into her eyes.

  Bracing both hands behind his head, he watched her through half-closed eyes. “I don’t. Half the fun will be getting you out of that dress.”

  She knelt in front of him, hunching her shoulders forward so her neckline gaped just enough to capture his gaze, but not enough to satisfy. “Maybe if I just ate the chocolate the maid left on our pillows...”

  If he didn’t move now, it would happen right here, right now. And that wasn’t the way he’d planned the seduction of his new bride.

  Jace surged to his feet, then reached out to help her up. She stood slowly, remaining close enough that he could feel her heat. He touched a fingertip to her nose. “Hold that thought.”

  Her slow smile almost made him forget his determination to wait.

  He cleared his throat and turned away. Food. He needed to concentrate on food. Then he could focus all his attention on her. “What are you hungry for?”

  “Surprise me. I need to freshen up.”

  She disappeared into the bathroom. The bathroom with the oversize hot tub he had every intention of sampling later—with Danielle.

  Picking two meals off the varied menu, he quickly ordered, adding a bottle of vintage wine to their meal. And chocolate for dessert.

  When the meal arrived, Danielle had still not reappeared. Jace had paced over to the door several times, listening, wondering what she was up to. He couldn’t hear anything and was amazed to realize that he missed her, missed her electric presence in the room, missed catching her glance, inhaling her perfume.

  The idea that she’d become so important to him so quickly disturbed him. He didn’t want to care too much. That would give her a power over him he wasn’t willing to let her wield

  Still no Danielle.

  Jace went to the bathroom door and knocked. “Dani? Dinner’s here.” The door opened so quickly he was certain she’d been standing right behind it. He eyed her carefully. Something was different “Everything okay?”

  “Sorry.” She blew out a sharp breath. “I just needed to think.”

  Fear clutched at his gut. Was it possible he could still lose her? “About us?”

  She bit her lip, hesitating. “I’ve always heard that without love, sex isn’t truly satisfying. It was so good between us before.” A frown marred her forehead. “What if I disappoint you?”

  He wanted to prove to her right now that disappointment wasn’t even a consideration. But he could see that she needed to be enticed, not lectured.

  He stretched out a hand and stroked her neck. “Feel that?”

  She shivered. “Yes.”

  “I react the same way to you. And the more we touch, the closer we get, the stronger that sensation will be.”

  He took her hand and led her to the table, seating her gently. Brushing her hair aside, he pressed his lips to the nape of her neck. Another shudder rippled through her. Then he traced his fingertips over the back of her neck, delighting in her reaction.

  “You can’t possibly think you won’t respond to my touch.” Leaning over, he brushed a quick kiss on her lips. “Or that I won’t respond to yours.”

  The flush of color in her face assured him he’d made his point

  Rather than take his seat at the opposite side of the table, he pulled his chair around so he could sit cornerways from her. With a flourish, he took the covers off the food. Rich scents wafted up to greet him, adding a new dimension to his ... appetite. When Danielle picked up her fork, he stopped her with a touch to her hand.

  “Let me.”

  He lifted his fork and brought a piece of the succulent crab cake to Danielle’s lips. She smiled, the doubts beginning to fade from her eyes, but she didn’t open her mouth. He teased her with the fork until she finally parted her lips, delicately taking his offering.

  He’d never seen anything sexier.

  She returned the favor with a grilled shrimp. And since his impatience was growing in direct proportion to his need, he ate it quickly.

  Their play became more foreplay than nourishment.

  The wine that came with the meal only served to increase his need. Now. He needed her right now. And from the sensual glow in her eyes, he suspected she felt the same. Pulling her hand into his, he tasted each finger. Her eyes dilated; her breath shortened.

  “I think the chocolate can wait. I’d rather have you for dessert.”

  Standing, he gave a gentle tug and she followed him. He let his gaze travel the length of her, knowing he couldn’t bear to delay another minute. He needed to touch her, to hear her cries of pleasure. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her while he edged down the zipper on her dress.

  Savoring the moment, desperately needing to move forward, yet not wanting to end this exquisite anticipation, he kissed her lips, tracing the naked skin of her back with his fingertips. Nudging the dress from her shoulders with his mouth, he waited for it to slide off. But when it caught on her breasts, he smiled.

  “Playing hard to get?”

  With a wiggle and a shrug, she urge
d the dress onto the floor. “If I were playing hard to get, cowboy, you wouldn’t have me at your mercy.”

  Unsnapping her bra, he exposed the ripe bounty underneath. Nuzzling her with his lips, he couldn’t resist asking, “And are you at my mercy?”

  His hands explored lower.

  She melted against him. “Oh, yes.”

  He backed her toward the bed as he removed the remainder of her clothing. His own quickly followed. When she was bathed in nothing more than the firelight, he eased her down onto the bed. The only thing left to adorn Danielle’s perfection was the locket. Taking her lips, Jace reached around her neck to unfasten it. But her hands on his wrists halted his action.

  “No.” She softened her refusal with a smile. “That doesn’t come off.”

  He glared at the locket, wondering again at its significance, feeling that the golden heart was somehow standing between them. But he was too close to what he had desperately wanted to possess for so long to argue with her. Sweeping his hand over the length of her, he savored the sensation of skin against skin—hers against his.

  “I want a family, Dani. I want to start one now, tonight. Is that okay?”

  Her eyes wide, her breathing labored, she nodded.

  He kissed her, absorbing the essence of her deep inside himself. It was time to end the torment for both of them. It was time to make her his wife in every way possible.

  Poised above her, he forced himself to stop one last time. “Are you sure about this?”

  Her gaze held his. “Yes.”

  Her soft answer brushed against his skin, setting off a shiver of expectation. “Once we have a child, I’ll never let you go.”

  “I know.”

  He hesitated, giving her a chance to change her mind, then settled against her, making the final move to fulfill all his fantasies. From the depth of her gasp, he felt sure he was also fulfilling Danielle’s.

  The reality of touching her, being with her, was better than anything he remembered. Even his dreams couldn’t compare with the ecstasy of touching her like this. Holding her tightly, he flew to incredible heights, making certain she rose with him every step of the way.

  When they finally reached the top, sensation burst over him, searing and soothing. Her delighted sounds filled him as she joined him at the pinnacle. He lost all sense of time and space. There was only Danielle.

  She was the entire focus of his world.

  As he floated back to earth, Jace rolled away, pulling Danielle with him until she was snuggled against his side. She curled one leg over his and began tracing patterns on his chest.

  Satisfaction filled Jace, washing away the years of bitterness and anger. This moment felt so right—like something the universe had carefully orchestrated. Holding her, loving her, was what he’d waited for, had struggled for. This was his destiny.

  He allowed his eyes to drift shut, the sleepless nights of the past few days suddenly overwhelming him. For once, he could truly rest. When he woke, it wouldn’t be to the aching emptiness of a lonely bed. It would be to the warm vitality of his Dani girl.

  A touch of metal changed his thoughts from what they had just shared to what still stood between them. The locket had slid to the side, resting on his shoulder, a cold reminder that everything was far from perfect between them. His fingers curled around the intricate gold heart. She’d worn it the first time they met. As reality intruded, the sense of satisfaction slipped away.

  “Tell me about the locket.” It wasn’t a request, but he couldn’t suppress the jealousy nipping at him. He sensed rather than saw her gentle smile, her dreamy-eyed pleasure in the moment. And the jealousy increased.

  “It was a gift from my father.”

  Jace tensed. Daddy again. Even after sharing the sweetest lovemaking, Daddy still stood between them.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.” He wanted to ask her to remove it, but deep in his heart, he knew she would refuse. This moment between them was too special to spoil with an argument, but the need to make her completely his, without interference from her father, was overpowering.

  He rolled his head to the side, watching her face. The expression reflected there told him just how difficult the battle he’d chosen to fight would be.

  Her smile was tender and she touched the locket, a gesture he’d seen her make a thousand times. It was almost as if she received strength from the golden heart.

  “He gave it to me when I was five. My mother had just left us and I was devastated.” She bit her lip and stared at the ceiling.

  Jace’s heart twisted as he watched her reliving the memories. He could see the little girl’s pain. And he wanted to make it go away. But his own emptiness crept back. He may have won the battle, but the war was just beginning. Danielle didn’t belong to him yet. And he wanted her, needed her, heart and soul. He wouldn’t settle for anything less.

  “I was having horrible nightmares, wouldn’t leave the house. My dad says I was convinced he would disappear, too. Finally, he bought me this necklace. When he put it around my neck, he told me it was a symbol of his love and a promise that he would always be with me as long as I wore it.”

  She pressed her lips together, her fingers automatically going to her neck. “I haven’t taken it off since.” When she turned to look at him, her green eyes glowed with unshed tears. “And he’s always been there for me.”

  The anger that ripped through Jace startled him. He knew Simmons wasn’t the paragon Danielle thought him to be. Jace knew that Simmons was manipulative, controlling—and the man who’d coldly destroyed their young love so many years ago. Daddy was more interested in having the perfect daughter to flaunt in society than he was in having Danielle happy.

  Burying his anger deep in a dark corner of his soul, he pulled Danielle over until she lay on top of him. Brushing her hair back, he tilted her face and held it so she was forced to look at him.

  The locket swung between them, taunting him with its power.

  “I’ve promised to take care of you now, Danielle. I spoke those vows in front of God and I take my vows very seriously.”

  He could see the confusion in her eyes. Absently, she stroked his cheek, but didn’t respond.

  “From now on, it’s my place to provide for you in every way. We’ll have a good life.” He hesitated, knowing that his request might well dictate whether they went on to have a real marriage or simply lived together in the same house.

  Fear almost stopped him. Now that he’d touched her again, he knew he couldn’t lose her. But he wasn’t certain he was capable of sharing her with her father, either. He wanted more than just sex and a housemate. He wanted all of her. Forgiveness for her lack of faith eleven years ago was still a long way off, but he was confident they could overcome even that.

  What they couldn’t overcome was further interference from Daddy.

  “I’d like for you to take the necklace off.”

  She pulled back slightly, but he held her close. “No, Jace.”

  His heart sank. He was losing to Simmons again. The little piece of Jace’s heart that had edged open, hoping to find some peace with Danielle, sealed shut again, tightly. “You’re going to let him come between us—a second time?”

  Her lips tightened. “I can’t believe what you say about him. He’s my father. And he’s always taken care of me.”

  This wasn’t like the past. It was much worse. Because this time, they were married, had made a commitment Jace refused to break. He wouldn’t let her walk away without a hell of a fight. “How can you believe—”

  She pressed her fingers against his lips. “Please, Jace. I’m begging you. Not now. Don’t ruin this night for me, for us. Let it lie.”

  He struggled, needing to change her mind, needing her unlimited faith and trust. Needing all of her.

  But she was right. This wasn’t the time. He’d worked so hard to make this night special for her. He didn’t want the memories tainted by an argument.

  She’d married h
im for the money she had to have to save her father. That had been clear from the first. Her love for her father still reigned paramount. Jace could only hope that someday he stood a chance of earning that same strong sense of loyalty from his wife.

  “This isn’t over, Danielle.”

  Her silence was more answer than he needed.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, her hair splayed out across his chest. Her breathing slowed, her muscles relaxed. He held her close, feeling her heart beat against his as he wondered about their future.

  Jace watched the play of firelight on the ceiling for a long time. In his headlong bid to possess Danielle, he’d created his own little corner of hell. He’d created a life where he had the woman he wanted, couldn’t keep from touching her, from making love to her, yet he could never allow himself to fall in love with her.

  Because she still held the power to destroy him.

  Desperate to make her his, to make her understand, he woke her with caresses and kisses, making love to her again. This time, their coming together wasn’t a bittersweet, gentle bonding. He possessed her body, demanded her response and made certain she again reached the heights with him.

  But through it all, the anger burned deep inside, driving him to discover a way to defeat Tyrone Simmons.

  Afterward, when they lay in each other’s arms, sated and exhausted, he knew he still hadn’t managed to erase the specter of Daddy standing between them.

  The sense of betrayal, the old anger, burned hotter.

  She was his. He wouldn’t lose her a second time.

  The silence of the room surrounded them and he moved against her before pulling her closer still to his warmth.

  Danielle lay spooned against Jace, her eyes open wide as she stared at the fading flames in the fireplace. The false peace she’d surrounded herself with the past two days had disappeared.

  She could love him again.

  If she wasn’t very, very careful, her heart would fall for him. He said all the right words, made all the right gestures. Any other woman would be delighted to call him husband and not think about a small issue like love.