by Day Leclaire
Im positive. And no, I dont want you to fix a thing. She managed a quick, bright smile. Seriously. Stay out of it.
Joc met her smile with one of his own, his a hard flash of white against his sun-darkened skin. Okay, Ana. He tucked a tumble of curls behind her ear. After all, havent I always given you everything you wanted?
Yes, you have. But he couldnt help her this time, she realized. What she wanted wasnt his to give.
The instant the door closed behind her brother, the dam broke and with it came the realization that by allowing herself to become emotionally involved with the one man she couldnt have, shed totally and completely ruined her life.
Lander stared at Arnaud in stunned disbelief. What did you say?
You heard me. Determination was carved into every line of Jocs face. I want you to marry my sister. In fact, our negotiations hinge on that very point.
Lander sliced his hand through the air, cutting him off. Forget it. Maybe if youd approached me a week ago. Maybe Id have considered it. Im that desperate. But not now.
Because of Juliana.
He hadnt felt this possessive toward a woman ever. Yes, because of Juliana.
I thought it was a one-night stand.
You bastard! Did she tell you that?
I have no intention of betraying her confidence. A hint of mockery crept into Jocs voice. As far as Im concerned you have two choices. I can either beat you to a bloody pulp for messing with Juliana, or I can make you pay for what you did to her by forcing you to give up your precious freedom. Personally, whaling on you for a bit holds far more appeal.
In two strides Lander was across the room and had Joc by the throat and up against the nearest wall. Whats your relationship with her? he demanded. She swore you werent lovers, something I can verify as fact. So, why are you throwing up roadblocks between us? Why put your sister in the middle of all this? You want Juliana for yourself, dont you?
To Landers surprise Joc didnt try and break his hold. I want Juliana to be happy.
And marrying your sister will make her happy? That didnt make sense.
I believe so. Joc actually had the nerve to laugh. Why dont I show you a picture of my sister.
What the hell good will that do? He released Joc with an exclamation of disgust. You think Im going to take one look at her and fall madly in love?
Joc shrugged. It could happen. He removed a snapshot from his wallet and spun it in Landers direction. Why dont we try it and see.
Lander caught the photo midair. Flipping it over, he stared at the picture in sheer disbelief.
My sister. Juliana Rose Arnaud. I always called her Ana. Joc shrugged. I guess the nickname carries bad memories, so she doesnt use it anymore.
It took Lander two tries before he could speak. This has been a setup from the beginning, hasnt it? He shot Joc a furious glare. I call you for help and who shows up at the ball while Im waiting for you, but your sistera sister whos conveniently forgotten her last names Arnaud. She falls into my arms like a ripe peach and after we spend one unforgettable night together all of a sudden I find out the two of you are related. And coincidence of all coincidences, the very next day youre holding our contract for ransom.
Joc shook his head. Clever plan. I wish I could actually take credit for it. But I cant, because it didnt go down that way.
I dont care how it went down. I suggest you get the hell out of Verdonia while you still have your head attached to your shoulders.
Joc held up a hand in an appeasing gesture. Look, I swear there was no setup. I tried to warn her about you, Montgomery. I cant tell you how many times I advised her to give you a wide berth. But Juliana has a soft spot for jackals like you and once your relationship took a turn for the worse, this seemed an obvious solution.
Not to me.
A hint of anger glittered in Jocs black gaze. Maybe you should have thought of that before your North Pole got overruled by the southern half of your equator. Now lets talk turkey because this is how its going down. Im making a one-time offer. You refuse, I walk. And your precious country can go bankrupt for all I care.
Son of aWhat do you want?
Your end of our business arrangement is simple. Get my sister to fall in love with you. Should be easy since shes halfway there already. Marry her. Treat her like the queen she deserves to be. Live happily ever after. Hell, have babies if youre so inclined. He paused, shooting Lander a keen look. Think you can do that?
Babies? An image of redheaded toddlers racing through the palace came all too easily to mind. He took a step back, mentally and literally. I think youre interfering where you dont belong.
The two locked gazes for an endless minute. But youll do it, wont you? Joc demanded. Youd do anything to save your country, including marry my sister.
Lander ground his teeth in silent fury. Yes, he finally bit out.
Even if it means being related to me? Joc pressed harder. And even if our connection causes you to lose the election?
It very well might. Lander turned away and allowed the possibility to settle into his heart and mind. Not that it took much thought. Hed seen Arnauds plan for Verdonia. It was a good one, one that had an excellent shot at ensuring full financial recovery. Setup or not, if the price he had to pay for that was marriage, hed do it. If it meant saving Verdonia from economic disaster, hed have married a two-headed goat, and Juliana was far from that.
Still, he didnt like Jocs tactics anymore than he liked suspecting someone as open and candid as Juliana of deceit. Granted, shed concealed her full name from him, but he had a feeling that was a one-time aberration. What he liked least of all was being forced to marry on command. Hed always been the one in charge of his own destiny. Hed always been the one to command. It rankled more than a little to play puppet to Jocs puppeteer.
Turning, he asked, I gather shes not to know about the addendum to our contract?
That would be a definite deal breaker.
It confirmed Landers suspicion that if this was a setup, Juliana had played the part of unwitting pawn. Just one question. He approached. Why? You cant honestly believe this is in your sisters best interest?
He didnt think Arnaud would answer. Emotions swept across the Texans face. Anger. Stubborn determination. Andhell, could it be?an odd vulnerability. Youre wrong, Montgomery, he said at last. This is in her best interest. I couldnt protect her growing up. Im not even much good at protecting her now. His expression hardened. But you can do what I cant. You can give her everything she needs, everything Ive never been able to.
Lander wanted to argue the point. This was a huge mistake, one he didnt doubt hed live long to regret. But he didnt see any other choice. He wanted to explain what a disservice it was to Juliana to be married for financial gain rather than love. That she wouldnt appreciate this sort of manipulation any more than he did. But he knew from long experience that once Arnaud set his mind to something, he was impossible to budge. There might be room for negotiation later on, a better opportunity to apply calm reason to reckless obsession. Until then, Lander had no choice.
Do we have a deal? Joc asked impatiently.
Yes, its a deal.
He took Arnauds hand in a tight grip, grinding bone against bone as he fixed the man with a fierce stare. Someday youll find yourself boxed into a corner like this. Remember me when that happens, Arnaud. Remember, and know that you brought it on yourself when you forced this agreement on the woman you should have protected, and the one man who will do whatever it takes to see that you pay for your arrogance.
Five
J uliana finished the last of her paperwork, signing her name with a swift practiced stroke, before shoving the folder to one side of her desk. Swiveling to face the window, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. The past three days had been hideous, perhaps because shed chosen to work nonstop rather than pacing herself. But at least it had kept her from obsessing over Lander and that one unforgettable night.
A knock sounded at her door,
and she stifled a groan. The clock on the wall warned it was well past seven. The office staff should have long since cleared out, with the possible exception of her assistant. She heard him push open the door but didnt bother to open her eyes. Colin, I thought I told you to go home an hour ago, she complained. Her assistant didnt answer, but she could hear him approach, no doubt to get the last of the papers shed signed. Didnt you have a date tonight?
To her shock, he put his hands on her, his fingers digging into the knots of tension ridging her shoulders. Her eyes blinked open and she shot straight up in her chair. Good Lord. Colin?
Gone.
Lander! She swiveled around, staring up at him in disbelief. What are you doing here?
I came to see you, of course.
He plucked her out of the chair and into his arms. For an instant she allowed herself to relax against him before common sense prevailed and she fought her way free of his hold. Please dont take this the wrong way, butwhy?
Because of this.
Lowering his head, he teased her mouth with his. She had every intention of stopping him, of pulling back from those coaxing lips. Of telling him firmly and unequivocally that she had no interest in seeing him ever again. Her good intentions lasted all of two seconds.
With a groan she gave up and fell into the embrace. She twined her arms around his neck and practically inhaled him. He walked her backward the two paces to her desk and lifted her onto the wooden surface. Her skirt hitched upward and he planted his hands on her knees and parted them. Stepping between, he tugged her tight against him.
What are we doing? she demanded, torn between laughter and tears.
What we were meant to do.
We agreed to a single night.
Your choice, not mine. And like a fool, I didnt push hard enough. He broke off to kiss her again, deep, drugging kisses. But Ive decided I want to renegotiate the terms of that agreement.
She started shaking her head before hed finished speaking. No. No, I cant. You have to trust that I have an excellent reason. Several of them, actually.
Give me one.
She struggled to balance truth with caution. You have an election coming up. You need to focus on that.
My personal life has never interfered with my duty to my country. You should know, that takes primary importance over everything. Always, he emphasized. Sweeping the clip from her hair, he forked his fingers through the mass of curls. But that doesnt mean I dont have time for you, as well. Whats your next excuse for ending our relationship?
A point of clarity, if you dont mind. We dont have a relationship.
He merely smiled. His hands dropped to her legs, sliding upward, gathering her skirt as he went. Tell me what you call it.
She shuddered beneath his touch, struggling to maintain an ounce of reason in the midst of this insanity. A one-night stand.
His grip tightened on her thighs. Dont. The single word sounded harsh, almost guttural. Dont denigrate what happened between us.
Im just being honest. She struggled to tidy a messy situation, regardless of the pain it caused. To fit it neatly into its appropriately labeled box, a sealed box etched with one-night stand on the lid in indelible marker. And though I cant explain all the problems it will cause if we continue to see each other, its important you believe me. That you believe that its best for Verdonia.
He dismissed her assertion with a shrug. Why dont you let me decide that. Theres only one question you need to answer. Was our one night together enough?
She closed her eyes, dropping her head to his shoulder. Please dont ask me that.
Too late. She could feel his smile against the side of her neck. Be honest, Juliana. You want more, just as I do.
The temptation to admit the truth was overwhelming. Yes, she whispered. I want more. But Im begging you to walk away. Theres so much you dont know about me.
His mouth traced a path along her neck to a sweet spot just beneath her ear. In time, when you learn to trust me, you can tell me all your secrets.
Didnt he understand? With an effort, she lifted her head to look at him. Youre better off not knowing.
At some point youll tell me. He repeated the assertion with casual certainty. You wont have any choice.
Youre probably right. She released her breath in a sigh. If I agree, there are conditions.
Name them.
No one can know about us. And I mean no one.
Agreed. Next.
No falling in love.
To her surprise, that gave him pause. You think you can order love? Where have I heard that before?
I dont know. Where had he? But we can try.
Sex and nothing but sex?
It sounded so crude. So harsh. Not that she had any other option. She couldnt afford to fall in love with Lander. Would that be so wrong?
Yes. He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his green-flecked eyes. She caught a hint of amusement, softened by tenderness. Yes, its wrong. But youll need to discover that for yourself. What other conditions do you have?
She hadnt a clue what else. Maybe if shed anticipated this conversation, shed have had a list prepared. Neatly numbered and bulleted, of course. But shed ended things between them. She distinctly remembered doing it, even though it had ripped her apart. Shed cried over him and everything. And yet here he was, standing between her thighs with her skirt hiked to her hips and eighty-six combined inches of leg locked around his waist.
She shook her head. I dont know. Ill give you the rest when I can think straight.
In that case, Im not sure I want you thinking straight. To her surprise, his grip firmed on her hips, pulling her so tightly against him that his belt buckle bit into her abdomen. If thats everything, I suggest we get on with it.
Excuse me? She wriggled in discomfort. You cant mean
I do mean, he confirmed. Right here and right now.
Had he gone crazy? She eyed him uncertainly. Some women might want to make love on top of a desk, but Im not one of them.
Really? A slight smile curved his lips and his gaze ran over her, lingering. What happened to sex and nothing but sex?
She became vividly aware of how she must look, her hair rioting around her shoulders, her skirt flipped back to expose everything from her waist down, her legs clasped about him. Heat scored her cheekbones and she had trouble meeting his gaze. Not here, she whispered. Not like this.
I dont understand. I thought you said its just sex, no emotion involved. He ran the tip of his finger over the swell of her breast. Hed touched her in a similar manner on a number of occasions, but this time it felt different. Careless. Distant. Carnal. Its not like we need a bed. We can do it right here. He glanced around. Or up against the wall over there. Or on the floor. Rug burns, but what the hell. Im hungry, I eat. Isnt that how it works?
She unwound her legs from his waist and shoved at his shoulders. Not that it did any good. He remained as unyielding as granite. Please, move. I want to get off the desk.
Im serious, Juliana. Explain it to me. What does it matter where? His hands dropped to her thighs. Or how?
She covered his hands with hers, attempting to stop those clever fingers from exploring any further. To her horror, tears pricked her eyes and her throat closed over, making it a struggle to respond. It just does, okay?
His hold eased. Gentled. Cupping her face, he leaned forward and kissed her. And that, my beautiful Juliana, proves my point. Sex alone will never be enough for either of us because its innately wrong. Stepping back, he helped her off the desk. With a few swift tugs, he straightened her clothing. Im sorry if I upset you.
She wobbled on her heels, struggling to regain her composure. If thats how you feelthat it cant just be about sex, then why did you agree when I suggested it?
He shot her a wicked look. Oh, Id have been willing to give it a try, if you insisted.
Magnanimous of you, she muttered.
I thought so. His smile faded. But in the end, wed have failed.
And one
of us would have gotten hurt. She rested her head against his shoulder. So why are we doing this?
His arms slid around her. Because we dont have any other choice.
He made it sound as though fate had set something in motion, something they could neither change nor escape, assuming they wanted to. She felt a sudden urge to run. To return with Joc to Dallas. She was good at running. Shed done it often enough. Her breath trembled in a sigh. Shed done it often enough to know it never worked. If people wanted to find you, they could. If they wanted to expose you, they did.
Chances were, running and hiding wouldnt work this time, either. But until the truth came outand it always came outshed enjoy however much time she had with Lander and hope it was enough. It would have to be.
So what now? she asked.
Now we play.
She glanced up at him, intrigued. Play?
You look confused. Havent you ever played before?
She thought about it before slowly shaking her head. Not really.
Then its past time you started.
The nights following flew by as though part of a dream. During the daylight, Juliana worked harder than she thought possible so she could enjoy those few precious nighttime hours with Lander. It became like a game. Late each afternoon shed receive a phone call giving her a different location to meet, each in a section of the city free from curious eyes. And every evening shed escape work and race to wherever shed been directed.
She always found a different vehicle waiting for her, the only thing they had in common a unifying anonymity in appearance that guaranteed theyd fade in with every other car on the busy streets of Mt. Roche.
The first night she was driven to an underground garage, and had expected to find herself back at the apartment complex where shed made love to Lander. But that hadnt happened. Instead, she ended up in one of the downtown malls. Even though all the shops were lit, to her astonishment not a soul stirred. She and Lander spent the entire night wandering through the mall, laughing at the insanity of having the entire place to themselves. Every once in a while shed catch a glimpse of the security guards who shadowed their every move. She hadnt noticed them the night shed spent at his apartment, but she had an uneasy feeling theyd been there, regardless.