He grinned and lowered his gaze to her lips. “Oh, I agree with that. Your being here is a very pleasant surprise. One I don’t mind at all.”
His gaze roved over her as if he had x-ray vision. A wave of fresh heat swept her skin as he read what it said on her shirt, meaning his entire attention was on her breasts. Perhaps she shouldn’t have worn the t-shirt. His black eyes darkened to coal.
Determined to see her mission through, she began. “I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior yesterday. I took out my pent-up aggression on you. I wasn’t raised to be petty.”
He simply watched her, his closed expression unreadable. Then he settled back, made himself comfortable. A breeze filtered in through open casement windows, the moment seeming somewhat surreal. The right corner of his mouth lifted before he spoke.
“Don’t ever be afraid to mince words around me, Maddy. I’m not one who worries about political correctness. Seeing me had the full effect I’d planned.”
“You planned this?” Her spine stiffened.
“Not this current moment, but running into you yesterday? Yes. Guilty as charged.”
He shrugged as if his actions were of little consequence. His shirt buttons weren’t fastened, allowing her a clear peek at a firm, smooth chest. His thigh brushed hers again as he reached for a napkin. He wiped his lips and her tongue slipped out and wet her own.
Why did Dylan have to physically affect her? She needed control and sanity, not a sudden wave of unbridled lust. Perhaps she should have slept with Michael, instead of telling him she wanted to wait until after their wedding night. Then maybe she’d have a better grip on her raging hormones and he wouldn’t have sought comfort with a waitress.
Although Michael paled next to Dylan, whose jet-black hair, still damp from a shower, teased the edges of his ears. His olive skin was sun-kissed. The gods had blessed him with great genetics. She clenched the tin mug in both hands, but her precarious control slipped and some liquid sloshed over the side.
“Careful,” he warned, taking a napkin and wiping up the mess. He leaned into her space, giving her a whiff of musky aftershave. Oh Lord. She was in trouble. “So Maddy, what is it you need?”
Him. The word burned hot in her brain and she clamped her mouth and legs shut. So much for believing she could do this. She loosened her tenacious grip on the mug and set it safely on the table.
“I...” She faltered and then her breath whooshed out in a long rush. “I wondered if I could negotiate with you directly on Summerhaven. Not with your underlings who keep hounding me constantly, but you. I want to keep my property intact. I don’t want it developed. In fact, I want to keep it. If you would lend me the money for both Summerhaven’s taxes and the half-million-dollar mortgage Ted took out, I’ll pay you back. I’ll give you a lien against the property as collateral.”
“I already own the lien.”
Her mouth dropped open into a wide O before she sputtered, “What?”
He didn’t even have the decency to appear sheepish. “The mortgage your brother took out. You know how they’re bundled and sold? Well, I bought it.”
She stared at him. “You’re serious.”
“Very much so.”
“If I don’t pay taxes by the end of July, the county gets my land Aug. 1. If I fail to refinance the mortgage by August 31 when the note is due, you’ll own Summerhaven.”
She sat very still, her gaze never leaving his face. A clock ticked and Madison swore her heart stopped beating. Outside crickets chirped and inside a fly buzzed angrily against the new screen door in an attempt to find freedom.
Dylan broke the long silence. “Yeah, I will. Unless you can give me a good reason why I shouldn’t. Can you?”
His poker face was indecipherable. Not one emotion flickered. And here she’d thought that she couldn’t sink any lower, be humiliated any greater than she had been yesterday. She’d been so wrong.
She wanted to slap him, knock off that unreadable expression. How dare he toy with her! Her hands shook, and she moved the mug out of reach before she tossed the hot contents all over him. She’d come to the devil himself, only to find out he already owned her soul. Worse, his body called to her, making her a silly wanton. She stilled, turning to stone. Show no weakness to thine enemy, her grandfather used to say.
The uncomfortable silence stretched, and Maddy sank her bottom teeth into her top lip, curling the flesh under until the pain became unbearable. Anything to kill the impending tears that threatened to rain down at any moment. She would not let Dylan Blackwater see her cry. She was through with tears. She would not let him enjoy this victory.
“Stop that.” Metal scraped hardwood as Dylan stood. He reached forward and firm fingers shook her jaw, forcing her to unclench her teeth. “Stop it, Maddy. Don’t react like a kicked dog and put your tail between your legs. For once in your life show some damn backbone. God knows you didn’t ten years ago.”
His invasion of her personal space was too great, far too intimate, and she bolted to her feet, her chair skittering backward and toppling. She turned on him, and like yesterday, her finger jabbed into his rock hard chest.
“That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Some stupid petty revenge? A chance to degrade me, pay me back for all those years ago when I rejected you and Ted beat you up? Well, fine. Be satisfied. But this is the end of your show!”
Her humiliation threshold breached, she shoved him away and made a beeline for the kitchen door. Ignoring his shout, she rushed outside, the housefly escaping with her. She stumbled around the side of the cabin and toward the dock, everything a blur as she made her way to the water.
She shoved the canoe off and climbed in. The vessel wobbled but didn’t tip as she landed with an ungraceful thump in the back. Leaning down, she grabbed for the paddle that lay on the canoe floor and got the canoe turned toward home.
“You silly fool.” Behind her, angry words mixed with the sounds of running feet and splashing water. She glanced backward. Dylan had shed his shirt and shoes and swam after her. She dug the paddle deep and tried to propel the canoe out of his reach.
She needn’t have bothered. Despite his soaked shorts, Dylan’s body sliced through the water. Before she’d paddled fifteen feet beyond the end of the dock, he’d caught her. With one hand, he grabbed the metal edge, yanked the side of the canoe, and tipped. Maddy fell out, right into his awaiting arms.
“I’ve got you. Stop flailing about or I’ll drop you and then you really will get soaking wet.” She stopped struggling as Dylan held her against his naked, rock hard chest.
“Wrap your arms around me,” he instructed. He pressed her tightly against wet six-pack abs as he waded toward the shore. “You forgot that there’s a sandbar here. The water’s only waist high.” He planted Maddy on the dock. “Wait here. Don’t move or I’ll just come get you again.”
He waded back to retrieve the wayward canoe and floating paddle. Sunlight danced on Dylan’s bronzed skin as he tossed the paddle onto the dock and pushed the canoe toward the bank.
Covered with clinging water droplets, his chest gleamed when he lifted the canoe completely out of the water. He flipped the canoe upside-down onto the grassy lawn. “Please get my shoes and shirt. They’re on the ground by your feet.”
For her sanity’s sake, she wished he would cover up.
Dylan raised his dark eyebrows and laughed harshly, as if he’d read her mind. “What? Don’t like what you see? You’re lucky I didn’t strip off my shorts. Then you’d really get an eyeful.”
Mortified, she held his clothes in front of her like a shield.
Dylan started walking toward the house, leaving her behind. “Come on, Maddy. Stop behaving like some teenage virgin and return to the kitchen. I could use some dry clothes, and we’re not finished talking.”
“I think we were.” She planted her feet, finding that backbone he’d alluded to earlier. “We have nothing left to say. I’m leaving.”
His voice contained a deadly underc
urrent. “Maddy, I’ll just come after you again. Do both us a favor. Go into the kitchen and wait for me.”
Given the fact that he did have a speedboat, Maddy followed him. “Smart girl,” he called.
He disappeared upstairs and her hands shook as she refreshed her cup of coffee. From the window above the sink she could see Summerhaven and she pictured Dylan watching her canoe over. Then she visualized the condo units one developer had proposed building and shivered.
“It’s a great view,” he whispered in her ear.
“It is,” she said jumping. She turned from the window, only to gaze right at a tight white t-shirt that enhanced his tanned skin. The frayed blue jean cut offs he’d donned highlighted muscular legs. He pushed his damp hair off his forehead and gestured to the table. “Shall we?” This time his thigh didn’t touch hers when they sat.
“So, where were we?” He leaned over and reached out with his left hand, invading her space. With one flick of his wrist, he removed the elastic band holding up her hair, sending the blond waves rippling to her shoulders. He smiled, immensely satisfied with his invasive action. “There. Much better. Now I remember. We were talking about a loan.”
“You’ve already told me you won’t help.” Agitated he’d taken such liberty, her fingers began to straighten the freed strands. “I heard enough of the word no yesterday to know it’s not worth wasting my time, especially when time is something I don’t have. So if you don’t mind, I’ll leave now.” She stood.
His eyes narrowed. “Stop being childish. Sit. Please.”
She folded her arms and sat with a thump.
“First, let’s clear something up. You are never a waste of my time. As for the mortgage, I mentioned needing a good reason. What’s in it for me? You wanted to negotiate with the top, which means providing proper collateral or motivation for the parties involved.”
“I’m a teacher. Forgive me for not knowing how businessmen negotiate,” she snapped. “I offered you collateral. The note on Summerhaven, which you already said you have. But really, all you can do is force me to sell and pay you the value of the mortgage. It’s worth much more. I’ll offer you that. Besides, isn’t that what you’ve always wanted, all my grandfather’s land?”
Dylan pushed his coffee mug to the side. “Let’s get another thing clear. I had better things to do than play games with a bitter old man.”
“Really? Then why did you?” Anger at his insult bubbled and she freed one hand to start tapping her fingers on the table. “All he ever really wanted was that access strip between Summerhaven and the refuge. He died within a week after you got the island.”
“Mere coincidence.”
“Is it? That’s the only piece that my family didn’t own from the county road to the water. He’d wanted it for years.”
“Maybe he should have optioned it.” Dylan didn’t appear at all repentant.
She pressed on. “You have plenty of other lakeshore plots, some much with better boat access. In fact, you’re using one now or I would have seen your car when I came over.”
“Irrelevant.” Dylan covered her tapping fingers. His touch burned and but he wouldn’t let her tug her hand away. “I empathize with you regarding your loss, Maddy. I can understand how hard this has been on you, losing your family and then finding out you’re losing your land.”
His face clouded for a brief moment. “But as you won’t believe me despite the word printed so brazenly on your shirt, let’s focus on the matter at hand. If your brother hadn’t stolen from the trust fund, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“You know about all that as well?”
“I’ve made it my business to know everything about you. I have for years.”
“You do have a vendetta against my family,” she accused.
“Call it whatever you wish. I won’t bore you with a defense you wouldn’t believe anyway” Dylan waved dismissively with his right hand. “The bottom line is I’m a businessman, pure and simple. I like this area. There is an old world charm to it that I enjoy, and it was the one place my parents traveled that wasn’t touristy or gaudy. While long ago I could barely afford to buy you an ice cream cone, now I have enough money to buy whatever I want, whatever I desire.”
Maddy trembled. “You must understand that I had no choice that summer. My grandfather threatened to disown me and give Ted Summerhaven. I was only sixteen. He threatened to kick me out of the family. Where would I go? I’ve always felt horrible for what happened to you”
His lips thinned. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow, isn’t it, that the one you so harshly rejected is the only one who can save you now? That I hold the mortgage? That I have the money to pay your tax bill?”
His forefinger slid under her chin, tilting her face so she could better see him. Her skin tingled and her lips parted slightly.
“Your brother who tried so hard to protect you from those who weren’t socially acceptable or good enough in his eyes, meaning me, took advantage of you. He stole your inheritance. You have nothing left, unless you sell and roll around in the millions my company and others have offered. The question is, do you want to sell?”
“No.”
“So how badly do you want to keep you home?”
She hated him. Hated this conversation, hated the game he played and the futility of her situation. “You know Summerhaven means everything to me.”
“Yeah, I do. I learned that lesson the hard way.”
Another knife to her heart. “I can’t say I’m sorry enough. I did love you. I cried for a month.”
“We were simply foolish children.” Dylan became silent, as if contemplating something invisible on the table. Then his eyes darkened to midnight black. “I’ll need more from you than just another lien against Summerhaven.”
Warning bells clanged in her head but she ignored them. “I don’t have much, about ten thousand, but I can give you that. I have a teaching job. I will make payments. After I pay my rent, I should be able to swing about nine hundred a month. Next spring I’ll look for a teaching job that pays more. A public school one.”
“That will hardly make a dent in the principal alone, not to mention interest. I don’t want to wait sixty years for full repayment.”
She scowled. “Well, it’s the best I can do. Catholic schools don’t pay as much as public and it’s too late to break my contract and change jobs now.”
He arched his eyebrows. “Maybe you’ll a find a rich husband.”
She bristled. “That’s crass. I want to marry for love.”
He lifted one shoulder, totally unapologetic. “It’s what women do. I’ve had plenty after me. They all see me as an unlimited bank account they can tap.” He waited for her reply, almost amused by her response. “Speechless for once?”
“I was raised if you don’t have anything nice to say, you don’t say anything.”
Her answer caused him a great deal of amusement and the lines around his eyes crinkled with mirth. “Tell me, how many boyfriends have you had?”
Maddy’s face reddened. “What does that have to do with Summerhaven?”
“Oh, humor me. How many others did your brother beat up and run off?” Dylan leaned closer, and instinctively she drew back. Years ago, his proximity never had overpowered her senses. Now his presence reminded her that much had changed. She shifted, pressing her legs together.
“My personal life is none of your business.” She raised her chin as he laughed, a low controlled chuckle that sent shivers crawling up her spine.
“I have it on good authority you were engaged once, but you called it off.”
Because she’d found out her fiancé hadn’t wanted to wait until marriage to have sex. He’d declared the waitress meant nothing. Just assuaging a basic male physical need. It didn’t mean that he didn’t love her.
“Do me a favor, state your peace, Dylan, or I’m leaving even if I have to swim the entire way home. What are your terms in order to loan me the money? What is it you want?”
<
br /> “If I’m to help you keep what you love, to be properly motivated…”
“Just spit it out,” she snapped, irritated with the mock dramatic suspense.
His voice rumbled low as another dangerous laugh escaped. His obsidian eyes were dark pools and he tapped a manicured finger against the table before capturing her gaze and holding it magnet-tight.
“Why, Maddy, haven’t you realized the obvious? It’s the same thing I’ve always wanted. The very thing I vowed years ago to have. Only one thing will make me give you the money and let you keep your land. For collateral, my dear Maddy, I want you.”
Chapter Three
Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What did you say?” She shifted, ready for a quick exit.
“Don’t,” Dylan warned. He closed his eyes and his forehead furrowed into creases as he exhaled a deep breath. The silence stretched and lengthened into something akin to eternity. Finally, he spoke.
“Here’s the deal. I will give you the money for Summerhaven. I will forgive your loan, pay your taxes, and pay for upkeep. In turn…” He opened his eyes and pinned her with his gaze. “In turn, Maddy, you will give yourself as collateral. You will live with me, stay by my side, and share my bed.”
Rage and disgust stabbed her, sharper and deeper than any knife. “How dare you? I’m not a prostitute. You… You…”
Hot bitter tears filled her eyes and she jumped to her feet, her quaking knees somehow holding her weight. “I’ll lose Summerhaven to high rise condos before I ever become any man’s bought and paid for mistress. You, you can go to…!” She ignored her grandmother’s warnings and teachings regarding proper behavior. “Go to hell, Dylan!”
She stormed toward the door.
Dylan’s arm snaked forward and he caught her hand, twisting her around and stopping her flight. He yanked her into his arms and onto his lap. “Why do females think that whenever a man is silent for more than one second he is finished talking?”
He pressed a finger to her lips and her eyes widened at the invasive gesture. “I’m not through. Although, perhaps we should get this out of the way.”
The Billioniare's Bought Bride (Contemporary Romance) Page 3
