Marriage Prey

by Annette Broadrick

  "I need to go back tomorrow. My supervisors frown on my using up all my vacation time and then asking for more time off."

  "There's no need to rush, is there? I want us to take time to plan. Because Mom and Dad ran off and got married, she's always wanted me to have a large church wedding with all the trimmings. Those take time to arrange."

  "Plus the logistics of getting all my family from California to Texas for the ceremony. You're right," he said, scooping her up, "the details can work themselves out. In the meantime..."

  He decided to show her instead of tell her what he had in mind. Steve placed her on the bed and carefully unbuttoned her shirt, then unfastened her jeans, sliding them down her long, shapely legs.

  He wanted to take his time and enjoy every inch of her. However, he wasn't sure he had that kind of restraint.

  "I didn't expect to ever make love to you again," he admitted, placing tiny kisses along her neck and shoulders, then down to the top of her bra. He unfastened it, tossing it aside. He stroked the tip of her breast with his tongue, smiling when she squirmed beneath him.

  "You're still dressed," she complained, pushing,at his shirt. "I can't get used to seeing you in clothes. I keep thinking of your bare chest when I visualize you."

  He sat up and quickly removed his clothing before stretching out on the bed beside her once more. She immediately ran her fingers over his chest, causing his skin to ripple in response.

  As though impatient, Robin suddenly pushed him over on his back and straddled him. She leaned forward and rubbed her breasts against him, then started kissing him, seductively using her tongue to tease and provoke him. With a strangled laugh, he relaxed and said, ' 'Take me. I'm yours."

  "You'd better be," she whispered, arousing him to a fever pitch before finally sheathing him and riding him to a tumultuous climax that left them both quivering and breathlessly holding each other.

  They dozed. Steve awoke sometime later when he heard a noise in the room. He opened his eyes and discovered that Robin had gotten out of bed. She stood at the window looking out, wearing his shirt.

  It looked sexy as hell on her. She'd rolled the sleeves to her elbows. The tail hit her high on her thighs. She appeared pensive.

  "What's wrong?" he asked, propping himself up on a couple of the pillows.

  She turned and looked at him. They'd left the lamp on the dresser lit, but the .rest of the room was in shadows. He couldn't see her expression but he could sense her mood.

  "I just don't want us to rush into something we're going to regret, that's all," she said quietly. "This happened so fast. It's really scary. I look back at my folks. My mom had known Dad all her life. He lived on the adjoining ranch. She said she couldn't remember a time when she didn't love him. She never doubted those feelings."

  "You're doubting what you feel?"

  "Not now. No. I just wonder if these feelings will last. We've only known each other a couple of months."

  "I know. As a matter of fact, my folks grew up next door to each other, as well. But that didn't happen to you and me. We'll have to deal with it."

  She walked over and sat down at the foot of the bed. "Other than summer jobs, I've never worked. There's so much I've not done that I want to do."

  "Are you afraid I'll stop you from doing them?"

  "Maybe. I guess I'm more afraid that I'll become so wrapped up in you that I'll no longer care about growing as a person."

  He sat up and reached for her hand. ' 'Honey, being married to me will be a real stretch from what you've known in life. It will force you to grow, ready or not. I'm not trying to make you into something you aren't or don't want to be. All I'm asking is that we face life together, make our decisions together, work out the problems that come up in the same way."

  "We'll live in L.A., won't we?"

  "I'm afraid so. That's where I work."

  "Would you ever consider getting similar work in Texas, in some law enforcement field here?"

  He thought about that. Finally he said, "I'm not averse to it, no. I've always lived in California, but if you don't think you'll be happy there, I'll rethink my position."

  "We could try it. I just don't know how I'll feel being so far away from my family."

  He grinned. "You mean to tell me you're going to miss those brothers of yours?''

  She laughed. "Probably. I know they'll give me hell for marrying someone not from Texas."

  "Let's don't start worrying about things that might never happen, okay?" He tugged on her hand until she tumbled down on the bed beside him. "Whatever happens, we're going to make this work. You have my promise on that."

  He held her close, wondering exactly how to tell her that her brothers were going to be delighted that she was going to marry him.

  Ten

  The next morning Steve drove Robin back to her apartment. He parked in front of the building a little after eight o'clock. She had a ten-o'clock class.

  Robin wanted to pinch herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming. Steve was actually here in Austin. He'd come to find her. He hadn't been feeding her a line when they met. He had made it very clear that he sincerely wanted to marry her.

  Yes, she was scared, but not of loving him. She just wasn't ready to have such a man walk into her life at this time, but she wasn't about to let him go now that he was there.

  As he'd said, they could work it out.

  He opened her door and she stepped out. The sun shone brightly and all was right with her world. "I've got to get back to L.A. today, sweetheart, but as soon as you can find a few days, I want you to fly out and meet my parents. They're going to love you."

  "I was hoping you could stay long enough for us to drive to Cielo. I've got to break the news to my parents that I've not only met and fallen in love with someone, but intend to marry him as soon as we can arrange it."

  "We've got time to do all of that." He kissed her again.

  "Well, hello-o-o-o there," Cindi said from somewhere behind her. "When you said you'd see me this morning, that was exactly what you meant! I just about dropped my teeth when I got up this morning and discovered you hadn't come home last night."

  Robin spun around at the sound of her roommate's voice. "Oh, hi, Cindi," she said a little weakly. She knew she looked guilty as she said, "I—uh, thought you had an early class."

  Cindi grinned. "I just bet you did." She looked Steve over very carefully, making it quite clear that she was quite impressed with what she saw. "And just where have you been hiding, sugar? I can't believe that Robin's been seeing someone who I never knew existed."

  "Steve, as you've no doubt figured out, this mouthy female is my roommate, Cindi Brenham." She gave her friend a look of warning that she'd better behave herself or face the consequences before she added, "Cindi, this is Steve Antonelli."

  Cindi grabbed Steve's hand with unfeigned enthusiasm and said, ' T am so very pleased to meet you, Steve. Obviously Robin was afraid to let me get a peek at you before now for fear that I would—" Cindi came to a sudden halt, staring at Steve as his name finally registered. ' 'Wait a minute. Did you say Steve Antonelli? The cop from L.A.? The Italian stallion? Wow! No wonder she flipped out over you. This is so fantastic." She pumped his hand vigorously. "It's great to finally meet you. I wish I could say I've heard all about you, but my dear roommate can at times make a clam appear chatty. She never mentioned what a dreamy hunk you are, the rat!"

  Robin was used to Cindi but she could see that Steve was more than a little startled by her comments. His cheeks turned ruddy, and he appeared to be at a loss for words.

  But not Cindi. If Robin had been standing closer, she would have kicked her! She continued to chatter. "I can't believe you're here after all this time. So Jason managed to hunt you down, didn't he? I figured he might. He's quite resourceful when he's on a mission. It looks as though everything has worked out just fine." She turned to Robin. "So—when's the wedding?"

  Robin was fighting to come to grips with what she'd just heard. She looke
d at Cindi, then at Steve—a Steve who had a distinctively sheepish look on his face.

  '”Jason?'' she repeated.

  "Uh, Robin, I," Steve began, then stopped.

  Cindi looked at Steve. "Well, that is the reason you showed up here, isn't it? Didn't Cindi's brothers go after you and insist you come back and do the right thing by their sister?"

  Steve avoided Robin's gaze by concentrating on Cindi. "I understand I have you to thank for that unexpected visit, as a matter of fact."

  She shrugged. "Well, I knew something wasn't right. Robin has been moping around since we got back from the cruise." She glanced at Robin with a grin. "You sly little devil. You never hinted that anything improper went on while you were with him...and yet you spend the night with him as soon as he appears, which I find very, very interesting."

  "What did you do?" Robin asked Cindi hoarsely. "Did you tell my brothers about—'' Her throat clogged up and she couldn't say another word, but the horrifying picture was beginning to form in her mind.

  "I just gave his card to Josh, that's all. I told him not to tell you because you didn't know I saw that you'd tossed it. With you moping around, acting so strange and all it was only natural that we'd be worried about you..,." She looked from Steve to Robin to Steve. "What's wrong? Isn't everything worked out between you?"

  Steve nodded. "We're getting married, if that's what you mean."

  Robin spun around and looked at him. "My brothers came to see you?''

  He nodded, watching her with more than a hint of wariness.

  "When?"

  "Day before yesterday."

  "You came to Austin the day after they came to visit you?"

  "Actually, Jason flew out there. So I hitched a ride back with them yesterday."

  Robin turned on her heel and walked away from them. She stood with her back to them, trying desperately to gain control over the clash of emotions she was feeling at the moment. After several deep, calming breaths, she slowly revolved to face Steve.

  "I can't believe this," she said. "This is absolutely absurd. My brothers hauled you back to Austin to...to what? Force you to marry me?" She looked at Cindi. "I thought you were my friend, and yet you went behind my back and deliberately talked to my brothers about what happened when you knew my feelings on the matter? You told them about Steve? And not only that, you actually helped them discover where he lived?"

  Cindi folded her arms across her chest and glared at Robin. "Well, it's obvious to me that you haven't been all that honest with me, Robin. I believed you when you said nothing happened while you were on the island. Remember? He was a perfect gentleman, you said...you shared a few kisses, but that's all. And I believed you. I always believe you, Robin. I've never had any reason to doubt your word.

  "When Josh came to me and asked me what was wrong with you, I told him I didn't know. We talked about all the possibilities—your classes, your health, the trip we took. I mentioned that you'd met a man, and of course he wanted to know all the details." She shrugged her shoulders. "Okay. So I knew you didn't want the family to know that you missed part of the cruise, but, Robin, you've got to understand that we've all been really worried about you. I figured if there was even the slightest chance that whatever was bothering you had to do with this guy, the family should find out more about him.

  "So, in answer to your accusations—yes, I gave Josh the card, and yes, I knew they would probably contact him, even if it made you furious. We felt it was important enough to take some heat over. Obviously it was, because he's here. You're going to marry him. What are you so upset about?"

  For a brief time Robin thought she was going to throw up. Never had she felt so much betrayal by so many of the people that she loved and trusted. She'd told her brothers exactly how she felt about their overprotectiveness and they had as good as given their word that they would stay out of her social life from now on. She had trusted them, just as she had trusted Cindi to keep the confidences she'd shared with her to herself.

  Trust.

  She faced Steve. "You didn't come to Austin to see why I gave you a wrong number, did you? You came because my brothers gave you no alternative."

  Steve shook his head. "Don't make a big deal out of this, okay? When they told me of their concern, I wanted to see you, to make sure you were all right. I owe them a debt of gratitude. If they hadn't showed up, I might never have—''

  "Oh, I get the picture," she said, pressing her hand against her stomach, praying she wouldn't disgrace herself. "I definitely understand. I would never have heard from you again. I should be thrilled that my brothers once again bulldozed their way into my affairs in order to take care of me."

  "They love you," Steve said quietly. He paused, then added softly, "As do I."

  Men! She couldn't believe their simple way of looking at things. If they couldn't fight it, eat it, ride it or make love to it, they were unable to relate to a situation.

  She just bet that Steve hit it off with her brothers. Why, she couldn't have picked anyone more like one of them. It's a wonder all their swaggering egos could fit into one room. Why hadn't she seen that before now?

  Robin glanced at her watch. "I've got to get ready for class." She looked at Steve. "And you need to get back to work."

  "I'm not leaving until we get this straightened out, Robin. I know you're upset and—"

  "You're darned right I'm upset. So let me just straighten all of this out for you... and for my brothers. Thank you for your marriage proposal, even though you had a metaphorical shotgun at your back. You've proved that you're an honorable man. However, I'm going to say no to your generous offer. Upon further reflection, marriage is the last thing I want in my life. I'm sick and tired of everyone deciding behind my back what's best for me and how I need to be taken care of. You can tell my brothers that you made your offer, but I refused. Okay? I refuse your gentlemanly, courtly offer of marriage to save my so-called good name. Goodbye, Steve."

  She turned and followed the sidewalk up to the front door of the apartment building without looking back. She figured that Cindi would find a way to console Steve.

  Cindi. Her best friend.

  Her ex-best friend.

  Well, she could have him for all she cared. Italian stallion, indeed.

  All Robin's fears had coalesced into the realization that marrying Steve would be like going to prison. Oh, he would be tender and caring and oh, so loving, but he would make certain that she was insulated and cared for, just as her brothers had done. It would be worse than having her brothers hanging around. A husband would have a right to be protective, more so than her brothers.

  It would drive her crazy,

  No. She'd had a very close call. Thank God she'd found out the truth behind his unexpected appearance before she started making plans for a future together.

  She was very lucky. She kept wiping the tears off her cheeks as she entered the apartment. "I'm not crying because of him," she muttered to the empty rooms. "I'm crying because I'm angry. That's all. But I'll get over it."

  She went to her room and changed into fresh clothing. then headed off to class, aware that Cindi and Steve, along with his rental car, were gone. At the moment she sincerely hoped she never saw either of them again.

  "Mom?'' Robin said into the phone late that night. ' 'I was wondering if I could come home for a few days? I need to talk to you."

  "Why, honey, you don't have to ask for permission to come home. We're always thrilled to have you. But won't you be missing several classes? What's up?"

  "I'd, uh, I'd rather wait until I get home to talk, okay?"

  "I have an idea. Rather than you coming here, why don't your dad and I come to see you? I haven't been to Austin in a while. It would be a nice break from our routine."

  "Are you sure? I could just as easily—''

  "Actually, the idea is more and more appealing as I consider it. We'll see you tomorrow after your last class, which will be... when?''

  "Noon."

  "Th
at will work out perfectly. We'll see you then, sweetheart."

  "Okay. And...thanks, Mom. I really appreciate it."

  Kristi McAlister hung up the phone and turned to her husband. "Something's happened, honey. I've never heard Robin sound like this before. She was trying hard to cover the fact that she was crying. I told her we'd drive to Austin tomorrow to see her."

  Jason looked at her from around the newspaper he was reading. "What's wrong?"

  "She wouldn't say."

  He removed his reading glasses from his nose. "You suppose the boys have done something?"

  Kristi looked at her husband and grinned. "I wouldn't want to put money against that being the case."

  He sighed. "Me, neither." He pushed himself out of his leather recliner and strode down the hall to his office. "I'll get a hold of Jase and see what I can find out from him," he said over his shoulder.

  Kristi picked up the book she'd been reading when the phone rang, but somehow couldn't get back into the story.

  She'd worried about Robin ever since it became obvious that she would be the only girl in the family. Jason always said that Robin was the spitting image of her mother. What Kristi had worried about was her sensitivity and vulnerability, which she'd carefully concealed from her father and three rather overbearing brothers. Robin had learned early to stand up to them and to make them back off. Kristi smiled at the memory of a tiny Robin, before she'd started school, sitting on top of Jim and pulling his hair because he'd been teasing her.

  Yes, Robin had grown up scrapping with her brothers, as competitive as they were, attempting to be as strong and as tough. That had worked out fairly well until she became a teenager and it became obvious to her brothers that Robin was strikingly beautiful and attracted every male eye that spotted her.

  Kristi had felt better that Robin had her brothers to look out for her. She knew Robin had chafed at their clumsy efforts, but Kristi had hoped her reassurances over the years that Robin's brothers looked out for her because of their love for her would mitigate some of Robin's wounded feelings. The truth was that Robin needed a little protecting from a rather harsh world. Her tender heart could be bruised so easily.