Page 65 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Chapter14

Meri swallowed hard.The lump in her throat refused to budge.“Us?”

He nodded.“Yes.”

“Is there anus?”

“I think there is.Or, at least, I want for there to be.I care for you very much and I want you with me.Not just while you’re painting, but always.Marry me.”

“Marry you?But I don’t think you love me.”

“I feel more for you than anyone before, including Paige.I never loved her, but she needed me and I wanted to start a family.But with you, it’s different.The feelings I have for you are different.I don’t understand them.”

Meri wasn’t sure what to say, but the truth.“I’m in love with you.But,” she held up an index finger.“I can’t marry you.If you need to have the plane turn around and take us back, I’ll understand.”She abruptly moved out of his arms, her body growing cold.He didn’t love her.How could she marry him?Not without love on both sides.She didn’t want a one-sided marriage.

He lifted a brow.“I’m not turning the plane around.I’ll just have to get you to change your mind about marrying me.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist.“I don’t think that’s possible.You don’t love me and I can’t be in a marriage like that.”

He reached for her again.“I care for you more than anyone ever before.Perhaps it’s love.I don’t know.I’ve never been in love before.”

She sighed.“I’d still like to see your ranch and go riding.Fishing, too, if you like.Will I need a license to fish?”

His mouth thinned, and he spoke through clenched teeth.“No.It’s private land.I own it and if I want to take someone fishing on my property, I will.”

He’s angry, and I doubt it’s about fishing.“Look, Chase, if you’re going to be angry with me the whole time we’re at the ranch, you might as well turn around.”

He closed his eyes for a moment and then sighed.“I’m just disappointed.I’d hoped you felt about me the way I feel about you.”

Meri inhaled a deep breath and then took his hands in hers.“Chase.I do.I’m totally, completely in love with you.I don’t know how much plainer I can be.”

“But you won’t marry me because I can’t say the words aloud?”

She nodded, a lump in her throat.“I want you to say them and to mean them, not just because it’s what I want to hear.”

“All right.We won’t think about that for now.But I reserve the right to revisit the situation at a later date.”

She grinned.“I can live with that.”

“We should land soon.I can feel Paul starting to make his descent.”

She stood and headed for the chairs with the seatbelts.

He came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.“I’m so glad you agreed to come with me.”He whispered it and then kissed her neck before turning her around and easing his mouth over hers.

She didn’t know if he was tentative because of their discussion or if he wasn’t sure whether she would accept his kisses.But, oh, yes.She wanted his kisses now more than ever.Just knowing he wanted her, and that he loved her, even if he didn’t realize it, made her want him even more.Could she marry him without the declaration of love?What if she did, and he never figured it out?No, I have to be strong.He needs to figure this out for himself.I just hope he doesn’t take forever.I don’t know how long I can resist him.

The plane landed.A black SUV waited at the airport.

Chase took her hand as the driver walked over to them.

“Mr.Harper.”The man was tall and muscular, filling out his shirt.

“Hi, Jeff.How many times do I have to ask you to call me Chase?”

Jeff grinned.“At least one more.”

Chase shook his head.“Jeff, this is Meri Anderson.Meri, please meet Jeff Burkstaller, my driver.