by Mandy Magro
The judge forcefully gavelled the courtroom back into order. Then, addressing Levi, his face was unsympathetic. ‘The defendant is bound over to sentencing, and will be remanded in custody until then, without the option for bail.’ He smacked the gavel down. ‘This court is adjourned.’
Now free to say and do as they wished, Juliette reached up on her tippy toes and met Joel’s lips in a quick kiss. ‘I’m so relieved it’s over.’ All strength had left her voice as her gaze pleaded with him to hold her.
And so he did. As he hugged Juliette to him, she sobbed tears of both joy and relief against his chest.
* * *
The blaring of the alarm clock she’d forgotten to turn off had Juliette bouncing from her bed, still half asleep. Slapping it into silence, she dragged a hand through her sexed-up bed hair. It had been a wild night between the sheets, a celebration of sorts. A coy smile grabbed her lips as she recalled Joel, atop her, doing things she’d never imagined. Oh god, how she loved this man of hers. She flung the curtains open, squinting into the glorious sunshine, admiring Warrior and Dynamite grazing in their paddock. Just like Brute and Red, the two horses had become the best of mates. She drew in a deep breath, smiling. Less than a week had passed since the guilty verdict and the sentence had been handed down. Levi was going to prison for seven years. The anguish of the court case, and of that fateful night, was no longer shadowing their footsteps.
She raced down the stairs and breezed into the kitchen, a spring in her step. ‘Good morning, my sexy, yummy fiancé.’
Joel smiled at her over the rim of his Aquarius cup. ‘Good morning, Firecracker. How’d you sleep?’ He pushed his chair back, gesturing for her to straddle him.
She didn’t need any more of an invitation. As she got comfortable, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. The skill of his mouth and his touch made her nipples grow hard and as she rested back a little, she couldn’t help but notice he was having trouble keeping his eyes on hers.
‘You right there, Mr Hunter?’ She glanced down to where he was looking and back at him, grinning.
‘I can’t help it. You’re captivating.’ Mischief lurked within his gaze.
She melted into him, loving the feeling of his body pressed up against her own. His mouth captured hers again, the sweep of his tongue, hot and hungry, fanning the flames of her desire.
‘I want to make love to you, Jules.’
Her senses quivered. ‘Now?’
‘Yes, now.’ His fingers moved to the hem of her singlet, his gaze intensifying as he lifted it to reveal her breasts.
Searing passion gripped her as he lowered his head, and she found herself groaning in pleasure as his tongue slipped over her taut nipple, and his teeth teetered her on the border of pleasure and pain. Hungry for him, for the pleasures she knew he could bestow upon her, she pulled his shirt up and over his head. He lifted her and stood, and they tore at each other’s clothes, leaving a trail as they headed back upstairs. Falling to the bed, he gripped her hips and took her with him. He positioned himself so she was beneath him and she wrapped her legs around him, tangling her fingers in his hair. Usually so teasingly slow, this time he slid into her greedily, and she matched him thrust for thrust, crying out as he brought her close, and then hovered her above cloud nine. With their gazes locked, and unable to hold back any longer, she lost herself in their carnal world, as did he, and they tumbled, together, into a sensory abyss.
Gasping for breath, Joel rolled to his side. Juliette snuggled into him, her heart swelling with love for this magnificent man. They took a few moments to come back to earth and to catch their breaths. To just be with each other.
‘It’s truly all over, isn’t it?’ she whispered into his chest as he stroked her hair.
‘Yes, it is.’ He bent and pressed a kiss onto her cheek.
‘When you came back to Little Heart, I never thought I’d get to tell you how much I love you, but here we are, loving each other like crazy.’ Snuggling in closer, she smiled from the inside out.
‘Yup, and ain’t it just the best?’ Joel’s voice was husky, dreamy.
‘It sure is,’ she said, squeezing him tighter.
Joel tipped her chin and captured her gaze. ‘I never understood the true meaning of forever until I fell in love with you, Jules.’
‘That’s so beautiful.’ She brought her hand to his cheek. ‘I love you so much.’
Joel placed his hand over hers, smiling. ‘I love you too, always have and always will.’
Juliette blinked back happy tears as she brought her cheek to his chest, savouring the sound of his big beautiful heart beating beneath it. This, right here, was all she’d ever truly wanted, or needed.
Finally, their life together could begin.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A colossal cheers to my incredible team at Harlequin Headquarters – from my wonderful publisher Rachael Donovan, who has pushed me to places I never imagined and keeps on pushing me to reach past my comfort zones, to my meticulous editors … Libby Turner, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with you and look forward to doing so in the future, and Julia and Annabel – you’re both the best! To the design wizards who’ve once again created a tremendously captivating cover with a hottie pattotti front and centre, and the rest of the inspiring and supportive team who’ve helped make The Stockman’s Secret the very best it can be. I thank my lucky stars to have been part of the wonderfully supportive Harlequin family for many years now, and I look forward to many more to come.
To my darling husband, Billy. Thank you for all that you do – the times you sit and listen to me go on and on about characters and synopses and plot lines and black moments (basically all that comes with being married to an author), for all the times I’m stressed to the max with a looming deadline, for the times when I can’t sleep because my muse won’t shut the heck up, and all the while you try and make the load lighter in your own unique ways. You’re a diamond in the rough of life, one that continues to inspire me to be a better, stronger person. With you by my side, I know anything is possible. I love you, with all my heart and soul, always and forever. Xx
To my beautiful, sweet girl, Chloe Rose. You’re such an inspiration to me, my darling daughter. The way you see the world, the way you show endless love, keeps me on my path of kindness and gentleness. You’re a blessing in my life, and I love seeing your smiling face each and every day. Thank you for being you, and for loving me the way you do. I’m one lucky mum! Xx
To my magnificent mum, Gaye, I honestly can’t put into words just how much you mean to me. You’ve sacrificed so much for me, and love Chloe with all your heart, and then some. I feel extremely blessed and proud to call you my mum, and my best friend. You know me better than anyone else in this world and love me the most. Thank you, for the amazing human being you are. Love you heaps.
To my wonderful dad, John. You’ve taught me the importance of standing strong, and also humbling myself to forgive – for these two qualities, I will always be thankful. Both have gotten me through some of my toughest battles in life – and I’ve had my share. I love you for the amazingly wise and caring man you are. Xx
To my awesome sisters and sisters-in-law, Mia, Karla, Rochelle, Hayley and Kristy. What a strong bunch of women you are, in so many unique ways. I love you all dearly. Xx
To my beautiful friend, Ebony … we crossed paths and connected from the get-go. You’re an awesome soul, in so many ways – I cherish every moment we get to hang out together. Love being a road rebel with you – stuff the leathers! And thanks for being a set of eyes, as well as a passionate reader of my books! Xx
To my beautiful Soul Sister, Fiona Stanford. We live so far apart, yet we are super close. You’ve been by my side from the beginning of my writing journey Fi, and I know you will remain by my side for the rest of the way. You rock, Sis! Love you heaps! Xx
To my gorgeous German forever friend, Katie! You may live thousands of miles away, over the other side of the world, but you’re
always close to my heart. We’ve shared some crazy adventures, ones that have inspired many of my stories. I’ve known you for almost half my lifetime now … and will know and love you for the rest of it. Come visit me in Australia! I miss you, oh dear Katie! Xx
And lastly, but most importantly of all, a huge, wholehearted cheers to YOU, the reader! I’m constantly humbled to have so many of you reaching out to me to tell me how much you love my books. I treasure how I can take you away from the stresses of life and fill your hearts with love and joy. Without each and every one of you, I wouldn’t be doing what I love. So, a huge group hug for this! I honestly still have to pinch myself when I see a book with my name on the front on the shelf … it will never get old. I admire how many of you have been on my journey the past eleven years, and I enjoy meeting my new readers along the way. Here’s to me breathing life into more sexy heroes and strong country-blooded heroines in the future! I’ve got so many stories waiting to be told.
Until my next book has you hiding somewhere quiet, tucked away from the demands of life, keep smiling and dreaming!
Mandy xoxo
ISBN: 9781489277480
TITLE: THE STOCKMAN’S SECRET
First Australian Publication 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Mandy Magro
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