High-Stakes Passion (15 page)

The force of that gorgeous smile hit her like a windstorm, chasing away her caution. High stakes? For a moment, she envisioned wedding bells and happy ever after.

If only.

He was so handsome it made her stomach clench. But that only strengthened her belief that he was way beyond her reach. He was limousines and private jets, beauty queens and television ads.

She was hatchbacks, plus sizes and macaroni and cheese.

She had three choices. She could bluff her way out—threaten to press charges and demand to be let go. But he'd probably call her bluff. Or she could plead for leniency. Or she could simply wait, and face her fate with what dignity she had left.

She chose dignity.

She looked away, out the tinted window. “Fine. Let's get it over with.”

His fingers caught her chin, forcing her to turn toward him. No longer smiling, his eyes burned into her. “It'll be a long time before it's over, darlin'.”

Abruptly, he leaned forward and tapped on the glass. The chauffeur lowered the barrier. “Yes, sir?”

“Where's the deck of cards in this thing?”

“In the right side compartment, sir.”

“Thank you.”

As the glass rose, Audrey racked her brain to guess his intentions. He wanted to play poker now?

He reached over her to grab the cards, and she scooted a little farther away, clutching the T-shirt like a shield. If only she had her clothes on, she wouldn't feel quite so vulnerable.

“One game.” He shuffled the cards. “You cut. I'll deal. Five-card draw, nothing wild, winner takes all.” He placed the deck on the seat between them. “Cut.”

To Audrey, the deck might as well have been a rattler about to strike. “But, I don't have any money with me. What are the stakes?”

“Stakes?” Mark smiled again—a dangerous smile. “I told you. The stakes are high, darlin'.”

A
surge of triumph filled Mark's chest. Her eyes widened, and she gripped that damn shirt as if it was the only thing standing between her and complete ravishment.

Maybe she was right.

He couldn't take his eyes off of her. A deep pink flush spread down her cheeks. Her hair was twisted on top of her head, a few curly tendrils hanging around her face. She was beautiful. When she'd planted that kiss on him, her back ramrod straight and her green eyes sparked with challenge, the blood had rushed to his groin so fast he'd actually felt light-headed.

He had to remind himself to stay focused on the plan. Hiring that kid to throw and miss had been sheer inspiration. But it was a good thing the traffic on I-30 was bumper-to-bumper from Dallas to Fort Worth. She was being stubborn. Or did she really not love him? He'd never
understand women. That night in the meadow, he couldn't keep her from saying she loved him. Now, he needed to hear her admit it. Only the fire in her sea-green eyes gave him hope.

“S-so, what are these high stakes?” Her voice trembled.

He wanted to hold her and tell her it would be all right. And he would…eventually. “Come on, Audrey. Show your sack.” He flashed her the same evil grin she'd given him.

She played right into his hands. Gone was the cowering girl, and in her place was the strong woman he admired. Her spine straightened, and her chin came up. She even dropped the shirt.

“All right. I assume you had something in mind? You want my job? I'll quit, but I'm a good writer. I'll find something else. You want sex? I don't see why. You said you'd gotten what you want—”

“Hold it!” Mark said. “Let's get one thing straight right now. That was never the—”
Spit it out, Malone.
“Aw, hell, Audrey. You know it was good. Better than good.”

She became intensely interested in the limo's upholstery. But at least he'd shut her up. “Now, as to the stakes. We'll play one game. If you win, you get the Double M.”

“Your ranch?” Audrey gripped his arm. “You can't do that! I haven't got anything that valuable.”

The way she leaned over afforded him a fantastic view of two very valuable assets. But he didn't think she'd appreciate his sentiments. He forced his gaze to her eyes. “The Double M is worthless without you there, Audrey.” It was true. He'd sell the place if he couldn't have her with him.

She shook her head. “Me? But you hate me. I lied to you.”

If she only knew how much he loved her. But he had to know she really loved him first. “If I win, I get you. In the limo. Right now. Without the suit.”

“Here? But, everyone can see in. What about the driver?”

“He can't see anything. It's one-way glass. All the windows are.”

For once, Mark couldn't tell what thoughts were whirling around in Audrey's usually expressive face. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, “All right. But I can't take your ranch. I just want to hear you say you forgive me.”

“Done.” It didn't matter what he bet. Either way, he won.

Mark dealt them each five cards.

As Audrey picked hers up, it took all her self-control not to smile. Eight of hearts, seven of hearts, six of hearts, five of hearts and a three of clubs. What were the odds? Was he dealing straight or was this a setup?

No way. Besides, why go to all this trouble?

He caught her studying him and grinned. “Cards?”

She looked him in the eye but kept her face unreadable. “One, please.” She slid her three of clubs over the seat.

The smug curve of his lips said he wasn't impressed as he dealt her one card. “Dealer takes one, also.” His face remained blank as he looked at his new card.

Audrey steeled herself to remain expressionless as she glanced quickly at her new card. She almost gave it away when she saw the four of hearts. A straight flush! No way could he possibly beat that. It would be too unbelievable. She'd won! Oh, it was hard not to grin triumphantly. “Well, Mr. Malone. What've you got?”

Without hesitation, Mark laid down his hand: three aces and two jacks. A full house. Normally a winning hand.

She pictured his face when she showed him her cards, imagined hearing his grudging words of forgiveness. But just because he said the words didn't mean that, deep in his heart, he had actually forgiven her.

It would be an empty victory. A sham. No bet could give her what she really wanted—his love.

Maybe if she lost and he got his revenge, he would at least be free to get on with his life. What was a little humiliation compared to that? She knew he wouldn't hurt her. She loved him. She wanted him happy. If that's what it took, that's what she'd do.

With her decision made, her worries vanished. Might as well enjoy this last time with him. One more memory for those lonely nights.

She reached for her window button and lowered the glass a few inches. Holding his gaze, she lifted her arm behind her and let her cards fly out the window. She raised the window and brought her hand to the strap of her bathing suit, lowering it slowly. “You win.” She smiled.

Mark sat there a moment, stunned at the realization that she was finally his. Well, that and the fact that she smiled as if
she
was the one who had won as she willingly stripped off her bathing suit.

She pulled out one arm and lowered the other strap. Mark swallowed, twice.

Last time, he'd refused to make love with her on a bet. But that was before she'd told him she loved him. The stakes were too high now. She must love him if she could smile that way as she gradually lowered the suit to her waist. Her nipples were already tight and pointed, begging for his mouth. He licked his lips in anticipation. He wanted his mouth on her now, but he forced himself to wait and enjoy the show she so freely offered. Besides, there was one more thing to do first.

She briefly glanced at the driver, and for a split second Mark saw her confidence slip, but she quickly masked her uncertainty. What a woman.

And from this moment on, she was all his.

 

Audrey couldn't believe she was doing this. Kind of hard to remove a bathing suit seductively in the seat of a car, even if it was a limousine. Well, maybe some women could do it, but not her.

Still, faster than she wished, here she sat in all her naked, chubby glory. She kept her arms at her sides and boldly dared him to look his fill.

His eyes roamed over her body, leisurely exploring her from top to bottom with obvious approval. Not knowing what to expect, she flinched when he began unbuttoning his shirt.

His chest muscles rippled as he pulled his sleeves off and threw the shirt on the floor. She caught a whiff of masculine sweat and musky cologne, and breathed in deeply.

He unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. As he watched her watching him, he pushed his jeans down, taking his briefs with them until he reached his boots. He swung his legs onto her lap, silently asking her to tug off his boots and jeans.

Dazed, she complied, her eyes roving from his strong, hairy chest, to his flat stomach, to his long, muscular thighs and finally coming to rest on his potent male organ.

Enthralled with his nakedness, she jumped when he finally spoke. “You're the only woman besides hospital nurses who's seen me like this.” He narrowed his eyes and jerked his chin at his leg. “Take a good look, Audrey. Disgusting, isn't it?”

She looked.

Where the left leg had a light dusting of brown hair, the right was covered only in scars. In addition to the long, thick one that snaked around from thigh to ankle, there were dozens of tiny white scars scattered around. The knee was sunken and the calf malformed. It wasn't a pretty sight. To her, it was a miracle he could walk at all, much less ride. Thinking of his persistence and determination to recover overwhelmed her.

She met his eyes. If he was anxious about her opinion, he didn't show it. Looking down, she ran her hand over his leg as she spoke. “I think it's a miracle. A testament to your strength and your indomitable will.”

When he grabbed her hand and squeezed it, she raised her gaze to his again. She hoped he could read the truth of her heart in her eyes.

His were filled with unshed tears, brimming over, threatening to spill down his cheeks. He pushed her down, taking full possession of her mouth. After kissing her senseless, he pulled away and scowled. “Why did you lie to me, Audrey?”

This isn't exactly how she'd pictured herself explaining to him. She only hoped she could make him understand. “I spent my twenty-fifth birthday alone.” She laughed, a short, humorless sound. “I don't even have a dog. I thought a more challenging career would fill the emptiness in my life. I needed something more.”

He brushed his lips over her eyes, cheeks and forehead. “But you gave that up, lost your promotion, for me?”

“Once I got to know you, I couldn't betray your trust. Not even for the good of my career. I wouldn't have been able to face myself in the mirror. Besides, I got my promotion. I'm going to write more articles on charity events like this one.”

He ran his hands through her hair, down her throat, over her breast and stomach. “And do you still need more?”

When she could breathe again, she answered, “Yes.”

“What do you need?” He lifted himself over her, his magic fingers delving between her thighs.

This, she thought, closing her eyes. Oh yes, this. And so much more. “I—I need for you to understand, and to forgive me.”

His fingers dug into her arms and she opened her eyes. He looked menacing. “Don't ever lie to me again.”

She shook her head. “Never.”

“Okay.” He smiled. “Then, I forgive you.”

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you.”

“After you left, I almost started drinking again. I hated you.”

Audrey held her breath. She couldn't live knowing he despised her. “But, you don't anymore?”

“John told me you confessed to Helen. And even if you'd lied about who you were, you couldn't have faked it all. Your passion, your belief in me, not as the
Lone Cowboy,
but as Mark, just plain Mark. You made me believe in myself.” He opened his mouth over hers and kissed her again. “Was it just an act?”

Hadn't he heard anything she'd said? Didn't he know? She lifted her head to return his kiss.

He took control of the kiss, plunging in his tongue. Abruptly, he pulled back. “Say it, Audrey. Tell me.”

She had no reason not to tell him now. “I love you, Mark.”

“Yes.” He growled the word as he entered her, and said it again and again as he moved in her. He took her hard and swift, and they both spiraled swiftly to completion.

She could feel his heart racing even when he raised himself on his elbows and put his palm on her cheek, forcing her to look at him. “Say it again.”

“I love you, Mark.”

He smiled. “I want to hear you say it every day. And I don't want you doin' all the cleanin' and cookin' anymore. We'll hire someone to help.”

“Wait a minute.”

“Especially if you get pregnant. We can have the wedding here in Fort Worth if you want. I figure you'll want your family—”

She put her hand over his mouth. “Mark! What are you talking about?”

He looked at her as if she were a little slow. “Us. The ranch. Everything.”

“You want me to live at the ranch?”

“You want to live in Dallas? I guess we can buy a house here. But I need to be on the Double M most of the time.”

“But—”

“What? You're worried about your career? I'm sure you could still write for the magazine, but I kinda hoped you'd wanna stay home with the babies, too.”

“Mark.” She shook his shoulders. “What babies?”

Now he looked exasperated. “Our babies. The ones we're gonna have some day. Maybe you could work from home. We—”

She smacked her hand over his mouth again, but took it away before she spoke. “Did you mention the word wedding?”

“Yeah.”

“But you haven't asked me.”

“Woman, you're gonna marry me—”

“I'd like to be asked.” She smiled.

Mark narrowed his eyes and let out a long, suffering sigh. “Ms. Tyson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“No.”

“What? Why not? You said you loved me.”

Audrey looked away. Would she have to force him to say it? “But you haven't,” she barely whispered.

Mark broke into a wide grin. “I love you, Audrey. I love your beautiful eyes, your smile, your—” he squeezed her breast “—your spirit. Now, are you going to marry me, or do you want to be dragged back to the Double M to live in sin?”

Oh, how she loved hearing those four words. She knew she would never feel empty again. Still, she hesitated. One more thing should be discussed.

As she thought about how to tell him, his grin faded into a mask of indifference. “If you really don't want to marry me….” he whispered.

Oh, she'd hesitated too long. “No! That's not it at all. It's just that—” Should she tell him when she wasn't sure? “Our first baby might be here in about eight months.”

His eyes widened and his whole body went rigid, but he remained silent.

“Mark? Do you understand? Are you upset?”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Upset, darlin'? How could I be upset?” He wrapped his arms beneath her and squeezed her to him. “I'm gonna be the best damn father, I swear!”

“I know you will. And, if you're sure, I'll marry you.”

“You bet you're gonna marry me, woman, if I have to lasso you and tie you to a church pew.”

Audrey giggled. “I think we've had enough bets for a while. Would you really have given me the ranch if I'd won?”

“Honey, no stakes are too high for you.” Mark grinned. He swooped down for another kiss.