Page 50 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Chase gave her arms a little squeeze.“Thank you.”He leaned forward, dislodging her, forcing her to release him.

She walked back to her chair, sat, and connected with his gaze.A gaze that was unsettling.

His eyes were narrowed and nearly black.His mouth turned down and stayed that way even as he spoke.“In answer to your previous question, yes, we go ahead with our plans just as they are.”He stood and paced to the window again.“Just as soon as you’re ready to do so.”

She couldn’t make him wait.He’d already waited too long to put this tragedy behind him.And with this looming, no space existed for a potential new relationship, if that was her intention.And her uncertainty remained.

Meri stayed seated and let him pace.Let him work things out in his head to his satisfaction.

He stopped pacing and looked at her.

She smiled.“I’m ready whenever you are.Let’s get this guy behind bars.”

He strode over and took her hands, pulling her to her feet.“Thank you.I know you don’t have to do this.”

“But I do.If I don’t, that man will kill me.I have no desire to die when my life is just getting interesting.”

He lifted a brow and then smiled.“I’m glad you find your life interesting.”

She smiled and released his hands, then placed her arms around his neck.“As I’ve told you, I find you fascinating, Mr.Harper.Very fascinating indeed.”Then she lifted onto tiptoes and pressed her lips against his.

He pulled her tight to him and took over the kiss.

Taking it from sweet to sweltering in a heartbeat.

Her heart pounded and her knees buckled.If Chase hadn’t embraced her so securely, she might have landed on the floor.

He pulled back.His blue eyes bored into her, and then he smiled.

“Wow.You really know how to kiss, Mr.Harper.”

“Thank you.As a matter of fact, Meri, I think we need to renegotiate our business arrangement.”

She stiffened and tried to pull out of his embrace.“Renegotiate?Why?”

He held her tight, not even letting an inch between their bodies.“I know now isn’t the right time, but I can’t help it.I want you, Meri, on a permanent basis.”

Meri narrowed her eyes.“What do you mean, on a permanent basis?I know you want me to do murals in all your offices.I admit, that will take a long time, but?—”

He closed his eyes for a moment and then smiled.“I’m doing this all wrong.I want you to marry me.Be my wife.”

Her heart leaped, and her eyes widened.“M…marry you?”

“Yes.”His gaze bore into her.

She saw his vulnerability then and lifted a hand to cup his jaw.“You don’t have to marry me to get my painting services, you know.”

He rolled his eyes, and then his mouth turned up on the corners.“To heck with the painting.I want you.Just you.All of you.”

He still didn’t say he loves me.What if he still loves Paige?

“I’m not answering you now.I want all of this behind us, and then I want you to ask me again.”

Chase let out a sigh.“Whatever you need, I’ll do.So, let’s get moved to your place and get this over with, because I can hardly wait for you to agree to be my wife.”

She placed her arms to around his waist and laid her head on his chest.I love you so much.I wonder if you can love me even a little.

Meri didn’t know how long they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms.She could stay like this forever.Listening to his heart pound against his chest.Or was that her heart she was hearing?