Resisting the Rancher (Redwood Falls 3)

But when he’d handed her the masculine equivalent so she could give him a ring in return, she’d swallowed deeply and stared into his eyes, but he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Maybe she hadn’t considered what this commitment would mean to him. Maybe she’d bought into his bullshit about the marriage only having to work ‘for a while.’ But whatever she’d been thinking, it was damn obvious that it hadn’t occurred to her that he’d want to wear a ring that boldly proclaimed that he was taken—by her.

But he wanted that. He wanted every single thing he could get that would solidify this relationship between them. He was still somewhat pissed about the adoption conversation, although he respected and even admired her feelings on that score. So, evidently, pissed wasn’t the appropriate word. Thwarted. Impeded from his goal. Irritated as shit. Whatever the feeling was, he didn’t care for it. He’d bide his time for now and take whatever else he could find that would cement her to him. If that was a ring on his finger as well as a ring on hers, then that was more than okay with him.

Even now, he couldn’t believe the amount of satisfaction he felt from the simple ceremony. It was more than satisfaction, it was a huge feeling of relief. Relief that was causing an intoxicating rush of primitive hunger, of ownership, to run through his veins like quicksilver.

Had he felt this strongly after his first marriage? He couldn’t remember the feeling being even halfway near as enthralling, and it almost made him feel guilty. But he refused to feel any guilt—he’d been a good and faithful husband and he’d loved his wife. Besides, Bonnie had begged him to be happy and he was going to take her at her word. He was moving on, and if that damned him in some way, then so be it.

He wasn’t going to worry about the past and what was no more—he had other things to worry about. Like how long it would take to get Janet alone, so he could get the damn marriage consummated so that she’d have zero chance in hell of getting away from him.

Ever.

Yeah, at this point, all he could think about was sinking inside of her and branding her as his, so she’d have no way out.

Chapter Ten

The minute they stepped from the courthouse, Janet felt the change that came over Jeff. He gripped her hand more tightly as they walked down the steps; he held the passenger door open with a hint of relish that was obvious to her. As he climbed into his own seat, he continued to hold her fingers firmly entwined as they drove to the school to drop off Zach. Evidently, her husband had a one-track mind, and it was all on her. He seemed to forget about reassuring his son about anything, or maybe he’d already taken care of it before they’d left the house.

But Janet wasn’t completely sure that Jeff had remembered to speak to Zach, or even felt that it was necessary, so she did it for him as they pulled into the circular drive in front of the school building. “You be good, sweetheart. Please don’t worry about anything. My mom is going to spoil you rotten and we’ll be back Sunday evening, before you know it. You’ll hardly miss us at all.”

“I know,” the boy said in a dry tone that screamed he wasn’t a baby, stepping from the vehicle.

Jeff wasn’t making a move to get out of the car but Janet wasn’t having it. She pulled on her hand until he released her and she immediately climbed out of the vehicle to hug Zach. The boy stood stiffly in her arms as she embraced him, but she wasn’t deterred. She whispered for his ears alone, both because it was the truth and because she thought it might make him feel better, “Hannah knows you better than my mom. I know in my heart that everything will be okay, but I’m worried.” She leaned away to study him and found him watching her intently as he seemed to relax a bit.

“What are you worried about?” he asked.

“That she’ll miss me. I’ve never left her before and she’s just a baby. I’m afraid she might be inconsolable.”

His lips twisted, trying to form a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she’s happy, okay?”

Try as she might, Janet couldn’t stop the rush of tears at his obvious sincerity.

He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing but his eyes softened.

She swallowed hard. “I shouldn’t put this on you. You’re just a kid yourself.”

At that, he patted her on the back, awkwardly but lovingly. “Don’t worry about it. Dad says this is probably one of the only times y’all will get to go away. It’s okay. Don’t worry about Hannah, I promise I’ll make sure she’s happy. I’ll bail your mom out if I need to.”

With that, Janet pressed a scrap of paper in his hand. “My mom already has this information, but I want you to have it, too. This is where we’ll be staying and the phone number. I know your dad really wants us to have some time alone, but I’m trusting you to know if you need to call me. My mother won’t call unless one of y’all are dying, but I want you to call me if Hannah is miserable—or if you’re miserable, okay?”

Without looking at the paper, he shoved it in his pocket but Janet could see a flash of relief on his face.

“Thanks,” he said simply.

She hugged him again. “We’ll see you Sunday night.”

“Okay.” With that, he detached himself, tipped his head toward his dad and then turned and walked inside the school building.

****

She and Jeff had already packed the day before, so after changing into comfortable clothes, a quick lunch at home and getting Hannah settled in with her mom, they hit the road for Forth Worth. The truck’s console was between them, but that didn’t stop Jeff from grasping her hand the entire trip. Rubbing his thumb over the new rings on her finger, every now and again he’d take his eyes from the road and sear her with a look.

A look that screamed intensity. A look that screamed desire. A look that screamed pure, unadulterated ownership.

Holy Mother of God.

Had she done the right thing? She wasn’t one to make spur of the moment decisions, especially ones that had a direct impact on her daughter’s life and security. Her worry was exacerbated by the obvious red flags that she’d been seeing all along—his jealousy, not to mention his over-the-top need for dominance.

But then there were the other things about him. The things that had made her swallow down her doubts and insecurities and go ahead and let him have his way with the marriage ceremony. The strong bond, the underlying love he had for his son that he always put first was heartwarming. She admired and respected him for that. Even if he wasn’t the perfect father, he was so damn close, and his intentions were always what they should be.

That had been obvious to her from day one.

And already, she’d seen him pick up Hannah and soothe her on several occasions, rock her in his arms as if she were already his—or soon would be. It was fairly damn evident that he could learn to love her daughter—he’d alrea

dy accepted her—and very willingly.

It was also obvious that he’d been steadfast and faithful to Zach’s mother. He’d been a good husband. And if he’d been a good husband once, didn’t it stand to reason that he’d be a good husband again?

There were other things that tempted her into the relationship: Her mother liked him. And her mom wasn’t the easier person to please—nothing got past her mother.

But it was even more than those things. It was the way that his voice had changed over the weeks she’d been living in his home. At first, his tone had been rough with her, severely harsh. But as the days slid by, and especially after they’d begun sleeping together, he seemed to start undergoing a subtle metamorphosis. She wouldn’t go to the extreme of calling him pleasant or tender, but there had been a change.

His voice had gone from brutal and quick-tempered to almost—patient. Certainly not gentle, but not nearly as brusque and abrupt as his tone had once been. His expressions had changed as well. The way he watched her had shifted from threatening to blistering, as if he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her, not to punish her in any way, but as if he couldn’t stand the distance between them.

Yes, the changes in him were subtle, yet she recognized them. And it was ridiculously tempting and intriguing to think about.

What would he be like if he actually fell in love with her?

He had the capacity for love; she knew he did. Already, he’d shown his willingness with Hannah. And even if he wasn’t very demonstrative with his son, the love he had for the boy was evident by the tight bond they shared.

If Jeff fell in love with her, would his manner with her begin to reflect that love? And how would it play out? Would he become more patient, even gentle?

And holy shit, while she was listing the ‘pros’ of marriage, she damn sure couldn’t forget about the sex. While she hadn’t quite let sex be the deciding factor in marrying him, it was so good that there was no question that it was an added bonus. Yes, it was true that his way with her was mostly—disengaged, but he always, always, took the time to make sure she enjoyed it.