Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

M agnolia found Lucas in the atrium, wearing a trail as he paced back and forth. Even when he was a whirlwind of rage, his raw masculinity called to her, titillating her senses. His jaw was set in stone, his muscles pulled taut and lithe, like a panther that might pounce any minute. She stepped next to one of the bushes and plucked off a red rose. She moved closer to Lucas. “Hey,” she said softly. He must’ve been too caught up in his thoughts to realize that she was there, for he whirled around with a start, like he was ready to fight someone. His features relaxed a fraction when he realized it was her, although the agony carved over his handsome face cut her to the quick. His eyes were pools of dense, flat gray.

She held out the rose.

He furrowed his brows. “What’s that for?” he grumbled. Magnolia was learning that whenever Lucas felt threatened or in over his head, his knee-jerk reaction was to become surly and withdrawn. She couldn’t let that happen.

She kept her tone light as she forced a smile. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

He barked out a short laugh. “You think?”

“I thought we’d take some notes from Lillian and her late husband … start some new traditions of our own. It’s not a full dozen, but the sentiment is the same.” Her voice dribbled off.

His eyes widened in surprise as understanding flashed over his expression. A ghost of a relenting smile touched his lips.

Magnolia tipped her head. “How are you at dancing?”

“Terrible,” he muttered.

She stepped up to him. “That’s too bad.” The air around them crackled with energy. Her pulse hammered wildly against her ears as she peered up into his face. “Well, if we can’t dance? Whatever else can we do?” She made a point of looking at his lips. She moved so close that she was pressed against him. Heat from his body wrapped her in a tantalizing cocoon.

His expression grew fierce, his eyes hot, as he scoured her face. She felt his stubborn pride, his hurt over being spurned by her grandfather. He was strong and good, an eagle who was born to soar to magnificent heights. Knowledge flowed into her, giving her added insight into herself. She knew in that moment that she would give up everything—even her inheritance, if necessary, to be with him. He caught her in his arms, his lips coming down on hers, demanding her complete and undying allegiance. She let the rose fall from her fingers as she yielded to his intensity, welcoming the surge of adrenaline as she melded into him, appreciating the hardness of his muscles.

Their lips stoked a delicious fire that licked through her veins and simmered into her soul. When he dipped her back to deepen the kiss, a groan of pleasure rose in her throat as she threaded her fingers through his hair. She got the feeling that Lucas was claiming her his as she was him. They were born to be together. When he pulled his lips from hers, she clung to him as if her life depended on it. “I don’t care what happens,” she vowed, “I’m not giving you up.”

A smile broke over his face, dispelling the last tendrils of his gloom. “Have I ever told you how amazing you are?”

Gentle laughter bubbled in her throat. “Actually, no.”

“Well, you are,” he said vehemently. His words sank deep into her yearning heart. She was so ready to be done with the wretched wedding so she could become Mrs. Lucas Romeo. For her, it wouldn’t be just the five years. She wanted to be with Lucas always, and she wanted them to have a houseful of kids. She wanted them to experience the joy of having a family that was warm and open, a loving family like the one Lucas had. She swallowed. “About what my grandfather said …”

He scowled. “He has no intention of giving you the okay to marry me.”

The words struck fear through her center, mostly because she worried that Lucas was right. “We still have tomorrow. Maybe we should pray for a Christmas miracle.”

He stroked her cheek. “It would take a miracle.” His eyes darkened. “What will you do if he refuses to accept me?”

She lifted her chin. “I’m with you regardless.”

“Ten million dollars is a lot of money.”

Her gut twisted. “Yeah, but it’s not enough for a lifetime spent with the wrong person.”

“What if your grandfather’s right?”

She jerked. “What do you mean?”

He removed his hand from her face as he shrugged. “Roman did come back of his own accord. He didn’t know about the trust fund.”

A sharp anger sliced through her. “Are you trying to weasel out of marrying me?”

“Never,” he fired back, his jaw taut.

“Are you sure? If Grandfather doesn’t approve of you, then there would be no reason for us to rush things.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “We could date like normal people, take it slow.” Her stomach tightened. She didn’t want to take things slow. She wanted to be Lucas’s wife. She’d marry him today if she could.

He arched an eyebrow. “Are you trying to weasel out of marrying me?”

“Never,” she affirmed.

A shadow passed over his face. “I’m sorry.”

She frowned. “For what?”

“That I’m not more like Roman—someone your grandfather would approve of.”

Laughter sputtered in her throat. “If I wanted Roman, I’d marry him.”

“Maybe you should.” His words were spoken lightly, but she could see the pain in his eyes. “You can get the guy and the inheritance.”

She reached up, cupping his face in her hands. “Would you stop?” Her eyes locked with his. “I love you.”

He blinked in surprise, a smile touching his lips. “A little?”

“A lot!” she fired back. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow, right here in this very atrium.” She thrust out her chin. “And when you see my dress, you’re gonna cry because it’s so beautiful.” It had cost a blooming fortune. It should be beautiful. Now that she was marrying the right man, her wedding day would have new meaning. The atrium was the perfect venue. Her grandmother had loved to garden, and her grandfather made a point of keeping the gardens in pristine condition.

Lucas chuckled, low and deep. “Is that so?” he drawled.

“Yes.” Her eyes flashed. “Alright, cowboy. It’s Christmas Eve, and we’re starting new traditions. That leaves you with two choices—you can either learn to dance or you can kiss me again.” Her gaze traced the outline of his lips, an eager desire stirring warm ribbons through her stomach.

Amusement lit his eyes, infusing them with a rich blue. He pursed his lips, thoughtfully. “Those are my only two options?”

She giggled. “Yep.”

“Alright, Princess.” His words were a caress that whispered to her heart. “Here’s to tradition,” he quipped, his lips hungrily covering hers.

Later that night, Lucas lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his brain a jumble of thoughts. He wished there was something he could do to win Benjamin over. If only Roman hadn’t shown up, Lucas and Magnolia might’ve had a fighting chance. Was Roman on the level? Had the woman he’d gone to dinner with been merely a friend? If Roman didn’t know about the inheritance, then he must have some feelings for Magnolia.

His thoughts went to Renee. When she ran off with her therapist, Lucas had been devastated. That hurt quickly turned to a smoldering anger that left Lucas vowing to never again open up his heart. Then Magnolia stepped back into his life in such an unexpected way. A smile tipped his lips. An image of her holding out the knife, ready to protect him from the teenagers flashed through his mind. She was such a princess and yet, she was fearless. He still couldn’t believe she was choosing him over the money. It made his heart swell with gratitude. She was giving up so much for him. He’d never forget it. He’d vow to be worthy of her love—to be the man that she, for some wonderful reason unbeknownst to him, believed he was. Their love would make him a better man. They’d stop by Remember on their way back. Lucas would talk to Arthur Vinson, see if they could work out some sort of deal. It would be tough running his own ranch and keeping it afloat with all the expenses while paying a payment to Arthur, but where there was a will, there was a way.

A knock sounded on the door. Lucas glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was eleven thirty p.m. His blood quickened. Was Magnolia at the door? Those kisses had been amazing. She’d melted into him. Her lips were so soft and pliable, and yet, she’d kissed him with such fervor. Several times over the past twenty-four hours he’d allowed his mind to drift to the approaching wedding and everything that would come afterwards. The thoughts of holding Magnolia in his arms and making her his wife lit him with a fevered excitement. It occurred to him just now they’d not even talked about where they wanted to spend their honeymoon. He grinned, thinking about that ridiculous heart-shaped bed at the inn. He’d love to see Magnolia’s face if he took her there.

He threw back the covers, turned on the lamp, and padded across the plush carpet to the door. Suppressing a yawn, he opened it. Surprise pinged through him when he saw Oscar. He was dressed in the same clothes he’d had on earlier at dinner.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late.” Oscar motioned. “May I come in?”

Lucas glanced down at his t-shirt and boxers before raking a hand through his hair. “Sure.”Oscar stepped in, closing the door behind him. He shuffled his feet, his hands going into his pockets like he was suddenly unsure of himself. This couldn’t be good. Lucas motioned to the sitting area, which was larger than the living room in his apartment. “Do you wanna have a seat?”

“No thanks. This won’t take long.” Oscar blew out a long breath. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just gonna come out with it.”

“Okay,” Lucas said carefully, bracing himself.

“I spoke to Magnolia. She’s determined to marry you.”

A semi-amused smile stole over Lucas’s lips. “That’s good because I intend to marry her too.”

“It won’t work.”

Lucas flinched. “Why?” A hard edge slipped into his voice. “Because I’m not Roman Abbott?”

“This has nothing to do with Roman Abbott,” Oscar countered.

“Okay, if it’s not about Roman, then what is it?” He ground his teeth, eyeing Oscar.

“The money. Magnolia believes my father will come around, but he won’t.” Several emotions flickered in Oscar’s eyes—pain, regret, sorrow? Lucas wasn’t sure exactly what Oscar was feeling or why he was here.

“Magnolia’s willing to forgo the money if necessary.” Lucas didn’t want that for Magnolia, but if that’s how it had to be, then they’d deal with it.

Another emotion darted across Oscar’s features. This time, Lucas had no trouble getting a clear read. It was pride. “Magnolia reminds me so much of me at that age. She’s so optimistic about the future, so certain that she won’t regret giving up the money.” His eyes hazed with sorrow. “I was like that once.”

“You’re talking about your ex-wife.”

Oscar’s voice grew recollective. “Janet was this big ball of energy and fire. She swept into my life like a tornado. I was so madly in love that I would have gone to the end of the earth and back for her.” He compressed his lips into tight lines. “When my parents threatened to disinherit me, I told them to take a flying flip. I believed that nothing could ever come between me and Janet, especially not the money.”

Foreboding gripped Lucas’s heart in an icy grip. “But it did.”

“Yes, it did,” Oscar said dully. “Janet felt guilty because she knocked me out of getting my inheritance.”

“And you started resenting her,” Lucas inserted.

“I did,” Oscar admitted quietly, a sorrowful look in his eyes. “Over time, it drove a wedge between us that we couldn’t get past.”

Lucas’s throat constricted to the size of a toothpick. He coughed to clear it. “You think the same thing will happen to me and Magnolia.”

“Yes.”

Anger bubbled in Lucas’s chest. “You’re asking me to step down.”

A quiver rattled Oscar’s voice. “If you love Magnolia like I think you do, then you will look past your own feelings and consider her wellbeing.” He gave Lucas a pleading look. “Magnolia is fanciful, na?ve.” He pushed out a dry chuckle. “She thinks love can conquer all. But one thing you have to consider is that Magnolia has never been without money. She doesn’t know what it’s like to have to scrimp.” His eyes hardened. “Don’t think for one minute that I condone what my parents have done because I don’t,” he clipped. “Magnolia should be free to marry whom she pleases.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Even if that someone is a small-town cowboy who mucks out stalls for a living?”

A dart of respect flicked through Oscar’s eyes. “As you so aptly pointed out over dinner, this country was built by hardworking men and women who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. I respect you for the man you are.” He sighed. “Under a different set of circumstances, I would be honored to have you as a son-in-law.” He paused, his eyes meeting Lucas’s. “I hope you realize that.”

Time stood still as they locked eyes. Lucas could tell that Oscar was a good man who was genuinely worried about his daughter. “I do,” Lucas said tersely, his mind reeling.

“My daughter’s future is in your hands.” Oscar gave Lucas a long look. “Please do the right thing.”

Lucas pushed out a short laugh as his hand went to his neck. His words came out in bitter chunks like rocks hitting a cement floor. “Is it right to just desert Magnolia and leave her to marry a man she doesn’t love?”

Oscar gave him a perceptive look. “Magnolia’s feelings are skewed right now. There’s so much riding on this, I doubt she hardly knows what she feels. She cared deeply for Roman once. They were happy together for a long period of time. Magnolia can develop that love for him again over time. Relationships are built on mutual understanding, with two people who share similar backgrounds.” He took in a heavy breath as he eyed Lucas. “You’re a good man. I’m just sorry that you got caught in the crossfire of all this,” he said solemnly as he strode out of the room, closing the door behind him.

For several minutes, Lucas felt numb. Then, when the gravity of the situation began to sink in, he went over and collapsed onto the couch. He buried his head in his hands. Was Oscar right? Would Magnolia end up resenting him because she’d given up her inheritance? The answer came in the hard punch that stole his breath. She would. His heart began to pound, sweat beads breaking over his nose. He was hot and cold at the same time. What he and Magnolia had was incredible, but it was fragile and new. They’d only been together a short period of time. If he left now and walked out of her life, she’d have a chance to start fresh with Roman. His insides shriveled. He couldn’t stand the thought of Magnolia with anyone else, least of all that frat-boy suck-up.

Tears burned his eyes. He had to do the right thing. He had to think of Magnolia. Oscar was right. She was fanciful and na?ve. Magnolia was from a completely different world—a world that would be harsh when seen through the eyes of one who’d been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

On the miracle that Lucas could purchase Arthur Vinson’s ranch, it would be a tough way of life. He’d have to work like crazy to build it up. Magnolia had her own career that paid well. Still, ten million dollars was an astronomical amount of money. Nothing that neither Lucas nor Magnolia could ever earn would come close to that. She would come to resent him. His gut churned. He’d lose her anyway. He couldn’t go through that again. He couldn’t put himself out there and enter into a relationship that was doomed. As excruciating as it was, it was better to end things now … when Magnolia could still get her inheritance. At least she would have a happy life.

Tears burned his eyes as he stood and went to the closet. He pulled out his suitcase and threw it onto the bed. He opened it and began shoving in clothes. The only way he would have the strength to leave was if he did it now, when Magnolia was unaware.

She’d be furious with him for leaving. But one day, she would hopefully understand that he’d done it for her.

So she could have a chance to live the life she deserved.