Page 44 of The Cowboy's Promise

“It was a year a couple of weeks ago.”

“Why didn’t you remind me? We could’ve celebrated.”

“I think we did,” she said with a wink. “It was just a bit late. Anyway, what were you going to say?”

“I was goin’ to say,” he replied, lowering his voice, “that it’s been since you first brought Apollo here that I decided you were for me.”

“You did not.”

“I did.”

“What took you so long?”

“I honestly can’t say. I guess I was just waitin’ for the right time, and I wanted to make sure the feelin’s were mutual. They are, aren’t they?” he added with a slight frown.

“No, not at all. Jumping into bed a year after I meet a man is a habit. I’ve been trying to break it, but—”

“You are soooo bad,” he growled, interrupting her and abruptly rolling her over. “I should start every day spankin’ your butt,” he continued, landing a couple of playful swats. As she squealed and laughed, he hastily retrieved a condom from his nightstand and sheathed himself. “Dammit,” he muttered as he grabbed her hips and pulled them up.

“What’s wrong.”

“Nothin’,” he said huskily, placing himself at her entrance.

As he pushed inside her and immediately began thrusting with quick, forceful strokes, she gasped in surprise, then groaned with pleasure. He was pounding without pause, and when he reached beneath her and tweaked her nipples a rush of sparkling sensations radiated through her body. Suddenly she felt her orgasm looming. She thought he would slow down or even stop, but he accelerated.

“Let go,” he growled. “Let go right now.”

His command sent her over the edge, and he couldn’t stop the wild cry escaping her lips. Though sparkling spasms shuddered through her body she could hear his deep groans, and felt his fingers digging into her skin. The crackling convulsions seemed never-ending, until finally she collapsed on her stomach. As he fell next to her, she heard him let out several heavy breaths before moving his arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him.

“Is that what’s called a quickie?” she panted.

“Unfortunately.”

“Why unfortunately?”

“Hey, I’d spend all mornin’ in this bed with you, all day for that matter! But I overslept. Can’t imagine why,” he added with a grin. “Anyway, Doug will already be here and I need to help with the feedin’ and cleanin’. Sorry, darlin’, I have to get myself together.”

“You do that. If it’s okay with you I’ll just stay here for a few minutes. I need to catch my breath.”

“Stay as long as you want,” he said, kissing her softly before climbing from the bed. “When do you have to leave?”

“I have to be at the restaurant between ten-forty-five and eleven so I have plenty of time. I’ll get up soon and visit with Henry and Apollo before I go.”

“I’ll take a quick shower and head off. Help yourself to whatever you want for breakfast,” he said, as he moved to the bathroom, but as he was about to close the door his cellphone rang. “Hey, it’s Sheriff Cooper,” he declared, picking it up from his nightstand. “Mornin’ sheriff. Is everything okay?”

“I’m sorry to say it’s not. Courtney McCallum was taken to the hospital yesterday after collapsing in her cell. Unfortunately she escaped overnight. If you happen to see her please let me know right away.”

“Yes, of course, Sheriff.”

“I’m also on the lookout for a car. It’s silver and could be a Hyundai Elantra or Sonata.”

“A vehicle like that was parked under a tree just down from my ranch and it followed Heather home recently. It belongs to a guy named Joe Meyer. He’s staying at the Moonshine Campground.”

“Ah, thank you,” the sheriff said knowingly. “I’ll keep in touch.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Though Heather had planned to sleep for a little while longer she was too excited about Henry. After taking a quick shower, she dressed and walked into the kitchen, only to find a bowl of granola and small jug of milk waiting on the table. Smiling, she sat down and quickly discovered just how hungry she was. As she continued to enjoy the simple breakfast, Joe and Courtney floated through her mind.

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