The Rancher's Marriage Pact by Kristi Gold

well-equipped kitchen—which was almost as nice as the one back at the ranch—then made her way out the back door.
    Dallas had been right about the moon. It cast the manicured lawn in an amber glow and helped guide Paris down the dirt path toward a copse of trees. Fortunately someone had had the foresight to cut a wide clearing in the woods, otherwise she might have been hesitant to continue. A few yards away she could see the shimmering lake and headed in that direction, all the while aware of the sounds of nature, including what sounded like an owl. She managed to make it to the dock without stepping on a critter or coming upon the attack cats.
    Once there, she strolled to the end of the pier and lowered herself onto the wooden slats, then hugged her knees to her chest. A slight breeze blew across her face, bringing with it the pleasant scent of cedar. She heard the sound of chirping and an occasional rustle of leaves, which might have unnerved her if she would have still been walking.
    On afterthought, she rolled up her jeans, took off her shoes and dangled her feet in the water that was much colder than she’d predicted. But after a while she acclimated to the temperature change and rocked back on her elbows to study the host of stars in the night sky.
    For the first time that day, she experienced true tranquility. A sense of well-being as she soaked her sore feet in silence.
    â€œMind if I join you?”
    Paris gasped and nearly vaulted right into the water. She shifted around, palm against her pounding heart, to find Dallas standing above her. “Jeez, you scared me to death!”
    He sat beside her without waiting for an invitation and draped his arms on bent knees. “Did you think I was a snake? Or maybe one of the tomcats. Just so you know, they don’t talk.”
    â€œYou startled me because I wasn’t expecting you.”
    â€œNext time I’ll whistle.”
    Like that would help her anxiety over being accosted by random wildlife. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear you.”
    â€œNo kidding. This dock creaks like box springs on an old iron bed.”
    No real shock he would bring up a bed analogy. “I was very deep in thought.”
    â€œAbout?”
    â€œToday. This whole thing seems so surreal.”
    He shifted slightly, leading Paris to believe maybe he was suffering from bride remorse. “Yeah, I know. Never thought it would happen to me.”
    Her conjecture could very well be right. She wouldn’t know what might be on his mind unless she asked. “So what brings you here, other than this bizarre situation?”
    â€œI owe you an apology.”
    That she hadn’t expected. “For what?”
    â€œI’m sorry for coming on too strong. But I won’t apologize for wanting you so badly I ache.”
    She’d never felt so flattered in her life. “Apology accepted, and I’d be telling one colossal lie if I said I wasn’t extremely attracted to you. But—”
    â€œBut what?” He gave her a meaningful look. “If you’re worried about the whole annulment thing, I won’t tell if you won’t.”
    â€œI won’t lie under oath. And I have a feeling your integrity won’t allow that either.”
    His sigh cut through the silence. “You’re right about that. One thing I learned from my father, deception takes no prisoners. I do think we can find other ways to answer our needs.”
    Was he suggesting an open marriage? “If you’re going to ask if you can see other women, that’s your call, but rest assured I wouldn’t feel right seeing other men.”
    â€œI’m not saying that at all,” he said. “We can explore each other without going beyond the limits.”
    â€œYou mean only foreplay?”
    â€œYou got it, darlin’. It’s my favorite kind of play.”
    The thought of his hands on her made her shiver in a very nice way.