Page 23 of Unexpected Temptation
“If I wanted a woman, all I have to do is go into town.”
“Then why did you put an ad in the paper to begin with?”Her frustration had started to climb.
“Because I don’t have hours to spend driving back and forth while I date.I thought I’d hear from several women and have a choice.I wasn’t planning on marrying the woman I chose until she spent time here and we got to know each other.”
“How many women applied to be your wife?”
“Four.”
Amelia’s eyes widened.
“That many?Was there another, besides my sister, that appealed to you, and you might want to get to know?”
“I have to be honest.After what I found out about your sister, I pretty much gave up on finding someone that way.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Before you, I was planning on sucking it up and try to date a few women in town that had tried in the past to get my attention.”
“Before me?”she asked curiously, and her brows puckered in confusion.
“Yes.You’re exactly what I want in a woman.”
“You don’t know that.I think you want me because I’m easy.I’m already here, so you wouldn’t have to leave your house or put forth much effort.”
Her heart fell when he stayed silent for a long moment.That had been the first thing to pop into her head.It made better sense than him finding her attractive.But she’d had a kernel of hope that he did want her.Wanted mousy little Amelia.
Amelia tried to move off of him again.“Let me up, please.”
Jaylen tightened his grip.
“Hey, can you stay here just a bit more?I really enjoy holding you, and I’m not done talking.”
Amelia stopped squirming and stared into his eyes.
“I don’t know what to say to that remark that you’ll believe?I disagree with everything you just said, but you don’t know me, so you have no idea if what I say is the truth or not.”He tightened his hand to make sure she kept her eyes on him.“I hope you will at least give us a chance.You don’t have to be anywhere right now, right?”
“There is no us!”she burst out.Her hand, which lay on his chest, flexed.Her palm itched with the need to feel the warmth and strength of the big man under her, and it took all her power to resist the urge.
“There could be if we want it to happen.”
Amelia stared at him mutely for a moment before she shook her head.“No.I just can’t see...”
“Just give it a chance.Giveusa month.Let’s see if this attraction between us is strong enough to keep you here.I want you to know I don’t doubt we’ll be good together.And not because you’re convenient but because of who you are.Can you give us—me—thirty days out of your life?”
Amelia bit her bottom lip as she considered all the ramifications if she chose to stay.All she came up with was that a broken heart would be the worst.But the regret she’d feel if she didn’t at least try would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Amelia nodded.“All right.I’ll stay.”
Her words went right to his head and made the tension in his chest loosen.
“That’s good.You won’t regret it, I promise.”He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.“Let’s make breakfast.I just made a quick sandwich last night after you went to sleep, so I’m starving.After, I’ll take you out to the stables and introduce you to a few of my horses.
“You have horses?”Amelia had always loved horses.She’d had lessons when she was a child.The teacher had complimented her on her riding ability and thought she’d do well to think about working toward getting involved with dressage.
But her parents had put an end to that.They had been worried it had become an obsession for her.In a way, it had been.She’d gotten affection from the animals that she intensely craved and approval from the people at the stables.
It had broken her heart.She’d never shown another interest in anything, knowing they would just take it from her.She shook off the memories and turned her head back.
