Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5)(110)

"We've had a few of those."

"And I'm sure we'll have them again as we navigate our life together. Without turbulence we can't appreciate the clear skies."

"Pretty poetic for a businessman."

"Rancher," he corrected, and kissed her again. And for the first time in his life, Ridge Lockhart felt well and truly loved.



Kaia listened to the humming in her head, kneaded the beads of her necklace between her finger and thumb, and watched the sunrise brighten through her window. They'd made love all night long and the humming had not stopped.

There was, she noted, a lulling quality to the hum. It was not the annoying ring of tinnitus. But if she were to tell other people about the humming, they would assume it was something unpleasant that she needed to get rid of. They would not understand how the hum was now an integral part of who she was and clear-cut evidence of her true nature. 

Love.

Granny Blue understood. But she was the only one.

She glanced over at the man in her bed, smiled wide. He was lying on his belly, arms flung out over his head, legs spread. He looked like a starfish, hogging the bed, her big man. She leaned over, pressed her lips to his bare back.

Immediately, he rolled over like a crocodile lying in wait for prey, grabbed her in his arms, flipped her onto her back and buried her in kisses. She giggled so hard that she couldn't catch her breath. "No . . . stop . . . wait. I . . . hafta . . . breathe."

He pulled back, but just barely. His big body trapping hers beneath him. His eyes were bright and alert. His dark hair was mussed and a cowlick standing up in back.

She inhaled sharply, overwhelmed by the miraculous beauty of him.

He didn't say anything, allowed her to breathe, and then he folded her gently against his hard-muscled chest and kissed her again.

And boy, what a kiss!

Deep, hot, sensual. His tongue slipped between her teeth, filled her mouth, hungry, searching. No preamble. No good morning. Straight to the point.

Here we go!

His body radiated heat and strength and divineness. The sheets smelled of him, all leather and cardamom and bay rum and Ridge.

That's when she registered he was clearly turned on.

She pressed against his erection, kissing him harder, happy, so very happy to be in his arms. She let her eyes flutter closed, reached her hands up to thread her fingers through his hair, tugging his head lower. All stray thoughts slipped away and the only awareness she had was of his hands, his mouth, his body, his masculine heat.

So much heat churning between them.

His palm swept underneath the sleep shirt she'd put on during the night when she'd gotten chilled, pushed it up over her belly.

Their mouths were glued. Lips seared. Tongues fused.

"Hang on." Panting, she wrenched her mouth from his. "We need to talk."

"Now, Kaia?" He gasped. "I want you so bad. Need you." He buried his face against her neck. Nibbled. Licked.

She shivered. Closed her eyes against the onslaught of glorious sensation. God, she needed him too!

Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his waist, clung tightly to his neck. He fumbled blindly on the nightstand. Found what he was looking for.

Box of condoms.

Foil package.

He covered himself, kissed her again. And for the fourth time since he'd come home to her, they made love.

Afterward, they lay on top of the blanket, limbs entwined, breathing ragged and sated. Kaia slipped her palm into his, and he interlaced their fingers.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Yes what?" he asked, sounding sleep and sex-befuddled.

"Yes, you big lug, I'll marry you."

"Really?" He sat up in bed, glee in his eyes, looking happier than she'd ever seen him look. "Oh Kaia." His voice clotted. "You've made me the happiest man alive."

Kaia sat up beside him. "What was that?"

"What-?"

"Shh, shh." She waved a hand. Heard it then, plain as day.

The sound of a kitten mewling.

"Dart!" he said.

And they shot out of bed, dashed to the back door, opened it up to find Dart on the porch blinking up at them.

"You're back!" Kaia exclaimed, overjoyed. She scooped the cat to her chest, cradled him against her heart. "Will you look at this? Two prodigals returned at the same time."



       
         
       
        

Ridge hugged her against him as she hugged the cat, Buddy and Bess dancing around them.

"I guess you were wrong." She giggled. "Once a runner, not always a runner. I guess this means you're part of the family now."

"You talking to me or the cat?"

"Both." She grinned at him as Dart crawled up her arm to lick her face. "But I hope you don't mind having a few pets in your life."