Page 48 of No Escape

Epilogue

One year later…

Sarah was on her way outside with the bowl of potato salad when she paused long enough to take in the domestic scene outside the French doors. They were hosting a community barbeque where everyone who came brought a dish to share. Long tables had been set up for the food. Folks were already beginning to fill their plates. Behind the tables, several smokers had been set up, filling the air with the smoky scent of hickory and mesquite, and the mouth-watering aromas of cooked pork and beef.

The yard was filled with friends from town and neighboring ranches. Family was also present--Lois, Clint's mom, whom she adored. Susan and her boys had also flown in to spend the week, but it was the sight of Clint, holding their daughter, Danielle, that made her heart swell and took her breath away.

She'd never been so happy or content in her life. At first she'd had qualms about moving to Montana, but now she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. She loved the ranch, the animals, and the amount of land that Clint owned that allowed them the opportunity to ride a horse as far as the mountains, or to picnic next to one of the lakes before they took a swim, or to take a nap beneath the warm sun. Though it was a working ranch and Clint was often busy, he made an effort to spend time with her and Danielle.

He was a changed man, partly due to what had happened to him when he'd been held prisoner somewhere in South America. He wouldn't talk to Sarah about it, but for months he'd had nightmares, waking covered in sweat and shaking uncontrollably. It had been heartbreaking for her to watch him try to go through it on his own, but in time, as his body had healed and filled out into the man that he'd been when she'd first met him, his tortured mind had also found peace. Sarah suspected that Stan had a lot to do with it, because he was the only one Clint would confide in.

Clint glanced over and their eyes met and held. Sarah watched as Stan walked up to him and said something beside him. She could tell that he was speaking low, his head was bent as he spoke into Clint's ear, yet Clint's gaze remained on her. Sarah smiled when Danielle reached up with her chubby little hand to tug at Stan's bushy beard. He tolerated it, rubbing his nose against her nose, causing her to squeal. Susan joined them, taking Danielle from Clint. Words were said and she walked away as the two men went back to their conversation.

Sarah opened the door and walked toward one of the tables to set down the potato salad. Her gaze scanned the endless bowls of food and the baskets of rolls and desserts. There was enough for an army, which was good, considering that there were around a hundred people mulling about. More were likely to come, too, before the end of the day. She began to straighten up the plastic silverware and the napkins, responding to the occasional wave or greeting from a friend.

A soft gasp escaped her when strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her against a hard body. Clint immediately began to nuzzle the side of her neck. She could feel his smile against her skin, and then his teeth as he gently bit down on her. A delicious shudder moved over her and she tilted her head, encouraging him to continue.

"You shouldn't do that out here," she said in a soft voice. "You know what it does to me."

A growl was Clint’s response, and then he grasped her hand and pulled her behind him. "And you know what it does to me when you say that." The mild humor in his tone was overshadowed by his need.

Sarah returned the smiles and curious glances of everyone they encountered as she let her husband pull her toward the door she'd just exited from.

"I don't know where you think you're taking me. We have a hundred guests out here."

"I want to kiss my wife and I don't want an audience," he explained, giving her a sexy grin over his shoulder.

Sarah didn't believe him. He kissed her whenever he wanted, and having an audience had never bothered him before. A pleasant tingle moved over her in anticipation of what he really wanted. They'd gone through a lot of changes in the last year, but one thing that hadn't changed was their sexual hunger for each other. If anything, it had grown.

"I don't mind an audience," she teased, smiling.

"You won't want one for what I fucking have in mind," he growled.

"Language!"

They both glanced over at Jan, who'd obviously caught the f-word that had slipped past Clint's lips. She was a second grade school teacher who should have retired ten years before, and wasn't afraid to correct anyone on their use of poor grammar or word choice. Clint ignored her. Sarah mouthed the word "sorry" to her as they passed the elderly woman.

Clint opened the door and yanked Sarah inside and into his arms. He slammed his mouth down on hers, pulling the curtains over the glass doors at the same time to give them privacy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up onto her toes for better access. With a deep sound in his throat, Clint lifted her, which prompted her to wrap her legs around his waist. Their kiss turned hot and needy within seconds, and when Sarah felt her back against the wall she reluctantly turned her head away.

"We are not doing this now," she gasped in a breathy voice.

"Doing what?" he murmured as his mouth explored her neck.

"You know what." She tried to remain detached, but it was a losing battle. Clint knew how to play her body, and she'd always been weak where he was concerned.

He chuckled gruffly. "You mean fucking? Sticking my dick in my wife's beautiful pussy and fucking her good and hard?"

Sarah quivered against him. "We have guests," she insisted weakly, arching her breasts into his seeking hands. "And you don't play fair."

"I'm not playing." His hands moved under Sarah's tee, grumbling with irritation when he reached her bra, before lifting it up and freeing the heavy mounds. "Jesus, I love your juicy tits."

A husky laugh escaped Sarah. "You love what being pregnant does to them."

That's right. She was pregnant with their second child. Clint hadn't wasted any time in putting another baby in her belly after her six-week checkup. She'd never given any thought in the past to how many kids she wanted, but apparently Clint had, and he wanted a lot. Having Danielle had been good for him. It hadn't tamed the mercenary in him, he was still every bit as dangerous and he still went on secret missions, but having a little person who relied on him had softened his heart a little, and it was obvious that Danielle had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

Sarah moaned, throwing her head back when Clint bent and put his mouth on her nipple. He teased it with his teeth, nipping gently, tugging on it until it pebbled. He sucked on it hard, releasing it with a pop and causing Sarah to suck in her breath. She felt wet heat pool in her panties and began to move her hips against him, seeking her own pleasure. They were both breathing hard, the sound seeming overloud in the room as passion took control.

"I love you, baby." Clint's words were spoken hoarsely as he kissed his way down Sarah's throat. "I fucking love you."

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