As she talked, he studied her, wishing the thick braid of hair was undone. Her long legs looked silky smooth. Would it be so terrible to become ensnared by Juliana? his traitor- ous mind asked.
He didn’t hear a word she was saying as he silently swore. Only hours into the marriage and she was charming him into all kinds of dangerous thoughts. If he wanted his bachelor life to return intact in twelve months, he should remember that his new bride was off-limits. Deadly to his solitary life.
Conversation changed to his canoeing, until she went in- side to get a glass of water, glanced at the clock and re- ceived a mild shock. “It’s after three in the morning,” she said, stepping to the door.
He stood and entered the kitchen, locking the back door and switching off lights, leaving a tiny light burning over the sink. As he crossed the room to Juliana, her pulse jumped at the steady look he was giving her. His hands held her up- per arms lightly while he studied her. “This is a damn poor wedding night.”
“But the only kind we can have, under the circum- stances.”
He reached behind her head to catch her long braid and pull it over her shoulder. “You have to take this down any- way to sleep,” he said as he began to unfasten her hair. “Three hundred and sixty-five days we’ll be together. Now only three hundred and sixty-four. That’s not so long.”
“No, it’s not,” she answered, trying to keep her voice as casual as before, but now he stood toe-to-toe with her while he carefully unplaited her hair, pulling strands slightly, each faint tug radiating through her with sensual tingles that ran down to her toes. His thick lashes were long, sooty against his tanned cheeks. He was handsome, charming when he wanted to be, determined to do what he wanted in life. And he was unpredictable.
She was still amazed he had been willing to marry—even in a false union—to get the money. And she was amazed at what he was doing now. She looked up to find him watch- ing her, desire unmistakable in his eyes.
Her heart thudded while he combed free her hair with his fingers.
“I thought we were barely going to see each other,” she said, the words coming out in a rasp. Too much of the day and night he had touched her, casually, light contacts that were kindling a fiery awareness of him and awakening some long-dormant feelings in her. And at this point in time, they were feelings she didn’t want to come to life.
“Once we get into our routines, we won’t see each other often, but this is a special night. You’re being cheated roy- ally.”
“No, I’m not. Not anymore than you are. We’re both getting what we want, so this is still a special night.”
“Money isn’t the most important thing in life,” he said quietly, his gaze steadfast on hers, his hands shifting to rest on her hips.
Surprised he would make such a statement since the in- heritance seemed the most valued thing in his life, she gazed back at him while her pulse drummed. “I didn’t think you wanted to make this a real marriage.”
“I don’t,” he stated flatly and something inside her twisted with a dull ache, although she had never doubted his feelings about the marriage for a moment.
“But this is your wedding night. When was there ever a bride out playing ball with kids on her wedding night? Not in the history of the world, I’d bet.” He tilted up her chin and she saw his intent in his gaze. “I like your hair down and without pins.”
“Cal—”
“Shh,” he whispered, leaning down, his finger still be- neath her chin to hold her face up to his.
His mouth brushed hers and then settled, opening hers. His kiss was not tentative, seeking, as his kisses before had been. His tongue delved into her mouth with forceful insis- tence, making her blood roar in her ears. She should push him away because she was certain he was only entertaining himself, whiling away the early hours in this year they would spend together, yet the kiss was magical. It was tempting, enticing her to respond, a hint of passion from an unpre- dictable, sensual man.
She slipped her hands up, touching his shoulders with hesitancy while his arm went around her waist and drew her closer. Her thoughts spun away momentarily and she rel- ished being kissed and held. His kisses were spectacular, and she knew the way she felt about them had nothing to do with this being the first time in so long that she had been held and kissed. Cal’s kisses would have been marvelous if she had received them the day after her first date with Barry. Her heart pounded and she pushed back to look at him, curi- osity running rampant.
“If you want to walk away at the end of the year or avoid emotional entanglement, you’re playing with fire,” she told him.
“Not fire, dynamite,” he answered in a husky voice that was like a caress over her taut nerves. “You’re a lethal threat to my bachelor life. At the end of this year, I do intend to walk away without emotional entanglement. I told you I’m not a marrying man.”
“First, you’re married now. Second, you’re risking your emotions anytime we kiss. I’m not the only one at risk here.”
“So you keep telling me.” He stared at her in silence, and she wondered what he was thinking and if he was debating with himself.
She stepped back. “We should go to bed.”
The moment the words were out, she knew she had made a poor choice. Something flickered and darkened in his eyes. She waved her hand. “I mean, we should say good-night to each other.” Her words tumbled out in a rush. “Goodbye for now is what I meant.”
He nodded, and her relief mingled with her
