Free Do You Take This Enemy? by Sara Orwig Page B

what he wanted. At the same time, he ignored the qualms that assailed him, the memories of a marriage filled with love and happiness, a stark contrast to what he was proposing here.
    â€œWhat’ll it be, Ashley? Will you marry me?”
    Her blue eyes focused on him. “Yes, I will,” she answered. “I have to do something, and your offer looks like the best solution.”
    He couldn’t resist. His pulse jumped, and eagernessflashed through him like lightning. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms gently around her to lean forward to kiss her.
    Startled, Ashley’s hands flew up to rest on his forearms. And then his mouth covered hers and she forgot all her worries and fears. She was surprised by his reaction, amazed that he seemed happy because she had seen the look that had momentarily clouded his expression, and she could guess why. She gave herself to his kiss, returning it, letting go of questions and cautions. Heat filled her, desire stirring, a longing to have a real union and not a paper one. Could she let go and trust what he said, or was she being taken in by a land-hungry, madly ambitious rancher who was still wrapped in grief over the loss of his loved ones?
    Then she didn’t care. She was swept away in his stormy kiss that turned her knees to jelly and made her heart pound. She wound her arm around his neck, curling her fingers in his thick hair. She placed her other hand on his chest, rock-hard with muscles.
    She forgot time or place or circumstances as their kiss deepened, awakening a depth of responses. Finally she pushed against him, and he leaned away slightly to look down at her.
    â€œIt’ll be good between us,” he said in a husky voice.
    â€œYou can’t know that,” she said, wondering at his optimism and confidence.
    â€œI’ll try, Ashley. I swear I’ll try to make it good.”
    â€œThere are a million questions and things to work out.”
    Gabe framed her face with his hands. “Ashley, I’m happy. This is good.”
    Her surprise at the enthusiasm in his reaction was tempered by the realization that, after all, he was getting what he wanted. She rubbed her brow. “I’ve got to do something. I don’t want another incident with Dad like yesterday.”
    â€œStop worrying,” Gabe said gently. “I’ll help, and our marriage will relieve your dad.”
    She studied him intently. “You want a quarter of our ranch for your cattle—that’s all?”
    â€œRight. Unless you want to give me more. That’ll allow me to expand a lot. I’d like to keep horses here, but I don’t have many horses.”
    â€œWe’ve got a million things to iron out before we can marry,” she said. “Where’ll we live?”
    â€œCome to dinner tonight at my house. Your dad is invited, too. We can make our plans. Does your dad know yet?”
    â€œNo, he doesn’t. I wanted to tell you first in case you had changed your mind.”
    â€œNever,” Gabe stated, his dark eyes hard as he looked at her. “Want to go tell him together?”
    â€œI better break the news first.”
    â€œLet me come in with you. Unless it will really upset him, I’d like to talk to him,” Gabe said. He was elated, his mind racing over their future together. And he would see her tonight. She might come with her father, so he wouldn’t get to be alone with her, but they would be alone soon enough. Her kisses set him on fire, and he wanted her in his arms. To his surprise, he realized he wanted her in his bed. He also couldn’t resist imagining the two ranches joined—a sprawling ranch that he’d dreamed about for years now.
    They walked to the house, and he knew he’d better think about what he would say to Julian, as well as to Quinn Ryder. When he draped an arm across Ashley’s shoulders, she gave him a sharp look.
    â€œMind?”
    â€œNo, I’m just surprised.