by Lynda Chance
Her mind relinquished all need to protect herself and all she felt was the sure knowledge she would always be safe in his arms. "I love you," she said as her mind shattered and she was held spellbound in infinite pleasure.
He groaned against her and Emma felt the warmth of his seed as it exploded inside of her. She gripped him tightly to her as he pushed into her with unrelenting strength. They held each other in the aftermath until he lifted himself until he was on his elbows and his hands sank into her hair.
"Say that again," his words were dark, compelling her to obey.
"I love you," she said simply.
Pure satisfaction and a look of relief glittered from his eyes and his fingers sank deeper into her hair with a firmer grip. "I love you, Emma, more than you'll ever know."
Her hands slid from his shoulders to his face. "I do know, Luke, and I'm so happy."
A small, sweet smile encompassed her face and Luke lowered his mouth to hers.
Epilogue
Their first baby came quickly and the next two followed with rapid succession. Luke was well pleased but took an infinite, devious delight in teaching her the many ways they could make love while still trying to space out the next little family member.
Emma was a quick learner and after five years of marriage, the fires that raged between them hadn't cooled a bit.
Maria and Jesse were a huge help to them, taking on the roles of surrogate grandparents and loving every second of it.
Luke and Jesse built a tall, wooden fence all the way around the perimeter of the house with enough yard inside to allow the kids to run free, but that kept them within a close enough radius that Emma had no trouble chasing after them when needed.
Luke's protective tendencies hadn't abated one whit, and now they extended to the children as Emma sat on the porch swing and watched as he made his daily morning ritual of walking the fence line, looking for any uninvited visitors that might be a threat to his family.
Emma nursed baby Grace from her position on the porch swing while Toby and Conner raced after their father on sturdy little feet. From her seat she saw when Toby, her youngest son, took a tumble and began to cry when he fell on his fat little bottom. She was about to stand to her feet and go to him when Luke turned and picked up his son, brushed off his bottom, and cuddled him a second while whispering something in his ear. Toby's head popped up and he put his two little hands on his father's cheeks and suddenly smiled.
Luke kissed him on the forehead and dropped him to his feet where he ran off to join his brother.
Emma watched as her husband turned and narrowed his eyes on her and began walking swiftly toward her. He stepped up on the porch and placed his hands on the swing, caging her in. His dark, heated gaze swept over her and the baby in her arms. His words were slow and sexy, "I love you."
She smiled back at him and knew a moment of pure joy, much like she experienced on a daily basis. "I love you, too."
"That baby's asleep."
"That baby?"
He grinned. "Sweet little Gracie is asleep."
"Yes, I know."
"Go put her down."
"She needs some fresh air and sunlight."
Emma watched as Luke stood erect, walked to the door and opened it and called for Maria.
The other woman was there is seconds with a questioning look on her face. "Watch the kids awhile, all right?" As Luke asked the question, he gently lifted the baby from Emma's arms and placed her in the care of the older woman.
Maria's eyes shown with warmth and approval as she held the sleeping baby and sat on the swing.
Luke grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her into the house. He dragged her to their bedroom and once they were inside, he shut the door and locked it.
Emma watched him silently until a peal of laughter came from her lips. "I can't believe you just did that."
Luke pulled her into the circle of his arms and lifted one dark eyebrow. "Believe it, sweetheart." And his lips fell to hers.
THE END
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Other westerns by Lynda Chance:
Under the Cowboy's Control
(Contemporary Novel)
Selena Taylor is an American citizen determined to find her grandparents after she loses her family to the violence of the drug cartel in Mexico. Crossing the border into Texas turns out to be the easy part. Virtually penniless and enticingly innocent, she soon finds herself at the mercy of Travis Blake. Travis is a hard-working, self-made rancher that has never known love or softness of any kind. His only use for women is sexual, and Selena is caught on his ranch with no way out. While Selena plots her escape from his control, Travis ruthlessly and methodically tightens his possession and makes it impossible for her to leave. The struggle that follows is a clash of wills that pits purity against passion, virtue against vice and love against lust.
The Sheriff and the Innocent Housekeeper
(Sensual, romantic, historical novella)
When Becky Hamilton is orphaned at the tender age of fourteen, she comes to live with her aunt in Waco and begins work cooking and cleaning for the town’s brooding young sheriff. Mesmerized immediately by his raw masculinity and sinewy strength, her fascination turns to love as the years pass and his honest integrity is revealed.
Jake Cooper manages to ignore his pretty, little orphaned housekeeper for three long years. But when she begins a subtle metamorphosis from girl to woman, he can’t control his consuming need for her any longer. It has been his job to protect the town all these years, but who will protect her from him?
You might also enjoy:
Her Reluctant Rancher by: Anne Marie Novark
Living with his stern grandfather taught Trevor Callahan one important lesson: Caring makes a man weak. Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.
Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. Now she is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.
Other works by Lynda Chance:
Staking His Claim
Twenty-one-year-old Elaina Ruiz has only just begun college when she meets Raul Vega for the first time. Recognizing his ruthless intensity for what it is, she doesn't correct him when he assumes she is an eighteen-year-old freshman.
Raul Vega has never met a woman he couldn't do without. Until he meets Elaina Ruiz and knows she has to belong to him--even if it means waiting for her to grow up.
The Thrill of the Chase
Warning: Alpha-Males are everywhere! Three roommates. Three men. Three impossible situations! Ashley Weldon runs scared when Ryan McKay puts moves on her that are too hot to handle! The more he pushes, the more she pulls back. While Ryan chases Ashley, his friend Gibson Jones is quietly stalking Ashley’s younger cousin, Julie. Throw in a hot firefighter, a protective girlfriend, some sexting and a Corvette or two, and you have Temptation in Texas, Houston Style!
Seduced by the American Millionaire (Book One: Louisiana Liaisons)
Life in the suburbs has been domestic, not daring. A fateful trip into the city delivers unsuspecting single mom Jenny Babin into the hands of ruthless Richard Bergeron. Richard lives in a dark underworld where money is made and lost with a roll of the dice. Jenny is drawn into an erotic relationship filled with passion, dominance and dark persuasion. Can she escape Richard's control before it's too late? Or will her time in the city become the life she's always dreamed of?
Blackmailed Into Bed (Book Two: Louisiana Liaisons)
Baton Rouge police officer Jake Fontenot has wanted Amy for months. Under the impression that she is married, he silently agonizes over the woman he can't have. Divorced mom and teacher Amy Sanford refuses to get involved with a police officer.
Through a combination of white lies and evasive maneuvers, she purposely stays out of the handsome lieutenant's reach. He finds out the truth one dark night when she is stranded and scared on the side of the interstate. Using blackmail and intimidation to get what he wants, he soon has her under his control and embroiled in a game of ruthless seduction and sensual persuasion.
Bedded by the Boss (Book Three: Louisiana Liaisons)
When Renee Guillot starts her new job with better pay and benefits, she thinks her only worry will be a lack of job security. Little does she know she will be working for the Devil Incarnate. Suddenly, she is tossed into a world of sexual coercion and dangerous temptation.
Robert Thibodeaux can't be bothered with the mundane details of hiring his own secretary. So when his new employee shows up for work, one look is enough to know it will never work out. Getting her out of his office and into his bed isn't an easy maneuver. But that's exactly what he wants, and it will only be a matter of time before he makes it happen.
His Indecent Proposal
(Contemporary Novella)
When Jenna Hardin is approached with a business proposition that involves a short-term marriage arrangement, she hesitatingly agrees. It doesn't take long before she realizes the business involved is only a smokescreen and she is the ultimate commodity.
Temptation in Texas: Mike and Megan
(Sensual Short Story)
Life in uptown Dallas is exciting enough already for small town girl Megan. But when Mike walks into the restaurant where she works, things are going to crank up a notch.
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