Page 31 of The Rancher's Jilted Bride

Every inch of her body tightened for one moment.

And then she was coming for the second time.

And it was even more beautiful than the last time.

So, so beautiful.

And just like before—-

Time slipped out of her grasp, and she was no longer able to count the minutes.

All she knew was how good she felt.

So, so good.

When she opened her eyes again, and she saw him staring down at her with emotions that she was finally able to identify—-

Fear.

Desire.

But most of all—-

Love.

Tears burned her eyes even as she started to wriggle out of his hold, and Hale eventually set her down on her feet.

He loved her.

She had a feeling he didn't know this yet.

But she knew it to be true.

He loved her.

And so, of course, there was one thing left to do.

Hale stiffened when Heaven suddenly reached up to cup his face.

"Thank you, Hale," she whispered.

"For what?"

"Because I know how much it cost you to stop hating me."

Fuck.

All he could do was stare at her.

Why, dammit?

Why did she have to be so unpredictably and terrifyingly...different?

"I don't deserve you, Heaven."

"I don't deserve you either."

A humorless laugh escaped him.

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