Page 23 of Chasing Trouble
She shuddered.“They...they knew I was a girl,” she croaked.“They had plans...for the winter.”
“I know, I heard them talking.They must have been watching us pretty closely to figure it out.I tried to move in closer, but I was afraid they were going to grab you, and then it would have been a lot harder to get you away from them.”
“I was afraid of that too,” she confessed.“I was never so glad to see anyone in my life.”
He ran his thumb gently down the silky skin of her cheek.“You saved my life, you know.If you hadn’t disabled one of them, I might not have gotten them both before they got me.”
“Where are they now?”she asked, biting her lip.
“Your dad is taking them to my place so a couple of my men can take them on to the sheriff. They need medical treatment, but they’ll live.”
“I’m glad you didn’t kill them.”She shuddered with revulsion.
“That wasn’t my intention, but they were still lucky.It could have gone either way.”
“You saved my life, too,” she whispered, looking up at him with shining eyes.She sat up in his lap and heaved a big sigh.“We work pretty well together, don’t we?”
He reached out and cupped her warm breast beneath the jacket.“We sure do...in more ways than one,” he replied, the scent of her hair intoxicating where he was nuzzling her neck.The sweet smell of lavender floated up his nostrils.
Whitney immediately slapped his hand away.“Oh no, you don’t.I meant what I said.No early baby for me if we do get married, so you might as well get used to it now,” she said fiercely.
Mac smiled and decided to humor her.“I can’t even kiss you?Just one little kiss?”he taunted her, knowing she loved kissing.
Her longing glance at his mouth held a degree of uncertainty, but he could see her crumbling.Finally, she nodded.
“Okay...but just one.”
He pulled her in close, his fingers twining in her hair at the back of her head while he nibbled on her lips.When she groaned and melted into him, he deepened the kiss and slipped his hand into her jacket to run his thumb across her breast.The bud hardened beneath his fingers.With a deep groan, it was he who finally pulled away.“You know we can’t stay away from each other, right?And I’m going to warn you—I don’t intend to try.Getting married tomorrow, like your dad wants, would be the best thing for both of us.”
She hastened to slide off his lap and stand up.“I...I think you'd better leave, Mac,” she demanded, folding her arms protectively across her chest.“Dad’s here now, and there’s no need for you to babysit us any longer.”
He stood up with a frown.“I know that.I need to get home anyway; I’ve got chores to do.I just wanted to spend some time with you before I go.”
“We always end up doing things we shouldn’t when we’re alone,” she said stubbornly.“Like you kissing me just now.You had to touch me, too.”
He stared, frustrated.“It was with your permission, as I remember.Besides, you didn’t try to stop me; I stopped myself,” he pointed out.
Whitney threw her hands in the air.“Just go, Mac!I don’t want you here.”
“Alright, I’m going.But you’ll be at the church tomorrow in your wedding dress—just like your dad asked?”His eyes narrowed.“If you’re not, I’ll come and get you, Whitney.Please don’t disappoint me.”
“Why is it all about you and my father?”she suddenly cried, stomping her foot once for emphasis.“Men are so damned arrogant, always thinking they know everything.Well, you don’t know everything.Maybe I don’t want to marry you.I don’t have to if I don’t want to,” she finished, her lip dropping into a pout.
“What about your dad’s request?”he snapped, running his fingers through his dark hair.“Look, I know the gossip is annoying, but the bottom line is, I love you, Whitney Ann Johnson, and I’m pretty sure you love me even if you won’t admit it.Once we’re married and settled on my ranch, the gossips will find new fodder for the rumor mill, and it won’t matter how it happened.”
“Maybe,” she replied grudgingly.“Bottom line for me is that Dad’s shotgun was just a threat for your sake.He would never make me go through with it if I really didn’t want to.”
Mac eyed her mutinous face.“Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?”
“Yes...no...I don’t know,” she cried, dropping her gaze to the floor.“This is all so...so sudden.I thought we’d get married after my birthday if Dad wasn’t back.Now that he is, everything is changing too fast.Getting married tomorrow...I...I can’t process that so fast.”
Mac’s heart sank.He was starting to get desperate.“And what about your dad’s feelings?He has to live here, even after you are safely protected with me.And your little sister and Luke?You don’t want them talked about in the future, do you?”
He knew he was grasping at straws, but he had to find a way to get through to her.He wanted Whitney, and he didn’t intend to let anything stop him from making her his wife.He also had no intention of waiting three months to consummate his marriage.
She started tapping her foot then and glaring at him.“So, I’m supposed to do what’s good for everyone else and sacrifice myself for them?Even though it’s my life?”
Her hands fisted on her hips, and Mac was ready to throw her over his lap after all.“Whitney,” he growled in warning.“You’re deliberately being difficult.Is it such a sacrifice to marry me?I know you want me.And don’t bother to deny it, your body betrays you every time I touch you.”
