Billionaire Body Heat

by Sasha Gold

  The boots were a dark, chocolate leather with embroidery along the top. Rachel traced her finger along the stitching. “Pretty…thank you.”

  She flushed with embarrassment. The boots were pretty and it warmed her heart to think this big, rugged cowboy had not only shopped for her, but picked out a pair of boots that she loved. How could he have known?

  “You’re going to look great in these.” He tossed the box aside. “I also went into the lingerie store in town, bought you a few pretty little things.”

  She reached into the pile of clothing and drew out a bra and held it up. Lavender lace, the cups were a gauzy, whisper-thin material that would be completely see-through. A far cry from the sensible nude bras she usually bought.

  “I’ve never had a bra this color,” she murmured.

  “Pretty color, if you ask me.” His face colored. “The best part is the little thingamajig right in front.”

  She smiled at his obvious embarrassment. “The clasp?”

  “I guess that’s what you call it,” he muttered.

  “Did someone help you with this?”

  “Yeah, thank God. And I was grateful I had my wedding band on. I felt like a fish out of water, let me tell you. I was the only man in there and everyone was giving me funny looks.”

  He scrubbed his hand down his face and let out a huff. “Now I wish I’d stayed a little longer. They had a nice little black number just like this purple one.”

  Before she could say anything, he pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket. “I got you a ring too, but I wasn’t sure about your size.”

  The ring looked tiny as he clasped it between his thumb and forefinger. He took her hand in his. “First time I ever laid eyes on you, I thought you were about the prettiest girl I’d ever seen and it made me mad as hell.”

  She blinked. “Mad?”

  “Pissed off was more like it.”

  “Aw… Luke, that’s sweet. I’d almost forgotten how you’d scowled at me as you trotted your horse past the house.”

  “I thought that little brat has no business inheriting a ranch. I should go back and tell her all about the six-foot rattler I’d shot that morning.”

  Rachel nodded. “But did you share that nice snake story? No, you just kept on your merry way, giving me the cold shoulder for a few more weeks. And all along I thought you didn’t like me.”

  “I didn’t like you. I wanted to take you to bed and then send you back home.”

  “There’s only so much sweet-talk a girl can take. Are you going to give me that ring or not?”

  “Somewhere along the way I decided I’d like having you here.”

  “Probably about the time Mr. Saunders explained that half the ranch had your name on it.”

  His eyes were hooded and he spoke in a rough voice. “No, baby, it was the night before that when I had my first taste of—”

  “Just give me the ring, Luke!”

  He grinned and slid the ring onto her finger. “Shit, too big. Baby… you’ve got such small, lady-like hands. You’re not really cut out for ranch-work.”

  Turning her hand in his, he rubbed his thumb across her palm. “So small… like a girl’s hands.”

  His voice was soft, as if he spoke to himself, but then he lifted his gaze to hers. He cupped her jaw and lowered to kiss her. His lips were warm, the kiss gentle, tender, and she felt herself melt beneath his touch. She sank into his arms, succumbed to his kiss.

  After, he kept her in his embrace and just held her. Her heart pounded with fear and defenselessness. Somehow it was easier when the two of them circled and sparred and sniped at each other. When he told her things that were mildly insulting, she knew just where she stood. She had no defense against the affectionate side of Luke.

  They’d been married less than a day and already she could feel herself slipping into his hands, falling under his control. She yearned for his touch and his kiss and more. He claimed he was serious about her and about them, but her mind couldn’t accept the idea. How could she possibly pretend to be married to Luke for an entire year and then walk away?

  Chapter Twelve

  Luke

  Over the next few days, his cabin filled with Rachel’s things. He’d taken her into Colter Canyon to shop for personal items. Packages arrived from online stores. His home, a bastion of masculinity, transformed before his eyes. The bathroom vanity held an assortment of brushes and makeup. He’d cleared out part of his closet and dresser drawers to make room for her clothing.

  She’d been there four days when he came across a dubious looking tool, sitting on the shelf in the bathroom. He spotted it as he dried off from his shower. Wrapping his towel around his waist, he studied it and tried to understand what she used it for. The small handles looked like scissors yet it had no blades.

  Rachel sat on the bed, pulling on the cowboy boots he’d bought her. It would be the first time she’d gone out in the new boots. It was Friday and they were headed into Colter Canyon to the Magnolia to meet up with Luke’s family. She’d already showered and fixed her hair and makeup. He paused to admire the way her hair fell around her shoulders, big bouncy curls he’d like to run his fingers through.

  “You look nice,” he said. “Damn.”

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  Her eyes skirted across his shoulders and down his chest. He loved when she checked him out. When he walked around the cabin, bare chested, she’d get an embarrassed smile and try to keep from looking at him, but stole glances when she could.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  “It’s an eyelash curler.”

  The loops were too small for his fingers, so he clasped each side between his thumb and forefinger and scissored the handles back and forth. “You’re kidding.”

  “You never had a girl spend the night here, Luke?”

  He frowned. “I never spent the whole night with a girl until I spent the night with you.”

  She looked thunderstruck. “You told me that, but I thought you were kidding.”

  “Not kidding. I’ve spent a bunch of nights with my wife but we still haven’t had a wedding night.”

  Her blush deepened. “I’m sorry I’m sleeping in your bed. I could get a motel if you like. I have a little money now.”

  “You’re staying put. There’s always time for a wedding night. As soon as you’re not sore, that is.”

  “I’m still very sore,” she blurted.

  “Right. This morning you were prancing around the kitchen listening to music while you made breakfast.”

  “Pfft,” she waved a dismissive hand and pulled the other boot on. “I’ve never pranced in my life.”

  “You didn’t look like you were hurting in the least bit. I think I could even take you out riding again.”

  Her eyes lit with pleasure. “I would love to go riding with you.”

  “We can’t go if you’re hurting.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hello blackmail.”

  He smiled as she strutted out of the room, pausing at the door to look over her shoulder. She gave him a feisty look and smacked her hand on her ass.

  A growl formed in his chest. She liked to torment him with that particular gesture and one day he’d shock her by smacking her pert ass himself. That would teach her for teasing him.

  She spoke in a sassy tone. “Usually it’s the guy waiting on the woman to get dressed, you know. Or the husband waiting on his wife. And look at you, standing there in your towel.”

  “I’m trying to tempt you.”

  “It’s a tempting look all right. Bare-chested cowboy with a towel wrapped around his waist, and an eyelash curler in his hand.”

  He beckoned her with the crook of a finger. “Why don’t you come here and say that, smart-ass?”

  “Because I don’t want to distract you, Luke.” Her voice softened. “This is our first date.”

  Her eyes held his and a shadow passed behind her gaze, like she waited for him to make some off-the-cuff remark, or tease her.
>
  “That’s true.” He rubbed his jaw. “Want me to shave?”

  She shook her head. “Only if you want to.”

  “Not too rough-looking?”

  “I like your scruff.”

  “Then I’ll leave it.” He held up the eyelash curler. “Want me to curl my eye lashes?”

  “If you’re into that… Weirdo.”

  “You got a mouth on you, don’t you? I’m fixing to get dressed, so you better get out of here before you get an eye-full. Fair warning.”

  With a yelp, she darted out of the room.

  He put on a starched shirt and pressed jeans and his best boots. When he went to the dance hall he usually put on some cologne but decided against it. The other night, Rachel had fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie. He’d carried her to bed and she’d murmured something about how good he always smelled. How she loved his scent.

  If she’d been awake, he would have told her how much he liked the honeyed scent of her skin. It perfumed her pillow and the bedsheets, giving him an instant hard-on the moment he got into bed. Sleeping next to her was torture, but he couldn’t imagine sleeping without her. He wouldn’t be parted from her ever. She might think this marriage was a farce, but he didn’t, and he would do whatever it took to show her he was for real.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rachel

  As they drove to the dance hall, Rachel could feel her excitement gathering, butterflies swirling in her stomach. Luke was taking her out. On a date. They’d lived together for almost a week and even slept in the same bed, but this seemed different. Fun. Flirty.

  They’d spent every evening together, eating dinner and then sorting through Jed’s paperwork. She emptied the top two drawers and stacked things on the kitchen table and counter and, side by side, they’d either filed the records in the cabinet or pitched the papers they no longer needed.

  Jed had left her, or them, a nice sum of money. Luke had even more of his own. He’d shown her the files on his computer, savings and investment accounts. He wanted her to think about a house for them, to pick out architectural plans. She pushed the notion aside. It seemed like too much, too soon.

  “Are you going to show me how to dance?” she asked after they got out of the truck and walked up to the dance hall.

  He smiled in response and put his hand on her waist, pulling her to his side. Her face flushed warm at the way he tucked her under his protective arm. While his touch was always intimate, he never crossed a boundary that made her uncomfortable. Even when she slept beside him, he didn’t allow himself liberties. He waited. She knew that. Hoping she’d come to him when she no longer hurt.

  When the water heater exploded, the force knocked her down and she was surprised how much her body still ached. The pain had subsided a great deal, but she hadn’t thought it would linger this long. The mornings were the worst. She’d roll out of bed and suppress a groan and sit for a moment before shuffling to the shower.

  When the fire marshal came to discuss the accident, Rachel met with him by herself since Luke was busy with ranch work. He’d told her how lucky she was the blast hadn’t been worse. She was glad Luke hadn’t been there to hear that. Even now, the man’s words made her shiver.

  Inside the saloon, they found Tanner at the bar. Luke introduced her and Tanner gave her a hug.

  “My mom’s pretty annoyed Luke went and got hitched without telling any of us,” Tanner said above the music.

  “My mother doesn’t even know,” Rachel replied.

  Tanner shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day Luke would settle down.”

  Rachel wanted to tell him the rest of the story, but Luke’s hand on her hip, and the slight pressure he applied, made her change her mind. He gave a slight shake of his head. Right, she thought. No one needed to know. The situation was complicated. It would be the sort of thing that would be difficult to explain. The marriage was an arrangement, even though she spent every night sleeping in Luke’s arms. Not exactly something she could casually brush off.

  “Thought Molly and Joe would come have a drink,” Luke said. “I know Molly’s not drinking, but still, sometimes they join us.”

  “Molly’s not feeling well,” Tanner said. “She’s having trouble and needs to rest until the baby comes. Plus, she thinks it’s unseemly to venture out to a bar when she’s got a big ol’ belly. She says she doesn’t want to try to dance, so why bother coming to a dance hall.”

  Rachel felt a pang of longing. Luke had mentioned Molly’s pregnancy and how much she and her husband looked forward to the birth of her baby. Rachel never saw herself having children. She’d always thought being a teacher and having a classroom full of children would be enough, but now that she lived in a small town, where everyone knew each other, she might never get hired on.

  Luke ordered a beer for himself and a white wine for Rachel. Tanner excused himself to ask a woman to dance, leaving Luke and Rachel alone at the table.

  “I like seeing that wedding band on your finger,” Luke said after the drinks arrived.

  She looked down at her ring and smiled. Luke had it resized and the wedding date inscribed on the inside of both of their rings. “I never thought you’d buy me one. Or that you’d want to wear a matching band.”

  “It’s important to me to do this the right way. I know you think I’m playing.”

  “I like being with you. And I like taking things one day at a time. Up until now, I’ve had my life planned. Finish my bachelor’s degree. Work a few years. Get my principalship.”

  He nodded. “There’s time for that, but you could always take the next year and work with me.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Build a house. Settle the estate. Help me turn this ranch into the best cattle operation around.”

  He grinned and took a drink of his beer. “I can see those wheels spinning inside your head. You’re not taking things one day at a time at all.”

  She was about to respond, when her purse, sitting beside her, vibrated with a message. Luke had replaced her phone and part of her wished he hadn’t bothered. Since she got the new phone the day before, her mother had sent three messages, insisting she have the ranch appraised. Her mother and latest husband must have run low on funds. Why didn’t that surprise her?

  “How about we dance,” Luke said. “You can’t learn to dance and fret over your life at the same time. It’s impossible”

  “My purse…”

  “Leave it. This is Colter Canyon. No one’s going to mess with a lady’s purse.”

  He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She felt nervous about dancing with him, because something told her by the fluid way he moved, he would be a good dancer. He was tall and muscle-bound, but he was sensuous and deliberate. He pulled her close, pressing her against his body and they moved across the dance floor as one. The dance was just a two-step, but it felt like something much more. A subtle seduction.

  A twinge of embarrassment rippled down her spine. The way their bodies moved, completely in sync with each other, flooded her mind with erotic images.

  Luke liked to stroll around the cabin with a towel wrapped low around his hips. He did it deliberately. She imagined what it would be like to run her fingers along his shoulders and down the ripples of his taut abs. He was so gentle with her, but she suspected beneath the chivalry, the manners and the gallantry, lay a savage possessiveness. If she ever submitted to him, he’d own her heart and soul.

  Dancing with him didn’t help. If anything, it made her more worried. His arms around her, his scent, the music, it was all too much. After she finished her wine, she asked him to take her home.

  He smirked. “Yes, ma’am. I’m happy to take you home.”

  She rubbed her forehead. “Suddenly, I feel so tired.”

  From the look in his eyes, it was clear he didn’t believe a word she said.

  Her phone buzzed again. “I’m going to run to the restroom.”

  “I’ll wait for you.”

>   She needed to send her mother a quick text but she didn’t want Luke waiting. “You could bring the truck around.”

  He frowned. “All right.”

  She hurried to the bathroom and sent a short angry text back to her mother, telling her to forget about getting money from the ranch. Jed had never liked her mother and even though Rachel didn’t know her grandfather well, she would never allow a penny of the ranch to go to her mother, and certainly not to the man she was presently married to.

  If you keep texting me, I will block your calls.

  With that, she turned off her phone. None of her friends would be texting her on a Friday night. Let her mother stew a while. It would serve her right.

  She put a little lipstick on and left the bathroom, circled the dance floor and made her way to the exit. A man stepped in her way, keeping her from leaving.

  “Aren’t you a pretty little thing?” he murmured.

  He loomed over her, his eyes shining. He was drunk. He smelled, and Rachel tried to back away, but he gripped her arm, holding her.

  “Kind of stuck up, aren’t you?”

  His sour breath made her stomach clench.

  “Go away,” she hissed.

  “You and me are going to get to know each other a little.”

  He pushed her backward, toward the dance floor. “I know Krav Maga, you bastard.”

  “Is that like Kama Sutra?”

  Rachel looked around wildly, but the bar was dark and no one noticed the man was manhandling her. To her shock, he was pushing her towards the back of the bar, to an even darker area, lined with couches. She slammed her boot down on his instep, but it glanced off. The man’s mouth twisted into a snarl.

  “Little bitch,” he growled.

  She tried again but this time he anticipated her move, and yanked her arm, setting her off balance.

  “Your Krav whatever don’t work on me, blondie.”

  Suddenly, the man lifted off the ground as if propelled by some strange force. He flew backwards and crashed atop a table. Luke stalked towards him, grabbed his shirt and yanked him to his feet. The man took a swing, missing wildly. Luke struck him, a blow that came from below and sent the man flying backwards.