Page 116 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“I mean we were meant to be, you and me. No question in my mind. If April hadn’t sent me that message, we would have met some other way, somehow. I just know it.”

“Aww. I like that idea.”

“I believe it’s true. But that’s not helping us decide what we’re going to do with the day.”

“Are you saying that you don’t want to cook lunch for everyone?”

“No. I don’t mind doing it, but making you happy is more important to me than feeding all of them.”

“I am happy, Ty. I’m happy just being with you – you don’t need to do anything. I’m happy to spend the day here. See your family, eat with them. I do feel bad that you do all the work, though. I can help.”

“You don’t need to, sweetheart. The brothers help. You work hard enough all week; you deserve a break.”

“I’m not doing nearly as much here as I used to do at the lake.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “I know, my sneaky plan is working.”

She laughed. “And what sneaky plan is that?”

“The one where I slowly convince you that you don’t need to work so much – and that if you don’t, you’ll be able to devote more time to your studies – which will get you to where you want to be faster.”

“Oh!”

He nodded happily. “Think about it.”

She frowned. “I still need to pay tuition though, and …”

He silenced her with a kiss that soon had her writhing against him.

“I’d pay your tuition if you’d let me,” he said when he lifted his head.

“No, I couldn’t let you …”

“I figured you’d say that. But I can cover all our other expenses. I’m not saying I want to make you dependent on me, but … Shit, I’m going to say it. As far as I’m concerned, we’re in this for the long haul, Shay. We’ve got a whole lifetime ahead of us. I don’t mind carrying the load to help you get to where you want to be with your career. Couples do that all the time.” He grinned. “We might need you to shoulder the load later if I’m going to stay home with the kids.”

She held his gaze. “I want to laugh, but you’re serious, aren’t you? Big, tough cowboy Ty would really stay home to take care of kids?”

He nodded solemnly. “I would – I will, if that’s what works out to be best for us. So, think about it, Shay.”

“Okay.” Her heart was pounding, and her mind was racing. He was right – if she were to work less and take more classes, she could shave years off the time it would take her to get qualified. She pressed a kiss to his lips.

“Have I told you yet today how much I love you?”

He grinned as he rolled onto his back, holding her tight so that he took her with him until she was sitting astride him. He held her hips, and his hard length pressed into her heat as he said, “Not yet, but you could show me.”

She planted her hands on the pillow on either side of his head and leaned down to kiss him. “I’ll show you, but I want to tell you one more time, first. I love you, Ty. This has all happened so fast, but it feels so right.”

“That’s because it is right, Shay. I told you – you were made for me; we were meant to be. You’re my MacFarland Rose.” He chuckled. “And now I’ll stop talking so you can screw my brains out!”

She had to laugh. “You have such a way with words!”

He shrugged happily. “I never promised to shower you with pretty words, but I’ll always love you and protect you. You have my heart and soul.”

“And you have mine, Ty. And that’s worth more than all the pretty words in the world.”

“So, let’s quit with the words and get to the good stuff.” He laughed and squeezed her ass as he said it.

She slapped his arm, but she wasn’t mad about it. She agreed with him that words didn’t mean all that much – and the way he loved her meant everything.

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