Page 42 of The Texan's Baby Proposal

She placed her fingers on his lips, stopping his kiss. “Marc, you’ll only make parting much more difficult.”

“Stop worrying about tomorrow. You’ll go to school and get the career you want. Hell and high water won’t stop you.”

“I’ve told you, Marc, it’s a tribute to my mom. I want to help people like her—through medicine, through research, whatever works out. It’s for my mother and makes me feel part of her is with me.”

He nodded. “That’s admirable. You’re really dedicated to it.”

“Yes, I am,” she admitted. She smiled at him. “I don’t think you get it, but you work just as hard.”

“It doesn’t seem the same to me.”

“That’s because you’re not really looking at yourself.”

“I’ll guarantee you, you’re more interesting.” He pulled her closer, till she was flush against him. “In the meantime, you look gorgeous and it’s been way too long since I held you and kissed you.” His mouth took hers and he kissed away any answer she might have had.

The kiss was worth waiting for.

But as he was about to make his next move, Lara stepped back.

“I think we need to catch our breath. I’ll put dinner on. I can’t wait to try that pot roast.”

“I’ll get a beer and get you a lemonade, and then we can sit and talk while it heats up. How’s that sound?”

“Like another good deal,” she said. “I’ll see you in a few minutes. I’m going to go change first.” She left him to enter her suite and close the door. As she changed, she thought about moving in with him as he wanted her to do. She had wanted to say yes—oh, how she had wanted to—but wisdom said no. She needed to keep enough distance from him that she didn’t make this marriage seem real to herself. He’d never fall in love with her and she couldn’t risk her heart by falling in love with him.

On the other hand, if she moved in with him, he might not ever want her to move out.

She laughed at herself and shook her head. How many women had slept with men because each one convinced herself that she was the woman he would want forever and ask to stay? The world was filled with women who’d had that foolish thought and she didn’t want to become a statistic.

She went downstairs and they had dinner out on the patio. Afterward they talked for hours, until darkness fell. And before she knew what was happening, Marc rose from his chair and picked her up to carry her to his big bedroom.

During the night she stirred and turned to look at him, holding her close against his side as he slept. Was she already falling in love with him?

If she was, there wasn’t any way to stop it. He wanted her in his bed at night and she wanted to be there. Her gaze ran over him and her pulse quickened. How long would he have that effect on her? She suspected it would be for as long as she knew him.

She realized now that no matter what she did, the divorce was going to hurt. On the other hand, she would move on with her life and now her financial worries were gone, thanks to Marc.

She shifted slowly, trying to avoid disturbing him, and propped her head on her hand to look at him. He excited her. He was incredibly handsome and sexy, more so now than he had been before their marriage. Or was she just in love and dazzled by him?

She wanted to run her hand over Marc’s chest, but he was a light sleeper and she was afraid her touch would wake him.

“Like what you see?” he drawled, startling her.

She looked at him. His eyes were still closed.

“How did you know I was looking at you? Your eyes are closed.”

“Magic. Besides, I know you find me fascinating,” he said and grinned. He pulled her down onto his chest and kissed her, ending their conversation.

Later, she lay in his arms, pressed against him.

“Lara, I feel I can trust you and I want to share something with you that’s worrying me. You have a sensible view of the world and I want your take on something. But what I tell you has to end with you.”

“Sure. It sounds serious.”

“It is serious. Because you’re pregnant and it’s not my baby, when I told my mom, she got very upset.”

Lara sat up to look down at him. “Oh, Marc. She doesn’t want me married to you.”

---