Sexual anticipation skittered through her during the drive to the ranch. Although she guessed - okay, knew - that he was pleased to see her, he hardly spoke a word.
She made small talk during the journey, and he seemed to be listening, as he occasionally remarked, “Is that right?” “That’s great, sweetheart,” but she could tell his mind was on something else.
Perhaps he had problems with the cattle? Although he usually told her during one of their quiet moments on their weekends or during their daily phone calls what was happening on the ranch. Maybe something cropped up today. She’d ask him once they arrived at the ranch.
They drove through the ranch gates and pulled up in front of the house. He leaned over to kiss her. “Home.”
She smiled up at him. “Yes.” Since they’d started dating, she’d felt home was whenever they were together.
He opened her car door, then ushered her into the farmhouse. He clasped her hand in the hallway and she gasped, not for once because of his touch but because everything looked so different.
“Logan,” she breathed, her gaze taking in every detail. The walls were painted a rich cream, and the carpet was a brand new plush rose beige.
“Let me show you the rest of the house.” He guided her into the kitchen.
It was a dream kitchen.
All the new fixtures and fittings sparkled and gleamed. It made the kitchen in her apartment look like a doll’s house kitchen. It put the former kitchen to shame.
She ran her hand along a slick counter top made of granite. The color tone was neutral - cream and dove gray with silver accents. There was plenty of counter space for appliances, chopping and mixing. A double oven, new stove and large refrigerator completed the fantasy look.
Ellie’s lips parted as she tried to take it all in. The wooden kitchen table and matching chairs was still there - at least she assumed it was the same furniture stained and polished until it looked like new.
Looking at the floor, she realized that the old vinyl flooring linoleum had been replaced with smart slate tiles.
She spied the coffee machine on the kitchen counter, the familiar sight comforting her. At least something hadn’t changed.
“Now the living room.” He led her down the hall.
She hadn’t had time to glance at the living room when he’d first hustled her into the kitchen. For a second, she wondered if she was in the old farmhouse. Like the hall and the kitchen, the room was decorated in neutral colors, but the effect wasn’t boring. In fact, the room looked like something out of a magazine. The comfortable old sofa had been replaced with a posh three-seater sofa and matching armchairs. The carpet felt like heaven under her feet. The only piece of furniture that seemed to have survived was the large screen TV.
“What--” She looked at him with a bewildered gaze.
“Surprise.” A smile crinkled at the corners of his mouth.
“But how … you’ve been at my place every weekend … it wasn’t like this five months ago.” The words tumbled from her lips.
“I wanted to surprise you.” It seemed as if he was going to brush back her hair but then thought better of it.
She blinked, surprised at his sudden reticence. They still held hands, but she’d half expected that once she’d stepped through the front door, he’d take her into his arms and they’d end up in the bedroom within two minutes. In fact, she’d been looking forward to that happening.
Instead, he’d taken her on a tour of the newly remodeled house, his hand clasping hers the only sign of physical affection. What was going on?
There had been that wonderful moment at the airport when he’d crushed her in his arms and kissed her, but since then, apart from the tiny kiss in the car when they’d pulled up at the ranch, nothing.
Was he having second thoughts about their relationship?
But why invite her for the weekend and show her the remodeled farmhouse if that was the case?
She found herself following him to his bedroom. The faint smell of fresh paint wafted through the open door.
“The master bedroom. It was completed two days ago.” He urged her inside. Once again, it was decorated in neutral tones, the solid mahogany of the king-sized bed and matching furniture lending color to the room. “Check out the master bath.”
She peeked into the small white and gold bathroom, housing a brand new toilet, shower and elegant basin.
“It’s lovely.” She hadn’t been aware that this bedroom had an en suite when she’d stayed here before. Turning to look at him, she asked, “Was this here before?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I carved out a small area here.” He gestured toward the cozy bathroom. “This was a pretty big room so I figured a little less bedroom space would be worth it if it meant a master bathroom was possible.” He looked at her intently. “What do you think?”
“It’s great.” Her words were genuine but she couldn’t thinking it would be even greater if he took her into his arms and kissed her senseless.
He seemed relieved at her praise. “I’ll show you the guest bathroom, and then the bedroom where you stayed before.”
He clasped her hand once more, leading her to the old-fashioned bathroom. Correction. The bathroom that used to be old-fashioned. Now, it looked like it belonged in an interior design magazine.
A large whirlpool tub that looked like it would easily fit both of them dominated the room. A gleaming toilet and double basin with plenty of drawers and cupboards, and shining silver towel rails completed the white and silver color scheme.
The shabby old farmhouse interior had disappeared. In its place was a show home.
“Guest bedroom.” He towed her into the small room that had once served as her bedroom. It now looked like a bedroom fit for a princess - or the former queen of Mulzonia - or maybe me.
Ellie’s brow crinkled. Doesn’t Logan want me to sleep in his bedroom? For a split-second she worried he’d grown tired of her curves - tired of her - but that didn’t make sense. He wouldn’t invite her down here for the weekend and show her the newly renovated farmhouse if that was the case. He wouldn’t.
“The house only has two bedrooms, but I should be able to add more on if I need to.” Concern etched his face when she didn’t say anything. “Ellie? Don‘t you like it? “
“I love it.” She bit her lip. “But I don’t understand.”
“You can change whatever you want. That’s why I had it decorated in neutral colors, so you can put your own stamp on the house.”
She hesitated, looking at the feminine guest bedroom again, wondering at what he‘d just said. “I thought I would be sleeping with you tonight.”
“You will be.” He crushed her to him and she instantly felt better. “At least, I hope you will be.” He drew back.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Puzzlement flickered across her face.
“Because there’s something I have to ask you.” In the next second he’d dropped down to one knee. “Ellie Sterling, I love you. Will you marry me?”
Her heat stopped beating for an instant. Logan loved her? Joy soared through her. Now his actions today made sense.
Tenderness, passion and love engraved themselves on his face as he waited for her answer.
“Yes!”
He sprang to his feet. They stared at each other for a long moment.
“I love you, Logan.” Her voice trembled with joy.
His lips crushed hers, kissing her senseless.
Ellie touched her swollen lips when he finally released her. He caressed a strand of her hair, then muttered, “Damn. Stay here.”
Before she could ask what was wrong, he’d vanished. Seconds later he reappeared with what looked like a rolled up blueprint in his hand.
“I haven’t got a ring, because I wanted you to choose whatever you wanted.” He raked a hand through his head, suddenly looking nervous. “This is your engagement present.”
She unrolled her gift, a furrow forming between her eyebrows. Turning it this way and th
at, she thought it looked like--
“It’s plans for an artist’s studio. For you.”
Ellie gazed up at him. “What? Logan--”
“I know how important your art is to you, sweetheart. And I want you to have a special place where you can draw, paint, hell, whatever, as much as you like.”
She glanced at the blueprint again, excitement stirring in her stomach. Not only was she going to marry the man she was in love with, but he wanted to give her a studio as well?
“If you don’t like it, you can tell the architect exactly what you do want. I don’t know much about the whole process but I do know you need plenty of natural light. Just tell the guy what you want.” His voice roughened when she remained silent. “Ellie?”
She flung her arms around his neck, beaming at him. “I can’t believe you did this. It’s incredible!”
“And you don’t mind I didn’t get you a ring?” Self-consciousness flickered across his face. “I didn’t want to choose the wrong one.”
“Anything you chose would have been perfect,” she assured him. “But,” she cast him a teasing glance, “it would be fun to go ring shopping together.”
“You’ve got it.” His mouth slanted over hers and he kissed her with a passion that took her breath away. When he dragged his mouth away, he looked unsure of himself for a moment. “I’ve got something to tell you.”
“What is it?” She stilled, picking up on his sudden tension.
He cleared his throat. “When we started seeing each other, you asked me if I could afford to fly to Virginia.”
She nodded, remembering the relief she’d felt when he assured her visiting her wouldn’t put him in the poorhouse.
“Well--” he paused. “I can more than afford it. I’m actually a multi-millionaire.”
Her lips parted. Although it hadn’t come as a complete shock that he had money, she certainly hadn’t expected multiple millions.
“You see,” he continued, gazing at her upturned face, “my grandfather made a crazy will. He left all his money to me and my brothers, as long as we remained single and didn’t enter a serious relationship.” He chuckled. “But we outsmarted him, and used the money we received while we were single to make more. My brother Alex knows his way around the stock market and gave us some great tips on his way to becoming a billionaire. We’re all independent now - hell, since I started seeing you I didn’t qualify any longer. My brother Mitch is the only single guy left and I don’t think he’s touched a penny of that money in years.”
“It’s not a complete surprise,” she said slowly. “I have something to tell you, too.”
“What is it, sweetheart?” His calloused finger traced her cheek and her breath skipped.
“My mother had you investigated,” she confessed, “a couple of months ago, when she discovered we were seeing each other every weekend. Dad told her not to interfere, because he wouldn’t have sent me to you in the first place when he thought I was in danger if he didn’t trust you, but Katerina - Mom - said having you checked out didn’t mean she didn’t like you. She just didn’t want to worry about my …” a hint of pink stained her cheeks “… suitor‘s financial position.”
Logan threw back his head and laughed.
“You’re not mad?” She looked at him anxiously.
“No.” He shook his head. “What did the report say?”
“She didn’t show me the report, just told me that you were very comfortable and there was nothing to worry about.”
“She’s right.” He cupped her face in his hands. “There is nothing to worry about. As long as we’re together.” He kissed her long and deep. “I don’t believe in long engagements,” he whispered against her lips.
Her mind and body whirling with excitement, she replied, “I don’t think I do, either.”
“Good.” His lips moved on hers once more, in a breathless, demanding kiss. Ellie gave herself up to the moment, knowing that this was just the start of a wonderful life.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Ellie gazed in satisfaction at her finished painting featuring fawn chickens pecking away in a rose garden, seemingly oblivious to the gorgeous pink and yellow blooms above them. Natural light shone in through the studio window, allowing her to see her work with ease.
A portrait of Logan took pride of place on the wall. He’d finally agreed to pose for her, and she thought her depiction of him was the best work she’d ever done.
A rap sounded on the door. Logan. Her husband. Glancing down at her large princess cut diamond engagement ring nestled next to her wedding band, she smiled softly. He’d promised to take her on a picnic today.
“Is it that time already?” she teased, smiling at her gorgeous husband. They’d been married for nine months and every day she fell in love with him a little more.
“Sure is.” He dropped the basket, slipping his arms around her waist and drawing her close.
“Mm.” She gazed up at him. “Maybe we should have a picnic every day.”
“You’ve been busy getting ready for your exhibition.” He stroked her hair, his fingers sending delicious shivers along her spine.
“I can’t believe it’s next week.”
Once they were married, Ellie fully moved into the farmhouse and quit her job. She considered looking for tele-commute jobs in graphic designs but her heart told her now was the perfect time to concentrate on her art.
A friend of her father’s saw one of her paintings at his house, and mentioned it to a colleague, who ran a reputable art gallery in Arlington. When the gallery owner saw the rest of her paintings, he persuaded her to take part in an exhibition.
Ever since they’d arrived home from their honeymoon in France, Ellie had been painting full time. And she’d never been happier, although she was sure being Logan’s wife had a lot to do with that.
“Your mom said she can’t wait for opening night.” He smiled down at her.
She giggled. “Dad said he can’t wait either. He finally told me last night that they’re dating.”
Ellie and Logan had suspected for a while that her parents were seeing each romantically, but had only received official confirmation last night when her dad called.
“Wouldn’t it be great if they got married?” Her lips tilted into a smile.
“Let them take their time,” he cautioned her. “They’ll know if it’s right.”
“Like we did?”
“Exactly,” her husband confirmed, his lips claiming hers, telling her with his mind, body and soul that their love would last forever.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenn Roseton believes that romance and happy endings go together. When she's not writing, she indulges in delicious gourmet chocolate.
To ensure you don't miss the release of the next BBW romance in the Billionaire Brothers series, sign up to my Hot New Release Alerts at:
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Connect with Jenn Roseton:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JennRosetonauthor
Blog: http://jennroseton.blogspot.com
Turn the page for a list of my other titles.
Other Titles by Jenn Roseton
The Cowboy's Runaway Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 1) -
#1 Bestseller in Western Romance (March 2014)
The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 2)
The Lawman's Blackmailed Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 3)
Curves and Cowboys: BBW Romance Boxed Set (Coldwater Springs 1-4)
A Curvy Coldwater Christmas (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 5) - Free!
Curves and the Cowboy (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 1)
Curves and the Sheriff (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 2)
Curves and the Rancher (BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 3)
Curves and the Rodeo Star
(BBW Romance - Coldwater Springs 4)
A special free very short story featuring Chase and Sarah from Curves and the Cowboy is now available through my website at:
www.jennroseton.com/free-reads/
I hope you enjoy it! (Note: it's a little spicier than Curves and the Cowboy, Curves and the Sheriff, Curves and the Rancher and Curves and the Rodeo Star.)
BBW Needs Hot Sex (BBW Erotic Romance - Amy and Nick 1)
Bridegroom Wanted (Amy and Nick 2)
Hot and Sexy 1: Seductive Persuasion - should be free on Amazon. If it isn't, please visit www.JennRoseton.com to find out where you can download it for free
Hot and Sexy 2: Bridal Jitters
Seduced by the Boss 1: Pent-Up Passion
Seduced by the Boss 2: Spanking Miss Jones
Seduced by the Boss 3: For Her Pleasure
Seduced by the Boss 4: Loving Miss Jones
The Rancher’s Royal Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 4) Page 10