Read Online Texas-Sized Temptation by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online

disinherited.”
    â€œGood heavens! What does he want you to do?” she said, staring at Jake and momentarily forgetting her breakfast.
    â€œGet married within the year,” Jake answered quietly and she laughed. Jake gave her another grim look. “I’m not joking.”
    â€œSorry. You have to get married or be disinherited? Well,that’s simple enough. Marry someone. You’ll inherit a fortune and then you can divorce.”
    â€œOh, no. I have to marry this year and I have to remain married for five years or the deal’s off and I’m disinherited. My friend, Nick, has the same sort of father and he made the same kind of demand and Nick just happened to fall in love and marry. My dad knows Nick’s father and thought that was an excellent plan—so now he’s foisted it on me.”
    She stared at Jake. “I can’t imagine a parent interfering that much, particularly with someone who is as together as you are. You’re successful, have friends, have a full life. You’re an adult. That decision is highly personal and yours to make. You can’t just run out and grab up a wife.”
    â€œI have no intention of ‘running out and grabbing up a wife’ or even marrying if I fall in love. I have my own fortune and this time he’s gone too far,” Jake stated in a quiet voice that held a cold note of steel. His blue eyes had become glacial. “I’ll be damned if I’ll marry just to suit my dad. If I fell wildly in love tomorrow, I wouldn’t marry this year, not for any reason. I’m calling his hand on this one. He can go ahead and disinherit me. At this point, I don’t give a damn.” He looked at her for a moment. “How did we get on this subject?”
    She was still staring at Jake, horrified that his father would make such a demand and astounded by Jake’s attitude. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’ll give up your father’s fortune just to do your own thing in your own way? That’s incredible. Will would marry in an instant to avoid being disinherited.”
    â€œDo not compare me to your half brother,” Jake said, making no effort to hide his annoyance.
    â€œOf course not, sorry,” she said, barely thinking about what she was saying as she mulled over a man who would turn down a fortune in order to be his own person and not yield to a demanding father’s wishes. “I have to say, I’m impressed.”
    Jake paused as he was pouring more orange juice. He setdown the pitcher to look at her. The coldness in his expression melted away. “That doesn’t help, but it makes me feel better to have someone appreciate my stand.”
    â€œI hope you don’t fall in love this year. On the other hand, if you do, you might change your mind about the inheritance.”
    He gave her a cocky grin. “Not much danger of either, but I promise you, I will not marry this year or next for that matter.”
    She continued to stare at him, unable to fathom his giving up a huge fortune so easily. His father was on lists as one of the wealthiest men in Texas.
    â€œYou’re staring,” he said with amusement. “I’ll admit, if it’s this startling, you are making me feel better about my decision.”
    â€œIt is absolutely incredible. I’m trying to think what I would do in the same circumstances. I’m not sure I’d have the willpower to turn down a fortune. It’s also depressing because you will not be swayed by money to sell back part of the ranch.”
    â€œNo. At this point in my life, I’m not easily swayed by money. There are other things in life that entice me,” he said and his tone changed and the words took another meaning. Now when she looked into his blue eyes, she saw desire.
    â€œSo maybe it’s not money I should fling at you for the ranch, but something else, something more personal,” she replied