Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (6 page)

“Of course, but...”

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he moved his body closer. “We will be married.
You
proposed, and I accepted. Your grandfather expects it. Will you disappoint him? Or me?”

* * * *

Samantha stood in the doorway of the large dining room. “Why did you say you’re giving this dinner?” she asked
Jackson
.

“With all the excitement during my trip home, I’d forgotten about it. This is a thank you to business partners and an enticement to prospective clients. My staff will be working the room. Here comes another of my senior associates.”
Jackson
nodded his head toward a tall, statuesque redheaded woman, who made a beeline toward them.

“
Jackson
, I’m glad to see you back from the wilds of the country.” She purred the words from between ruby red lips. Her skintight, sparkling blue gown showed every curve, clearly.

“Lunette, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Samantha Riley.”

If Samantha hadn’t been watching closely, she’d have missed the blink and shocked look quickly covered with a smile. Lunette put out her hand to Samantha.

“How nice to meet you, and aren’t you the lucky lady. I didn’t believe he’d”—she moved her head toward
Jackson
—“ever marry. How did you get the words
marry me
out of his mouth?”

“I proposed to him.”

This time the woman couldn’t hide her surprise.
Jackson
laughed. “She’s telling the truth. Of course since I’ve known her for years, and wanted all along to marry her, I accepted.”

Samantha turned to him in shock. He bent his head to her and gave her a quick kiss.

“I hate to break up this cozy moment, but the representative from
Singapore
needs to speak with you.” She took
Jackson
’s arm. “If you’ll excuse us,” she said as she pulled on
Jackson
’s arm.

“Do you want to come with us?”
Jackson
asked.

“No. I’ll wander around the room. Go, do your business.” In truth, she was relieved to have some distance from him. Ever since the shower encounter and then the gift—her hand touched the necklace— she’d been feeling off kilter. Her body reacted to his slightest brush against her. Desire had shimmered through her when his fingers touched the nape of her neck when he fastened the chain.

She began to slowly skirt the outside of the room. Couples stood in small groups talking, while waiters circulated around them to offer drinks and appetizers. Samantha wished she could transport herself back to her bedroom at the ranch and be standing at her window looking out at the stars. Here she felt uncomfortable and out of place.

“What is the most beautiful woman in the room doing standing alone?” A tall man with blond hair and a dimpled smile greeted her carrying two wineglasses. He handed one to Samantha. “You look like you need a drink to get in the party mood.”

“And you appointed yourself my rescuer?”

“I did. I’m Scott Perkins.”

“Do you work for
Jackson
?” she asked. She took a sip of the white wine and studied Scott’s face. He looked too soft, and his quick smile didn’t fool her. He wasn’t
Jackson
’s friend.

“No. Jackson and I don’t work together or play well with each other.” Scott wrapped an arm around her shoulder and started to walk her toward the open sliding glass doors.

Samantha stiffened. “Take your arm off of me,” she snapped.

“Honey, I’m just trying to be friendly.”

“Be friendly somewhere else, Perkins.”
Jackson
stepped between Scott and Samantha. “She’s my future wife. Touch her again, and I’ll flatten you.”

Scott put up his hands in mock fear. “Whoa, a woman that has gotten under your skin.” He laughed. “I’ll wait. You get easily bored.”

Jackson
pulled back his arm, but Samantha grabbed it. “Don’t, this is silly. I can take care of myself. I’d managed all right before you arrived.”
Jackson
turned his head and frowned at her, but he stepped back.

“See you later, honey.” Scott waved, a taunting grin on his face.

“He doesn’t like you.”

“No, he inherited his dad’s companies and has been a thorn in my side ever since.”

“Why invite him to your dinner party?”

“Because that saying about keeping your enemies close is true. It’s always best to keep an eye on characters like Scott. Come on, I’ll introduce you to some of the friendlier people in this gathering.”

Samantha tried to remember names, but after the first few, they all ran together. She did notice all the younger women smiled and flirted with
Jackson
even after he told them about their engagement. Obviously, they didn’t believe it would last either. Neither did Samantha. This was so much
Jackson
’s world and not hers at all.

She slipped away from
Jackson
’s side while he and several men discussed business. After asking for directions, she headed to the ladies’ room. As the rest of the building, it was large and ornate. She entered into a sitting room with chairs covered in flowered material and light blue walls. A tea and coffee pot sat on a round table to the right alongside a platter of chocolate chip cookies.

The room invited her to sit and relax. She poured a cup of tea and put two chocolate chip cookies on a small plate then sat in one of the large, soft chairs. She’d just bitten into her cookie when the door opened.

“I thought I might find you here.” Lunette sauntered into the room and clicked the lock behind her. She poured a cup of coffee and sat across from Samantha. “This gives us an opportunity to talk privately.”

“Do we have something to discuss?”

“Don’t act the innocent with me.” She ran her eyes over Samantha. “You may think he’ll marry you. He won’t. He doesn’t know it, but he’s mine. I haven’t worked the past three years to become invaluable to him to lose him to some baby doll blonde. You’re a dime a dozen, as the old saying goes.”

“But I wear his ring.” Samantha flashed the stones under the bright lights. Anger and jealousy shone on Lunette’s face.

“You’ll see. I travel with him. I’ve been waiting for the right time to seduce him. Seems I almost waited too long.” She stood and went to the door. “And I don’t plan to be fair about this, so don’t get too used to that ring.”

Samantha listened to her high heels as they clicked across the floor when Lunette stalked away. The door shut with a quiet swish, shutting out the sound. Samantha shuddered. Lunette intended to make this a battle between them. She should be glad. If she and Jackson broke up because of another woman, Gramps would comfort her and surely take away his demands. Lunette might be the answer to her problem.

She took a sip of her cold tea and put it down. The thought of Lunette with
Jackson
made her heart shudder just a bit. She needed to go home to regain her balance and think more clearly. Tomorrow she’d demand
Jackson
return her to the ranch, no excuses or other ideas for outings.

After setting her cup aside and throwing away the remaining cookie, she stopped at the full-length mirror by the door and noticed her pale cheeks and troubled expression. She had only one more worry—she still had to get through tonight alone in the apartment with
Jackson
. She’d never had difficulty resisting a man’s advances. Not until now. She didn’t want to care about him. After her parents’ deaths, she’d never allowed anyone to become too close, except for her grandparents. And something told her letting
Jackson
get close was the most dangerous of all. She’d better rejoin the group. Somehow she’d manage to get through the night, and then demand to go home bright and early tomorrow.

Chapter Five

“I’m not sending you home alone. I’d planned on going with you and staying for several days. On Thursday I have to travel to
Singapore
and won’t be back for a week. The next few days will give us time to enjoy the outdoors and each other.”

“
Jackson
, we need some time apart. This has all happened too fast. You saw what a failure I was at the dinner. I hate socializing, and I do it poorly,” Samantha said.

“Nonsense. Everyone was charmed by you. Anyway, you aren’t going to change my mind. I’ve arranged for the helicopter to pick us up.”

“I suppose you have a rooftop landing area here, too.”

He cupped his hands around her face. “Yes, I do. Quit finding fault with my conveniences and enjoy them. Now, go get your bag and we’ll head to the roof.”

Samantha did as he said and followed him up the steps to the rooftop. The flight home went smooth and seemed quicker than the ride to town.
Jackson
had brought along some paperwork, so there was little conversation. He glanced up once to check on her. Although butterflies bounced in her stomach, Samantha had refused to let her fear show.

Just sitting close to him sent desire coursing along her veins. She had no intention of touching him. Thank goodness last night he’d excused himself shortly after they returned to his townhouse. He’d disappeared into his study.

She’d lain awake for what seemed hours, listening for any sounds from across the hall. Finally, she heard him come out the door and close it. Her body tensed, wondering if he’d look in on her. She’d let her breath out in relief when nothing happened. She was ready to be at home where she’d be able to sort out all these new sensations happening in her body.

“Are you going to get out?”
Jackson
stood outside the helicopter door with his hand out.

“Oh, yes. Thank you.” She took his hand and sighed in relief when her feet touched the ground.

“I’ll drive you to your grandfather’s,”
Jackson
said. “We’ll get together tonight at my place for dinner.”

“I don’t know if Gramps will want to go out to dinner.”

“I don’t want him to. This is you and me, no one else.”

His deep tone brought her gaze to his. His hungry look shook her. She found herself staring at his mouth, wanting to lean against him and raise her lips to his.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll take you home with me right now.” His husky voice poured over her like smooth silk. Every nerve in her yelled
yes!

Samantha took two steps back. “Tonight’s not good. We need some alone time.”

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”

“You know what I mean. We need time away from each other.”

“I don’t agree, and your grandfather will be suspicious if we aren’t anxious to be together.”

“So this is just to convince Gramps we’re serious?”

“You wouldn’t want him to think you’d made all this up to trick him?”

Samantha took a deep breath. “All right.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven, and do try to look a little more pleased.”

He helped her into his truck and drove straight to her ranch. “I won’t come in.” He opened the door for her. “See you at seven.” She picked up her bag, waved, and hurried inside.

Shadows and cool air greeted her. The house was unusually quiet. “Maria,” Samantha called out. When she didn’t answer, Samantha wandered through the kitchen to the back screen door and spotted Maria gathering beans in a large bowl. She raised her head when Samantha came out the door.