CHAPTER THREE

IF she had a husband, Eden firmly believed her biggest problems on the Double L would be solved. With Allen unable to control the trust Bryce had set up, her bills would be paid on time, she’d be able to expand her cattle operation, and she’d even be able to indulge in a few luxuries for Phoebe.

Unfortunately, the man she’d chosen to fill the role of bridegroom wasn’t cooperating with her plans.

With a determined stroke of the mascara wand, Eden applied a coat to her lashes, then swiped a shade of shimmering peach across her lips. Taking a step back, she eyed her reflection in the bathroom mirror critically.

A smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “Not bad,” she murmured, pleased with the subtle transformation from her everyday, “au naturel” look, to chic and sophisticated. She’d never been one to wear a lot of makeup, but she had to admit that the basics highlighted her green eyes, defined her cheekbones, and made her lips look full, glossy and alluring.

She’d rolled her hair into the hot rollers her sister had given her a few years ago, but she’d never used before because she’d never had a reason, or an occasion, to primp. The end results of those curlers were soft waves that tumbled to her shoulders, adding to the sensual aura she’d created. She also wore a new pair of formfitting black jeans, a white blouse with a western design patterned in black piping with pearled snaps down the front, and her waist was cinched with a black-and-silver belt.

Her chin lifted confidently, matching the enthusiastic sparkle in her eyes. “This ought to make Luke sit up and take notice,” she said to her image in the mirror.

She’d given Luke a week to think about her proposition and accept her offer, and all she’d got for her patience and waiting was Luke reverting back to the polite, courteous hand she’d originally hired. He spent the long days out on the range until the sun set. When he rode back to the main ranch in the evenings, he avoided being alone with her, and didn’t encourage casual conversation. From what she’d learned from Jake, Luke was spending his nights down at The Silver Spur.

She found his evasive behavior exasperating, but a challenge as well. Her renegade cowboy had yet to see just how stubborn and persistent she could be.

Turning, she headed into her bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on her black leather heeled boots. She refused to put her pride on the line and beg for Luke to help her, but she had no qualms about using feminine wiles to prompt him into accepting something she knew he wanted, coveted even. The way his eyes had glimmered with interest when she’d mentioned that land in Montana, along with their attraction to one another, gave her hope that he only needed a little prompting to agree to her one-year proposition.

Tonight would tell, when she followed through on her bluff to find another candidate who would appreciate her profitable overture. For the first time since Bryce’s death, she was going out in public with the pretense of finding herself a man. There was only one man’s attention she sought, and with luck, and a little jealousy, she’d have him—for a year.

“Mom, is it almost time for you to take me to Ashley’s?”

Eden glanced up as her daughter entered her room, an overnight bag in hand, looking anxious to get to her best friend’s house where she was spending the night. At eight years old, Phoebe was sprouting like a weed and was taller than most of the girls in her third-grade class. Her legs were long and coltish, her body slender yet sturdy from riding her horse, and doing her share of chores around the ranch.

She wore the long sable hair she’d inherited from her father in a single braid down her back, and her wide hazel eyes sparkled with youthful bliss. Like any young girl who adored her daddy, Phoebe had been devastated when Bryce had died, but over the years she’d adapted to life without him, and it just being the two of them.

Smiling easily, Eden stood and crossed the room to the dresser. “We’ll leave in just a few minutes, honey-bunch.”

Phoebe dropped her bag on the floor and plopped down on the four-poster bed on her stomach. Propping her chin in her hands, she regarded Eden with a small measure of curiosity. “You sure look nice, and you smell pretty, too.”

Eden slipped on a pair of dangly silver earrings, and met Phoebe’s gaze in the mirror. “Thank you,” she said, certain there was more to come from her inquisitive daughter.

Phoebe didn’t disappoint her. “Are you going on a date?”

Eden was grateful that Phoebe didn’t sound opposed to the idea, but tonight’s quest didn’t really qualify as a date in the traditional meaning of the term. “No, not really a date,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “I’m just going out with a friend for the evening.”

Enthusiasm brightened her eyes. “A man friend?”

If Eden’s plan worked, she’d definitely land her man. “Yes, a man friend.”

Phoebe’s smile was both hopeful and yearning. “Will I get to meet him?”

Eden didn’t want to think of the complications of that…yet. “We’ll see,” she said, playing it safe by being vague. Coming back to the bed, she sat beside her daughter. She stroked a hand over the crown of her head, down the length of her soft, thick braid, and toyed with the end. “What do you think of Luke, Phoebs?” She needed to know, because it was important to her that Phoebe connected with Luke. There had been other hands she’d hired that her daughter hadn’t taken to.

Rolling to her back so she was looking upside-down at her mother, Phoebe shrugged. “I like him. He’s always really nice to me, and he shares his cinnamon candies with me.” She grinned impishly. “He told me where he keeps his secret stash of candies in the tack room, and told me I could have one any time I wanted.”

Eden laughed with amusement and relief. “He did, did he?”

Phoebe nodded, clearly won over by Luke’s simple but thoughtful gesture. “He also likes to play with Mouser, and has special treats for her, too. Yesterday I helped him make a soft bed for Mouser since she’s going to have her kittens soon.”

Eden wasn’t surprised to hear what a softy Luke was beneath that brooding facade of his. She knew he was a kind, gentle man, despite his attempt to keep everyone at arm’s length. Now, if she could just break through his frustrating reserve and convince him to agree to her bargain…

Hopefully, tonight’s performance would change his mind.

Luke wasn’t into drinking and carousing like most hands were, and preferred to keep to himself. In fact, he’d just recently, as of a week ago, started frequenting The Silver Spur in an attempt to avoid Eden in the evenings. Making himself scarce during the day was easy since the ranch and cattle occupied his time. Staying in his apartment at night left too much opportunity for Eden to visit him again, and plead her case. The time in between when he had no choice but to talk to her, he kept their conversation strictly business, and though she’d had ample opportunity to broach the issue of her offer, much to his relief she hadn’t.

A week had passed since Eden’s proposition, and he was beginning to think that she’d given up on her outrageous idea, and her threat to find someone else. While one part of him was grateful for the respite, another part worried about her future as it stood in her brother-in-law’s controlling hands.

Just a few days ago he’d ridden in early and overheard Eden in her office in the barn, arguing with Allen on the phone. She had creditors who were demanding payment on accounts that were running over thirty days, and she needed an increase in her monthly allowance to keep her accounts open. Judging by the angry way she’d slammed down the phone and the very unladylike oath she’d muttered, he’d surmised that Allen hadn’t acceded to her request.

Rolling his shoulders in an attempt to shake off the guilt preying on his conscience, Luke finished his first bottle of beer, then motioned to the burly man standing across the bar and ordered another. For the hundredth time, Luke told himself that Eden’s welfare wasn’t his concern. He was merely a hand who was doing his job, but he couldn’t help but feel culpable, since he knew he could help her out of her predicament.

Frustrated with his thoughts, he redirected his mind and attention to the people out on the dance floor. It was Saturday night, and the establishment was full and rocking. There was a lot of good-natured ribbing going on at nearby tables, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Although Luke found it amusing to watch the men flirt with the single ladies in hopes of getting lucky, and vice-versa, he wanted no part of the one-night-stand scene. A few women usually approached him to dance, or to attempt to draw him into conversation, but he’d politely refuse their company, preferring to be left alone.

After the first hour, word usually spread that the dark-haired cowboy at the bar was a solitary man, which only served to heighten speculation about his reputation, and intrigue women even more.

If they knew the truth about his past, they wouldn’t be so eager to attract his attention.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” a deep voice drawled from a table next to the bar. “Is that Eden Lowe?”

“Sure does look like Eden,” another man confirmed, his voice infused with masculine interest.

A low whistle expressed male appreciation. “Yep, that’s her,” a third added. “And if I do say so myself, she sure is lookin’ mighty fine, boys.”

At the mention of Eden’s name, Luke’s entire body grew taut. Unable to believe that she’d venture to such a rowdy establishment when she didn’t strike him as the type to patronize the local bar, he squinted toward the entrance of The Silver Spur, struggling to see through the haze of stale cigarette smoke hanging in the air and the crush of people shuffling across the sawdust-strewn floor.

He saw a cloud of russet curls first, the rich shade enough to verify that his lady boss had, indeed, ventured into rowdy territory. As the crowd alternately shifted and cleared, he caught a full-length glimpse of her, and his mouth went dry.

She looked absolutely stunning. And sexier than the fantasies that had plagued him the past week. Gone were the fresh face, efficient braid, and conservative clothes she wore to work the ranch on a daily basis. Her body-hugging black jeans and blouse showcased her voluptuous curves, and had most of the men in the establishment doing double takes. He was no better, considering he couldn’t pry his gaze from her, either.

She glanced around, saw him, and a sultry smile lifted the corner of her mouth. She started through the crowd toward the bar at a leisurely stroll, stopping occasionally to talk to someone she knew, then continued on. A good-looking cowboy lightly grabbed her wrist to stop her, and just when Luke would have vaulted across the room to intervene Eden laughed at something he said and seemingly chided him good-naturedly for whatever comment he’d made. The other man grinned, and let her go.

The deep breath Luke took did little to calm the frustrated anger skirting the edge of his temper.

“I wonder what she’s doing here at The Silver Spur,” one of the men at the table behind Luke speculated. “She hasn’t been here for years, from what I know.”

Luke took a long drink of his beer and narrowed his gaze on Eden, wanting to know the same thing.

“Maybe she’s lookin’ for a good time,” another at the table suggested, a leer in his voice.

“Oh, I’d be happy to show her a good time,” the third one drawled, cocky and self-assured.

Luke’s blood began to boil and the hand resting on the surface of the bar curled into a tight fist. He turned his head and glared at the young men, but the trio at the table had their gazes trained on Eden, and wolfish grins pasted on their faces.

He swore beneath his breath. Did Eden even realize what a pretty little hen she was in this den of foxes? Before the night was over, if she wasn’t careful she’d be gobbled up.

“Good evening, Miz Lowe,” one of the men at the table said as she neared. His gaze took a slow trip down the length of her, his interest obvious.

“Hello, Tom,” she acknowledged pleasantly. “How are Mary Jane and that new baby girl of yours doing?”

The tip of the young man’s ears turned red at the mention of the woman and child he had waiting for him at home. “They’re doing just fine.”

“That’s good to hear.” She smiled easily, as if she hadn’t just put him in his proper place. “Tell her I said hello.”

Tom nodded curtly. “Will do.”

Eden came up to the bar, and her leg brushed Luke’s thigh as she settled herself on the padded stool next to his. That soft, alluring scent she wore wrapped around him, stirring a deep, vital hunger that was becoming more and more difficult to suppress.

His frown deepened, tightening the skin across his forehead.

She brushed her lustrous hair away from her face with a slender hand and eyed him with too much amusement. “Quit scowling. Tom is completely harmless.”

Though Luke was impressed with the way she’d handled the young buck, she was out of her element here. She was a respectable woman, and most of the men here were merely out for a fun, temporary tryst.

He pinned his heated gaze on her. “What are you doing here, Eden?”

She gave a one-shoulder shrug, unaffected by his growl of a question, and glanced around the crowded room. “Just checking out the prospects, Mr. Bodene.”

His spine stiffened. He didn’t know why it infuriated him that she’d addressed him so formally, but it did. “You honestly expect to find a ‘prospect’ here?” he asked incredulously.

“Sure. It’s as good a place as any.” Devious pleasure glittered in her eyes, as if she was enjoying herself. “I know a few of the hands here from neighboring ranches, and I’m sure I can persuade one of them to accept my offer.”

Luke’s nostrils flared at the thought of any of those men being cozy with Eden, being her husband, even in name only.

She was provoking him. She had to be. But then he remembered her desperation when she’d approached him with her proposition, that phone call with Allen, and her need to gain complete control of her ranch.

He stared straight ahead, his jaw clenching. None of that was his concern. He didn’t care what she did, or who she lassoed into being her bridegroom.

The lie burned like acid in the pit of his stomach, and he took a long drink to douse the flames, which seemed to glow even hotter when another man approached Eden and sidled up to her right side—luckily out of Luke’s reach, who had the uncharacteristic urge to tell the fresh-faced kid to get lost.

“Hey, Eden,” the light-haired cowboy greeted her amicably. “It’s good to see you. Can I buy you a drink?”

Eden graced the young, eager man with a dazzling smile. “Why, how thoughtful, Billy. Yes, you may. I’ll take a whiskey sour.”

Luke’s brows shot up, and while Billy ordered her preferred drink from the bartender, he leaned close to Eden. “A couple of those, and a teetotaler like yourself will be passed out before you issue your first proposal.”

“I can hold my liquor just fine, Mr. Bodene.” Her smile was full of sugar, but the tone of her voice held a bit of an edge. “But it’s incredibly sweet of you to worry about me. And as far as that proposal is concerned, as long as I don’t issue it to you, why should you care?”

Indeed, his conscience prodded him—why should he care? “I don’t,” he bit out, wishing he sounded more convincing.

She patted his forearm in a consoling gesture he found more infuriating than soothing. “I’m glad, because if I remember correctly, you didn’t take me up on my offer, and I did warn you I’d try and find someone else.”

Before he could respond to that, the bartender delivered her drink, and she smiled her thanks. Picking up her glass, she slipped off her stool and allowed Billy to gently grasp her elbow and guide her toward a table where two other men sat, grinning like fools.

Eden turned and waggled her fingers at Luke. “Have a good evening, Mr. Bodene.”

His good evening turned out to be a pure, living hell. For the next hour, he nursed his beer and watched Eden flirt with the male population at The Silver Spur. He actually found himself envying the way she’d listen intently to something someone said, or laugh huskily at a joke. And with each minute that passed and she ignored his presence, jealousy gnawed at him.

That she had the power to evoke such an uncontrollable, possessive emotion shook him to the core and sorely rattled his resolve to refuse her offer. Filching a cinnamon disc from his shirt pocket, he slipped the hot flavored candy into his mouth, wishing for the calming effects of a cigarette instead.

He continued to brood, and glower in the general direction of Eden and the men vying for her attention. Yet, he had to admit that she’d done nothing to deserve his dark mood. Her enjoyment of the evening and the male acquaintances she was conversing with was completely harmless. She never crossed that invisible line of decorum with any of those men, and she didn’t openly invite anything inappropriate. Like everyone else in The Silver Spur, she was just having a good time.

It was the ulterior motives she had in mind that kept her in Luke’s line of vision at all times. He kept waiting for her to select her next quarry, make her proposition, and no longer need him. Every time her lips moved, he imagined her asking the cowboy she was talking to to marry her. Any one of them looked eager enough to oblige her.

The whole scenario had Luke anxious and on edge.

If he was smart, he’d blow this joint and head back to the Double L. If he wanted to keep his single status intact and save Eden’s reputation, he’d pack up his belongings and be gone by dawn. He contemplated leaving Eden and her tempting offer of land…until one of those men stood with Eden and they headed for the dance floor.

An upbeat Garth Brooks tune blared through the speakers, and both of them fell into the lively two-step, laughing companionably. A good foot of distance separated them for the fast-paced dance, but those twelve inches were too close for Luke’s comfort. His chest tightened with every breath he took, and a sense of male rivalry flared within him.

The DJ announced the upcoming ballad, and before the current song ended, Luke slid off his stool and strode determinedly toward the dance floor. By the time Garth sang the last note of his song, Luke was standing beside the couple.

“Mind if I cut in?” he asked, startling them both.

The other man took one look at Luke, decided he wasn’t worth tussling with, and shrugged. “Save a slow one for me, Eden.”

Eden smiled at him. “Sure thing, Dan.”

Once the man ambled away, she frowned up at Luke, not looking happy about his interference. The slow song began, and he gathered Eden in his embrace before she could protest, or make a graceful escape. One arm banded around her back, pulling her so close their bodies meshed—incredible softness to male hardness. From breasts, to belly, to thighs, they were a perfect, intimate match.

He thought he heard her gasp at the contact, but couldn’t be sure with the music and conversation swirling around them. The frisson of desire in her gaze, however, was unmistakable, as was his body’s response to being pressed to her supple curves—ruthlessly reminding him that it had been months since he’d been with a woman. At the moment, he couldn’t imagine being with anyone but Eden, tasting her lips, losing himself in her scent, caressing her bare, smooth skin…

Ignoring those dangerous thoughts, he continued guiding her through the crush of people on the dance floor, their steps slow, but synchronized. He flashed her a tight smile. “Dan doesn’t look old enough to be in a bar, let alone be husband material.”

She stiffened at the censure in his voice, and he automatically splayed his hand low on her spine. Tentatively, because she had little choice, she lightly rested her hands on his shoulders. The movement caused her breasts to brush across his chest, heightening the hunger coiling in his belly.

“He’s of legal age, for drinking and marrying,” she said, her sassy tone belying the smoky awareness in her eyes. “And that’s all that matters.”

Was she really considering that kid as a prospect? The thought sparked another bout of territorial feelings he had no defense against. “You’re asking for trouble here, Eden,” he said, his low voice vibrating with warning.

Her chin lifted mutinously. “I’m not doing anything wrong, just enjoying myself.”

And driving him crazy in the process, he thought grimly. “Until some young buck takes your proposition the wrong way.”

She sighed, the sound more weary than irritated. “The last thing I need tonight is a lecture, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going outside to get myself some space and fresh air.” The heels of her palms pressed against his shoulders to push him away, and he immediately heeded her silent request and let her go.

He stood there, hands on his hips, watching as she wended her way around the dancing couples toward the entrance. Male eyes followed her, mostly curious, but he didn’t trust any of them.

He trusted himself even less around Eden, but he wasn’t about to let her go outside by herself. It was dark out there, and though everyone here tonight appeared to be decent citizens, he’d seen too many instances where liquor clouded judgment and turned good men into idiots.

Once Eden stepped outside, she’d be a prime target for a drunken assault.

Swearing vividly beneath his breath, he strode after her, his long legs eating up the distance between them. Once he convinced Eden to go home, he’d do the same, and tomorrow morning they could resume their normal routines.

By the time she swung open the heavy carved doors to The Silver Spur, he was only a few paces behind her. He stepped out into the cool spring night, acknowledging a small group of men standing a few feet away with a curt nod that spoke volumes—mainly, not to challenge him, and to forget about hassling the lone woman they were ogling.

As soon as Eden heard a second pair of boots crunch on the gravel behind her, she started and glanced over her shoulder, the initial fear he saw in her eyes ebbed to relief, then just as quickly sparked again with annoyance.

“Go away, Luke,” she said flatly, and continued heading into the dark shadows along the side of the wooden building.

If he possessed one iota of rational thinking, he’d take her advice and put as many miles and as much distance between them as he could. But, he’d ceased rational thinking the day she’d asked him to marry her—and had spent too much time pondering the advantages of having Eden as a wife. The land in Montana was a huge benefit that would put him years ahead of his goal of being his own boss, but it was the comforts of home and the companionship of a mate that beckoned to him.

She had no idea how difficult it was for him to do the chivalrous thing and refuse her offer. Yet, he found he couldn’t stand the thought of another man marrying her, either, despite the platonic arrangement she had in mind.

The turmoil ate at his gut. “You don’t belong here, Eden. Go home.”

She whirled around, her hair swirling around her shoulders and face in a cloud of silk. The glow from the half moon reflected off her beautiful features, revealing stubborn determination, and a frustration he understood too well.

“I won’t have a home to call my own until I get married and that damned stipulation is cleared!”

He took a cautious step in her direction, and attempted to reason with her. “Eden, there has to be some other way to gain control of the ranch and finances without getting married.” Even as the words left his mouth, he knew he was grasping for nonexistent alternatives.

Rough laughter erupted from her, the sound more cynical than humorous. “There isn’t any other way. Believe me, if there was, I would have done it two-and-a-half years ago.” She dragged a hand through her hair, looking hopeless. “Do you think I want to marry some man? I don’t, but I have no choice, Luke. My husband left me with few choices, and you can bet I resent them, and him, for putting me in this predicament. My offer might not appeal to you, but it will to someone else, so I’d appreciate it if you let me try and save my ranch the only way I can.” She turned away, and he grabbed her arm before she could take two steps.

She glared at him, but that show of reckless daring did nothing to diminish the vulnerable emotions etching her expression. He knew she never meant for him to witness her moment of weakness, but he couldn’t help the way his heart wrenched in his chest. Instantly, he gentled his grip, and his voice. “Eden…”

She was a woman filled with pride and tenacity, so it didn’t surprise Luke when she rejected his offer of tenderness and opted to protect her emotions with a bravado as false as a three-dollar bill. “You’ve made it clear that you don’t want me, so please, just let me go.”

Like a huge tidal wave, the past week of resisting Eden crashed over Luke, bringing with it a surge of anger—that she’d brush him off so easily, and that she actually believed he didn’t want her, desire her, crave her.

Taking two steps, he backed her up against the side of the building and braced his hands on either side of her shoulders so she couldn’t bolt around him. She straightened defiantly and glared, just as furious as him, which made it too easy for him to vent his own turbulent emotions.

“You think I don’t want you?” he asked, his voice low and harsh, his gaze locked on hers.

She didn’t answer, not that he’d expected a response from her, and all he had to do to demonstrate the contrary was push his hips to hers so she could feel his desire for her, his need. He found himself amazed that even in anger, she had the power to arouse him, but then this woman was proving to be his greatest weakness.

His thoughts raced ahead, and he was helpless to stop the reckless flow of words that tumbled from his lips. “For the past hour I’ve watched you in there, hating when you laughed for another man, despising the men you graced with your smiles. Feeling jealous when you danced with someone else. I’ve been struggling with not wanting you since the day I walked onto your ranch! Dammit, Eden, I’m struggling with wanting you right now!”

Her fierce opposition faded to shock, then her expression softened and her breathing seemed to deepen as she searched his face in the moonlight. What she was hoping to find, he didn’t know, but at the moment he felt stripped bare, as if every emotion he possessed, every hope, need, and weakness, was exposed for her to see.

She rested a hand gently on his chest, giving him more tenderness in that simple touch than he’d experienced in his entire adult life. “Luke,” she breathed.

With a deep growl that rumbled up from the depths of his dark soul, he ignored caution and reason and selfishly grasped what he wanted so badly…Eden. Having her wasn’t a choice, but a necessity he couldn’t deny. Touching her, tasting her, was suddenly as elemental as drawing air into his lungs.

Delving both hands into her glorious fall of hair, he framed her head in his palms and brought her mouth to his as he pressed his hard, muscled length against her, completely meshing their bodies. Her lips were parted and inviting, making any wooing preliminaries unnecessary.

He claimed her with the silky glide of his tongue, proving just how much he wanted her with a searing kiss that inflamed him and made her melt and cling to him. The heat and energy they created together was incredible, incinerating…and as dangerous as driving eighty miles per hour on an icy road.

She didn’t struggle, didn’t issue an objection to his bold, urgent assault…didn’t fight him like a respectable woman should. She didn’t fear him, but trusted him. For the moment, their differences didn’t matter, neither did his dark past. The only thing that made sense was the passionate woman in his embrace, her arms twining around his neck, and her fingers sifting through his hair to the back of his neck to keep him close.

As if he was going anywhere.

The temptation of his thoughts skirted the edge of his sanity. Wants and needs clouded his judgment, made him ache for something that had eluded him for so many years. Everything he’d ever yearned for seemed to be right here, with this woman…who wanted a temporary husband.

With an anguished groan, he dragged his mouth from hers and buried his face in the fragrant curve of her neck. He fought to catch his breath, as did she, if the rapid rise and fall of her breasts against his chest was any indication.

Now that he’d sampled her vibrant response, he couldn’t imagine another man touching her, or marrying her. As primal and possessive as that thought was, it couldn’t be helped. He wanted everything she was offering him, and more. He coveted that land, he craved her, and he yearned for her acceptance, no matter how temporary.

One year, and then he’d walk away….

He gathered his nerve. “Dammit, woman, marry me,” he muttered gruffly against her neck.

Her entire body stilled. “What did you say?” she whispered.

He lifted his head, stared into her hopeful eyes, and prayed he didn’t destroy her life, her future, with his own selfish longings. “I said, marry me.”

She shuddered in relief, and a tremulous smile curved her lips before she wrapped him in a tight, warm hug that expressed her gratitude. “I thought you’d never ask, Mr. Bodene.”