She sucked in a deep breath. “You’ll be listed as a witness on that report. And didn’t you say that the trooper took down all your information because you took custody of my purse? That might be in the report too.”

  “Yeah, he did. God, you think they’re going through your mail?”

  “It makes sense if they want to find me. They’ll be looking for bank statements, credit card statements, anything their hacker can follow up on as a clue to my whereabouts.”

  Her body had stiffened, and he rubbed his hand up and down her spine to relax the muscles. “Damn, I hadn’t thought of the wreck as a link they could follow.”

  “Something else that’ll give them clues are my health insurance statements that are going to the house. The hospital in Austin will be listed. They’ll see that I went through the emergency room—that I was in an accident—and can follow up from there.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “This is awful.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Having a hacker at their beck and call makes sense if they’re part of an organized crime syndicate or if they’re in with a cartel,” Carson went on. “We really need to get a copy of that accident report and see what it says about me. When the trooper took down my information, he got the ranch’s address from my driver’s license and even took a photo of it. If that made it into the accident report, we could have a real problem. Those guys are going to look into me.”

  She clung tighter to him, and he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll order a copy of the report online tomorrow. We’ll get through this, sweetheart.”

  “God, I hate this,” she said. “I hate that I’ve brought this danger to your family.”

  He caressed her cheek and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes. “None of this is your fault. Don’t feel bad about it.” He kissed her, his lips softly caressing hers. “And besides, my family is glad you’re here, and we’re going to protect you with everything we’ve got.”

  She sighed deeply and seemed to relax.

  He prayed, God, help me to protect Haley and Aria. Show me what I need to do. Don’t let anything happen to this sweet woman and her child.

  He brushed Haley’s hair back from her cheek and closed his eyes again. Thank you, God, for bringing her to me. She’s the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life.

  After a quick breakfast the next morning, Carson pulled the accident report while they sat on the couch. Aria was lying happily in her bouncer at their feet, and his parents had driven down to San Antonio to visit Beau and Dakota. His mom had said that it had been way too long since she’d seen her grandkids.

  He found the report, and his heart sank. His particulars were there for all to see, including the fact that he’d gone to the hospital to take Haley’s purse to her because it contained $5,000 in cash. If the company men looked at the report, they would see that he had a substantial connection to Haley, and they’d have his address and phone number.

  Haley’s face was pale. “This is terrible. If they come here to check you out, they’ll find me.”

  “Not necessarily. Your car’s totaled, so it won’t be parked out front. I’ll just say that you’re not here and that I have no idea where you are.”

  “Somehow, I don’t think it’ll be that easy.”

  She leaned against him, and he slipped his arm around her. “If it isn’t, we’ll be prepared. We’ve got this.” He cupped her face in his hand and waited until she met his gaze. “Try not to worry. Okay?”

  She nodded. “I’ll try.”

  He kissed her forehead. “That’s better.”

  She rested quietly against him for a while, and then said, “It’s been over two weeks since my accident and Aria’s birth.”

  His heart started to pound. He’d been keeping track, but he hadn’t been sure that she was. “How are you feeling? Are you still sore?”

  “I think I feel good. I guess I’ll know for sure when we try.”

  That word “think” made him uneasy. “Honey, I don’t want to hurt you. It’s no big deal to wait longer.”

  “I don’t want to wait longer. I’d like to try. If it’s uncomfortable, we’ll stop.”

  But would she say something at that point, though? Would she be too embarrassed? “I don’t know. Maybe we should wait until you’re sure you’re completely healed. Remember, that one post you read said longer than two weeks.”

  She looked him in the eye and that look made him sit up and take notice. “Carson Winchester, are you backing out on me?”

  The corner of his mouth lifted at her stern tone of voice. “Not hardly.”

  She leaned back against the couch and gave him a smile. “You don’t need to coddle me like an invalid. If I say something, I mean it.”

  He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She chuckled and looked sideways at him. “God, I thought I’d have to beg.”

  He grabbed her in his arms and covered her with kisses. “Beg, huh?”

  She giggled. “I would have, you know.”

  “Honey, you’ll never have to beg me to make love to you.” He looked into her eyes and smiled, letting the full weight of his feelings show.

  She caressed his cheek. “That’s good to know. Shall we put the cradle in your room tonight so Aria can sleep soundly? We’ll still hear her wake up from my room.”

  “That’s a good idea.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “We may want to think about getting a baby monitor.”

  “We will. Now that I have a phone, I’ll order one from Amazon. I guess I need to come up with a new email address too.” She sighed. “Wait. This is all so complicated. I can’t use my debit or credit card. They’ll find out.” She looked forlornly at him. “Can we use your account again, and I’ll give you the cash?”

  “Of course, honey.”

  Aria grunted and squirmed in her seat.

  Haley picked her up and put her in the crook of her left arm. “You’re being such a good girl for momma.” She kissed her tiny forehead.

  Then she looked into his eyes, her gaze warm and excited. “I can’t wait for this evening.”

  “Honey, I can’t either. We’ll take it slow and easy. I want you to enjoy yourself.”

  Her eyes sparkled with a jaunty gleam. “Oh, I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Good. Now I just have to figure out how to get through the rest of the day.”

  She giggled. “My problem exactly.”

  Carson headed in to take a shower while Haley fed and rocked Aria to sleep. Anticipation made his heart race as he took extra care with his preparations for the night, shaving for the second time that day and using his favorite cologne. It had been a long time since he’d made love to a woman.

  He’d dated a few times since Jill had moved to Dallas, but his heart really hadn’t been in it. And he didn’t believe in sleeping around.

  His parents’ bedroom was on the other side of the house, so even though they had already gone to bed, he and Haley didn’t have to worry about sound carrying.

  He came out of the bathroom as Haley was carrying a sleeping Aria into his bedroom. She laid her gently in the cradle, then shut the door quietly behind her.

  He took her into his arms. “I’m all spiffed up. It’s your turn now. Take your time and relax. I’ll wait for you.”

  She drew him down to her and kissed him softly. “It won’t take me long. I thought today would never end.”

  He chuckled. “I had to tap my phone to be sure the clock feature wasn’t broken.”

  She giggled. “Let me get my things. I’ll be out in a little while.” She started toward her door, then turned and whispered, “This feels so high school. Like we’re sneaking around.”

  He laughed. “We’re not sneaking around. We’re grown-ups.”

  She grinned.

  He walked into the bedroom and glanced around. Haley kept everything so neat. He liked that about her. Maybe the organization helped her anxiety.

  Dressed only in a pair of gray boxer shorts, he pulled back the covers and lay down on his side of the bed. Arms behind his head, he tried to relax, but excitement about what was to come wouldn’t let him.

  He had promised himself that he’d go slow, that he’d be incredibly gentle with her. He focused now on calming himself down. He had to exert complete control while he made love to Haley. He closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like, and his heartbeat escalated again. That wasn’t good. Sighing, he opened his eyes and cleared his mind. It was best if he didn’t think about it.

  When Haley paused at the door, his calming preparations may as well have not existed. His heart pounded at the sight of her in a tiny tank top and bikini panties.

  “I didn’t pack any sexy nighties. This was the best I could do,” she said softly.

  He sat up and opened his arms. “You’re sexy as hell, honey. Come here.”

  Smiling, she came to him.

  He lifted her onto the bed and gathered her into his arms. “God, you’re gorgeous.” He kissed her, slowly, gently, with soft sweeps of his lips. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, and he caressed it with his own.

  His pulse sped up until he could hear it in his ears. He drew back and looked into her beautiful green eyes. He couldn’t believe he was about to make love to the woman who’d become more to him than he’d ever imagined when he’d screeched to a halt that fateful day on the highway.

  He laid her on her back, looking down and letting his expression show how much he cared for her.

  She smiled up at him, her gaze searching his.

  He ran his hand over her belly, which was surprisingly flat considering that she’d recently given birth. He still couldn’t believe how tiny she was compared to him. At six-foot-three, his body overwhelmed hers.

  She caressed his cheek. “I’ve been waiting for this for what seems like forever. Don’t worry about me, Carson. I’ll be fine.”

  He covered her hand with his. “I’ll be gentle until we see how you’re doing. I won’t let myself hurt you. I couldn’t stand that.”

  “Thank you.” She drew him down to her and kissed him, gently at first and then harder, making his heart pound.

  When he drew back, his breaths were coming fast. He smiled. “That was quite a kiss.”

  She grinned. “There’s more where that came from, mister.”

  He chuckled. She was adorable and so full of life. He moved his hand from her belly and slowly cupped her breast. It was small but perfect. Her nipples were large, as if she were breastfeeding, even though they’d given her something at the hospital to dry up her milk.

  She sighed. “That feels good.” She touched his arm, her eyes far away. “I wish I could have breastfed, but the doctor felt it was best if I didn’t, given my head injury and terrible headache. And with Aria being born prematurely, it would be easier to see how much she was eating if she was taking a bottle.” She grimaced. “I just feel now like I missed out on something special.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t speak up for you at the time because you didn’t even remember being pregnant. You were so confused when you found out you’d been pregnant, and you had so many questions that I couldn’t answer. Breastfeeding didn’t really come up when we talked.”

  “It’s not anyone’s fault. And Aria’s doing great on formula. If I ever have another baby, though, I want to breastfeed.”

  He ran his thumb across her nipple, and her gaze returned to his. She said, “Meanwhile...”

  He chuckled. “Yes, meanwhile we have something else to focus on.”

  She clasped the hem of her tank top, and he helped her out of it. Her long red hair fell across her breasts. The light of the moon coming through the window gave her pale skin a gentle glow. She was utterly breathtaking. He let his eyes travel over her. Every inch of her was perfect, from her smooth forehead to the indentation of her small waist, to the luscious curves of her calves.

  “Honey, I don’t have words to describe how beautiful you are.”

  She ran her hands across his chest. “I could say the same thing. Do you know how handsome you are, Carson?”

  He chuckled. “Not really.”

  “You’re everything I dream of in a man. You’re kind, generous, strong, and good-looking. But most of all, you’re someone I can depend on. That means so much to me.”

  He caressed her cheek. “I’ll always be here for you, honey.”

  “Make love to me,” she whispered. “Help me forget all the ugliness in the world. I only want to think of you.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He cupped her breast in his hand and bent down, taking her nipple into his mouth. She sighed softly as he caressed it with his tongue. He wondered if it was extra-sensitive because she’d just given birth.

  She ran her fingers through his hair as he took more of her breast into his mouth and continued to caress her nipple with his tongue. He loved it when she did that to his hair. It sent goose bumps across his scalp.

  She whimpered when he let go of her breast, but sighed when he took her other nipple into his mouth. As he caressed her, her fingernails on his scalp continued to arouse him.

  He slid his hand down between her legs and slipped his finger inside her. She was wet, and he thrust deeply in and out. She rocked her pelvis, moaning softly, and he knew he was arousing her.

  Withdrawing his finger, he found her sensitive spot and gently rubbed it round and round. She clasped his head, fingers clenched, as she focused on her pleasure.

  Her breath came faster as he continued to caress her. He knew she was close.

  Suddenly she cried, “Carson!”, and he felt her throb.

  He rose over her and gently kneed her thighs apart.

  She said, “Oh, hurry!”

  He quickly put on the condom he’d set aside and guided himself to her opening, easing himself a fraction of an inch inside. “Are you okay, honey?”

  “Yes!” she gasped, locking her legs around his waist.

  He entered a little farther, and she didn’t protest. With ultimate control, although he wanted nothing more than to thrust deeply inside her, he eased in, inch by inch, until he could go no farther. “Are you all right, Haley?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  “Yes, just try it slow.”

  He eased out, then slowly sank back in. God, she felt so incredible. Holding back was agony. He increased his rhythm, and Haley didn’t protest. “Does this feel good, honey?” he asked.

  “God, yes!”

  He let go then, exhilaration building inside him. Closing his eyes, he let pleasure sweep through him. She felt amazing as he thrust in and out, increasing his rhythm. He was almost there.

  A sudden blast of ecstasy knocked out his perceptions, and he threw his head back and cried, “Haley!” Muscles locked and frozen, he pulsed inside her. Her spasms told him that she was still coming too.

  After several moments, he rolled onto his side, lying next to her. She lay quiet, still breathing quickly.

  “God, you’re good,” she said.

  He chuckled. “Thanks. I enjoyed making love to you, honey. That didn’t hurt you?”

  “Not at all. I worried that it might right at the beginning, but it didn’t.” She turned to look at him. “You were so gentle. Thank you, sweetheart.”

  His heart melted. It was the first time she’d called him that, and it was precious to him. “I’m glad I didn’t hurt you. You don’t know how worried I was.”

  He caressed her cheek and then got out of bed. “I’ll be right back.”

  When he returned a few minutes later, Haley made her trip to the bathroom.

  She came back and crawled into bed. “Now that Aria’s going three hours between feedings, we should be able to get some sleep before she wakes up.”

  He took her into his arms, and she snuggled close. “That sounds nice. I’ll get up with her first, though. You go ahead and sleep.”

  She kissed his chest. “You’re so good to me, honey.”

  His heart zinged again. Would he ever get used to hearing those kinds of words from her? He ran his fingers up and down her back, something he knew she loved. “Go to sleep now. Try not to have bad dreams.”

  “I bet I won’t. Not after tonight.”

  He smiled. “I hope you’re right, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

  As her breathing gradually slowed, waves of utter contentment flowed through him. There was no place he’d rather be than with this incredible woman in his arms.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next morning, Carson caught his father before he headed out to work on the ranch. “Dad, I need to talk to you. Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure, son.” His dad took a seat in his recliner. “What’s going on?”

  Carson quickly brought him up to speed on what he’d learned the previous day in the accident report. “I’m afraid that these goons from her job will be able to find me.” He outlined the specifics that Haley had told him. “You see? It might not be that hard for them to find the ranch.”

  His dad frowned. “You really think they have this computer expert?”

  “It makes sense that they might. We can’t take any chances either way. We have to prepare for the worst. I stayed awake a long time last night coming up with a plan.”

  “Tell me about it.” His dad’s words were clipped.

  “First, we need to start going armed. I’ll go get my handgun this morning. And my shotgun.”

  His SIG Sauer P226R was the perfect handgun for protection, and he’d practiced extensively with it. “I’d like for you and Landon to carry shotguns, and it wouldn’t hurt for each of you to carry an elk rifle with a sight too. You’ll be away from the house during the day and may have to shoot from a distance.”

  His dad nodded. “We’ll take care of that right away. And we’ll circle back toward the house a few times a day too. We won’t be far away for long.”

  “Thanks, Dad. This may all be for nothing, but I’d rather be prepared.”

 

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