Page 67 of Shielded Hearts

He hadn’t planned on looking for love. He never thought he’d consider living in the big house again, but here he was thinking of how to make that room suit her tastes too. Could Aspen fit into the new future he was starting to envision?

His answer was a swifthell yes.

But she was in business. She loved travel.

Could he fit intoherplans?

She was already in Oaks’s wedding photos.

A grin stretched over his face.

“Having fun, you gorgeous man?” Aspen cupped his jaw, bringing his mouth back to hers in hungry kisses.

“Damn right I am, beautiful woman.” He took her mouth in a long kiss as his release hovered at the edge of his senses. Pressure built at the base of his spine. His cock surged inside her.

“Oh god! Colt!” Her insides gripped at his cock, and suddenly she was coming, her pussy clenching around him, milking him from base to tip.

In a hard pulse, he came. Jets spurted from him as he continued to thrust inside her.

Their kiss slowed. When he drew back and stared into her eyes, he knew what he wanted.

Aspen.

* * * * *

Standing at the back door of the Malones’ home, staring out at the striking land of the Black Heart Ranch, Aspen let out a soft sigh.

The wind was picking up. Occasionally, it would howl across the fields. The screen door behind her rattled in its frame, just like her heart rattled in her chest.

Nothing lasted forever. She’d come to this wild land to deliver a honeymoon portfolio to a couple of newlyweds…and then fell in love herself.

She was in touch enough with her emotions to know that the feelings she had for Colt were real. Very real.

The ache settling in her chest felt like it would never go away.

This was the thing she’d been worried about. Nothing was permanent, which was why she took every new opportunity when it cropped up, and chased all her dreams, old and new. Well, she’d chased them right to Colt’s door and let him into her heart.

A soft creaking sound from the screen door opening made her throw a look over her shoulder. Though she wasn’t surprised to see Colt emerging from the house in search of her, it sent a new pang of pain to her chest.

Without a word, he stepped forward and draped his heavy canvas coat over her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her words almost snatched by the wind.

He didn’t slide his arms around her, just stood at her back, a presence as solid as those mountains in the distance. She only wished it was enough.

“I can’t stay here forever, Colt.”

Her statement hung between them. She couldn’t see his face.

She needed to see his face.

Slowly, she pivoted. His coat slipped on her shoulders, and just as he had with the quilt the previous night, he drew the garment closer around her.

She snuggled into the quilted lining. The collar smelled like spice and man. Like him.

A smell she’d never, ever forget, just like the way the house smelled after her mother baked cookies, or Vivian’s expensive French perfume lingering around the woman like a warm cuddle.

Three people she’d loved. Two she’d already lost.

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