Page 38 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“Maybe I am,” she said, winding her fingers in his chest hair and thinking about their lovemaking. “You’re a sexy fellow.”
He shifted to look down at her. “I’m glad you think so because you burn me to cinders.”
“Ah, the result I intend,” she said smugly, wishing with her whole heart she did. “Maybe I’ll marry you and make you fall in love with me, you who are so sure of yourself.”
He chuckled. “Do that. I’m not protesting. Let’s go find your bed before one of us falls on the floor.” When he stood and picked her up, she pointed in the direction of one of the open doors.
“I have a baby monitor in there and I can hear Michael anyway, although he rarely wakes in the night any longer.”
“And which direction is the bathroom?”
“The door to the right,” she said.
He placed her on the bed and brushed a light kiss on her mouth. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and left.
She stood, turned back the covers on the bed and climbed in, pulling a sheet over her. In minutes he returned, aroused and ready. He slipped in beside her and pulled her into his arms.
“Come here, sexy woman,” he said, kissing her. His hand drifted down her back and over her bottom, rekindling desire.
It was dawn when she fell asleep in his arms. She had no idea how long she slept, but she stirred and looked at Nick, who had his arms wrapped around her as he held her close.
The past two days had been unforgettable, tonight’s proposition, a shock. She would call her attorney to make sure the sham marriage would be as big a protection of Michael as Nick had said. She suspected it would because she couldn’t imagine that it wouldn’t completely satisfy Eli and return Nick’s inheritance to him.
The risk was falling in love—inevitable with Nick. Would he ever really fall in love with any one woman? Or would he be in and out of marriages and relationships like his father?
One million dollars. Plus Michael taken care of financially for the rest of his life. Plus an allowance. She could not possibly refuse him. With her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she looked at Nick, seeing his handsome features, the thick midnight hair tumbling on his forehead, black lashes feathered over his cheeks.
Their lovemaking had been one more argument on Nick’s side. The passion was fantastic, beyond anything she had dreamed possible. She studied Nick’s straight nose and prominent cheekbones, his firm jaw. If Nick stayed in her life, she would fall in love—it was absolutely unavoidable. Yet heartbreak was a risk worth taking for everything else Nick promised. She just had to remember to not expect any long-term relationship. A temporary marriage with myriad benefits.
On any given day there were people walking around who were survivors of a broken heart. She would also pull through. He had a prenuptial agreement already drawn up, which was a clear indication of his confidence.
Her life was about to be turned topsy-turvy by the man holding her close. He was still a stranger in many ways, yet she was becoming friends with Nick, getting to know his father and learning some of the family history.
While she gazed at him and thought about their lovemaking, desire returned. Soon he had to be going, but they could make love one more time. She raised slightly to trace the curves of his ear with her tongue.
Almost instantly his arm tightened around her and his eyes opened. She gazed into his dark eyes and felt his arousal as he pulled her closer to kiss her and they loved once again.
It was the first graying of morning when she watched Nick dash to his car and return with a manila envelope. Once he closed the door he handed the envelope to her. “Look it over and give it to your attorney. I’ll see you later today. Do you work or stay home?”
“Parties start up today and I’m working tonight. You can come by my office Monday at four and we can talk there.”
They stood looking at each other. His warm brown eyes made it obvious he wanted to make love again. “You need to go, Nick. I have to get things done.”
He stepped forward to embrace and kiss her. She hugged him tightly until finally she looked up. “You’re a lusty one.”
“You drive me to lust,” he said, caressing her throat. “A few more minutes and we’ll be back in bed. All right. I’ll be at your office at four.” He walked to his car and was gone. She closed and locked the door and went to look at Michael, studying the sleeping baby and thinking about how his life had changed.
She picked up the manila envelope to read the agreement, receiving more surprises with Nick’s generosity, because she would get more than he had told her. Michael would have a trust that would assure him a college education and a comfortable life not counting contributions from her. She would be given a generous allowance, one million to be paid, half when they married and half when they separated. She paused at that one, certain that if she married Nick she wouldn’t want it to end. She would do everything in her power to make him love her in return.
Michael’s cries interrupted her reverie. She slipped the agreement back into the envelope and it was midmorning before she had a chance to talk to her attorney. She drove to his office for an early afternoon appointment that was brief because he urged her to accept Nick’s offer if she got along with Nick and thought she could live with him.
She drove back to the office and told Jada that she didn’t want to be disturbed for the next hour while she sat in her office mulling over what she was about to do.
Nick arrived promptly at four. Jada, bubbling as ever around him, showed him back to Grace’s office. She hadn’t told Jada or anyone else except her attorney about Nick’s proposal. This was something she wanted to make up her mind about without other influences except a legal opinion.
Nick walked in, his navy jacket unbuttoned and open. He closed her office door and crossed the room to kiss her, a light kiss that turned into a passionate one.
“Nick, we’re in my office,” she said finally, trying to catch her breath.
