Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée (10 page)

The moment Eli opened the box and removed a scrapbook filled with photos of Michael, he smiled at her. “Grace, what a treasure! You couldn't have possibly given me anything that would please me more. I'm so grateful,” he said, flipping through the pages.” He looked at her and his eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. This means more than you know,” he said, his voice cracking.

“I'm glad,” she replied, surprised by his reaction, which was far deeper than she had expected. She could feel the barriers around her heart develop cracks, a dangerous reaction.

It took most of the morning to get through the presents and to watch and film Michael, plus getting snapshots of him with each of them.

Lunch was long and leisurely, and filled with stories from Eli of other generations of Raffords, and then they spent another hour playing with Michael before he fell asleep. While Michael slept they went to the lavish entertainment room to watch a Christmas movie, which was timed perfectly with Michael's nap that ended as the movie finished.

It was almost five in the afternoon before Grace told Nick she should go home. She thought Eli was beginning to droop. Goodbyes took another twenty minutes. Finally she was in the
car with Nick. The day had become overcast, a fog settling in, bringing darkness early.

“You made my dad a very happy man today. You can't imagine how much this meant to him.”

“That's good,” she said, wondering how Nick truly felt about his nephew. Michael had to have cut into Nick's life and caused upheaval in trying to please his dad's wishes. She glanced back at the sleeping baby. “I think Michael is worn to a frazzle. His brief nap this afternoon helped, but he may sleep through the night now, since he ate just before we left your dad's.”

“I imagine Dad is worn to a frazzle, too. He usually has catnaps and he missed them. All in all, the visit was fantastic.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I'll have to admit, I am. I knew it would be good to be with you, but we had a house filled with people—Dad, Vanessa, Megan and the rest of the staff constantly present. I wanted to be alone with you, but today was enjoyable and I'll admit, I'm surprised by my feelings for my nephew. I've never been around kids, never thought about them. I haven't particularly cared to get to know any if I'm briefly around them. Michael is cute and he can certainly win you over, which is funny, because he can't converse and he drools.”

She laughed. “So you like him after all. He's adorable and who could resist him?” she said, her smile vanishing as she wondered if today had simply reinforced Eli's determination to get Michael into the Rafford family and hereafter it would be easier to enlist Nick's help.

“Don't start worrying,” Nick said quietly.

“I hate that. You easily guess my thoughts while I never have the remotest idea what's on your mind.”

“You should be able to guess exactly what's on my mind,”
he said, his suggestive tone carrying a sexy innuendo that made her forget the past day, problems and others.

“I want to be alone with you,” Nick said, his tone stirring more shivers. “We've spent Christmas without a single kiss.”

“We kissed early this morning when I first saw you.”

“That one hardly counts,” he said.

She didn't want to tell him that even the slight brush of his lips on hers this morning had stirred a heated response. Nick's looks, his presence, his kisses, always brought a reaction. He had to know the effect he had on women.

At her apartment Michael stirred and Nick waited while she fed Michael, changed him and put him to bed.

“He's out for the night this time, I'm sure,” she said. “We'll have our little Christmas tomorrow morning,” she said, coming back into her living room, which now seemed smaller than ever. Lights glowed on her tree and she wondered if she looked poor to Nick. He would never understand her refusal of his father's monetary offer.

Nick crossed the room to her. “Merry Christmas,” he said, taking her into his arms. His gaze lowered to her mouth and she forgot everything else. His tongue parted her lips, thrust deeply into her mouth to stroke her tongue.

Melting, she clung to him, kissing him hotly in return, wanting to rattle him as much as he had her. He had sent her life into an upheaval with his passionate kisses. They were headed for a blowup because of their struggle over Michael. She was entangled with Nick now and there was no turning back on that. All she could do was fight to keep her baby, but she was beyond the point of resisting Nick. Each time they were together he became more important and had a stronger effect on her. When he wasn't present, he was in her thoughts far too much of the time.

Continuing to kiss her, Nick picked her up to carry her to the sofa where he sat down with her on his lap. She could feel his arousal pressed against her, hard and ready.

He cradled her against his shoulder while his hand stroked her hip and slid to her waist. His other hand wrapped around her, his fingers slipping beneath her sweater to take away her bra and caress her breast.

While moaning with relish, she ran her fingers through his thick, short hair, caressing his nape. She wasn't aware of his fingers unfastening her slacks until he shoved them away and slid his hand across her bare belly, his fingers moving lower, touching her between her thighs intimately.

She tried to twist away to protest, but he continued kissing her. She caught his hand to inch him away and he merely drifted to caress her breast. He sat up, gazing at her with a hooded, scorching look that was as sexy as a caress.

Mesmerized, she watched as he tugged off his sweater and tossed it away, leaving his chest bare. Hastily he pulled her sweater over her head.

“Nick.”

“Shh,” he whispered, cupping her breasts. “You're beautiful, Grace. So gorgeous,” he added, leaning down to kiss her breast. His wet tongue circled her nipple and she gasped, closing her eyes, clinging to him while she ran one hand over his muscled chest.

Pleasure rocked her in waves, heightening desire as he could so easily do. He tilted her back against his shoulder while he kissed her on the mouth and his hand slipped low again, going beneath her silk panties.

His warm fingers touched her intimately and she moaned as she arched against his hand, momentarily yielding, taking pleasure in touching him and being touched, knowing she was sinking deeper in her relation with Nick with each second that ticked past, each caress that bound her closer.

“Nick, wait. We're going way too fast and heading for intimacy, seduction, something I absolutely can't deal with,” she said, pulling away.

His hot gaze traveled over her bare breasts and she couldn't stop doing the same, with a seeking study of his strong shoulders and chest. Her insides heated, clutched, an ache throbbing low inside her.

With an effort, she lifted her gaze. “Nick, slow down.” She wiggled away, standing and pulling her sweater on, tugging her slacks back in place and fastening them.

Nick gripped her wrist. “Grace, come here.”

“Didn't you hear me?” she asked as he pulled her toward his lap.

“Sit here with me. Let me talk.”

Suspecting that if she sat on his lap they would do little chatting, she still did as he asked, tense and ready to protest the minute he started to kiss her. She was intensely aware of his bare chest, which kept her tingly and wanting him. Lust was rampant. How long could she successfully resist Nick? How badly would it complicate her life if she yielded to him?

“I want to tell you something. My dad does not give up easily,” Nick said, and she chilled, fear overcoming desire.

“He's put me in a bind over Michael. If you legally changed Michael's last name, it would not give him to my dad.”

“It would be a step in that direction and I don't think your dad will stop there. Do you really think so?”

“I can't imagine that he would ever try to take Michael from you. Especially after getting to know you. My father is not a monster. He's just a man who's determined to get his way when he wants something.”

“And he wants Michael with all his being. He has nothing else to focus on in his life now. All his attention is on Michael
and wanting my baby to be a Rafford. There's only one real way for Michael to become a Rafford and that's to take Michael from me.”

“That's not true. There's another way.”

D
read filled her as she looked into his eyes. Whatever he suggested could not be anything she would want to do. It had to involve losing some of Michael in her life.

“What does your dad intend?”

“You're right that his main goal is to get Michael in the family. He thinks I can accomplish this, so he's put pressure on me because he knows he's helpless to do much.”

Her trepidation grew. “I don't want to know, but I have to hear. What are you instructed to do?”

“Bring Michael into the family. At least with the Rafford name and a promise my father can share in his life. Dad threatened me if I didn't accomplish this. He's changed his will.”

“Nick, this is so unfair. Your father is ruthless and you're going to be the same way,” she said, moving off his lap and walking to her mantel to get some distance from him. A knot had formed in her throat and she had turned to ice. “All right.
Tell me about this new will and how your father has threatened you,” she said, bracing for what had to be bad.

Her spirits sank as Nick related the terms his dad had given him. When he finished, they gazed at each other in silence. She rubbed her forehead.

“I can't believe he would take your inheritance in such a manner.”

“Believe it. My father does what he has to when he wants something. I checked with his attorney, who had been told he could talk to me about the new will.”

“So if I don't capitulate, you lose a fortune.”

Standing, Nick yanked on his sweater as he crossed the room to her. “I've thought of a solution. Hear me out, because your first reaction is going to be an emphatic no.”

“You're not reassuring me. All right, what is your idea?”

“Marry me. We'll have a marriage of convenience.”

Shocked, she stared at him momentarily speechless. “You're right,” she said finally. “My reaction is a very emphatic no. We're not in love, Nick. You're not a marrying man. What happened to what you said to me—you're a confirmed bachelor. I recall, ‘My father has married enough to scare me from that forever.'”

“I'm suggesting a temporary union. It's a marriage of convenience, no deep emotional involvement on either of our parts, but beneficial to both.”

“I think ‘beneficial' would be describing what you and your dad get. I would gain nothing.”

“Of course you would,” Nick said quietly, moving a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch mildly distracting even though her attention was on what he was saying. “I'd make it worth your while because I'll inherit the bulk of my dad's estate. Michael will have a trust and as my wife, you would have money to take care of him in any manner you desire. You can have your restaurant. In addition, I'll pay you a million.”

Another surprise jolted her. Her head spun at the thought of what Nick was offering. Her life and Michael's would be altered drastically. “It boggles my mind. I can't imagine that much money being mine. I've been poor my whole life until the last few years and that's been what I've earned by hard work. You see what a simple life I lead. I can't fathom living in the manner you're proposing, much less marrying you. It's worth that much to you to do this?” she asked, unable to grasp how Nick could be making her such an offer.

“My father is enormously wealthy. If I inherit, I'll be a billionaire.”

“It's that important to you that you would lock yourself into a loveless marriage?”

“Yes, to you. A union with you isn't exactly a grim prospect, Grace. We have a hot chemistry between us. We could make this work. I'll remind you again, it's temporary.”

She rubbed her forehead again. “Nick, my head spins. It's lust between us. There are so many questions about the marriage, much less thinking of the future and Michael and the money.”

“Look, I don't want to lose Dad's fortune, I'll admit that. No, we're not in love, but frankly, Dad's health is very poor. He spent years just sleeping three or four hours a night, working on high-pressure deals, partying when he wasn't working. He hasn't taken care of himself and now he's paying a price. His doctors have talked to me. We won't be married forever and you'll come out of it well fixed, Michael taken care of, and you and Michael can lead your own lives.”

“That sounds cold.”

“Not too cold,” he remarked drily. “You and I get along great except for this problem between us caused by my dad. Marry me, let me adopt Michael. That puts him in the Rafford family, but there is no earthly way Dad could or would take him from you if you're my wife.”

“I suppose that's true,” she said. “Not as long as I stay with you.”

“Damn straight. If you don't like being married to me, we don't have to be in each other's faces. There's enough money to do as you please. I'll set up an allowance for you that will be generous and you can do what you want. Keep catering, open your restaurant, stay home with Michael—suit yourself. This will give me Dad's inheritance and give you what you've dreamed of in life. You'll achieve that goal of yours far sooner.”

Nick's dark gaze compelled her to want to accept. She moved away from him to break the spell he spun just with his presence.

“Nick, that's a lot to think about. You have to give me some time.”

“I will, but remember, time is important. Dad could have another attack or a stroke, and then the deal is off because it would be too late. I hate to be blunt about it, but that's the truth as presented to me by his doctors.”

“You would be Michael's legal father,” she said, turning to study Nick and wondering how good this would be for Michael.

“I'm glad you're considering Michael, too. While he's only a baby, he has a big stake in your decision. As my child, he would be my heir and I would support him until he's grown.” Locks of black hair fell across Nick's forehead and a muscle worked in his jaw, another hint of the intensity of his feelings.

“Of course, I'm wondering what kind of father you'd be.”

“I can't make promises about something I don't know about myself, but I've been surprised how much he's wiggled into my life. I enjoyed last night and today with him around. He has a way of winning you over, though it's effortless on his part.”

“Yes, he does,” she said, thinking about Nick's declaration.

“This marriage between us won't last and I have no inclination to take Michael from you. Michael would be my heir.”

“At least you're honest and that's good.” They stared at each other and she could feel the clash of wills and see the determination in Nick's expression. He crossed the room to her to place his hands on her shoulders.

“Marry me. It won't be bad and you know it. You'd get what you want. I'd get what I want. Dad gets what he wants. It will be good for Michael and there is no way on earth you'll lose your baby. Dad and I will just be more in your life than otherwise.”

“More in my life? Nick, you and I would have an intimate relationship.”

“I can't see that that would be bad,” he said quietly, slipping his hand to her throat. “We're not in love, but sex promises to be great between us.”

“I still can't imagine you suggesting this. You have a lot to lose.”

“Not as much as I have to gain,” he countered. “My bachelor freedom I can forgo for a while. Grace, once again, this is a temporary marriage. It's not a lifetime commitment.”

“You're charming and sexy. You've told me what a confirmed bachelor you are. Suppose I fall in love with you?”

“Hopefully, if that happens, I'll fall in love with you. If I don't, that's one of the risks you take, but there aren't many other risks and people can survive breakups. At the moment we're not in love.”

“Intimacy may lend itself to love. I know I can't be detached about someone I'm intimate with.”

“Regard it as a risk. I think this marriage will be well worth your while for all the pluses there are.”

“You know I can't possibly give you an answer now.”

“I'll repeat, don't wait long. I can't see that you have much to lose and you have a world to gain for both you and Michael.” Nick drew her into his embrace and leaned forward to kiss her.

She stood resisting him, her thoughts on his proposition, but then his mouth opened hers, his tongue thrust inside and her attention shifted to Nick. He kissed her passionately as if trying to win her over physically, a reminder of the strength of their attraction. Marriage, making love constantly, a million dollars, plus her restaurant. It spun in her thoughts, but his kiss drove away reason. In seconds passion encompassed her.

She wound her fingers in his hair again, standing on tiptoe to kiss him ardently. She ran her hands over him, slipping them beneath his sweater to caress his smooth back, trailing down to his narrow waist.

Nick stepped back, pulling off first his sweater again, and then hers. “This is good, Grace. We do well together.” His gaze traveled to her breasts as he unzipped her slacks and let them drop. He unclasped her bra to push it away, cupping her breasts to caress her before kissing her.

His tongue was hot, wet as he circled a nipple and made her clutch his shoulders. In minutes he straightened to kiss her, holding her with one arm banding her waist while his hand caressed her inner thighs. She spread her legs slightly, giving him access.

“You're beautiful. Desirable,” he whispered. “Awesome,” he added, his words another caress that heightened her desire.

His hand slipped higher and he tugged away her panties before his fingers touched her intimately, stroking her while he continued to kiss her.

Her heart thudded violently and she could feel his heartbeat racing beneath her hand spread on his chest.

She moaned with longing, sliding her hand down, un
fastening his pants to get them out of the way and feeling his washboard stomach. Minutes later she pushed away his tight briefs. She took his stiff rod in her hand to caress him.

Sensations showered her, heightening her response and longing. She tugged at his shoulders, spreading her legs wider for him. “Nick,” she whispered before kissing him.

She wanted him and she was crossing a line where there would be no turning back. She was also on the verge of accepting Nick's marriage proposal and then they would be making love every night. She would not stop him tonight. If marriage loomed she wanted him now before she made her decision, yet deep in her heart, she was inclined to say yes to Nick and take the breathtaking proposition he offered. Say yes and gain the world for herself and for Michael.

Nick's kisses and caresses reclaimed her attention and she forgot his proposition as she clung to him and returned his passion.

“Are you protected?” he asked, and she leaned away slightly.

“No,” she answered.

“I can take care of it.” He kissed her again until she forgot about his question or their brief conversation. He swept her into his arms and carried her to place her on the sofa. Picking up his trousers, he removed his billfold, retrieving a packet in foil.

She watched him, marveling at his strong body, virile and fit. He returned to kneel to kiss her, starting at her feet and working his way up until he moved between her legs and let his tongue travel where his fingers had played.

“Nick,” she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair. His tongue dallied across her belly, drifting higher to give attention to each of her breasts, and then he moved over her to kiss her, his weight solid.

She kissed him until he shifted, kneeling between her
open legs. His gaze traveled deliberately over her. “You're stunning.” She watched his strong, well-formed hands as he put on the condom and then he lowered himself to enter her, filling her slowly, causing her to arch to meet him.

“Nick.” She cried his name again, pulling his shoulders closer, running her hand down over his broad back and his firm buttocks. She locked her long legs around him, in motion with him, carried on a spiral of passion.

Nick slipped an arm around her, holding her, kissing her as he thrust slowly and withdrew, setting her on fire with need.

“Love me,” she cried, her hips arching against him. His control held and he continued to pleasure her until her pulse roared in her ears and nothing existed for her except Nick's body pleasuring hers.

Finally his control shattered. He pumped faster, Grace moving with him as her need reached a climax. Carried high, she crashed with satisfaction that washed over her. She held him tightly while he shuddered with his release. His body was sweat covered, as heated as hers.

With a galloping heart, she gasped for breath until he kissed her passionately again, moving with her, slowing now. His breathing was heavy, irregular as her own.

“Nick, how I wanted you.” She could never go back to feeling remote from him the way she had before.

“Ah, Grace, you're unbelievable, better than I had hoped, and I expected the world. We'll be great. You can't argue that one,” he whispered, showering light kisses on her face while he held her. “This is a Christmas to remember. Make it extraordinarily special. Be my Christmas fiancée.”

Christmas fiancée.
How tempting Nick could be.

Slowly she cooled and caught her breath while she remained locked in his embrace, one with him and for now, no dissension between them.

“I want you in my bed every night. I would have without the proposal,” Nick said, studying her, and her heart missed a beat over the promise of passion in his eyes. In that moment, she was certain she would fall in love with him. Particularly if he turned out to be a great father to Michael.

She combed raven locks off his forehead and Nick leaned down to kiss her. “Say yes, Grace. It'll be good for everyone. You won't have regrets.”

“I'll have a hundred second thoughts and possibly dissatisfaction,” she said, certain she would. “But I'll admit, I'm considering your proposal because Michael and I would gain. And it would keep your father from ever taking Michael away from me. I don't think a court would take a baby from the guardian mother, but I'm not a blood relative and your dad is. Plus he has the power and the money to win what he wants. He probably knows judges and has the best attorneys, whereas I can't possibly have the resources to put up much of a fight.”