The Price of Passion

by Stephanie Morris

  “Was it, Sierra?”

  He wouldn’t let it rest until she gave him the answer he sought, but could she? Where was the toughness to own up to something she’d rather keep hidden? She had to be truthful; he’d see right through anything less.

  “It wasn’t a lie,” she revealed. Her voice trembled. “I...”

  “Yes?”

  “I wanted you.”

  “It’s natural for men and women to want each other.”

  “Maybe for everyone else,” she mumbled. “But not me.”

  “Stop resisting,” he whispered.

  Like she had that night? Not a chance.

  “Allow me to take care of you. Get the rest the doctor said you needed, relish in the fact that I’ll be waiting on you hand and foot.”

  “Kaden...” She shut her eyes tightly. Unfortunately, that only made the caress of his work rough hands against her soft skin even more noticeable. Each sensation felt more intense and she wanted to give in.

  She forced her eyes open. Not missing anything—the parting of her lips, the change in her breathing—Kaden observed her.

  “If you won’t do it for you, for me, then do it for our baby.”

  He always went for her weakness.

  “Come on, Sierra,” he cajoled, his power blanketing her. “Just for a little while. Try it my way.”

  Her heartbeat raced and the air crackled with uncertainty. To pacify him, she grudgingly gave in. “Okay. I’ll do it your way for a short time.”

  He grinned then. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t boastful. Instead, it made the darkness of his brown eyes a shade lighter, a little less unfriendly and guarded. She’d seen that expression before, the moment he’d brushed his thumb across her cheek during their third dance at Andy and Hillary’s anniversary party.

  As soon as Kaden released her, Sierra all but threw the door open. The air had chilled significantly even with the sun still sitting high in the sky, chilling her where his caress had warmed.

  “Cold?”

  Was there anything he didn’t see? Shaking her head, she murmured, “I’m okay. Physically.”

  He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer to him. As if they were really a couple.

  A new shiver raced down her spine. This time, it was more than just the wind affecting her. If he had it his way, they would be a couple, their agreement stated aloud in front of family and friends. He’d have this sort of command over her all the time.

  Once they were inside, he locked the door, any chance of escape disappeared, and her heart felt as if it were going to explode.

  Thankfully, he removed his arm from around her waist and he moved further into the house. He left her by herself, briefly, in the foyer.

  Sierra couldn’t help recalling the only other time she’d been inside his home. It had been late, dark, and her focus had been tuned completely into him. When he’d led her up the stairs, she’d barely had time to notice small details about the master bedroom. The bed, framed in sturdy wood, was an area of masculine power.

  Realizing he’d returned, she shook her head to get rid of the image, then followed him.

  “I’ll start a fire in the living room.”

  “You don’t have to—”

  “Do that, yeah, I know.”

  That didn’t stop him. With a little shiver, she wondered if anything did.

  He made sure she was settled on the couch, lifting he legs onto the cushions and placing a light duvet over her. Then he put kindling in the fireplace, added wood, and lit it.

  She watched him, captivated as much now as she had been that night. His stature, as broad and rugged as the mountain peaks surrounding the town, stretched against the cotton material of his button-down shirt. Equally faded denim jeans covered his legs and molded to the slim planes of his hips.

  She laid her head back.

  Sierra knew all too well that under those form-fitting jeans, he was as solid and capable as he looked.

  For the thousandth time, she wondered what a single lapse in judgment had cost her. If she’d known her future would be entangled with a man this dynamic, she would have skipped the party and sent Andy and Hillary a gift.

  Putting his hands on his thighs, he pushed himself upright. She was attracted to Kaden, and that’s why she’d succumbed to him. Now, fiercely, she wished she wasn’t so completely aware of him.

  He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a tender act, quick but so very intimate. It made her heart skip several beats.

  “Do you need to call Eve?” he asked.

  “Holy crap!” Her hand went to her chest. In her high state of anxiety, she’d forgotten to let her cousin know the store wasn’t covered.

  “Here, use my cell phone.”

  He handed it over, but didn’t give any privacy. Instead, he stood near the fireplace and pretended to study the items on the mantle as he listened to her explanation of where she was and that she wouldn’t be at the store tomorrow.

  “Is he denying that the baby is his?” Eve demanded to know once she was sure Sierra was okay.

  “No.”

  “Good. Is he refusing to make things legitimate? If he is, I would be happy to come over there and show him what happens when he messes with a Walker woman.”

  Sierra averted her gaze from his. “No, he isn’t. That won’t be necessary.”

  “Yes! That means he asked you to marry him. See there! I told you he would once he knew about the baby. Oh, Sierra, this is wonderful! Just wonderful!”

  Sierra didn’t agree at all.

  “Have you set a date for the wedding? Can I be your maid of honor? Should I tell your parents that you’re getting married now? Of course they’ll want to hear it from you, but since you are going to be at Kaden’s house for a while, I’ll—naturally, we’ll do the dress.” Eve spoke fast, fumbling over herself in her excitement. “We have two quick designs that if we both work on, it won’t take but a week to complete. You’ll be beautiful in either of them.”

  “Wedding dress?”

  “Yes. You know the white gown you usually wear when you walk down the aisle?”

  Her pulse began to pound.

  Eve continued on. “So, have you set a date yet? And have you thought about how we’ll spend all the holidays? Oh, Sierra, I’m exhausted already.”

  Sierra struggled to take a deep breath. Despite her attempt not to, her gaze was drawn back to Kaden. He was observing her carefully, the same way he had when he’d gently lowered himself on top of her—

  She almost dropped the phone.

  Kaden reacted before she could blink, making his way across the room and taking the phone from her. He informed Eve that Sierra needed rest, promised they’d be in touch, then disconnected the call.

  “Did she upset you?”

  Sierra shook her head, but he scowled, kneeling next to her and placing his palm across her forehead. The contrast of him—powerful, a work-roughed hand on her much smaller body, heat dissolving chill, masculine against feminine—made her insides warm.

  Kaden paused, catching her gaze. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Hearing about your pregnancy, our child, I should have handled it better.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, brushing the curly strands away from her face.

  “You’re sorry?” she forced out, her pulse racing.

  “For upsetting you.”

  Her chest tightened. She thought, wished for just a second, that he’d back down, agree to a compromise. But the words compromise and Kaden didn’t go together in the same sentence.

  “If anything had happened to you or our baby...” He trailed off, then swore under his breath. “I would never forgive myself.” His completely truthful words, raspy with guilt, crumbled a part of her she was trying to reinforce against him.

  This was how it had begun with him, she knew. Exactly how it had occurred that night. He’d held back nothing from her, telling her how he was reacting to her, revealing his feelings, whereas Tim had always h
idden them.

  Kaden had asked the same in return, not allowing her to withhold anything. He’d encouraged her to let go, and with his gentle reassurance, she’d acted in ways she’d never thought herself capable of.

  Now he was doing the same thing again, sharing his emotions and disarming her at the same time. It was working. Even though she didn’t want to, she was responding with womanly warmth.

  “I won’t force you, Sierra.” He continued in that same sincere way that made logical thought impossible. “But I’d like for us to get married soon. I want you in my home, where I can take care of you and our baby, make sure you have everything you need.” He paused with a hard swallow. “I know this isn’t what you had planned—or wanted—but it’s the right thing to do. I’m sure you know that.”

  As much as she didn’t want to admit it, he was right. She couldn’t do to their child what had been done to Kaden. Even though he hadn’t gone into great detail about his past, she’d heard the pain in his voice when he spoke about being unwanted.

  Sierra wouldn’t, couldn’t, do that to their child. She didn’t know what had occurred between him and Leah. But the hard set of his mouth when Sierra had stated the rumor that he’d thrown out his wife and child gave her the inclination that the gossip had been wrong.

  He would love their child, even if he’d never love Sierra. Kaden had the right to be a father. Gently, he enclosed her hands between his, as if saying ultimately the decision was hers.

  She met his captivating stare, and lost the ability to think.

  “Sierra,” he murmured, his voice raspy, “this time, I’m asking, for all our sakes, will you marry me?”

  Chapter Three

  He tried not to tighten his grip on her hands while he waited for her to answer. To Kaden, nothing had ever been more important than this moment.

  If she didn’t cooperate, he’d see her in court, just as he’d said. But he didn’t want the nasty battle that was sure to ensue for his baby; he wanted a two-parent family.

  And he wanted Sierra as his wife.

  The fear that had swamped him when she’d collapsed in his arms had frozen him. His reaction seemed to be in slow motion as he reached for her. He couldn’t move quickly enough, didn’t think he’d be able to catch her, wouldn’t be able to save her, wouldn’t be able to save his child.

  He’d lost one child. Kaden would fall completely apart if he lost another. That meant he needed to protect Sierra. Earlier, he’d seen that the strength she transmitted hid an air of defensiveness. Whether she realized it or not, Sierra needed someone to take care of her. She needed someone strong by her side to help her.

  She needed him, just as surely as he wanted her.

  In his nearly thirty-five years, he had never met a more hard-headed, exasperating woman. The fact that she engaged every one of his senses only made her effect on him all the more aggravating. He was too aware of her womanliness and allurement in a captivating package that his fingers yearned to open.

  Damn it to hell and back.

  “Say yes, Sierra,” he encouraged, calmness dissolving.

  “Um...”

  He waited.

  She drew her bottom lip in between her teeth, causing it to plump up, making him ache to stroke it and ease away all of her pain.

  Truth of the matter was, he wanted to do that with all aspects of her life, had since he’d first taken her in his arms and held her against his body at the anniversary party.

  She recoiled at first, drawing away when his palm found her bare back, then starting when he placed his hand at that indenture at the base of her spine. He’d leaned down, murmuring gently in her ear, promising he wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want him to do. It hadn’t been until the beginning of their third dance that she loosened up at all.

  He’d been drawn to her even when her eyes had spoken of hurt. But by the time they’d stopped to get something to drink and took their cup outside, something inside him had shifted. When he’d talked, she’d tilted her head to one side, intently paying attention to what he said. Instead of trying to figure out what she’d say next or trying to be clever, she’d bestowed her full attention upon him. There’d been no fakery.

  He’d paid attention to the way her lips parted enticingly when she smiled. He’d seen her as a fascinating woman, no doubt, but she’d stirred something more, something deeper inside him.

  During their fourth dance, when she laughed at one of his stupid jokes, he realized he wanted to know her better and that his yearning didn’t stop at just a physical need. That same mix of feelings raced through him now.

  He continued to watch her, observe her reactions, taking in the way her hazel eyes bunched together in puzzlement, then relaxed into something he believed to be acceptance.

  “You’re right,” she whispered after exhaling wearily. “But only because it’s the best way to go about this for our child.”

  His heart skipped several beats.

  “Yes, Kaden. I’ll marry you.”

  He squeezed her hands briefly. “How soon?”

  “Kaden—”

  “Let’s face it, Sierra, our child will be able to count and one day, he or she will figure out how long we’ve been married.”

  “You just don’t quit, do you?”

  “Not when it is something as important as this.”

  She emitted a long sigh, looking heavenward, as if seeking strength.

  “This is very important,” he continued. “Extremely important.”

  She looked back at him.

  “I’ll do everything in my power to make it work between us,” he promised. Somehow. It wouldn’t be a real marriage, not like his first one had begun—until Leah had taught him some harsh lessons in dishonesty and heartache.

  At least he knew upfront that Sierra wasn’t any more truthful than his ex-wife had been, so this time he wouldn’t be an idiot. This wasn’t about love; it was about responsibility. Basically, it was a business arrangement for his baby’s sake. Kaden never intended to forget that, no matter how alluring his soon-to-be-wife could be.

  When Sierra covered her mouth, hiding a yawn, shame swamped him. He was supposed to be taking care of her.

  “You need to get some rest,” he stated.

  “I feel okay, honestly.”

  “I don’t,” he responded. Releasing her hands, he walked over to the fireplace, then turned around to face her. “You frightened the hell out of me.”

  “Yes,” she murmured. “It frightened me, too.”

  “You’ll update me on the pregnancy, everything the doctor said?” he asked. Kaden wanted to know the details, every aspect of the new life growing inside her. Leah had denied him the right to know anything. She hadn’t even wanted him by her side in the delivery room. Of course, now he knew why.

  That right had belonged to another man.

  With this child, he was being given another opportunity at fatherhood. Kaden Stasso might be several things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. He’d learned not to pass up second chances.

  It had been a second opportunity that had changed his life for the better, saving him from the downfall he had dangerously been heading for. He’d been sixteen and had made the mistake of coming home when his mother’s latest lover had stumbled out of the bedroom that afternoon, hung over and nude, scratching his stomach and demanding to know why Kaden was there.

  Kaden’s mother hadn’t tried to prevent him from leaving, even when she’d seen him struggling to hold back his tears. Pissed off at her, her latest live-in lover, and the rest of the world, Kaden had driven around without direction before ending up at Andy Dunn’s home. Ruth and Norman Dunn, true to their reputation of being generous people, had opened their house and their hearts to the unwanted teen.

  They’d taken Kaden in, given him a loving place to stay, taught him about friendship, respect and generosity. They’d shown him how to take care of the ranch, made him do his fair share of chores and work, just as they had with another of Andy’s fr
iends, Colby Blake. For the first time in his entire life, Kaden had felt as if he belonged. Most of all, the Dunns had pushed for him to finish high school, even though he hadn’t thought it important.

  Two years later, at a small graduation ceremony, his mother hadn’t sat in the bleachers. Andy’s mother had, though, and she’d cheered for him.

  Now he was being given another opportunity to be a father. He’d be damned if he’d screw it up.

  “I’ll tell you everything, Kaden. I promise not to keep anything else about our baby from you.”

  In gratefulness, he bowed his head.

  “For the exception of a horrible bout with morning sickness, everything’s been wonderful.”

  “Are you still experiencing it?”

  She shook her head. “Stopped a little over a week ago.”

  He looked over at her to see her smile, a feminine, peaceful smile that punched him in the solar plexus. He’d never seen such unbridled happiness before.

  “Our baby is due around Christmas. The doctor said not to be too hopeful because it could be a little earlier or later. Babies come when they are ready.”

  The corners of his mouth curved upward. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. He’d have a wife, a baby, a Christmas tree, a bunch of wrapped presents for both beneath it. He’d have the chance to be part of his child’s life from the very beginning. He’d be in the delivery room, and he’d receive the greatest gift of his lifetime.

  It was wonderful, simply wonderful.

  “You heard Dr. Askew. I don’t have to go back for a check-up for a few weeks.”

  “I want to be there.”

  Her grin didn’t ebb. “I figured you would.”

  He won her complete surrender, seeing she truly didn’t intend to exclude him, even if this arrangement was against her will. Kaden couldn’t help himself. He smiled back. He saw that he got further with her—like he did with the cattle on his ranch—when he took things slowly, not demanding to have it his way. It was a good lesson, one he’d be wise to heed.

  Being patient didn’t come easily. But for the sake of his family, he’d try.

  “I purchased a book of baby names,” Sierra admitted.