Pleasure shot through her as he caressed it with his tongue. God, he knew how to please her.

  He cupped her breast in his hand and took more of it into his mouth. She gasped as he increased his suction, squeezing her eyes shut, swept away by the pleasure that flowed through her like the heat from the fire beside them.

  She reached down and took him in her hand. He was hard and ready for her, and as she stroked up and down, he moaned. She continued to stroke him, gripping tightly, and felt him move under her hand.

  Suddenly he let go of her breast. “God, hold on, honey.” He stopped her hand and smiled down at her. “Let me get a grip. You feel too good.”

  She caressed his cheek. “So do you, honey.”

  She adjusted herself to a more comfortable position on the hardwood floor. Although they were warm, the blankets gave meager padding.

  He put his palm on her belly and smiled. “This is nice. I think I might put a fireplace in at home.”

  She laughed. “We don’t quite have the weather for it, do we?”

  He grinned. “So we’ll turn on the air-conditioning.”

  She shook her head. “You’re something else.”

  He leaned down and kissed her, long and slow, making her heart pound. When he finished, she was out of breath.

  He smiled and kissed her again, running his fingertips down her side and pausing to cup her hip in his palm. She loved his touch and shivered in anticipation.

  The fire popped, and another spark flew. She’d forever associate the smell of woodsmoke with this special night.

  He gently kneed her legs apart and moved down to settle between them. She sucked in a breath, excited for what came next. He looked into her eyes and smiled that sexy smile of his.

  He slid his tongue inside her, then stroked up, finding her sensitive spot. She gasped as he circled it round and round. Her eyes closed, her whole being centered on what he was doing to her, on the pleasure that grew and grew as his tongue continued to move.

  His fingers entered her, plunging in and out, and her need built so fast that she gasped. Moments later, she was suddenly there, pulsing and throbbing.

  “God, Carson!” She turned and rose to her hands and knees, desperate to have him inside her. “Hurry, honey, hurry!” She didn’t feel the hard floor under her knees, didn’t feel the heat from the fire. Only her need existed.

  Carson clasped her hips and thrust inside her.

  She cried, “Oh God, yes!”

  He thrust again and again as she pushed back against him. She wanted more.

  The sound of their bodies colliding fed her pleasure.

  With a wild cry, Carson thrust deep one last time and stilled, his grip hard on her hips. She felt herself continuing to clasp him, felt him pulsing inside her. She was spent, euphoric with the last ebbing of her pleasure.

  Carson clasped her around the waist and rolled with her to the floor, wrapping his arms around her. She held his arms, so happy she couldn’t find words to tell him.

  The fire crackled and spit. Heat from the flames warmed her, and the scent of woodsmoke filled her with joy.

  Carson kissed her temple and whispered, “Love you, sweetheart.”

  She reached back and caressed his cheek. “That was amazing, honey. I love you, and I’m so happy right now.”

  He cupped her breast, rubbing his thumb across her nipple. “I love making love to you.” He ran his hand up and down her arm. “Are you cold?”

  “No, the fire’s keeping me warm. This is nice.”

  “Just close your eyes, then, and relax. If you fall asleep, I’ll carry you to bed.”

  She giggled. “Seriously?”

  He turned her toward him, a mischievous grin on his face. “What? You don’t think I could carry a little thing like you?”

  She laughed. “I’m sure you can, mister. But just wake me up. I’ll walk.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. “Not a chance.”

  She lay there, her heart filled with love and so extraordinarily happy. “I’m looking forward to every day of the rest of my life with you.”

  He smiled and looked into her eyes. “I’ll love you forever, Haley. Count on it.” Then he kissed her slowly, deeply, until she had to take a breath. She smiled and turned to the flames, content.

  Epilogue

  Carson glanced over his shoulder at two-year-old Aria sitting straight up in the saddle on Old Ben. He was leading her around the corral, which she considered too tame. She wanted to ride on her own.

  “Faster!” she said and thumped the old horse with her little red cowboy boots.

  He chuckled. “This is fast enough, you little terror.”

  She’d be three in a month, but she acted even older. Her bright-red hair hung in two braids, and her short legs were encased in little Wranglers. Her T-shirt, which was her favorite, had a barrel racer on it.

  He’d bought her a straw cowboy hat, but she detested it, saying she couldn’t see good with it on. It was true. She was small, like her mother, and it hung low on her forehead.

  He grinned. She was a little hellion at times. She definitely knew her mind, but he loved her for it. He loved her spirit and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she wanted. He enjoyed strong women, and she’d sure grow up to be one.

  The screen door banged, and he looked toward the house where Haley stood shading her eyes and looking their way. He loved the way she’d made his house into a real home. She’d decorated it with a Western theme yet had made it soft and comfortable too. He loved coming home in the evenings and hated leaving in the mornings.

  Haley stepped down from the porch and headed toward them. As she skirted the barn, he called, “Hi, honey. Everything okay?”

  She waved. “Fine. How’s my sweet girl doing?”

  He waited until she got closer and said, “She wants me to go faster, of course.”

  Haley laughed. “Of course.” She walked up as he drew Old Ben to a stop and patted Aria’s leg. “Are you having fun, honey?”

  “No. I wanna go on the road.”

  Haley chuckled. “But you’re riding Old Ben. Isn’t that fun?”

  “I wanna go fast. Daddy’s slow.”

  “I don’t want you to fall off, honey. You’re up way too high on Old Ben. You’d get hurt if you fell off,” he said yet again.

  She grabbed the saddle horn. “I don’t fall off!”

  “Okay, we’ll go just a little bit faster. You hold on with both hands.” He started off and pulled Old Ben into a slow jog, just barely faster than a walk.

  Aria laughed at the slow bounce the saddle made, and the sound filled him with joy.

  Haley chuckled. “Like father, like daughter.”

  After a couple of rounds, he slowed down.

  Aria cried, “Aw, go fast, Daddy!”

  “No, that’s enough for now, honey.”

  He stopped next to Haley. “Isn’t it about nap time? Daddy’s worn out.”

  She grinned. “Aw, poor guy. An hour with his daughter, and he’s worn out.”

  He laughed.

  She reached into her pocket. “I actually came out here to talk to you.”

  “You did?”

  She grinned and handed him the white wand in her hand.

  He looked at her and then down at the wand. A big blue plus sign showed in the window. His pulse whipped into overdrive. “You’re pregnant!”

  He threw his arms around her and laughed. “Honey, I’m so happy!”

  She clung to him. “I am too! I was beginning to think it’d never happen.”

  “Let’s go, Daddy,” Aria said impatiently and thumped Old Ben with her tiny boots.

  He turned to her. “Honey, Momma and Daddy are happy right now. You’re going to have a little brother or sister soon!”

  Aria thumped her heels again, which Old Ben continued to ignore. “Come on, Daddy. Let’s go!”

  He turned to Haley. “I’m so glad you came to tell me, honey. Let’s celebrate tonight. I’ll ask Mom and Dad to watch Aria, and we’ll go out to eat.”

  She grinned. “I love you, Carson, with all my heart.” Then she stepped close and kissed him. “And I can’t wait to have your baby.”

  He cupped her face in his hand. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, sweetheart.” He looked into her eyes and smiled. His life was perfect now.

  KEEP READING FOR A LOOK AT LANDON’S STORY

  SNEAK PEEK AT BOOK THREE, HER TEXAS COWBOY PROTECTOR

  Landon Winchester glanced below him at the beautiful, dark-haired young woman climbing the nearly vertical pink rock face. He loved free climbing at Enchanted Rock and had conquered this particular climb many times.

  Her face intense with effort, she hadn’t noticed his glance as she swung one-handed to the right and grabbed an almost invisible outcrop with her fingers. Tendons stood out on her hands as she found purchase with the toes of her climbing shoes.

  He nodded. She was good. Free climbing was tough. All a person had were their fingers and toes to climb with. Enchanted Rock was a Texas state park and didn’t allow climbers to use anything like pitons that would deface the rock.

  A blonde climbing directly below the brunette called out, “You’re too fast for me, Natalie. Give a girl a break!”

  So her name was Natalie. Landon smiled and reached higher, deciding to show off a little. In minutes, he’d made it to the top. He looked down and caught Natalie looking up at him. He waved.

  She grinned and yelled, “You make it look easy.”

  He laughed and called down to her, “I’ve done it a time or two.”

  She yelled back, “Wait for me.”

  She redoubled her efforts, easily outdistancing the blonde.

  A red-headed guy who had climbed up beside the blonde yelled, “Show-off. You owe us beer, Natalie.”

  She turned to look down at them and laughed. “Spoilsports!”

  Landon grinned. The three of them must be climbing buddies. He took off his pack and pulled out a bottle of water. After a few long swallows, he put the cap back on.

  He always climbed alone. He’d learned to climb in his college days. Back then, he and several of his buddies had gone out together. Climbing with them had been a blast. But over the years, his friends had all taken on other responsibilities and had quit climbing. He could understand that.

  He hadn’t been climbing in months. It just wasn’t as fun going out by himself anymore. He’d climbed everything in the state so many times, it was almost boring. If he was going to continue, he’d have to start going farther afield. Make it more challenging.

  He checked on Natalie’s progress and grinned.

  She was nearing the top and met his gaze with a jaunty smile. “Hey there, buster. Want some company?”

  He laughed. “Get on up here. The view’s great.” Enchanted Rock was a beautiful place, with its large outcroppings of smooth, rounded pink stone. It was no wonder it was a sacred site for Native Americans. He always felt awed when he took in the view from the top.

  Natalie climbed up over the edge and brushed off her clothes. “Man, that was a climb, for sure.”

  She was even prettier than he’d realized. She wore khaki cargo shorts and a yellow tank top—nothing to write home about. On her, however, the clothes looked sexy as hell.

  He said, “It’s steep, all right. That’s why I love it. I live less than an hour from here, so I come often. I’m going to stay over in one of the primitive camp sites tonight.” He offered her his hand. “Landon Winchester.”

  “No kidding? We are too! Let’s get together after dinner.” She shook his hand with a firm grip. “Too bad we can’t have fires.” Then she said, “Oh, I’m Natalie Walker, by the way.”

  “I have a battery lantern. That’ll do instead of a fire for light.”

  He smiled as she called down to her friends, “Hey, we’re going to have company this evening. That great climber’s name is Landon.”

  She sat down on the smooth pink rock, despite it being heated by the sun. “Man, I wish there was some shade up here.”

  “Right? The sun just beats down on you.” He took his ball cap out of his backpack and handed it to her.

  “Thanks!”

  She looked cute in it, and he smiled as he peered over the edge to check the progress of her friends. The red-headed guy was looking up, and he grinned at him. He waved encouragingly. They should be at the top in a few minutes. He took out his water bottle again and drank a few more swallows.

  Natalie did the same with a bottle from her pack and then sighed in satisfaction. “Dang, that’s good.”

  He glanced at her again. She had a great tan—or maybe her skin was naturally a bit darker than his. Her nearly black eyes sparkled with interest every time she looked at him. Full, naturally dark-pink lips smiled at the least provocation, and her cheekbones made slight shadows on her smooth face. Her exotic beauty took his breath away, and he had to force himself not to stare.

  “Where are you from?” he asked to take his mind off his train of thought.

  “Austin. My parents live there, too. But most of my family lives in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I’m half Cherokee, and that’s where the offices of the Cherokee Nation are. My grandparents are really involved in Cherokee politics. And so is my dad.”

  “That’s interesting. So, what nationality is your mother? You said that you’re half Cherokee.”

  “Oh, she’s white. She has a brother in Austin, but otherwise she doesn’t have much family left on her side. Her mother died when she was young, and she’s not really in contact with her father.”

  He loved how open Natalie was about her family. He couldn’t remember when he’d been so interested in someone. “I’m sorry to hear that. Are you close to your dad’s parents?”

  She took several more swallows of water. “Oh, very. I go to see them every few months. They like me to dress traditionally for get-togethers when I’m there.” She rolled her eyes. “And, believe me, there’re always get-togethers.”

  He laughed. “What is traditional Cherokee dress?”

  “Well, for women it’s a Cherokee tear dress. They’re beautiful and can be any color, but they’re all made similarly.” She got her phone out of her backpack and, after a moment’s scrolling, handed it to him. “That’s what they look like.”

  They were beautiful. The dresses were ankle-length with long sleeves gathered at the wrist. Broad, patterned bands adorned the elbows, and a much wider patterned band ran across the skirt just below the knees. He handed the phone back. “What a wonderful way of dressing. They’re gorgeous. What do men wear?”

  “Ribbon shirts. They come in all colors, too.” She grinned. “The more colorful, the better, as long as we use solid colors. And some people sew ribbon along the seams of their dresses.”

  He imagined what a group of traditionally dressed people would look like and smiled. What an amazing sight it would be.

  Just then, Natalie’s friends clambered over the lip of the rock face. The blonde rolled to her back with an explosive sigh. “Damn, that was hard!”

  “Amen!” the red head said as he did the same.

  Landon and Natalie walked over to them as they struggled out of their packs. They both gulped down water, their eyes squeezed shut against the sun as they enjoyed the liquid flowing down their throats.

  The blonde opened her eyes first. “I’ve had it. I need to rest before we head to camp.”

  Natalie grinned. “Rachel Cornell, meet Landon Winchester.” Then she said, “Jordan, open your dang eyes. You’re not dead yet.”

  The redhead squinted up at Landon. “Hey, Jordan Blackwater here. Great to meet you, Landon.” Then he shut his eyes again and sighed loudly. “I’m bushed.”

  Landon chuckled, liking the two already. He turned to Natalie. “Do you know which campsite you have?”

  “I think we’re at thirteen.”

  “Nice. I’m at sixteen, so we’re not far apart. I like being farther in for the peace and quiet.” He went over and picked up his pack. “I’ll eat first and then come find you all.” He turned to leave and said over his shoulder. “I’m going to go set up my camp.”

  “Bye, buster. See you about six?”

  He stuck his arm in the air and waved agreement.

  Natalie finished the last of the peanut butter and honey sandwich she’d brought for dinner. It had been a little the worst for wear but still delicious. As she opened her bag of dried apples, she glanced toward the path again, wondering when Landon would appear. It was almost six.

  Her small tent was set up under a big cedar tree whose lower limbs had been trimmed. Unpacking hadn’t taken her long, and she’d explored the surrounding area afterward. Enchanted Rock was such a beautiful place, rugged and arid, but there was still something about it that had made her sigh happily.

  Landon must feel the same way, since he’d said he came here often. Lord, he was handsome. He must be at least six feet four inches tall, and, with those broad shoulders, he made her feel small. He was muscular in a way that hinted at his strength. She could sense it in the way he moved, see it in the way his T-shirt stretched at his biceps when he climbed. His legs had been rock-hard as he’d ascended, yet they hadn’t bulged with muscle. His light brown hair was crisply cut, and his dark eyes easily filled with laughter. She’d been immediately drawn to him.

  Movement caught her eye, and she spied Landon swinging easily up the path. His balanced, coordinated motion made her think of ballet, somehow. She smiled and waved.

  He waved back and lifted the lantern he carried.

  She called, “Landon’s here, you all.”

  “I just finished eating,” Rachel said from inside her tent. “I’m changing clothes.”

  Natalie shook her head and grinned. Her friend probably had her eye on Landon too.

  Jordan came back carrying his folding shovel. He’d obviously needed some privacy. He waved at Landon. “Welcome to camp.”

  Landon waved back. “Glad to be here. This is a nice spot.”

  Natalie rose and walked toward him. “I love how shady it is. I’ll be coming back here again, and I’ll request this spot, for sure.” She walked with him back to the others.

 

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