Page 15 of Rival Heart
“What was that he said about five years?” I heard him but I want to hear her say it out loud. I’m not sure she realizes that she’s stuck. For at least five years. We’re both stuck but since it goes along with my own plans, I don’t think of it like that. To me this is just opportunity knocking.
Her head comes up and she rolls her lips in nervously, chewing on her bottom lip until I want to reach down and tug it loose.
“I didn’t know anything about that, Jace. Is it alright? I mean… we can live apart after a while maybe. After we’re under less scrutiny from the lawyer.”
“The hell we can. We’re doing this for a reason and we’re not messing it up by risking the letter of the contract we’ll have to sign.” I step into her, boxing her into the mattress so that she has nowhere to go.
Her little hands come up to my chest, barely touching me. Like tiny butterfly wings fluttering on my skin.
Her head comes up, her russet curls slipping down her back until they’re brushing my hands. I flex my fingers on her back, gently touching her soft curls, tangling in their softness and tugging at them gently. Her soft brown eyes darken to burnt umber, and I light up like a damn firecracker. Damn, I want this woman in the worst way.
“What have you been doing all this time, Jace? I know that I saw you in town earlier but I don’t know why.”
“Business. I have a security business. I was helping Ricky and Caro.”
“Ah. A business. What’s happening with your business? Can you run it from here or are you leaving town at some point?”
Lifting my hand, I run my fingers through her soft curls… finally. Her hair springs around my hand like a live thing. “I’m not going anywhere. I brought a partner in to help me run things. He’s running things from Tulsa. It’s not too far. I can pop in if he needs me. But I’m stepping back a little bit for right now so that I can take care of my father’s ranch.”
“Are you going to sell it?”
My brow lifts. “Now why would I do that, Reb? That’s going to be our home.”
Her pale cheeks flush so dark that I can’t see her pale freckles dotting her cheeks and nose. “I’m sorry… what?”
I run my finger up and down her chest, smiling when she shivers and her fingers flutter on my chest again. “I had every intention of staying here and remaking my father’s ranch. I’m starting a new business with it. But it’s not going to be cattle like my father’s. I’m raising cattle horses. Trained and bred to be the best anywhere. Good rodeo and ranch stock.”
“Wow,” she says breathlessly, her eyes following my fingers. I’m not sure if she’s talking about my business plan or my hands on her body but I fucking like the way she’s looking right now.
“Yes… wow,” I mutter under my breath, fisting the front of her dress in impatient, suddenly clumsy hands and tugging her in tight to me, my mouth seeking hers.
Her lips part and she moans. She tastes like sweet strawberries and honey and I’m fucking addicted. My mouth moves on hers, suckling and sipping like she’s a fine wine to savor.
I lift my head and suck in a breath at her ruby-red lips, bruised by my kisses. Her eyes open slowly, hazy and dark with desire, gold flecks firing up the sultry depths like stars in a night sky.
That’s the look. The one that I’ve been desperate to see in her eyes since I came back.
I want her. I’ve always wanted her in one way or another. Even when I let her father talk me into giving her up for her own good. But now I know that she wants me too.
And that gives me the patience to step away from her, to step back. “We’ve got a long time to work things through with each other, Reb. But don’t worry. I have every intention of staying with you the whole time. We’re married now and I plan on making this marriage work.”
Her mouth falls open, still glistening with my kisses which just makes me want to kiss her again. “But this is a fake marriage?” It sounds like she’s asking a question even though I know she’s trying to make a statement.
I smirk and lean over to kiss her again, wanting another taste of her more than my next breath. Her lips cling to mine until I groan and let her go. “I never said our marriage was going to be fake, Rebel. I specifically said I want a real marriage. A real chance at making this work. The fake part is something that you made up in your own mind. That was your thinking. I’ll give you a little time to get used to it but I’m not going anywhere. I’m in this for the long haul.”
I turn and head for the door. “I’m going to go get us something to eat and some clothes for you. I’ll be back shortly. “Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll get the plane called up and ready so that we can head home and go to the attorney’s office to get the paperwork signed for him. That way you can access your inheritance quicker and your dad has less time to play around with things. Also, is there anything that you’d like to get from his house? I’ll make sure that it gets collected. Even if I have to get the sheriff involved.”
He’s a friend of mine and Sebastian’s. I know that I can talk him into helping on this one. I have a feeling he knows some of the things that Rebel’s been dealing with her father and I know that he’s not one of his favorite people. Sam likes to think he’s the one in charge and throws his weight around. Which nobody likes. Especially a guy like me. Or like the sheriff.
“I don’t want anything of his. The only things I want are my mother’s jewelry, which is in my room and of course… Raphael.”
“Is Raphael yours or your father’s?”
“He’s mine. He was a gift from my mother before she died.”
“Good. I’m sure that Sheriff Randall remembers when you got him so it should be alright.”
I nod at her and then pause at the door. “I think this will work out quite well, Reb. We work together. I think our partnership will work on many different levels.” I shoot her a heated look, my eyes following the soft, sensuous curves of her body. “And I have to admit that I want you. I can tell you want me too. This is a good thing. I’ll be back soon. Relax and get ready.”
