LITMIR.BIZ

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remain married for five years or the deal’s off and I’m disinherited. My friend, Nick, has the same sort of father and he made the same kind of demand and Nick just happened to fall in love and marry. My dad knows Nick’s father and thought that was an excellent plan—so now he’s foisted it on me.”

      She stared at Jake. “I can’t imagine a parent interfering that much, particularly with someone who is as together as you are. You’re successful, have friends, have a full life. You’re an adult. That decision is highly personal and yours to make. You can’t just run out and grab up a wife.”

      “I have no intention of ‘running out and grabbing up a wife’ or even marrying if I fall in love. I have my own fortune and this time he’s gone too far,” Jake stated in a quiet voice that held a cold note of steel. His blue eyes had become glacial. “I’ll be damned if I’ll marry just to suit my dad. If I fell wildly in love tomorrow, I wouldn’t marry this year, not for any reason. I’m calling his hand on this one. He can go ahead and disinherit me. At this point, I don’t give a damn.” He looked at her for a moment. “How did we get on this subject?”

      She was still staring at Jake, horrified that his father would make such a demand and astounded by Jake’s attitude. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’ll give up your father’s fortune just to do your own thing in your own way? That’s incredible. Will would marry in an instant to avoid being disinherited.”

      “Do not compare me to your half brother,” Jake said, making no effort to hide his annoyance.

      “Of course not, sorry,” she said, barely thinking about what she was saying as she mulled over a man who would turn down a fortune in order to be his own person and not yield to a demanding father’s wishes. “I have to say, I’m impressed.”

      Jake paused as he was pouring more orange juice. He set down the pitcher to look at her. The coldness in his expression melted away. “That doesn’t help, but it makes me feel better to have someone appreciate my stand.”

      “I hope you don’t fall in love this year. On the other hand, if you do, you might change your mind about the inheritance.”

      He gave her a cocky grin. “Not much danger of either, but I promise you, I will not marry this year or next for that matter.”

      She continued to stare at him, unable to fathom his giving up a huge fortune so easily. His father was on lists as one of the wealthiest men in Texas.

      “You’re staring,” he said with amusement. “I’ll admit, if it’s this startling, you are making me feel better about my decision.”

      “It is absolutely incredible. I’m trying to think what I would do in the same circumstances. I’m not sure I’d have the willpower to turn down a fortune. It’s also depressing because you will not be swayed by money to sell back part of the ranch.”

      “No. At this point in my life, I’m not easily swayed by money. There are other things in life that entice me,” he said and his tone changed and the words took another meaning. Now when she looked into his blue eyes, she saw desire.

      “So maybe it’s not money I should fling at you for the ranch, but something else, something more personal,” she replied in a breathless voice. She was flirting when she knew better. Leave Jake Benton alone, she’d ordered herself, yet she couldn’t resist the retort and it had an effect as his chest expanded.

      “Try me and see what it gets you,” he said.

      “Maybe I’ll do that, Jake.” She sipped her juice and lowered the glass. “I think we should get back on a less personal, less flirty basis. I wish I could view life that way. Even though I had a very comfortable life growing up and have Grandmother’s fortune now, I can’t be as relaxed about money as you are.”

      “You have a normal attitude. Besides, when the dust settles, I expect my father to change his mind. But if he doesn’t, I’ll stick by what I’ve said.”

      “I think, Jake Benton, you are an unusual man.”

      He reached out to tilt her face up to his. “And you, Caitlin, are a beautiful woman. Go to dinner with me tonight. We can fly to Dallas.”

      “Won’t that take a lot of time?” she asked while her heart raced. Dinner with Jake. Foolish, yet it might help win her the ranch.

      “I have a plane here. We’ll be there in no time. I’ll pick you up at a quarter to six.”

      “A Benton asking out a Santerre. You wouldn’t have done that twenty-four hours ago.”

      “Life changes. I can adapt. So can you.”

      “Who’s the woman in your life right now and what is she doing while you’re at the ranch? Will your taking me to dinner interfere in your relationship with her?”

      “There is no woman in my life right now. Not one here or in Dallas. I’d think that detective you hired would have told you that item.”

      “Actually, he did. I just wanted you to confirm it because he could have missed something. That makes me feel better about going out with you.”

      “I’ll look forward to it.” His hand slipped behind her head and he moved closer to brush her lips with a light kiss. “Good morning, by the way.”

      “Good morn—” His mouth covered hers and ended her sentence. Her heart slammed against her ribs. His kiss was slow, hot, igniting desire instantly. While her heart drummed, she relished kissing him. Negatives with Jake ceased to exist. The only awareness was Jake and sensations he caused. With an effort to grasp safety, she finally ended the kiss.

      “How did we get on this footing so swiftly?” she asked, catching her breath. “This time yesterday, I didn’t even know you except on sight. And you didn’t know me when you saw me. Now we’re kissing.”

      “It happens. Sometimes even faster. The chemistry is there. You feel it, too.” He moved away to get the coffeepot and returned to refill their cups. When he sat down, he sipped his juice. “I’ll take you home this morning. I’ve already called the stable to get your horse ready and we’ll put him in a trailer.”

      “Great. I’ll be happy to avoid the long ride home. While you’re at the house, I want you to meet Cecilia, Kirby and Altheda. I’ll call and let them know you’re coming.”

      “That isn’t necessary,” he said.

      “I know. I really want you to meet them.”

      She ate her breakfast, but her appetite had diminished. The more she was with him, the less likely she thought he would part with his newly acquired property, yet the thought of Jake coming in and tearing down the beloved house turned her to ice. She wasn’t going to dwell on that until he gave her an answer about a sale.

      “Stop worrying, Caitlin,” he said lightly.

      “Does it show that much?” she asked, thinking it was sinful for a man to have such thick lashes and such blue eyes.

      “Yes, and at this point, it’s unnecessary. I haven’t made a decision and I want to talk to my brother, Gabe, and our geologist.”

      “After breakfast, I’ll call Altheda to let her know we’re coming. I told you about Altheda last night. She’s the resident housekeeper and cook. And you’ll meet Cecilia, too. She was Grandmother’s companion and secretary and long before that, a nanny for me. She’s almost part of the family and feels like an great-aunt. I really might as well have been an only child. I can hardly count Will as a sibling even though, legally, he is.”

      “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t count Will as a sibling either, but then I have strong feelings about Will, just as he does about me. I’m still astonished he sold to me.”

      “I’m sure all Will was thinking about was the money he would get. He wouldn’t have cared whose money it was.”

      “Actually, I think he thought he was getting the

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