Mandy turned on her side, away from the sight of Ty. She’d have to make a decision. Or give up after little more than a week of being married.
Hadn’t been so bad. There were parts that were enjoyable. Sex, of course. And he had galloped in like a white knight to save her from that bull. She’d almost felt as if he’d cared then. The kiss he planted on her could almost make her believe in the fantasy of Mandy and Ty. And at the barbeque it had almost felt like they were an ordinary couple, hosting friends and family at an old-fashioned roundup. But almost only counted in horseshoes.
She glanced over at him. He slept soundly. Like he hadn’t a care. Nothing to do but get up. Ty promised the financials for the ranch today—and his answer about the baby. If she hurried, she could be out the door before he even woke. She could use the time to brace for the coming disappointment.
Mandy stood in Ty’s office, looking over the report submitted by the analysts. She could hardly believe the seven-figure number she was viewing.
So much money made her a little shaky about turning down the offer.
She looked up from the paper, and the eyes that followed her were serious and somber. He undoubtedly knew that the amount would make it tough to walk away. He was counting on it.
“That dollar figure guaranteed?”
“There are no guarantees, but I was conservative. I do know a little about real estate development.” And, no doubt, this deal would be a feather in his cap.
“Even in this market?”
“Even in this market.”
She folded the paper and shook her head. “The ranch is off the table regardless of the money. I’m half owner, so you can’t do it without me.” She prayed Tucker would stay the course and money wouldn’t lure him. After all, Tucker had walked away from Prescott even though it cost him some stock.
“You wouldn’t just be well off—you’d be rich. As would Tucker.” He hesitated a breath before adding, “And so would the baby.”
Mandy wasn’t sure she could trust her ears. “The baby? Does that mean you agree? To having a baby?”
Her heart was thumping, and she felt like her blood pressure had just shot up. Could it be true? She might almost forgive him for pursuing a sale—almost.
“Yes.”
Mandy felt the burn of tears in her eyes as she released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “You sure?”
His smile was surprisingly broad as he rose.
She scrambled from her chair, her mind whirling and her heart bobbing in her chest like a buoy on a breaking wave. He’d agreed. He wanted a baby. With her. She’d always been attracted to him, but at that moment, he was like the most powerful magnet in the world drawing her to his outstretched arms.
Coming around to his side of the desk, she flung her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. He seemed prepared for her, because he scooped her up and held her tight against his hard chest. She fed him kisses like a gambler feeds quarters to a slot machine. She was relieved. Happy. Bliss filled.
His hands cupped her rear end, and, coming up for air, he tilted his head back. “Does this mean we are having sex?” he said, barely above a growl.
The giggle bubbled in her throat. “Unless you know of a better way to make a baby.”
He nuzzled her neck, and tiny little pricks of lust zinged through her.
“I mean right now, here, in the office.”
That had her straightening up. “Noooo.”
“Why not?”
“What would we tell our child?”
“Who tells a child how they were conceived?” He nipped her shoulder and then covered her mouth with his lips. He kissed her like a she was the last woman on earth—engulfing her in a siege of pheromones. She slid her hands down his shoulders, down his back, beneath the waistband of his pants until she felt warm flesh. Then she worked her fingers back up his bare skin and pressed his back, holding him to her. His mouth pressed deeper, and her tongue teased his. She felt his muscles tighten under her hands. He pulled her hips closer to his, and she felt him swell against her belly. Feminine satisfaction filled her.
He stepped back and, without a word, walked toward the door. Was he leaving?
She heard the lock click.
“No one to bother us,” he said, sauntering back.
“Karen’s right outside the door,” she reminded as she sucked air back into her lungs.
“We’ll be quiet.” He pulled her against his hard body She felt him, long and hard.
College dorms had given Mandy some practice at being quiet.
Ty feathered kisses down her neck while his hand massaged her breast. It had only been a few days, but it had seemed like a few years since he’d made love to her.
“You want a baby, right?” His hand slid lower, brushing the denim of her jeans against her skin.
She nodded, having a hard time finding her voice when he cupped her crotch.
“No better time to get started. Skin to skin. Flesh to flesh. No condom.”