Page 13 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

“It’s real and it’ll get more real when you’re Mrs. Marc Medina.”

“Mrs. Marc Medina,” she repeated, shaking her head. “Absolutely impossible.”

“It’s possible and it’s happening, and we’ll both benefit,” he said.

When she turned those wide blue eyes on him, his pulse jumped. Still, he knew if they could resist going to bed together and manage to keep this relationship just like it was tonight—no desire or flirting or wanting each other—then when it came time, parting would be easy. But he suddenly had a feeling it wasn’t going to be as easy as he anticipated. His reaction to her had changed, and it shocked him how much restraint he was having to use around her. How could she cause the sexy reactions he was having?

He tamped down those tingles of awareness and focused on the business at hand.

“I didn’t talk to my mom or grandfather last night,” he said. “I wanted to wait until dinner tonight and see if you had second thoughts. You do understand that when the year is up, we’ll divorce, right? I’ll have a contract drawn up. I don’t want you to have any illusions about staying married.”

“I understand and I won’t. I’m marrying to pay for my baby and my education, not for romance,” she said and then blushed. “Sorry, that sounded very crass.”

“No, it didn’t. It sounded very honest. So am I. We have the same motives and goals so we understand each other and we’ll walk away and never look back.”

“I’m thrilled,” she said, smiling at him, and his insides clutched. In an instant she could make him hot and wanting her. Where was this physical attraction coming from? That had not happened in the office and she wasn’t causing it deliberately now. Was he getting in deeper than he had intended? He brushed that question aside as impossible.

“I’ve been totally alone and on my own for so long. This is going to be a different world, even a marriage of convenience that is only temporary.”

“I guess that’s why you’re very independent.”

“I didn’t know it showed,” she said.

“A little. It’s not bad to be independent,” he said.

He thought about how much time they’d be spending together over the coming year. The ranch house was big. Would they naturally drift together or would they gradually drift apart and barely see each other? He hadn’t put many stipulations in his proposal, nor could he, really. But in his mind he knew what he had to do. Keep his distance.

He kept telling himself that all through dinner, whenever the urge to take her hand threatened him.

Dinner was pleasant, despite the undercurrent of tension. They talked about the wedding and life on the ranch. Finally, he took her home, walking her to her door.

“Want to come in?” she asked, smiling at him.

He shook his head. There was only one thing he wanted.

He put a hand on the door and leaned down till his mouth was a breath from hers.

* * *

He was about to kiss her.

She backed up quickly, resisting the urge to place her hands on his chest and push him away. She didn’t need the physical contact.

“We agreed to avoid sex in this union. We might as well stick with that tonight,” she said, feeling he was on the verge of changing their relationship. “We both have to remember this marriage of convenience is headed for a divorce in one year. Let’s pass on kisses.”

He looked amused as he nodded. “That’s the smart thing to do.” He took a step back. “I’ll talk to my family and get back with you about when you can meet them.” He looked down into her eyes. “Lara, you’re right in that we’ll both be better off to leave kisses out of this. You and I want to walk away someday and it’ll be a lot easier if we keep this relationship somewhat like what we’ve had this past year.”

“I agree. Now, you may have certain expectations, since I’ve been your secretary and at your beck and call every work day for almost a year. I think we need to establish right now that that’s over.”

“Are you going all independent woman on me?”

“I might be. After all, this isn’t a boss-secretary relationship we’re entering into. We’ll have adjustments to make. You’ll have adjustments to make, I’m sure, because I won’t be your secretary any longer,” she said. “What’s far more standard now, if I’m your wife, is for me to start giving you some orders.”

His smile grew. “Have you ever been hiding yourself. You’re a whole different woman,” he said, his gaze drifting over her.

“This is a brand-new situation. We’re just getting started in our new relationship, and of course, there will be adjustments, but I will not be at your beck and call as I have been.”

He looked amused as she leaned closer and patted his arm. “Whatever we say and do, when the time is up, the marriage is over. You want that and I want that and we both should keep that goal in sight.”

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