Page 7 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"Mitsuaki, do you—"

"Hai." No, that wasn't right. "Yes."

"Good, good." The judge smiled at Mitsuaki. "Okay, then, by the power invested in me by the State of Montana, I pronounce you husband and husband."

Chapter Three

~ Jos ~

I kept a firm hand on Mitsuaki's lower back as I watched Mr. Sato snap his briefcase shut and then walk out of the room, followed by a very large man who had glared at everyone the entire time he was in the room. The sketchy lawyer hadn't said a word. Just walked out.

That seemed weird to me, but what did I know? Everything that had happened since Monty called me into the office a couple of days ago seemed weird.

"Well, congratulations, Jos," the judge said. "I hope the two of you will be very happy together."

"Yes, sir," I replied as I glanced down at the man standing beside me. The man I'd just married. I knew very little about Mitsuaki Montgomery Cross, but I wanted to know everything. There was something about him that called to me in ways I never expected.

I had been stunned when I walked through the front door and saw Mitsuaki for the very first time. Considering his Japanese ancestry, I'd expected the man to be smaller than me, but I hadn't expected the waif like beauty I'd been presented with.

Mitsuaki's fingers were strong and slim, but his wrists were frail looking, as was the rest of him. He was slender, reed like, with a narrow waist and short legs. A good stiff wind could blow him away.

I had no idea how he was going to survive on a ranch.

His face—what I had seen of it—was delicately carved, his mouth full, and he had a swan like neck that made me want to bite him and mark him to let everyone know he'd been claimed.

I had no idea what to do with those feelings or the strong streak of protectiveness flaring through me every time I looked down at the little man.

"Well," Monty said, "this calls for a drink."

He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and several glasses off the shelf and then carried them all back over to his desk. He poured four glasses before glancing at his son. "Mitsuaki, do you drink whiskey?"

Mitsuaki shook his head.

"All right then." Monty replaced the lid then grabbed his glass. He held it high. "To my son and my new son-in-law."

I grabbed one of the glasses and lifted it to my lips, slamming the whiskey back. I was sure I was going to need it. It wasn't every day I got married to someone I didn't know.

"You have a legacy now, Monty," the judge said. "These two get some grandkids going and Cross Creek Ranch will have it made."

I sputtered, choking on my whiskey. "Little early to start thinking about kids, don't you think? We just got married. We need time to get to know each other first."

As part of my agreement with Monty concerning my marriage to Mitsuaki and the transfer of ownership of fifty-one percent of the ranch to me, I'd agreed to have children to carry on the Cross name, which was also the reason I agreed to have my name legally changed to Jos Cross. I just didn't expect Monty to start talking kids the day I got married.

Monty chuckled. "Maybe."

A lot maybe.

"Why don't you show my son around the ranch?" Monty set his glass down. "Mrs. Gibbons is planning a wedding feast. I figure you got about an hour before its ready."

I nodded before pressing on Mitsuaki's lower back. "Would you like to see the ranch?"

Mitsuaki gave a short nod. "Yes."

I escorted Mitsuaki out of the office and then back toward the front door. I frowned when I spotted the two suitcases and a single cardboard box sitting next to the door. "This is all you brought with you?"

Mitsuaki nodded.

"When's the rest of your stuff going to be here?" I asked. "Are you shipping it all the way from Japan?"

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