Do You Take This Enemy? (9 page)

Julian was adorable with a little boy's insatiable curiosity about everything around him.

But it was Gabe who took most of her attention and kept her pulse racing. In a navy suit, white shirt, navy tie and black boots, Gabe looked incredibly handsome. She was uniting Ryders' lives with his. Time would tell if her trust was misplaced, she reminded herself. She was committed now.

Was he having second thoughts? Was he happy with this? Or was he working toward a sly takeover of the Triple R? When she gazed into his dark eyes, she could find nothing to reassure her because their dark depths were unfathomable.

When her father placed her cold hand in Gabe's warm one, she turned to face Gabe. His dark gaze seemed to devour her, yet at the same time, she found reassurance there. His brown eyes didn't hold the cool gaze of a businessman about to consummate a deal. Instead, she found warmth and desire. He placed his other hand over her hand.

Her surroundings vanished and she was alone with Gabe, uniting with him in an arrangement that could change so many lives forever.

She and Gabe repeated their vows, vows that held a promise and at the same time scared her without the glow of love. When it came time to exchange rings, she thought of the plain golden bands that Gabe had purchased for both of them. He took her hand and looked into her eyes.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he said with a solemn conviction that made her draw a deep breath.

She looked at the large, tanned fingers in her hand, felt the electric tingle of touching him as she placed a gold band on his finger. Finally, the judge pronounced them man and wife. “You may kiss the bride now,” he said.

When Gabe leaned down to kiss her, his lips were warm, lightly brushing hers. Her heart thudded, and her lips parted beneath his. As he raised his head, his dark, searching gaze made her heart beat even faster.

For an instant there was only silence as if they were all caught in a freeze-frame movie still. And then Gabe turned to thank the judge and the moment was gone, Julian began talking and Josh and her dad got into a conversation.

All through lunch she was filled with a bubbling anticipation for the evening ahead of them.

They told Julian, Josh and her father goodbye at the restaurant where the three took a cab back to the airport, leaving Gabe and Ashley standing on the curb, waving as they drove away.

She turned to look at him. “Well, we did it. Now we'll have to see if we can live with it.”

“Let's go to the hotel and start planning our wedding reception. I want a real reception—a big, fancy bash that makes all our relatives realize they are now kinfolks.”

“It might be a big task.”

“We'll have such a party, they'll forget some of the old animosities,” Gabe said, smiling at her. He took her hand in his as they strolled toward their hotel.

It was a hot afternoon with a deep blue sky and thick, white clouds. Ashley was conscious only of the tall man at her side and the new ring on her finger.

Gabe had taken two adjoining suites on the top floor of an eight-story hotel. “Get into something comfortable and come to my suite.”

She changed to a sundress and sandals, leaving her hair
still fastened on top of her head, then went to his suite and knocked on the door.

It swung open and he stood there barefoot and in jeans, a T-shirt in hand, his belt still unbuckled. “Well, you do surprise me, Mrs. Brant, a woman who can change clothes faster than I can. Come in.”

D
imly she heard him say,
Mrs. Brant,
but she was mesmerized by the sight of his bare chest. He was tan, muscled, and extremely fit. When she realized how she was staring, she blinked, blushed and looked up to meet a curious gaze. “Come in,” he said in a husky voice that ignited desire.

When she stepped inside, he closed the door and put his hand on it over her head, blocking her and standing entirely too close.

The man could still befuddle her as much as he had when they were kids. Her pulse was racing, and she couldn't breathe and that marvelous male chest was inches in front of her. And she was aware of her size, too.

“I seem to remember,” he drawled in a sexy, husky voice that sent tingles rippling along her nerves, “that you said something to the effect that never in the next two lifetimes would you be alone in a hotel room with me.”

“I was wrong. You've turned my life upside-down.”

He traced his finger along her cheek to her ear and then
down across her throat. “I think I'm the one whose life is topsy-turvy. I expected one thing and here I have another. I want to know you, Ashley, to know everything about you—what you like to eat, what you like to read, what you do for fun. I want to kiss and touch you and feel the electricity that sizzles between us.”

He caressed her throat in the barest of touches, yet it made her pulse jump. “I'll tell you what,” he said softly. “I don't know whether my new wife can cook. I don't know whether you can sew. But I know you can kiss a man into spontaneous combustion.”

“Can I?” she asked, slanting him a look. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Let's see how long it takes me, Gabe.” She closed her eyes and kissed him. For one brief second, she realized she had taken him by surprise. Then his arm banded her, and he held her and kissed her passionately.

Her heart pounded and all her qualms and fears fell away. She wanted this tall, sexy cowboy who could set her heart pounding, who was decisive and thrilling and handsome.

In seconds their breathing was ragged, and then she leaned back. “Slow down. We rushed into marriage. We're not rushing into anything else.”

He smiled at her and ran his finger along her jaw. “Whatever you want,” he said in a husky voice and stepped away.

She walked across the sitting room of his suite. Looking around, she saw that the room was very much like hers with cherrywood furniture, a large television, a bar, an adjoining bed and bath. Floor-to-ceiling windows ran around two sides of the corner room, giving a view on one side of the patio and pool area and on the other of tennis courts and a putting green. She turned around as he buckled his belt and then yanked his T-shirt over his head, his muscles rippling.

He had a marvelous body that made her pulse jump. His stomach was flat, with solid muscles. Her mouth went dry, and she knew that all too easily she could walk right back into his arms. Realizing how she was staring at his body,
she looked up and met his curious gaze. His brow arched and she turned her back to him, moving to the window, both embarrassed and annoyed with herself.

“I've got cold beer and wine and I know you can't drink either, so I ordered up a pitcher of lemonade and I have pop and ice water. What can I get you to drink?”

“Lemonade, but if you don't mind, I'm worn out. I'd like a nap and then we can plan a party.”

“Sure. I'd like to go for a swim. You can sleep here.”

She smiled at him. “I'm not getting into your bed,” she said, laughing.

One brow arched wickedly. “And I think I just got another one of those challenges from you. Sort of an ‘I double-dare you.'”

“It certainly wasn't!” She smiled at him, “I'm going to have to learn when you're teasing.”

“I'm not teasing right now. I'm in earnest.”

“We'll see,” she answered coolly. “I'll go take a nap and you go swim, and then we'll make our plans.”

She knew he was watching her as she walked out of the room. Before she closed the door, she turned to look at him and his smoldering gaze took her breath. In her room she leaned against the door. He could set her heart racing more now than when she had been a teenager, and it wasn't fair.

Sheer curtains were pulled back on either side of the floor-to-ceiling windows. She crossed the room to look below. The pool and patio area was filled with black wrought-iron tables, palm trees and pots of flowers. As she watched, Gabe came into sight. He dropped a towel on a chaise lounge and headed toward the deep end of the pool, which had few people in it. She drew another deep breath at the sight of his fit body. He was tanned, all muscles and wore a narrow, black swimsuit.

He had said he was willing to forgo a physical relationship. Josh had told her that Gabe was wrapped in grief, but she suspected he was coming out of his grief. While he had promised no physical demands, after the kiss they had just
shared, she knew that when he decided to, he would probably seduce her. The thought made her hot and tingly.

“I hope I have sense enough to halfway resist you until we have some kind of real relationship,” she whispered. She went to the king-size bed and stretched out, replaying in her mind their wedding that seemed like a dream.

It was two hours later when she stirred. She showered, changed again into a full blue shirt and denim jumper. As she combed her hair and secured it behind her head, she walked to the windows. Still at poolside, Gabe sat on the foot of a chaise on the shady side of the pool. He had a newspaper spread before him and a white towel draped across his shoulders.

She didn't care to sit alone in an empty hotel room, so she pocketed her key and went downstairs.

“Hi,” she said, as she walked up behind him.

He glanced over his shoulder and then stood and at close range, the bare body that had looked so fit from her hotel window was sexy perfection up close. She couldn't keep from letting her gaze drift over him. The black swimsuit covered little and she realized she had just married a man who had an extremely sexy body.

“I've had my nap and I didn't want to sit in a hotel room by myself.”

“Don't blame you.” He folded the paper. “Let's go to my room. I'll change, and we can have those drinks now.”

He took her arm and she was overwhelmingly conscious of him walking beside her, that tiny strip of black and the white towel around his shoulders the only coverings he had. At his hotel door, he stepped forward to unlock it and she gave him another swift, raking glance, looking at his muscled back tapering to a tiny waist, narrow hips and butt. His legs were sprinkled with short, dark-brown hair. She looked up as he opened the door and strolled inside, pulling off his towel.

“I'll get your lemonade and then I want to shower.”

As she watched him pour the lemonade, his gaze swept over her, and she felt bigger than ever.

“You looked beautiful today.”

“Thank you. I feel as big as a barn. I was envying your flat stomach.”

Just then her shirt rippled on her stomach, and she felt the baby kick. She put her hand on her stomach. “My baby.” She took Gabe's hand and looked at him questioningly. “Want to feel her kick?”

“Yes,” he answered and she placed his hand against her stomach while she and Gabe locked gazes. It was a terribly personal moment, and she wondered if he sincerely was interested in her baby.

“Have you picked out a name?”

“Actually, when I've gone over lists, the name I liked best and the one I had in mind was Ella, the same name as your first wife. I can find another one if you'd rather.”

“No,” he said, his gaze still boring into her. “Ella would be very nice. I'd like that. Aah!” he exclaimed, a surprised and happy expression coming to his features. “I felt her. Ashley, I'm going to think of her as
our
baby, yours and mine. I'll be the only daddy she'll ever know.”

“You will if things work out between us,” Ashley whispered breathlessly, trying to resist his words that tempted her to let go of all caution and trust him completely.

He slipped his hand behind her head to kiss her, finally leaning away. “It's going to be good between us.”

“I hope so,” she said, knowing it was far too soon to know what their future together would be.

“Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to shower and then I'll be right back.”

Wondering about him, she watched him disappear into the bedroom. She sat in a comfortable chair and put her feet up on an ottoman, looking at the new ring on her finger, filled with wonder about it. Julian had wanted to sit beside her at lunch which made her feel good. She didn't have to guard her heart around him and knew she was going to love him.
She intended to tell Gabe she would keep Julian some of the time. Even after the baby came, with Mrs. Farrin and her father always around, she would be able to manage.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Gabe said, crossing the room. He carried a T-shirt and had his wet hair slicked back from his face and her pulse jumped at the sight of him. Her new husband was incredibly handsome, and she just hoped she wasn't being taken in by a handsome, charming man as she had been taken in so easily once before in her life.

Gabe dropped his shirt on the chair and threaded his belt through the loops on his jeans, buckling it and then pulling on his T-shirt. “I'll get you more lemonade,” he said, picking up her half-full glass.

He returned with her lemonade and his cold beer and sat down across from her to try to plan a wedding reception.

“I want a real reception,” he said. “Let's have food and music that each of our families can't resist so they'll have a good time in spite of their animosity.”

“Too bad we can't have Vince Gill. He's Uncle Dusty's and Uncle Colin's favorite singer.”

“He's my aunt's favorite. I'll see what I can do.”

“No way! You can't get a celebrity!” she protested.

“You don't know until you try,” Gabe replied.

She stared at him. “Nothing daunts you, does it? Except death,” she added, remembering when she had asked if he had ever failed to get what he wanted. She covered his hand with hers. “I'm sorry—I've reminded you of something that hurts.”

“You're helping me through the hurt,” he replied, shifting his hand to hold hers. He rubbed her knuckles with his thumb while she smiled at him.

“Vince Gill. There's no way my family could resist. But I still think it's impossible.”

Gabe winked at her. “Another challenge that I can't resist.”

He released her hand to write notes while they planned
and she knew whether they had a star to sing or not, it was going to be a grand party.

Later, Gabe ordered dinner sent to their room and they sat and talked until shortly after eleven o'clock when she stood.

“As much fun as the evening has been, I have to go to my room. I'm not accustomed to staying up late any longer.”

“I'll walk you to your door,” he said, draping his arm across her shoulders.

She laughed when he said he would walk her to her door which, since they had adjoining suites, was only yards away. When she opened her door, she looked into her room. “It locks from either side.”

“You can lock me out. I hadn't planned on trying to sneak in during the night.” He framed her face with his hands. “When we finally make love, I want it to be very special. And that time will come, Ashley,” he said in a husky voice that made her heart thud as much as his kisses did.

“That would be good,” she whispered. “And today was good, and I hope love comes to us, Gabe.” She slid her hand behind his head and leaned forward to kiss him. He held her lightly, returning her kiss until she stopped him.

“For now, good night.”

“Good night, Mrs. Brant. Someday, Ashley, we won't say good night like this. I'll carry you to my bed with me.”

She inhaled swiftly, looking into his dark eyes that confirmed his words. “'Night,” she repeated, stepped into her room and closed the door. She took deep breaths and wondered how long before her pulse calmed and her heartbeat returned to normal. She was going to fall in love with her handsome husband. She just prayed it wasn't a mistake.

 

In the middle of June they had a spectacular reception at the hotel in San Antonio that did include a celebrity singer and caused the Ryders and the Brants to lose their hostility for one grand evening. Friends from several counties poured into the large ballroom and adjoining dining hall to join the festivities.

Ashley wore her blue silk wedding dress and had her hair secured behind her head with a clasp covered in blue silk and pearls.

Darcy Vickers, petite, blond and her closest friend from Chicago, had come for the party along with five other Chicago friends. Gabe's friends arrived along with the Brants and Ryders. The Brants congregated on one side of the room while the Ryders sat on the other.

As Ashley looked at Gabe, she barely thought about her relatives. In a navy suit he looked dashing, handsome, dangerous. Gabe's dark eyes were inscrutable and she wondered what he really felt.

At least Julian and her father, both cooks and the foremen from both ranches seemed happy for them even if the relatives weren't.

When the band began with a waltz, Gabe took Ashley's hand to lead her to the middle of the dance floor where she stepped easily into his arms.

“Well, we've done it, and lightning hasn't struck us, although your relatives look as if they would like to get out their trusty forty-fives and get rid of me,” he said.

“No more than your relatives would like to get rid of me,” she replied, glancing beyond Gabe at the ring of onlookers. More than half of them looked enraged, while blatant curiosity filled the expressions of the others. As all three of her uncles stood watching her, she could feel the invisible waves of anger. “I'm making some of my family very unhappy. They've given me dire predictions about your motives.”