Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (4 page)

“Tell me, what does a man have to do to convince a woman he’s serious about her?”

A tiny speck of hope jumped to attention.
Down, girl, he’s just asking a rhetorical question.

“I suppose the answer would differ between women.”

“Let me be more specific. What would it take for you to be convinced I’m serious about settling down?”

Stunned, Janice didn’t say anything. How to answer? Was this just a joke?

“Janice, are you still there?”

“Drake, I’m tired and irritable, and this isn’t funny.”

“I didn’t mean for it to be. Just answer the damn question.”

“You don’t have to get testy. All right, for me he’d have to do something specific. For example”—she was angry now, and tired—“you’d have to buy a ranch or something, change your career, want children, convince me you were serious enough for me to take a chance. There, is that what you wanted?”

He laughed, and she saw red.
Steam must be coming out of my head.

“That will do for now. What if we have dinner and go to the play tomorrow night? I promise to be on my best behavior.”

“I’m surprised you have a best behavior. But I suppose I can find the time tomorrow.”

“Your eager acceptance warms my heart.” The phone clicked off, but not before she heard another chuckle.

The man was simply impossible, and she feared somewhere along the way she’d fallen in love with him.

* * * *

Drake put down the receiver. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Good. He’d had it too easy in the past. Anything worth having was worth fighting for, and he intended to win.

Dressed in old jeans and a T-shirt, he went out to his garage. He opened the side door and the window, and sat at his work table. He enjoyed working on wood projects while he thought about his plans. Picking up a piece of sandpaper, he began to rub the side of a model airplane he’d started before his last trip.

He’d been distracted the whole time he was gone. Thoughts of Janice kept popping up during the day and night. One of his strongest traits was an ability to focus, concentrate on what was happening around him. This time, he found himself asking someone to repeat a statement. They’d looked at him strangely several times. He’d lost his edge, and Janice was to blame. Never had he ever allowed a woman to disrupt his life in any way, and certainly not his work.

Several women he’d dated in the past made overtures to him, but he found himself uninterested. There was one lady he’d dated on and off the past three years that he took to dinner. She’d been expecting more.

“I’m sorry, Camille. I’ve met someone, and I’m surprised to say I believe it’s serious.”

“I wondered when and who would catch your heart. I must admit I had hoped over time we might become more involved.”

“You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure you’ll find a man that will appreciate all your lovely qualities.”

“But it won’t be you?”

“I’m sorry. No.”

She’d been gracious. He’d kissed her cheek and taken her home. In his room that night, he’d considered the differences in the two women. Camille had black hair, smooth white skin, and stunning blue eyes. She stood out in any group. She was sophisticated, able to navigate in the political circles where he often found himself. If he just wanted to get married, she’d have been an excellent choice, and would have understood the demands on his time. They’d have probably agreed to not have children.

Whereas he found himself enamored with a tall redhead, with completely different ideas. Drake put down the sandpaper and moved to stretch. His knee bumped the edge of the table. He heard a crack and jumped. The shelf above his head came crashing down on the work bench, smashing his wooden plane.

“What the—” Drake wiped dust from his face. A small block of wood had flown up and hit him in the cheek, making it bleed.

Drake bent to inspect the bolts. He thought he’d put those in good and tight, but apparently not. He’d clean the place and go to the store for new bolts and another plane kit. There went his relaxing afternoon. The hell with it. He’d have a professional do the shelf this time.

After calling the cabinet maker, he ordered flowers sent to Janice at work. He suspected she’d hate the attention, but she might as well get used to being spoiled.

* * * *

Janice went through four outfits before deciding on an emerald-colored blouse and a matching wrap skirt. She added a simple gold chain necklace and gold earrings for jewelry. Patent leather sandal heels and a matching purse completed her attire. She was just in time. Drake was due in the next few minutes. After grabbing her purse, she headed into the living room.

The two dozen red roses had the whole room sweetly scented. She’d taken much ribbing from her coworkers about who sent them. She’d kept them guessing, refusing to give them a name.

Although her first instinct had been to be annoyed that he’d had them delivered to her place of business, she had really been surprised and pleased. The flicker of hope from yesterday was growing.

The roar of his sports car alerted her to his arrival. She smiled. The weather was perfect for a ride with the top down. She’d put a scarf in her purse just in case.

Her heart beat double-time when he knocked. When she opened the door, he stepped in, kicked the door shut, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her thoroughly before stepping back and giving her the once-over.

“Perfect. I love you in that color.” His hands cradled her face and tipped her chin up. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her chin, and then captured her mouth again. His tongue teased hers. One arm brought her snug against his arousal. “Feel my hard cock. I want to bury myself in your hot pussy.”

Shivers ran up her spine, and she pulsed below with a deep yearning. His words had shocked her, and set her whole body aching for him.

Forcing herself to take control, Janice pushed against his shoulders. “Let me go. This is not the way to convince me you care.”

Reluctantly, he did. “I know. I have to buy a ranch, and prove I can settle down.”

“That will happen in a blue moon.”

“You’ll eat those words. I’ll make a pact with you. If I buy a ranch, quit my present job, and settle there, you will marry me.”

“I’m sure it’s safe to say yes. It will never happen. You on a ranch. What do you know about running one?”

“It can’t be too hard?”

She laughed. “I’ll be a little old lady before you run a ranch.”

“Let’s go. We’ll be late for dinner and our play.” He put his arm around her and walked her to his car. “Do you mind the top down tonight?”

“I love it. It’s cool and so pleasant out. I have my scarf.”

He turned left, heading to the outskirts of the city. “A friend of mine runs a great Mexican restaurant near the playhouse. Sit back and relax, we have about fifteen miles to go.”

Janice did as he said. The cool air was scented with the fragrance of spring flowers blooming. The moon and a sprinkling of stars shone against the velvet black sky. All the tension from the past two months began to fade.

As usual, Drake drove fast, but competently. They’d just gone around a curve when she heard him swear. The car swerved before he regained control. He frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“The brakes are gone,” he said tersely. “There’s an S curve ahead. We won’t have slowed much before we hit it.”

She saw the curve coming toward them fast. She kept her eyes on him. He hadn’t panicked. He was focused on the road.

“I hope to hell we don’t meet anyone.” He let the car go into the curve, staying in the middle of the road then sliding more into the left lane on the following curve. The tires squealed and fear rushed through Janice.

They made it out of the curve and onto a flat, straight road. Drake let the car gradually slow until he could safely pull to the side. He flipped open his cell and called for assistance.

Turning to Janice, he said, “They’ll be here in about twenty minutes. This day isn’t going quite the way I expected. First, a shelf barely missed falling on my head this morning, and tonight we almost have a wreck because of bad brakes. I’m going to give my mechanic hell when I see him.”

“Maybe it wasn’t his fault. Can’t brakes just wear out?”

“Not when you have them checked frequently.” He glanced at his watch. “Looks like it will be dinner or a play. We won’t have time for both.”

“Dinner, I’m hungry.”

“I’ll call and change our reservation.” After his call, he sat back and stared at her.

“What? Did I forget to powder my nose?”

 
“Come here.” He slid his seat back and pulled her onto his lap. “We have a few minutes before we’re rescued. I intend to enjoy them.” His warm fingers began to unbutton her blouse. “You have this fastened up like a spinster schoolteacher. There.” He’d undone the first three. His hand moved inside her blouse and bra and cupped her breast.

Exquisite pleasure exploded inside her at his touch. His thumb rubbed across her peaked nipple, sending heat straight to her pussy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

His tongue did a sensual dance with hers, setting her whole body afire with desire. She wriggled around to lie more closely against his broad chest.

“Do that again and you’ll find yourself making love in a sports car. Not too comfortable, but manageable.” His husky tone deepened her hunger.

She maneuvered her leg across his lap and straddled him. His pulsing, hot cock was right against her lower lips. His hand slipped inside her panties, and his finger caressed her swollen nub. His mouth covered hers, and his teeth bit lightly on her bottom lip. At the same time, he put two fingers into her pussy.

“Ah, yes,” she moaned into his mouth.

“You’re wet and hot. Damn, I may explode if I don’t get inside that pussy soon.” He pulled back from her and flipped his cell open. “Jack, come pick us up.” He gave the directions and closed the phone. “Now, my sweet, unless you want to be embarrassed, you’d better get back in your seat. I see a wrecker coming over the hill.”

Janice jumped across and into place just before the wrecker got close. At least, she hoped he wasn’t near enough to see what was going on. She took off her scarf and busied herself with combing her hair out. If she looked at the man, she’d blush.

Laughing, Drake got out to greet him. Drake handed him a card and the man nodded, and then went to his wrecker and turned to back up to the sports car.

“You’ll have to get out now, darlin’, unless you want to ride in the car to the shop.”

She ignored his teasing. The man had no inhibitions. He’d probably have just said, “
Hello, give us a minute, pal. We’ll be right with you,
” and not felt embarrassed at all. She was shocked at her own behavior. She’d never ever put herself in a position where she was in the open, and anyone coming along could see them.

“Sure you folks will be all right out here until your ride comes for ya? It’s getting darker.”

“Thanks for the concern. We’re fine. My chauffeur will be here shortly.”

“All right.” The man sounded dubious, but got in his truck and started off, towing the fancy sports car behind.

“I never thought I’d see the day that baby would fail me,” Drake said.

“It’s just a car. They can break down.”