But she resisted.
“Lexie, what is it?”
“Dominic, it’s been a very emotional evening. We need some distance. Once you think about it, you’ll see that we can’t possibly—”
The edges of his vision darkened, everything around them vanishing until he could only see her, only hear in her voice that she was going to leave before they ever had a chance to begin—
“Marry me.” He had to bind her to him, had to find a way to keep her. Something inside him would be lost forever if she left.
She stiffened, her eyes going wide. “What?”
“Don’t go. Marry me, Lexie.” He could see the frown begin, the tiny shake of her head. He rushed to build his case. “I will wrap you in luxury every day of your life. I will take care of you. I will show you the world, give you anything your heart desires—”
She looked at him as if he’d slapped her. “I don’t need luxury, Dominic. You’re talking about things. I don’t care about things.”
She was slipping from his grasp, and he stood there helpless to detain her.
“I love you.” He’d never said those words to another soul, not since he was a small boy, easy and secure in the knowledge of his mother’s love, never knowing she’d be gone before he reached his tenth birthday. His breath coming hard, he prodded. “You told me you loved me. Was it a lie?”
“No.” She lifted that mesmerizing green gaze to his, sadness lurking in the shadows. “But that’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” He had to make her see. He fell back on logic, always his friend. “I love you. I want to take care of you. I can give you anything your heart desires.”
“Stop it, Dominic.” Fear rose in her eyes, fear he couldn’t understand. “Let me go. Just let me go.”
“I will not let you go. I love you—does that mean nothing? I’ve never said that to a woman in my life.”
She tried for a smile. “And I’m honored. But it doesn’t matter.”
He loosened his grip in astonishment, then snatched her back the second she pulled away. “Be still. You will explain to me. You are making no sense.”
Her lips tilted upward for a fleeting moment. He found himself almost wishing she’d cry. Tears would be better than this sad certainty that filled her gaze.
“I don’t fit in your world. I’m not glamorous or sleek like your other women. I’m not sophisticated or worldly, and I don’t want to be.” She gestured to the mansion behind him. “I don’t want your money or your big house. After I was orphaned, my grandfather wanted to give me everything—everything but love. It was all about power, about controlling me. I don’t want a palace. That life is a prison.” Her chin jutted. “I had to fight to stay out of that life once before. I like my little valley and my pickup and my dome. They’re me, the real me. I don’t want to belong in your world. Anyway, one day you’d regret being so impetuous.”
Raw fear rippled up his spine. “I am not being impetuous. I love you. I want to marry you. I’ll stay. I will never make you a prisoner.”
She closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly, a single tear leaking down her cheek. She thought she could believe he meant it, but that didn’t change the facts. “I can’t be what you need. Please, Dominic. Just let me go,” she whispered.
“You’re wrong, Lexie. Exactly who you are is what I need in my life. Do you want me to give up this place? I’ll do it. My life has been…empty. I didn’t know how much until I met a tomboy with grease on her cheek. I want my tomboy back. I want to try out the sultan’s bed.”
Her head rose quickly, a tiny spark lighting in her eyes. “You can come try it anytime you want.” Her voice was fond, but still so sad. “But you can’t give up your life. Look around you—” She gestured expansively. “All those people depend on you for their livelihoods. The success of Poseidon depends on a man I don’t know, a man who needs a queen by his side, not a tomboy, not a whim. And I can’t change who I am, not even for you.”
“You’re not a whim, damn it. And to hell with all of them—” He reached for her, but she sidestepped him.
“Please let me go. If you care about me at all, let me go.”
She wasn’t listening to him. He couldn’t reach her, and the knowledge filled his gut with ice-cold fear.
“Please, Dominic.” Her voice was an anguished whisper. “I just want to go home.”
“Nikos. Call me Nikos.” But it was clear she wouldn’t relent.
Logic had failed him. Protests of love had failed him, offering marriage had failed him. How did he reach her?
He wanted to sweep her up in his arms and carry her away, keep her close until he convinced her, until he made her see that her fears were nothing, that he would be there, that he would stay—
Words are easy. You can’t give up your life. All those people depend upon you.
They did, yes. But there had to be a way, damn it.
Dominic looked down into the face of the woman he would love for the rest of his life and knew a moment of terrible fear that he would lose her. Knew with an inner certainty that if he pushed her now, if he forced his will on her, something infinitely precious would slip beyond his grasp forever.
He didn’t want to do as she asked, didn’t want to let her out of his sight for a second, yet as he looked at her pale face, saw the exhaustion in every line of her frame, he knew that she was beyond argument right now. She did not trust words, and words were all he had at this moment. He didn’t know how to keep her and live up to the trust of the others, too.
Yet. But he would.
Dominic swallowed hard and took the biggest gamble of his life. He stepped away from her, his heart tearing inside his chest. “All right, Lexie. I’ll let you go home.” He felt like he couldn’t breathe. “But I insist on taking you there.”
She glanced up at him in surprise. “You don’t have to do that.” She nodded toward the dwindling crowd, seeing people waiting for him. “You’re needed here. You still need to talk to Max. Spike will take me home.”
He cursed beneath his breath. “I already told Max that I would give him a job, that I want to give him a generous share of the profits on Lightning Quest. Do not bother to argue. I am taking you home, and that’s that.”
Then, heart aching, chest too tight to breathe, he escorted her to his car in silence, resolving that this was only temporary, that he would find an answer for them.
When they reached her dome, he escorted her inside, taking a look around to assure himself all was secure.
And then he did the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.
He walked away and left Lexie there, alone.
But if she thought he would stay away—
She was right. She did not know Dominic Santorini.
Whose ancestors had been pirates.
Chapter Thirteen
Lexie punched down her pillow for the thousandth time that night, rolling again, searching for that elusive spot that would let her sleep—
And quit remembering.
Myriad images paraded past her closed eyelids. They wouldn’t go away when she opened her eyes, either.
Midnight eyes filled with confusion, with sorrow.
Dominic watching her as Bradley imprisoned her, locking away what she now knew was fear behind the impenetrable mask.
The certainty in his voice when he said I love you.
The power of his kiss, the need she could taste.
Her own longing to burrow against him and never leave.
But for every image related to Dominic, others rose from her past. Her father tucking her in one night—
And gone the next morning.
Hearing from others first that her boyfriend was getting married—to someone else.
Her grandfather’s scowl of disapproval that she could never measure up. Dominic might one day wear the same because she knew, even if he didn’t, that she couldn’t be his proper consort. Didn’t want to be—
Except how was she going to surv
ive never seeing him again?
Stop it—She leaped from the bed, tossed her pillow to the floor.
Rosebud yowled, darting away.
“Oh, Rosie—” Lexie sank to the floor, gathering the cat close, scalding tears leaking from her eyes. Her arms felt empty, her chest hollow. “I’m so afraid.”
Rosebud’s ears twitched, and Lexie heard it, too.
The rumble of a car engine coming up her drive.
A familiar rumble.
A T-bird.
She almost dropped the cat in her haste, scrambling from the floor, wiping her eyes as she ran to the window. She looked down in dismay at the old oversized T-shirt filled with holes.
But when she reached the window, no one was outside. Only Dominic’s T-bird—
With a huge bow on its hood and sign she couldn’t quite read.
She moved to the door, trying to get a good look. She still couldn’t see, so she stepped outside, glancing around to be sure no one could see her.
He’d vanished—or someone had. Or they were hiding, but whatever the explanation, she could not stand it—she had to see.
Lexie tiptoed over the damp grass to the T-bird, peering at the tag tied to the enormous red bow—
FREE TO A GOOD HOME—WITH ONE CONDITION
Lexie frowned slightly and looked around for the owner.
Dominic emerged from a clump of trees, his hands up in surrender, his smile that of Nikos, not the very serious owner of Poseidon.
He looked so good he stole her breath. Made her ache. Black T-shirt, black jeans…he looked every inch the rebel, the marauder.
“All right. I give up.”
The hard knot in her chest loosened slightly. “Give up what?”
“I won’t ask you to believe in my words. I won’t tell you I love you or ask you to marry me again. I want a simple business arrangement. We can put it in writing.”
Lexie frowned. “What kind of business arrangement?”
“You once told me my car needed a better mechanic, did you not?”
She cocked her head, wondering where he was headed. “Yes.”
“Do you see anyone here you might suggest?”
Lexie leaned forward. “You want me to be your mechanic?” It was a long way from being a wife.
He might keep a very straight face, but she spotted a spark in his eyes. “The sign says free to a good home—” He gestured around them. “Is this a good home?”
“Dominic, you can’t just give me your car.”
He folded his arms over his very broad chest. “Actually, I can.” One eyebrow lifted, and he’d never looked more like a pirate. “You will recall, however, that there is a condition.”
“A catch.”
A solemn nod. “As you say.” He only waited.
“What kind of catch?”
His face was all innocence. “In truth there is no better mechanic for this magnificent vehicle than myself—no disrespect intended.” White teeth flashed in a thoroughly disreputable grin, and she felt her tension unwinding.
“And if I feel disrespected?”
“That,” he shrugged, “is a pity. However, I could not let such an extraordinary vehicle go to a new home without knowing it would receive proper care.”
“I’ll take very good care of your car,” she said tartly.
“Oh, I am certain you will want to, but you will pardon me if I reserve judgment until I have spent some time observing for myself.”
“And just how long might that observation period take?”
“Quite a long time. I’ll need space in your closet. A drawer or two as well.” The buccaneer dared her, white teeth flashing.
“You want to move in? Live here?” Her heart skipped a beat. For a moment she panicked, realizing he hadn’t given up on love, hadn’t relinquished his proposal.
“You are here, are you not?”
“But you live in your mansion.”
“You don’t like my mansion.”
“But—”
He spoke over her. “Do you know Jackson Gallagher?”
“What?” She blinked, trying to catch up. “From Sweetgrass Springs?”
“The very one. We are competitors, but we are also colleagues, in a way, and we speak now and again. He once lived in a mansion, owned many homes, in fact, as I do.”
“You own other homes?”
“You are going to hold that against me, as well, without even seeing them? Fine, I’ll sell them.”
“You can’t sell—you can’t move here. You—”
“I can live anywhere I wish.” For a second, his cheerful masked slipped, and she saw him vulnerable. “Even here, if you would let me.”
“But, Nikos—”
He flashed a wide white smile of pure pleasure. “Thank you. I am Nikos with you, always. Thank you for remembering.”
“Nikos, you can’t—” His beautiful dark eyes locked on hers, and in them she saw worlds. A life. A future.
What was she waiting for? What would she need to be able to take the next step with this man who had surmounted his own past, his own doubts, enough to believe in her despite the case that Bradley had built against her?
Could she do less? Would she forever deny her heart’s dreams, trapped forever in the past, giving up the future that beckoned from this man’s eyes?
Suddenly her vision blurred. This man…she could love. This man intrigued her; he didn’t scare her. She loved him with all her heart and soul. She wanted nothing more than to wake up to him each morning, lie down with him each night, to share anything and everything in between.
“Dominic, look at me.”
“Nikos.” He gave her a slow, thorough perusal, branding his way down her body without ever touching her. “And I am looking.”
“I can’t be your society page partner. I’m not that woman. I’ll mix up the forks at fancy dinners. I’d rather die than wear designer clothes.” She swallowed hard and held out her arms. “This is me, Dominic—the real me. Holey T-shirts, dirt on my feet.”
“Nikos.” He stalked her like a lion after his mate, his dark gazing burning her. “And the only thing I would change—” His voice turned husky as he stopped before her. “Is that you are wearing too damn many clothes.”
She stepped back, the look in his eyes stealing her breath. “You’re not hearing what I’m saying.”
“I hear, but you’re speaking nonsense. None of that matters.” He leaned down as though to kiss her but stopped less than a breath away. “You do not have to believe this can work or that I love you. You do not have to believe I will stay. I am prepared to spend every last minute of my life proving all three to you, however long it takes.”
His body was so close that she could feel the heat from him sinking into her skin. She swayed toward him.
He took a step backward, and she moaned. “I want to believe you. I do.”
“I have never let another human being drive my T-bird. No one but you has laid a finger on its engine.” His eyes were lasers. “How can you believe I would give any less than everything to the woman who is the very breath of my body? I don’t need my mansion. I don’t even need my company as long as I can be certain my employees are safe and well-cared-for. What I do need with my every last breath is you and your big heart. You are everything to me, every dream I ever had but despaired of finding.”
He closed the gap between them. “You can resist all you want, be afraid as long as you need, but I am not going anywhere, Lexie. Ever.”
He traced one long finger down her cheek as he had once traced a smear of grease. “I did not get so wealthy by giving up easily. You will fall in love with me and you will marry me and you will—”
She stopped his demands with her mouth, sealing her lips to his. Gasping an oath, he pulled her into his body so tightly she could barely breathe, his mouth hungry and needy and filled with promises she found herself ready to believe—
Eager to believe. Eager to begin. She dug her fingers into his hair and nestle
d closer—
Then broke away from the kiss before she lost her mind.
“Lexie—” he growled, reaching for her.
She danced back, just out of his reach. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” She managed to smile though her breathing faltered, her heart all but leaping from her chest.
“What? Stop torturing me, you little minx.”
She cocked one hip, holding out her hand. “The keys. The deal is not valid until I see those keys in my hot little hand.”
His eyes promising delicious retribution, he dug into his jeans pocket as her eyes followed his hand to see ample evidence of how badly he wanted her.
He tossed her the keys, and she snagged them, closing her fingers around them. He leaned toward her, and she darted around him. “Not now, Dominic. I want to drive my car.”
Her legs flew out from beneath her as he swooped her into his arms and turned, heading back toward the dome, his eyes fierce, his grip one she could not break—even if she wanted to.
“Later. You promised that I could try the sultan’s bed anytime I wanted. I want it now.”
Midnight eyes glowed as his mouth lowered to hers, his lips brushing hers with unmistakable tenderness.
“You are a bossy man, Dominic.”
“Call me Nikos, Lexie. Please. I want to be that man with you. Always.”
Tears of relief, of hope, of a budding new trust blurred her vision. Fiercely, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “All right, Nikos. One drawer. Maybe two.”
His grin could have lit up the world. He shouldered aside the door.
And then Lexie’s pirate strode to the sultan’s bed as though she were plundered treasure stolen from the sea. He laid her down like something precious and fine, then stood over her, his midnight eyes filled with love and hope and heat and promise.
He held out one hand to shake. “Done.”
Lexie slid her hand into his—and then jerked hard.
Texas Magic Page 17
