A Contract Bride's Triple Surprise Read Online Free PDF Page A

MacDougal insists we have a son as soon as possible. I’m ready to start.”
    Her chin trembled. He had a destiny, one of vengeance. He didn’t like taking Amelia as a wife just to satisfy their father’s ridiculous requirement. But honesty and respect would get them through. A bit of caring would help, but Nevin would be able to provide it. Hell, Nev might even end up loving her. Then they wouldn’t need him anymore.
    “I thought my husband wanted me,” she whispered. Her hands clenched the sheet high under her chin. “The women on the train didn’t know who they would marry or what would happen. I thought I was so much better off. I was already married to my brother-in-law, a man my sister said was kind and gentle. A man who wanted me as his wife!”
    Tears glistened in her eyes, but she hardened her voice for the last sentence. After his sister Louisa’s temper tantrums and pouts, he didn’t trust women who used tears to get what they wanted. But though tears slid down her face, she didn’t make a sound. Instead, she gritted her teeth and glared.
    He held back a grin of appreciation. This woman would fight for what she wanted. But would she want him? Though near-naked and defenseless, she glared up at him from the bed. She crossed her arms, plumping up her breasts as if to offer them. He wanted them…and her. More, he wanted this small, feisty woman to want him. It was a crazy idea. No one wanted him, other than Gil and Nevin, and Gil wanted him for stud service. There was no reason they couldn’t both enjoy it.
    “I want you, but the timing of this marriage is bad. I had to put aside important things.” Did she sniff back tears? No, it was more of a snort. “We’re stuck with each other. We might as well make the best of it, princess.”
    “I’m not a princess.”
    “You’ve got soft, white skin. You come from the city. Your father had money. That means all you were trained to do was bat your eyes and be pretty. Well, that don’t mean a damn out here.”
    She opened her mouth in outrage, but he kept on going.
    “I work hard, and I expect my wife to do the same. I want decent hot food, clean clothes, and a tidy home.”
    “Are you finished?” Her tears were gone, which meant the snippy attitude was back.
    “Couple more things.” He held up his first finger. “When I give an order, you obey it.” Second finger. “I want my wife in my bed, every night.” Third. “I’m big, loud, and ornery.” He let go of his fourth finger. “Don’t expect me to change who I am just because I have a wife.” He opened his palm, holding it up nice and easy as if he was saying “howdy.”
    “Does that mean you have a number five?”
    “Nope,” he drawled, low and slow. “That’s what I use on my wife when she doesn’t follow the rules.”
    She shrunk, wincing as if he’d already hit her. “Prue said MacDougal men don’t beat women!” She stared at his hand.
    “I don’t beat women, children, or animals. But I will spank my wife if she needs it.”
    She gasped, but not in fear. The sheet rose and fell as she panted. Her nipple buds pushed up the sheet, and her nostrils flared. Damn, did his luck change and he got a woman who liked to have fun?
    “I will not let you spank me!”
    “You sure about that?”
    She sputtered what might be curses. Considering the company she had to keep to get this far, she likely heard a good variety. She’d not be using them on him.
    “Are you breathing hard because you’re afraid I’ll spank you?” He lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned closer. “Or are you hot and wet because you want my hand on your ass?”
    She huffed and puffed. He’d bet a hundred dollars it wasn’t outrage that riled herit was that he was right.
    “There’s nothing wrong with wanting an edge of pain with your loving now and then.” Her hands fidgeted with the sheet. “That’s something to work up to, so I won’t be doing that for a while. Are you inviting me to lie