Chapter 13

He kissed the tears away instead. Rolling her on her back, he started kissing her, starting from her forehead, his lips barely brushing her soft skin, but managing to send heat shimmering through her body.

His tenderness had always been her undoing and it was no different now. Using the tip of his tongue, he captured the moisture first on one cheek and then the next, until he was brushing his lips on the tip of her nose before going to her lips.

Dani's arms came up around his neck, fingers tangling in the wildness of his blonde hair as he continued to brush his lips lightly and possessively against hers.

"How I have missed you," he breathed against her mouth. "I prayed for you to return to me and here you are."

"I don't know what to do." She whispered, feeling drunk with passion, his scent filling every part of her.

"Let me show you. Let me guide you." His tongue traced the outline of her lush bottom lip and sent heat to the core of her. Her senses were reeling from his touch, the feel of his body against hers.

She was still fully clothed, but the warmth of him was seeping into her pores. "When you left me in that hospital room, I stayed awake, wishing for you to come back to me."

"I am sorry. I needed time to think." He smelled of warmth and hope and love and she wanted to cling to that as long as she could.

"And you have."

"Taj- "

"No darling." He shook his head and used his tongue to part her lips which were already partly opened for the invasion of his tongue. "No more indecisions. We belong together."

"My career- "

"I would never interfere." He promised huskily, his body tight and hard from wanting her.

"I would never do that to you. Whatever decision we make, we do it together. As long as you are my wife, I can deal with anything."

Her body shivered at his vows and the feel of him against her. She was drunk with yearning, her mind so filled with him, that she could not think.

"I still have my clothes on." She reminded him.

"We are going to have to remedy that." Easing away from her, he started to take off each item, punctuating the movement with kisses that delayed the process. When he got to her shoes, he eased them off slowly and dropped them to the floor, before taking off her tan dress pants and then her lace panties.

Sitting on his haunches, he pulled the T-shirt he had donned for bed over his head.

A gasp escaped her when she saw the angry red bruises dotting his tanned skin.

"We can't- "Raising, she splayed her fingers over his ribs slowly. "You are still hurting."

"I am hurting more from being without you for several days." He told her teasingly. "It's not as bad as it looks. I was told to rest for a week."

Her brows winged up. "Will you be doing so?"

"As long as a certain person who has become such an integral part of my life stays, then naturally, I will." He eased the baggy sweats over his hips, and she watched as his full erection sprung free.

Her hands wandered down to his flat stomach to trail over the hairs covering his sex. When her fingers closed around the thick length of him, he felt his body exploding into an amazing life.

"I don't want to come yet." He whispered hoarsely.

"I love the feel of it."

"Darling- "His body arched as she circled the reddened tip and captured the moisture there. "You are going to have to stop."

"I don't want to."

Hissing out a breath, he gently but firmly removed her hand and lowered himself on top of her. "Witch," he whispered, his mouth trailing a heated path down her cheek and then her throat where he ravaged the hollow of her throat. "I wonder if you know the power you have over me?"

Her fingers wandered down his back, sinking into his flesh as he continued to torment her with his tongue. Moving downwards, he circled his tongue around her rigid nipple, moistening it with his saliva before tugging it into his mouth.

A gasp escaped her, and her body moved restlessly beneath his as he suckled – first gently and then with an urgency that had her body lifting towards his.

Digging her fingers into his back and then his neck, she gave herself up to the pleasure that was coursing through her body. White hot darts of yearning were swamping her, threatening to overwhelm her as he switched to the other breast and gave it the same treatment.

His body slid down as he kissed her flat stomach, quivering as his mouth made its journey down until he was kissing the hairs covering her sex.

Dani's grip tightened in his hair, her body arching in anticipation as he kissed the swollen flesh tenderly. Her moans filled the room as his tongue traced the outline of her flesh before sinking into the wet warmth of her.

"Taj, oh please!" She had no idea what she was asking for, but he knew, and he was eager and willing to give it to her. His tongue plunged in, causing her body to arch like a bow as shocked pleasure coursed through her like a tidal wave.

She came instantly, her body twisting and surging towards his tongue as he continued to plunge his tongue into her, drawing out the exquisite pleasure that seemed to go on forever.

When he moved on top of her, she was still trembling from the aftermath of the exquisite sensations that still had her in its clutches.

His eyes held hers as he slowly guided himself into her, his arms moving to cup her face as he entered her deeply and just laid there, adjusting to the incredible tightness that was giving him so much pleasure, he could hardly stand it.

"I adore you." He whispered against her lips. "I would go to the ends of the earth to find you, that's how much I love you. I want children with you – "he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I want to see you swollen with my seed. But first I want you all to myself. I need you, darling, more than I need the air I breathe – And I am asking you to stay for my peace of mind."

"You are trying to bribe me." She was trembling, the tears gathering at the back of her eyes. She had never known such love, such utter devotion. Her parents had never known she existed, and she had accepted it or told herself that she had. But inside she was empty. Now he was filling every part of her, and she did not know what to do with it.

"I am just telling you like it is. How can I not love you?" he asked, brushing his lips over hers. He had started to move inside her, his hips circling hers as he saw the expression on her face.

A part of him wondered if she knew how expressive her face was. Even if she was not ready to tell him yet, he knew she loved him. It was in her beautiful dark brown eyes and the softened look on her face.

"How can I not want you in my life for the rest of it?"

"What are you doing to me?" she asked, helplessly drawn to the intense look on his handsome face.

"Loving you." He whispered against her lips. "And not afraid to show that I do." He kissed her then, his tongue plunging into her mouth as he increased the pace. When she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, his control broke and he felt the orgasm starting.

His fingers tangled in the thickness of her hair as he deepened the kiss, his heart hammering inside his chest. Dragging his mouth from hers, he buried his face in her neck as he poured his seed inside her, his body convulsing.

He struggled desperately to get his breathing under control and shifted so that he was not crushing her. But he refused to let her go. Still intimately joined to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and cradled her against his chest.

His ribs were giving him hell, but he did not care about that. The woman he adored was here with him and everything was as it should be.

Dani snuggled against him, her eyes closing in sheer pleasure and exhaustion. Her fingers were spread over his chest where she could feel the unsteady beating of his heart.

"Tired, my love?" he asked gently, fingers stroking the length of her back.

"Somewhat." She murmured in his chest. "We need to talk."

"I suppose we do." He pointed his chin down when she raised her head to look at him. "I am listening."

"We could live together and decide if this is something we want- "

"No." the single word was implacable, his expression stubborn.

She gave him a frustrated look, which he returned steadily.

"You are not being reasonable."

"I am in love with you and want nothing more than to be your husband. How is that unreasonable?"

"Living together for a while- "

"Might be how people do it in Hollywood, but I want to live with you as husband and wife."

"And if I say no?" She challenged.

"Then I will hound you until you say yes." He gazed at her steadily. "I would never dishonor you by offering anything else but marriage. I already know that I want you in my life for the rest of it. If you have doubts- "he paused for a second, eyes searching her exquisite face.

"And it will break my heart if you do. You haven't said the words yet darling, but I know you are in love with me."

"I am afraid." She whispered huskily. "What if I cannot make it as a rancher's wife? All I know is being an actress. I have spent all my life striving to be the best and I know nothing else. Before now nothing else mattered to me, but now-

"She shook her head. "I am scared of hurting you. What if I decide that I cannot do this? That my career is the most important thing to me?"

His hands lifted to cup her face, his expression gentle. "You are here with me now, aren't you? And I would like to believe that when you left that farmhouse, you already knew where this was going.

Stay with me and I will show you so much happiness, you will never have to wonder if you are loved or how I am feeling. I will cater to you in ways you have never imagined." His thumbs stroked her cheeks tenderly.

"Give me the chance to be there for you darling, to be the man who will always be your biggest supporter, the one who will be there no matter what you are going through. I can do nothing less than love you my sweet. Let me put my rings on your finger and give you, my name."

Dani felt the tears coursing down her cheeks and did not give a damn about being this vulnerable in front of him. She had spent her life and her career being tough to cover up the fact that she was vulnerable, and he brought that out in her.

"Damn you." She whispered achingly.

"I love you." He told her somberly, wiping away the tears. "And I am here, yours, offering myself to you without reservations. And promising you that I will be yours for the rest of my life." He caught her in his arms as she collapsed against his chest.

*****

He had been afraid to fall asleep in case she had woken up during the night and decided that she was going to leave. He had solved that problem by wrapping himself around her after making love to her the third time.

She had fallen asleep long before him of course and he had indulged in the absolute pleasure of watching her sleep until he had closed his eyes and succumbed to the pleasant exhaustion that had pulled him under.

Now he was awake, and she was still wrapped up against him and fast asleep. Turning his head slightly and realized to his surprise that it was half past eight. Carefully removing his arms from around her waist, he eased himself off until he was clear of her, relieved to see that she was still sound asleep.

Pulling the covers over her, he stood at the side of the bed and gazed at her. She had not said the words yet, nor had she accepted his proposal of marriage, but he had no intention of letting her go and he had put her on notice.

Dragging his fingers through the tangle of hair, he turned to go to the closet, his eyes roving over the completely masculine room. There would have to be changes and he did not mind that in the least. She could do whatever she wanted to do. Just as long as she remained here with him as his wife.

Taking one last lingering look at her, he headed for the bathroom. When he came back out a few minutes later, she was still fast asleep, one hand flung over the covers.

Dressing as quickly and as quietly as he could, he tiptoed out of the room and closed the doors behind him. He was heading down the spiral staircase when he saw his grandfather heading into the blue and white salon with a newspaper tucked under his arm.

"I was beginning to think that I would have to ask the kitchen to send the meal up to your room."

"Dani is still asleep." A smile played around his mouth as he finished descending the stairs. "No doubt she will be out for a little while longer."

"And she has missed her flight." Thomas stared at him quizzically. "No doubt that was intentional on your part."

"It might be the case. Let me get someone to take her case up to my suite and I will come and join you for breakfast."

Thomas nodded and turned into the doorway.

Taj came back several minutes later and went straight to the sideboard to pour a large cup of coffee.

"You look decidedly better."

"I feel better. Just sore around the ribs, but that's nothing. And the fever is gone." Taking his coffee to the table, he nodded at the maid hovering inside the doorway. "Where is Dad?"

"Outside overseeing the work on the barns."

"I should be out there," Taj murmured disinterestedly.

"Are you under the impression the place cannot run without you?"

"I thought that was a given." His grin was infectious and had his grandfather smiling in return.

"You are happy."

"I am in love." He murmured as he sipped his coffee. "I asked her to marry me."

"And she said yes?"

He shook his head. "It's not so easy for her gramps. She has been through a hell of a lot and acting has been her identity and cover for a very long time. I told her I would never stand in the way of her career."

Thomas waited until the meal had been set before them and the maid had left the room before he spoke.

"I hope you fully realize what you are getting into." He said soberly as he dug into his seasoned grits and eggs.

Taj looked up from his crispy bacon and omelet in surprise. "I thought you liked Dani." "I like her of course son, but she is a world-renowned actress and the minute the press gets hold of the fact that you are a couple, your privacy as well as ours will be shot to hell."

Putting his utensils down, he stared off at the cool teal blue walls. This room had been one of his mother's favorites and he could still recall the scent of her perfume and the sound of her soft musical voice as she laughed and talked with them at the table.

"I have not thought of that. I just know that I want to be with her, and I am not going to allow anything to get between that." He turned his head to look at the older man. "But you are right. It's not going to affect just me; it will affect everyone here as well."

"That's why you should rethink this." The soft cultured voice just inside the doorway had them jumping to their feet.

"You should still be sleeping." Taj chided as he strode towards her to take her hand. She had woken long enough to take a shower and was wearing chic lounge pants and a striking purple top that left her shoulders and arms bare. Her hair was brushed back and wrapped into a loose bun on top of her head, and she looked wonderful.

"Good morning, Thomas." She greeted the older man with a smile and allowed herself to be led to a chair next to Taj.

"Good morning my dear. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Thomas beamed at her as he sat back down.

"Let me ring for breakfast for you- "Taj began when she shook her head.

"Just coffee and fruits for now."

"I will get it for you."

Before she could protest, he was already striding towards the trestle table and was heaping exotic fruits onto a plate and pouring a cup of coffee.

Placing them in front of her, he kissed the top of her head before taking his seat.

"The plane left." Picking up the cup, she took a sip of the excellent coffee.

"Yes." He was looking at her anxiously. "I see you found the suitcase."

"I did." She glanced at Thomas before turning towards the Taj. "We need to talk- "

"No. Eat your meal and let's go for a walk. I need to get some exercise- "

"Taj- "

"No." He shook his head. "If the words that will come out of your mouth is that you are leaving, I don't want to hear it."

"Do you know what this is going to do to you?" she asked frustratedly. "I am in the public eye and everything I do makes news. Paparazzi are going to descend on this place like a swarm of locusts and they are going to dig into your lives.

I know you are wealthy people, and you belong to a certain elite society, but I live my life with people watching me. In the past, it did not matter a damn to me, because there was nothing to find. Now that we are together- "

She jumped slightly when he reached for her hand. They had both forgotten they were not alone, so caught up in their situation that his grandfather sitting around the table had been dismissed from their minds.

"We are together. That's the key statement," he said tautly. "And I am not letting you go, so you can forget that."

"I am here, aren't I?" she demanded. "Do you think I could not have walked out any time last night and go and catch that flight? I wanted to stay with you, the thought of being away from you was killing me. I could not stand it.

But the fact remains that your lives will be disrupted. This is a ranch and as soon as word gets out that I am here and we are together, the peace that I am sure you cherish will be gone. I am just asking you right now to think about it."

Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers. "I don't need to think about any of it. When I consider life without you, it makes my knees weak. I don't care what it entails, if you are with me, I can bear anything."

"It's not just you." She reminded him, her eyes shimmering with tears. "And damn you for making me feel soft and mushy inside with your words. You are not the only one involved here, your grandfather and your dad- "

"And speaking as one of the parties involved, I am perfectly fine with whatever comes." They both turned to look at Thomas who was staring at them with a bemused expression on his face.

"And my dear, you would be an utter fool to run away from what I am witnessing right here. You two are clearly in love with each other and I would like to think that you are both strong enough to withstand public scrutiny."

"And we will," Taj vowed.