He braced his arms on the counter. In return for me playing the doting husband.
She stacked their clean plates on the dish drainer. Only when a convincing performance is required, she said, wanting him to know that his husbandly duties wouldnt be required on a full-time basis. I know Allen will be skeptical of a sudden marriage, and I dont doubt that hell ask around town about us, and stop by often.
And after a year?
We divorce, and go our separate ways. She dried her hands on a dish towel, wishing her bargain didnt sound so cold and calculating. I dont expect that youd want to hang around any longer than that.
Harsh laughter escaped him. No, youre right about that. He stood and paced into the living room, a raw kind of energy pouring off him. What about Phoebe?
She knew what he was asking. How would she explain this unorthodox situation to her daughter? Shell know were married, of course. Just treat her the same way you do now, and Ill do my best not to let her get attached to you.
He moved to the window overlooking the ranch and scrubbed a hand down his face. That would be for the best.
Hope surged through her. Then youll agree?
Luke remained quiet, his body taut, as if he was struggling with deep, dark forces.
She knew what she was asking would change his way of life for a year, but he had to see the value of her proposal, for the both of them. Maybe he just needed time, and she could give him that. Luke, I know this is very sudden and unexpected. Please, just take a few days and think about my offer.
He turned back around and braced his hands on his lean hips, looking every inch a renegade. And what will you do if I decline your proposition?
She didnt want to think about that, because he was the perfect man for the job. So, she lifted her chin determinedly and bluffed. Then Ill have no choice but to find another man wholl appreciate my mutually beneficial offer.
Two hours later, unable to concentrate on one of the suspense novels he liked to read at night before retiring to bed, Luke left his quiet apartment and followed the moons silvery glow toward the darkened barn. No matter how much distance he put between himself and the main house, Edens proposition pursued him, relentlessly dogging his heels, and preying on his mind like a plague.
Frustration snuck up on him, at her for enticing him with a chance at the freedom and independence that had eluded him for the past eight years, and at himself for wanting that land in Montana so badly.
But not at the cost of her reputation.
Ill have no choice but to find another man wholl appreciate my mutually beneficial offer.
Luke scowled at the moon, and stopped at the split-rail fence surrounding the paddock. Edens sassy reply didnt seem to take her reputation into consideration. But then, he suspected her words had been a show of bravado, a dare to provoke him into agreeing to her outrageous, and very desirable offer.
A marriage in name only.
Laughing at the incongruity of that, he leaned against the fence, and propped the heel of his boot on the bottom rung. He gazed up at the main house, unable to imagine any healthy, red-blooded male agreeing to her marriage of convenience scheme. A year of living with Eden would surely test a mans self-control, and his libido. Granted, she wasnt offering her bed or her body as part of the deal. The guest bedroom downstairs would lessen temptation, but she obviously wasnt taking into account the day-to-day intimacies that a husband and wife shared that would surely heighten their awareness of one another. Living in the same house meant constant contact with each other, and the risk of casual touches turning into burning, needy caresses.
He already found her too attractive for his peace of mind. And as their relationship currently stood, this evening proved that they were struggling to evade their attraction, and trying to ignore its existence.
Releasing a deep sigh, he reached into his shirt pocket for one of the hard cinnamon candies he favored in lieu of a cigarette since hed quit smoking four years ago. Unwrapping the disc, he popped it into his mouth, welcoming the sharp sting of cinnamon on his tongue that curbed his craving for nicotine.
His craving for Eden wasnt as easily appeased.
As if his thoughts had beckoned her, the light in her upstairs bedroom went on. A moment later, she walked up to the window, pushed aside the sheer curtains, and lifted the casing to allow fresh air into the room. The diaphanous drapes fell back into place, enabling him to see her silhouette as she bent her head and began releasing the buttons down the front of her dress.
Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, looking like burnished gold from the lamplight reflecting off the strands.
He told himself to go, but his feet wouldnt move. He told himself to look away, but his eyes remained riveted on her shadowy outline, which was far more provocative than seeing her without the flimsy obstruction of the curtain. This ethereal view of her was soft, unfocused, and teasing. He found himself completely enthralled with this unveilingand powerless to resist her.
When the button task was done, she shrugged her shoulders and the dress slid to her waist, and with a subtle shimmy of her hips it glided the rest of the way to the floor. Next came her bra, allowing him a profile glimpse of her lush curves before she walked out of sight.
Lukes breath left him in a rush, and his body throbbed in startling awareness and need. He crunched into the hard cinnamon candy, but the fiery flavor only inflamed him more.
When she walked by the window again, she was dressed in a gauzy nightgown that reached her thighs. She climbed up onto a high poster bed, and turned off the lamp. Darkness enveloped Luke as well, and for as much as hed learned to live a solitary existence, at the moment he wanted to trade in his lonely life for a real home, family, a wife.
He could have that with Eden, for a year. In exchange for land in Montana, which would go a long way in expediting his personal dreams of having his own spread, and the security of being his own boss. But for as much as he would gain, he couldnt dismiss what Eden might lose if someone discovered his past and brought it to light. Without a doubt, scandal and outrage would erupt. Her own reaction to his deception wouldnt be pleasant, either. It never was.
Eden was so sure of him, so trusting in believing that he was a good, honest, hardworking man. Hed like to think he was those things, and could be all that she needed. Eight years ago he could have been, before another woman had destroyed not only his reputation, but the course his future would take.
Always drifting. Always running. Always alone.
That land in Montana beckoned, as well as his freedom, and Luke struggled with his conscience. He thought of Edens parting remark that she would find someone else to accept her offer, and felt something deep within his gut twist at the thought of another man reaping the benefits of taking her for a wife for a year.
She had to be bluffing, provoking him. Shed told him to take a few days and think about her offer, and hed do just thatnot because he was considering accepting her wedding deal, but to give her time to realize just how crazy this harebrained scheme of hers really was. To realize that taking a husband wasnt the solution to her problem with her brother-in-law.
CHAPTER THREE
She had to be bluffing, provoking him. Shed told him to take a few days and think about her offer, and hed do just thatnot because he was considering accepting her wedding deal, but to give her time to realize just how crazy this harebrained scheme of hers really was. To realize that taking a husband wasnt the solution to her problem with her brother-in-law.
CHAPTER THREE
IF she had a husband, Eden firmly believed her biggest problems on the Double L would be solved. With Allen unable to control the trust Bryce had set up, her bills would be paid on time, shed be able to expand her cattle operation, and shed even be able to indulge in a few luxuries for Phoebe.
Unfortunately, the man shed chosen to fill the role of bridegroom wasnt cooperating with her plans.
With a determined stroke of the mascara wand, Eden applied a coat to her lashes, then swiped a shade of shimmering peach across her lips. Taking a step back, she eyed her reflection in the bathroom mirror critically.
A smile lifted the corner of her mouth. Not bad, she murmured, pleased with the subtle transformation from her everyday, au naturel look, to chic and sophisticated. Shed never been one to wear a lot of makeup, but she had to admit that the basics highlighted her green eyes, defined her cheekbones, and made her lips look full, glossy and alluring.
Shed rolled her hair into the hot rollers her sister had given her a few years ago, but shed never used before because shed never had a reason, or an occasion, to primp. The end results of those curlers were soft waves that tumbled to her shoulders, adding to the sensual aura shed created. She also wore a new pair of formfitting black jeans, a white blouse with a western design patterned in black piping with pearled snaps down the front, and her waist was cinched with a black-and-silver belt.
Her chin lifted confidently, matching the enthusiastic sparkle in her eyes. This ought to make Luke sit up and take notice, she said to her image in the mirror.
Shed given Luke a week to think about her proposition and accept her offer, and all shed got for her patience and waiting was Luke reverting back to the polite, courteous hand shed originally hired. He spent the long days out on the range until the sun set. When he rode back to the main ranch in the evenings, he avoided being alone with her, and didnt encourage casual conversation. From what shed learned from Jake, Luke was spending his nights down at The Silver Spur.
She found his evasive behavior exasperating, but a challenge as well. Her renegade cowboy had yet to see just how stubborn and persistent she could be.
Turning, she headed into her bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on her black leather heeled boots. She refused to put her pride on the line and beg for Luke to help her, but she had no qualms about using feminine wiles to prompt him into accepting something she knew he wanted, coveted even. The way his eyes had glimmered with interest when shed mentioned that land in Montana, along with their attraction to one another, gave her hope that he only needed a little prompting to agree to her one-year proposition.
Tonight would tell, when she followed through on her bluff to find another candidate who would appreciate her profitable overture. For the first time since Bryces death, she was going out in public with the pretense of finding herself a man. There was only one mans attention she sought, and with luck, and a little jealousy, shed have himfor a year.
Mom, is it almost time for you to take me to Ashleys?
Eden glanced up as her daughter entered her room, an overnight bag in hand, looking anxious to get to her best friends house where she was spending the night. At eight years old, Phoebe was sprouting like a weed and was taller than most of the girls in her third-grade class. Her legs were long and coltish, her body slender yet sturdy from riding her horse, and doing her share of chores around the ranch.
She wore the long sable hair shed inherited from her father in a single braid down her back, and her wide hazel eyes sparkled with youthful bliss. Like any young girl who adored her daddy, Phoebe had been devastated when Bryce had died, but over the years shed adapted to life without him, and it just being the two of them.
Smiling easily, Eden stood and crossed the room to the dresser. Well leave in just a few minutes, honey-bunch.
Phoebe dropped her bag on the floor and plopped down on the four-poster bed on her stomach. Propping her chin in her hands, she regarded Eden with a small measure of curiosity. You sure look nice, and you smell pretty, too.
Eden slipped on a pair of dangly silver earrings, and met Phoebes gaze in the mirror. Thank you, she said, certain there was more to come from her inquisitive daughter.
Phoebe didnt disappoint her. Are you going on a date?
Eden was grateful that Phoebe didnt sound opposed to the idea, but tonights quest didnt really qualify as a date in the traditional meaning of the term. No, not really a date, she said, choosing her words carefully. Im just going out with a friend for the evening.
Enthusiasm brightened her eyes. A man friend?
If Edens plan worked, shed definitely land her man. Yes, a man friend.
Phoebes smile was both hopeful and yearning. Will I get to meet him?
Eden didnt want to think of the complications of thatyet. Well see, she said, playing it safe by being vague. Coming back to the bed, she sat beside her daughter. She stroked a hand over the crown of her head, down the length of her soft, thick braid, and toyed with the end. What do you think of Luke, Phoebs? She needed to know, because it was important to her that Phoebe connected with Luke. There had been other hands shed hired that her daughter hadnt taken to.
Rolling to her back so she was looking upside-down at her mother, Phoebe shrugged. I like him. Hes always really nice to me, and he shares his cinnamon candies with me. She grinned impishly. He told me where he keeps his secret stash of candies in the tack room, and told me I could have one any time I wanted.
Eden laughed with amusement and relief. He did, did he?
Phoebe nodded, clearly won over by Lukes simple but thoughtful gesture. He also likes to play with Mouser, and has special treats for her, too. Yesterday I helped him make a soft bed for Mouser since shes going to have her kittens soon.
Eden wasnt surprised to hear what a softy Luke was beneath that brooding facade of his. She knew he was a kind, gentle man, despite his attempt to keep everyone at arms length. Now, if she could just break through his frustrating reserve and convince him to agree to her bargain
Hopefully, tonights performance would change his mind.
Luke wasnt into drinking and carousing like most hands were, and preferred to keep to himself. In fact, hed just recently, as of a week ago, started frequenting The Silver Spur in an attempt to avoid Eden in the evenings. Making himself scarce during the day was easy since the ranch and cattle occupied his time. Staying in his apartment at night left too much opportunity for Eden to visit him again, and plead her case. The time in between when he had no choice but to talk to her, he kept their conversation strictly business, and though shed had ample opportunity to broach the issue of her offer, much to his relief she hadnt.