Marriage at the Cowboy's Command (10 page)

“What about your glamorous Teresa?”

“Collateral damage.”

“Just like that you'd dismiss a woman who's perfect for you to marry a woman you dislike?”

“Just like that,” he growled.

“Daniel's in school.”

“Kindergarten.”

“Well, I won't marry you! You're the last man on earth I'd ever willingly choose!”

“And you're the last woman I'd choose.”
Liar,
he thought even as he said it. “But you will marry me. Or eventually, you'll lose Wild Horse Ranch and everything else you've worked so hard for—just like your father did.”

When she whitened, he hated himself for that empty threat. The reality was he'd probably save her horses when it came to that—for Daniel's sake. But he didn't stop.

“Your precious horses simply are not worth the cost of such care. As I said, you have no better option than marriage to me. You do hold the trump card—Daniel! Think about that! You're good in bed, too, and that's a talent that means something to a man like me.”

“Good in bed.” She hissed in a breath.

He hated himself in that moment. He hadn't meant
to propose like this, angrily, tastelessly and without any gentleness, but it was done. Maybe it was just as well. Knowing how she felt, he was damn glad he hadn't groveled.

Outside, a car door slammed. Luke and Caitlyn were too busy mulling over their anger and hurt feelings while glaring at each other to pay any attention.

Light footsteps ran up the stairs outside. A fist banged on the door. Then Lisa cried jauntily, “Caitlyn?”

“Damn,” Luke growled under his breath.

The front door opened and Lisa stepped into the living room as only a good friend who was very sure of her welcome would. “Caitlyn?”

“She's in the kitchen,” Luke yelled stonily.

“Oh, hi there, handsome.” Lisa was all smiles as she simpered into the kitchen, carrying a sheaf of papers under one arm. “You're just the man I was looking for.”

She was dressed in a tight white sweater and an even tighter pair of jeans. Her long-lashed glance darted from his drawn face to Caitlyn's. “Hey, am I interrupting something?”

“Nothing important,” Caitlyn said in a tone that further infuriated Luke. “
He's
through saying what he came here to say.”

“You sure you're doing okay, girlfriend?” Lisa asked. “You don't look so hot.”

“Doing great,” Caitlyn replied.

“Good. I'm glad to hear that. But I really came over to see Luke.” She batted her lashes up at him. “It's about these old papers my bank sent me. It's business stuff. I thought maybe Luke, being so smart and all, could help me.”

“Sure,” he said. “Anytime. Helping a woman in distress is my special calling.”

“Did you hear that, Caitlyn? Sounds like your banker sheik pal sent the right man to help you out of your jam.”

Luke beamed. Caitlyn gave them both a scorching look and turned away haughtily.

“Just a minute, Lisa,” Luke said as he strode over to Caitlyn.

Putting his mouth close to Caitlyn's ear, he murmured, “You think about my proposal, sweetheart. Al Johnson and the team he's assembled can be here to take over for you in a heartbeat. They'll take good care of your horses and cattle operation until we can make some other arrangement.”

“He's already assembled a team? You let him do that behind my back?”

“I want an answer by tonight to my proposal. Because tomorrow I'm returning to London with or without you. Marry me, and this place you love will be free and clear. Your horses will be fine.”

“But I won't be here with them!”

“I said we'll work something out on that score! Look at it this way. If you don't marry me, you'll only go deeper into debt until you strain Hassan's patience to the breaking point. Eventually, unless someone like me gifts you with a lot of cash, which is unlikely, you'll have to sell land, or horses, or your entire operation. Every month that passes, your bargaining position weakens. Trust me—without my help, or drastic cuts, you will lose this place that you love so much. And you'll force a custody arrangement that will be difficult for Daniel. None of that has to happen. If you marry me, Daniel will have a father, and you will have Wild Horse Ranch. Your horses can move to the U.K.”

“And what will you get out of the bargain?”

“Daniel.
And you.
Don't ever underestimate the value
of your appeal to me, sweetheart.” When he stroked her cheek with a caressing fingertip, his blood pumped much too violently for his liking. “You were my first love, remember. I want you very much.”

She shook her head. “I'll never believe that!”

“Then think about last night. I wanted you, and if you didn't want me just as much, you put on a damn good act.”

“Luke!” Lisa called from the door in a husky, flirtatious tone. “I'm waiting, sweetie!”

Caitlyn hissed under her breath, “You'd better go,
sweetie.
Your admirer's getting impatient.”

M
arriage to Luke? Why had he asked
her
to marry him when he'd hesitated about marrying Teresa, who was supposedly so perfect for him?

Because of Daniel, of course. Because he felt obligated.

His proposal had Caitlyn's emotions in such a snarl that she could do nothing but think about what he'd said.

The day got worse. Lisa stayed all morning, flirting with Luke outrageously while he helped her fill out her papers at the kitchen table. Caitlyn was furious that she felt jealous. A man who was as rich and handsome as Luke was could have any woman. It increased her irritation that, no matter what he said, the only reason she could possibly find for him to ask her to be his wife was because of Daniel. His desire for her would be no reason to propose.

The sound of his deep, kind voice as he explained
the papers to Lisa so annoyed Caitlyn she slammed out of the house to work in the broodmare barn.

Not that she could concentrate on her beloved broodmares once she got there. She was so mad she almost wanted him to go and live his perfect life with his perfect girlfriend so maybe someday she could forget him. Too bad his relationship with Teresa wasn't her only problem. There was also Daniel and his need for his father. And the future of Wild Horse Ranch. She couldn't go on as before, even if she didn't marry Luke.

And she didn't want to marry Luke under these circumstances. She knew too well how easily a marriage of convenience could falter. But what better choice did she have? She didn't find the idea of selling land and livestock and figuring out a new career all that appealing, either. And what about Daniel? Would she be able to make enough to take care of him, or have the time to give him all the right opportunities? He needed a mother and a father, and she was beginning to believe Luke really wanted to fill the parental role.

Still, she wanted a loving marriage, and Luke hadn't mentioned love. Loving him made her vulnerable where he was concerned. How could she live with him as his wife and survive emotionally?

Later that afternoon Luke was on the phone with his executives in London when it was time to meet Daniel's bus, so Caitlyn went.

“Where's Luke?” Daniel demanded as he piled into her battered truck with his backpack. “I like his limo a lot better than this old truck. He's got neat stuff—water and colas and real nice seats.”

“You know he gave up the limo, and besides, he's on the phone. He's got a problem with one of his businesses.”

Daniel kicked his backpack onto the floorboard. In no hurry to return to the house or Luke, she opened Daniel's folder to see what his homework might be. The page that fell out was a drawing of a man and a woman and a little boy under which his teacher had written the word
family.
The man had green eyes. The woman had long black hair. In between them was a kid with green eyes the exact same shade as the man's.

Caitlyn's stomach knotted as she examined the picture, which was obviously of Luke, Daniel and herself.

“Did you do this today?” she asked.

“I was s'posed to draw a family.”

“Who are these people?”

“That's Luke,” he said in exasperation, jamming a finger at the stick figure with the green eyes.

“And the mother?”

“You! Mom, do you think Luke could ever be my new daddy?”

Desperately, she swallowed. Then, without thinking, she wadded the paper up and threw it on the floorboard. “No! Not in a million years!”

“But Mom!”

“Buckle your seat belt!”

“But you tore up my picture!”

“I'm sorry! I truly am. I-I'll straighten it out.” She leaned down, picked it up and began smoothing it. Then she handed it to Daniel.

“You ruined it! It's all wrinkled!”

“I'm sorry,” she said again. “Maybe you could draw another one,” she whispered in a low, choked tone.

When he didn't say anything, she turned on the ignition and drove home much faster than usual.

“Why couldn't you marry him?”

“I don't want to talk about Luke! We were doing just fine before he showed up!”

“Well…I wouldn't mind if you did…marry him,” he said with equal force. “'Cause I like him. A lot! The bus driver says we look alike. And Luke said that if he had a little boy of his own, he'd want him to be just like me.”

“He said that?” Her voice sounded scratchy.

“He said he couldn't ever like any boy better than me. Not even his own kid.”

Her stomach felt tight. This was all Luke's fault, she thought irrationally. He should never have come back!

Knowing that she was being unfair, she shut her eyes. In her heart she knew Luke and Daniel belonged together. Luke would make a wonderful father. She didn't want to remember how Daniel used to follow Robert around only to be rebuffed most of the time.

Perhaps it would have been simpler if Luke had never kissed her, or made love to her. Or shown her the truth—that she was still in love with him. He belonged in his glamorous world in London with an equally glamorous wife. She couldn't be that wife—no matter how much some secret part of her longed to be at his side. Luke had risen to heights that made a true marriage between them impossible.

How would she get through this?

By living one hour at a time, one day at time, until finally the pain dulled.

She brushed away the single tear that slid down her cheek.

Oh, what a mess she'd made of everything!

 

“Are you two mad at each other?” Daniel asked too brightly.

At the dining room table, Caitlyn sat stiffly across
from Luke and a platter of fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

Silence.

“Of course not,” Caitlyn finally managed, since Luke refused to answer.

“Then why won't you talk to each other? And why'd she tear up the picture I drew of you?”

Luke's hard gaze slid across the table to her. “Maybe because I've asked your mother to marry me,” he said quietly.

“What?” she gasped, glaring at him.

“This is great! Are you going to, Mom? Are you going to?” Daniel cried eagerly.

“I can't believe you would do a thing like that! You have no right to involve him,” Caitlyn cried. “Why not?”

“Why not? How can you ask me that? He's a small child, that's why! It's unfair to involve him!”

“It's a family matter, and he's a very important part of the family.”

“But Mom, I already told you I want him to be my new daddy.”

“There,” Luke said, “it's settled. The vote is two against one.”

“It is not settled,” Caitlyn said. “Not by a long shot. This is not a democracy. I decide who I'll marry. Or, in this case, who I won't marry.”

Luke grabbed her hand and reached for Daniel's. “So, will you marry me?”

Twin pairs of green eyes burned her.

“Do it, Mom! Please!” Daniel whispered.

It seemed unfair, the two of them working together this way.

“All right.” She finally relented, unable to say no to the pleading in Daniel's gaze. “I'll marry you.”

Daniel threw himself in her arms, and she hugged him tightly. Not that she dared so much as glance at Luke.

So, it was settled. Because she'd made such a tangle of her life; because Luke wanted to be a full-time father and would be good at it; because Daniel, who'd always craved a father, wanted Luke to be his father so much.

And because she loved Luke and couldn't bear to see him go away to London, knowing she would never see him again.

Maybe he didn't love her. Maybe she couldn't measure up to the perfect Teresa or be the wife a man like him needed, but if she didn't try, she'd never forgive herself.

 

No sooner had he gotten Daniel into bed than Luke knocked on Caitlyn's bedroom door.

She cracked the door half an inch. Her eyes were wet looking. Had she been crying? Because of him?

“You can change your mind,” he said when she refused to meet his eyes.

“No. I mean…yes,” she whispered in a tone that betrayed her utter misery. “Yes?”

“Yes! I'll marry you! Like I told both of you earlier!”

“You remember what I said about you being good in bed? You know this will not be a marriage in name only?”

“Yes, I understand what marriage means.”

“Then you'll share my bed? Willingly?”

His heart sped up. After a long moment she nodded. “If you insist.”

“I insist. So—prove it.”

“Now?” She let out a breath.

“Kiss me. Show me that you belong to me,” he said.

“But we're not married.”

“After last night, does that matter?”

She closed her eyes, curled her fingers tightly.

Did she dread his touch? Maybe, but when he pushed the door wider and reached for her, she did not resist him.

“Touch me,” he whispered, trying to hide his eagerness. He stepped further into her bedroom and shut the door. “Touch me everywhere.”

When her chin notched up an inch, he thought she would defy him. But she didn't.

As her rough hands roamed gently over his body, his anger began to subside. In its place came that loathsome tenderness he'd felt last night, showing him how deeply he desired her good opinion. This was the girl who'd followed him around in his youth, the girl who'd given him her virginity, the girl he'd adored. When she was his wife, he would take care of her. If their marriage worked out, she would have to move her horse operation to the U.K. and visit Wild Horse Ranch only a few times a year, but he did not intend to let her work so brutally that she ruined her hands. He would buy her pretty things.

But right now, he refused to think about the future or the power she held over him. Instead, he drew her to the bed and laid her beneath him. He would think about her warm hands undressing him, stroking and caressing and circling him. Then, much to his surprise and delight, she placed her wet mouth where her hands had been and sucked deeply.

He groaned in ecstasy. Placing his hands in her hair,
he spoke words he'd never intended to say, but because he felt so much for her, he could not stop himself.

When he was close to the edge, he pulled her beneath him and plunged deeply inside her, claiming her as his own.

When her arms tightened around him and she clung to him mindlessly, pleasure such as he had never known filled him. He swelled even bigger against her velvet warmth until he thought he'd die.

He didn't want her to feel this good; he didn't want to desire her this much. But treacherous feelings mushroomed inside him. She was slick and hot and tight. With every stroke, his tumultuous, conflicted feelings grew until they all but overwhelmed him. Maybe he and Caitlyn could find a way to make their marriage work. “Caitlyn.”

Tilting her head back, she stared into his eyes. Whatever she saw in their depths made her heart stampede. With a sigh, she fused her mouth to his and kissed him deeply. As he exploded inside her, he whispered her name over and over again.

At least in the bedroom, if nowhere else, she was his.

 

Caitlyn stared moodily out the window at the glittering Las Vegas strip. Vegas was the last place she'd ever thought she'd marry.

After making love to her last night Luke had held her close and said they should get married in Vegas before going to London.

“Why Vegas?” she'd whispered uneasily.

“Because it's fast and easy. Because we can obtain a license and marry the same day with very few questions asked. We have enough problems, don't you think? The
first one being you and Daniel moving away from your home on very short notice.”

“And leaving my horses.”

“Temporarily. We'll figure out something. All the more reason why we don't need the stress of planning a wedding.”

“But none of our friends or family will be there to celebrate with us.”

He'd shot her a quick, dark look, and she'd remembered he didn't consider their marriage a celebration. For him, it was an obligation.

“Okay, since you hate the idea of such a wedding, I'll make all the arrangements,” he'd said. “We'll have to delay our trip to London by a day or so.”

“But how can I leave the ranch? It doesn't run itself, you know. I have to pack.”

“I hired Al Johnson and his team. They'll be here first thing in the morning.”

“You were that sure I'd say yes.”

“Yes was your best option.”

So here she was in Vegas, alone in one of the fanciest hotels on the strip, waiting for Luke and Daniel to return from buying a wedding license. Making use of her time, she'd dressed in a stunning off-the-shoulder black dress that Luke had bought for her. As gorgeous and practical as the dress was, she couldn't help remembering the white gown she'd worn when she'd married Robert. Because of her mother, her first wedding had been completely traditional.

Eyeing the bottle of champagne Luke had placed on ice for later, she paced restlessly.

Where was he? Was he losing his nerve?

Finally, when another half hour passed and he still
didn't arrive, she went over to the chilled bottle and popped the cork.

Why wait when she needed to fortify herself for a ceremony that would probably be in some tawdry Vegas chapel?

Pouring herself a glass, she lifted it and made a silent toast to love and luck. Then she sipped slowly. Maybe, by some miracle, things would work out and they'd be happy. She imagined Luke coming home and sharing his day, preparing an evening meal together, making love. They'd do things with Daniel, have friends over like a normal couple. Maybe they'd go to parties, and to children's birthday parties, and take family vacations. She hoped so.

Somehow it was easier to imagine him working all hours while she struggled with loneliness and homesickness. Luke would prefer his glittering crowd to a simple evening with her and Daniel.