“You could put it that way,” she said. “Or you could say I’m being selfish and refusing to marry a man who might actually be good for me all because I don’t like the way he looks at me.”
Paul laughed, which she took to be a good sign. “I don’t know whether to laugh at you or congratulate you. If you want to become Brandon’s wife though, I won’t stop you. Can you cook? Clean?”
“Both,” she replied. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to do either, but they aren’t things one forgets.”
“No ma’am, I suppose not.” He stood up from his chair once more and strode toward her. He held out his hand with a large grin on his face. “Welcome to the family, Miss le Brush.”
She took his hand and smiled. “Please, call me Courtney.”
That had been two days before. Since then, she’d packed her things, telling only Gerald her plan. She told her father she had plans to visit their cousin in the country. Her father was still distraught with their ordeal and only waved her away, wishing her the best and planting a small, chaste kiss on her forehead as she headed out the door.
She hadn’t seen Talbert when she left, for which she was glad. She’d even asked Paul to keep it a secret in town until everything was settled. “I don’t want to give Talbert any reason to suspect anything,” she said. He’d agreed wholeheartedly, for which she was glad.
Gerald had wondered if she would need him. She smiled and hugged him. Over the years, he’d been one of her closest friends. “Not at this time. Take care of Father. I will return, and when I do, I want to know he’s been well looked after.”
“Of course ma’am,” he told her, bowing his head to her and kissing her knuckles.
Tears pricked her eyes. For some reason, she felt like this would be the last time she would see him. It was wrong, but it was the way she felt.
It didn’t matter now. The city was long gone. They had rode out of it hours ago with a team of men on horseback who Paul explained Brandon had hired as extra hands around the ranch.
“He really hasn’t been doing well since Pa died,” he told her. His eyes grew sad then, and Courtney fought the urge to comfort him. Before she could betray herself though, he shook his head and smiled at her. “Don’t worry though. I believe you may be the best thing that’s happened to him in a long time.”
She didn’t ask what he meant by that. Instead, she’d climbed up into the wagon with the rest of the belongings she’d decided to bring and the items Paul had bought at the store to stock the house. Then they’d set out, and here they were now, coming to the end of their journey at the ranch. The Jacksons owned over fifty acres of land, and she could see it stretch out past the house as they rode in. There was two large barns and a bunkhouse for the hired hands to sleep in, although Paul informed her she’d probably be cooking meals for them for a while.
“Miss Courtney?” Paul asked beside her as they came to a halt. She turned to him. There was something in his voice that held a warning, and it was painted on his face as well. “I must admit that this wasn’t Brandon’s idea, and he’s not going to be happy about it. It’s legal. The document you signed is legal and he’d signed it already, thinking he was signing paperwork for his new hands, but he’s not going to be happy about it.”
“You tricked him?” Courtney had to admit that she wasn’t surprised. There had been something fishy about the whole deal from the start, as Gerald pointed out when she told him about it. She found that it didn’t bother her though. Instead, worry for Paul’s current safety washed through her. Then she wondered if she should be worried about her own safety. Paul had mentioned that Brandon had quite a temper when he wanted.
As if he’d heard her thoughts, Paul smiled at her. “Don’t worry, miss. If he gets mad and throws swings at anyone, it will be me.”
The thought didn’t cheer her up. The riders all dismounted and Courtney climbed down from the wagon, waving away assistance from the men. She was living on a ranch now. She had to show these men she didn’t need to be coddled, and she really didn’t. Looking around, she held her breath, taking in the beauty of the land before her.
Out in the distance, she heard the bray of cattle and the whinnies of horses. “Is this just a cattle ranch, or does he breed horses here as well?” she asked Paul.
He started, as if he hadn’t expected the question. Maybe he hadn’t thought she’d take any real interest in the ranch. How little he knew of her. If she was going to live there, she wanted to know the workings of it all. “Honestly, I don’t know. All I know about is the cattle, but it’s possible he raises horses as well. I don’t know.”
Courtney stared at him. “Didn’t you grow up here?”
Paul had the sense to look abashed. “Yes, but I never took interest in the ranch like Brandon did. I couldn’t wait to get out of here fast enough. While I was busy taking as many classes as I could, Brandon dropped out of school to help Pa around the ranch.”
Great. Just what she wanted, an unintelligent man for a husband. Of course, that meant he was a hard worker, but what if he was illiterate? Would he hate her for her books, which he couldn’t read? She frowned, worry eating away at her mind, but it was too late to turn back now. She was here, and here she would stay. She’d signed the papers the other day when she’d met with Paul, and she didn’t intend to turn her back now.
A deep breath spilled out of her mouth before Courtney steeled herself and started toward the porch and the door that would lead inside her new home. She was almost to the steps when the door flung open and a man walked out.
She took a step back as the presence of the man hit her like a physical slap in the face. He was here. There was no other way to explain it. The man before her demanded her attention without even looking at her. He took in the whole group, his eyes darting from figure to figure as if trying to find a face he knew. He passed over her without a second glance, but she couldn’t help but stare at him.
Fierce blue eyes burned from his weathered face. His skin was browned from being out in the sun for long years and a dark beard coated his face in hair. She’d never been one to like beards, but she found that on this man, she didn’t mind at all. She actually really liked it. He wasn’t bad looking at all, either. He was shirtless, as if they had disturbed him while he was getting dressed, and his broad chest drew her gaze, his muscles rippling beneath his flesh as he moved. Her eyes traveled down, noting the wear in his jeans, as if he hardly ever took them off. They were clean though. Boots finished off the look, worn but in good condition still.
Her eyes darted back up to his face, and she noticed he was still not looking at her. His eyes were on Paul. Worry for the older brother ate at her again, but there was no anger in his face. He merely waited.
Paul came to her side and, with a quick smile her way, slid past her to grasp his brother in a quick hug. “How are you doing, Brandon?” he asked.
The larger built man grunted in response, but there was a smile on his face. “I see you’ve brought my help.” For the first time, his eyes landed on Courtney and stayed there. She recognized the expression he held on his face. She’d seen it many times on Talbert’s face. However, seeing it on this man’s face made her weak in the knees, and she had to lick her lips to wet them again. “Is this my cook?” he asked, his gaze roving over her slowly.
“No,” Paul said, his voice holding caution as he spoke.
Courtney chose that moment to move toward the men. She smiled up at Brandon with as much sweetness as she could manage, and was glad that he seemed to appreciate what he could see. “My name is Courtney le Brush,” she told him. “I am your wife.”
The reaction to her statement was instantaneous. “What?” Brandon snarled, his appreciation dying in a wave of anger. His nostrils flared and he looked at his brother. One moment he stood next to Courtney, and the next he had his hand wrapped around his brother’s throat and the man pinned up against the door of the ranch house.
“What did she say?” he snarled. Paul choke
d on the air around him.
“Brandon!” Courtney snapped. She hadn’t expected him to hear her, but she had to try. She was surprised when the large man turned his head, letting her know he was listening to her. “Put him down.” He growled and tightened his grip. “Now.” She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him, unafraid of him.
He laughed at her, dropping Paul and turning around to look at her. She didn’t flinch as he stalked closer to her. She tipped her chin up in defiance, wondering if he’d hurt her. Somehow, she didn’t think he would. God, she wanted him to kiss her though—and more.
His eyes roamed over her once more. “Did you put him up to this, Miss le Brush?” he asked.
She stared at him, appalled at his accusation. “Excuse me?”
A smirk crossed his face. “Did you put my brother up to this?”
“No!” she cried. “I would never—” He turned away from her before she could finish her statement.
“Paul, what kind of a joke is this?”
There was tightly-held anger in his voice, and Courtney noted how he kept clenching his fists as if he really wanted to hit something. Or someone, she thought wryly.
For all that he was smaller than his brother, Paul didn’t back down. Instead, he grinned at Brandon. “You needed a woman to help you out around the ranch, Brandon. You need a good woman who will warm your food—and your bed.” There was a smug grin on his face when Courtney glanced back between the brothers. Even Brandon eyed her from the corner of his eyes. Her knees felt weak again, but she refused to show it before the two men. She’d forgotten about that possibility. When she signed the paperwork and became Brandon’s wife, she’d installed her obligation to wifely duties like sex.
She held her breath, looking up at Brandon with wide eyes, refusing to back down. He turned away, facing Paul again. “I don’t need a wife, and I don’t want a wife, Paul, and you know why.” His words came out between clenched teeth, as if he was fighting the urge to bite off his own tongue.
Courtney crossed her arms over her chest. “Enlighten me then,” she snapped. “Because I was never informed.”
Brandon spun around to face her once more, but then he glanced up, at the crowd of hired hands gawking at the spectacle they were creating and he cursed under his breath. Without another word, he took Courtney by the arm and led her into the house, shouting behind him for Paul to follow.
The door banged closed behind them, and Courtney yanked her arm out of Brandon’s grasp with a huff. She glared up at him, rubbing the spot where he’d grabbed her. He hadn’t hurt her.
On the contrary, his hold had been rather gentle despite his anger. It had scorched her though, and she knew it wouldn’t take much to entice her into his bed. Already, she wanted this argument said and done. She longed to stand on the tips of her toes and brush her lips against him. She wondered if his beard would tickle when she kissed him, wondered if he’d—
“I don’t want a wife,” he said, snapping her out of her fantasy and back into reality.
“Why the hell not?”
Both men stared at her, as if they’d never heard a woman curse before. Maybe they hadn’t. Even Paul’s wife hadn’t struck Courtney as the kind of woman who cursed when she was angry. Courtney wasn’t even that angry yet. She was frustrated, but not angry. She’d been warned that Brandon would act this way. In fact, she’d expected worse. This was going rather well compared to what she’d imagined. She was just ready for it to be over.
“His last fiancé ditched him,” Paul answered after several moments of silence passed.
Courtney stared at Brandon in horror. He’d been engaged before? That was news to her.
“Shut it, Paul,” Brandon snarled.
“She deserves to know,” Paul snapped in return. “If you want to tell her, be my guest, but one of us needs to tell her.”
Brandon turned away with another curse, running his hands through his dark hair. Paul waited, silent. Courtney waited for either to explain.
“Paul’s right,” Brandon told her, turning back to them. His eyes held hers as he stalked closer. For a moment, she had the urge to flee, but she fought it and stood her ground, waiting until he came to her. He stood just before her. “I was engaged about three years ago. Her name was Emma Phillips. Pretty lass, although I’d mark that you’re prettier now. I was in love with her, but I wasn’t good enough for her in the end. She took off with another fellow without so much as a goodbye.”
For several moments, silence filled the room. Brandon turned away from the two, hooking his thumbs in the loops of his jeans and looking down the hall.
“You didn’t love her,” Courtney said in a low voice several minutes later.
Both men’s attention snapped back to her, but her eyes were only on Brandon. He looked at her as if she’d said that the sky was green. “What makes you say that?” His words were cautious, as if he expected a snake to pop out of the brush and bite him.
“If you loved her, you would have gone after her,” Courtney said. “If you loved her, you would have fought for her. You may have lost. She may have turned you away, but at least you would have tried. At least you would have shown her you wanted to make it work.”
He stared at her for several moments. She waited, wondering what he would say to her. After a while, he narrowed his eyes at her and then turned his attention to Paul. “I take it those papers I signed the other day were marriage papers, not hiring contracts?”
Paul gave him a sheepish grin, but he didn’t seem to regret anything. He seemed proud of himself in fact. “You have to admit she’s not a bad catch, Brandon.”
Brandon’s gaze returned to Courtney for a moment, but then he looked at Paul. “Show the men where they’ll be bunking at night and then let them know I’ll be out in a few minutes,” he said.
Paul winked at him. “Sure thing boss.” He left without needing to be told again.
Alone, Brandon stalked toward Courtney and tipped her chin up. His mouth brushed hers in a chaste kiss.
“Don’t tell me that’s the best you’ve got,” Courtney said when he pulled away.
He frowned at her. “You’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?” he asked.
“I’ll try not to be. Now give me a real kiss.”
“A real kiss huh?” he asked. Then his mouth lowered on hers, drawing her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. Her hands slid up over his chest and up into his hair. Her fingers curled into his hair, refusing to let him go as his tongue tangled with hers. She clung to him, desperate for his touch, his taste. He filled her senses, drowning her in his masculinity.
A hearty moan escaped her throat before she could stop it. He groaned, his hands moving up to cup her face, turning it to gain better access to her mouth. They kissed over and over again, each time, tasting more and more of one another with each kiss.
When they finally pulled away from one another, Courtney smiled up at him. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” she asked. They were both panting for breath, although he gained his faster than she did. She reached a hand up to touch her lips, which were bruised from their kisses. It was an exhilarating feeling. She’d never been kissed before—not like a man kisses a woman—and she loved it, she loved the way he kissed her, loved the way he left her breathless.
He grunted in response. It would have deflated her if she hadn’t seen the pleased look in his eyes. “It wasn’t bad.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Wasn’t bad?” she repeated, placing her hands on her hips. “Brandon—”
He groaned, closing his eyes and looking up towards the ceiling. She paused, closing the distance between them and placing her hand on his chest as she stood up on the tips of her toes. “Brandon,” she whispered into his ear, testing a theory.
He groaned again, leaning down and taking her mouth again. This time, their kiss was sweeter and longer. His hand slid down her cheek and down her side, pausing at her hip to pull her tighter agai
nst him, but then it continued downward, clasping her hand in his fingers before he released her mouth. He stepped back then, bringing her hand up to his mouth and kissing the back of her hand.
“We shall continue this discussion later, Miss le Brush,” he said. His eyes never left hers as he spoke and a shiver of delight washed through her. The way he looked at her made her wonder if there would be much discussion at all, or it was just going to be more kissing and touching. She didn’t know which she’d be more excited about, learning more about Brandon or kissing him. She wanted to do both.
She only nodded at him, biting her lip to keep from launching herself at him once more. She needn’t have tried. He growled low in his throat, leaned forward and took her bottom lip in his mouth, suckling it for a moment before he released it. He turned away from her after giving her a last quick kiss. He grabbed a shirt from the back of a chair and pulled it on. She watched him grab his hat from beside the door and pull it on his head. He spared her one more glance before he walked outside, but then he was gone, the door swinging shut behind him.
Courtney released her breath with a heavy sigh, sinking down into a chair before her legs collapsed under her. God, could that man kiss. She ran her fingers through her hair, wondering how she must look. She’d acted like a wonton woman, something she’d never done before. Goodness though, Brandon made her want to do things she’d never thought of doing before.
“Are you alright, Miss le Brush?”
She looked up at the sound of Paul’s voice and smiled, smoothing her skirt and pretending nothing was wrong. “Everything’s fine,” she assured him. “Let’s bring everything in so I can get a meal started. Long journey like that, these men’ll be starving before too long.”
Paul have her a knowing grin and followed her out of the door. He chuckled as they carried in the packages from the wagon. “I knew you two would get along,” he told her.
She laughed. “I’m not too certain of that quite yet,” she informed him, “but there is definitely the possibility.” She remembered the way he’d kissed her, the way he’d groaned, the way she’d moaned. She wanted all of that again. If she hadn’t been carrying anything, she knew she would have touched her mouth where he’d bitten her lip.
The Alpha Billionaire's Unexpected Baby: A Billionaire BWWM Pregnancy Romance Page 24
