Page 39 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“With the door closed. It’s private and you’re delectable.”
They studied each other and he raised one black eyebrow. “Did you talk to your attorney?”
“Yes. He gave me the go-ahead from a legal standpoint.”
“Terrific. Now it’s whether you want to live with me and take my offer or not.” He embraced her lightly. “Will you marry me, Grace?” he asked, and she wondered if the day would come when she would wish those words had been said in love.
“Yes, Nick, I will. And I want the prenuptial agreement.”
“Ah, Grace.” He let out his breath and pulled her up to kiss her hard, an exuberant, triumphant kiss that started fires and made her want to be alone with him. He wrapped his arms around her to kiss her thoroughly, holding her close. She was committed now and her life had just changed forever.
He released her. “We need to get together to make our plans. One thing—let’s wed as soon as possible. I’ll help you in every way I can and I’ll pay for the wedding so spend what you want.”
“Nick, slow down,” she said, laughing as his words spilled out.
“I’m excited about this. When can you go with me to tell my dad?”
“Nick, won’t he see right through this and know it’s a sham marriage?”
“Not at all. He proposed to my third stepmother after knowing her a week. I’ve been in touch with him and he knows I see you. He’ll accept it because it’s what he wants. Michael will legally be his grandson. When can you get away to see him? Can you give me time tomorrow afternoon?”
“I have a wedding tomorrow night, but I’ll turn things over to Jada and if you’ll be here promptly at five, we can go then.”
“I’ll tell him today. I’ll break the news so it’s not too much of an emotional upheaval. He’ll want to see you.”
“I won’t be able to stay long.”
“That’s fine. It shouldn’t take long. He’ll probably want a party sometime if the doctor allows it. We can do that after the wedding. So how soon can we get married?”
“I haven’t thought ahead about this because I’ve spent my time trying to decide whether my answer would be yes or no. I don’t have to have a big wedding. I just have Jada and another close friend, my two sisters, and my aunt.”
“You know a lot of people because of your business and I imagine you have some clients you’ve gotten to be friends with. My dad is going to want the world to know about Michael. Between Dad’s friends and mine, we’ll have a big guest list.”
“Why didn’t this family feel that way about Michael when Alicia was alive?” Grace couldn’t keep from saying, thinking what a sad turn of events to have them want Michael now after Alicia was gone.
“That was Bart’s doing and I’ve told you, Dad’s illness has changed his values. I’m giving you carte blanche to hire people and get everything pulled together quickly.”
“How quickly? I want Aunt Clara to be a part of all this and she won’t be back for two more weeks.”
“Look at the calendar. Mid-January.”
“You don’t adopt Michael until we’re married and I have the first half of my money,” she stated firmly. “I’ve written that in the prenuptial agreement.”
Amusement flashed in Nick’s eyes. “Fine. Get your calendar. Friday is the last day of December. Let’s have a wedding two weeks from that—it would be mid-January, actually almost three weeks away from today. Your aunt will have returned by then.”
“Nick, this makes my head spin. Two weeks from this Saturday and a big wedding. My sisters may be in Timbuktu. We are so scattered.”
“You contact them and let’s get started. When can I have an evening with you?” he asked, his tone changing. Her pulse skipped and she wriggled away to look at her calendar. “Thursday is a rehearsal dinner that Jada can manage. I’ll go out with you on Thursday.”
“Great. Here,” he said, handing her a credit card. “Use this. I’ll have my secretary text the names of florists I’ve used a lot. If you trust me and will tell me what kind of music you like, I can get the musicians.”
“Nick, we’re doing this and we know so little about each other.”
“We know what’s important,” he said, his expression changing. “I’ve thought about you all day long,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to see you,” he added, and leaned close to kiss her again.
Wedding plans were forgotten, along with the tingly excitement she felt over her new life.
Desire overwhelmed her and she kissed him, letting go plans and worries. As their kisses heated and longing intensified, she wanted so much more. Reluctantly, she stopped.
