Page 41 of The Wrangler

Her eyes snapped to his, the fire in them flaring to life. “Don’t be an ass, Jesse. I thought you...”

She cut herself off, shaking her head like she couldn’t even say the words.

Jesse shifted, cupping the back of her neck with his free hand, pulling her down until her forehead rested against his.“I’m right here, Keely. I’m not going anywhere but home with you.”

She shuddered. Her breath ghosted over his lips, her fingers gripping his hospital gown in tight fists. “You promised me, you bastard.”

Jesse chuckled, even as the sound came out rough. “Yeah, you mentioned that earlier. Pretty sure you cussed me out while I was unconscious.”

Keely lifted her head, glaring at him. “You deserved it.”

“Probably.” He ran his thumb along the nape of her neck, soothing her even as she vibrated with emotion. “You gonna let me make it up to you?”

She swallowed, her throat bobbing. “That depends.”

Jesse quirked an eyebrow. “On?”

Her fingers tightened in the fabric covering his chest. “Did you mean it?”

His pulse kicked up. “Mean what, darlin’?”

She inhaled sharply, her voice a strained whisper. “That you weren’t leaving. That this—us—wasn’t just some heat-of-the-moment bullshit.”

Jesse’s chest ached, and it had nothing to do with his injuries. He caught her chin between his fingers, forcing her to look at him. “I don’t say shit I don’t mean, Keely.”

Her lower lip trembled, but she caught it between her teeth, biting back whatever emotion threatened to spill free. “Then say it now.”

Jesse’s jaw ticked. He hated that she doubted this. Hated she thought, even for a second, that he would walk away. So, he did what he always did when Keely pushed him too far.

He took.

Jesse fisted the back of her hair and pulled her down, crushing his mouth against hers in a kiss that left no room for questions, no space for doubt. Keely gasped, her hands flying tohis shoulders, but she didn’t push him away. Sheneverpushed him away.

He devoured her. Licked into her mouth like he owned her, like he was claiming her, like he needed to make damn sure she understood.

She was his.

Not just in bed. Not just in the dark, but always and in all ways. None of this keeping things confined to the bedroom shit. Keely needed a keeper, and he’d elected himself to the job… for life.

Keely moaned into the kiss, shifting so she was half on the bed, her body pressing into his like she needed to feel him as much as he needed to feel her. Jesse let out a rough groan, his free hand sliding down her back, gripping her hip, anchoring her.

Then he pulled back, just far enough to brush his lips over hers as he murmured, “I meant it, darlin’. As I’m laid up, I’ll see if I can’t get one of the guys to find me some collars and a ring to choose from.”

Keely’s breath stuttered.

Jesse pressed another slow kiss against her mouth, softer this time, but no less possessive. “I love you.”

She trembled, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Jesse…”

He nipped at her lower lip, breathing her in. “Say it.”

Her lashes fluttered, her body melting into his. “I love you.”

Jesse exhaled, his grip tightening. “Again.”

Her voice wavered, but her eyes burned with defiance. “I love you, you overprotective, infuriating, impossible asshole.”

A grin tugged at his lips. “That’s my girl.”

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