Daisy was nervous and tense, "Don't you want to marry for love, Jake? Why are you doing this? Tell me you're kidding, Jake." Daisy's voice seemed to reach higher tones with each question.
Slowly he shook his head, "No, Daisy Maze, this is no joke. Become my wife or I take your ranch, your home, and... remove your family from the property. Choose, Dais, because once you leave this room there is no turning back, either way."
Confused, upset, and mystified, all she could say was, "Jake, I..." Words failed her. Part of her wanted to say
fuck it
and take him, take what he offered. This was what she always wanted: to be Jakes, anyway he would take her. But the other part of her, the part that told her how wrong and manipulative this was, screamed an original, melodramatic,
NO!
That part of her, the pride and self-preservation, was running away from this situation and Jake at high speed.
"Make your choice quick, Dais. I don't have all day."
Seeing the indecision warring on her face, a momentary panic shot through Jake.
What if she doesn't choose me,
he worried. Lowering his voice, he whispered softly, "Would it be so bad, Daisy? To belong to me? To be mine?"
Daisy looked at Jake, really looked at him. His handsome face was like stone. He looked as if he didn't care whether she chose to marry him or walk out that door. However, his whispered words tugged at her heart like nothing else could. To belong to Jake, be his. That's all she ever wanted. He wouldn't have said anything if he truly didn't care what she chose.
"Yes," softly, barely auditable, slipped past her lips.
Trying to appear calm when inside his heart was racing, his blood rushing through his veins making it difficult to hear, "What did you say, Daisy? I didn't quite hear you." Looking at her, he waited.
Clearing her throat, she lifted her head and met his eyes defiantly, "Yes, I'll marry you, Jake." Her voice rang out loud and strong, sealing her fate, sealing her to the McKean Monster.
Slowly, a smile broadened across Jake's face. Standing up, he rounded his desk and pulled Daisy up, out of her seat, molding her body to his.
"Then let's seal our bargain with a kiss, love," he leaned down, almost touching his mouth to her own.
Lifting her face, Daisy met him, pressing their lips together and she lost herself in the wonder that only Jake could make her feel.
Slowly, leisurely, Jake took his time, almost like it was their first time. He explored her unhurriedly, gently tasting her, taking only what she gave.
It was a first for them in a way. It was the first tender moment that they shared. It was a melting of two people instead of one trying to conquer the other. A slow exploration of the other.
Stunned, Daisy pulled back, gasping. Reaching up, she touched her swollen lips in wonder, looking up at Jake through her lashes.
Jake knew it would be like this between them. Knew that she would be a fiery flame in his arms. Now he had to bind her to him so that no other could take her, or... before she could change her mind.
When she looked up at him, her doe-like eyes soft and heavy with passion, he grew impossibly harder. Slipping his arms about her waist, Jake pressed his erection into Daisy's stomach, leaving her no illusions as to what was pressed against her.
"There is no backing out now, Daisy. I won't let you to break your promise, our engagement," he liked the way that sounded, their engagement. Soon she would be his wife,
his
.
Wanting some room to breathe, Daisy tried to pull out of Jake's embrace, tried to put space between them so that she could think.
Suddenly she regretted her rash decision. Sure, she loved Jake, always had, and suspected she always would. But just because he asked, no demanded, she marry him, did not mean he loved her. Fears and self-doubt coursed through her. Daisy just wanted to leave, be alone and sort out what her hastiness got her into.
Gingerly backing out of his arms, Daisy peered into Jake's face, hoping she would see something that made her feel better about agreeing to his outlandish demands. She saw nothing. Just the same fierce determined look he always wore, the look that warned people away.
Just great
.
Nervously, she shifted out of his grasp, "I gotta go, Jake. I left the ranch a mess and there's a lot I need to finish up..." trailing off, Daisy was at a loss for words when he just crossed his arms and shook his head.
"Daisy Maze, you're not goin' anywhere til we get hitched. I'm not letting you out of my sight, Darlin'. I won't loose ya to some young buck, like Goofy Gowan. We're headed to Vegas. Now. You won't be slippin' through my fingers," grabbing her arm, he steered her towards the door.
Putting her foot down, Daisy planted herself at the door, and wouldn't budge. "No, Jake. We aren't running off like we have something to hide or did something... unorthodox," she touched her stomach for emphasis. Blushing, she went on, "If we are going to do this, we're doing it the right and proper way. Surrounded by family and friends." Tipping her head, she looked up at him challengingly, daring him to gainsay her.
Jake stared down at Daisy; head tilted back, hand on her hip, a glint in her eye. She was adorable. Laughing, Jake just pulled her back into his arms and kissed the frown from her lips.
Breathing heavily, Daisy backed up and came up against the door. Stepping forward, Jake quickly had her caged between the hard door and his equally hard body.
"Alright, Dais. We can do this your way. I think I'll leave you to the planning. I'd just get in the way of things. You know who I talk to, who I'd want there. No family from my side, 'cept for Aunt Donna, maybe."
Raising his hand, he cupped her face, delighted when she pressed against his palm. "Just one request, Daisy..." Once she lifted her eyes to his, he continued, "I don't want to wait. I won't. You have two weeks tops, Daisy Maze. I want you. In my life. In my home. In my bed," he finished against her cheek.
Flustered, Daisy nodded her head in acknowledgment of his request. She could do that; plan a nice, small wedding quickly. Now she had to break it to her parents. They were in for a surprise.
"Okay, Jake. Give me two weeks and everything will be ready..." Unexpectedly, Daisy rose up onto her toes and initiated a kiss for the first time. This time, Daisy took what she wanted.
Moments later, Daisy ended the kiss as abruptly as she had started it. Licking her lips, she patted Jake on the face and smiled, "I've got things to do, Cowboy. Can't stay here and lock lips with you all day. I'll see you later." And with that, Daisy pushed an astonished Jake to the side and stepped out the door and walked down the hallway.
Glancing over her shoulder was worth it; Jake's face was half surprised and mostly aroused. It was priceless.
Smiling, Daisy yelled, "Bye," to a dusting Miles and kept walking to her truck.
