shoved her inside, and quickly closed it behind her.
“What is it, Jason?” When Royce didn’t receive an answer, he looked up and saw Texanna. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he grinned. “Well, well, what have we here? My errant wife has returned once again.” He stood up and walked around the desk.
“Your wife my ass.”
Chapter Five
Texanna dropped the carpetbag and plopped her hands on her hips, her face red with anger. Her breasts heaved with righteous indignation. Lordy, she was pretty with her dander up.
“What do you mean by hitting that boy out there? The only reason he let me go was to keep you from getting hurt. He tried to help you—the big brother he dearly loves.”
“That boy is a deputy of the state of Texas and paid to do what I tell him to do. He’s lucky I didn’t fire him for helping you. May yet.”
She snorted. “That’d be a shame. He’s going to be a good lawman, almost as good as you. I—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” That’s all he needed—another cock and bull story that didn’t make a lick of sense. He walked around the desk and stood in front of her. His closeness unnerved her, and she moved back a step. The knowledge pleased him. “What prompted you to come back?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so I’ll just keep my reasons to myself.”
He couldn’t hold back a grin. “Ahh, you’re anxious to resume our marriage. Missed my loving, huh?” The expression on her face was priceless.
“Why you puffed up buffoon.” She poked him in the chest emphasizing each word. “It’ll be a cold day in hell when I enjoy your loving.” He’d maneuvered her back against the wall. She shoved at him. “I’m here to save your life, and that’s all, so keep your hands to yourself.”
Hands to each side of her head, he looked down at her pink lips. They called to him, and he wanted to bend down and taste them. He cleared his throat and pulled back. “Since you’re not my wife, just where do you plan to live while you’re doing this life saving? Who’s going to pay the bills?”
Texanna couldn’t think with him so close. The heat from his body, along with his bay rum aftershave settled over her making her woozy. His nearness was just a little too tempting.
The gleam of amusement in his eyes doused her desire. Smiling sweetly, she said. “I’ll get a job doing something. If the bank will give me a loan, I’ll paint portraits.”
His eyes lost their humor. He stepped back. “You paint?”
“Yes, I’m relatively well-known for my portraits in San Antonio. As a matter of fact, I’m acquiring clients all over the state now, some in other states. My latest portrait commission paid five thousand dollars.”
His snort of derision said he didn’t believe her.
“Buy me some paints, and I’ll prove it.”
“Why didn’t you bring money or supplies with you?”
“You know why. I couldn’t bring money from the future back here. People would think it was counterfeit. They’d think I was crazy or have me arrested.”
He shook his head. “You are crazy woman, or you’re up to something. Until I find out why you’re here, where you got Pearl’s things, and what you’re up to, you’ll be staying at my house as my wife.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“It’s either with me or here in a jail cell.”
What had she been thinking coming here without a way to support herself? She could have scoured the antique stores, located some old money, and stayed in a boarding house. Shoot, Royce probably would’ve arrested her anyway.
“I’m not sleeping with you, Mr. Dyson. If I come, it’ll be an ‘in-name only’ situation.”
“Suit yourself.” He looked her up and down. “I’m glad to see you’re suitably dressed today. The marshal has an image to keep up, you know.”
The man was baiting her. She smirked at him. “As long as I’m here, I’ll be a model housewife and not embarrass you. But I’m here to tell you, I
“What is it, Jason?” When Royce didn’t receive an answer, he looked up and saw Texanna. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he grinned. “Well, well, what have we here? My errant wife has returned once again.” He stood up and walked around the desk.
“Your wife my ass.”
Chapter Five
Texanna dropped the carpetbag and plopped her hands on her hips, her face red with anger. Her breasts heaved with righteous indignation. Lordy, she was pretty with her dander up.
“What do you mean by hitting that boy out there? The only reason he let me go was to keep you from getting hurt. He tried to help you—the big brother he dearly loves.”
“That boy is a deputy of the state of Texas and paid to do what I tell him to do. He’s lucky I didn’t fire him for helping you. May yet.”
She snorted. “That’d be a shame. He’s going to be a good lawman, almost as good as you. I—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” That’s all he needed—another cock and bull story that didn’t make a lick of sense. He walked around the desk and stood in front of her. His closeness unnerved her, and she moved back a step. The knowledge pleased him. “What prompted you to come back?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, so I’ll just keep my reasons to myself.”
He couldn’t hold back a grin. “Ahh, you’re anxious to resume our marriage. Missed my loving, huh?” The expression on her face was priceless.
“Why you puffed up buffoon.” She poked him in the chest emphasizing each word. “It’ll be a cold day in hell when I enjoy your loving.” He’d maneuvered her back against the wall. She shoved at him. “I’m here to save your life, and that’s all, so keep your hands to yourself.”
Hands to each side of her head, he looked down at her pink lips. They called to him, and he wanted to bend down and taste them. He cleared his throat and pulled back. “Since you’re not my wife, just where do you plan to live while you’re doing this life saving? Who’s going to pay the bills?”
Texanna couldn’t think with him so close. The heat from his body, along with his bay rum aftershave settled over her making her woozy. His nearness was just a little too tempting.
The gleam of amusement in his eyes doused her desire. Smiling sweetly, she said. “I’ll get a job doing something. If the bank will give me a loan, I’ll paint portraits.”
His eyes lost their humor. He stepped back. “You paint?”
“Yes, I’m relatively well-known for my portraits in San Antonio. As a matter of fact, I’m acquiring clients all over the state now, some in other states. My latest portrait commission paid five thousand dollars.”
His snort of derision said he didn’t believe her.
“Buy me some paints, and I’ll prove it.”
“Why didn’t you bring money or supplies with you?”
“You know why. I couldn’t bring money from the future back here. People would think it was counterfeit. They’d think I was crazy or have me arrested.”
He shook his head. “You are crazy woman, or you’re up to something. Until I find out why you’re here, where you got Pearl’s things, and what you’re up to, you’ll be staying at my house as my wife.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“It’s either with me or here in a jail cell.”
What had she been thinking coming here without a way to support herself? She could have scoured the antique stores, located some old money, and stayed in a boarding house. Shoot, Royce probably would’ve arrested her anyway.
“I’m not sleeping with you, Mr. Dyson. If I come, it’ll be an ‘in-name only’ situation.”
“Suit yourself.” He looked her up and down. “I’m glad to see you’re suitably dressed today. The marshal has an image to keep up, you know.”
The man was baiting her. She smirked at him. “As long as I’m here, I’ll be a model housewife and not embarrass you. But I’m here to tell you, I
Similar Books
