by Sara Orwig
“You should realize now at least to a degree what my twin is like. He has made my dad’s life miserable too many times. Dad has heart trouble and I told you that when he was fifty-two, he had a stroke. I blame Wynn for the worries our dad has had. Wynn made Jack’s life miserable when he was a little kid, and he was mean to Lucy. He did stuff to me, too, but I’m his age and could beat him in a fight when we were kids. But he didn’t stop when we grew up, posing as me, like he did now. I was going out with Olivia until I left for the fishing trip. I was planning to break it off with her, so I’m glad she’s happy with him, but if I’d been in love with her, I would be livid with him now.”
“I would think she would be because of his deception.”
“Oh, no. He can be charming and she was through with me, too. Wynn got what he wanted—Olivia. That was the whole purpose of this switch.”
“I understand, Wade. I know you have no feelings for Oliva. If that’s what you’re trying to tell me—”
“No, Ava, there’s more.” He took a deep breath and when she saw the darkness shield his eyes, she braced for the bad news.
Nine
“What I’m working up to tell you is, because of my brother, I have never wanted to marry and I sure never want to have kids.”
“Wade, you’re not like your brother, and a child you raise wouldn’t be like him. Your brother wouldn’t have any great influence on your child.”
“Influence matters, but genes—you have to live with them and you can’t change some things that you inherit.”
“You don’t inherit a mean disposition when you’re around nice people all the time.”
“I’m very much like my dad who raised me,” Wade said. “Wynn isn’t like him one bit. We had the same dad raise us. We have the same blood in our veins, but there are qualities Wynn has that I don’t have and vice-versa.”
“Wade, you’re cutting yourself off from so much joy. Family is everything. You have a brother and sister and parents that you like, right?”
“Yes, I do, but I’ve watched Wynn ruin my dad’s health by simply worrying him constantly when we were growing up. He still does, for that matter. Look at this latest escapade.”
“I don’t think you’re looking at the positive things. I’m alone. You have no idea what it’s like to have no family. And you have a good family—all the other members. Lucy and Jack are friendly and nice. Your parents are warm. And Wynn—well, he’s not a monster, Wade. I know he causes the family trouble, but he isn’t dangerous. You seem to deal pretty well with him. And I don’t think any child you’d raise would ever be like him. I don’t think his jealousy, or whatever motivates him, is something a child of yours would inherit. You don’t inherit jealousy.”
Wade shook his head. “You don’t know the whole story. We have two personalities that are alike in different generations.”
“I’m not following you.”
“It isn’t just Wynn, Ava. My dad had a younger brother, Ethan. My parents and my older relatives have always said that Wynn is just like Ethan. So there’s one like that in that generation and one in mine. Ethan and Wynn had different parents, different siblings, different influences in their lives, but they turned out the same way. I don’t want to go through what my dad did raising Wynn. My grandfather had heart trouble and he died at sixty-three. I don’t know if Ethan contributed to his health problems or not. I just told this to Jack today and he said he feels the same way.”
“I can’t imagine that you would have a child who would be like your brother. I think you’re worrying unnecessarily.”
“I might be, Ava, but I’m sticking by that, so I wanted you to know right now. I’m not a marrying man and I don’t want kids. I’m not going to change.”
Ava felt as if ice water had been poured over her as she listened to his declaration about marriage and kids. Then she tried reasoning it out. She thought how little time they had been together and what a short time she had known him. They weren’t in love. This was lust and she knew that.
She looked into his eyes. They were in bed together, naked, they had made love, he was exciting, irresistible, handsome, sexy. Tonight she wasn’t going to worry about his determination to stay single all his life and to avoid having kids. Tonight that wasn’t a problem. Because she knew they couldn’t be in love in this short amount of time.
She knew something else, too. Their relationship would have to be brief or she would be in love with him.
She wanted to make love, wanted his kisses, but she would have to guard her heart and tell him goodbye very soon. The realization hurt, but the pain would be easier to bear in the short term. Wade was a wonderful, sexy man, but she had dreams for a family and he would never give her that.
Sadness replaced the trepidation she felt when he’d started talking to her. “That’s unfortunate for you, Wade, because you’d be a wonderful husband and dad. I can’t imagine you’d have a son like your twin or your uncle. You’re cutting yourself out of a family and children and to my way of thinking that’s one of the biggest joys in life.”
He lowered his gaze for a moment, then looked back at her. This time, his eyes shone with desire. “At the moment, I can think of another huge joy in life and we’re letting it slip away from us,” he said, starting to nuzzle her neck and then trail kisses on her ear.
His touch was like a balm. It turned her sadness and pain to longing and arousal. She met his kiss and felt that familiar yearning for his lovemaking. Tonight she wasn’t going to think about his views of marriage and children. She wasn’t in love and he wasn’t in love, and she was certain she could still tell him goodbye without being hurt. She let him kiss away all thoughts and even the worries he had just caused. For this night she would be in his arms.
She held him, running her hand over his smooth, muscled back and giving herself to his fiery loving. This time, words were nonexistent—everything was erotic feelings, with his hands and mouth all over her. She rubbed against him, kissed and stroked him with her hands and tongue, making him groan with desire. It seemed he’d never stop teasing and toying with her, never give her all of himself, which her body craved. Then, finally he had a condom and was on his back as he lifted her over him and she slid down for him to enter her. She cried out with pleasure, setting the pace as she rocked against him, then moving faster, as he caressed her breasts and pumped in her.
They climaxed together, his arms around her, with her sprawled over him, holding him tightly.
She didn’t know how long her explosive climax rocked her, but finally she slowed and then lay quietly on him, his arm around her while his other hand caressed her back, sliding over her bottom, her thighs and up again.
“So perfect,” he whispered, “so beautiful.” He kissed her lightly. “So sexy. This night is a dream come true.”
She held him, her ear against his chest, and she heard his pounding heart slow and finally reach a normal beat, and her breathing matched his.
At this moment, in his bed, in his embrace, lying on top of him, their warm, naked bodies together after fantastic sex, she tingled everywhere from his loving and she was satiated. At this minute, with him, there were no problems.
But with each calmer breath, the world, their lives and concerns and dreams, all began to come back. She heard his heartbeat, remembering his words. I’m not a marrying man and I don’t want kids. I’m not going to change.
She chased the worry away. She hadn’t known him long and they weren’t in love. She could get over him. All they had between them were hours at her cabin and a few intimate moments.
Or was she kidding herself? Was she taking a big risk with her heart again to be with him?
She shifted to her side and slid off of him. He left for a few minutes to rid himself of the condom and returned to stretch out beside her. Drawing her tightly against his side, he held her close while she tangled her fingers in the thick
mat of curly, black hair across his chest.
Each time she started to think about what he had told her, she tried to shut it out of her mind and focus on his body and the loving they’d already shared. There would be time later to think more clearly about his declarations of no marriage and no family.
“A kiss for your thoughts. I don’t exactly have a penny with me,” he said.
“I was thinking how sexy you are,” she said in a lazy drawl. Tonight she was in his arms and she wanted to make love until dawn. She brushed kisses across his shoulder to his throat, then he shifted beneath her and his mouth covered hers in a hungry kiss.
He held her close. “Go to dinner with me tomorrow night, Ava. You took care of me after getting me out of the canyon and I want to take you out.”
“Thank you, that’s very nice,” she said. Then caution reared its head, a warning light in the darkness, making her question the wisdom of continuing to see him. Dinner would no doubt lead to more lovemaking afterward and that would just put another link in an invisible chain that could bind her heart to him. Only he would never love her in return. She heard the firmness in his voice when he told her he didn’t want to marry and he never wanted kids.
She did and she was certain she could never stay with a man who didn’t want children.
It was just dinner, another part of her brain reasoned. A chance for Wade to show his gratitude for her kindness and hospitality. And didn’t she owe him a note of thanks, too? Because of him, she was over her heartbreak with Judd.
She should be able to recover from whatever hurt she would feel when she and Wade parted later. Compared to the time she had spent with her ex-fiancé, she had barely been with Wade.
His arm tightened around her and his dark eyes searched hers. “What are you thinking? Will you go to dinner with me?”
Her mouth opened, her response surprising her. “Yes, I will. I need to go home first. I have calls, mail, things I should do. I’ll be happy to go to dinner tomorrow, thank you.”
“Good,” he said, smiling at her. He kissed her lightly, wrapped her in his arms and held her. “Ava, I’ve seen your cabin, where you like to spend time and relax. I’d like to show you my ranch. We don’t have to stay long. I just want to show you what I love and where I work. Will you go to my ranch with me?”
For a moment she thought about it. That would be more time with him, getting to know him better and seeing another part of his life. Did she want that risk to her heart?
“I’ll have to think about that one,” she said.
“I want you to see it,” he said. “I haven’t ever asked any other woman out to the ranch. You’re very special,” he whispered, showering light kisses on her throat and then down to her breasts. She wound her fingers in his hair, and all thoughts ceased as she was swept away by his tongue, his kisses and his hands on her.
* * *
It was noon when, showered and dressed, she walked into the living room to find him.
“I need to go home, get my mail and calls, do some things.”
“Let’s go to lunch and then you go,” he said and she nodded. “And before we go to lunch, I’d like to take you with me tomorrow. My cousin Jake Reed called. My cousins and I donated money to build a new arena in Fort Worth this past year.”
“That was in all the news,” she said.
“My cousins and I haven’t seen the building—they haven’t seen it since the ground-breaking ceremony. I’ve seen it, but not recently and when I saw it, it was spectacular. Anyway, we have an arena board now and an arena CEO and other employees. We’ve been invited to come look at the arena. We’re going to meet in the morning and tour, look at it. I’d like you to go with me.”
She smiled. “I’d love to. I’ve heard so much about it on television. I’d love to go.”
“Great,” he said, laughing slightly. “I was in hopes when you said you’d love to go that you would add that you would love to be with me.”
She laughed and rushed up to put her arms around his neck. “Of course, I’d love to go mainly to be with you,” she said. They looked into each other’s eyes and laughed and then the moment changed. Her heartbeat speeded and she tightened her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe as he wrapped his arms around her waist, drew her to him while he leaned down to kiss her.
They had lunch together and he went to her car with her.
“I’ll pick you up at half past six,” he told her through her open window. “I have your address. I don’t even want to tell you goodbye and let you go now.”
She smiled at him. “I’ll see you tonight.”
He nodded and stepped away from the car. When she reached the corner, she glanced in the rearview mirror to see he was still standing, watching her.
“I shouldn’t go out with you tonight or tomorrow or ever again,” she whispered to herself. His announcement about never marrying and never having children came crashing back now, and this time she had to face the truth of what he had told her and how it affected their relationship. She should have said goodbye when she left, but she couldn’t resist him.
It hurt to know a parting would come, and she feared that this one would be a whole lot worse than the first one.
* * *
In his jeans, red, white and blue plaid shirt and boots, Wade stepped out of his car. Lucy had asked him and Jack to look at her new house. She stood outside waiting and smiled when he was close, then hugged him lightly. “Thanks for coming to see my new home.”
“Wouldn’t miss seeing it,” he said and turned to shake hands with Jack. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I didn’t invite Wynn and probably never will,” she said. “Sorry. If I do, it’ll be because of Olivia. I do like her.”
“Don’t apologize. Wynn caused you to feel that way. But I’m telling you, Olivia may bring about some changes for the better in our brother,” Wade remarked and Lucy rolled her eyes.
“I’ll believe that when I see it. I hear you’re not coming to the family dinner tonight,” she said as they walked to the front door of her house.
“No. I had already asked Ava to go to dinner with me and I’m not joining the family instead, even if she is also invited, which she was.”
“I don’t know whether Wynn will really care or not. He does love an audience and I happen to know from someone else that he gave Olivia a huge diamond engagement ring last night and she accepted his offer of marriage. Can you imagine Wynn married?” Lucy asked, laughing while Jack shook his head.
“He’s in love, believe it or not—the guy must be able to love someone besides himself,” Jack said.
“Well, I know Olivia,” Wade told them. “Our brother’s met his match in her. Just watch. I predict you’re not going to recognize Wynn. He will not be impersonating me ever again and I would bet the ranch on it.”
“Wow,” Lucy said, staring at Wade. “She can influence him that much? I can’t imagine he wanted to marry her if she’ll be calling the shots.”
“She’s perfect for him. She has old money. She’s gorgeous. She can be fun. He’ll find out what a strong, smart woman he married. I don’t think he’ll ever regret it, either. She’ll keep him happy, but it’ll be on her terms.”
“Well, that is the best news possible,” Lucy said. “I’m really impressed and I hope with all my heart you know what you’re talking about. Our whole family will be happier if that’s true about Olivia.”
“Oh, damn right,” Jack said. “That’s fantastic news.” He gave a whoop and laughed. “Ah, someone to finally boss Wynn. Even Dad couldn’t.”
“You watch how he changes,” Wade said. “She has more money in her family than we do in ours and that will make Wynn think twice about crossing her. Trust me. I know Olivia. Believe me, our brother has met his match.” He turned and looked at the front door of the house. “Well, let’s see your new home, Luce.” He steppe
d behind her as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The entryway opened into a great room that had a huge wood-burning fireplace, two walls of glass that overlooked a small yard, and beyond the backyard was a country-club golf course.
“Good view without having your own big yard,” Wade remarked.
“I like your contemporary furniture,” Jack added. Wade looked at the room. It was painted in a light shade, the furniture modern with open spaces and a polished hardwood floor. “Very nice,” he said. He thought about what it would be like to have his own house with Ava and the idea held appeal.
“I like it and it should be relatively easy to care for,” Wade said.
They looked at her office, which had a glass-and-metal desk, built-in file cabinets, a long glass table.
She showed them two bedroom suites and a third bedroom, a contemporary kitchen with floor-to-ceiling glass along one wall and light spilling into the room.
Finally she locked up as they left. “Thanks, guys, for your interest.”
Wade hugged her lightly. “I’m glad to see your new home and I’m glad, too, that you’re doing so well in the real-estate business. You’re a young broker.”
“I love it and because of my family, I have lots of good contacts.”
“Have fun tonight,” Wade said. “Both of you. And welcome Olivia into the family for me. I’ve already called her and told her I was sorry I wouldn’t be there for dinner. She seems truly happy and she’ll be a great addition to the family.”
“I hope Wynn has half a dozen kids and they’re all like him,” Jack said and then shrugged. “Well, maybe not if Olivia is a nice person. I wouldn’t wish that on her.” He let out a laugh. “This is one wedding I’m looking forward to. Hot dog!”
Wade laughed. “I’ll second that.” But as he drove away, all his thoughts shifted from his twin to Ava. He couldn’t wait for tonight.