Page 43 of In Love with a Ranger

“We’re already talking about changing things with our relationship – for the better,” he began intimately, leaning forward to kiss her gently as his hand touched her side. His thumb caressed the waistband of her jeans, making her shiver and jump nervously as they shared a smile. “Gotcha,” he began tenderly. “We’ll take things slow.”

“I’m sorry I’m so nervous.”

“I’m not,” he smiled, and she searched his eyes, worried that he was saying that for her benefit. “How can I be frustrated when I’ve got a beautiful wife who shares what she likes and dislikes? That is every man’s dream.”

“Really?”

“Sweetheart, I want you to tell me if you like something or if things are moving too fast because I cannot read your mind,” he admitted, not looking away from her. “You being happy with me is at the top of my list.”

“That’s sweet.”

“It’s the truth. When you smile at me, I feel invincible. When we laugh together, I feel at peace in my soul.”

“What do you feel when I do this?” she whispered bravely, touched his cheek and saw his soft, knowing smile.

“Lucky. I feel lucky to have met you,” he began and nodded slightly as he dropped a light kiss on her lips before touching her cheek. “What do you feel when I do the same?”

“Treasured… special,” Christina offered, closing her eyes and smiling at the touch – only to feel Gideon kiss her again softly before he spoke against her lips.

“And when I do this?” he murmured huskily, tracing her throat with his finger before kissing that imaginary line, causing her to shiver in delight as she let out a warm laugh that sounded like it belonged to someone else. “Oh, I like that,” he chuckled knowingly, joining her. “That’s a really nice reaction to my touch.”

“Yeah, it is,” she began shyly, feeling herself blush.

“What does it feel like to you?”

“I feel like my heart is racing and…”

“Good,” he interrupted. “I’m on the right path. Do you feel brave enough to keep going – and we can keep talking about those babies while we explore what it’s like to be truly married to each other?”

His beautiful eyes searched hers, waiting for her response and not pressing her for more. She knew at that moment that if she needed to back out or was worried, he would let her move away from him and give her more time.

“Let’s go exploring… and I think we should have several babies.”

“Several, huh?” he chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss her again as he moved slightly from where he was lying beside her. “Then we should start our expedition together, my brave wife… shouldn’t we?”

And Christina closed her eyes, allowing this bubble of love around them to swell and take over everything around her at that moment. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered endearment, was made in love – and she had never been happier than she was now.

* * *

Later that evening, they lay there together, basking in the silence that felt completely different this time. Christina didn’t feel rejected or ignored. She felt treasured and beloved by her husband. She never imagined that making love would involve so much talking and communication between them, but that is what made it special. He was reaching for her, mentally and emotionally, as well as physically. The fact that it meant so much to him to make her happy was beyond beautiful and she couldn’t imagine sharing herself with anyone else after that.

“Can I say something awful?” Gideon asked, chuckling softly as his hand was gently rubbing along her back as she tugged the horse blanket up higher on them both. “I’m really glad you can’t pitch all that well. I can’t believe you threw cow poop at me – and more than once…”

Christina propped up on her elbows to look at him, grinning as they shared a knowing look.

“Just so you know what happens if I catch you talking to other women and ignoring me again.”

“I’m so glad you warned me.”

“I’m pretty wonderful like that,” she quipped, meeting his warm smile.

“Yeah you are, sweetheart.”

“I like this,” she admitted, laying her head back down on his chest and listening to his steady heartbeat. It was just so nice to hold him and cuddle against him, and he seemed to be enjoying this too. “I feel like we are in our own world, our own environment, a little paradise of our making.”

“I like that, but I do have to admit that our paradise is a little chilly,” he chuckled softly. “While I love the body heat, I’m not going to lie – I have hay poking me in places that are vaguely disturbing and was thinking perhaps we could take this to our cabin.”

“Oh yeah?”

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