The Texan’s Bride(45)

She tried to wiggle away from him. “Let me go.”

“No,” he told her. “We’re talking…now.”

She ceased her struggle to get away, but he didn’t loosen his grip. They went through the garage into the kitchen.

A startled Rosa stopped peeling potatoes. “Miss Jessie…”

“She’s fine,” Cadde replied. “We just need a few minutes alone.”

Once inside the bedroom, Cadde closed and locked the door.

Jessie placed her hands on her hips. “This had better be good.”

He took a deep breath, gauging every word. “After last night, it was crass of me to mention the board meeting.”

“Yes, it was.” She sat on the foot of the bed. “Being new at this I let my emotions get involved. That won’t happen again.”

“Really?” he mocked her.

“Yes.” She stood in a restless movement. “I could be pregnant and if I am then we won’t need to have sex again. If not, well, I guess we’ll have to.”

She made to walk past him and he caught her arm again. “No, no, no, that’s not how it’s going to be. A real marriage…that’s what it says in the agreement. I’m sorry if bringing that up upsets you, but we’re having a real marriage with sex every night or however much we want.” He took a breath. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had sex?”

“This morning,” she quipped.

“Before that.”

“Last night.”

He smiled. She smiled. Suddenly the tension wasn’t there.

“Longer than that…a long time, so last night was special for me, too.” He rubbed her forearm and knew it smelled of cherry blossoms. “But there’s something you need to know about me. I’m not good at the emotional stuff. Chance is. Kid was born with it. They had to yank him out with tongs and he still came out smiling. I’m the serious, responsible brother. I know everything there is to know about the oil business, but I know absolutely nothing about women. Last night was awesome and I want to build on that. I want you. That’s about all I have to say.”

“It’s enough.” Her eyes sparkled so maybe he was getting something right.

She stepped closer to him and he stepped back. Was he insane? But he had something to get off his chest. “I don’t want a kid of mine born as part of a business deal and I don’t want that agreement hanging between us. It just creates bad feelings. I’d rather we start out better than that.”

“What about the transfer of the share giving you control?”

He jammed his hands through his hair and pushed everything he’d ever dreamed about to the side burner. What he said now would shape their marriage and he was very aware of that. “I hope you’ll listen to my plans for Shilah and vote with your head, vote for what you think is right for this oil company. We have to build this marriage on trust and honesty.”

Jessie walked to her dresser. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a folder and laid it on the bed. “There’s the agreement. I haven’t taken it to the lawyer yet.”

He grabbed the document from the folder and ripped it into several pieces. He then threw them into the air and as they fluttered around them, Jessie jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, her arms tight around his neck.

He held on and he knew their relationship had just changed. Turning, he fell backward on the bed, cradling her in his arms. She raised up and whipped her T-shirt over her head, throwing it on the floor. Her bra followed.

As he was giving one breast his full attention a knock sounded at the door.

“Miss Jessie, are you okay?” Rosa called.

Jessie smiled, the biggest smile he’d never seen. “I’m fine, Rosa. I’m really, really fine.” And then she started to unbutton his shirt.

Jessie understood he wasn’t always going to get it right, but he was trying. A part of him wondered if he’d just made the worst decision of his life. His child would not be born under a business agreement, though. And Jessie’s feelings were important. That shocked him the most. He didn’t want to see that hurt look in her eyes again.

As he took her sweet lips he knew she was in control, but this time it didn’t bother him.



THEY SPENT THE WEEKEND in bed or in the pool with sporadic trips into Houston to see Mirry. It was the most relaxing two days Cadde could recall. He didn’t go into the office, not once, and he even took the time to call his aunt and uncle. That was usually Chance’s department, but family was important to him, too.

On Monday morning he was up early and dressed for work. Jessie was still asleep. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m leaving.”