“You’re pretty remarkable,” he murmured. “I’ve always known it, but I guess I didn’t realize just how determined you are to see the bright side of everything.”
Pepper shrugged. “There’s not many options but to move forward, are there? I mean, it would be easy to lie around and feel sorry for yourself or think of all that has gone wrong in your life, but that won’t accomplish much and you’ll only feel worse. I admit, though, when I left here, I was so depressed. I’d lost a baby, lost you. My entire future, my dreams were just...gone.”
Pepper glanced down at her swollen belly. “I wasn’t sure I could move on, but then I knew if I ever did have a child, I certainly wouldn’t tell them to ever give up.”
When she looked back up to him, she offered a sweet smile. “Hayes will be fine. He’ll take time to adjust, but I’m confident you all will be just fine. Perhaps wait until your dad is having a better day to take Hayes to see him.”
Nolan nodded. “I’m going to check with the facility. I want to bring Dad here for a day, but only if we’re all in agreement that he’ll be fine once we’re here. I don’t want to confuse him even more.”
When she reached across and gripped his hand, Nolan stilled. She’d never initiated any contact since they’d been married.
“You know, when I left, I was convinced you didn’t have a heart.” She squeezed his hand. “I hated you for making me fall in love with you. I see now that fear drives you. You were afraid of being a father, of being with me and raising a family. You’re afraid of your brother coming home because you’re worried about getting entangled in his living nightmare.”
Nolan had no idea how she’d managed to dissect him so perfectly when he’d never once thought that about himself. But she was dead-on. He was afraid. Staying detached was the best way to avoid those damn emotions.
“You’re a great doctor because you care,” she went on. “But you can keep your heart at a distance because you don’t know the patients personally.”
Nolan flipped his hand over and laced their fingers together. “Don’t start analyzing me, babe. I’m not the man you used to know.”
She tipped her head back and those gray eyes seemed to penetrate straight through to his heart. Damn it. No. His heart wasn’t involved. It wasn’t.
“You’re not the same man,” she agreed. “You’ve put these walls up that weren’t there when we were together before. It’s almost as if...”
He cringed, gripped her hand even tighter as he watched the truth dawn in her eyes. But he didn’t look away, as much as he wanted to. He held her gaze, willing her to say nothing, knowing she’d reveal exactly what had happened to him. She was too smart, too in tune with him even after all this time.
“What happened to you when I left?” she whispered, tears filling her eyes.
Oh, no. He wasn’t going to get into this.
Nolan started to release her hand, but she squeezed and held him in place. “Nolan. Before I told you I was pregnant, we were so happy, so perfect. Then the miscarriage tore us apart. You started changing before my eyes. You’re hardened now,” she added with a slight shake of her head. “It’s like you refused to let anyone in after I was gone.”
That was exactly what happened, but he sure as hell wasn’t about to keep going with this prodding. There were more interesting things he wanted to do tonight, and other plans he had for that mouth of hers.
“I thought you were tired,” he stated, coming to his feet. He reached down for her hands and tugged her up and against his chest, pleased when her eyes widened. “You seem wide-awake now.”
Her rounded belly between them had become so familiar. This might not be his child, but he loved seeing how Pepper’s body transformed. She was even more vibrant and sexier than ever.
Nolan slid one hand on the side of her abdomen. “How are you feeling? Be honest. I’m a doctor, I know when people are lying.”
She covered his hand with her own. “I feel great. I obviously needed to eat something.”
“No more problems?” he asked.
Pepper shook her head. “None. I promise to tell you if anything at all happens.”
Nolan picked her up once again with his arm behind her knees and the other supporting her back. “Time for bed.”
Her laugh sent a jolt of arousal pumping through him...as if he needed another reason to want her.
“I’m not tired anymore,” she stated, throwing her arms around his neck.
Nolan paused at the base of the steps and looked her in the eyes. “I don’t plan on sleeping.”
Her gaze dropped to his mouth and Nolan took off up the stairs. If she kept looking at him like that, he’d take her right in the hallway, and she deserved a bed. He might desire her with a need even greater than he could comprehend, but he wasn’t going to be a complete savage. He’d already taken her on his couch among packages. It was time to step up his game.
Only this wasn’t a game. This was Pepper. The only women who’d ever truly held a piece of his heart. The only woman he’d ever temporarily marry to get her out of a bind.
“Are you doing this because I was getting too close to figuring you out?” she asked softly, laying her head on his shoulder.
“I planned on seducing you anyway. Your analysis of me may have accelerated the plans a bit.”
Her fingertips slid through the hair on the nape of his neck. Just the slightest touch from her could get his body stirring. There was something so incredibly special about Pepper, beyond their past. She was...
No. Now was not the time to get into his head. He had a sexy woman ensconced in his arms and he’d just stepped over the threshold to his bedroom...their bedroom.
“We still need to talk,” she informed him. “But it can wait.”
Nolan smiled triumphantly as he made his way toward his king-size bed. Carefully, he laid her on top of the duvet and looked down at her. Something twisted inside his chest, something he refused to take the time to identify.
But seeing her in his bed, all spread out and her body lush from her pregnancy, Nolan knew he wasn’t in such a hurry for this marriage to end. He rather liked seeing her in his bed.
Pepper extended her arms. “I’ve wanted to be here...with you...ever since I moved in.”
“You denied it.” He started ripping off his clothes, his ego boosted just a bit more when her eyes raked over his bare chest.
“I didn’t want to let myself feel.” Raising herself up on her elbows, she stared at him through those heavy lids. “You understand all about guarding your heart, don’t you?”
Enough talk. Nolan reached for the elastic waist of her long skirt and yanked it down her smooth legs. Before he could reach for the hem of her tank, she’d already whipped it up and over her head and tossed it to the floor.
With Pepper in only her simple white bra and panties, Nolan took in her perfect body. Placing a knee on the bed, he put a hand on either side of her face and leaned down to nip playfully at her lips.
“You won’t sleep anywhere else,” he commanded. “This is your bed as long as you’re here.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
He took his time peeling off the rest of her clothes. The turmoil swirling around inside him had no place in this moment. Whatever doubts he had, any fears or unknowns, would not join them in this bed. Their marriage was one big question mark as far as the future, but the end was coming. And he wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet.
When he joined their bodies, Nolan made the mistake of gazing straight down into her eyes. There was no denying the emotions staring right back up at him. A heady feeling he recognized all too well. But the pressure of what that entailed wasn’t something he was ready to face right now.
Nolan closed his eyes and slid his lips over hers. As he started to move, she clutched
at his shoulders and kissed him with so much passion and, damn it, love that he was having a difficult time differentiating his own deeper feelings from the physical ones.
He tried to focus on her tiny whimpers, her warm breath on his shoulder. He made sure to balance his weight on his forearms beside her head, keeping most of his torso off hers.
The moment her body tightened all around him, Nolan increased the pace and kissed her one last time as he followed her over the edge.
For now, she was in his bed...but soon that would come to an end. Then he’d move on just like he’d always wanted. The unwelcome pang in his chest irritated him. He’d made his decision and he was happy.
Damn it. He wasn’t going to revisit the past.
Nolan wrapped Pepper in his arms and rolled to his side, tucking her firmly against him. Stick with the plan, he reminded himself. When this case was all over and Pepper was back in her newly renovated apartment, Nolan would return to that perfect life that suited him so well.
Then something shifted inside him as he protectively rested his palm over his wife’s belly. How many times could he tell himself he was happy alone until he finally believed it?
Seventeen
Pepper had just unlocked the back door to her shop when her cell rang. She juggled her purse, her small lunch bag, and her cell, all while trying to turn the key and not drop anything.
“Hello,” she finally managed after pushing the door open.
“Pepper, I have some news.”
She closed the door behind her as the attorney’s words gave her heart a mild attack. “Is something wrong? I thought we were meeting later this week.”
“That won’t be necessary anymore,” he informed her. “The Wrights’ attorney called and they’ve decided to drop the case.”
Pepper’s knees nearly gave out. She crossed the back room to put her stuff on her worktable before sinking down into her old metal chair.
“What? Why? I mean, I’m thankful, but what caused the sudden change?”
“Money talks and they needed it. They’d like you to consider letting them see the baby, but they’ve given up the idea of custody. They’ve been well compensated.”
Nolan. There was no other way to explain it. He’d done this. She didn’t even need to ask. He’d done so much for her and he was making sure she had the life she’d always wanted.
Pepper absolutely hated that her child had been basically used by the Wrights for less-than-altruistic reasons. But if they were that quick to drop the case over money, then they weren’t fit to be guardians and raise her child anyway.
Relief swept over her. Pepper rested a hand on her belly just as her little guy started to kick. Tears pricked her eyes, but she swallowed back the emotions. She didn’t want to break down over the phone.
“Have you told Nolan they officially dropped the case?” she asked.
“I wanted to tell you first.”
Pepper drew in a deep breath. “Okay, then. I’ll call him. But first I have to thank you. It sounds so simple and not nearly adequate enough, but you don’t know how much I appreciate what you did.”
“It was my pleasure,” he told her with a smile to his voice. “But if you want to thank anyone, that would be Nolan. He was checking in with me constantly, following up with the investigator, making sure we knew to stop at nothing, and to put your case first.”
Pepper’s heart flipped. She’d made love to her husband every night for the past five nights. She’d not once told him her feelings had evolved into something so much more than she’d ever thought possible. And now hearing just how diligent he’d been in getting this case dropped, she knew for a fact she’d fallen in love with him all over again.
No, not again. What she felt now was so much more intense than what she had before. And if she was honest, she’d have to admit she never stopped loving him. All the hurt she’d built up had just pushed that love to the back of her mind, but it was always there, just waiting to be given new life.
“Well, I still want to thank you,” she reiterated. “I’ll call Nolan right now.”
“Congratulations,” he told her before they disconnected the call.
Pepper got to her feet, suddenly feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Then a sense of melancholy washed over her. She’d been Mrs. Nolan Elliott for less than a month and it was already coming to an end.
She glanced down at the ring that had been his mother’s. Pepper didn’t want to take it off, didn’t want to put this chapter behind her. She wanted to write the rest of their story and she wanted Nolan in her life permanently and for real.
But he’d made it clear they were over once the custody battle was resolved. Was that why he’d been so forceful with his lawyer and investigator? Was he that eager to get back to his old lifestyle? He’d been all too anxious to have her gone before—maybe he missed having his house all to himself.
Pepper started to call him when the back door swung open. She spun around, clutching her cell to her chest.
“I’m sorry.” The contractor stared back at her, holding his hands up. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Oh, it’s okay. What can I help you with?”
“I just wanted to let you know that we should be finishing up today. We’re just putting the trim back in place and cleaning up our mess and we should be gone by this afternoon.”
Pepper blinked. “So, I can move back in?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat as her heart clenched. Her time at Pebblebrook really was coming to an abrupt halt. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it? She wanted to get back into her apartment and start setting up for her baby. That had been the goal all along.
“Thank you,” she told him, forcing a smile. “I’ll let Nolan know and make sure he gets with you so you can be paid.”
He waved a hand to dismiss her. “Mr. Elliott has already paid us enough. It’s all covered.”
The contractor left just as abruptly as he came and Pepper was left feeling such a mixture of emotions. She should have been elated that this time had come, but all she felt was that grip on her secret desires starting to slip once again. She’d been holding on to that dream, the dream she’d had years ago. Since she came back to Stone River, she hadn’t realized she’d reached for it again, but she had...with both hands this time.
She wanted to continue to be Mrs. Elliott. She wanted to raise her child at Pebblebrook, and she wanted those things with Nolan as a loving spouse and parent.
If she thought he was even interested, then she’d fight for what she wanted. But he had done all of this only out of guilt, and out of primal attraction. That clearly wasn’t enough to build a life on.
Pepper figured all of this needed to be done face-to-face. She’d wait until the end of the day and then go home. Hayes was coming back to the ranch today, so Nolan would be occupied. Then she could think of what to say.
How did she thank him or pay him back for such a sacrifice? How did she even find the right words for a goodbye such as this? Nothing about their reunion had been normal. She wanted to let him know how much she truly appreciated his help, but nothing was coming to mind...basically because she’d fallen in love with him again.
Pepper shook off her own heartache and decided to push forward. After all, she’d secured her son’s future and that was all that had mattered since the beginning.
* * *
Nolan had been waiting on the front porch of Hayes’s house for the past hour. Over the last several nights he’d grown even closer with Pepper. Their lovemaking had been so much more than just physical. They’d shared an intimacy that seemed to be intensifying, and there wasn’t much he could do to stop it.
She’d woken him in the middle of the night to feel her son kick, and they’d ended up down in the
kitchen for a snack...then he’d taken her right on the kitchen island.
Nolan crossed his ankles in front of him and rested his arms on the rocker. He and Pepper had settled into a dynamic of playing house so flawlessly he would swear she wasn’t acting...and he wasn’t so sure he was, either.
As the sound of Colt’s truck rumbled nearby, Nolan came to his feet. The truck rounded the last bend and Nolan was off the porch and heading toward the drive. He couldn’t wait to see his brother again.
Colt’s truck came to a stop and Nolan crossed to the passenger side. Hayes’s door flung open and his brother stepped out in his BDUs and combat boots. His military-short hair only accentuated his eyes. The light wasn’t there like it had been when they were younger.
“Hey, man.” Nolan wrapped both arms around his brother and gave him a hard slap on the back before stepping away. “Good to see you.”
Hayes nodded. “Good to be home.”
Colt came around the truck and shot Nolan a look. Nolan wasn’t sure what silent code he was trying to convey, but they’d definitely talk later in private.
“Your kitchen is stocked,” Colt stated. “And I had some of my guys make sure everything was working fine. Water, electric. The air-conditioning has been on for a day to cool things off and you’re good to go.”
Hayes nodded and glanced around the portion of the property that belonged to him. His home had been the original house on Pebblebrook. Their grandfather had built it and their father had grown up there. Now with Colt and Nolan having their own homes on the spread, Hayes kept this one for himself.
And Colt’s twin, Beau, was still out in Hollywood driving women crazy with his looks and making millions flashing his dimples and Southern charm on the screen. He rarely came home and when he did, he didn’t spend more than a few days at a time.
“I missed this smell,” Hayes said quietly.
Claimed by the Rancher--A scandalous story of passion and romance Page 14