Call It Destiny

that.“
    „And you also want a home.“
    His hands tightened around her bare waist and the gray depths of his eyes reflected the extent of his yearning. „I want a home with you, Heather.“
    „Your wish is my command,“ she murmured softly, dipping her head to kiss him lightly.
    „Heather, what made you come here tonight?“
    „You know the answer to that. I love you. And I want a home with you. I’d marry you regardless of whether or not the Hacienda came with the package.“
    „I know that,“ he whispered thickly, realizing he’d known that since the first time he’d made love to her. He tried to find the words to communicate the unsettled driving message in his mind, knowing that he had to get it across but not at all certain how to do it. „Honey, I’ve got to talk to you.“
    „So talk.“ She dropped another delicate kiss on his cheek.
    „I should be taking you home.“ He didn’t know how to tell her what he was feeling but he sensed it might take some time. They really didn’t have time tonight. Nor did he have any champagne or roses or a romantic setting. He wanted to tell her in the right way. He wanted it to be perfect.
    „If you’re determined to take me back to the cottage, I suppose I’d better put some clothes on. If one of the security people saw me dashing naked through the rain there’s no telling what sort of talk would be going down tomorrow. Your reputation would be in tatters!“
    He sensed the reluctance in her as she pulled away from him and began scrabbling around on the floor for her clothing. Wonderingly he put out a hand and threaded his fingers through her sensually tossed hair as she bent over to pick up a shirt. When she swung a quick amused glance at him he caught his breath at the love shining out of her hazel eyes.
    „Heather,“ he started in desperation, „I didn’t want it to be like this. I didn’t want surrender….“
    „I know,“ she responded simply. Then, before he could find the rest of the words, she was on her feet, tugging on her silky panties and the narrow-legged jeans.
    Slowly he sat up, dazed by the emotional turmoil seething inside him. Never had he felt such conflicting frantic sensations. „I wanted… I didn’t want a victory.“ Painfully he searched for the words.
    Her eyes softened. „Better get dressed, darling, unless you want to be the one who walks naked back through the gardens.“
    He obeyed slowly, aware of the new tension in himself as he tried to sort it all out. He had to get this right.
    „Heather, you won’t regret this marriage. I swear it.“
    She was already at the door. „I know I won’t regret it. How could I?“
    „Honey, I’m trying to explain – “
    „Oh, look, it’s stopped raining. We won’t get soaked preserving your image.“ She had the door opened and was peering out into the darkness.
    Jake paused by the desk, opening a drawer and automatically removing the object inside. He caught up with Heather just as she stepped out into the night. Urgently he grasped her arm, aware that he had to say the rest of the words now, tonight. He had realized he didn’t want victory the moment he’d seen her standing at his door this evening. He only wanted her. He just hadn’t known how else to go about the task of ensuring her surrender.
    No, damn it, he hadn’t wanted her surrender. What a lie, Cavender. There was nothing else it could be called. Well, he’d had no choice, had he? He’d wanted an honest relationship, based on honest bonds. He’d longed for something real and solid between them, not ephemeral fantasies. His approach had all been for the best.
    She’d surrendered so sweetly, he thought in shock as they walked silently back through the grounds. And he’d taken everything she had to give. He’d never had a woman who gave as completely of herself as Heather did. And she didn’t seem to be bitter or resentful about the way he had pushed her until she’d given in.
    A woman as passionate and headstrong as Heather should be railing at him, screaming her anger and frustration, trying to punish him for lacerating her pride. If the situation had been reversed he’d have….
    No, there was no way the situation could have been reversed. He would never have been able to find the courage to surrender.
    Surrender. The word was going to haunt him. He didn’t like the taste of victory, Jake discovered. He wanted to give as much to Heather as she had given to him. Only that kind of mutual