by Vivian Arend
She gripped the back of the chair in front of her, her knuckles white for a moment before she deliberately relaxed. “I’m not positive, but I might be pregnant.”
A rush of adrenaline shot through him so hard Lee was glad he was sitting down. “Pregnant?”
She nodded, her teeth digging into her lower lip as she waited for his response.
Well, that explained a lot of things.
Even though it wasn’t something he had planned for, or something he’d expected to hear at this moment, it was more the shock of the announcement than terror that had him hesitating.
If she was pregnant…
He took his own deep breath before rising to his feet.
It really had been a day of revelations. As Lee moved toward her, she considered her words again and had to admit she had nothing more to add. Somewhere in the middle of getting the cabin warmed up and saving her ass she’d found the answer.
It would take courage to admit what she wanted, but it wasn’t selfish for her to share what she needed.
Lee reached for her and she went willingly, waiting for his reaction. She didn’t know where they went from here, but as far as she was concerned it was up to them as a couple. They’d figure it out.
He slid his hands around the back of her head, cradling her as he pressed their lips together, their bodies close enough the heat of the fire faded and he was all the warmth she needed.
And when he pulled back his lips were curled into a smile. “I love you,” he repeated. “There are no conditions on that. I don’t love you because of some agenda I expect us to follow. I love you because you’re you. And if we might’ve made a baby, and if you’re ready for that, let’s take the next step. I want you in my life, now and in the future. Alone, and with a family. I want it all.
A small sound escaped her, not a cry but a gasp of relief. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you right away.”
“I’m sorry too. I’m sorry you spent any time worrying. I’ll always be there for you.”
She nodded, settling her hands in a now-familiar way around the back of his neck as she twisted her fingers through his curls. “I don’t know for sure. About being pregnant, I mean.”
“You didn’t take a test?”
She shook her head, her smile turning sheepish. “I only got suspicious yesterday. I was so flustered and confused I distracted myself by coming up here.”
“And in the process let my brother sabotage you,” he teased, bringing her with him to the bed.
She settled on the mattress beside him. “It’s going to be a long time before I ask him for another favour.”
Lee laughed. “We’ll get our revenge. There’s no hurry.”
But he seemed to have an urgent agenda as he tugged at her clothing. “Do we have plans?” she asked.
“If you don’t have the flu…” He paused in the middle of unbuttoning her shirt. “We’re trapped here for the night, and I have this dire need to make sure you’re one hundred percent okay.”
She hadn’t felt any nausea since the morning. It should be safe. “I want you to make love to me,” she confessed.
Lee’s eyes flashed, hunger in the depths along with tenderness. “That’s always what I do,” he said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s fast or slow, in a barn or in a bed, it’s always making love when it’s with you.”
He stripped away her clothing and she undressed him, and the fire in the stove crackled as they discovered each other all over for the first time. The cabin was warm enough they rolled on top of the covers, his mouth teasing her, his fingers rapidly bringing her to the edge of a precipice.
She explored as well, stroking every bit of him, somewhat astonished he was hers to touch and enjoy and savour the way she wanted. And when he rolled her under him, settling his hips between her legs, she waited for the moment when he’d surge forward and join them.
Only it wasn’t like that. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her as if she were the most precious thing in the world, and while she luxuriated under his attention, that’s when it happened. Not a rush to the finish, not a frantic coupling in the dark, but by the light of a dozen candles, Lee Coleman made love to her, filling her body, filling her soul.
The entire time their eyes remained connected. His gaze as well as his touch saying he was there for her. He rocked harder, brushing over her clit until her response was unstoppable. She let her pleasure spill out for him to see. Tightening around him, holding him close as he too found release.
They lay on the bed afterward, her head resting on his chest as she stroked his belly and his fingers played over her shoulders.
“Whatever happens,” he repeated, “I’m there for you.”
They were the words of a promise, one he’d already made with his body and his actions so many times before.
Rachel leaned on an elbow so she could smile down at him. “I know.”
Epilogue
“But I don’t want to do anything special for Valentine’s Day,” Rachel grumbled. “Damn Hallmark holiday. Nothing but an excuse to make people buy overpriced cards and foul-tasting chocolates.”
Lee laughed, his hands wrapped around the final box out of the back of his truck. “That’s most guy’s attitude toward cheesy romantic holidays.”
“Hey, I don’t like chick flicks either.” She poked her tongue at him. “Sorry. You’re officially stuck with the least romantic woman on the planet.”
“Don’t stick it out unless you plan on using it,” he warned, pinching her on the butt as he walked past into her bedroom to unpack the last of his clothes.
Their bedroom.
It still seemed unreal, but there had been no reason for them to wait. When the storm had rolled in and trapped them in the cabin for another three-night stay, they’d had plenty of time to talk, and one decision they’d made was he would move in with her.
She followed him into the room, settling on the mattress to watch him. “I have no objections to putting my tongue to work, but I thought we had to go to this Valentine’s Day party. Unless it’s a costume party and you want to go as—no, I can’t think of any costume that requires me giving you a blow job in public.”
Lee abandoned the shirt and hanger in his hands, diving for her and rolling her on top. “What? You don’t think you can make me come before it’s time for us to leave? I’m afraid you underestimate your superpowers.”
“You’ve got superhero recovery time.” Rachel folded her hands on his chest and rested her chin on top of them, her smile a trifle sad. “Sorry for being a pain in the ass. I’m a bundle of contradictions right now. I’m glad I got my period, and at the same time, I’m sad.”
He stroked his fingers through her hair. “I get it. Honest.” He traced a finger down her forehead and over the ridge of her nose before pressing it against her lips. “When I told you back at the cabin I was okay with us having a baby, I wasn’t doing damage control. You know how much I love my family, and I look forward to us having one of our own someday.”
She nodded, pressing a kiss to his fingertips. “I’m glad we get more time with just the two of us.”
“You sure your mom doesn’t want grandkids ASAP?” he teased.
“Bite your tongue. Plus, we’re not planning our lives around making my parents happy.” Rachel grimaced. “Although it would be good if you work that patented Coleman charm hard when we have dinner with them next week.”
“Trust me, they’ll love me.”
She stared at him as worry drifted over her expression.
“Or…they won’t,” he admitted. “Either way, they’ll know how I feel about you, and that’s all that matters. I’m not Gary. I’ll never hurt you like he did.”
“He’s an ass.” Some of her tension evaporated as righteous satisfaction replaced it. “And he’s no longer in my life—thank God for cross-country transfers. I hope he enjoys driving deliveries in rural Quebec. I hope he gets lost. Often.”
“Vindictive woman. I like your claws.”
“Rawr.” She scratched his chest, and something other than ex-husbands or worrying about family shot back to the top of his agenda.
“Not to change the subject, but…” He glanced at his watch. “If you plan on giving me that blow job before we leave, get cracking.”
Her smile turned mischievous. “Are you sure? Because with our track record, chances are your brother Trevor will show up at exactly the wrong moment, and you’ll spend the rest of the evening with a problem in your pants.”
Lee didn’t bother to stop his laughter. The past week had held more emotion than he’d experienced in all his previous years. Passion, excitement, fear, anticipation—sorrow.
And intermingled with all of them was the special joy Rachel had brought to his life.
“Fine, I can wait.” He curled himself to a sitting position and brought her with him, hungrily taking her lips because he couldn’t stop himself.
When they parted breathlessly, she offered him a huge smile. “Maybe we can find a broom closet at the party, or something.”
Lee reached under the nearest pillow, cupping the box in the palm of his hand so Rachel wouldn’t see it. “That’s a dirty offer.”
“You bring out the best in me,” she replied with a wink.
She did the same for him. “I know Valentine’s Day isn’t your favourite thing, but because I’m a guy, this is the best time to do this so I have an easy date to remember.”
He held out his surprise.
Her smile froze. “Lee?”
He bumped the box into her fingers. “Trust me.”
Rachel cracked it open as if a spider were going to leap out, and the breath she’d been holding released in a long, steady stream. “My God, really?”
He pulled the ring from the container and caught her fingers in his. “It’s not what you think.” He looked into her big brown eyes earnestly. “It’s a promise ring. It means I want you in my life, but I know we need time before we take the next step. I want you to wear this until you’re ready.”
She laid a hand over her chest. “Something in here just expanded a few sizes.”
“Good to know branding you ‘taken’ gives you heartburn,” Lee teased. He slipped the ring on her finger, wrapping his hand around hers. “Now it’s up to you. When you’re ready, let me know. Waiting won’t change the way I feel about you, so there’s no rush.”
It had seemed a little juvenile when he’d come up with the idea, but from the moisture in her eyes and the smile she offered him, he’d done the right thing.
“I’ll let you know,” she promised, leaning into him and offering her lips all over again. “I love you, Lee Coleman.”
“I love you too, even though you seem hell-bent on us missing tonight’s party.” He laid his hands over her wrists where she was working on undressing him.
Rachel raised a brow. “Tell me you’d prefer to go out instead of us having our own party here at home. Tell me that truthfully, and I’ll stop.” She undid his zipper and reached into his pants, wrapping her fingers around him. “Well?”
She gave a damn convincing argument.
“Why fight fate? I’m putty in your hands, Rachel Malone.” He folded his arms behind his head and offered his most risqué smile. “Happy Valentine’s Day, honey.”
It was so much more than he’d set out to find that cold November day. What had been planted in the midst of a winter storm had taken root. Like a crocus pushing through the lingering snow, joyful anticipation had bloomed into brilliant love.
They never did make it to the party.
I hope you enjoyed Lee and Rachel’s story. You can receive updates on new releases (like Trevor’s story, coming summer 2015!) including free vignettes by signing up for my newsletter here.
If you’d like to find out more about how Steve and Melody got together, you’ll find their story in Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch #7): Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks. Even though that’s book 7 in the Six Pack Ranch series, it’s completely stand alone, and a safe place to jump in.
Or if you’d like to go back to the beginning, ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEAT: Six Pack Ranch 1 is available for FREE.
The other series you can check out is the Thompson & Sons, which starts with Mitch & Anna’s story—the cop and the town bad boy!
Thompson & Sons
Rocky Ride: Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks
One Sexy Ride: Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks
Let It Ride: Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks
A Wild Ride: Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks
Baby, Be Mine: Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks
Try a taste of ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROMANCE
Rocky Mountain Romance
Second chances are the sweetest—and the hottest.
It took a spectacularly embarrassing break-up to knock Steve Moonshine Coleman off his lazy butt. In the ten months since that night, he’s changed his ways. Now that Melody’s back in town, it’s time for this sweet-talking cowboy to convince her to get back in the saddle with him.
A return to her veterinary position in Rocky Mountain House was always in the cards for Melody Langley. Getting back together with Steve? Never part of the plan. He had lots of potential but zero ambition, and there’s no way she’ll accept anything less than a man who can keep up with her, in and out of bed.
But the new-and-improved cowboy is impossible to resist, so Melody issues a challenge. Three months to prove he’s reformed. Three months of Steve orchestrating one sexual indulgence after another—?wicked distractions from the old boys’ club Melody faces at work and Steve’s growing responsibilities.
He’s got one shot to prove with more than words what’s in his heart and soul.
Read on for an excerpt…
“I want to see you again,” Steve blurted out.
Maybe if she’d never imagined hearing those words this would’ve been more awkward, but she’d had enough time to think it over. She’d prepared for every possibility when she’d decided to return to Rocky Mountain House, even this one.
Prepared, and planned to enjoy it.
Melody kept walking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t think we had an actual relationship, not one that I’m interested in rekindling.”
“I get that. I told you I was a fool, but I’ve changed. I want a chance to prove it.”
“Prove it?” A burst of laughter escaped before she could stop it. “Steve, when we were dating, half the time you didn’t know what day it was. And I don’t even know that I want to call it dating. More like conveniently seeing each other when it worked out. That part wasn’t just your fault. I’ll take some of the blame, because I was damn busy with my job.”
“We were both busy, but that doesn’t give me an excuse for being a shit. It also doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m talking about right now.”
Melody jerked to a halt so she could toss him her most disdainful expression. “What happened between us a year ago, and more? How does that have nothing to do with the fact you want to see me again? You’re not making any sense.”
His lips twitched upward as his gaze drifted over her, his attraction apparent. “Let’s start with a clean slate. Hi, you must be the new vet in town. I’m Steve Coleman, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of me.”
Unbelievable. And yet…interesting. The old Steve would have joked around, but never with that intense focus as if he was prepared to actually do something if she argued with him. “Well, it appears you’ve grown some balls since the last time we met, but I don’t know that it’s enough.”
“Trust me, I’ve got the balls, for many things.”
She shook her head, clicking her tongue as if in disbelief. “If that was some sly reference toward your sexual prowess? There’s another place you’re mistaken. I’ll give you points for knowing where to find a woman’s clit, and I had more than a few orgasms with you—thanks for them, by the way.”
His grin broadened, and she was almost reluctant to d
eliver the killing blow.
“But, Steve? I’m afraid you’re just too vanilla for me.”
Melody spun on her heel and marched away, her own grin breaking free as he stood frozen on the spot behind her, sputtering in response. She kept walking, catching hold of her door and quickly crawling into the borrowed truck.
She got the door shut before he caught up with her, but there was no way she could ignore him. Steve stood inches from her closed door, his expression folded into a frown until she relented and rolled down her window.
He started in right away before she could speak, his utter shock apparent. “Too vanilla for you?”
Melody answered briskly. “I found out a few things about myself while I was away at school this year. So, I’m glad we’re going to be friends, and I look forward to working with the Colemans now that I’m back, but that’s pretty much all us time is going to be. Have a nice day.”
She put the truck in drive and left him standing in the dirt, containing her laughter until she was on the main highway and headed for home.
This was where the Steve she’d known would saunter back to the party and forget about her. Oh, maybe he’d give a few moments’ thought to challenging her comments, but then something would distract him, and the next time they met? It would be as if this conversation had never happened. He’d ask her out again, she’d turn him down.
Eventually he’d get bored and move on. It was sad, but inevitable.
Except…the flash of fire she’d seen in his eyes in her rearview mirror as she drove away wasn’t familiar. Something fluttered in her belly, and she wondered if maybe she’d poked a little too hard.
Rocky Mountain Romance (Six Pack Ranch #7): Kobo | Nook | All Romance eBooks is available now