The Princess and the Pauper
Page 22
This time he didn’t argue. Instead he said, “You wouldn’t be happy with me.”
“I’m miserable without you.”
His lips twisted. “Your father hates me.”
“My father is coming around. He’s just stubborn. Like someone else I know.”
“We’d be desperately poor.”
April heart warmed. He was finally admitting he felt something for her. “No, we wouldn’t. I’m an heiress, remember? You wouldn’t take that away from your daughter, now would you?” she asked quickly, witnessing his deepening frown.
He swore, then grimacing, reluctantly shook his head.
“I would give anything up for you, Jesse,” she said gently. “It’s you who’s always had trouble. You’ve always seen the extremes of our relationship. I’ve been poor before. I could do it again. I would do it again.”
He gazed at her directly, then took the drink from her hand and slowly set both hers and his on the glass topped bar. Drawing her forward between his legs, he said, “I’ve been unfair to you. I couldn’t bear being unfair to you anymore.”
“You think leaving me again is fair?” April asked.
His arms tightened. “You’ve never made things easy for me,” he muttered, drawing a deep breath.
“Do you love me, Jesse? I need to know.”
He drew back, regarding her through heavy lids. “Would you let me go at my pace? You’re so impatient.”
Her lips trembled with mirth. “It’s my one fault.”
“I can think of a few others,” he said dryly.
“Jesse…” She slid her hands around his nape and inside the collar of his shirt to the smooth, hard muscles of his shoulders.
“I love you, Princess.”
It took her breath away. April eyes widened. She’d never really expected to hear those words from his lips.
Jesse regarded her closely, amused. “What? No comeback?”
She shook her head.
He kissed her, long and lingeringly, his firm lips twisting now into a smile. “I’ve loved you too long and too deeply to give you up now. I’ve told myself a thousand times that loving it was a mistake. I’ve tried to stay out of your life. But thinking of you walking alone in Old Town was enough to keep me watching you every night.”
“It was you in the shadows,” April said in wonder.
“You knew I was there?”
“I sensed it. Why didn’t you say something to me? You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.” He was rueful. “It was just that I was trying to forget you, and I didn’t want to talk to you. I needed some time.”
“But you followed me, anyway.” She slid him a look from beneath her lashes. “You were that certain I was at risk?”
“Was I wrong?”
She would have liked to disagree, but couldn’t. Silently she shook her head.
“April, my job has been on the streets of Portland. I couldn’t underestimate the danger even if I wanted to. I knew it was simply a matter of time. Do you know what it did to me, the image of you being attacked?” he asked huskily. She felt the fine tremor that moved through his body. “Half the time I wanted to kill Jordan for putting you at such risk.”
“It was my decision,” she reminded him.
“And it’s going to be a condition of marriage that you quit that place,” he announced arrogantly.
“Marriage?” April was too bemused to be put off by his demand.
“When you marry me, you give up Touché. Otherwise my heart won’t be able to stand it.”
April could scarcely believe her ears. How many years had she dreamed of hearing him admit he cared? All she’d ever wanted was Jesse. All she’d ever wanted was to be a part of his life. She bent her head and said, “Well, I’ll have to think about that.”
He tipped up her chin, raking her with his gaze. “You’d better be joking,” he growled.
April grinned. “Jordan’s opening another store on the other side of the river. It’s in a suburban shopping mall. Low crime. Good wages. I hear he’s looking for experienced people.”
Jesse hands slipped to her waist, drawing her against the hard pressure of his hips and thighs.
“Also, I have this feeling my father and I will work things out. I could go back to Hollis’s.”
“As my wife? Don’t kid yourself.”
“You don’t know,” April said, lifting sensual blue-green eyes to his. She ran her fingers lightly over the skin at his nape and shoulders, her pulse beginning to beat with a warm, insistent rhythm.
He caught his breath as her touch drifted lower. “What,” he asked carefully, “are you doing?”
“Getting to know my future husband.” Her voice deepened with emotion. “I can’t wait to tell Eden the truth.”
“When should we do that?” The timbre of Jesse voice changed in response to the magic of April marauding fingers. She was sliding her hands along the waistband of his jeans, making short work of his belt buckle.
“After we’re married. Let’s give her some time to get used to you.”
“April—” he began.
“Can you really stand to eat all your words and be married to a Windsor Estates girl?” she asked, her teeth biting gently into his earlobe.
For an answer Jesse suddenly shifted position, pinning her deliberately against the glass cart. April heard bottles rattle alarmingly, but her eyes danced with joy, and her senses reeled with love. “It’ll be tough,” he admitted.
“Then let’s make it easy,” she murmured, her eyes slumberous now.
And Jesse, his mouth tasting the sweetness of hers, agreed.
Lady Sundown
As beautiful and reckless as the glorious Oregon wilderness, Lexie Danner was determined to claim the shining promise of her future. Not for her the stifling confines of an elegant finishing school—she would fulfill her dream to be an animal doctor, and wed whom she pleased! No one would stop her—least of all her so-called stepbrother Tremaine. Related to Lexie through marriage only and her enemy since childhood the rugged, boldly confident young doctor sparked a fierce anger in her—and a sudden, newly-awakened desire.
But a scheming land baron’s conspiracy and a powerful, vengeful enemy from the past threatened to destroy all they both cherished. Now they would be forced to fight for their fives—and a love as blazing and eternal as the boundless mountain skies…
Miracle Jones
SEEK…
Searching for a past that was more lore than truth, part-Indian healer, Miranda “Miracle” Jones, drove her peddler’s cart toward Rock Springs, Oregon — straight into danger. Before she could learn anything about her missing and mysterious father, and carrying the tin box he’d left her – her only memento – she was attacked by highwaymen and sold to Harrison Danner at a drunken bachelor party on the eve of his wedding. Danner meant only to save her. But Miracle, frightened and trusting only in herself, stabbed him – and then, with her herbal potions, desperately sought to save the compelling stranger’s life!
AND YOU SHALL FIND…
Danner was pledged to the daughter of his bitterest enemy; their wedding was meant to end a generations-old feud. Yet he could not resist his attraction for the strong-spirited beauty who had attacked him — and then stole his bartered heart. Though they both fought the wave of passion that threatened to overtake them, and which only could leave devastation and betrayal in its wake, the truth of their love was undeniable, a force of nature they willingly succumbed to within each other’s arms…
Jesse’s Renegade
Beautiful, headstrong Kelsey Garrett is determined to make a new start in Portland under an assumed name. But everything changes when she runs into Jesse Danner, the hot-blooded, stubborn black sheep of the Danner family whom she has secretly loved for years. Devastated to find he doesn't even recognize her, she nonetheless agrees to help him seek revenge against a brutal land baron who once left him for dead.
Drawn into a web of greed and intrigue, Kelsey and Jesse
struggle against the desire they feel for one another; a raging fire that threatens to overwhelm them both. Too proud to admit their longings, their chance for happiness is nearly destroyed when Jesse’s plan for vengeance puts their lives in jeopardy. Then they must risk all they have in a battle to survive – and to claim a magnificent future together.
Scandal’s Darling
Lady Veronica Elizabeth Ashworth was the talk of London, ever since society gossip linked her with a notorious rake. To save the family reputation, her cold-hearted father vowed to choose her a husband — unless she found a fiancé herself, by the end of the Marquess of Wilshire’s ball. As the dancers whirled and the deadline neared, beautiful, headstrong Veronica set tongues wagging again, as she swept in from the balcony on the arm of a handsome American stranger…
Samuel Danner was as exotic as the Oregon frontier from which he hailed – and as uninterested in marriage as any man could be. He was searching London for the man who had killed his beloved wife when Lady Veronica offered help – if he would pose as her fiancé. Refusing her offer was the right thing to do, but Veronica’s quick mind and vibrant spirit spoke a language Samuel could not resist…as fate transformed her from scandal’s darling into a proud, courageous woman who would risk her life for the man she adored. But only when he thought he’d lost her forever would Samuel recognize that Veronica could lighten the darkness of his soul and be the woman of his dreams.
About the author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nancy Bush has been writing for over thirty years. Known for her romantic suspense and mystery novels, Nancy began her career writing straight romance, historical romance, and even Nancy Drew novels before turning her attention to her own mysteries and stand-alone thrillers, the latest being UNSEEN, BLIND SPOT and HUSH. Nancy is also co-writing a romantic suspense series with paranormal elements, with her sister, bestselling author Lisa Jackson. The lead-off book of the series, WICKED GAME, debuted in 2009, followed by WICKED LIES in 2011. Though Nancy is currently hard at work on another stand-alone thriller, she’s eager to dive into the third “Wicked” story with Lisa. The fun, as they say, never stops…
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Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
More Nancy Bush books
About the author
Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
More Nancy Bush books
About the author