The Disobedient Virgin

Jake looked at her. “There’s no way out of this,” he said quietly. “None at all. You need a husband. I need to find you one. And we have precious little time in which to do it.”

She nodded. “I know. But remember what you said before? About our cultures being different?”

“Did I say that?”

“Yes. We were talking about Brazilian men and American men. I said Brazilian men cheated on their wives, and you said—”

“I said a lot of things. Then I kissed you.”

Silence filled the room. Their eyes met. “Yes,” Cat said, after a while, “you did.”

“That’s not going to happen anymore.”

She stared at him. “Why not?”

“Because…” Jake looked deep into those questioning eyes and understood the reason for his anger. “Because,” he said gently, “it’s wrong. I’m your guardian. My job is to look out for your welfare.”

“Surely it doesn’t hurt my welfare if you kiss me?”

Was she that naïve? Or was she playing a game? His gaze dropped to her mouth, so pink and soft and sweet. Naïve or not, he had to be more careful in his dealings with her.

“Your future husband wouldn’t like it.”

Her mouth trembled. “I don’t even know who he is.”

“Well, we’re going to solve that problem ASAP.”

“ASAP? What does that mean?”

“It means I’m going to make some phone calls tomorrow and get the ball rolling.” Jake reached for her hand. “Cat. I’m going to find you a husband, and I’ll do my best to make sure he’s a good choice.”

She nodded and bent her head. Her hair tumbled forward, hiding her face, and he fought back the almost overwhelming desire to touch his hand to the soft, gold-burnished curls.

“I know it isn’t what you want, but—”

“But it has to be done.”

“Yes. As soon as you accept that—”

“I have accepted it,” she said, and looked up at him. “Fully.”

Jake blinked. “What?”

“I said, I’ve accepted what must happen. There’s no getting away from the terms of the will.”

“Well,” he said. “Well, I’m glad to hear…I mean, I’m glad you’ve finally…”

What in hell was wrong with him? How come he couldn’t finish a simple sentence? Of course he was glad to hear she’d finally come to her senses. He had to marry her off. She’d accepted it. There wasn’t a reason in the world her admission should bother him.

“I’m delighted you’ve come around,” he said briskly.

“There are just a couple of conditions.”

Conditions? Jake considered pointing out that she wasn’t in any position to set conditions, but what harm could there be in letting her talk? What counted was that she’d agreed to stop fighting him. How impossible could her conditions be?

“What conditions?”

Cat drew her hand from his and cleared her throat. She looked like a woman preparing for a speech.