“Nice rock.” A smile that held no humor twisted his lips. “But I can do better than that. How about it, Dani? If I buy you a bigger ring than his, will you many me?”
For a brief flash of time, she dared to hope that he really meant it, that their shattered love could become a reality. But that dream was quickly dashed when she saw the anger in his eyes.
The bitterness in his tone made her feel a twinge of guilt. Dragging at her hand, she only succeeded in hurting herself. “Jace, stop. This isn’t a game.”
She hadn’t ever asked much of Jace. Never anything more than she was willing to return. Never more than the truth. Never more than his love. Even now, she longed to hear him say the words. But as usual, he talked about wants and needs, not of love. She hardened herself against his pain.
It was the only way she could save herself.
“You traded my love for money. I can’t won’t—ever forgive that. What we had is over. Maybe you can settle down with one of those little ranch girls, one who wants to live in the middle of nowhere with a herd of cows and a million tumbleweeds.”
“Don’t exaggerate, darlin’. Last time you were out at the ranch, there couldn’t have been more than ten thousand tumbleweeds. And most of those blew away before you left.”
The anger washed over her, eroding her control. She balled her hand into a fist and struck out at him again. But Jace seemed to barely exert himself before he had her fist cradled in the palm of his hand.
Closing his fingers around hers, he gently pushed her arm away, twisting her hand behind her back. Then he guided her other hand down to join the first. Wrapping both her wrists in his long fingers, he brought his free hand up to stroke her neck.
She tried to pull away, knowing his touch was like spontaneous combustion to her body, but he held her trapped. Her lips tightened with anger, but she choked back the words. Any reaction would only encourage him.
Jace traced her collarbone with his finger before moving downward to follow the neckline of her dress—the dress Raymond had picked out for her with a slight leer, saying he would enjoy exploring the possibilities revealed later. The dress that was all red, shimmering satin and clinging lace.
Jace’s finger slipped inside the neckline. dipping just a fraction lower to explore her heated skin. She tried to suppress the shiver that rippled through her—tried and failed.
Jace smiled, his mouth tight with contained anger, and explored farther.
“This doesn’t prove anything.” She bit her lip when she realized her voice was a breathless whisper that contradicted her words.
“You’re mine, Dani. You’ll always be mine and we both know it.” He stroked a path to the top of her other breast.
“What we had was over far too long ago to even discuss it.”
“It was never over. I just needed some time to put my life back together. Now I expect you to honor your promise to marry me.”
“No, Jace.” Her breathing had quickened, making it difficult to infuse her voice with anger. When she pulled against the hand that held her, he didn’t relent.
His finger dropped lower, skimming down her breast, making tantalizing circles, each one edging closer to the sensitive nub. Her nipples tightened in anticipation, but he paused, didn’t pursue his explorations, didn’t offer her any relief.
“You’re going to marry me, Dani girl. No one else.”
He’d done it—thrown down the gauntlet—challenged her to prove him wrong. And she was just the woman to do it. Outrage broke through the desire shadowing her mind. Danielle lifted her foot, intending to bring her heel down on his instep. Even through his boots, it was bound to get his attention.
Effortlessly, Jace dropped his hand to her leg and cupped her thigh, suspending her foot in the air. Her narrow skirt inched up, revealing much more skin than she wanted. He took full advantage of the show, dropping his gaze to watch as the dress crept even father toward indecency.
He tugged her leg higher, wedging her more tightly against him at the same time. Brushing his lips against hers, he smiled. “I know you’re anxious to get closer, but do you think this is the right place?”
Rage boiled through her, but she was helpless to do anything about it. It was all she could do to balance on one three-inch heel since he still held her hands behind her back.
“Damn it, Jace.” Her soft curse carried all the hurt, all the agony, of the past “I’ve finally found the life I was raised to live and I refuse to let you ruin it. Go away.”
Silence pulsed between them. Finally, Jace let her foot drop back to the floor. But he did it ever so slowly, letting his touch caress the silk stockings covering her thigh. Her skin felt a rush of cool air as he released her hands, then grasped her shoulders and moved her away from him.
“You will marry me. And this time, you need me. Your daddy needs me.” His smile held little humor. “I’ll save you both. Just say the word.” His voice dropped to a low threat. “Wooing a woman is like taming a filly. A man needs time and patience to get exactly what he wants.”
He stroked his callused fingers across her cheek, causing remembered sensations to ripple through her.
“And I want you. I’ve run out of time.” His lips twisted as the silence stretched between them. “Ran out of patience long ago. So now we play the game my way.”
He paused as if waiting for her response, but she was too shocked to give him one.
“Twenty-four hours.” He glanced at his watch, marking the time. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you. And I’ll expect your answer to be yes. Don’t forget, Danielle, I have my own money this time. Enough to buy and sell your father. Enough to bail out your little family business. And wouldn’t you rather marry the devil you know?”
A tangled combination of desire and fear knotted her stomach. His words held the quality of a threat. Was he capable of destroying her father if he didn’t get what he wanted?
Without warning, he reached for her again. Molding her body against his, he kissed her, all his demands reflected in his lips. He wanted her complete surrender, her total capitulation—and would settle for nothing less.
For one insane flicker of time, she actually considered giving in to him.
“What the hell is going on out here?”
Raymond’s voice slowly penetrated the sensual fog clouding her thoughts. Danielle tried to pull away, but Jace only pulled her closer, if that was possible. Finally, she wrenched her mouth from his and gasped for air.
Raymond reached for her, his touch far from gentle when he grabbed her shoulder. “Danielle, what do you think you’re doing?”
Jace stiffened, then pushed his way between her and Raymond. Danielle knew there was trouble brewing, knew she needed to put a stop to Jace. But she didn’t know how.
“Get out of my way, cowboy. Danielle has some explaining to do. And she’d better do it quickly.”
Raymond tried to shoulder Jace aside, but Jace simply stepped in his path. Jace’s voice was hard, a threat in itself. “Don’t talk to my future wife that way.”
Danielle stood by helplessly as her plans crumbled at her feet. There was little sense in trying to explain. She could see by Raymond’s expression that he wouldn’t listen, wouldn’t believe her. She was about to lose it all and didn’t have a clue how to stop the disaster.
“I think you have the facts all wrong, cowboy.” Raymond tried to push Jace aside again, but Jace didn’t even bother moving this time; he just stood solid.
“Your engagement is off, pretty boy. Get over it and get out.”
Raymond glared at Jace, then narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re making a huge mistake, Danielle.” His movements deliberate, Raymond pulled a check from his pocket, the check that represented the salvation of her father’s business. “I guess you won’t need this after all.”
Panic threatened to steal her voice. “Raymond...”
He shook his head. “You can’t explain what I just witnessed with pretty words, Danielle. Don’t even try.”
Danielle stepped forward, knowing she had to stop him, but Jace blocked her way. One hand outstretched helplessly, she watched as Raymond tore the check into small pieces. With an angry flourish, he let the scraps flutter to the ground. As her future floated away on a cool breeze, Raymond stalked back into the house.
She wanted to call him back, to explain, but what words would be strong enough, convincing enough? What words would she be able to force past the fear clogging her throat?
Jace observed it all, then turned to study Danielle, his gaze sliding over her with an intense possessiveness. He touched one finger to his hat in sa lute, then simply walked inside. His boots sounded on the floor, a death knell to Danielle’s only chance at helping her father.
Her body seemed frozen, her thoughts immobile as her gaze was drawn to the bright lights glaring through the French doors. Everyone had stopped and was staring at the stage where the orchestra had just finished a song. With a cold shiver that had little to do with the temperature, Danielle realized it was exactly midnight. She watched as Raymond said something to her father, then left without a backward glance.
Danielle forced herself to move forward, but one step inside the doorway, she froze. Her father had seen her and the look in his eyes halted her heartbeat.
She had failed.
She had failed him and the family fortune and that was unforgivable.
She pulled her lip between her teeth as she spotted Jace disappearing through the doorway. He’d mentioned nothing of love—only money. So far, money had only made her life miserable. Why couldn’t anyone just love her for herself?
This engagement to Raymond was the same way things had been done in her family for years. Her mother had married for business reasons and so had Danielle’s grandmother. Danielle had been certain she would, too.
If only Jace hadn’t captured her heart so completely.
If only he didn’t tempt her so thoroughly.
If only he hadn’t hurt her so badly.
If only...
Danielle hung her head, letting one tear escape before she regained her control. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she carefully wiped away any trace of her emotions and squared her shoulders, determined to return to the party and be the perfect hostess.
But her father was making a terse announcement that due to an unexpected emergency, the party was ending early. Then he stepped off the stage and motioned for Danielle to follow him.
And she knew with dreaded certainty that her difficulties were only beginning.
Chapter Two
She was late.
Jace jerked back the sleeve of his shirt and glared at his watch. Thirty-three minutes late.
He knew about Simmons’s bank note. Knew it was due in less than one week—that Danielle’s father didn’t have the reserves to pay the million dollar debt And Jace knew Danielle was willing to sacrifice herself to save her father.
Jace had backed her into an impossible corner and still she dared defy him. Jace shared a grim smile with the dark night. Danielle had always stood up to him, had been one of the rare people who challenged him even when rage boiled through him. He admired her grit. But even that wasn’t going to save her this time. She would marry him. Or suffer the consequences.
He gazed out at the black shadows covering the wide expanse of Wyoming range. He was the second generation of Farrells to work this land, had been raised here and now devoted his life to the ranch. He’d made his holdings grow and flourish in spite of the odds.
And he wasn’t ashamed to admit he loved every acre.
The mountains graced the sky in the distance, the ragged Teton Range as unforgiving as the weather. When his father died, he’d left behind an almost worthless patch of dried sagebrush. But Jace had been young, full of fire, full of determination. He knew what he wanted and had been determined to get it.
Then he’d met Danielle, Simmons.
Suddenly, he’d wanted more. He’d dared to think he could have it all. He wanted someone to share his life with, to celebrate the good and help shoulder the bad. But he should have known better, should have realized that life just wasn’t that simple.
The year he’d met Danielle had been the end of his first year on his own. The harsh winter had cost him more of his herd than he could afford and prices had crashed to rock bottom. He’d been short on cash to begin with but stood to lose it all if he didn’t do something. And he’d needed to do something fast, so he’d looked for a loan.
But the banks were afraid to give money to another troubled rancher. Jace had been forced to seek out private investors. Danielle’s father had expressed interest and Jace had thought his troubles were over.
It was then that he learned the bitter lesson that no matter how hard he worked, how big he dreamed, he’d never be good enough for the social elite who had homes in the Jackson Hole area. He would always soil his hands on a regular basis and drive a truck that was layered with dirt because it was used for real work.
Memories of Danielle drifted through his thoughts. Last night, she had been different. She had been a woman instead of the girl he’d fallen for so long ago—the girl who had shredded his heart and his self-respect The girl who had almost destroyed him and his dreams.
Danielle, the woman, tantalized in new and exciting ways. He could, would make love to her again. The excitement was still there. But she wouldn’t touch his heart. Never again would he open himself to the pain of such a betrayal.
Jace glanced at his watch and anticipation curled through him. Soon. She’d be here soon. Danielle couldn’t refuse him. He’d forced a change in her life, had made her face the reality of what she was doing and acknowledge that life with Raymond would be far from perfect. Jace had seen it all in her eyes last night.
And he’d made her want. Him.
Almost as badly as he wanted her. When he’d held her, he’d felt her longing in the trembling that shuddered through her, sensed it in the heat of her mouth.
Jace sucked in a breath, trying to calm his raging libido.
The glow of headlights appeared on the horizon and he squinted against darkness broken only by distant stars. His blood slowed in his veins as his heart struggled with unanswered needs.
Danielle had come to him.
A red Camaro pulled into view and Jace’s heartbeat quickened. Now that she was here, it was his chance to start a new life, their chance to start the next generation of Farrells.
Everything in his carefully constructed world was about to change. And as long as he kept his heart well guarded, the differences could only be for the better. Finally, the circle would be complete. He would have it all, including the social acceptance that had been denied him so far. Danielle would open that last door for him—and give him the children he so desperately wanted.
Crossing his arms, Jace leaned against the porch railing, eager for the showdown he knew they were about to have.
The porch light enhanced her features as Danielle stepped out of the low-slung car. Her dark brown hair swirled around her head and shoulders in tight curls, and Jace experienced a pang of regret for the long tresses he used to enjoy so much. She groaned audibly as her heels sank into the thick mud he called a front yard.
Jace tugged his lips out of the grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. The scene was so familiar he could almost forget all that stood between them. Almost. “I see you remembered the way.”
“In another lifetime, I made this drive daily.”
He remembered. She would be waiting for him when he came in for the evening. Those moments after sunset became his favorite time of the day—because she was there.
But without warning, she’d moved to Denver. And evening had become a time of torture.
He tipped his head, ignoring the memory of past loneliness that washed over him. “I thought I’d have to come get you.”
She glared at him as she tried to draw herself free of the sucking mud. “You left me with few choices, Jace.” Anger, f
rustration and a touch of hopelessness graced her fine features.
Jace shrugged, denying any sense of remorse. “There are always choices, Danielle,.” He let her battle the mud for a long minute. “Let me help you inside. It’s muddy out here.” He made the offer even though he knew she would refuse.
She lifted one foot, looking like a finicky kitten, and glared at him. “So what else is new? It’s either muddy or rock hard. Either way, I always mined my heels whenever I came here.”
“That’s why we wear boots in the real West, ma’am.” He stretched his words into an exaggerated drawl and tipped his hat. When he started forward, she held up a hand.
“Don’t. I’ll make it to the porch by myself.” She took one step forward, then lost her shoe to the clinging ooze when she tried to take another. Balancing on one foot, she looked up at Jace, resignation in her eyes.
In a few quick strides, he stood in front of her. She gingerly placed one hand on his shoulder to keep her balance; just that light touch ignited a fire deep within him. Her gaze dropped to the level of his chest and he knew it was costing her to let him help her, to let him touch her again. He knew it cost him—to be this close, to put his hands on her again, without making love to her.
Slipping an arm under her legs and another behind her back, he swept her against his chest, leaving both her shoes mired in the mud. The fire burned a little hotter. When he climbed the porch steps, she squirmed, heating his blood, too.
“I appreciate the caveman maneuvers, but you can put me down now.” Her voice held a slight quiver. She wasn’t unaffected by him, but then he’d already discovered that at the party.
“No, I can’t. Your feet will get cold.” He leaned forward, indicating she should push the door open. The warmth of the kitchen greeted them like an old friend.
After Danielle closed the door, he went to the large oak table that dominated the kitchen. He started to ease her into a chair, then stopped.
The Cowboy Proposes... Marriage? Page 2