Page 20 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

As she spoke to others and drifted toward a door, she glanced over the room one more time. She’d had a fun, touching, beautiful wedding with loads of friends, yet it really was a meaningless event. She wondered why Marc had had the big blowout for a marriage of convenience that would end after twelve months. Maybe it made the event seem more real for his family. His mother certainly seemed happy.

Lara finally stepped out of the ballroom into the quiet hall. At the moment it was empty, and she hurried to the end where Marc had told her to turn right. Before she could, a hand stretched out and snagged hers, and Marc pulled her around the corner.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, taking her hand and hurrying to the stairs. In minutes they slid into his waiting car.

“There’s a big decorated limo waiting out front and a few people already hanging around it, I suppose to see us come out and leave. Sorry to disappoint them, but this is easier.”

He pulled out onto the street. “Well, so far, so good. We did it. We got married in front of my grandparents and my mother. Thanks again, Lara. You’re the perfect choice and it all went well. My grandfather was a happy man.”

“Marc, he’s so frail. I’m sorry because I know how much you love him.”

“I do, but I’ve made him happy in his last days and he’s made me happy, and we’ll manage living on the ranch this year.”

They drove to a private airport where Marc had a plane waiting and shortly they were airborne, buckled into seats in a luxurious lounge. “I stocked champagne for me and lemonade for you. We can sit back and relax. The rest of the day will be peace and quiet, which I’m ready for.”

“So now I get to see this ranch I’ve been hearing about,” she said, thinking more about being there with Marc. He stretched out his long legs. Locks of black hair curled on his forehead.

“Know much about ranching?”

“Absolutely zero. I’m a city person. I don’t even know anything about small towns like Downly.”

“Since you’re pregnant and you’ve never ridden, you’ll have to stay away from the horses and the barns.”

“Believe me, you don’t have to tell me twice,” she said, and they both smiled.

How was she going to resist him? This wasn’t like the office, which was so businesslike and fast paced. Outside of work, Marc was far more laid-back and relaxed. As she thought about it, he reached up to remove his tie and unbutton his collar.

“That feels better. Got anything you want to undo or take off?” he asked.

“No, I don’t.” She laughed, but her insides jumped at his innuendo. She scrambled to change the subject. “Once we’re on the ranch, am I going to be isolated unless I get back to Dallas?”

“Not at all. You’ll have me there,” he said, leaning close to touch her hand, a casual touch like he’d done several times today. But as with the ones that came before it, the contact caused a sizzling response up her spine. The prospect of guarding her heart seemed more difficult each time she was with him. But she had to resist him, because they each had plans for their futures and none of those plans included the other. If she told him to stop being so friendly, she thought he would laugh it off and pay no attention. Those slight contacts with him didn’t have the same effect on him. She was sure of it.

“At the ranch we can think of some way to pass the time,” he told her.

“I’ve already enrolled in some online courses to keep up with my chemistry,” she said. “I’m going for a doctorate in chemistry in case I don’t get into medical school.”

“Chemistry.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on the arms of her chair. “I can show you some chemistry we can study right now in this plane,” he said in a husky voice.

“You’re flirting with me,” she said. “We weren’t going to do that. I thought this was going to be mostly a business arrangement.”

“Relax a little. We might as well have some fun. Sure, I’m flirting with you. You’re a beautiful woman and you’re my wife now.” His eyes were filled with devilment that made her laugh in spite of knowing that the more she encouraged him, the deeper she might sink into flirting and kissing and seduction—all of which she wanted to avoid as long as possible.

“Don’t get too appealing and fun,” she warned. “You don’t want me falling in love with you and vice versa. We agreed about that.”

“Once I get to working and go back to Dallas to take care of business along the way, you’ll hardly see me,” he said. “For now, this is our wedding day and we might as well party a little.” He leaned closer, hemming her in.

“That was a really chaste kiss in the wedding ceremony,” he said in a low voice. “We might try again and have a little more excitement today.”

Sitting like this, she was skirting trouble and breaking her own rules before they even got to the ranch. She put up a hand between them.

“You know full well that we agreed to avoid a sexual relationship. Kissing might lead there,” she said. “I don’t want to fall in love with you—or even in bed with you. We agreed on that one.”

“But you’ll hurt my feelings,” he said, smiling at her.

“No, I won’t,” she answered. Before she could utter another word he closed the last bit of distance and covered her mouth with his. His hands slipped off the arms of her seat to wrap around her and pull her closer.

The minute his mouth covered hers, her heart thudded and she couldn’t resist his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. When their tongues met, a flame of passion sparked deep within her.

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