“Isn’t it?”
Randy faced him. “Where have you been, Mr. Harkner?”
Jake leaned against the door, folding his arms. “I just told you. I got cleaned up and went shopping. It takes time to try on clothes. Then I went over to the stockyards to see how Lloyd did. By the time we got through with the buyers, it was getting dark. And, by the way, we made a killing. The price of cattle is up right now, so we picked the perfect time to bring them in. We even talked to that government agent about buying that land with the old fort on it, which is why I’m later than I planned. Lloyd just went to his room and wants to go out to eat. Do you want to go?”
Randy frowned. “No! I mean, look at me. For heaven’s sake, I’m not even dressed.”
He raked her over with his eyes. “I noticed. And you know how much I love your hair brushed out long like that. I guess maybe we should stay here in the room tonight at that.”
Randy stepped back. “Well, they do have room service here.”
Jake looked around. “Damn nice room, isn’t it?”
“Yes. And they brought up a bathtub for me, and a maid even washed my hair. The service is wonderful, and it feels good to be pampered after that long trip. Even better, after going through what I went through the last couple of days!”
Jake grimaced as though she’d just hit him. “I was hoping for a better reception.”
“I’m sure you were.” Randy studied him closely. “Let me guess,” she said, watching his dark eyes as she stepped closer. She breathed deeply through her nose. “I am getting the distinct smell of perfume, and it’s not the kind I wear. You’ve been with a prostitute, haven’t you?”
He just stared at her a moment. “Jesus, woman, how in hell do you always know?”
“Because I know you, especially when things go a little haywire in that head of yours. You fell back into that mood of thinking you aren’t good enough for me. When you get like that, and especially when that rage against your father comes out in you, you turn to the kind of people who used to understand and make you feel better. Dixie is still in Oklahoma as far as we know, so who was it this time?”
He stepped closer, grasping her face in his hands. “Gretta MacBain, and she runs a place called the Range Club. And I did not go there. And I didn’t even go looking for her. She found me at the clothing store where I was trying on that suit over there. She knew who I was, and we struck up a conversation. I told her what happened, and that’s all there was to it. I always say it like it is, Randy. When have I ever lied to you?”
She let out a long sigh and grasped his wrists. “It’s not that, Jake. That has never bothered me, because I understand that little boy down inside the magnificent man you are. But I’m right here, Jake, and I’ve always been right here. You don’t need to turn to someone else when these things happen—not to Lloyd or to Evie or some prostitute.”
He moved his hands into her hair. “I had to leave those couple of days because I was afraid I’d yell at you again. I’m so damn sorry, mi amor. What Clem said made me sick inside. I couldn’t even look at you, and I hated any of the men looking at you.”
She closed her eyes. “Jake, what do you ask me every time you make love to me?”
His breathing deepened, and her need for him rushed through her with heated force.
“Who do you belong to?” he replied.
“And what do I answer?”
“Jake Harkner.”
“And you always say…‘every inch of your beautiful body.’ And I do belong to you. I’m your wife, Jake, so anything you do with me you have a right to do as the man who loves me, as long as I want you to do those things to me. And I do want those things, because you make me feel beautiful and wanted and needed. How many times have I told you that I only feel safe when I’m in your arms?”
He cut off her words with a deep, hot, groaning, almost savage kiss as he walked her backward to the bed.
“Jake, we aren’t done talking,” she tried to protest.
“I am.” He pulled off her robe. “I want to make love to you, Randy. I need to make love to you.”
“Jake—”
He grasped her nightgown at her hips and pulled up. “Get this thing off.”
“This isn’t what I planned.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No. I mean, not right away.” She was forced to raise her arms as he pulled off the nightgown. She was naked under it.
“Do you still want to tell me you didn’t plan this?” He enfolded her in one arm as he pulled down the bedcovers. “You’re the one who said it was all right for me to do whatever I want with you because you belong to me.”