Page 43 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Cole put on a pair of boxer shorts and relaxed against the headboard. He placed the platter of food that Daisy had brought them on the bed and waited for Emily. He took in several deep breaths and tried to calm his anxiety that still felt like a tight band around his chest.

His hands shook at the thought he’d almost lost her. Because he let his past wounds invade the relationship between them, he could well be sleeping alone for the rest of his life because there was never going to be anyone but Emily.

Having her in his bedroom, where she belonged, went a long way to calming his fears. If he had his way, this was the last bedroom she’d ever live in, and he’d be the last man she ever slept with. He hoped she wouldn’t balk at moving in here before they were married. They’d been sleeping together already in her cabin.

For some reason, having her in his house, in his personal space, seemed more serious, more official to him.

Last night after they made love, he had suggested they fly to Vegas for a quick wedding. She had agreed. She hadn’t wanted another wedding, but she wanted her daughters, Kara and Holly, to meet him, and she wanted to meet his son, Cain, before they took such a big step.

He watched Emily in the bathroom mirror as she dried her hair. She had put on one of his white t-shirts. His mouth watered when he noticed her hard little nipples were vaguely visible through the thin material. When she raised her arms, her back arched a bit, which made her breasts stand out more.

As much as looking at her turned him on, he knew he didn’t have the energy to make anything happen then, and they were both so damn sore. Give him a few hours of sleep, and he’d be all over her. He watched the feminine sway of her hips as she walked toward him. He would never get sick of looking at this woman.

Emily smiled at his stare and crawled up, sitting beside him with her back to the headboard. “Yum, that looks good. Daisy always outdoes herself.”

Cole grabbed a few grapes and pushed one into her mouth, making her laugh before shoving a few into his. They ate like that for several moments, with Cole mostly feeding Emily before feeding himself.

Emily pressed her hand against her mouth when she yawned. “I think I’ve had enough. Now I want to cuddle with you and sleep.”

Cole sat the tray on the bedside table, closed the drapes to make the room dark enough for them to sleep, turned off the lights, and crawled into bed beside her. He pressed himself up tightly against her back and wrapped an arm around her.

He pressed his lips against her temple. “I love you.”

Emily turned her head to look at him. Her eyes scanned his handsome features. “I love you, too. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She screeched when he dug his fingers into her sides.

“Yeah, I knew that from the beginning. Just listen to the man from now on, and we won’t get into trouble again.”

“Oh, really?” She laughed but tilted up her head for another kiss. “Getting a little chauvinistic, aren’t we? I wonder what Beth would say to that?”

Cole went for a sensitive spot by her belly button, which made her screech. “You wouldn’t dare,” he growled.

“Oh, you have no idea how much I dare,” she laughed when he stopped tickling her.

Cole stared at Emily for a long moment before his eyes filled with sober but tender emotions. “I am so thankful we found each other. I can’t see my life without you in it.” He stroked his thumb over her lips before he bent and pressed several soft kisses to her mouth. “Let’s get some sleep, baby. We’ve got a trip to Vegas to plan.”

Emily blinked back the tears at his confession and snorted. “Night, Cole.”

“Night, honey.”

Epilogue

Within a month, Emily was able to get her daughters to visit at the same time as Cole’s son, Cain. The three and Daisy hit it off right away and were teasing each other like real siblings within the hour of meeting. The very next day, Cole flew her and their kids to Vegas for a quick wedding.

Emily leaned back against Cole's chest and watched their three children romp around in the pool at the hotel where they were staying. Their laughter was contagious, and the splashing and goading made Emily and Cole smile.

Cole tightened his arms. “They act like they’ve been siblings their whole lives.”

She looked over her shoulder at him. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

He nibbled and bit down on the sensitive spot on her shoulder and laughed when she shivered and, at the same time, whimpered.

“It’s like the five of us were always supposed to be a family.” Emily pressed back against Cole.

“I wish I were young enough to give you another child,” she whispered.

Cole turned her a bit so that he could see her face. “What? Honey, I’m thrilled with the family we have. I don’t need another child.”

“Are you sure, Cole? It’s something that’s been bothering me.”