by Lacey Wolfe
“I’m sure you were coming home to call me about the baby, and I would’ve been on the next flight.” He ran a finger down her cheek.
Her smiled faded. “I wasn’t coming home to call and tell you.”
“Why? You weren’t going to wait, were you?” That wasn’t cool.
“I had planned to come home and let it sink in, then call you in a few days.”
His arms dropped from holding her. “How could you—”
“Nathan, chill. I wasn’t going to keep it from you, but you have to understand, before you showed up here today, I had just gotten the news confirmed. Don’t be mad if I waited a day or two. Besides, fate stepped in.”
“Didn’t Lauren know?” After all, she’d sent him there. It had to be because of the baby.
“She knew I suspected, but you’re the first person to know it’s confirmed.”
Part of him wanted to be mad, but what was the point? It wouldn’t change anything. He was there now and he wasn’t going anywhere. “You know, we’re both unemployed. I’ve never done anything but ranch work.”
“Did you go to college?”
He had, but he’d not used the degree for anything in years. “I did.”
“For?”
He laughed. “Engineering.”
“You have a degree?”
“I do. Just never used it. My parents thought it was important in case life took us in other directions.”
“Well, my cowboy, looks like you might get to use that degree.” She kissed him gently. “Maybe in a few years, when things settle down here, we can go back to the ranch.”
It was a hope they’d end up back at Carver Ranch, but he’d go wherever they had to. “I don’t care where we are, as long as it’s together. But we’d better get a big enough place for my family to visit often.”
“So, does that mean there might be another wedding in the future at Carver Ranch?”
He groaned, not wanting to think about that. “Let’s elope, please. I’m not ready to think about another wedding yet.”
She smiled. “Me either. Let’s get other things figured out first.”
He held her tight and rolled her onto her back. “Like where the hell we’re going to sleep tonight.”
Chapter 12
Nathan clasped Angie’s hand in his. “Quit worrying. Shelia will be fine while we’re gone.”
She let out a sigh as they waited on their rental car. “I know she will. She’s doing so well, but I can’t help but worry.”
He tilted her face toward his. “You’re going to be a great mom if you love our baby half as much as you do your sister.”
The guy behind the counter had Nathan sign some paperwork, then they were on their way. It was their first time back in Deer Crossing since Nathan had dropped his entire life for her. His family didn’t know about the baby yet, because she wanted to wait until she was out of the first trimester. That had been hard to do with the holidays a few weeks back. Tucker and Lauren knew, but they promised to keep their lips zipped.
Nathan put their luggage in the trunk as she climbed into the car. Once he was inside with her, she turned to him. “How do you think they will react?”
He leaned forward and gave her a light peck. “I’ve told you over and over how they will react. Has your hearing gone bad since you got preggo?”
She smiled. “Tell me again.”
“They are going to be thrilled. Happy. Hell, they might even throw a party.”
“What about the fact we eloped?” Lauren didn’t even know that.
He chuckled and started the car. “They might be a little more disappointed in that one, but I don’t think this family was ready for another wedding.”
She rubbed her belly that was still pretty flat since she’d just crossed the twelve week mark. To her, it looked like she was slightly bloated, surely an outsider would have no idea she had a baby in there. Part of her couldn’t wait until she had a big belly and the world knew she was pregnant.
The drive to Carver Ranch didn’t take long. They were arriving on a Sunday before the big family dinner. They’d each taken the next week off of work. Life had changed a lot. Her hunky cowboy wore button-downs and slacks most of the time, and was putting his engineering degree to use. In fact, he was really good at it. She’d gotten in with the ad agency she’d hoped for, and was thrilled when they let her set up a home office. She was thankful to not have to fight Atlanta traffic. Nathan, however, wasn’t so lucky.
His family called a lot. She had expected them to dislike her for taking their son and brother away, but the opposite happened. His mom and sister called her all the time and welcomed her with open arms. There had been no hostility, though they did hope one day she and Nathan would come back to Texas. Angie hoped so too.
“Are we going to tell them during dinner, or after?”
“It’s cute you’re so worried.”
She stared out the window. “More like hungry. I don’t want to interrupt my feeding time.”
He patted her knee. “Definitely don’t want that.”
The drive went quicker than she’d expected. When they arrived at the ranch, he turned toward his house. “Where are we going?”
He parked next to his old red truck. “I had to sit next to you on the plane then in this car. I need a little time with you before I share you with my family for the week.”
“I like your thinking. I’m feeling extra hot with all these hormones.” She let her finger glide down his arm. “Let’s do it in the kitchen.”
He laughed. “Why there?”
She liked sex in all kinds of places, but since they shared their home, they stuck to the bedroom and shower most of the time. “At home, I fantasize about you taking me on the kitchen island, but we can never do it because of Shelia. No one is here, and I want it that way. Maybe we can try the dryer out this week too.”
He opened his car door with that sexy grin she’d fallen in love with. “Your wish is my command.”
They hurried inside the house. She couldn’t wait to spend the week there. It was going to be so peaceful and relaxing. Nathan had a huge garden tub in his bathroom, and she intended to use it nightly. The apartment had a standard tub and it did no good for her aching belly.
The inside looked as though Nathan left in a haste. A pile of clothes on the couch that had been pulled apart, probably from packing. In the kitchen, there was even a cup by the sink.
“I can’t believe no one came and did your dishes.” She leaned against the counter and pulled her shirt over her head.
His eyes widened. “You weren’t kidding. You are ready.”
She felt her way down her body and unbuttoned her jeans. “You should feel how wet I am for you, cowboy. Being back here, I can’t wait to see you in those tight jeans. Maybe you should get a hat while we do this.” She slipped her jeans and panties off.
He groaned and his fingers went straight to her center. “Later.” He spread her lower lips and teased her with a light rub from the back to front.
“It drives me crazy when you do that.”
With his other hand, he unclasped her bra. “I just have to make sure you’re ready.”
Grabbing his hand, she pressed his finger inside her. “I’m fucking ready. Perhaps I need to get you ready.”
She undid his pants as he pushed his fingers deep inside. She was dizzy with need. “Harder.”
She wrapped her hand around his freed cock and stroked with fury. Sometimes she didn’t even need sex. Just the release. This was one of those times where she was going to come quick. She brought her mouth to his and kissed him as her stomach tightened. Oh God, there it was.
He must have sensed it and picked up his rhythm.
“Nathan.” She bit into his clothed shoulder and closed her eyes.
Waves of pleasure tumbled through her and she couldn’t think straight. After her release subsided, she clung to him as she caught her breath.
“It turns me on when you really let go,” he w
hispered.
She gazed into his eyes. “Now you get to tell me, how do you want me?”
He lifted her onto the edge of the counter and spread her thighs apart. She grabbed hold of his shirt, yanking it off. He positioned his cock at her opening. As he thrust in, he kissed her.
She turned her mind off, as she always did with him, basking in how he made her feel. Her nipples were extra sensitive and when he cupped them in his palms, she could feel another release building. Pregnancy had its perks when it came to her libido. Or maybe it was Nathan. She’d never tire of the way he made her feel happy and complete.
His breathing picked up, meaning he was close. Reaching down, she cupped his balls and gave them a slight squeeze. He grunted. Breaking the kiss, she sucked in his earlobe, knowing that would send him over the edge. When he got rough and really let go, she liked it. Since finding out she was pregnant, he always took it so easy on her. She craved him letting loose the way he did against the wall that one day in his home.
He gripped her by the waist and tugged her hard against him. She leaned back on her hands.
“Oh fuck,” he murmured.
One more hard thrust and she could tell he’d released by the way he stiffened. She sat up and laced her hands around his neck. “I love you.”
He nuzzled his face into her collarbone. “I love you.”
* * * *
“All right. Ready?” Nathan asked as they climbed the steps to his parents’ house.
“No.”
He put an arm around her shoulder. “Stop worrying.”
The front door opened before he grabbed the knob and Lauren flung herself into Angie’s arms. The two girls made weird squealing noises as they hugged and did some weird jumpy thing with their feet.
Before he could say anything, Lauren dragged Angie into the house away from him. What am I, chopped liver?
His parents’ house hadn’t changed a bit, not the he’d thought it would. More squealing sounded from the kitchen area. Obviously, everyone was happy to see Angie. He smiled, knowing it would ease their news for her. As he entered the kitchen no one squealed, however, both his brothers put their arms around him, giving him a tight embrace. His sister was next, followed by his mom.
“I’ve missed you so much. You look so good. Angie has been taking great care of you,” his mom said.
Finally, his wife was back at his side as she looped her arms with his. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’ll be down in a minute. I accidentally dropped the pan of green beans on him and he needed to change.”
“How did you do that?” he asked, concerned that his mom’s wrists were still acting up.
Lauren leaned against Tucker. “She said our screaming scared her.”
“You two were pretty excited.”
Lauren gave him a stern look. “That’s my best friend. You better expect she’ll be with me this week since you have her the rest of the time.”
“I wouldn’t dream of keeping her from you.”
His dad walked in the kitchen and patted him on the back. “It’s good to see you, son. It’s been different around here without you.”
“How are the riding lessons going, Braden?” he asked, feeling bad he’d abandoned his students.
Braden grabbed a pickle from the relish tray. “Good. It’s better than I thought it would be.”
His mom stared at their joined hands. “What’s that?”
Angie glanced at him, and they both realized that they still had their wedding rings on.
Lauren’s gaze went to the same place, and she covered her mouth. “You didn’t, did you?”
Angie held her hand out. “We did. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but we couldn’t bear to wait another moment.”
Nathan watched his mom as everything registered, and she finally said, “We would’ve flown out and gone to the courthouse with you.”
Angie was going to wring his neck, but he’d make it up to her later in bed. He placed a hand over her stomach. “We didn’t want to wait for a certain reason.”
“Nathan,” Angie whispered.
He loved throwing her off guard, because she was always in control. Nothing seemed to make her stumble. “Since you’re all here and my wife wants to eat, I should tell you, she’s feasting for two.”
His mom dropped the pan of potatoes she’d been holding, white splatter going all over the wooden floor.
“Thankfully that wasn’t on me this time.” His dad laughed.
“You’re having a baby!” His mom’s mouth hung open from pure shock.
“We are.”
“Oh my God! I’m so excited.” She grabbed both Nathan and Angie in her arms. “This is the best news.” When she stepped back, she turned to his father. “Can you believe it? Two new daughter-in-laws and a baby. This has been the best year yet.”
Nathan tugged Angie close. “This is only a preview of what’s to come, my love.”
She stared up at him. “Aren’t you glad you took a chance?”
He nodded then kissed her cheek. Taking a chance on Angie had been the best decision he’d ever made
.
About Lacey Wolfe
Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. Her goal as an author is to have a romance for everyone, whether it’s sweet, sensual, or spicy. She’s had several books on the Amazon best-seller lists. When she isn’t writing, she can be found running, talking to her pets, spending time with her family, or lost in some sort of craft. Oh, and she takes kindly to anyone who feeds her cookies.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their herd of cats, and one black lab who rules the house.
Lacey’s Website:
www.laceywolfe.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
About the Carver Ranch Series
Book 1: Counting Cowboys
Now Available
Book 2: Take A Chance, Cowboy
Now Available
More Beachwalk Press Titles by Lacey Wolfe
Amber’s Muse
Fool Me Once
More Than Useful
Accidental Love
Bound by Pleasure
Opposites Attract
Wanted: Wife
Arranged Love
Counting Cowboys
Counting Cowboys (book 1 in the Carver Ranch Series)
Can a hot cowboy convince Lauren to stay in Texas and take another chance on love?
Tucker Carver likes to have fun and has no intention of settling down anytime soon. He handles the business side of Carver Ranch for his family, and on the day he’s scheduled to meet with their accountant, he instead meets a beautiful woman who changes everything.
Lauren Ford packed up and moved to Texas to start over after her fiancé had an affair with her best friend. Her father’s retiring and has offered to let her take over his accounting firm. When she meets Tucker she’s immediately taken with him, despite his reputation as a ladies’ man. Knowing she isn’t looking for love, or even if she wants to stay in Texas, she decides to have fun with Tucker and keep her feelings at bay.
After one taste of Lauren, Tucker has other plans. Lauren is the woman he wants, but for some reason she’s resisting. And it doesn’t help when her ex-fiancé shows up in town wanting her to go back to Georgia with him. Can Tucker convince her that his feelings are true, or will he lose her forever?
Content Warning: contains adult language and explicit sexual scenes
Fool Me Once (book 1 in the Hot Bods Series)
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Drew is the last person Skylar wanted to see across from her at a local bar. A month ago he’d wined and dined her all weekend, leaving her feeling fully in love, but then she awoke alone in an empty hotel room and she hadn’t heard from him since.
The weekend Drew spent with Skylar was phenomenal. There had never been anyone who made him feel as complete as s
he did. He shouldn’t have disappeared, he should have called, but his feelings for her scared him, so he distanced himself. But when he saw her again, he knew he couldn’t stay away any longer.
Skylar’s determined not to give Drew another chance to hurt her, but he’s just as determined to win her back. Although it won’t be easy, he’s up to the challenge, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal.
Content Warning: Explicit Sex
Wanted: Wife
Help Wanted: A Wife
Darcy White can’t believe she’s answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she’s hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she’d be crazy not to live out her fantasy.
Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won’t inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.
As Darcy and Steven pretend they’re engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather’s retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?
Content Warning: contains adult language and sensual love scenes
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Back Cover Copy
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8