Wed to the Texan / Taming Clint Westmoreland: Wed to the Texan

His control vanished and he plunged fast, sending her over the edge. Ecstasy burst in bright lights behind her closed eyelids and her pulse drummed in her ears. Dimly she felt him shudder as he pumped his release in her. She clung tightly to his virile body, rocking with him.

Their ragged breathing became quiet. Sated, they held each other tightly. She hoped a baby would come from their lovemaking. Emily rubbed her temple against his warm shoulder. Tonight she had hope and, for the first time, a sense that Jake wanted her. She marveled at these new discoveries, relishing them like newfound treasure. Their marriage might indeed blossom into love.

When he turned them on their sides, she was still enveloped in his embrace. He stroked her back and brushed tendrils of hair from her face. “You’re fantastic, Em.”

“You stole my line. What a lover you are, Jake. And tonight was so very special. I can’t tell you how happy you’ve made me and how much hope for our future I have now.”

He held her close, his voice a deep rumble. “Good. That makes me happy, too. This is what we needed, Em. A clearer understanding. I want you as my wife. You’re important to me.”

“Jake.” She sighed with pleasure and turned her head to kiss him. A long scalding kiss that made him groan.

She lay her head against his chest. “Jake, this is the best night of our marriage.”

“I quite agree,” he said. “You have a fantastic body. You keep it hidden beneath those clothes you wear.”

“I’m sure you would’ve enjoyed having a secretary who wore skintight revealing clothes.”

“Yes, I might have. Particularly if she was as efficient and competent as you.”

“Thank you,” she said, pleased by the compliment.

“See, I told you that love will bloom,” he said with satisfaction. “I think it’s pretty damn good between us right now,” he added, smiling at her.

“Tonight has been special. I’ll remember it all my life. And I hope you’re right about love for both of us.” She stroked his chest. “Have you ever really been in love?”

“No,” he said, his smoky eyes hiding his true thoughts. “Not really. I’ve had relationships and some were longer than others and better than others, but I’ve never been deeply in love. I’ve never felt fireworks, never wanted any woman with me for the rest of my life.”

For just a moment she was quiet as she thought about that description and wished that someday she would fill it.

“You’re marvelous, Em, and our marriage is good—we’ll come to love each other.”

“You think that because you always expect to get what you want,” she reminded him as she traced his jaw with her fingers, feeling the tiny stubble of a beard. Her hand slipped lower, along the strong column of his neck and across one broad shoulder. “Fireworks don’t come with familiarity, Jake. Fireworks and a racing heart come from love at first sight. Never with convenience.”

“Perhaps. I keep asking you to have patience and faith.”

“You’ve been unbelievably generous,” she said, still amazed by his offer. “I’m surprised you don’t take a more active role in helping people. Someone helped you.”

“I will someday,” he answered casually. “I give to charities.”

“You give money, not time. And never yourself. I’m just surprised that you don’t want to get more involved.”

“I’m too busy right now. I guess I really never think about it.”

“I’ll let you know how every dime of your gift is spent and you’ll see what good you did.”

“Forget that,” he answered with amusement in his voice. “I don’t need to know about all the projects. I have a more urgent project right now.” He pulled her up and leaned closer to kiss her ear while he caressed her nape.

She raised slightly to gaze down at him. “You have an insatiable appetite for sex.”

“You bring it out in me,” he teased, and she realized this was turning out to be one of the good moments between them. Or had she just finally relaxed and accepted that he did want this marriage, that he still wanted her as his wife?

At the moment she didn’t care. Running her fingers lightly over his bare chest, she brushed his lips with a feathery kiss and then rained kisses on his neck.

“Ahh, baby,” he said, “that feels good,” he continued in a husky voice.

Her hand played over him, drifting lower over his muscled stomach, touching him. He was hard and ready again.

“Jake, you’re decadent,” she whispered in his ear, tracing the curves of his ear with her tongue.

He rolled her over, settling his weight on top of her as he kissed her passionately, starting fires anew.

Later, they showered together and made love until the early-morning hours, when she fell asleep in his arms.

When she stirred again, she was alone in their bed. It was Friday morning. Sunshine poured through open doors and windows. Upon Jake’s return, the servants had been given several days off, so she had the house to herself.

Stretching, she smiled as she thought about the night. It was intimate and they had bonded. Jake had seemed as happy as she. Maybe there actually was a chance for them.

Last night had changed her feelings for him. She wondered about their depth. Was she already falling in love with him? She ran her hand over her stomach, thinking last night had been the most relaxed she’d been with him since the early months of their marriage.

She stepped out of bed, pulling on a white cotton robe. She had wanted to go back to Dallas, but now she was in no hurry. She wanted to prolong her idyll with Jake. Being with him was fabulous—this was turning into a real second honeymoon.

She thought about his abundant energy—even when relaxed, he seemed to move. Only after long bouts of work or lovemaking did he finally get quiet. The rest of his waking hours he was restless.

She smiled again when she thought about him. She was tempted to call him, but she never disturbed him when he was at work. An old secretarial habit, she was certain.

On the desk she found a note from him saying he had flown to Houston. He would be back tonight in time to take her to dinner. In his scrawling handwriting, she read, “…dinner and seduction again…”

He had underlined “seduction,” and she knew he meant it would be another night of lovemaking. Her toes curled when she simply remembered the previous night. Anticipation simmered and she planned a candlelight dinner with Jake’s favorite food—steak—and his favorite wine. She tried to think what she could do to make his homecoming as sexy as possible.

Pampering herself, she had a hot bath in their huge marble tub. She finally climbed out, wound a thick green bath towel around her and went to their closet to find something to wear. As she passed Jake’s side of the closet, a thick white envelope lying on the floor caught her attention. He must have dropped it or let it fall out of one of his pockets.

She picked up the envelope to place on his chest of drawers, but saw it was addressed in neat feminine handwriting to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Thorne.

What woman had been writing to both of them? Why hadn’t Jake mentioned it if it had been addressed to her, too? She studied the envelope.

Jake hadn’t shown it to her. The return address indicated the letter was from Hubert Braden, and she realized his nurse must have written it. Emily studied the envelope further and saw it had arrived over a week ago. Puzzled why Jake hadn’t even mentioned it, she decided he had stuffed it into his pocket and forgotten it.

She was curious about the man who had been such a big influence in Jake’s life, the father figure he wanted, and she wished now they’d spent more time visiting Mr. Braden. Since the letter was addressed to her, too, she saw no reason not to read it. She withdrew the letter and unfolded it, looking at more of the flowing cursive. Obviously it had been dictated.

Suddenly Emily stiffened, stunned by what she was reading. Jake had some explaining to do.

Three

Emily’s hands shook as she read the letter once more:

Dear Jake and Emily:

How nice it was for both of you to visit an old man. Jake, your bride is beautiful, and I can rest in peace knowing that you are married now and settled down. You are my biggest success. I have one more legacy to leave to you, but as you recall when we talked before your marriage, there are stipulations.