In a firm voice, she said, “Ethan, I will not—”
Holding up his hand, he said, “Dallas, please let me finish. I worked hard on this, and I think you’ll agree it’s a wonderful proposal by the time I’m done.”
She narrowed her eyes, yet kept silent.
“Now, tab two and three go together. They represent junior and senior boarding schools.” Dallas’s face had gone completely still. Quickly flipping tab two open, he said, “These pages introduce four outstanding junior boarding schools that accept students starting at kindergarten. Not all junior schools do. I checked their credentials and references, and they’re above reproach. An approximate cost for a nine-year education is listed here.” He glanced at Dallas. Her hand lay on the unopened tab, and a rosy shade of pink crawled up her exposed chest.
He hurriedly flipped to tab three. She needed to understand the great benefits of having a high-quality education. “The same goes for the boarding schools in the next tab, which start at a student’s freshman year. These schools have between a twenty and thirty percent graduation rate to Ivy League universities.”
Dallas’s face and ears had turned red, and she bit her lip, staring down at the report.
Exhaling sharply, he said, “Dallas, I went to boarding schools. It was good for me. I excelled at university, and I’m a successful businessman. All our children should go.” She wouldn’t look at him, and his heart dropped. Somehow, this had turned out terribly wrong.
He shut the report and set it on the table. Easing the booklet off her lap, he did the same with hers. Clasping her hand, he tilted her face until he could see into her eyes. “I just want to take care of you. The only way I know how.”
With her voice shaking, she said, “I’m really trying to understand that.” She looked down and seemed to be collecting her thoughts. At last, she sighed and met his gaze. “Ethan, you said you love me. But how you can love me, yet know so little about me, is beyond my understanding.”
His heart lurched, pounding against his chest wall. No. No. This can’t be happening. He leaned forward, but before he could speak, she continued.
Shaking her head from side to side, she said, “Do you actually think I’m a woman who would spend years earning a degree to practice law, then not work at the career I’ve always dreamed of?”
“But, I only—”
She talked right over him. “And you’ve seen me with my daughter. You know how much she means to me. How you ever thought I would send Piper away to boarding school is beyond my comprehension.”
She pressed her lips into a grim line. “Ethan, you don’t love me. You love some idea of me you made up in your head. I can’t marry you. We’d never in a million years be happy.” She squeezed his hands. “But thank you for caring for me and trying to make me happy.” Standing, she stepped away from the sofa, away from him. “Would you please call the car? I’d like to go home.”
He stared, transfixed, as she walked to the front door and then outside. Rubbing the heel of his palm against his chest, he squeezed his eyes shut. My God, I’ve lost her.
Chapter Sixteen
Dallas sat cross-legged in the darkness. It was three-thirty in the morning, and she hadn’t slept since returning from dinner with Ethan. Though she tried, her muscles tensed, her pulse racing in company with her mind. Rising from the couch, she headed for the kitchen to refill her wine glass. A type of calm had come over her after finishing the first bottle.
Returning to the living room, she settled into the cushions. How had she been so mistaken about Ethan? She thought she knew him. Had met his mother. He told her all about himself. Of course, there were differences between them, but how had she missed the ... the not wanting to raise his children? It was so fundamentally wrong. At least, according to the way she was raised. Yet he thought he was giving Piper a wonderful opportunity. Dallas had assumed he was more like her, and he thought she was like him.
Her head spun and not just from the wine. The bricks that built her happiness had crumbled into dust. Cash was lost to her. Ethan wasn’t the man she thought he was. Taking a large swallow of wine, she set her glass on the table. Her life sucked, and she had nobody to blame but herself. She’d done nothing but make poor choices since she started dating two men at the same time. What kind of dummy thought that would work?
She drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. Cold seeped into her limbs. Now she was truly alone. This felt different than any alone she’d been before. Numbness began in her chest and slowly spread through her body.
She couldn’t face Ethan. No way could she dwell on Cash. Picking up her phone with unfeeling fingers, she dialed each of her bosses at work, leaving the same message on their voicemail. “Hi, this is Dallas. I’m so sorry, but I’m sick. I won’t be able to come in tomorrow.” Then she lay down, curling in on herself. Change was coming to her life. That much was obvious. But not right now. She clutched her stomach harder. Not tonight.
MONDAY MORNING, CASH yanked on a strand of barbed wire and glanced at his father who stood a few feet away. They’d been mending fence all morning and Cash wanted to bring up Dallas. His dad knew he was seeing her, but Cash hadn’t told him that he broke up with her. Instead of missing her less or getting over her, he was a bigger mess now than he’d ever been. “Dad?”
His father looked up from the kinks he was making in the second, sagging strand of wire. “Yeah?”
“Remember I told you about Dallas?”
“Yep, pretty thing. Has a daughter.”
“Well, there’s something I didn’t tell you.” He explained about Ethan. Then Cash told him how he got jealous and broke it off with her.
His dad tested the wire, which was now tight, and turned back to Cash. “Son, seems you’re bringing this up for a reason. What is it?”
Cash stared at a small prickly pear growing in the fence line and kicked it loose from the soil with his boot. “I was miserable because she dated that other guy. I didn’t know missing her would be so much worse.”
His dad stuck his hands on his hips, chewing the corner of his mouth as he looked Cash up and down. “Do you love her?”
He met his father’s gaze and said in a strong voice, “Yes, I do.”
His dad shook his head, “Well, damn, boy, I didn’t raise you to be a quitter. What the hell are you doing standing here? Go fight for her.”
A jolt of excitement hit Cash, replacing the sense of helplessness he felt the past couple of weeks. He thought of nothing but Dallas as he and his father gathered their tools and headed for the truck.
MONDAY MORNING, DALLAS woke chilled and empty and slightly hungover. She’d fallen asleep in an awkward position and her neck had a kink in it. Groaning, she sat up and went into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and a piece of toast.
Despite feeling lousy, her mind was clear. Last night, she passed through the fog of recrimination and depression that had crushed her in its grip. Late-morning sun shone through the window as she returned to the couch. She came to a decision. Cash may have turned his back on her, but she wouldn’t give up on him. Not without reaching out one more time. Losing Cash had ultimately been her fault. Maybe there was a chance she could make things right again.
The hot coffee warmed her insides as the toast soothed her raw-feeling stomach. She ached to see Cash, to feel his arms around her, to hear his deep voice. She lost him without realizing the great treasure she had. That was the saddest part—what broke her heart. He handed her his soul, and she didn’t value it for the exquisite gift it was.
Picking up her phone, she paused, took a slow breath for courage, and texted Cash:
If I call you, will you answer?
Immediately, he sent back:
Yes! I was going to call. I want to see you tonight.
Grinning, fingers trembling with excitement, she typed:
I’m off today if you want to come over before then.
He shot back:
Give me two hours. I’ll be there.
After showering, she made herself pretty then tidied the house. By the time two hours had passed, she was checking her phone every couple of minutes, wondering where Cash was. How should she react when he arrived? She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him until she ran out of breath. But after what happened, she couldn’t. Or, could she?
A brisk knock sounded at her door. Pulse thrumming in anticipation, she smoothed her sundress, grabbed the handle, and pulled it open. Her heart tumbled in her chest. She caught a quick glimpse of Cash, straw Stetson pulled low on his forehead, before he crushed her to him.
His familiar scent overwhelmed her. His arms were like bands of iron. She felt small and fragile and protected.
He stepped back and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls.”
Shaking her head vigorously, she said, “No, I’m sorry. For everything.” She led him to the couch and held his hands as they sat down. “I’d already decided I wanted to marry you. How could I not? And I tried to back out of going to New York. Ethan got angry and was insistent I go. I was afraid it would affect my job if I didn’t, so I agreed. I thought I had to do that one thing, since I promised, and then I could tell him I chose you, and it would all be over.” She squeezed his hands, her eyes imploring. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I was only thinking of myself. You’re more important than my job, Cash. I should have realized that and told Ethan no and stuck to it.”
Rubbing her forehead, she said. “My job wasn’t in jeopardy. Ethan had made elaborate plans to propose to me on the trip. That’s why he put so much pressure on me to go.”
Cash stiffened and frowned. “That guy asked you to marry him? So, what happened?”
She shook her head. “I said no.”
Cash leaned back on the couch, pulling her against his chest. “I was miserable without you. I thought I could handle it, but, no way.” He kissed her temple. “I’m glad you got ahold of me, but I would have been calling you in a few minutes, anyway. My dad finally talked some sense into me.”
Wrapping her arm around his waist, she nestled her head against him. “You were all I could think about. I knew what a terrible mistake I made, but I couldn’t fix it. You didn’t want me anymore.”
He tilted her chin so she could see the truth in his face. “I never stopped wanting you. I was stupid to let you go. I should have fought for you instead of giving up.” Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her tenderly. When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes. “Will you marry me, Dallas?”
Her pulse quickening, she breathed, “Yes, yes,” and teased his lips with a kiss.
He hissed in a breath and took control of the kiss, cradling her head in his hand.
She darted her tongue between his lips, and he moaned. Their tongues tangled, and he pulled her to his lap. She clasped his face and captured his mouth, kissing, sucking, nibbling, feeling every muscle in his body tense.
Clasping her waist, he pushed her back sharply. “God, I want you, Dallas.” His look was wild, yet so full of love it set her on fire.
Standing, she pulled him up beside her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him, hard. “I want you, too, cowboy. Follow me.”
A shiver ran through her. Cash would be the first man in her bedroom. The first man in her bed. The first man to make love to her since Piper’s father had turned his back on her. Joy swelled in her breast. This marvelous man would be her first love all over again.
They stood beside the bed, and he pulled her into his arms, whispering, “I’ve dreamed of this. Of making love to you. I thought I lost you. I was such a fool.” He kissed her gently, again and again. He kissed her fingers. “I’ll never let you go again, Dallas. I promise.”
She raised to her tiptoes and kissed him. “Make love to me, Cash.” She ached to feel his hands on her—wanted to explore every inch of his hard body.
Grinning, he pulled a condom from his back pocket and tore it open before tossing it on the bedside table. He slipped the straps of her sundress off her shoulders and unzipped the back. “My pleasure, ma’am.”
Sliding it down her waist and hips, he knelt as she stepped out of the dress. She stood before him clad only in a tiny pair of bikini panties.
His gaze raked over her body, and she sucked in a breath, her breasts tightening in response. Standing, he rested his hands at her waist and kissed her. “You’re beautiful, Dallas. But that word doesn’t come near to describing you.”
Intent on undressing him, she unbuttoned his shirt, fumbling a little in her hurry. Yanking it out of his Wranglers, she slid it off his shoulders and tossed it on the chair.
Cash pulled her to him and kissed her, nibbling on her neck. Goose bumps broke out on her arms, making the small hairs stand on end. She ran her hands across the muscles of his broad chest, dropped them to his waist, and hooked her fingers in his jeans, pulling him tight against her.
Cash moaned and grasped her bottom with both hands, yanking her to him, grinding her against him. Then he abruptly let go and took hold of his belt, unbuckling it while toeing a boot off. She unzipped him while he toed his other boot off. Kicking his boots away, he yanked his jeans and briefs down and stepped out of them as he reached for Dallas.
Chills ran up and down her body. He was gorgeous—his strong, muscular body molded by strenuous ranch work. He captured her mouth in a hungry kiss. Grabbing her butt, he pulled her tight, kissing her behind the ear. She hissed in a breath and drew back. Yanking the bedspread and sheet, she dragged them to the end of the bed.
Cash stopped her before she could get in. Slipping his forefingers inside her panties at the hips, he eased them down to the floor. As she stepped out of them, he kissed her thigh. She quivered. He kissed higher, trailing soft kisses up her belly as her nipples hardened into pebbles. He landed kisses on her collarbone, along the curve of her throat, and released the tiniest breath in her ear. Shivers raced through her body.
Urging her into bed, he lay beside her, head propped on his arm. “I want to love you, but I don’t want this to end.” He trailed his finger from the hollow of her throat, between her breasts, down her tummy, and stopped just above the part of her that wanted him so desperately.
She took his finger and slid it into her mouth, sucking and stroking it with her tongue. His special scent told her at a visceral level that this was the man she loved. Weaving her fingers through his, she said, “We have all afternoon,” and pushed him flat on his back. He grinned as she took the initiative, raining kisses on his neck and all over his chest. With the tip of her tongue, she circled his nipple then sucked on it.
He took a sharp breath. “Baby, come here.” Helping her straddle him, he cupped her breasts, massaging them with his strong fingers.
She threw her head back as her breasts hardened with need. He ran his thumbs over her nipples and craving shot through her. Clasping her bottom, he pulled her closer, catching her breast in his mouth, suckling and stroking her nipple with his tongue. Her breasts were hot, sensitive pathways of desire reaching straight to her core. He moved to her other breast, and she sucked in a breath, her mind locked on the sensations his mouth created.
Cash moved her until he was hard beneath her. Holding her hips, he slid her back and forth, the friction sending delicious ripples deep inside her. He pushed her faster, harder. She kissed him, open-mouthed, panting as he worked her body and her mind into a frenzy.
He clasped her shoulders and flipped her over, rising above her, staring down with love and lust shining from his eyes.
She wrapped her legs around his hips. “I love you, Cash.”
He leaned in until his mouth was on hers, telling her without words that she was loved. His lips were tender. His hands gentle. It was a kiss to end all kisses. Finally, he said, “I’ll love you forever, Dallas.”
Her world shifted. She froze. It had ha
ppened. What she yearned for, what she had searched for all her life was suddenly hers. She was safe. She was secure. For the rest of her days. She clutched him to her, understanding fully what she’d nearly lost.
She pushed him on his back and held him in her hand, stroking him from root to tip.
He hissed in a breath. “Dallas, I don’t know—”
She took him in her mouth, and he gasped. “God!”
He clasped her head as she pleasured him with her lips and tongue. This was her gift to him, her way of loving him as perfectly as he loved her.
Cash tensed and yanked her into his arms. “You gotta give me a sec.” He kissed her forehead and sighed. “Damn, you’re good.” Running his fingers through her hair, he asked, “How many kids do you want?”
She grinned. Boy, does he need to distract himself. “A couple, at least. How about you?”
“I always figured on three or four. So, we could stick at three, huh? Piper counts as one.”
Piper counts as one? Oh my God, I love this man. “Every time I think I can’t love you any more, I do.”
He squeezed her. “So, how soon can we get married?”
“Uh, soon?”
He tickled her and she squealed, struggling to break his grip.
He asked again, “How soon?”
“I can plan one in maybe ... three months?”
He tucked her in under his chin. “I can live with that. And, Dallas?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to pay for it. Your parents aren’t able, and I don’t want you spending your school money on it.”
“Cash—”
“Please, just let me do it. You’ll only get married once. Now, enough talking.” He rolled her on her back and kneed her legs apart, settling between them. Holding himself above her, grinning devilishly, he said, “Prepare to be loved, woman.”
She laughed and pulled him to her, catching his lips in a deep, loving kiss. He was right. Enough talking. Now she wanted to touch and taste and smell the man she loved.
Cowboy Promise Page 15