-Clint

It then occurred to her that today was Valentine's Day. It had been years since she'd had a reason to remember it or for someone to give her a gift. Even while she'd been dating Kevin he hadn't bothered to acknowledge the day. His excuse was that he didn't need a designated day to give her something. Kevin had claimed the day was nothing more than a day for businesses to make money off gullible consumers.

She smiled. If Clint was a gullible consumer then she appreciated it because it really made her day knowing he had thought of her. She then looked into the bag and her smile widened when she saw among the tissue paper a box of chocolate candy and an oversize T-shirt. She chuckled when she read the wording on the shirt-I Like Playing with Fire.

She knew the shirt was a private joke between them.

She turned her attention back to her Valentine's Day card and smiled. She would definitely be Clint's Valentine, she thought. And set her mind to work on ways to make him hers.

It was almost ten that night before Clint returned to the ranch. He and his men had spent the majority of the day away from the ranch and he was glad to be back. He figured Alyssa would be asleep now and wondered if like last night she would be in his bed.

He also wondered if she had liked the gift he had left her. Conflicting emotions were running through him. She had been an itch he thought he would never be tempted to scratch. Now he was tempted beyond reason.

He opened the door to his bedroom and his gaze went to the empty bed. Immediately, he felt a sense of disappointment. Then his heart skipped a beat when he saw the note on his pillow. He quickly crossed the room. He picked it up and read the words Alyssa had scrawled on the paper.

Yes, I will be your Valentine.

Come to me. I am waiting.

-Alyssa

Clint had no idea how long he stood there, glued to the spot, rereading her message. And then with an insatiable thirst he knew that only she could quench, he quickly headed for the bathroom, already tugging his shirt out of his jeans. He would take a shower and then he would go to Alyssa, determined not to keep her waiting any longer than he had to.

Alyssa heard the soft knock on her bedroom door and her pulse began to race. She glanced around the room, hoping the lit candles weren't overkill, but she liked candles. She thought the lush vanilla fragrance that filled the air was nice. She hoped Clint thought so, as well.

She then glanced down at herself. Clint had seen her in enough T-shirts so she decided tonight would be different. She had borrowed the truck and gone into town and purchased this particular outfit to stir things up a bit. Not that she thought it took much to arouse Clint. He seemed capable of that feat just from looking at her at times, she thought with a smile. Alyssa wanted this night to be special.

She made it to the door on shaky legs and inhaled deeply before turning the handle. There he stood in the doorway and when desire flared in his eyes when he looked at her, she smiled knowing her outfit would be a big hit. They would definitely be playing with fire tonight.

My G.o.d, Clint thought as he stood there staring at Alyssa. She was wrapped up like a gift, in bright red wrapping paper with a huge white bow. How in the h.e.l.l had she managed it? Clint thought as he stood there staring at Alyssa. She was wrapped up like a gift, in bright red wrapping paper with a huge white bow. How in the h.e.l.l had she managed it?

As if reading his thoughts she said, "It wasn't all that difficult getting into it. But the only way it comes off is for you to unwrap unwrap me. Now that might be the hard part." me. Now that might be the hard part."

Not in his book, he quickly thought. Unwrapping Unwrapping her would be easy, especially taking off the big white bow which covered the essence of her femininity. Now that would definitely be a treat and not a challenge. her would be easy, especially taking off the big white bow which covered the essence of her femininity. Now that would definitely be a treat and not a challenge.

He swiftly entered the room, closing the door behind him. It was then and only then that he allowed his gaze to shift from her just long enough to glance around. He saw the lit candles and heard the soft music playing in the background. His gaze then returned to her.

He reached out, closed his hands around her waist, found the start of the ribbon and began pulling, watching before his eyes as she unwrapped. By the time he was able to pull off the bow, his body was hard and thick. He parted her thighs the minute the last piece of wrapping dropped to the floor.

The bed was not far away, but he doubted he would make it that far. Instead he went to the zipper of his jeans and took out his aroused member. Like last night he was prepared and had already put on a condom, not willing to take any chances. He knew to what degree he wanted her.

He lifted her onto him and entered her in one smooth thrust. It had been years since he'd made love to a woman in a standing position, but tonight he had no choice. He wanted Alyssa now.

He backed her against the wall as she wrapped her legs around him and tilted her hips for deeper penetration. And with another deep thrust he planted himself inside her to the hilt.

"You're some gift, sweetheart," he whispered as he began moving in and out of her. And moments later when he felt her come apart in his arms he followed her over the edge and they clung together, drowning in the waves of ecstasy as he murmured her name breathlessly. She clung to him and it took all he could do to continue to stand upright.

"Now for the bed," he said a moment later when he felt himself getting hard all over again. Every nerve in his body, every cell, seemed branded by her touch, the essence of her being. His senses suddenly became filled with an emotion he refused to accept. And as he crossed the room to the bed, he knew they were counting down the days together. These precious moments were meant to be savored.

Thirteen.

T he days pa.s.sed so quickly that a part of Alyssa wished there was some way she could slow things down. But then she looked forward to each night that she spent in Clint's arms. Neither of them spoke about the short time they had left, although they were both aware that in less than a week their days together would end. he days pa.s.sed so quickly that a part of Alyssa wished there was some way she could slow things down. But then she looked forward to each night that she spent in Clint's arms. Neither of them spoke about the short time they had left, although they were both aware that in less than a week their days together would end.

Everyone was looking forward to Clint's sister and her husband's visit. Chester was already preparing what he knew to be Casey's favorite foods.

"You're going to like Casey," Chester had said to Alyssa one day while she helped him prepare lunch for the men. "I'm glad she has McKinnon. He has definitely made her happy."

Chester seemed so sure of what he said that Alyssa couldn't help but be happy for Casey. She would be able to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. Alyssa knew that she wasn't to be so lucky. But at least she would have plenty of memories to sustain her.

She smiled. Clint had already warned her not to even think about not sharing his bed during his sister's visit. She knew Cole and some of Clint's cousins and their wives would also be visiting. Even Clint's father and stepmother were coming. They all were coming to attend the charity ball that would be held in the governor's mansion that weekend. To say the house would be filled to capacity was an understatement.

She knew that Cole and Casey already knew why she was there, but she couldn't help wondering how many of Clint's other relatives knew the reason for her presence. Had he talked to them about it? Did his father know she and Clint were married? Had he talked to them about it? Did his father know she and Clint were married? She tried not to consider their circ.u.mstances as an embarra.s.sing situation any longer. Besides, a part of her didn't want to worry about what other people thought about her relationship with Clint. Why should they hide their love affair? she wondered. They were lovers. She couldn't help but shake her head at the absurdity of it all. They were a married couple who were also lovers. She tried not to consider their circ.u.mstances as an embarra.s.sing situation any longer. Besides, a part of her didn't want to worry about what other people thought about her relationship with Clint. Why should they hide their love affair? she wondered. They were lovers. She couldn't help but shake her head at the absurdity of it all. They were a married couple who were also lovers.

And on top of everything else, they were becoming close friends. Good to his word, Clint took her riding every day and now she no longer feared riding on a horse alone...as long as Clint was close by.

She glanced at the folder on the desk as she sat in Clint's office. The proposal she had worked up for the foundation was complete and ready to present to Clint and his siblings when they arrived.

If they liked her proposal and accepted it, she and Clint would still be in contact with each other, at least until she had the site up and running. After the site was operational, she would be available to maintain it. It was a service she offered to all her clients. She didn't relish the thought of having a continuing business relationship with Clint after their marriage was annulled. It would open her up for heartbreak if Clint decided to begin to date again.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to think of such a thing happening, although she knew that eventually it would. Clint was too good-looking a man not to have a permanent lady in his life. But then, according to Clint, his uncle Sid had died a carefree bachelor, although Chester was convinced Sid had an offspring out there somewhere. He recalled a woman once writing Sid telling him she had given birth to his son, but stating she didn't want or need anything from him. She'd merely felt it was the right thing to do to let him know. However, she hadn't provided a return address, which eliminated the chance of Sid finding out if the claim was true, or establishing a relationship with his child.

"Alyssa?"

At the sound of her name she immediately came out of her reverie and discovered the sound was coming from the intercom system. It was Clint. She stood and quickly crossed the room to the box on the wall and pressed a b.u.t.ton. "Yes?"

"Where are you?"

She smiled. "In your office. Why?"

"I'm in the living room. I want you to come out and meet my sister and brother-in-law," Clint said.

A lump suddenly formed in Alyssa's throat. She was definitely nervous about meeting Clint's family, but knew she couldn't hide out forever.

"I'm on my way."

In less than a day Alyssa was convinced she totally liked Casey Westmoreland Quinn. And her husband, McKinnon, in addition to being knockout gorgeous, was a very kind person. Alyssa thought the two made a beautiful couple and it was very easy to see they were very much in love.

"You and I need to go shopping," Casey exclaimed to her the following morning at breakfast.

Alyssa's lips spread into a smile as she took a sip of her coffee. "We do?"

"Yes. You mentioned you don't have anything to wear to the charity ball this weekend and neither do I. Besides," Casey added as a grin spread across her lips, "that way I get to spend time with you without Clint hovering about. He seems to think I'm going to reveal some deep, dark, embarra.s.sing secret about him from our childhood. He's really overprotective where you're concerned. I guess I should thank my lucky stars that the two of you are already married."

Alyssa frowned. Surely Casey knew her and Clint's marriage wasn't going to last forever. In fact they were merely biding time waiting until the day came where they could end it. Alyssa's thoughts were interrupted when Casey's cell phone went off.

"Excuse me, Alyssa, while I get this."

Alyssa stood from the table to refill her coffee while Casey answered the phone. Clint and McKinnon had left the ranch early that morning and weren't expected to return until dinnertime. Clint was eager to show McKinnon the most recent pack of wild horses that had been shipped from Nevada.

"Great! That was Spencer," Casey informed her, after she had finished the call. "He and Chardonnay just arrived and are at the airport. They should be arriving at the ranch within the hour."

Alyssa raised a brow. "Chardonnay?"

Casey smiled. "Yes, that's her name. Her family owned a winery in California and she was named after her grandfather's favorite wine."

"Oh."

"So we might as well wait and take Chardonnay with us," Casey said.

Alyssa then decided to ask, "Do you know who else is coming?"

"Shopping with us?"

Alyssa shook her head, grinning. "No, coming to the ranch to attend the charity ball this weekend," she said.

Casey looked confused. "Didn't Clint tell you?"

"Not really. He mentioned some of his family was coming, but he didn't say exactly who. I'm sure he mentioned it to Chester for him to get the guest rooms prepared, though," Alyssa said.

Casey frowned. "Never mind if he did mention it to Chester. You're the mistress of the ranch and he should have specifically told you. You shouldn't be hearing it secondhand. Men can be so fruity at times," Casey said.

From what Casey had just said, it was apparent she wasn't aware of the circ.u.mstances surrounding her and Clint's marriage. "It's not that Clint's fruity," Alyssa said, coming to his defense. "It's just that he doesn't consider me as the mistress of this ranch."

Casey raised a brow. "And why not?"

Alyssa sighed. If Clint hadn't informed his sister of anything, she wasn't sure it was her place to do so. She hesitated to find the proper words, couldn't find them, shrugged and then said, "Because he just doesn't."

Casey stared at her as if trying to figure out what she meant and then a smile touched her lips. "Oh, you're talking about that business with the thirty days and how the two of you have to live under the same roof and all of that?"

Alyssa nodded. So Clint had told her So Clint had told her. "Yes."

Casey chuckled before taking a sip of her coffee. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Trust me, Clint plans to keep you," Casey said.

Alyssa shook her head. "No, he doesn't," Alyssa argued.

Casey laughed. "Yes, he does and what's so sad is that besides being fruity, some men are also slow. Clint is one of the slow ones. Chances are he hasn't even realized what he plans to do with you yet, poor thing."

Alyssa stared at Casey, wondering how she could make such an a.s.sumption. The only excuse she could come up with was that since Casey was happily married and in love she thought everyone should be the same way. Alyssa decided not to argue, and to let Casey continue to think whatever she wanted to believe. But Alyssa was fully aware of the real deal surrounding her marriage to Clint and that at the end of thirty days he expected her packed and ready to leave.

Two nights later Alyssa lay in Clint's arms after thoroughly being made love to. The sound of his even breathing let her know he had gone to sleep, but she was wide-awake...and thinking.

All of Clint's relatives who were attending tomorrow night's ball had arrived and she found all of them to be extremely nice and friendly. The house was full and without it being verbally expressed, Clint looked to her to be his hostess and instinctively she had taken on the role. When he introduced her, he simply said she was Alyssa. He didn't give her last name or what role she played in his life. She could only a.s.sume the ma.s.ses thought she was his live-in lover since she wasn't wearing a wedding ring and it was obvious they shared the same bed. But what was confusing was that when the relatives talked among each other in her presence and his, she was referred to as Clint's wife and he did nothing to correct them.

She guessed in a way it didn't matter what they thought since all of them would be leaving on Monday. And then she would leave less than a week later.

Less than a week.

Boy, how time flies when you're having fun, she thought. And she was having fun. Returning to Waco didn't have the appeal it once did. She had bonded with Chester and the men who worked for Clint, and she thought he had a very special family. They were so different from hers. Even his father, Corey, and stepmother, Abby, were absolutely wonderful. She could feel the closeness and the love among everyone. Those were two things that her family lacked.

"Alyssa."

Clint had whispered her name in his sleep and she snuggled closer to him. She would miss this. Going to bed with him every night and waking up to his lovemaking each and every morning. But as someone once said, all good things must one day come to an end. Over the week she would prepare for the heartbreak she would encounter the moment Clint drove her away from the ranch to the airport. To prepare for that day she needed to start distancing herself from him and she would do so once his family left and it was just the two of them again. It would be for the best.

Alyssa glanced around the huge ballroom filled with people. Chester had been right. Everyone important from all over Texas was attending the charity benefit to give their financial support to the children's hospital. It was even rumored that the President and First Lady would be making an appearance.

She had to admit that she was rendered speechless when they arrived and Clint introduced her to the host and hostess as his wife. Alyssa figured the reason he had done so was to not cause her any embarra.s.sment later. So far no one had questioned his sudden acquisition of a wife. And a few times when one or two people referred to her as Mrs. Westmoreland, she had to stop from stating that wasn't her name.