“Will they be at the wedding?” she asked hopefully.
“No, they won’t be,” Josie cut in, setting the platter of eggs and ham in the center of the table, along with a plate of muffins. She sat at the end, between Seth and Kellie. “It’ll be just you, me, and Seth on Friday. The ceremony will be short and simple.” She looked to Seth for confirmation.
A wry smile touched his generous mouth. “Short and simple,” he echoed.
They ate breakfast, and Josie watched as Seth and Kellie developed an easy friendship. Begrudgingly, she had to admit that Seth was wonderful with her daughter. No matter how much she and Seth disliked one another, that enmity didn’t transfer to Kellie. She was at least grateful for that, while at the same time she worried about Kellie becoming too attached to Seth, a man who only had one agenda on his mind: claiming the Golden M.
Once breakfast was over and Kellie cleared the dishes from the table, Josie sent her daughter up to her room to change, then start on her outdoor chores. Automatically, she refilled Seth’s coffee cup, and berated herself for softening a little at the appreciation in his gaze, and the husky way he said “thank you”.
She filled the sink with soapy water. Dipping her hands into the suds, she scrubbed the platter, and finally asked the question that had preyed on her mind for the past half hour. “So, was Robert happy to learn you now own the Golden M?”
“He was ecstatic that the property is back in the family,” Seth replied, his deep voice laced with a bitter edge. “But he’s not too happy that I won’t share it.”
She glanced over her shoulder, meeting his gaze. “It would seem logical, you two joining the property again.”
“It’s not even a remote possibility, Josie.”
She was relieved to hear that. Even though marriage to Seth would secure her half of the Golden M, she didn’t want to fight with him over the fate of her family’s ranch. And she certainly didn’t want it to become “O’Connor” property again.
She heard the front door close, and a moment later watched as her daughter skipped down to the barn to tend to her light duty of chores. Kellie looked so young and carefree . . . and happy. It made Josie’s heart twist peculiarly, because she had a feeling Kellie’s exhilaration was linked to Seth . . . the man who would become her dad.
She wished she could be as excited about Seth becoming her husband, but whenever she thought about her upcoming nuptials, dread was foremost in her mind. This was a man who’d used her and hurt her, and obviously had no qualms about using her once again to gain what he wanted. That fact stung most of all.
She rinsed off the skillet and set it on the dish rack to dry, her mind drifting back to Seth’s brother. “How does Robert feel about you marrying me?”
Scooting out his chair, Seth grabbed his coffee cup and brought it to her to wash. She took the mug from his hand, careful not to touch him. Her nerves couldn’t take much more physical contact with him.
Leaning his hip against the counter, he crossed his arms over his wide chest, looking too masculine. He smelled of leather and something inherently male. “Let’s just say that he’s not quite ready to welcome you into the fold, but I’m confident in time he’ll come around.”
Done with the dishes, she unplugged the drain and rinsed her hands, remembering too well how cruel Robert had been to her when she was growing up, all for something she’d had no control over.
“I don’t want Kellie around that kind of animosity,” she said, facing Seth. “I won’t allow Robert to take his grudges out on her.”
His dark brows snapped together. “And you think I’d subject her to it?”
No, something in her didn’t believe he’d be so heartless, but she couldn’t find the words to apologize for insulting him. “She’s my daughter, Seth. You can’t blame me for wanting to protect her from any kind of unpleasantness between our families.”
“I always take care of what’s mine, Josie.” His voice held an odd tightness, despite his casual tone. “Robert won’t be a problem.”
And she and Kellie would be his, bound by marriage. Her pulse picked up at the thought. She’d never relied on a man to fight her battles before, or to take care of her. She’d always handled any problems on her own. It was odd to think that Seth would be the one who managed any trouble that arose—including dealing with his brother.
She blew out a taut breath. Not wanting to discuss any more personal issues, or think about Seth being her husband and protector, she made a production of checking the watch on her wrist and gave him a dismissing smile. “Unlike you, I don’t have the luxury of wasting the day away. I’ve got work to do, Seth.”
“I can take a hint,” he said, and straightened. “I have some things I need to attend to in town, anyway. I’ll make our appointment with Reverend Wilcox for Friday at one while I’m there, and I’ll pick you and Kellie up at noon.”
He moved away from her, but paused in the doorway leading to the living room to glance back at her. His dark eyes glinted with wicked humor, and his mouth curved in an outrageously rakish grin. “And feel free to get yourself something sexy to wear for our wedding night.”
A jolt of heat rippled down her spine and settled in too many intimate places. “Don’t count on it, O’Connor,” she muttered darkly.
His responding chuckle was deep, rich, and confident. “I love a good challenge, Josie, especially if it’s anything like this morning’s dare.” He winked audaciously, then walked away.
Her face flushed at his blatant reminder of her acquiescence, the way she’d let him kiss her so sensually, and especially the way she’d responded with too much abandon.
Armed with the knowledge of his seduction tactics, next time she wouldn’t be so easily cajoled by his slow, coaxing kisses and provocative caresses. She’d agreed to give him her body and had no choice but to submit physically to the man who would be her husband, but she was fiercely determined not to let him touch her emotionally, as he had earlier.
If Seth loved a good challenge, she’d give him one.
A resolute smile curved her mouth, packed with feminine wiles. “You have no idea what you’re up against, Mr. O’Connor.”
Chapter Five
The bride wore black, from the sprigs of dyed baby’s breath arranged in her upswept hair, to the tips of her black heeled shoes. The groom sported denim, chambray, a casual tweed jacket, and a new tan Stetson. The young maid of honor had opted for a more cheerful splash of pink chiffon and an enthusiastic smile that reached her sparkling green eyes.
They made quite a contrasting trio of moods, ranging from dismal acceptance, to resigned satisfaction, to guileless excitement. The varying degrees of emotions shimmering between them was enough to make Reverend Wilcox shift uncomfortably and clear his throat repeatedly before opening his bible and beginning the traditional marriage ceremony.
Seth listened to Reverend Wilcox perform the simple wedding service, his gaze riveted to the woman standing stiffly beside him. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and she held her head high and proud, despite what she obviously deemed the worst of circumstances—a life sentence shackling her to a man she abhorred.
A humorous grin tugged the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t dare let it develop. Her somber expression, combined with her stark attire and ridged posture, gave the impression of a woman in mourning. He didn’t doubt that her choice of dark apparel had been pre-calculated, worn as a deliberate insult to the marriage she’d been forced into.
What Josie failed to realize, though, was that black was an extremely complimentary color on her. It enhanced her smooth, creamy complexion, made her green eyes gleam like polished emeralds, and brought out fiery, burnished highlights in the curly auburn hair she’d piled atop her head.
The cut of her black dress was simple and plain, but there was nothing casual about the way the clingy material outlined the fullness of her breasts and draped elegantly over her slim hips to just above the knee. Smoke-hued stockings only served to entice a man’s eye to
her slender, graceful legs.
His gaze flickered past his reluctant bride to the young, pretty girl standing beside Josie, who seemed completely enthralled by the reverend’s wedding speech. She clutched a hand-picked bouquet of flowers in her hands, tied off with a pink ribbon that matched the one she’d secured in her hair to keep her waist-length spiral curls away from her face. Her pale pink dress made her look young and innocent, and heightened the happily-ever-after yearning Seth saw shining in her eyes.
Kellie glanced his way, saw him watching her, and smiled impishly. In that flash of an instant, Seth wanted to give the girl her fairy-tale ending. It was an odd sensation, one he didn’t want to contemplate too deeply, especially since he didn’t have the power to grant that particular wish. Not without Josie’s cooperation. Finding that last thought disturbing—that gaining Josie’s cooperation was beginning to matter to him—he shifted his attention back to the man in front of them.
Done with the traditional wedding spiel, Reverend Wilcox glanced at Seth expectantly. “Do you have a ring for your bride?”
Buying Josie a wedding band hadn’t crossed his mind, and he felt a bit of chagrin at his blunder. “No, I don’t.”
The older man’s frown reflected his disapproval of Seth’s lack of consideration for the woman who would become his wife. “Then why don’t you just hold Josie’s left hand while you recite your vows?” he suggested.
Turning toward Josie, Seth clasped her cool hand in his warm one, and noticed that her small slender fingers trembled ever-so-slightly against his palm—the only outward sign that she was nervous. Taking a deep breath, and staring straight into her eyes, he repeated Reverend Wilcox’s words, promising a lifetime commitment to her in a strong, steady voice. When it came her turn to agree to love, honor, and cherish him, her mouth said “I do,” but her eyes conveyed a more defiant message: I won’t.
Seth wasn’t the least bit surprised by her stubbornness. He had weeks, months, even years to break through that resistance of hers. It was a suddenly sobering thought.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Reverend Wilcox stated, closing his bible and glancing down at the newly married couple. “You may, ahhh . . . kiss your bride.” His uncertainty over the situation was apparent in the way he stumbled over the final part of his service.
The customary kiss loomed in front of them. Josie took a visible step back, establishing her own boundaries and silently proclaiming that she had no desire to engage in such a public display of affection. Their circumstances were anything but ideal or romantic, but judging by Kellie’s delighted expression, she fully expected them to partake in the traditional sealing of wedding vows.
Not wanting to disappoint the young girl, or pass up the chance to rattle his new bride’s prim composure, he tipped his Stetson back and lowered his head toward Josie’s. Her gaze widened, startled that he’d be so bold. Just as his mouth would have touched hers, she turned her head so his lips skimmed her soft cheek.
He chuckled deeply; he couldn’t help himself. It was so like Josie to best him at the last moment that he should have anticipated her move. He straightened, and noticed that she looked entirely too pleased with herself for evading his more intimate kiss.
He leaned close, so his mouth was near her ear. “I’ll collect plenty of kisses tonight to make up for that one loss,” he promised in a husky murmur.
Her face turned a warm, flustered shade of pink, and fire flashed in her eyes. Mindful of their audience, she didn’t issue a sassy retort like he knew she would have if they’d been alone.
Reverend Wilcox smiled, the gesture full of relief that his part was done. “Congratulations to the both of you.”
Seth reached out and shook the other man’s hand. “Thank you.”
Kellie wrapped her arms around Josie and hugged her tight. “Wow, you’re really married!” she said happily.
Josie returned Kellie’s embrace. “Imagine that,” she quipped, her voice lacking her daughter’s excitement. She glanced at Seth, her business-like gaze meeting his from over Kellie’s head. “Ready to head home?”
Home. His chest swelled with indescribable emotions. He’d fulfilled his end of the bargain he’d struck with Jake McAllister. He’d married Josie, promised to take care of her and her daughter, and gained the Golden M. It was heady to realize he now had a place to call his own, but he suspected the battle with Josie had just begun.
Seth thanked Reverend Wilcox for performing the ceremony on a weekday and with only a few days notice, then the three of them headed down the aisle to the front of the small chapel with Kellie skipping ahead. Seth brazenly touched his hand to Josie’s spine, his fingers caressing that sensitive spot through the thin material of her dress. Her breath caught, and she attempted to move out of his reach, but he lightly grasped her elbow, keeping her by his side.
She glared up at him, and he bestowed her with a charming grin. He stroked his thumb along the silky soft skin under her arm—slow, sensuous circles that made the pulse at the base of her throat flutter, despite her attempts to remain aloof to him. And then there was the tell-tale way the tips of her lovely breasts tightened and pushed against the front of her dress.
It was a start.
“I’m a man who likes plenty of physical contact, Josie, darlin’” he drawled, his tone low and intimate. “As my bride, you might as well get used to me touching you.”
Casting him a sideways glance, she batted her lashes at him. “Why, Seth, that’s like asking me to get used to the touch of a snake.” The smile curving her mouth managed to combine innocence and a more insulting element. “I despise snakes.”
His deep laughter followed them out of the chapel. “We’ll see about that, bride.”
Determined to treat her marriage as nothing more than a business deal that had been transacted, as soon as they arrived back home Josie headed up to her room to change into jeans and a casual blouse. She planned to spend the rest of the afternoon in the office down in the stable so she didn’t have to be around Seth.
Just as she was struggling with the zipper at the back of her dress her bedroom door opened. She spun around, her breath catching sharply as Seth strolled in, bold-as-he-pleased.
His audacity irritated her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
A slow grin lifted his mouth. “Don’t worry, Josie, it’s early yet to request my husbandly rights.” His gaze traversed the length of her, making her traitorous body tingle from head to toe. “Though that would be an enjoyable way to pass the afternoon . . .”
The thought of heated bodies and tangled sheets flitted through her mind, and her heart tripled its beat. “Forget it.”
He chuckled, and advanced toward where she stood by the large four poster bed, his steps slow and predatory. “I suppose I can wait until tonight. That’ll give you all afternoon to anticipate what’s to come.” He trailed a finger along her cheek and across her bottom lip, bringing nerve endings to life with that tender touch.
Her stomach tumbled, and she summoned the willpower to push his hand away before she succumbed to his shameless seduction. “More like time to dread our wedding night.”
“Ouch.” He feigned a wince. “You sure know how to damage a man’s ego.”
Not in the mood for his sensual sparring, she moved away from him. The whirlwind events of the past week had her strung tight emotionally. “What do you want, Seth?”
“Just thought I’d unpack my belongings.” He dropped the duffle and garment bag he held in one hand onto her bed, then shrugged out of the sports coat he’d donned for their wedding. “Did you make room for my things?”
She rubbed the slow throb beginning in her temple. “No.” She’d agreed to allow him his conjugal rights, but she hadn’t made any concessions to him occupying the same bedroom. This was her sanctuary, a place for her to escape and be alone, and she didn’t want to share it. Especially with him.
She pasted on a smile. “I don’t suppose you’d consider sleeping in the guest
room, and keeping your personal things there?”
Irritation sparked in his deep blue eyes. “We’re married, Josie. Husband and wife.” Digging into his duffle, he withdrew a plain blue cotton shirt, and began unbuttoning the crisp chambray shirt he wore. “I’m not about to sneak into your bed every night, then leave before dawn to go to a separate room.”
Every night. It sounded as though Seth did have a healthy sexual appetite. She swallowed thickly at the thought of enduring endless nights of Seth’s slow, silky kisses, his warm caresses, his body possessing hers, and knew maintaining control of her emotions would be vital to protect more vulnerable territory—like her heart.
Disgruntled that he insisted on invading the only personal space she had, but knowing her arguments wouldn’t sway him, she moved to the closet and condensed her clothes to make room for his things. Once she’d given him ample space there, she began clearing out the top two dresser drawers for him to use.
She heard him changing into his casual t-shirt, then unbuckle his belt to tuck the ends into the waistband of his jeans. She gave him enough time to complete the task—she wasn’t ready for the intimacy of watching him change. When she finally turned back around, she caught him admiring the chocolate colored Stetson she’d blasted off his head less than a week ago, and now sported a gaping hole through the crown. It was proudly displayed on her bedpost like a prized souvenir.
He glanced over his shoulder, humor dancing in his eyes. With a flick of his finger, he spun the hat around on the post. “Hmm, nice trophy, Josie.”
“You think so?” She tilted her head, regarding the Stetson appreciatively before transferring her gaze to the new tan one on his head. “I’m considering starting a collection of them.”
His smile widened into a disarmingly flirtatious grin. “This one you’ll have to earn.” He caressed a finger over the brim and winked at her. “Be good tonight and I just might let you put it on your bedpost.”
Infuriated to feel her cheeks glow warmly at his very meaningful comment, she reached deep for a disparaging retort. “I much prefer the thrill of shooting it off your head.”
The Cowboy's Gamble: Destined For Love Series Page 7