Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (4 page)

How was she going to fight this attraction she had for Brent, especially if he agreed to be her temporary husband?

He isn’t what I want or need. Or is he?

Chapter Three

Early in morning, the day after the barbecue, Brent followed Drake into the barn. Inside, the building still held shadows from the night. The cool air smelled of hay and horses. Brent walked to the stall holding the stallion that Drake had loaned him to ride. He started to saddle him.

“I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying being back on a ranch and working the land. I thought after all the cosmopolitan cities I’d visited these past years that I’d gotten the cowboy out of me,” Brent said.

“I don’t think that’s possible. Once you grow up working on a ranch, I think the cowboy becomes part of your DNA. If anyone had asked me, back before I met Janice, if I ever planned to live like this again, I’d have said, ‘hell no.’” Drake swung up in his saddle. “Let’s go herd some cattle.”

They rode along in silence for a few minutes. Brent enjoyed the fresh air and his brother’s company.

“You thinking about changing your career back to being a cowpoke?” Drake spoke in a teasing tone.

“Maybe.”

“Think you and Ty can get along and share the Montana ranch?”

“Nope. Too cold up there, and Ty’s used to being the boss. Cousin Dirk may own a share of the TRC organization now, but he likes to leave the business part to Ty. They work well together."

"The cold is one of the reasons I chose to start fresh here," Drake said.

“I figure I’ll look around this area. I hope to find a place somewhere within a hundred-mile vicinity.”

Drake gave him a surprised glance. “You serious?”

“I think so. We’ll see.”

“You have a lady in mind that’s fueling this sudden decision?”

“Not sure.”

“Well I’ll be damned. Another one bites the dust.” Laughing, Drake nudged his horse ahead, effectively ending any further conversation.

Brent held back. He’d startled himself when he’d verbalized thoughts just beginning to form in his head. Did he really want to give up his business and settle on a piece of land that took more physical labor than he’d done in a long time? Maybe it was a temporary feeling fueled by the fun he and Drake were having working together again. And perhaps a slight attraction to Angie, who happens to live nearby.

He just needed to get her out of his system. They’d enjoy a short romance, and then he’d be cured. His interest in any particular woman never lasted very long.

* * * *

Angie tried on three dresses before deciding on her new pale blue sundress. She’d bought a white shawl that would keep her warm if the air conditioning was cold in the restaurant. She wished she knew where they were going. She'd have a better idea of what clothes to wear. Still, a sundress would work most any place. She slipped into her white sandals, took one more peek at her makeup, and was ready.

Butterflies were doing a dance in her stomach. Her last date was over two years ago. Jumping back into the dating game with a man like Brent was like starting to fish for shark, instead of minnows. Dangerous. She hadn’t felt like herself at all today. Tonight had been constantly on her mind. Thank goodness it was time for him to pick her up. Much more of this anxiety, and she’d crawl right out of her skin. The doorbell ringing sent another zip up her spine.

She took a deep breath, smoothed her hands over her dress, and walked to the front door. He took her breath away.

Brent Terrell leaned against her doorframe, blue eyes sparkling, and his mouth curved into the smile that curled her toes. He was much too good-looking. Tonight, he’d dressed in black slacks and a shirt that matched his eyes, and the faint hint of his fresh air scent and cologne wafted through her screen door.

“Are you going to let me in, or stare at me all night?”

“Sorry, come in.” She stepped back as he walked in, filling the space in her small living room.

“You ready to go?”

“Yes. Am I dressed all right? I don’t know where we’re headed.”

She shouldn’t have asked. His gaze slid slowly over her from head to feet, sending a wave of heat moving through her body. Her face went hot.

“Simply delicious. How about we stay here and I have you for dinner.”

Just the thought had her heartbeat kicking into overdrive and her knees weak. “Let’s pretend you didn’t just say that, and go where you planned to take me.”

“The lady’s wish is my command.” His hand went to the small of her back as he followed her out and stopped to shut and lock her door.

He had Drake’s truck. He walked to the side and helped her in. “I don’t have any of my cars with me, sorry. The truck will have to do.”

“Most everyone has a truck, no problem. How many cars do you have?”

“I love cars. We all do. I mean my brothers and me. I keep a truck in Montana, but at my place in Florida I have a sports car and a Caddy, plus a renovated Thunderbird.”

“Must be a man thing.”

He laughed. “I’m sure it is.”

She liked his laugh. It was deep and hearty. In fact, she liked everything about him. Did she dare talk to him about step four in her plan?

“Drake tells me there’s a small diner about ten miles from here along the riverside that serves excellent fish.”

“He must have been talking about The Log Cabin restaurant."

“That’s it. Unless you’d rather go somewhere else?”

“No, it’s fine. They have good food.”
Except the place is much too cozy, and I'm in danger of losing my heart
. That wasn’t part of the plan. She’d have to shore up her defenses if she wanted to come out of this whole.

Brent pulled into the almost-full parking lot. “A lot of cars means it must be a favorite hangout.” He got out and came around to open her door. Reaching up, he put his hands around her waist and swung her to the ground. For a moment, he held her there, a slight space separating them. The air sizzled around them.

“Pansy eyes. I’ll always think of you when I see that flower.” He smiled, tucked her arm around his, and they started toward the entrance.

The night had barely begun, and she didn’t want it to end. No man had ever affected her insides the way Brent did. She was flustered and hot like an overeager teenager.
For goodness’ sakes, you’re thirty-one, cool it.

They were shown to a corner table with a window facing the river on one side. The waiter handed them menus.

“Would you like to order a drink?” Brent raised a questioning brow at her.

“I’ll take a glass of zinfandel.”

Brent ordered a bourbon and water. “Did I tell you how lovely you look tonight? Although I must admit, I was hoping you’d wear your hair down.”

“You really have an obsession with my hair.” Angie shook her head and placed her napkin in her lap. When she glanced across at Brent, she found him smiling at her.

“It bugs you. No one has ever told you how beautiful it is and you are, because for some reason you hid behind a totally different facade. Why?”

“Did I agree to answer your questions along with my dinner?”

The waiter placed the wine and bourbon on the table. “I’ll be right back for your order.”

Brent didn’t let the interruption deter him. “No, but why are you afraid to answer them?”

“I’m not afraid. It’s none of your business.” She was being rude. He had her flustered. She should have suspected he’d wonder as the others had about the reasons behind her changes. Well, she’d shock him with her answer.

“The ladies at the beauty shop asked the same questions.”

“And what did you tell them?” he asked. His eyes watched her intently.

She looked down to avoid giving herself away, but then couldn’t resist glancing up at the last minute to see his reaction. “They guessed right, that I’m looking for a husband. Do you want to be a candidate?”

His expression had her laughing out loud. “Don’t look so frightened. What I didn’t tell them is I only want one temporarily.”

“Really? Why do you need a temporary husband?”

“I want a child, and it’s more fun that way than going to a sperm bank.”

This time he spewed out his bourbon and started coughing. His face flushed.

“Are you all right? I didn’t mean to shock you.”

“Who are you? You’ve taken over the body of the shy schoolteacher I met a few years ago.”

“Two years and nine months.”

“What?”

This time it was her turn to go beet red.

“Are you ready to order?”

Saved by the waiter. Angie quickly picked up her menu. She chose the first item she saw, the fried catfish.

“A specialty of the house. Would you like the regular salad or Caesar?”

She took her time ordering the salad and potato, and then sat back and tried to regroup while Brent gave his order. What in the world possessed her to say exactly how long it had been since they’d seen each other? She hadn’t even realized she’d been counting. It just spilled out of her mouth. Boy, she was out of practice with dating.

After the waiter left, Brent leaned back in his seat and studied her. “You are full of surprises and mystery. I love mysteries. Part of my work involves finding answers.”

“What do you do? I’ve never heard exactly.”

“I own a business that provides protection for people when needed. Or I locate people and other similar assignments.”

Her heart jumped. No wonder he was curious. It came natural to him. Could her stepfather have hired him to find her and her mother? Of course she was using a fake name, but she’d just gotten rid of her disguise. Her stomach clenched and fear made goose bumps on her arms.

“Are you cold? I saw you shiver.”

She pulled her shawl around her arms. “The air conditioning blew across my neck. This will keep me warm.”

* * * *

She was lying. He saw it in her eyes and in the way her body tightened when he told her about his business.
Miss Angelina McElvaine has a secret, and she’s afraid I’ll find out what it is. I doubt that’s even her name. Hmm, she gets more interesting by the minute.
But not in the way he’d expected.

For now, he’d calm her fears.

He reached across the table and took her hand. It was soft and small. He clasped it firmly in his.

“Let’s forget about jobs and other things and concentrate on us.” His thumb rubbed across the inside of her palm, and his dick stirred to attention.
Down, boy, this isn’t going to be a simple jump into bed and have fun
. No, the lady could be dangerous in more ways than one, and he certainly wasn’t looking for a wife and child.

Damn, did she really think he’d act like a stallion, impregnate her, and forget he had a son or daughter? If she did, she had him figured all wrong. And yet the thought of her going to someone else with her request left a bad taste in his mouth and a pain in his chest.

* * * *