Read Online Caress of Fire by Martha Hix - Free Book Online Page B

“And it makes it easier to say what I’m wanting to express. I want to marry you.”
    â€œWhat?” She flinched as if stung by a bee. “Are you up to some sort of tomfoolery, like snipe-hunting?”
    With a look of hurt, he answered, “No.”
    It wasn’t a joke; he was serious. Her inner defenses slammed down to surround her heart again. “M-marry me? Mister McLoughlin, you don’t even know me.”
    â€œI know enough–and I know my mind.” Solemnly, he gazed into her eyes. “We could be good together. Give us a chance.”
    â€œI–I can’t accept. Why, we don’t love each other.”
    â€œI’m not a great believer in that love nonsense. That could change in time, of course. For both of us.”
    â€œBut it might not. And I won’t take the chance. Marriage is sacred. Promises are sacred to me. I wouldn’t vow to love you if I didn’t mean it.”
    â€œCan’t you find something to love about me? Then you wouldn’t be lying.”
    Was there anything to love about him? She searched his eyes. She loved the way he looked at her. She loved the way he looked to her. She loved the way he made her pulse race and her limbs quiver.
    Deep trouble. She was in it.
    â€œI’m not looking for anything that even resembles love,” she finally replied.
    He turned toward the creek. The spring breeze ruffled his hair, and despite herself, she longed to pat those tousled black strands into place. Stop it! she warned herself.
    Pitching a pebble into the water, he said, “You may not be looking for love, but you are wanting safe passage to the railhead. Therefore you need the protection of my name. It’s a matter of practicality. If you’re my wife, my men will keep their distance out of respect for both of us.”
    His offer was tempting, so utterly tempting: a name to protect her against attentions such as Blade Sharp’s, plus an avenue to her dreams. Strangely, all that freedom didn’t hold its former appeal. And it all had to do with the tall, virile cattleman who was beseeching her with his words and kindness as well as with his mesmerizing eyes and all-too-handsome face.
    If San Antonio hadn’t happened. If only . . . Since she couldn’t in good faith accept his offer, Lisette realized she had to make a decision–and now.
    â€œI am flattered and honored you’d go to such lengths to make your proposal appealing,” she said earnestly. “My only choice is to be on my way. But I do thank you for not turning me out. I bid you a heartfelt auf Wiedersehen.”
    â€œDon’t be hasty.” His hand took her forearm, forestalling her departure. His thumb made circles on her wrist, stoking the fires she kept trying to dampen. “Lisette, maybe I haven’t made myself clear. If you aren’t attached to me by the time we reach Kansas, we’ll get an annulment. In the meantime, I’m not asking for husbandly rights.”
    Oddly disappointed that he wouldn’t demand such license, she cautioned herself not to be weak.
    â€œI am not going to marry you.”
    The faint lines radiating from his eyes deepened; a frown bracketed his lips. “You showed a lack of judgment, tearing off after my cattle drive in the first place. Now you’re ready to jump into hot water, when I’m willing to protect you.”
    Wary, she studied him. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nothing is given freely. You would expect something in return.” Just as she’d expected Thom not to break their engagement by marrying another woman. “And, no matter what you say, I imagine that something is bedroom privileges.”
    â€œMy bedroom is back in Fredericksburg.”
    â€œYou know what I mean! I am not willing to trade my body for passage to Chicago.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear that, cause I wouldn’t want to give my name to a