"What do you say? Though you'll need this." He held up the diamond band, then took her hand, sliding the ring on her finger. "Be my wi—"
"Don't say it," she cut in, pulling free. She couldn't bear hearing him say those words. This marriage was still artificial, his last desperate measure to fulfill his father's final wish. It was the only reason she'd agreed, she swore. Then she knew that was a lie. She was already in danger of falling for him. "No expectation," she said lightly. "Let's just say we'll put our differences on the back burner for this."
"A truce?"
He looked wonderfully eager, and her lips twisted wryly. "White flags are flying, Yankee."
His eyes soft, he leaned, brushing his mouth over hers. "Thank you, Madison."
His kisses felt too good. "Sure you can fake being husband material?"
His smoldering gaze swept down her body. "There's one duty I don't think either of us would have a problem fulfilling."
"That's not up for debate," she muttered, gently pushing him back.
Ducking close he whispered in her ear, "I remember what your bare behind feels like in my hands, what your breasts taste like beneath my tongue." He adored the little helpless sound she made, the way she gripped his arm, and Alex wondered why he was torturing himself like this. She was pure temptation.
She tipped her head to meet his gaze. "That mouth should be outlawed."
His smile was slow and bone-melting sexy. "I said I didn't bring you with me to seduce you." His tongue swept over her lower lip, eliciting a tiny gasp. "I didn't say I wouldn't try."
"Failure is imminent." But not if he kept that up, she thought, and almost begged him to keep going and take the choice from her. "Do try to behave, please."
"Uh-uh," he murmured against her lips. "I can't resist taking the advantage."
Alex kissed her, as he'd wanted to from the first moment he'd laid eyes on her. Slow and wet and soul-wrenchingly hot. And an incredible feeling spread through him when she gripped his shirtsleeves, giving and taking. Hungry, wild and womanly soft. Just the knowledge that a woman like her let him touch her and wanted more tore him in half. His cell phone rang, and they parted, breathing heavily, and when he turned away to answer it, his knees shook. Alexander realized this was one ride he couldn't walk away from without injuries. The suite, the privacy, was dangerous ground. One look at her, one flash of an image of her in that bed with him, so near, and for the first time since he was fourteen, angry and behind bars, he was afraid this was one mistake he'd never survive.
* * *
Chapter 7
«^»
The eighty-degree heat and mosquitoes didn't seem to bother the children. Or Madison, Alex thought, watching as she helped one of Angus's grandchildren into a swing, then guided a second down the small slide. Clad in white shorts and a purple cotton shirt, her hair braided back, she looked cheerleader cute, and when, she glanced up, meeting his gaze across the yard, Alex felt rewarded by her smile.
They'd arrived in time for an early dinner, casual and noisy, and she fit in with the large group easily. He admired that about her, her quick comfort with strangers when he felt on edge, wishing he had a few minutes alone with Angus. But the older man avoided any talk of business, and after a while Alex gave up. Around him Angus's three daughters and their husbands either lounged in chairs on the porch, watching their kids, or helped clean up after the meal.
"Bridgett," Madison called, walking close, yet keeping her eyes on the kids and the shore. "They want to swim."
Bridgett groaned, pushing herself out of the chair.
"No, rest. I'll take them in," Madison offered.
Angus's eldest daughter blinked. "I can't ask that."
"You didn't. I offered." She looked at the other mothers. "Suzanne and Paul can swim, right?" They nodded, and she smiled, turning to the children, gathering up the toddlers and whistling for the others. Alex laughed to himself as she herded the half dozen children into the house to change. Ten minutes later five children, Madison carrying a sixth, were running to the tire swing hanging over the water.
He smiled as he saw Madison line up the kids on the shore, then climbed into the tire swing. The oldest, Suzanne, gave her a hard shove, and as the tire swung out, she leaped and dropped into the water with a rebel yell. She burst through the water, sending the tire back and letting each one climb on for their turn. When it came to Suzanne, she looked toward her father, asking for a push.
Alex instantly set his tea glass down and left the porch, going to Suzanne. He gave her the needed push, and she plunged into the water. From the shore Alex watched Madison as she gave the kids rides on her back, put two in inner tubes and give a six-year-old a swimming lesson. Her smile was infectious, her heart on her sleeve. She loved children, loved getting muddy and playing, and Alex envied her. An only child, he hadn't been around small children since he was a kid.
"Come on in," she called.
He strolled down the dock, closer to where she stood in the water. "No, thanks."
"Chicken." She flicked water at him, and he smiled.
"Don't dare me, woman."
"Why not? You're so hot to talk with Angus you aren't enjoying yourself. When was the last time you had fun?"
He thought about it. "The sailing regatta."
"That was nearly a month ago. I read the papers. And congrats on the win, but you were alone then, huh?"
"It was single man competition." He squatted near her. She watched the kids play, tugging the inner-tube line out to the youngest, Shannon.
"You take that beautiful boat of yours out alone, don't you?"
Most of the women he'd dated weren't around longer than a dinner date. "What are you saying, Madison?"
She glanced at him. "I think you forgot how to have fun."
"Have not."
"Have, too."
Her lips curved devilishly, and if he'd seen it coming, he wouldn't have been so close. She grabbed his shirtfront and yanked. He fell sideways into the water, then quickly came up sputtering, glaring at her.
"Madison, I swear!"
"Not in front of the children."
The others laughed, children clapped. "Spoilsport." Madison grinned, not the least bit contrite. He'd been on the edge of conversation all day, even responded to that damn cell phone twice. Angus was getting irritated. And so was she. If he wanted to be with her, then he needed to understand that business conversations weren't on her agenda.
"You're using her—" he nodded to the chubby baby girl in the inner tube "—for protection."
"You don't stand a chance, Yankee. I was raised on the water."
"That makes you what? A mackerel?"
"It's clear that ten years in the South didn't give you our biting repartee."
He yanked off his soggy shoes and socks, giving her a sour look as he tossed them on the dock.
"Relax, Alexander," she said in a low voice, inching closer. "You're going to tick off Angus if you don't accept his hospitality."
He swiped water off his face, watching her come to him. Water lapped at her waist molding the bright aqua-blue suit to her body. "I'm here to seal a deal."
She didn't need the reminder. "But you're trying too hard, and you're the one who asked me to be with you. I'm surprised you haven't faxed a conversation to me."
"I'm not that bad, am I?" Real concern laced his tone.
"Yes. You take it all for granted."
He looked affronted. "I remember what it's like not to have any money, be the only kid in school wearing hand-me-downs."
Sympathy shaped her features. "You weren't the only one. You just thought you were." Because that was me, too, she thought.
"That didn't seem to matter at the time." Not when he'd just been released from juvenile hall, Alex thought, and everyone knew it. And was afraid of him.
"But now you have more than most folks, and you still don't enjoy it. Just for this time, will you try?"
Her sincere plea curled through his heart. None of
the other women he knew were concerned about his happiness, and he decided to quit comparing her to them. Madison was in a class by herself. "Afraid I'll have a heart attack or something?"
"I bet your blood pressure is over the legal limit."
"If it is, it's nothing to do with work," he said, stripping off the wet polo shirt and tossing it with his shoes.
Madison stared at his wide, muscled chest, her fingers itching to touch the black hair dusting the center. She'd never seen him without a shirt. He was lean and tanned, and her gaze followed the thinning line of hair disappearing into his waistband and the water.
"That look is dangerous, woman."
Her gaze jerked to his. "Nice abs, Yankee." He actually blushed a little.
He slid his arm around her waist, gliding her through the water till she was flush against him. Her hand splayed over his chest, the water offering little barrier between them as he gazed down at her, his free hand on her hip.
"You're starting some funny business."
He ducked, his gaze shifting from her mouth to her eyes. "Uh-huh."
"You make this so hard."
He insinuated his knee between her thighs. "Baby," he growled, "you make me hard."
Energy crackled, the current driving a whimper from her throat. Alex drank it, let it tumble into his mouth as his lips molded hungrily over hers. Her fingers flexed on his chest, and he'd never felt anything so erotic as her touch. He wanted to feel it everywhere, and when her hand rode up his skin, fingers sinking into his hair to press him harder to her mouth, he went willingly. Desire escalated quickly out of control, a brushfire hot and burning, and he crushed her in his arms.
Then suddenly she went lax, sliding under the water, wiggling away, then diving deeper. Alex frowned at the water, searching for her. Panic threaded through him…
Until she jumped on his back, wrapping her arms and legs around him and dragging him down under. They wrestled, and he tickled her.
She popped up, gasping for air. "No, don't! Oh, please stop."
He didn't and she burst with laughter, kicking wildly to get away. But he was stronger, swinging her around to face him, and he lifted her out of the water by her waist.
"My God, Madison, is that a tattoo?" He asked breathlessly, seeing where her suit had hiked up.
She grinned. "Yes. My wild days." She clamped her legs around his waist and lurched back, taking him under with her. Alex dragged her into shallow water.
"Show it to me."
"I don't think so." She adjusted the suit over the body art.
"Come on, darlin', give me a peek."
Exotic heat spiraled up from Madison's knees as he inched closer, winding one arm around her waist.
"Is it a fairy? A butterfly?"
His hand slid to the edge of the suit, fingertips pushing under the fabric. She covered his hand. "No."
"I'm supposed to be your husband. Shouldn't I know these things?"
"Yes. If you were my husband."
* * *
"She's enchanting, Alex. You're lucky," Angus said, suddenly close.
Through the bank of windows and sliding glass doors, Alex and Angus watched Madison rock the child. It seemed so natural for her, with even a stranger's child, and when the little girl snuggled trustingly against her, jamming her thumb in her mouth, something flexed deep in his chest. She looked so serene. His gaze drifted to Bridgett, her husband behind her, his hands clasped lightly over her belly. And in an instant he imagined Madison like that, and the fantasy of his child growing inside blossomed in his mind.
The thought stunned him. He had to keep his objective clear, and he reminded himself that he didn't have the right to even think those thoughts. This was a business arrangement. She didn't trust him. She didn't like the man he was, only tolerated him. They didn't have the same goals and future in mind. She felt sorry for him. That's why she was here, why she was being so nice. So charming. So damned sexy.
Alex forced a smile. He wasn't lucky. She wasn't his. Just borrowed. And even if he wanted her after this week, he understood Madison Holt was the "marry and spend a lifetime loving" kind of woman. And his track record stunk worse than the Savannah river at low tide. Enough to know he didn't have what it took to get a relationship right. Silently he insisted he liked his life the way it was – safe. No complications. But just the same, he studied her, gold light showering over her and the dark-haired baby. She looked up, meeting his gaze through the glass. Alex felt hit between the eyes for just a second. He didn't know by what, but it almost hurt to look at her.
"God, she is so incredibly beautiful," he whispered, unaware he'd spoken aloud.
Angus and his sons-in-law chuckled, and Alex glanced sheepishly, then quietly slid the glass door open.
"Hi." Madison rubbed the baby's back in slow circles.
He closed the door behind him for privacy, leaning against the porch post. "Hard to believe that was the same child running hell-bent through this house a half hour ago."
She pressed her lips to a pile of brown curls. "She's just learned to walk. My nephew is like that, a spinning top one second, then out cold the next."
"Nephew?"
"My younger sister's son." At his surprised look, she added, "I have three brothers and a sister. I'm the oldest."
No wonder she was so comfortable around this crowd. Even before his parents died, he'd felt he was missing out on something.
Randy slipped out, smiling first at Alex, then Madison. "Ah-h, Her Highness sleeps," he said, taking the child. "Thanks, Madison. You've got the touch."
"She's beautiful, Randy."
"She makes me feel so insignificant. Amazing, huh?" He smiled with pride, nuzzling his daughter's neck. "What is it about babies' skin that's so … comforting?" He stepped back inside, and the little family headed to the bedrooms full of children.
Madison sighed, watching them go, then looked at her hands.
"You want one, don't you?"
"A few years ago that was the furthest thing from my mind. And yes, someday, I want many."
"What changed your mind?"
"My mom died when I was fifteen and I had to step in, fill her shoes. I practically raised my brothers and sister, and when I had the chance, I ran as fast as I could away from that life. I tried everything in my power to obliterate by it moving to New York." She looked into the house as if she could see through the walls. "But I always wanted to come home, always felt better about myself when I did. The harder I fought who I really was, the more unhappy I was."
"And who are you now?"
She met his gaze and shrugged. "More country than city, I suppose. Not that being citified doesn't have its benefits," she said, giving him the once-over. "It's just not my style." She stood, gazing out at the dark velvet lake, looking forlorn.
He remembered what pushed her to leave; carving up a company rooted in her hometown. What had she said? I'd forgotten what's important. Family.
Until he'd been here, seen her with the kids, the O'Malleys, Alex had forgotten what it was like to be around a family, be around a woman like her. He'd always steered clear of her kind. He wondered if she had any prospects to fulfill her plans. In the back of his mind, Alex wanted to be the one to make her happy, fill her dreams.
Fantasy.
This was temporary. His future hung on one word from Angus. She didn't believe he could handle something stronger than this play they enacted. That stung, he admitted, but he'd given her no reason to believe otherwise. Heck, he'd never had reason to believe it himself.
Yet Madison was intoxicating as warm brandy.
And he was addicted, he thought, turning her toward him, pressing his lips to her temple.
She met his gaze, her brows drawn slightly. "You okay?"
He nodded, a turmoil of feelings running through him.
"Come on, let's say good-night." Moving out of his arms, she clasped his hand, pulling him after her. "It's time to go home."
Smiling to himself, Alex followed obed
iently. Home. Damn, that sounded good.
* * *
They went in separate directions when they entered the room. Madison tried to ignore him, the intimacy of him rifling for his clothes in the drawers beside her, the way he sat in the chair and removed his shoes, placing them neatly in the closet. She kicked hers in and decided to be out of the bathroom before he was out of the one on the opposite side of the suite.
When Alex came out of the bathroom he was alone, then noticed the breeze coming from the open deck doors. He crossed to them, stilling for a second when he saw her lying in the chaise, her silk robe exposing her legs to the tops of her thighs.
"Damn, Madison."
She gasped and covered herself to her throat. "I thought you were still in the shower." He was bare-chested, wearing only cotton, drawstring slacks and looking too damn masculine for her tastes right now.
"If you thought to drive me nuts, being naked under that is doing it."
"I'm not naked." She gave him a quick peek at her chemise strap.
"Close enough." He grasped her ankles, lifting them before sitting at the foot of her chaise.
"There is room over there." She gestured to the matching chair.
"The view is better here." He nestled her feet on his lap, rubbing the sole of one foot.
"Oh, you're hired," she moaned, closing her eyes as he plied strong fingers to her sore feet.
"Those rocks in the lake hurt, I bet."
"I didn't notice it until now."
"Okay, confess, when and where did you get that tattoo?"
She smiled, laughing to herself and shaking her head. "In college. It was like a pact, one perpetrated by lots of Bahama Mama cocktails, mind you, and made at a sorority party night. A group of us got them."
"Katherine, too?"
"Oh, yes."
The mystery of it was driving him crazy. "Now that's hard to believe, Kat of all people. She's so sophisticated."
She cocked her head. "Should I be insulted?"
"Of course not."
"Good, I didn't want to have to knock your teeth
He grinned, massaging up her calf. "Thanks for today."
"I had a good time. They're nice people." Closing her eyes, she moaned as his fingers ground into her knotted calf. "I'll think I'll keep you around just to rub my feet."
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