Married by High Noon

by Leigh Greenwood

  Suddenly Gabe picked Dana up and whirled her around. She had to put her arms around his neck to keep from losing her balance.

  “She deserves a hug,” Billy said, blushing.

  “Hug, hell!” Gabe exlaimed. “She deserves a kiss.”

  Gabe kissed her on the mouth in front of the others.

  “You call that lousy peck a kiss?” Sam hooted. “Hell, I can do better than that. If you’re aren’t up to it, I am.”

  “I’m up to it,” Gabe said.

  “What’s stopping you?” Sam asked.

  “Nothing.”

  When she looked up at him, the laughter had gone out of his eyes. In its place flamed a heat that suddenly made the shop seem much too small and warm. In the same instant Dana became aware her body was pressing against Gabe, his chin practically between her breasts. He slowly lowered her to her feet, her body sliding down the length of him. Tension exploded inside her with the force of a small bomb. Looking into his eyes warmed her all over. Her toes touched the floor. For a moment they remained motionless, looking at each other.

  “Is he going to kiss her?” Billy asked in a whisper.

  “Don’t know,” Sam said. “Maybe he can’t remember how.”

  “I’ve known how for a long time,” Gabe said, his gaze never leaving Dana’s face.

  “Well nobody could tell it,” Sam replied.

  “You mind being kissed in front of these clowns?” Gabe asked.

  “Of course she doesn’t. You’ve done it once already,” Sam pointed out.

  Gabe appeared to have lost interest in talking to Sam. The intensity with which his gaze bore into Dana told her he was thinking of no one but her. Suddenly there was no room in her mind for anyone but him.

  The kiss was tentative at first, as if he was experimenting to see if she really wanted him to kiss her. Having decided she didn’t intend to push him away, he kissed her properly. Too properly. It lacked the passion or the fire Dana saw in his eyes, the passion and fire she felt inside.

  She looked into his eyes again but saw caution this time. She put her hand behind his head and pulled him down into a second kiss. She put her whole heart into it. She felt something inside break free, float upward, soar on the wings of a desire that had been kept under wraps for fourteen years.

  This kiss had nothing to do with that sixteen-year-old girl or her dewy-eyed worship of an older man. It had to do with a mature woman who had discovered a deep need within herself, a need that only a man like Gabe Purvis could fill.

  Gabe reclaimed her lips, crushed her to him. His mouth, hard and greedy, covered hers hungrily. The force of it sent the pit of her belly into a wild swirl. Shivers of desire raced through her, and she kissed him with a hunger that had waited years to be satisfied. When Gabe broke their kiss, he left her breathless.

  “That’s more like it,” Sam said when Gabe set Dana on her feet and stepped back. “I thought for a moment there I was going to have to give you some pointers.”

  “Gabe doesn’t need pointers on how to kiss his own wife,” Billy said.

  No, Dana thought, he didn’t need any pointers at all. But Sam and Billy needed some pointers on when to make themselves scarce.

  But then maybe Gabe wouldn’t have kissed her without their prompting. At least now she knew Gabe liked her. No man could kiss a woman like that without some strong feelings to back it up.

  But should she allow such feelings to exist? Despite the joint custody and the marriage, their relationship would change as soon as they received official custody. It might be good for her ego to know Gabe liked her, but it might complicate their relationship. Regardless of how enjoyable this might be, she ought to be wary.

  Chapter Twelve

  It had been a nearly perfect day.

  Because Mr. Dowd was still trying to convince the judge their marriage was a put-up job, Marshall had urged them to go out, to be seen having fun. He’d even suggested that going to a theme park would be the perfect family outing. So they’d gotten up early, breakfasted together, and whiled away the two-hour drive by identifying animals and counting churches. Once at the park, Danny had ridden nearly every ride, sitting in Dana’s or Gabe’s lap when necessary, giggling happily when he went high or fast. He positively shrieked with delight when he went high and fast. Dana held her breath on those rides.

  Lunch had been hot dogs, cheeseburgers, French fries, soft drinks and a fruit pie, about the only part of the meal Dana considered marginally good nutrition. After an enforced nap—Danny objected to being the only one required to sleep—they had hit the rides again. By the time the park closed, they barely had enough energy to consume another round of fast food, jump in the car and head home. Though she couldn’t explain why, that’s how Dana felt. She was going home.

  “Is he still asleep?” Gabe asked.

  Dana glanced down at Danny sound asleep in her arms. “He hasn’t moved for the past hour.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  “I haven’t been this tired since I stayed up all night setting up a new showroom.”

  She hadn’t thought about her job all day. It reminded her that this tranquil way of living wouldn’t last forever.

  “I really had a good time today,” Gabe said.

  “Me, too. I especially enjoyed watching Danny’s excitement at all the rides.”

  “I thought he liked the animals better.”

  Other things had contributed toward making this a memorable day. She’d enjoyed being with Gabe. Outside of the natural pride of being with the two best-looking men in the park, she found she really enjoyed Gabe’s company. They had similar tastes in a lot of ways. They had the same quirky sense of humor, laughed at the same things, understood unspoken jokes. Not even Mattie had seemed to understand Dana’s thoughts so well without having to ask.

  “Do you think the lawyer spied on us?” she asked.

  “Probably. He seems to know everything we do.”

  Somewhere along the way the day had become so natural, her participation so unconscious, her enjoyment so complete, she’d forgotten about the lawyer. Remembering him now gave her an unwelcome jar. It reminded her that everything they did was a sham.

  Yet it hadn’t felt that way. She’d almost felt married.

  “I wonder what he’ll say when I go back to New York?”

  “Nothing good.”

  She didn’t want to think about New York. She felt very comfortable with Gabe at her side and Danny in her arms. She couldn’t explain exactly what it did for her—she’d never felt this way before—but she wouldn’t soon forget the feeling of contentment, of it being so right.

  “I’ll have to leave soon. I can’t expect my partner to continue handling everything by herself.”

  “I suppose you will.”

  They were nearing Iron Springs, the road flat and empty. It didn’t take any concentration to drive the car. Gabe’s response didn’t need to be so lifeless. It almost sounded as though he didn’t care.

  “She’s great at organization, but I’m the one who handles most of the sales.”

  “Your parents must be very proud of your success.”

  They said so, but next to her father’s global enterprises, her business seemed small.

  “I’ll have to go on a buying trip soon. We’re getting low on inventory.”

  “Where do you go?”

  “Anywhere I can find antiques. I went to Argentina last year.”

  “I’m surprised you could spare this much time.”

  “Danny is more important than the business.”

  She’d never actually said that before. But the moment the words were out of her mouth, she knew they were right.

  “Then you don’t plan to go back right away?”

  “No.”

  “Good.”

  Gabe pulled the car into the driveway. In the bustle of collecting Danny’s stuff and getting him inside without waking him, she didn’t have an opportunity to search Gabe’s face or gauge the feelings be
hind his laconic answer. She’d kept mentioning New York, hoping he’d ask her to stay a little longer. She didn’t know why that should be so important—she couldn’t stay if he asked her—so maybe she wanted recognition of her contribution to Danny’s life. Maybe she needed to feel he appreciated her decision to marry him.

  All during the day she’d been aware of a difference in the atmosphere between them. She couldn’t identify it just yet, but it had enabled them to be much more comfortable, to enjoy being with each other. She felt he wanted her to stay but couldn’t say it. Maybe it hurt his pride to admit he had been wrong.

  “I want to see if I can get him into bed without waking him,” Dana said as she carried Danny into the house. “If he wakes up, he’s liable to be up for a couple of hours.”

  They undressed Danny and got him into his pajamas with only a few mumbled words. As soon as they laid him in the bed, he snuggled down with his teddy bear. Leaving the door open, they tiptoed out into the hall. They paused, looked at each other.

  “It was a nice day,” Dana said. “I enjoyed myself.”

  “Me, too.”

  “You didn’t have much to say coming back,” Dana said.

  “I don’t have to deal with the consequences of my words if I don’t say them.”

  “What consequences?”

  “The consequences of my saying you’re an exceptionally beautiful woman. Keeping my hands off you is nearly driving me crazy.”

  His words hit Dana with the force of a fist in the gut. She’d been feeling pretty much the same about Gabe.

  “It’s torture every time I have to kiss you,” he said.

  Dana was quite willing to be a temptation. She wasn’t so sure about torture. “I didn’t notice you having such a hard time staying away.” She had intended that to sound like a noncommittal statement. Much to her alarm it sounded like a complaint. Before she had time to correct her mistake, Gabe advanced on her, planted his hands against the wall, pinning her into the narrow space in between.

  “You must know you’re a beautiful woman.”

  His face was so close she couldn’t concentrate on the whole, just a part. His lips. “Maybe, but men have never gone crazy over me.”

  “They’re fools.”

  She laughed. It sounded strained. “I like to think so, but their collective wealth could buy half this state.”

  “I’d rather be smart about women and stupid about money.”

  “That’s not how most men feel.”

  “I’m not most men.”

  No joke. Nobody else could practically give her heart failure just by talking to her…being close…looking at her in a way that said he wanted to make love to her right then.

  “What do you think it’s like knowing you’re on the other side of that wall, so close yet out of reach?”

  She shook her head.

  “Meeting you in the hall with you wearing practically nothing.”

  “You weren’t wearing much, either.” She’d had wild dreams all night, had awakened feeling as if she hadn’t slept at all.

  “Knowing you were in my shower…without anything on.”

  “Nobody takes a shower wearing clothes.”

  She knew her answers made little sense, but she couldn’t concentrate when his lips were so close that she could almost kiss them. This was no posed shot for the cameras, no play-it-by-the-numbers setup for the lawyer. Gabe wanted her, and every fiber of her body wanted him right back.

  He kissed her. Considering the heat in his gaze, the intensity of his words, it was surprisingly gentle. Yet the instant she relaxed, his kiss exploded into a huge hunger seemingly intent on devouring her. He covered her mouth with his, the pressure pinning her to the wall. She found herself responding, kissing him back with the same fierceness.

  Gabe pushed away from the wall, put his hands on her shoulders and drew her closer to him. She didn’t resist when she felt his body against hers. She needed that contact.

  “See what I mean?” Gabe said when he finally broke their kiss.

  “I don’t know what you are so afraid of,” she managed to say between deeply drawn breaths. “We’ve kissed several times before.”

  “You’re not upset?”

  “Why should I be?”

  Gabe wrapped his arms around her and proceeded to kiss her ruthlessly.

  Dana let him.

  She doubted she could have stopped him if she’d wanted. The intensity that had seized him erupted inside her. Her arms slipped around his neck, pulled him deeper and deeper into her embrace. Desire that had been held in check for days exploded with a ferocity that overwhelmed her.

  He broke their kiss and drew her head down on his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head. It gave her the feeling of smallness, of being cuddled and protected. No one had ever done that. Dana decided she liked it.

  She couldn’t concentrate when Gabe switched to nibbling her ear. It tickled. At the same time it sent bone-dissolving sensations of weakness all through her limbs. She clung more tightly to him for support.

  “Don’t do that,” she said.

  But she didn’t mean it, and Gabe knew it. The tip of his tongue traced the shell of her ear. She expected to dissolve right there. She took his head in her hands and kissed him hard.

  Gabe’s hands wandered over her back, her shoulders, her waist, pulling her against him, setting her skin afire with his touch. When his hands slipped down to cup her bottom and press her body against the hardness of his groin, she teetered on the brink of losing control. It had been a long time since any man had touched her. Her body screamed for release.

  Gabe deepened their kiss. Dana couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t feel enough of his body. She needed more of the hot energy that flowed from him like lava. She was hungry, greedy, demanding, and she—

  “Danie.”

  Dana froze at the sound of Danny’s voice.

  “Danie! Danny want water.”

  Dana’s body shuddered with released tension. She was certain that if Danny hadn’t awakened, she’d have been in bed with Gabe in minutes.

  “I’ve got to go.” The force of her passion, cooled with unnatural swiftness, caused her voice to waver. Gabe didn’t loosen her hold. “If I don’t go, he’ll think nobody’s here. He’ll get upset and start to cry. I’m coming, darling,” she called to Danny. “Let me go,” she whispered to Gabe.

  Gabe released his breath in a single, noisy whoosh. His whole body sagged, and his arms fell to his sides.

  “I’m sorry,” Dana said as she readjusted her clothes.

  “You can’t be as sorry as I am,” Gabe said. He moved away, turned and walked into his room.

  For a moment Dana was too shaken to move. She wanted to apologize, but her thoughts were in chaos. Right now she had to get Danny some water. She would concentrate on that. Once she’d calmed down, she’d try to think. But she already knew one thing.

  Everything had changed.

  Gabe forced himself to concentrate on the eggs, not on Dana as she moved about the kitchen. They were preparing breakfast, but his thoughts had wandered so far away from cooking he had to keep reminding himself to watch the eggs.

  “Want eggs,” Danny called from his high chair.

  “Coming up, fella,” Gabe replied. But when he turned, his gaze fell on Dana, and the blood surged into his loins with painful insistence.

  Last night had lowered the barriers. Knowing Dana wanted him as much as he wanted her had unleashed such a torrent of desire Gabe wished it had never happened. The physical attraction this morning had grown so strong it permeated everything they did, thought or said. Every look, every gesture—even the things they didn’t do or say—plucked some string and sent it resonating throughout his body.

  He found himself staring wordlessly at her, certain that desire danced naked in his eyes. She turned away from his gaze, avoided him, but it didn’t change anything. They both knew what he wanted. They both knew she wanted it, too. Each time she passed near him, h
e wanted to reach out and touch her. Fortunately he needed both hands to scramble eggs, one to hold the pan steady and the other to stir. He kept reminding himself this would only last a few weeks, a couple of months at most. But if things got much more difficult he would lose his mind in about three days.

  “Do you want milk?” Dana asked.

  “Just coffee,” he answered.

  “Danny want ‘coppie,’” Danny said.

  “Coffee is for adults,” Dana told him.

  “Danny ’dult.”

  “You’re getting eggs,” Dana said. “That’s enough sinning for now.”

  “What sin? Can Danny have sin?”

  Gabe grinned. He couldn’t wait to see her get out of this one.

  “That’s for adults, too,” Dana said. “It’s too strong for little boys.”

  If wanting Dana was a sin, it was too strong for Gabe, too. He struggled to get his attention back on the eggs. They’d be a little dry this morning, but considering the state of his mind, Danny was lucky they weren’t charcoal. It was all Dana’s fault. Or his. Either way it resulted in his being practically useless. He would have to find a way to keep his distance from her.

  Maybe he could start staying late at the shop.

  No, Dana would be upset, the lawyer would be on them again, and Danny would already be in bed when he got home. There wouldn’t be any buffer between him and Dana.

  If he got up at four, he’d be out of the house before she woke up. Then he could go to bed at the same time as Danny. Sam and Billy would think he was nuts for opening the shop in the middle of the night, but that would be better than being in the same room with Dana, desire burning through him like fire through dry timber.

  “Heads up,” he called. “Here come the eggs.”

  “I thought I gave you some sausage,” Gabe said to Danny.

  “He ate it while you scrambled the eggs,” Dana said.

  “Then we’ll just have to give him another piece,” Gabe said. Danny picked up the sausage the minute it hit his plate. Dana intercepted it before he could stuff it in his mouth.

  “I have to cut it up in small pieces,” she said, “I don’t want you to choke.”