Authors: Nancy Hopper
He laughed mirthlessly. "You've been very busy with your friends, Dana. I ski with Tim, all the time. But that's all right. I knew my time would come, to get to know you. I've been waiting for you to be done with Rick Snyder." He added smoothly.
Dana's eyes flew to his, but she couldn't get a glimmer regarding his intent. "Did you? But you didn't tell Tim I was seeing him?"
James shrugged. "It didn't occur to me that you were hiding it from anybody. I didn't figure it was anyone's business. Although in retrospect, I wish I'd done something to trip him, long ago. I certainly felt like it. If I'd had a clue that he was trying to sneak around, I would have."
She shook her head, and rolled her eyes. "I was such a fool." She snapped. "Why couldn't I see the truth?"
James stopped, and put his hands on her shoulders. "Dana, here's the truth: any man with a real interest in you, is not going to need to sneak around. He will just make it very clear how he feels, and give you his best shot. But you know, I can't help looking at you now, and seeing that you really didn't love him all that much. I always suspected it was more an infatuation than the real thing."
"What?" Dana laughed incredulously.
"You didn't love him. You enjoyed the attention, and you were flattered, but I can see that you're not all that cut up. He hurt your pride, more than anything. I can see your heart, and it's pretty much on the mend."
Dana looked at him pensively. "You know, I've hardly thought about him, this past week or so. At first, I wanted to die. But I really think you may be right."
He smiled. "That's good. I'm very pleased to hear it. A man doesn't want the woman in his bed thinking about her past lover."
Dana bristled immediately, and blushed. "I don't intend to be doing any jumping into bed with any other man in the future, so that shouldn't be a problem." She reacted instantly.
"Then you and I are in for one hell of a stormy relationship, lady." He warned lightly. "Because I intend to have you in mine, just as soon as I can swing it."
Dana gaped up at him, and just watched him come closer. She found herself pressed against his warm body, as his arms wrapped themselves tightly around her. She sucked in her breath, and held it. James couldn't tell if she was going to scream, pass out, or bite him.
"Don't you dare." He said against her mouth. The attack was swift and devastating. Dana's knees simply turned to jelly as his mouth closed over hers. A sweet, languid fire coursed through her bones as he plundered. She could feel her defenses systematically crumbling.
He lingered over her, tasting the sweetness of her soft lips with obvious pleasure. Then, he moved his mouth to her ear and tasted her skin all the way down her neck. His hands were warm and insistent, holding her close.
"I did not enjoy waiting for him to blow it, any more than I wanted to see him hurt you." He told her in a low voice. "I know I'm not giving you much time, but I am not about to let any other clown ace me out, this time. I'm not waiting through any more of your pointless romances, Dana. I've already been down that road, and I did not like it." He told her distinctly.
He stared down at her with burning eyes. "So, if you don't like the idea of being my woman, you'd better figure out how to get used to it." He warned her confidently. "Ready or not, I am coming after you."
Dana just stared up at him in shock, and gave a nervous little laugh. "James. You move a little bit quickly for me."
"On the contrary, I've been extremely patient. You just weren't aware of it at the time. Now; suppose you try kissing me back, and see if you don't like it." He challenged. The dimples in his cheeks fascinated her.
Suddenly, he seemed so handsome; and very sexy. She'd thought so when they met; but now, it was somehow, deeply intensified. She found herself wanting to obey him.
She went up on her tiptoes with wonder in her heart, unable to believe she was acting so recklessly; and pressed her lips to his. She nibbled his lower lip, and then she just went for it. And her whole body was on fire. Every part of her was being instantly aroused, until she ached intolerably.
When he started kissing her back, the world exploded. She went absolutely nuts inside! She couldn't believe such passion was possible. She was wild with desire!
"Does that work for you, sweetheart?" he asked raggedly against her ear.
Her incredulous laughter brought a smile of satisfaction to his lips.
"Listen, Dana. I'm getting on a plane tomorrow morning to go back home. What do I need to do, to get you to promise me you'll be mine?" he asked.
"James; I don't know what to say." She protested gently.
"You could say, James Burton, I am madly in love with you and you'd better be prepared to marry me the minute I get back to Jackson Hole. And then, I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you crazy in bed."
She laughed and dropped her forehead against his chest. "I can't say that! You are impossible."
"Probably. Now, how much of that speech can you bring yourself to say to me?"
"None of it." She denied, laughing.
"Dana, I don't have much time to romance you, just yet -- but I intend to have your promise before I go. Now, can you say, 'I love you'?"
Dana blushed profusely and he kissed her, his lips persuading her, despite herself. She groaned as he stripped away every shred of protection and resistance she’d ever dreamed of clinging to.
"Say, 'I love you, James'." He urged against her lips.
"I think ..."
"Huh, uh." He chastised her gently. "I love you, James."
Dana blushed, and closed her eyes. "James," she protested.
He kissed her again, and she was on fire.
"Admit it." He insisted.
"I love you." She said, in anguish. She thought it might be true, but she was so afraid! She hardly knew this man! And after being so wrong about Rick …
James laughed, and drew her deeper in. "So, will you marry me?" he asked hopefully.
She opened her eyes, and looked up at him. "James, I don't even know you." She protested.
He gazed down at her with those lazy, insolent eyes, and considered. "All right. Can you stay out of trouble until you get home to Jackson, and keep all your sweet kisses for me?"
She blushed and ducked her head. "Yes."
His thumb caressed her throat, then lifted her chin. Dana shivered as he took her lips again. This man was ... incredible! She couldn't deny him anything. She'd never experienced such a deep, magnetic attraction in her life!
"What are you waiting for?" her brain taunted her. "You think you're ever going to resist this? You think somebody sexier is going to come along? What are you scared of? He wants you, just give yourself to him!"
"You must like my kisses, then?" he teased her with a glint in his eye. "At least, you're willing to keep them all for me."
She smiled up at him shyly. "Trust me, I have never been kissed the way you kiss me.
Never
."
"The best, or the worst?" he demanded in mock belligerence.
"You know they're the best." She chided him with brilliant eyes and a sweet smile.
"What are you holding back for, then?" he asked gently. "Don't you believe in love at first sight?"
"Sure." She admitted. "It's just that I'm -- well, you know, kind of gun shy. I mean, after what I just went through, it's kind of alarming to be promising anything."
James considered her adoringly. "I see. I know what to do, then." He said with satisfaction. "A ring would probably convince you that I mean everything I've said. Wouldn't it?"
Dana looked up at him with troubled, puzzled eyes. "James, I believe you. You don't have to do anything to prove yourself to me."
"Will you wear my ring?" he asked insistently, taking a ring case from his pocket, and opening it. There was a lovely, glittering diamond solitaire inside.
Her eyes flew up to his. "You bought this – for me?" she asked incredulously.
He shrugged. "It's been waiting for you for a long, long time." He said hopefully.
"But you don't even know me. How could you buy something like this, so impulsively?"
He shook his head. "It's not impulsive, Dana. It's called faith. When I first saw you, I had these crazy feelings. It scared me so bad, I went right home and got on my knees. I asked the Lord what was wrong with me; and He told me that there was absolutely nothing wrong. You're perfect for me, Dana. So, I bought the ring and I pray daily for a chance to put it on your finger. Today, I felt like I finally had the green light. I guess now, it's up to you."
Dana closed her trembling lips and eyes, and lifted her heart to heaven. "Lord, is this You?" she asked silently. "Can this be right? Is this what You've wanted for me all along?" She waited, and felt peace settle over her like a warm, heavy fleece.
She felt as though she heard Him chuckle, and say to her gently, "take the ring."
She looked up at James and let the love she was feeling, shine through her. "James. You are wonderful. Will it fit?" she wondered softly.
James turned a bit pale. He took the ring, and slipped it onto Dana's left hand. It fit snugly, and sparkled like the sun.
She looked up into his eyes, and let her heart shine through. "James. I do love you." She said, as though it were a revelation. She was so impressed that he’d prayed to make her his wife; waited and prayed. With this ring in his pocket.
There was no better bet to make. She was strongly attracted to this man, and Tim approved. She was certain of it, this time.
James kissed her and held her to his heart, with tears of grateful joy in his eyes.
"Now, you watch." James predicted as they mounted the front steps to the house. "Billy and Mike will be pouting, and I will enjoy their expressions when they see the ring on your finger."
Dana shook her head at him. "You, sir, are very naughty." She chided. "These men are your friends."
James snorted. "Yes, and they'd steal you in a heartbeat, if they thought they could. They could both use a little humbling where women are concerned. They've enjoyed so much attention, that it's become a dangerous thing. But you'd better not let either of them change your mind." He warned in a low voice.
"They wouldn't really do that to you, would they?" she asked worriedly.
"I don't know. They're not used to 'quiet little Jimmy' nosing them out. I wouldn't be surprised if they decide it's their
duty
to see how devoted you really are to me. Being my friends, you know, they wouldn't want me to be in a relationship that isn't
strong
."
Dana rolled her eyes. "I can't imagine that kind of behavior."
"Oh, they behave seemly enough – barely – and they do live as chastely as single men should. It's just that they put a very high value on feminine companionship and attention. And, I perceive that their sense of friendly competition is becoming unhealthy."
"Well, they'd better behave around me, or they may get more than they bargained on." Dana snorted.
James' smile was naughty. "That's my girl talking." He said with satisfaction. He pulled her into his arms again, and kissed her. It left them both shaking.
James pushed her away, and groaned. "I hope you have a lock on your bedroom door." He teased.
"Yes, I sure do." Dana assured him.
"You'd better lock it, tonight." He advised flatly.
She paled. "Jimmy, surely they wouldn't go that far!"