“Anything your heart desires that I own or can get.” He added mirthfully, “Legally, please. I’m in enough trouble with the law as is.”
Leigh’s heart fluttered. “Anything? As you warned me once, that could be a costly and dangerous mistake.”
“But you must confess, it will be exciting, and profitable for one of us. My offer stands: anything I own,” he asserted with an air of nonchalance. He waited to see if he would receive any clues to Chad’s guileful trip. Was Leigh aiding Chad’s plot? She looked so innocent and honest. Joanna had appeared to be both but had proven she was neither. He could be wrong about Leigh, too, but prayed he wasn’t. “Well?” he hinted. “You don’t plan on losing to me on purpose, do you? So what difference does it make?” he teased.
A big difference. “I don’t plan on losing. If I do, what prize do you want? Part of Webster International?”
“No, I’m happy in the coffee and safari businesses. If textiles interested me, I would have joined my father’s firm years ago.”
“Then, what do you want as a prize, if you win?”
“Need you ask?” He moved closer to her and captured her gaze with a stronger hold. He lifted her hand and turned it over to kiss her palm, then each fingertip. He was glad she did not look or pull away. Jace felt her tremble, and he was aroused, too. Her hands were soft but chilled—a sign of tension. Her respiration had increased—a mark of nervousness and desire. He doubted Chad affected her this way.
He loved just being near her. She was easy to talk with and comfortable to be around. This woman wasn’t false or flirtatious. She was exquisite, a prize to win and value and defend, a prize he craved. He admitted to himself how strongly she affected him, and how much he wanted her. She was someone to share everything with, when the time was right. But he had to be certain she was as genuine, direct, and honest as she alluded to being, which would take time and effort. From observing his parents’ and other couples’ relationships, he knew physical attraction wasn’t enough to bond a man and woman together, not the way they should be.
“Even if it was unintentional, you’ve tempted and tormented me, Leigh, so you have to know what I want from you.” His fingers trailed over her cheeks and lips as he disclosed in a husky tone, “If someone wants to really enjoy it, a special treasure can’t be taken by deceit or force. It must be surrendered willingly or it’s meaningless. Ever since that night in the alley, you’ve haunted me day and night like a golden ghost. In my present predicament and exile, I have little opportunity for romance. Since time is short, I’m afraid I have to be impulsive and forward. The truth is, I want you.”
Leigh was stunned. He certainly was direct! His jungle-green eyes were alive with passion and the thrill of heady adventure. Lordy, he was tempting, and she was too susceptible. His fingertips stroked her cheek. She was moved by his touch and words, yet she was uneasy. Why didn’t he want to win his father’s firm or the equivalent in money? Did he think winning those would be easy after seducing her? Did he want—need—vengeance against the Websters and Chad first? Did he see her as a path to victory? Surely he sensed how vulnerable and receptive she was to him. Leigh pushed his distracting hand into his lap. She had to think clearly, if that was possible with him so near. “That’s a mighty big wager on my part, Mr. Elliott. Of all women available, why do you want me—an inexperienced girl—as your lover? Besides, I couldn’t even stay behind as your mistress and ruin my reputation. Chad would be so furious he would resign and leave me in a barrel of trouble. I can’t become your lover on a crazy bet.”
She misunderstood his meaning, and Jace knew he must let her do so for a while. If he demanded a future marriage, she might panic, and a marriage might be impossible for a long time given his situation. Yet he had to discover her feelings. “I want you, Leigh Webster, not another woman.” He locked their gazes. “Once this safari is over and we’ve become good friends, I want you to spend your last night here with me, all night. I would love to wager more time, but I know that’s impossible. What prize do you crave, Leigh?”
Her gaze slipped over his muscular, virile frame. Her keen eyes took in his attractive features, that alluring smile, his potent appeal. At least he was honest about his interest in her, but could she agree to one passionate night in his arms and bed when she wanted so much more from him? Yet that one night could lead to something more valuable and permanent if she lost the bet. No, she couldn’t lose, so why not agree? What should she play for: the plantation, money, or him? She knew how he valued his freedom. His grin was so smug. He was demanding her all, so why shouldn’t she do the same? She heard herself say, “The price will be you, Mr. Elliott, total possession.”
It was Jace’s turn to be stunned. “That would make our wagers the same,” he ventured. “There wouldn’t be a loser or a winner. Of course, I’m not complaining, but Chad surely will.”
“No, our wagers are not the same,” she corrected him. “If you lose, you exonerate yourself, marry me, and move to London.” She witnessed the disbelief in his gaze as she continued. “If I win and Chad deserts me, you’ll be there to run the firm for me. Surely you learned the business from your father, so it shouldn’t be a problem. As far as my guardian knows, our wager will be for a thousand pounds. Another thing, you must give your word of honor you won’t do anything intentional either to make me lose this bet or to help me win it. Agreed?”
Jace wondered what she was up to with this provocative and incredible proposal, even though marriage had beenhisoriginal idea. But why wed him, a near stranger and alleged criminal, when she had her choice of men? Was she trying to lure him into danger in England? That was the only way to exonerate himself. Did she think he would refuse her terms and say to forget the wager? He tested her feelings for, and loyalty to, his foe by saying, “If you lose, I get you for a night and get even with Chad. If you win, I still get even with Chad. Either way, I’ll profit. But how will you benefit from winning? What debt do you owe me that has to be paid with a sacrifice? Clearing myself can’t mean this much to you, even if I saved your life. And you can have this quarry anytime you want him, my daring predator.”
“Why do you need to get even with Chad? What happened between you two?”
“It’s an old quarrel, a private one. Why don’t you ask him?”
“I did,” she confessed. “He’s as quiet about it as you are. Why the big secret, Jace? How bad could it be?”
“One day I’ll tell you all about it, but not now.”
“But I need to understand so I won’t get entangled in this mess. How will you get even through our wager?”
“Either way, Chad would lose you.” She looked puzzled. “Don’t fool yourself, Leigh. He wants you as badly as I do, but not for the same reasons. I guarantee you’ll be better off with me.”
Leigh fretted over the fact he had revenge in mind, and that she might have misread him and his “reasons.” If Jace was willing to marry her or become her lover immediately, why withhold something so important? The past had to be significant, since both men were so affected by it. Since neither would talk, both had to be involved equally.
Jace couldn’t tell her yet about Joanna’s conquest or Chad’s wild charges of treachery and betrayal. Added to the trouble he was in already, it would darken his image too much. If the truth came out, Chad would try his best to convince her he only wanted revenge because of Joanna. Jace knew if he held silent, Chad would, too; the man wouldn’t confess freely and paint himself black. He glanced at the alert blonde. Leigh needed to get to know him and trust him before she would accept his claims of innocence on all accusations. “You need a husband this badly for some reason, or is this a joke?”
“No, I don’t need a husband for any reason, but your freedom is the most valuable possession you own, just as what I’ll have to gamble is mine. Since you insisted on my plea for your guidance and this bet, I have to strike where it hurts the most.”
At her playful attempt to unsettle him, he chuckled. “How could it possibly hurt me to marry the beautiful, enchanting, and wealthy Laura Leigh Webster, a woman I desire like crazy? Too, it would keep Chad from getting you. It’s a great deal. But the truth is, I want you far more than I crave revenge.”
Leigh knew she had wagered rashly. She could not understand what had gotten into her. At any moment she had expected him to halt this madness, but he hadn’t. Yet, if he could clear himself, he would have done so by now, so she had nothing to fear.
Jace tested her. “It’s a very tempting wager, Miss Webster: me against a glorious African night with you. But if I lost, I might not survive in London for you to collect your winnings. Then, we both lose. Yet that’s a risk I should be willing to take.”
Leigh paled and stared. “You aren’t serious?” Jace grinned. “You can’t be.” His grin broadened, then he chuckled. “This sport has gone far enough. Let’s get down to real business.”
Jace laughed at her anticipated reaction. “Coward,” he taunted. “Already admitting your defeat? Or simply regretting your reckless demand? Tell me, Leigh, which do you fear most: winning or losing? And why are you so set on me clearing myself? Don’t you think I’ve tried? Don’t you realize how dangerous that can be?”
“You don’t strike me as a quitter, and you’ve taken that risk before. That is why you were in London recently, wasn’t it? Maybe I can help. Maybe I can hide you while you search for evidence.”