Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (3 page)

He wanted her with a deep passion. He wanted to breathe in her scent, slide his hands over her golden, tanned skin, kiss those luscious breasts, and bury himself deep inside her. But he’d risked it all on his ultimatum. Knowing Samantha, she was inside now trying to convince her grandfather to change his mind about his demand she marry.

Jackson
strode across the porch and out over the lawn to his truck. Tonight, he rolled down the windows, preferring the cool night air to the air-conditioning. As he drove toward his ranch, he breathed deeply and the familiar fragrances of cattle, soil, and the sweetness of the wildflowers mingled together. This was the one place on earth that was home. His fancy townhouse in
Houston
and the oceanfront home in
Florida
were places where he resided temporarily. Like the ranch, Samantha was home for him, too. He planned on marrying her, one way or the other.

* * * *

Samantha found Gramps resting in his favorite chair. “Gramps, can we talk?”

“Certainly, but first let Maria know we’ll have coffee and dessert. Did
Jackson
leave?”

“Yes. I’ll go tell Maria.” She hurried to the kitchen where Maria had just finished cleaning up. “Gramps is ready for dessert.”

Maria smiled and walked over, cupping Samantha’s face in her hands. She bent forward and kissed her forehead. “Congratulations. You’ve made Mr. Riley very happy.
Jackson
will be an excellent husband for you.”

“How can you be sure? We’ve always been just friends.”

Maria patted her cheek and chuckled. “The love has been just underneath. I’m glad you both finally realized it. What beautiful babies you’ll make.”

“Maria, we aren’t even married yet.”

“I doubt
Jackson
will let you have a long engagement. I expect he’s been ready for a family for some time.”

Samantha just stared at her. Maria had been their cook, housekeeper, and almost like a nanny to her. Maria’s words stunned her.

“Here, take in the coffee. I’ll bring the apple pie.”

“We only need two servings.
Jackson
left.”

“What? He’s going to regret leaving early when I tell him he missed my pie. Well, you can take him some tomorrow.”

Rather than say any more, Samantha took the coffee tray and went back to Gramps. She was in a pickle of a fix. Gramps wouldn’t change his mind about his will, and she’d upset him and Maria if she called off the engagement.

She’d call Janice. With her level head and realistic way of looking at situations, she was the best person to advise her. As soon as they had dessert, she’d excuse herself and call Janice from the privacy of her bedroom.

Samantha found something unimportant to talk with Gramps about, and as soon as they finished dessert, she excused herself.

“It’s best you get to bed early,” Gramps said. “
Jackson
said you’d be flying out at seven. You’ve made me happy and proud. Have fun tomorrow finding the perfect ring.”

“I will,” she lied. “See you after I return.” Samantha waved and walked briskly down the hall and upstairs to her room. She grabbed her cell phone and snuggled into the chair by her window. With all the lights out, except for a nightlight, hundreds of stars twinkled in the darkness.

Hitting the familiar number for Janice, she leaned back in the chair listening to the dial tone. Hopefully, she’d be home.

“Hello.”

“Janice, I’m so glad you didn’t go out tonight.”

“Sam? I noticed you’d called earlier. I planned to return the call, but it’s been a hectic day. I just got home.”

“Got time to talk?”

“Sure, I’ve just poured myself a glass of wine. I’m all ears.”

“I’m engaged.”

“What? To whom? You never hinted you were even close to anyone.”

Samantha told her about Gramps’ demand, and her sudden decision to propose to
Jackson
.

“Whoa, girl, when you do it, you do it big. You’ve always said you two didn’t feel that way about each other.”

“We don’t. At least I don’t. I’m not sure about
Jackson
anymore. I tried to retract my offer, but
Jackson
accepted anyway and told Gramps about our engagement.”

“I see. One of your impetuous ideas backfired on you. Still,
Jackson
is a very desirable man. There are plenty of women here in
Houston
that would do anything to marry him. So what’s the problem?”

“I want a businesslike marriage. I’d even thought of having you draw up a contract for us.” Janice’s laughter on the other end stopped her.

“A business marriage with
Jackson
? Honey, have you lost your mind?”

“This is serious, Janice. I need your advice.”

“Oh no, Sam. I’m not getting into the middle of this. That’s how people lose friends.”

“You’re not going to help me?”

“Nope. Sleep on it. Come into town and have lunch soon.”

“We’re picking out a ring tomorrow.”

Janice went into peals of laughter again. “Go with it friend. Look at the man. Don’t be crazy, grab him. Got to go, love you.”

Samantha stared at the phone. Everyone had deserted her. She’d never sleep. She’d sit right here and find a way out of this mess by morning.

Chapter Three

Jackson
didn’t comment when she arrived at the airport, which was just as well. She’d barely slept and had missed her coffee. He helped her into the helicopter and put on her headset for her.

“This is Fred. He’s a good pilot, so try to relax. I remember flying isn’t your favorite thing to do,”
Jackson
said, giving her one of those smiles that always made her feel better. He settled back in the seat beside her as the blades began to turn.

Samantha tried to relax as the big bird took off, but when the pilot banked the helicopter to the left, she found herself grabbing
Jackson
’s leg. She snatched her hand back. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He enclosed her hand in his and put their hands back on his leg. The temperature around them rose at least ten degrees.

Trying to ignore him, Samantha glanced out the window. Down below, a carpet of bluebells spread across the wide prairie. If not for her current problems, she’d enjoy the beautiful sight. But, she found the man beside her impossible to ignore. Today he’d dressed as a successful business man—dark brown suit, cream-colored vest, a tie colored in shades of brown and cream. He looked good enough to eat. Now where did that come from? What was happening to her? This was Jackson,
her friend
.

She was determined to quit thinking about him, but her body was attuned to his every move. When his leg brushed against her, her skin prickled. His scent tantalized her nose. Samantha forced herself to concentrate on the sights below and the beautiful blue sky around her. She might as well relax. The flight usually took close to two hours.

When the pilot banked to head more directly toward Houston, Samantha leaned into
Jackson
. His arms wrapped around her.

“Are you all right?”

“My stomach doesn’t like sudden moves.”

“Put your arms around me and hang on. We’ll be there soon.”

His heart thumped under her ear. Strong arms held her close, and his musky, masculine scent filled her head when she took a deep breath. She wrapped her arms around his firm body. Lean and hard, he didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. He stroked her hair as her body began to relax against his warmth. She’d barely dozed off when she heard his voice.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty.”
Jackson
brushed a kiss across the top of her head.

Samantha blinked her eyes. “I wasn’t asleep.”

“You snored, darlin’. You were definitely asleep for a few moments.”

She straightened and then smoothed her blouse and skirt. “Sorry.”

“No problem. You can sleep on my body anytime.” He laughed when the heat rushed to her face.

Before he could say anything else, someone opened the door. “Where are we?” Samantha looked around. They’d landed on the top of a very tall building, clustered in the middle of other concrete structures of various heights.
Jackson
turned to her and removed her headset. “This is my office building. I need to check in.” He stepped out, and then took her hand and assisted her out.

The wind swirled around the rooftop. She was glad she’d worn slacks. In the distance, she heard the faint sound of a car horn. His building? She’d known he had a successful business, but to own the whole building, in an obviously busy section of downtown, then he must be doing extremely well.

A man, dressed in a dark suit, walked out of a nearby door. He spoke to
Jackson
and ushered them inside to a small foyer and then into the waiting elevator.

“Samantha, this is one of my senior associates, Oliver Greenlee. Oliver, my fiancée, Samantha Riley.”

Samantha saw the shock on Mr. Greenlee’s face, but he hid it quickly. “Congratulations, Sir and Ms. Riley.” He nodded his head and smiled at her.

“Thanks, Oliver. We’re going to be shopping part of the day,”
Jackson
said. “Any business that needs my attention before we leave?”

“There’s a problem in
Singapore
.”

A slight frown crossed
Jackson
’s face. “We’ll talk in my office. Mrs. Haverty can get Sam a cup of coffee while she waits.”

The elevator opened to a luxurious lounge with carpet that Samantha’s shoes sank into and large leather chairs in a deep gold color. An older woman, short and plump with a wide smile, came around her desk and greeted them.
Jackson
did a quick introduction and headed for the door marked with his name in gold letters.

“I’ll be just a few minutes, Samantha. Mrs. Haverty, will you get her coffee and a roll, if you can find one? My fiancée skipped breakfast.”

With those words, he disappeared into his office, followed by Oliver. While Mrs. Haverty went for her coffee, Samantha speed-dialed Janice at her office.

“The law offices of Black, Simmons, and Dedrick,” the receptionist announced.

“May I speak to Ms. Dedrick?”

“One minute please.”

“Janice Dedrick, may I help you?”

“Yes, help me.”

“Ah, I know that voice. You’re in town?”

“Waiting for
Jackson
. He’s meeting with
one
of his associates. Did you know he owns this building?”

Janice chuckled. “He owns a lot more than that building. I’ve always been surprised how you’ve never inquired about any of his concerns but the ranch.”

“And you didn’t tell me.”

“You didn’t seem interested and didn’t ask.”

“Can we get together for lunch?”

“I thought you were picking out an engagement ring?”