She did. His chest felt strong, warm, comforting. Brianna closed her eyes, lulled by the slow rocking motion of the horse and the feel of resting her back against Cash’s chest. She must have fallen asleep because she recalled him gently rubbing the side of her face to let her know they had arrived at her house.

  He dismounted and then reached up for her. But he never let her feet touch the ground—he swept her from the horse into his arms.

  “Cash, you can put me down.”

  He smiled down at her. “I will, but not now.”

  When they reached her door, he asked for her key. She shifted in his arms to tug it out of her pocket and handed it to him. He opened the door and carried her inside and straight to her bedroom, where he placed her gently on the bed. Right next to Magnum. Then he backed up.

  “I suggest you take a nap.”

  “A nap?”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll take a nap later. I need to take care of Baby.”

  “I’ll take care of Baby. You rest.”

  She frowned, tempted to tell him she’d had her first orgasm, not open heart surgery. “I’m fine, Cash. But I am curious about something.”

  “What?”

  She began nibbling on her bottom lip, and she could tell he knew she was nervous about whatever it was she wanted to ask him. “You can ask me anything, Brianna.”

  “Are all of them like this? This powerful?”

  His expression said he knew exactly what she was asking. “Most are way more powerful than that. On a scale of one to five with five as the max, you experienced a level-one.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s enough about levels of passion. Take a nap and rest. I’ll stop by later to check on you.”

  She pulled to sit up and he gave her a look that had her easing back down. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I take care of what’s mine, Brianna.”

  She glared at him. “I’m not yours.”

  “Not yet.”

  He moved toward the door, paused and glanced back at her. A smile curved his lips when he said, “If you want to experience a higher level of passion than you did today, Brianna, you’ll have to marry me.”

  * * *

  Brianna continued to lie in bed long after Cash left. Why was he so insistent that she marry him? And she wasn’t sure she liked him assuming she was his. At that moment she couldn’t help but remember their kiss and how it had moved to another level when he had put his mouth on her breasts.

  Even now, her pulse kicked up thinking about it, and she could recall every single sensation that had swamped her body. She had been filled with pleasure she hadn’t known anyone was capable of feeling.

  What was happening to her? There was no doubt in her mind that Cash presented a temptation causing an edginess within her that couldn’t be normal. At least not for her. And what had he said before leaving? She would not experience a higher level of passion with him until they got married.

  She was convinced a higher level just might take her out. The thought of it made lust hum through her veins, had her pulse kicking, her nerves dancing and her brain becoming dysfunctional.

  Brianna yawned, still feeling a bit lethargic. Shifting in bed to her side, she decided to do just like Cash had told her to do and take a nap. He liked giving orders. He liked making demands. She smiled, thinking that she liked him.

  As she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with Cash.

  SIXTEEN

  It was Monday morning.

  Cash glanced at his watch as he stood on the porch in the exact location where he’d stood on Friday. Like then, he was expecting Brianna to arrive any minute. However, today her arrival meant something else as well. He was anticipating her answer to his marriage proposal.

  Granted, she might not think of it as a real proposal since he hadn’t gotten down on one knee, nor had he slid an engagement ring on her finger. He knew Brianna hadn’t expected either. In fact, it was quite obvious she hadn’t expected his counteroffer of marriage. But he had made it and he had no intention of withdrawing it.

  He had no choice.

  Little did she know that it had nothing to do with the fifty acres like she assumed. His counterproposal came from his need to claim her as his wife, the mother of the children he hadn’t even known he wanted.

  It was obvious to him that not only had Alan Dawkins betrayed her, he had failed to do right by her in the bedroom as well. Both were bad, but the latter was inexcusable. Cash’s goal, for as long as it took, was to get her to see, and accept, that she was worthy of a man’s respect.

  When he had returned to her place on Saturday with food that he’d gotten from a restaurant in town, she was still sleeping. Chances were she hadn’t slept well the night before, and he figured he was partly to blame for that. There was no doubt in his mind that his counteroffer had thrown her for a loop, and he’d not given her much time to answer him.

  That part had been intentional.

  As a businessman he knew not to give an opponent too much time to make a decision. Overthinking anything could cause problems and unnecessary delays. Delays he didn’t want.

  Brianna didn’t have a clue as to the extent of his desire for her. There was more going on between them than a sexual attraction, even if he couldn’t name what it was. That was the real reason he’d made the counteroffer for marriage. Point blank, he couldn’t imagine any other man making her his.

  On Saturday he hadn’t bothered waking her. He had left the food on her table with a note that he would see her Monday morning. He wanted to give her time by herself to make her decision without any influence from him. He just hoped she made the right one.

  * * *

  Brianna saw Cash the moment she pulled into the long driveway of the Blazing Frontier. Butterflies were going off in her stomach. She knew what her answer would be.

  She’d never wanted to get married after the pain and humiliation Alan had caused. Therefore, her decision should have been a no-brainer. But all it had taken was to wake up Saturday after her nap to find the food Cash had brought to her along with the note he’d left. Then to think about the relationship they’d shared over the past two weeks. The sexual chemistry had been there from day one, but he certainly wasn’t the obnoxious type. Cash Outlaw in the flesh was everything she had fancied him to be when he’d been her fantasy boyfriend.

  Now she had decided to make him her in-the-flesh husband. She would be entering this marriage with blinders off. She would get what she wanted—a baby—and Cash would get what he wanted—her fifty acres. They would both be happy. Besides, he’d given her another incentive. Marrying him would make her co-owner of the Blazing Frontier. In a way she felt good knowing that her child’s...their child’s...future would be secure.

  Now if she could only accept his way of wanting to make a baby. After what happened on Saturday, she wasn’t certain sharing a bed with Cash would be wise. There was no doubt it would be pleasurable, but the last thing she wanted to do was let off-the-charts sex take over her common sense.

  If a kiss could make her feel the way she had on Saturday, she didn’t want to imagine what making love with him would do. Unfortunately, she was imagining, even those times when she did not want to do so. Like now. Seeing him standing on the porch in such a sexy pose while drinking a cup of coffee was stirring her blood.

  When she brought the car to a stop and got out, she saw the smile that curved his lips. A smile that made her insides feel like mush. “Good morning, Cash.”

  “Good morning, Brianna.”

  He always said her name in a deep, husky tone. Today, his voice sounded even huskier. “I hope you have a cup of coffee for me,” she said as she stepped up on the porch to stand in front of him.

  “I’ve got something better than that. I went back to that café and grabbed breakfast. I hope you’re hungry.”

  She was, and when she saw his mouth move—the mouth that had given her so much pleasure Saturday—she had to force air into her lungs. “Yes, I’m hungry.”

  “Good.” He opened the door, and she followed him into the kitchen. “Go ahead and have a seat at the table and I’ll warm everything up for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  First he poured her coffee, and she was glad of that because she needed it. Then she settled in the chair and watched him move around the kitchen, appreciating—as she always did—how he looked in his jeans. Today he was wearing a T-shirt that showed the muscles of his upper arms and tight abs.

  The aroma of what he was warming up flowed over to her. “Strawberry muffins.”

  He chuckled. “Yes.”

  Moments later he placed the warm plate of muffins in front of her and took his seat. They began eating in silence. “How was the rest of your weekend?”

  She shrugged. “Quiet.” No need to tell him that she hadn’t ridden Baby yesterday for fear of running into him again if she ventured off her property. “What about your weekend?” she asked, knowing they were stalling to avoid what was really on both their minds.

  “Yesterday I decided to go through more of that stuff in the attic. I missed having you there working alongside me.”

  Brianna didn’t say anything because they never really worked alongside each other even when she was there. That would have been too close for comfort, but she knew what he meant. He had missed her yesterday. That was good to know.

  They continued to eat with little conversation, but she knew he was watching her. She dared not glance up and catch him staring.

  “Brianna?”

  She looked over at him, certain what he wanted to know. They had stalled long enough. “Yes?”

  “What is your decision?”

  Brianna drew in a deep breath as she placed her coffee cup down and met his gaze. Just staring into his eyes made her pulse rate increase.

  “Yes, I will marry you, Cash.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Cash released the breath he’d been holding. He was getting the marriage he wanted. He stared at Brianna, wishing desperately he could read her thoughts to determine her true feelings about the decision she had made.

  He wanted to ask her if she was sure, but he wasn’t certain he wanted to hear what she might say. In time he would prove to her that marrying him was the right thing to do and he intended to make her happy or die trying.

  Now, with her decision made, he wouldn’t waste time. Before he could broach the subject, she said, “However, I prefer we wait a couple of weeks, even a month, before we marry.”

  “Why?”

  “I need time to adjust to the idea.”

  Cash thought any adjustment time she needed could be done while married to him. “I told you I wanted to get married within forty-eight hours and I meant it, Brianna. I won’t change my mind on that. I checked and there’s no waiting period in Wyoming.”

  “What’s the rush?”

  “I need to secure my investors and get things moving around here.” Honestly, that was the least of his concerns, but he wouldn’t tell her that. “We’re getting married Wednesday.”

  “Wednesday?”

  “Yes. That will give you time to do whatever you need to do before then. In fact, I suggest we take the rest of the day off here. That will give you even more time. If you prefer, I’ll make all the arrangements.”

  Brianna gave him an irritated look. “Fine, make all the arrangements.”

  She began nibbling on her bottom lip and he knew something was bothering her. “Is there anything else, Brianna?”

  “I suggest that we marry someplace other than Black Crow.”

  He figured she had her reasons for making that suggestion. It really didn’t matter where they got married, as long as they did so, legal and binding. “What about Jackson? I can fly us there in my plane.”

  He saw relief in her eyes. “Jackson will be fine.”

  “And be prepared to stay until Sunday.”

  Her expression showed that she was surprised by his request. “Until Sunday? Why?”

  “A honeymoon. I want one, although it will be rather short. We’ll take a longer one later.”

  “We don’t have to take one now or later. It’s not as if it’s a real marriage.”

  Was now the time to discuss just how real he wanted their marriage to be? She would find out soon enough. “It’s the only one I ever intend to have, Brianna, so let’s make plans to stay in Jackson until Sunday.”

  “Whatever.” She stood to take her plate to the sink and rinsed it out to place in the dishwasher. He saw her tense when he carried his own plate to the sink and stood beside her. “I don’t bite, Brianna. Why are you acting so skittish today?”

  “I’m not acting skittish.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  She turned to him. “If I am, then it’s because I’ve agreed to do something that I swore I would never do.”

  He reached out and touched her cheek, feeling her emotions in every word. “I’m not a bad guy, and you do want the best for our child, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m asking you to believe I will do right by you both.” He paused a moment, then asked, “Do you trust Henry Cavanaugh’s office to keep things confidential?”

  She lifted a brow. “Mr. Cavanaugh will, but Lois Inglese won’t. She’s been known to talk. I figured that’s how word got out that Ms. Ellen had a son days before you showed up for the signing of the will.”

  Cash frowned. “Why does he keep her on?”

  “She’s worked there for years. He has counseled her about loose lips but I’m not sure how well that has worked. Why?”

  “I want you to know I will do right by you, and I’m having my cousin draw up a legal document to that effect.”

  “Your cousin?”

  “Yes, Jared Westmoreland. He practices family law. I suggest you consult your own attorney to review everything with you before Wednesday.”

  “I can take the document to Mr. Cavanaugh as a consultation without him keeping a copy on file. That way there will be no need for Lois to see it.”

  Cash nodded. “Okay, then. I will get the document to you.”

  * * *

  Brianna grabbed the mail out of her mailbox before entering her home. She had called Mr. Cavanaugh’s office to make an appointment for tomorrow morning. Cash had assured her his cousin would be faxing the documents over to her by three this afternoon.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she tossed the mail on the coffee table before dropping down on the sofa. She wanted to believe that being married to Cash would be okay. He would be spending the majority of his time in Alaska. If anyone asked her about her husband’s long and periodic absences, she would merely tell them he had a business to run in Alaska and she was in charge of their operations at the ranch. At least during his visits his child would get to know him. She was comforted to know he’d have a part-time dad rather than not having one at all.

  Brianna stood. She had a lot to do by Wednesday. Taking out her phone, she began making calls and setting appointments. Her hair needed to be done, and she would get a manicure and pedicure.

  She had finished making her calls and was about to pick up her mail and go through it when her cell phone rang. It was Cash. “Yes?”

  “I just talked to Jared. His office will be faxing the documents to you in a few minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  “And I’ve made all the arrangements with the airport. I will pick you up Wednesday morning around seven.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  When she ended the call, she glanced at her watch. It wasn’t yet noon, but she needed to get away. Since she had so many appointments lined up tomorrow, now would be a good time to drive to Laramie to shop for several outfits and items.

  If she went shopping in town for the clothing she needed, someone would speculate as to why. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to get into her business. They would find out soon enough.

  * * *

  “You’re marrying Brianna?”

  Cash heard the disbelief in Garth’s voice. “Yes, I’m marrying her.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re doing so because of those fifty acres.”

  Cash rubbed his hand down his face, knowing he could BS answers with Sloan and Maverick, but when it came to Garth and Jess, Cash never had such luxury. They could read him like a book each and every time.

  “I had something she wanted, and she had something I wanted, so we agreed to compromise.”

  “By getting married?”

  “Yes, by getting married.”

  Cash knew his brother was trying to take it all in. It didn’t take Garth long to ask, “When will the wedding take place?”

  “We’re eloping.”

  “To Vegas?”

  “No, to Jackson, Wyoming. Like Nevada, there’s no delay in getting married in Wyoming. We’re applying for the license on Wednesday morning and will get married that evening.”

  “No honeymoon?”

  “There will be a honeymoon. We won’t return to the ranch until Sunday. I know I said that I would be in the office on Monday and I still plan to be.”

  “You’re bringing Brianna back with you?”

  “No.”

  “You’re moving to Black Crow?”

  “Not at first.”

  “The two of you plan to have a long-distance marriage?” Garth then wanted to know.

  Cash eased off the sofa, went to the window and looked out. The sun would be going down in a few hours and he wanted to ride the range before it did. “Such an arrangement will work for us.”

  “You think so?” Garth asked.

  “You don’t?” Cash countered.

  “No. I watched you with her, Cash. I also know the reason you went early to Wyoming and why you stayed behind had everything to do with Brianna Banks. She has come to mean a lot to you. I would suggest you accept that.” He paused. “Maybe you already have.”