The Texan's Bride. Linda Warren

closed her menu and unfolded her linen napkin. “Yes. I’ll have the chicken alfredo.”

      Cadde did likewise. “Parmesan steak. Medium rare.”

      She should have known he’d order steak. There was just something about Texas men that they had to have steak. Her father had been the same.

      She shifted uneasily and thought this would be a good time for them to talk. Straightening her napkin in her lap, she said, “You have two brothers, but I know little else about you or your family.”

      “I was born in High Cotton, Texas.” He took a gulp of the wine. “After our parents died in a car accident, we lived with our aunt and uncle.” A flash of resentment crossed his handsome face.

      “Your expression changed when you mentioned your parents.”

      He looked at her for probably the first time since they’d left the house. “I don’t know why.” His chilling tone issued a warning—don’t pry.

      The silence stretched and she could almost feel a negative vibration coming from him telling her he wasn’t in a talkative mood. She was about to ignore all the warnings when their dinners arrived.

      Cadde emptied his glass. “Bring the bottle, please.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      In a matter of seconds, the waiter was back with the wine.

      “Thank you,” Cadde replied, filling his glass.

      She twirled fettuccine around her fork and watched him cut into his steak with sharp strokes. Between each bite he gulped the wine. After the third glass, she’d had it. She carefully placed her napkin on the table and picked up her purse.

      “If you have to drink yourself silly to have dinner with me, then the deal is off.” She stood and strolled from the room, but not before she saw the shock on his face.

      At the small entry alcove, she asked the lady for a taxi. She didn’t even know if Brenham had taxis, but evidently they did since the woman handed her a card with a number. She noted the curious look on the woman’s face. After seeing her come in with Cadde, she was probably wondering what was going on.

      As she went out the door, she punched the number in on her cell and gave the taxi company her location. Darkness had settled in over the neighborhood, but the outside lights were bright, illuminating her way. The houses were lit up and a couple of boys rode by on bicycles, enjoying the last days of summer. Through some of the windows with open curtains she could see families were sharing their day—loving families. That was something she was never going to have so she might as well face it.

      She glanced at her phone for the time. How long did it take a taxi to get here? The cell was suddenly jerked from her hand. She whirled around to find Cadde. He was furious from what she could glimpse in the streetlight. His hat hid most of his expression.

      “Give it back to me.” She jumped for it, which was ridiculous since he was so much taller.

      “You’re going home the same way you came here,” he snapped.

      “Like hell. I’m not going anywhere with a man who has to get drunk to spend a couple of hours with me.”

      “I’m not drunk.”

      “Oh, please.” She placed her hands on her hips.

      “Jessie…”

      The cab drove up, interrupting him. Cadde opened the door and handed the guy some bills. “Sorry. Thank you.”

      Jessie was seething. How dare he! She was so angry she was about to burst out of her dress. “Give me my damn phone!”

      “You’re not getting it.” He held it higher and it made her that much angrier. “Listen to me. I’m not drunk, but it’s hard for me to adjust to this situation so easily. For years Roscoe told me to never mess with his daughter. You were off-limits. I can’t make an about-face overnight.”

      Some of her anger cooled. “Why would Daddy say that?” She couldn’t believe her father would do such a thing, but then again he protected her from life every way he could. He scared most of her men friends away only because he was afraid of her getting hurt. Cadde was different, though. Her father knew him.

      “Think about it, Jessie. Roscoe shielded you from everything and everyone.”

      “That doesn’t excuse your insensitive behavior tonight.” She wasn’t letting him off with that ludicrous explanation. “Give me the phone and we’ll call this evening a waste of time and put a big emphasis on my insanity in thinking that we could make this marriage work.”

      “Jessie…”

      She didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. Jumping for her phone again, she stumbled in her high heels and fell toward him. His arms went around her and he balanced her against the car that was parked at the curb. Somewhere between the anger and something she couldn’t describe, everything changed.

      Her breathing became shallow as his head bent toward her. She stood on tiptoes to meet his lips. It wasn’t gentle nor did she expect it to be. Her arms slid around his neck and she melted into a kiss fueled by anger but buffeted by emotions that doused every trace of outraged feelings. His lips softened and she went with the flow of discovering Cadde.

      He tasted of wine—heady, delicious wine that made her dizzy. She knew he would kiss this way, completely, mindlessly and without any doubt of who was in control. The hair at his nape tickled her fingers, his broad chest felt like a wall she could always lean on for support. Her phone was still in his hand and it rubbed her back in a soothing erotic way. His other hand pressed her closer to his male frame, and she experienced his all-consuming power.

      Just when she thought her feet would leave the ground and she’d float around in outer space from the sheer pleasure, he eased his lips to her cheek, to her forehead.

      “Let’s go home,” he whispered in a throaty voice.

      She breathed in the heady scent of him, the wine. The moonlight spilled its magic rays upon them and she wanted to explore these feelings, but she also knew she wasn’t ready. She needed time to get to know him. Would he understand?

      “I’m hungry,” she murmured.

      “Me, too.” He kissed her forehead and her resolve weakened.

      She played with a button on his shirt. “I’m hungry for food.”

      “Jessie,” he groaned.

      “You ate. I didn’t.”

      He took a step backward and the heat of summer stung her skin—skin that he’d refreshed with his male touch. She felt bereft, wanting his body against hers again. Why was she hesitating? She wanted more than a sexual relationship. She wanted love and trust along with the intimacy. She wanted a marriage that would last a lifetime.

      To ease her erratic thoughts, she picked up her purse from the ground where she’d dropped it when she’d stumbled. Her hair fell forward and she flipped it back.

      He handed her the cell and stared. The moonlight seemed to draw them closer and closer, not physically, but emotionally. He understood. Taking her hand, he led her into the restaurant. “These people are going to think we’re nuts.”

      She laughed and it eased all the doubts in her mind. They needed moments like this to build a foundation for a real marriage.

      The lady at the entrance looked surprised and the waiter raised a questioning eyebrow since they were seated at the same table. But being a professional, he asked politely, “Would you like something to drink?”

      “Iced tea,” Cadde replied, hooking his hat on a chair.

      “Me, too,” Jessie added. “And I’ll have the alfredo again with a house salad.”

      “Yes, ma’am.” The waiter walked away with a curious expression.

      Laughter