Texan's Wedding-Night Wager / The Oilman's Baby Bargain

A small, well-kept cottage on the TCC property was lit outside by at least a hundred pillar candles. A table, dressed in white linen, was set with fine china, crystal wineglasses and lilies of every variety.

“It’s beautiful.” Tears stung her eyes. Why couldn’t he have done something like this years ago when their marriage was shaky, when she needed attention, when she needed to know she was more important than his business? Oh, Kevin, she thought, why are you doing this now, when it’s too late? The question plagued her, but she pushed it out of her mind.

Lighten up, Cara. This is temporary.

“I’m glad you like it.” Kevin pushed his horse on, and Dream Catcher followed him down the other side of the rise. When they reached the cottage, Kevin dismounted. He walked over to Cara and reached for her. She slid down the left side of the horse into Kevin’s arms. He held her, their gazes entwined, as luminous candles lit the background.

“You were always gorgeous in candlelight, babe.”

Cara smiled, the compliment warming her heart.

Kevin tilted his head, the brim of his Stetson grazing her forehead. She braced herself for the kiss, tightening up inside in anticipation.

Kevin brushed his lips over hers in the lightest feather-touch of a kiss, then backed away. Cara blinked, a little surprised.

He took her hand. “Have a seat.” He guided her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll see to the horses.”

She watched him take the reins of both horses and go behind the cottage. When he returned and sat down, a chef appeared at the table wearing a white coat and tall hat, a waiter standing just behind him. “I hope you enjoy the meal Mr. and Mrs. Novak,” the chef said.

“I’m sure we will,” Kevin returned, with a nod.

Cara sat quietly while the waiter served their first course, a little pastry puff filled with light cheese and raspberries. She took her first bite and closed her eyes. “Oh…this is heaven.”

When she opened her eyes, Kevin’s gaze was on her, watching her enjoy the pastry with a gleam in his eyes. “The chef came highly recommended.”

Cara was again tempted to ask, why was he going to so much trouble? But she’d already decided that she would just go with the flow and see where that would take her, so she remained silent on the subject. “I can see why. He’s already got my vote for Chef of the Year.”

Kevin poured them each a glass of wine.

“You said something about needing my advice?” Cara sipped her wine and the smooth liquid warmed her inside. “But you haven’t said a word about it yet.”

Kevin lifted his glass to his lips and sipped. “It’s not a pleasant subject, Cara. I hate to spoil the night, but yes, I do have something I’d like to tell you. It’s regarding Alex Montoya and the recent fire at Brody Oil and Gas. I think it was set deliberately.”

“You think Alex did it?” Cara’s voice elevated with disbelief. Sure, the Brody brothers had issues with Alex, and vice versa, from their teen years, but Cara never thought Alejandro Montoya capable of something as criminal as arson.

“I do, Cara. I’d like your opinion about this. Hear me out.”

Kevin gave a detailed description of what had transpired between Lance, Mitch and Alex through the years, and then added a final note about how Alex had managed to hamper his newest revitalization development. He explained how Alex had helped back a faction that had that particular area in Somerset declared historic, thus killing the project. “I have no proof regarding the fire, but you know everyone involved. What do you think?”

Cara shook her head. She thought about the accidental meeting she’d had with Alicia just yesterday. Alicia would be devastated if her brother was involved with the fire in any way. “My gut instincts tell me Alex wouldn’t do anything so drastic. It’s not his style, Kevin. Yes, I can see him behind the scenes, working to preserve the Somerset area. He may have even done that to spite you, but that’s not a criminal act.”

“No, it just caused me a major headache and financial losses.”

“You may not agree with me,” she said with a shake of her head, “but I don’t think Alex had anything to do with the refinery fire.”

“Okay, noted. You and Darius are the only ones. Lance, Mitch, Justin and I all think he’s behind it.”

Cara sipped her wine. “Maybe you’re not being objective. Maybe you want to blame Alex. Maybe you’re so pissed at him, you want him to be guilty.” Kevin winced and Cara continued. “Revenge can be sweet, isn’t that what you always said?”

“No, I never said that.”

Cara blinked and leaned forward. “Oh, sorry, that must have been the other husband I married nine years ago.”

“Must have been.” With a smug look, Kevin lifted his glass and finished off his wine. He poured himself another glass as the waiter cleared their dishes and brought the next course.

“So, is that all you wanted to ask me?” Cara dived into her asparagus salad, her appetite flaring to life.

“Yes.”

“Are you sorry you asked for my opinion?”

“No.” Kevin spoke with an earnest tone. “I always valued your opinion. That hasn’t changed.”

Cara sat back in her seat and stared into Kevin’s eyes. “You can be so charming—when you want to be.”

“I want to be. Right now. With you.”

Why? Cara didn’t understand it, but the voice in her head told her to go with it and enjoy these last few days with Kevin. Soon enough, their marriage would be over.

When they finished all four courses of the main meal, Kevin suggested they go inside the cottage for coffee and dessert. “The chef made us something special.”

“I should be full, but I can always fit in dessert,” Cara said, feeling the zipper of her jeans expanding a bit. She was slender and, at five foot eight, she could afford to eat a decadent dessert once in a while.

Kevin stood and reached for her hand. With fingers entwined, they entered the cottage, climbing the steps, their boots scraping the wooden floors. Cara made a quick tour of the quaint cottage, noting the rustic stone fireplace, cozy chintz sofa and several swag-draped pane windows. “It’s lovely here.”

“It was the groundskeeper’s home at one time. TCC let it go to ruin, practically. I renovated it and now it’s available—”

“For impressing your dates?” she blurted, in a teasing tone.

Kevin whipped around and grabbed her by the waist, bringing her flush up against him. “You have a mouth on you, don’t you?”

Cara pulled her head back to look at him fully. “You always liked my sassy mouth.”

Kevin’s gaze devoured her mouth. He cupped her head with one hand and pulled her close, his lips so near. “I still do.”

Cara’s heart pumped double time when he kissed her. He tasted of robust wine and warmth. He tasted familiar and fine. He tasted of all the sweet things in her life she missed. “Kevin.”

“I love it when you whimper my name,” he said between kisses.

“I didn’t whimper,” Cara protested mildly. Kevin cupped her derriere and tugged her in. Hip jamming hip, she felt his desire, rough against rough as their jeans brushed.

Kevin nibbled on her throat. “Really? Guess I’m gonna have to do something about that.”

There were times when Kevin hated his methodical mind and this was one of them. Every instinct he possessed told him to seduce Cara, here and now, and take advantage of the remote, romantic cottage setting. But Kevin had a plan in mind, and the culmination of that plan had to happen later rather than sooner.

He’d kick himself tomorrow for his damnable obstinate nature and pay the price of losing out on a wild night of sex with his wife. Yet all wasn’t lost. He needed more from Cara tonight and he’d take what little his plan allowed.

He nipped at Cara’s lips over and over, sweeping his tongue through her mouth with frenzied heat. A little tiny moan escaped her throat that sent Kevin’s straining erection into overdrive.

With an effort that took all of his will, he pulled away from her to look deep into her eyes. Her hazyblue surrender unnerved him.

He needed to touch her and feel the softness of her skin, caress the firm mounds of her perfect breasts. Nothing was going to stop him, his plan be damned.

“Baby,” he murmured, licking the soft center of her throat. “Let me touch you.”

She trembled and whimpered helplessly.

Kevin kissed his way down to the first button of her blouse. With nimble fingers, he undid that button, then the next and the next. Her breasts, cupped in white cotton, spilled out, an invitation he couldn’t ignore.

He palmed her breasts and closed his eyes, relishing the remembered feel of her, the way she fit so completely in his hand. His thumbs simultaneously caressed both erect tips, her nipples straining against her bra, until Kevin freed them from the torture.

“Ohh,” she moaned, leaning closer to him with a need he knew he couldn’t satisfy tonight.

“You feel as good as you look, baby. As good as I remember,” he murmured.

Kevin bent his head and kissed the tips of her breasts, first one, then the other. Always responsive to his touch, she arched back and Kevin drew her deep into his mouth, suckling and teasing the rosy buds with his tongue.

He wanted to take her here and now, to ease the desire straining against his jeans, to begin to rectify four years of wanting her, despite his anger. It was hard to back off, to pull away from what she offered and what he wanted, but Kevin was determined to see his plan through.

“Did you hear that?” he asked quietly.

Breathlessly, she replied, “You mean the pounding of my heart?”

Kevin smiled and kissed her lips. “No, outside. Something spooked the horses. I’ll go check.”

Cara appeared a little surprised by his quick dismissal. He turned and walked out the front door. Behind the house, the horses calmly waited. Kevin leaned against the cottage wall, beside a hibiscus vine in full yellow bloom, and shut his eyes. “Harder than I thought,” he whispered.

He waited just a few moments, until his breathing slowed and his internal thermostat cooled down. Then he untied the reins of both horses and guided them toward the front of the cottage. Cara waited on the porch steps. “False alarm,” he said. “Must have just been a coyote howl off in the distance.”

Thankfully, Cara had buttoned her blouse and straightened her unruly, honey-blond hair. He only had so much willpower where his wife was concerned. He tilted his head and sighed, without falsity. “We should go. It’s getting late.”

Cara blinked a few times, then nodded. “Of course.”

Kevin helped Cara onto Dream Catcher and then bounded up onto his horse. They headed to the TCC stables in silence. Once they were safely back at the entrance, Kevin glanced at Cara. “We never had dessert.”

Cara broke her silence with an acknowledging light in her eyes. “We’ll have to lie to the chef and tell him it was fabulous.”

He dismounted, then reached for her and, once again, she slid down the horse and into his arms. Kevin stared deep into her eyes, holding her loosely around the waist. “It was fabulous.”

Cara searched his eyes. She had questions, but Kevin had only one answer. He kissed her soundly on the lips, tasting her once again. “Have dinner with me tomorrow night. I’ll make up for the dessert we missed.”

“How can you do that? I’m sure the chef is on to bigger and better things.”

He chuckled, knowing Cara was messing with him. “Easy. I know what you crave.”

Cara jammed her hands to her hips and shook her head in denial. “I bet you don’t.”

“Oh, no? Hot fudge over chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and a dozen cherries.”

“Tasty’s?” Cara’s smug expression changed to one of longing. “I haven’t had Tasty’s for—”

“Four and a half years? I took you there for your birthday, remember?”

A thoughtful look crossed her expression and she smiled sadly. “Yeah, I do remember.”

“So, how about it? Burgers and dessert at Tasty’s tomorrow night?”

Cara opened her mouth, then clamped it closed with a quick snap. He could always tell when she waged a war of decision in her mind.

“Don’t overthink it, babe. Just go with it.”

The comment opened her eyes wide and she made a quick decision. “Okay. But, Kevin,” she began in a solemn tone, “maybe we shouldn’t get in over our heads. We both know why I came to Somerset.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten.”

“G-good.”

“But I’m not making any promises.”

Cara’s mouth tightened into a frown.

Kevin planted a brief kiss over her down-turned lips. “Come on, I’ll drive you back to the hotel. You can think about Tasty’s all the way home.”

Cara didn’t think about Tasty’s all the way back to her hotel. She thought about Kevin. He’d touched her in ways she hadn’t allowed another man since they’d split up. Sensual images flashed vividly in her head. Her body still prickled. Nope, no man since had even made her feel like trying. Oh, she’d dated at times, but nothing had ever come of it.

Kevin had been sweet and attentive all night and just minutes ago he’d nearly made her forget her own name.

It’s Cara Pettigrew, she thought sourly. Not Cara Pettigrew-Novak.

She was still his wife, but in name only. She had stopped being a Novak four years ago.

Cara slipped out of her riding clothes, tugging off the new leather boots Kevin had given her. He’d remembered her shoe size, she realized. How many men would even know their wife’s shoe size?

“Remember why you left him,” Cara whispered in the quiet of her room. He’d been fun and loving for the first few months of their marriage and then he’d become obsessive and driven. For success? For money? For power? Cara wasn’t sure of his motivation, since he’d made a decent living and she’d never complained. She hadn’t asked for riches. She’d grown up wealthy. She’d seen how her own father had been driven and how much his obsession had hurt his marriage—and her. She’d been the daughter her father never had time for.

“Money doesn’t guarantee happiness,” she’d tell Kevin. But her husband hadn’t listened. His competitive nature made him want to prove his worth to Cara and her family. He wanted to measure up, she presumed, though she’d never once implied that he wasn’t enough for her.

When the hotel phone rang, Cara was grateful for the interruption of her thoughts.

“Oh, hi, Mom.”

Perhaps grateful was too strong a word. Her mom had been like a watchdog lately and she was the last person Cara wanted to speak with about Kevin. Especially after what had happened between them tonight. Ever since Cara had made her decision to divorce Kevin, her mother had been overly supportive.

“Did he sign the papers yet?”

Cara flinched. Her mother got right to the point. She couldn’t possibly tell her mother the truth, that she’d been blackmailed into sleeping with her estranged husband before he’d sign on the dotted line. “No, Mom. Not yet. But we had a…meeting tonight. Kevin is cooperating.”

“But, dear, I don’t see why there’s a problem. You’re not asking for much. Actually, you’re being quite fair with the settlement. What’s the holdup?”

What was the holdup? She didn’t know what purpose it served to hang around Somerset for two weeks, but she had to tell her mother something. “Well, Kevin is really busy.”

“He hasn’t changed,” her mother chimed in bitterly. “Just like your father.”

Cara swallowed that and continued, “Mom, you know I liked living in Somerset. I’m catching up with friends while I’m here. Taking a little vacation.”

“Dear, a vacation is relaxing in a villa in Siena, not begging for signed divorce papers from your husband. I’m worried about you, Cara. You’ve done so well for yourself in Dallas.”

“I was happy here, too, once upon a time.”

Her mother’s silence was quite telling. She couldn’t blame her for being protective. Cara had been hurt by the separation. She’d really loved Kevin, and no mother wants to see her child in pain. Cara understood all that.

“I know, dear, that’s why ending it quickly is better for you. It’s been dragged out long enough.”

“I agree with you, Mom. And I’ll get back to Dallas as soon as I can.”

“Well, all right. I hope to see you home soon. I love you, dear.”

“Love you, too.”

Cara hung up the phone and took a long pull of oxygen, thankful the conversation hadn’t lasted too long.

When the phone rang again, Cara let it ring four times. She was through talking for the day. All she wanted to do was climb into bed and get to sleep.

But her curiosity got the better of her. She picked up the receiver, hoping it wasn’t her mother on the other end with more pearls of wisdom.

“Hello?”

“Hi, baby.” The deep timbre of Kevin’s voice oozed through the phone line. “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting out of my…uh, getting ready for bed.”

“Yeah? Me, too. I just got out of the shower.”

The visual image of Kevin’s hard-ripped body wet from head to toe and wrapped in a skimpy towel swept through her mind. She mouthed a silent oh, thankful that the word didn’t slip out accidentally.

She cleared her throat.

“What do you wear to bed these days?” Kevin asked.

The question was so audacious, Cara laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I would, Cara,” he said with quiet sincerity.

“Nothing.”

Kevin let go a sexy groan.

“Much. Nothing much. I mean, just an old Dancing Lights T-shirt.”

“I can picture you wearing that.”

“Kevin, why are you calling so late?”

“Had a good time tonight, Cara. Just wanted you to know.”

Cara nibbled on her lower lip. She squeezed her eyes shut, yet couldn’t shake off images from tonight of Kevin’s lips on hers, his mouth making love to her breasts, the tantalizing look of pure lust in his deep-blue eyes when he’d taken off her blouse. “Thank you.” She paused, then added, “It was a good night. I enjoyed riding Dream Catcher.”

“I thought you might.”

“Why are you being so sweet to me?” Cara blurted. She couldn’t figure out his motivation. “Our marriage is ending.”

Kevin didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, but there’s no reason we can’t be friends, Cara. No reason we can’t end this on a happy note.”

“Marriages usually don’t end on happy notes, sweetheart.”

He paused, and she realized she’d used his favorite endearment. “Ours could. We can be different from everyone else. So, are you picturing me dripping wet in my towel or what?”

Cara gasped and then laughed aloud. He’d caught her, but she’d rather die than admit it. “I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor after all, Kevin.”

“I’ve lost a lot of things, Cara.” His playful mood suddenly changed. “But not my sense of humor.”

Cara didn’t want to deal with the serious tone of his voice now. Sudden panic developed and she searched for an escape. “Kevin, I’d better get to bed.”

“Yeah, me, too. Sleep tight, babe. Dream good dreams.”

Cara nearly choked out a quick good-night. She knew what would fill her dreams tonight.

Good or bad, they’d be of Kevin.

Wearing nothing but a small towel.

The next day the image of Kevin stayed with her all morning long. Restless from those thoughts, Cara left the Four Seasons and walked the Houston streets, stopping in at boutiques along the way—she was bored with the few changes of clothes she’d brought for a trip she had thought would only take two days.

She’d told her mother she’d be taking a little vacation and, though she’d had to rearrange her entire schedule to stay on in Houston, Cara decided, a shopping spree would do her good. Why not enjoy the city while she was here?

By the end of the day, she’d filled two shopping bags with gifts for her dance instructors, a Gucci French flap wallet for her mother and several new outfits for herself, including a scarlet dress to match the new Valentino slingbacks she’d purchased.

The time had flown by. She had just enough time to rush back to the hotel and shower before Kevin came knocking.

It bothered her that she’d changed her clothes three times before her date with him for burgers at Tasty’s. Why was she trying to look pretty for Kevin?

But the minute she opened the door and saw the glint of appreciation in his eyes, she thought it was all worth it.

“Wow, you look great. Too good for Tasty’s.” Kevin toured her body up and down leisurely, and Cara knew a moment of satisfaction.

She’d tried on the dresses she’d picked up today, but decided instead on a pair of formfitting, black pants, very high black heels and a white, flowing, off-the-shoulder blouse belted at the waist with a gold-and-black twist rope. “Stop right there if you think you’re gonna weasel your way out of taking me to Tasty’s.”

“Okay,” Kevin said with a teasing twist of his lips. “If I have to. Are you ready to go or do you want to invite me in?”

He peeked over her shoulder and into her hotel room. His gaze focused on her king-size bed. Cara wasn’t about to let him in. Her husband was a dangerous man and she’d never been able to resist him when he smiled and spoke with charm.

Kevin still had a perfect body, broad of shoulder and slightly muscular, enough to show his strength without overkill. Four years hadn’t changed that. His grooming was impeccable, and darn if he didn’t look like he belonged on the cover of GQ.

Right now, his blue eyes gleamed with the kind of mischief that could get them both into deep trouble. She shoved at his chest lightly and pushed him out the door. “I’m ready for a burger.”

Kevin took her hand from his chest and entwined their fingers. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “And I’m ready for dessert. It’s been a long time, Cara. I need to satisfy my craving.”

Chapter Four

Kevin helped Car a into his jet-black Jaguar, and then got in and started the engine. His Jag roared to life. All that power at his fingertips at one time had been a big turn-on. But now, Kevin looked across the seat to find his wife sitting beside him and he couldn’t think of a bigger turn-on. Cara, dressed for a casual date with him in her classy style, took his breath away.

He gritted his teeth with determination. He wasn’t going to make it easy for her to walk away from their marriage. Damn her, anyway. She’d been the primary reason he’d worked sixteen hours a day. She’d come from wealth, and his pride wouldn’t allow her to climb down that ladder to marry someone who couldn’t provide her the same sort of elevated life-style.

The success he’d achieved had been for her and for their marriage. But her patience had run out and she’d followed suit. He’d never forgive her for leaving him high and dry. The humiliation he’d suffered alone was reason enough for this retaliation. But it was more than that. He’d loved Cara. Really loved her. And she’d destroyed that love.

Cara glanced his way with a quizzical look. “You’re quiet.”

“It’s been a long day.”

Kevin snapped on the CD player and smiled. “Oldies, to get us in the mood.”

Elvis came on and Cara turned up the volume to “All Shook Up.” She knew all the words and sang along with the music. Her toes tapped in rhythm and she swayed her body back and forth. Graceful and elegant, Cara knew how to move.

He’d been resentful when he’d learned about her success with Dancing Lights, somehow seeing the studio as his competition. She’d moved from him to bigger things. Yet, from a purely professional standpoint, he secretly admired her acumen. She hadn’t used her family’s money for the start-up of her enterprise, but instead had taken out small-business bank loans to fund the studios. Now she was willing to end their marriage to expand her business.

Kevin pushed those bitter thoughts out of his mind. He was on a mission and couldn’t forget his game plan.