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

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СКАЧАТЬ sharp, stinging pain sliced through his gut. Kevin didn’t think Cara had the power to hurt him anymore, but seeing her again brought back all the bitter memories. They’d argued the night before Cara had left and had gone to bed angry with each other, but that was nothing compared to the memory of finding that Cara had slipped out of the house before dawn, leaving only a note in her wake.

      “It wasn’t as easy as you make it seem.” Cara’s pretty mouth turned down. She filled her lungs with a fortifying breath and opened her slim attaché case, pulling out the divorce papers. “If you’ll forget this nonsense and just sign the papers, you and I…”

      “Will be done?”

      Cara closed her eyes. “Yes. Please, Kevin. This is difficult enough.”

      She got that right. It was difficult seeing her again. All the old, hurtful feelings came tumbling back. Her leaving had cut him deep and left him bleeding. He’d hidden his injury from those around him until he’d become numb inside, then bitterness had emerged. He’d spent the next few years resenting Cara Pettigrew and trying to wash away her memory with an occasional one-night stand, women who would never measure up. He’d refused relationships and poured all his energy back into his business.

      Kevin shrugged off his pain the way he’d learned to, from years of experience. He stood his ground. “I told you, I want one week with you, Cara. One week at my penthouse. And then I’ll sign the divorce papers.”

      Cara’s shoulders slumped. She shoved the papers back into the attaché case and snapped it shut. “I can’t do that.”

      Kevin walked around his desk and approached her. Her eyes gleamed like diamonds and her skin appeared soft as a baby’s, but it was her very kissable mouth, tight as it was at the moment, that had him moving in even closer. He’d never gotten over his anger with her, but he’d also never gotten over wanting her. And now that she was here, he wanted one last fling with his wife.

      Before he ended their marriage for good.

      He touched her wrist and slid his finger tenderly up her arm. Goose bumps broke out on her skin and Kevin felt a moment of satisfaction. “If you want the divorce, you’re going to have to pay for it.”

      Breathless, Cara looked deep into his eyes. “You’ve changed, Kevin.”

      “I won’t deny it.”

      Cara moved back a step and Kevin dropped his hand from her arm. She worked the inside of her lower lip in that adorable way that always made him hot for her.

      “I’ll make you a counteroffer.”

      Kevin smiled inside. He should have known his feisty wife wouldn’t give in without a fight. It was a trait he’d always admired about her. “I’m listening.”

      “One night. You get one night and that’s all.”

      Initially Kevin balked. One night wasn’t nearly enough to exact his payback. He wanted more time with her. His plan was to romance her into falling in love with him again. The ultimate revenge for dumping him would be in his rejection of her. Then he’d sign her divorce papers.

      A thought struck and Kevin acted swiftly. “You’ve got a deal. If and only if you agree that our one night will be two weeks from tonight.”

      “Two weeks? I can’t possibly—”

      “That’s my offer. You stay in town for two weeks, and in exactly fourteen days you’ll have your divorce. Take it or walk away now with those unsigned papers, babe.”

      Cara narrowed her eyes and crinkled her nose. She mulled it over for a few seconds, then finally gave him her uplifted chin. “Fine. But only because I need that bank loan. You’ve got me up against a wall.”

      Her scent drew him closer. She looked so darn beautiful when she was indignant. He arched a brow. “Baby, I’ve had you up against a wall. Remember?”

      Recollection replaced the surprise on her face and her features softened with the memory. Kevin wrapped his hands around her slender waist and tugged her against him, his fingers splayed across her backside.

      “Kevin,” she whispered, before his mouth claimed hers.

      Kevin could kiss and Cara fell into him for all she was worth. His expert lips teased and tempted her with little nibbles until sizzling heat built up. She tried a vain attempt to pull away, but Kevin only brought her up tighter, pressing her hips to his with a subtle grind that swept through her system. Her knees buckled, her heart slammed as the frenzied kiss overwhelmed her. She found it hard to breathe. And when she opened her mouth to take in oxygen, Kevin mated their tongues and the tantalizing thrill escalated.

      He cupped her head in both hands and kissed her again and again, their breathing labored and intense. In the past, this kind of kiss had meant only one thing—a steamy night under the sheets. Kevin could always turn her inside out…

      The sobering thought of his blackmail returned full force.

      Damn him. Damn him. Damn him.

      She didn’t want this. She didn’t want to be swayed by memories of hot, mind-blowing sex with her husband. She’d put those thoughts out of her mind, for the most part. She’d come here for a signature and instead got a near-orgasmic experience just from one kiss.

      She pushed at his chest and broke off the kiss.

      Kevin glanced at her lips, which she was sure were red and swollen, and smiled. “Two weeks is gonna be a long time.”

      “We could finish it here and now.” Cara nearly died of mortification when Kevin noticed her glancing at the top of his uncluttered desk.

      “Tempting,” Kevin said, his gaze raking her over. “But we made a deal.”

      “Couldn’t we undo that deal, Kevin?” She prayed her plea came through sure and steady, instead of desperate.

      Kevin stepped away from her and shook his head. “The way you undid our marriage? No, Cara. This time you’re not running away from me. In fact, I want you to have dinner with me tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

      Cara jammed her hands on her hips. Who was this man? Certainly, he wasn’t the man she’d fallen in love with and married nine years ago. “You can’t issue orders like that to me, Kevin. I’m not at your beck and call.”

      Chagrined, Kevin scratched his head, acknowledging his mistake. “Sorry,” he said. “Guess I’m out of practice wining and dining a lady.”

      His confession touched something deep in her heart. Furious with him as she was, it was nice to know that behind all his anger there was a glimmer of the man she’d once known. And to know that Kevin was out of practice with women instilled great comfort within her.

      Kevin made a point of clearing his throat and beginning anew. “Cara, I’d like for you to join me for dinner tomorrow night. We have a lot to catch up on. And I could use your advice about something.”

      Curious, Cara raised her brows. “My advice?”

      “Yes, you always had a level head and you know the parties involved. I want to run something by you. Will you join me for dinner?”

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