Read Online The Texan's Contract Marriage by Sara Orwig - Free Book Online Page B

high-stakes negotiation. “You asked to see Noah before we leave for the evening,” she said, leading him into the living area and motioning toward the leather couch. “Have a seat, and I’ll go get Noah. I won’t be gone long.”
    “So Noah is awake and happy?” Marek suspected that with one look at her sisters he would know Camille’s answer to his proposal.
    “He’s awake and bubbly. Stephanie has gone out for the evening, and Ashley is on the phone.” She hurried out of the room to the nursery, where Ashley waited with Noah. “Thanks, Ashley. I’ll bring him back to you. Sure you don’t want to come say hi?”
    “No, I might start crying,” she said, pushing up the sleeves to her gray sweatshirt.
    “We’ve talked about this. The money should be some consolation.”
    “I worry about you. I worry about how badly you’ll miss having Noah with you.”
    “I’ll be fine. I have my career. Marek said he can change the schedule if we want to see Noah more.”
    “I hope he holds to that.”
    Camille took her son and hurried back to the front room. Marek stood by the piano, looking at sheet music. His navy suit and tie were a quiet understatement of his power and wealth. A tall, handsome and appealing man, always commanding. Was he ever at a loss or uncertain? He turned to cross the room.
    “Ah, the happy baby,” he said, reaching for Noah, who kicked and held out his arms.
    “Do you really want to take him? Your shirt looks fresh and it’s white as snow.”
    “I’m not fragile and my shirt washes,” Marek said, taking off his coat and tossing it to the sofa. He turned to Noah.
    “I think he remembers you.”
    “Hey, that’s great. I hope so. I suspect he’s happy to see everyone. So far, I haven’t seen him unhappy.”
    “He has his moments, but most of the time, he’s happy.”
    Marek walked away, talking to Noah, carrying him to the window to show him the outside. Then he sat on the floor with him and handed him some toys. It amazed her to watch him, the wealthy, powerful rancher dressed in his immaculate suit, tailor-made white shirt and his hand-tooled boots that could have been custom-made, while he sat on the floor playing and making goofy noises for Noah. Noah laughed, a hearty sound that made him shake all over, and she couldn’t keep from laughing with him.
    “Why will grown people do anything to get a baby to laugh?”
    “Got me, but it’s fun. You can’t keep from laughing in return,” Marek said, making another silly sound and laughing with Noah. Her heart squeezed while her pulse jumped. Marek’s appeal soared when he laughed. Creases bracketed his mouth and his even white teeth flashed. Her heart was definitely in for a bumpy ride.
    Finally, he stood. “I’ll give him to you. Another night we’ll play longer.”
    “I’ll take him back to Ashley. Just a minute and we can go.”
    She hurried out of the room, holding Noah tightly in her arms, wondering whether she was making the right decision or not. After tonight, there wouldn’t be any turning back.
    Just as before, they went in a limo to his Dallas home, where they sat outside with drinks. He removed his navy suit jacket and tie as he had the last time. While she watched him, it occurred to her to wonder about his handsome appeal. Was she in any danger of falling in love? He sat close, facing her. He set both drinks on a glass table.
    “I’ve waited long enough, and we’re alone now,” Marek said. “What’s your answer? Will you marry me?”

Four
    H er insides roiled and her palms became damp even though her hands felt icy as she gazed into his brown eyes.
    Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Yes, I will.”
    He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. He pulled her up and gave her a light hug. “Thank you,” he said in a voice that sounded choked with emotion.
    He smelled of citrus and sandalwood and the fresh cottony scent of his immaculate dress shirt. He was warm and tall, and his arms around her felt