The Rancher's Marriage Pact by Kristi Gold Page B

few minutes ago. And don’t forget that kiss last night.”
    â€œEvidently I forgot myself.”
    â€œMaybe you’ve just forgotten what it feels like to be with a man who really wants you.”
    Her indignant look told him he’d struck a nerve. “Look, I have a few rules. I don’t believe in casual sex, and I don’t become intimate with anyone I’ve known such a short time. Never have. Never will.”
    A good lead-in to his crazy scheme, crazy being the operative word. But for the first time in a long time, he saw a possible end to his dilemma. Not to mention being married to Paris Reynolds carried a couple of perks, the least of which would be some nice, hot lovemaking. First, he had to convince her to give his plan credence.
    He paced down the aisle and back again before he paused in front of her. “No sex outside a committed relationship, huh?”
    â€œThat is correct.”
    He rubbed a palm over his neck and prepared to propose. “Then if that’s the case, I can only see one answer to the problem.”
    â€œWhat would that be?”
    â€œMarry me.”

Four
    â€œH ave you lost your mind?”
    â€œNope.”
    Paris found it difficult to believe a man like Dallas Calloway—a reputed confirmed bachelor—would blurt out a proposal to a woman he’d known less than twenty-four hours. “Let me get this straight. You’d be willing to marry me in order to sleep with me?”
    â€œYep.”
    This simply had to be a joke with an impending punch line. “Shouldn’t we go steady first?”
    â€œI’m serious, Paris, and I’m not asking just so I can get you into my bed.”
    From the somber look on his face, she could tell he was dead serious. “If it’s not only the sex, then why would you want to rush into a marriage?”
    â€œBecause I need a wife and I need one fairly fast.”
    Her head started spinning from confusion. “Could you be any more vague?”
    â€œIt’s kind of complicated. But I believe getting married would benefit both of us.”
    In what universe? “This doesn’t make any sense to me, Dallas. As I said before, you could probably have any woman you wanted and—”
    â€œI don’t want any other woman. And in all honesty, I’m running out of time to find a bride.”
    Paris entertained visions of gloom and doom. “Is there something physically wrong with you?”
    â€œDo you mean a terminal illness?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œNo, but I am suffering from an incurable codicil.”
    â€œNow I’m really perplexed.”
    â€œJoin the club.” He gestured toward the end of the lengthy barn. “Let’s go into the office. You’re going to need to sit down while I explain.”
    That sounded like a good plan. Her knees were still weak from their mini make-out session and the bombshell proposal. “Lead the way.”
    Paris followed Dallas into the office that was surprisingly simple and blessedly cool. She took a black-and-chrome chair situated in the corner while he leaned back on the industrial metal desk opposite her.
    Dallas released a rough sigh as he centered his gaze on her. “Before I launch into this mess, I need to know I can trust you with the information I’m about to disclose.”
    She braced for deep secrets, an all too familiar concept. “I promise I won’t say anything. Besides, I really don’t have anyone to tell, at least not around here. And I promise you I have no intention of mentioning any of this conversation to my mother and father.”
    â€œNo best friend?”
    â€œNot really. I basically lost touch with my friends from college.” A sad commentary on the state of her life.
    â€œGood, because some of my current predicament involves a scandal.”
    Her curiosity was considerably piqued. “Go ahead.”
    After looking away a few moments, Dallas finally