Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée (13 page)

Her life had turned upside down and at the moment she was deliriously happy as she looked into Nick's eyes. Whatever their future, today, as well as the next two weeks on a honeymoon with Nick, should be paradise.

“You're beautiful, Mrs. Rafford,” he said. “And hot. You don't have any idea what you do to me.”

“Thank you, my handsome, sexy husband. This is paradise.”

“Oh, no. How wrong you are. Paradise will be tonight. That's when the fireworks begin. Hopefully a little sooner than
that. If I could kiss you now the way I want, people would stare because it would not be a casual kiss.”

“You won't hear any objections when we're alone. Oh, Nick, this is wonderful,” she said.

He spun her around and watched her with a look of satisfaction. “This marriage may be the best merger and greatest idea I've ever had.”

“Don't sound so smug,” she said in amusement, and he grinned at her.

“I have a right to be smug. Marrying you, giving Dad what he wants, getting what I want, taking you on a two-week honeymoon—how could I possibly top that?”

He spun her around the floor and then the music changed to a fast Latin number and she danced, watching Nick, flirting silently and exchanging looks that heated her more than ever.

Finally she was back in his arms for another slow dance.

“How could your family know so many people?” she asked as they danced past others. “I'd guess fifty or seventy-five from my guest list are here. All the rest of this enormous crowd is from your dad's and your list.”

“Dad has always led a social life, been active in business, been on boards. We know a lot of people. There's only one person I'm interested in today.”

She gazed up at him, tingles tickling her as their gazes locked and she forgot the crowd. “Nick, I know we can't, but I'm ready to leave here.”

He drew a long breath. “I'm thinking of all the things I want to do with you when we're alone,” he said in a husky voice.

“You're making it harder.”

“
Au contraire,
darling. You're the one making it harder,” he said in a double entendre that caused her cheeks to burn as she smiled at him.

“I hope so,” she replied softly.

“You better stop before I whirl you out of here, away from everyone, and make mad, passionate love to you.”

“You tempt me,” she said, flirting with him.

“Grace, one more minute and I carry out my threat.”

“Very well, we'll be proper and perform our duties as the honorees.” She looked at her hand on his shoulder, still dismayed by the enormous diamond ring he had given her. “My ring has to be the most spectacular ring in the world. Nick, it's worth a fortune by itself, not to mention the other things you've done for me,” she said. She recalled how awed over the ring she had been when he surprised her with it, kissing her passionately and telling her how glad he was she'd accepted his proposal.

“I wanted you to have it and I'm glad you like it.”

“It impressed my sisters,” she said, and he grinned.

“I'm still doubtful if they're really your sisters. Bart and I weren't alike, but you and your sisters don't have a shred of resemblance in personality or looks.”

She glanced around the room and spotted Doreen's platinum-blond hair. As usual, Doreen had a crowd of men around her. In seconds she saw Tanya, who had two men talking to her, her head tilted and her thick mane of raven hair hanging straight.

“We're not alike in any way. I'm surprised they came. They have been dazzled by you and your friends. I think they are enjoying themselves tremendously. To me, none of this seems real, except I know it is,” she said, gazing up at the sexy, spellbinding man who had been her husband for a couple of hours.

“It is definitely real,” he remarked. “You look gorgeous. I'd guess I've told you that a dozen times today.”

“Thank you, my virile husband,” she replied, thinking what a whirlwind the past week had been. The first half of the
million-dollar payment had been transferred to her, divided up among savings, stocks, bank accounts and various investments that one of Nick's financial advisers had recommended. Michael had a trust fund now and already her life had been transformed. She owned an entire new wardrobe. She had handed off the running of the catering business to Jada. If successful and turning a profit, the catering business would be sold to Jada in six months.

While Nick spun Grace around the floor, she held his broad shoulder and his warm hand. “This is the most beautiful place and perfect for a reception.”

“There have been lots of parties here.” Nick glanced around. “I think we pass for a couple completely in love.”

“I'm going to make you fall in love with me, Nick Rafford,” she declared. His gaze returned to her, a warmer, more intense look this time.

“Today I am in love with you,” he said lightly, and her heart missed a beat. She reminded herself that he answered without really meaning it, carried away by the moment and the prospects of the night before them and a honeymoon, but she meant what she had said to him. She danced with him, hoping the marriage did last, knowing she was falling in love with Nick whether he ever returned it or not.

“At the moment what I'm most interested in is when can we be alone?”

“Not for a few hours,” she said. “Anticipation should make it better.”

“No, it doesn't.” He spun her around and then pulled her close for a moment. Desire was constant, intense, and she wanted to be alone with Nick. Instead, she gazed into his eyes, smiled and followed his lead around the dance floor.

Next Nick danced with Clara while several women took care of Michael. Eli appeared to ask Grace to dance as he had told her he would. It was a slow number and she was surprised
that Eli was getting around better than he had any time she had seen him.

“This day is monumentally important to me, Grace,” he said, smiling at her. “You've brought me great joy. I was deeply touched and honored to escort you down the aisle to give the bride away.”

“I'm glad and I appreciate you walking with me,” she said. “Thank you again for your extremely generous wedding gift to us,” she said, thinking of the luxurious chalet in Switzerland he had presented to them, giving Nick keys and papers and showing them pictures.

“I have a gift for you when this dance is over. You've brought so much happiness into my life. I never gave my sons the attention I should have. I live with regrets now, but Michael gives me somewhat of another chance. I hope to have a close relationship with my grandson.”

“You didn't need to give me a gift,” she said, surprised because she barely knew Eli and couldn't imagine she would mean much to him. “And it'll be good for Michael to be close to his grandfather.”

“I'm overjoyed also to see Nick marry. I had many marriages. My ex-wives have all remarried, so I rarely see them. Even so, marriage is good and I'm happy about Nick.” The dance ended and Eli grasped her arm. “Come with me a moment,” he said, motioning to Nick.

“Just a brief time with both of you. I have a gift for Grace.” He led them to a small reception room and closed the door, muting the noise of the band and crowd.

He summoned a butler to bring the gift for Grace before turning to her. “Grace, you've given me enormous pleasure. Both of you have.” She glanced at Nick as he took her hand. There was a light rap on the door and then a butler entered to place a large, beautifully wrapped box tied with a huge pink bow on a table. He left, closing the door behind him.

Surprised it was solely for her, she unwrapped it and raised the lid, moving away papers. She gasped as she looked at an oil painting in a gilt frame. Certain she was looking at an original Monet, she was awed. “My word, this is for me?” she asked, looking up at Eli.

“Yes, my dear. For sharing my grandson with me and for marrying my son,” Eli said.

Stunned by his generosity, she brushed Eli's cheek with a kiss. “Thank you. You know I will treasure this painting and I hope someday it will be Michael's.”

“Ah, that, too. That will be good,” Eli said, reaching into his pocket and turning to Nick.

“I've changed my will and given you both a wedding present, but the gifts now are out of gratitude and happiness over your marriage and over Michael. Nick, this is for you,” he said, handing a check to Nick. “Do what you want with it.”

Nick looked down and then at his dad. He stepped forward to hug Eli. “Thanks, Dad. This is a generous gift. We both thank you.” Nick showed her and she looked at a check for thirty million dollars.

Stunned by the size of the gift and the manner in which the two men were dealing with such a sum, she was breathless.

“Thank you, Eli. It's an overwhelming gift, just as your other gifts are,” she said, wondering about the adjustments to her new lifestyle.

“We're both glad you're happy, Dad,” Nick added, exchanging a satisfied look with his father.

“Now we better go back or our guests will think the bride and groom have left, the party is over and they'll go home. Grace, you can get your painting after your honeymoon. I'll keep it for you until then,” Eli said, summoning the butler again.

Grace returned to the reception with Nick, but she walked
without seeing anyone or hearing the music. She was still wrapped in shock over the enormous gifts they had been given.

It was two hours later when Nick whispered in her ear, “What would it take to get you to leave with me now?” His brown eyes burned with desire.

“I thought you'd never ask,” she answered.

His chest expanded as Nick took a deep breath and looked beyond her. “Everyone will understand if we don't say goodbye.”

“Michael won't. I have to see him,” she said.

Nick took her hand and in minutes she had kissed Clara and Michael. She left with Nick, hurrying to the waiting limo. As they sped to the airport and Nick's private luxury jet, he pulled her onto his lap to take her into his arms.

“We did it, Grace. I get what I want, including you, and you get what you want—a fortune, a secure future for Michael. He'll be a Rafford soon, legally my son with all the benefits and someday he'll inherit the Rafford fortune.”

As Nick talked, she had a pang, wishing she was hearing words of love instead of the results of the contract they had signed. “We have a great business deal,” she said. His intense gaze always saw too much, so she leaned closer to put her mouth on his.

The instant she kissed him, his arm tightened around her waist and he drew her closer. When he slipped his hand beneath her long skirt, her silk dress rustled. He caressed her inner thigh, his touch light yet searing.

Desire consumed her. She wanted to shove away his jacket and his shirt, to touch and kiss him. She tore her mouth from his. “How long before we're where it's private?”

His hungry expression intensified and he glanced beyond her, closing the partition between them and the driver. “We have a little time.”

Pulling up her silk skirt, she pushed him down on the smooth leather seats and straddled him while she unbuttoned his shirt. Her tongue trailed down his chest, circling his flat nipples, inching across his muscled belly.

He was aroused, straining against his tux trousers and she ran her hand over him lightly. He groaned, sitting up and pulling her to him as he kissed her. His tongue thrust into her mouth while his hand slipped beneath the neckline of her dress.

After a few minutes, she slid off his lap and gripped his wrists. “We wait. The limo will arrive at the airport and when the door is opened, I want to be ready to step out.”

Nick was breathing hard, desire obvious in his dark gaze that peeled away the wedding dress, but he began buttoning his shirt. “Soon,” he said.

 

She straightened her dress and sat beside him, watching him get his clothes in place. They exchanged a look that made her temperature climb another notch and then he leaned close to brush her lips with a light kiss. “This is taking all kinds of self-control.”

“Just think about that door opening shortly and that you have to get out and talk to your pilot and others.”

Nick smiled at her and pulled her onto his lap. “I can hold you until we get there.”

Feeling giddy, she combed his hair back in place with her fingers. She leaned close to trace his ear with her tongue. “I can barely wait, too, Nick,” she whispered in his ear, blowing her warm breath on him. “I'll kiss you from head to toe.”

“Grace,” he said in a rough, husky voice, turning to kiss her until the limo slowed.

She slipped off Nick's lap quickly and straightened her clothes. “Nick, my hair—”

“Is beautiful and I will soon take the rest of it down,” he
said as the limo door opened and they stepped outside. She had envisioned a small jet. Instead, it looked like a commercial airliner.

The moment she stepped on board, she wondered just how much her new husband was worth. “Nick, this is a palace,” she said, surprised by the sumptuous luxury of the cushioned seats, the small bar and big-screen television. She had given her clothes to Nick, who had had them delivered early to the plane so she could change out of her wedding dress after boarding.

“We'll have to buckle up until we're airborne and the flight is smooth. Then we can move around,” Nick said, leading her to a seat.

She sat near him and fastened a buckle over her lap. “I could change first.”

He shook his head. “Wait. It won't be long.”

She watched out the window when they lifted and circled above Dallas to head northeast.

Once they had leveled off and were airborne, she gazed out at a cerulean sky dotted with a few small clouds. The dreamlike feeling continued to capture her. The entire ceremony had seemed imaginary. Now this flight on a plane that was fit for a king was also like a dream.