Texas Temptation by Bárbara McCauley Read Free Book Online Page B

Annie,” he said dryly, “aim a little higher next time. I may still want to have children one day.”
    She ignored him and stepped closer. “I should just walk out of here, Jared. Arloco has dozens of projects they’re interested in. But we have a play here, a strong potential for a sound investment.”
    Her eyes searched his face, and he had the distinct feeling that she could see not only through him, but inside him, where no one had before.
    â€œMyrna got to you, didn’t she?” Annie said stiffly.
    â€œMyrna has nothing to do with this.”
    â€œThe hell she doesn’t. She bruised that male pride of yours when she implied I’d give you Arloco’s backing whether the figures panned out or not.”
    â€œDid you?”
    Her eyes glinted fiercely. “As I said to your stepmother, it’s been a real pleasure.”
    She turned and started to walk away, but his hand snaked out and took hold of her arm. “Annie,” he said raggedly, “I want your backing because you believe in the rig, not because of any obligation you might feel.”
    The stiffness eased from her body. “Jared, this is not an easy business for a woman. It’s taken me two years to prove myself with Arloco Oil. I have no intention of breaking the trust they’ve put in me. Not for you, not for anyone.”
    He stared down at her, saw the determination there, the intensity. A pan clanging from the kitchen and a muffled shout for more T-bone steaks were the only sounds to break the silence of the warm night.
    â€œBut that isn’t the real reason you’re backing out,” she said, “is it, Jared?”
    He said nothing, and she leaned closer to him, her eyes searching his face. “I deserve the truth,” she said softly. “You at least owe me that before you slam the door in my face.”
    He became painfully aware of how smooth her skin felt. Still, he let his hand linger on her arm, resisting the urge to run his fingers up and over the bare curve of her shoulder.
    â€œWhen I saw you on the rig this morning,” he said finally, “standing where Jonathan—”
    She closed her fingers over his. “Jared—”
    â€œYou wanted the truth. I’m giving it to you. What if something happened to you?”
    â€œNothing is going to—”
    He shook his head and glanced away from her, staring into the shadows of the night. “You don’t know that. Accidents happen all the time. You said so yourself. How would I deal with that?”
    She touched his cheek and forced him to look at her. “Jared, there are no guarantees in life. But there is something to be lost, something more precious than whatever you might gain, if you don’t follow your heart. Jonathan knew that, and I think you do, too.”
    He did know, dammit. But this was Annie. How could he take chances with her? She’d lost so much already. Her fingers moved over his jaw, and he felt the heavy deep thud of his heart. He couldn’t take that big a risk. He’d walk away from it all before he’d see her hurt again.
    â€œJared,” she said with an urgency that made his heart beat faster, “I never would have given my approval if I hadn’t felt this was a viable project. But I also realized something this morning as I stood on the rig. Something that went beyond the numbers and figures and bottom line. I realized how important this project is to me personally. It’s a part of my past that needs to be put to rest. I want this—for you, for me and for Jonathan. I can’t walk away from it. Don’t make me.”
    A pressure built inside him, a longing of such intensity, a need so strong, that he felt himself shake under the force of it. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t.
    â€œPlease.”
    One word, spoken softer than the night breeze, and yet it had the strength of steel chains. He was lost and he knew it.