Page 4 of Whispers of My Skin

“You? What the hell are you talking about, Tara?”

“If you do this for me, if you come and work at Redlands, then I’ll become your lover. Whenever, however, as often as you want, for as long as you want.”

He doesn’t attempt to hide his astonishment. Clearly, I’ve taken him completely by surprise with my offer and it was not what he was expecting.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Tara, if I’ve got this right and you’re offering me some kind of fuck buddy arrangement. You’re not some kind of whore.”

“No, I’m not,” I agree. “But if that’s what it takes to keep the ranch going, then I’ll do it. It’s all we’ve got left.”

“Is the situation really that bad that it’s come to this?” he asks quietly.

“Yes, it really is that bad,” I sigh, knowing that day by day we’ve let things get worse until it’s gotten to where it’s at now.

Joel stares at me while he tries to take in the bombshell I’ve just dropped on him. What will I do if he turns me down? Uncertainty swirls through me, eroding what’s left of my strength, as I attempt to appear controlled, cold and distant.

But then he takes me completely by surprise.

“All right, Tara. We have a deal.”

A smile of joy begins to dawn on my face, as the implications of his words sink in.

I’ve done it, I’ve found a way to save Redlands!

If anyone can turn the ranch around, it’s him. Nothing is impossible for a man like Joel. I know his dedication, his passion, his perseverance, his iron discipline. His love for the land. For Redlands...

“But we’ll be doing it my way,” he continues.

Uh oh. I knew this was too easy, too good to be true.

“I’m all ears…” I murmur, hardly daring to look at him to discover what he has in mind, knowing I have little choice but to concede to whatever terms he comes up with.

“There’s only one way I’m taking you to my bed, and that’s as my wife, Tara. So, if you want me to give up what I have here in order to rescue your ranch, you will agree to hand over complete control of the estate to me, your husband. In effect, I’ll be what used to be termed the Lord and Master of Redlands. Not only of the ranch, but of you as well. Those are my terms.”

I wasn’t expecting this. His wife? Lord and Master? What the fuck?

I struggle to come up with a suitable response while I get my head around this development.

“Isn’t that a little medieval, Joel?” I use sarcasm to mask my shock. “We’re not in some trashy regency period novel.”

I hoped he’d be happy with the idea of us having the kind of casual arrangement I suggested, never dreaming for a second he’d demand marriage instead. Don’t most guys shy away from that kind of commitment? But it’s not really me he wants, is it? I’m just a means to an end, that’s all. He’s worked out he holds all the aces, and he’s going for the jackpot. He wants to own Redlands, not manage it.

“Final offer, Tara. Take it or leave it.”

“You mean it’s your only offer, Joel,” I protest weakly. He’s deadly serious, knowing I wouldn’t be here if there was any other way.

He shrugs. “I’m not the one begging for help. So, it’s really quite simple. If you want me to save Redlands, you agree to marry me. If that’s not acceptable to you, then you can shut the door on your way out.”

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