He trailed kisses down her cheek, nibbled her neck, and stopped at the hollow of her throat, tickling her with the tip of his tongue. Goose bumps rose on her arms, and he slid his mouth to her breast, circling her nipple then flicking it.
She arched into him and he took her in his mouth, the suction drawing aching pleasure from deep inside her. His tongue at her nipple sent flaming shockwaves through her. It had been so long since a man had loved her. Yet with Cash, it was more intense, more exquisite.
He took her other breast in his mouth, pushing everything else from her mind until he slid his hand down her belly, cupping her.
With her pulse pounding, her core tightened, anticipating his touch.
Leaving her breast, he kissed her greedily and slid his finger between her slippery folds.
She sucked in a breath, arching her hips.
He slid his finger inside her, finding her sensitive spot with his thumb. Kissing her deeply, he thrust with his finger as his thumb rubbed in gentle circles, bringing her to the brink.
Her world became smaller and smaller. It centered around Cash, his strong arms, his hand, his fingers...
He pulled back.
She cried out and opened her eyes.
Grinning at her, he replaced his fingers with his tongue.
Her body gave a surprised jerk. “Oh, my God.”
“Uh-huh.”
Every nerve she had ached for his touch. She raked her fingers through his hair. Her entire body vibrated in response to the sweep of his tongue. A powerful sensation built and throbbed. Heat streaked through her, and she came in quivering waves. She clutched Cash. “Now! Please, now!”
Voice husky, he said, “Come here, baby,” and pulled her with him to stand beside the bed. From behind, he grasped her hips. “You okay with this?”
Panting, she said, “Yes, yes.”
He touched her back, and she leaned forward. Grabbing the condom, he quickly slipped it on.
His soft tip slid inside her. Though she was wet, he stretched her, and she spread her legs wider. He was all the way in. She felt tight, fuller than ever before. He pulled almost out, then pushed in, quickly this time. She panted, “Yes.” Grabbing her hips, he thrust inside her, pulled out, and plunged in again, and again. She lost count as he hit her sweet spot with each pounding thrust. She was close, so desperately close to another release. She cried out, legs clenching, body convulsing as mindless ecstasy gripped her.
Cash shouted, “I love you” and thrust one-two-three more times, spilling into her, clutching her to him.
Legs shaking, still as one, she stood and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned his cheek on her temple. She turned her face and smiled as she kissed him. “I love you more.”
Chapter Seventeen
Dallas stood before the mirror in the small dressing room of the church in Howelton where Cash had attended services his whole life. Kate, her maid of honor, adjusted Dallas’s long lace veil. Her wedding dress made her feel like an old-time movie star. She chose a classic A-line design made of tulle lace with a hem that trailed behind her. The lace, off-the-shoulder sleeves and deeply-scooped back lent it a graceful elegance.
She clutched her bouquet of pastel roses and shifted nervously in her tall ivory heels. She hadn’t seen Cash in several days and eagerly anticipated being with him in a few short minutes.
Today could have been so different. It could have been Ethan she had settled for. Thank God she’d come to her senses. Ethan had taken a job at a large firm in Dallas shortly after she’d turned down his marriage proposal. She hoped he was doing well and was happy. She smiled at her reflection. As was she. Incredibly happy.
Her wedding to Cash would be simple but beautiful. The sanctuary was decorated with soft-colored flowers looped together with wide ivory ribbons at each pew and a gorgeous arrangement of pale roses on the table in the pulpit.
Kate hugged her shoulders from behind and met her gaze in the mirror. “You okay?”
She grinned. “Yep. I can’t believe I’ll be Mrs. Cash Powers when this is all over.”
Kissing her cheek, Kate said, “You have fun in Cancun. I had a blast when I was there last year.”
Cash’s friend, Ward Ramsey, was feeding the stock for him while they were on their honeymoon. Cash had done the same for Ward when he got married. Dallas looked forward to getting some rest, too. Between working and preparing for the wedding, she was exhausted.
Cash had insisted on something, though. She had turned in her notice at work, and when they returned from Cancun, for the first time in her life, she’d be a stay-at-home mom. He wanted her to enjoy some down-time before she enrolled at the university.
She stiffened as the organ rang out with the chords of “The Bridal Chorus” from Wagner’s Opera Lohengrin. The lyric, “Here comes the bride...” ran through her mind.
Kate covered her face with the veil.
Sarah opened the door, holding Piper’s hand. “Come on, girl. Let’s go.” Sarah led Piper, in her soft pink dress, to her place next to Sarah’s son, Colin, the proud ring bearer.
Looking a bit uncomfortable in his tux, Dallas’s father came forward and raised his elbow, smiling at her. “Are you ready, honey?”
Kate, beautiful in her pale-yellow gown, stepped in front of them and started their little procession toward the open doors.
Her pulse pounding, Dallas followed. With each step, emotion built in her. Her senses sharpened. The smell of roses grew strong, and, as she entered the sanctuary, her gaze zeroed in on Cash. Her heart leapt. He was breathtaking. Looking like something out of a magazine, his tux fit his tall, broad-shouldered frame with exquisite perfection. She didn’t see the pews filled with his family and friends. Didn’t acknowledge those who had made the trip to Howelton to wish her well. Her gaze locked with his. Her heart yearned toward him. And, at last, her father led her up the steps to Cash’s side.
The pastor asked, “Who gives this woman’s hand in marriage?”
Her father said, “I do,” and passed her hand to Cash.
He squeezed her fingers and grinned at her.
The pastor said, “Stand before me, please.”
Cash slipped his arm around her waist and led her to their spot. He held her close as the pastor spoke, explaining their responsibilities to each other and the sanctity of marriage. At last, it was time for their vows.
Jesse, who was best man, handed Cash her ring.
Holding it to her finger, he began in a clear, strong voice, “I take you, Dallas Royle, for my wife. I promise that my love for you will be an ever-flowing spring. I stand by you, a rock to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, a pillow to rest your head on. I promise you tenderness, and undying devotion, to not ask you to be more than you are, and to love you for being you. All I have in this world I give to you. I promise to hold and keep you, comfort, protect, and shelter you for all the days of my life.” He smiled and slid the ring on her finger.
Her lips parted, and she leaned toward him, tears pooling in her eyes. His words were perfect. She clutched his hand.
He smiled, holding her gaze.
Kate handed Dallas Cash’s ring, and she slipped it to his first knuckle, afraid she might drop it if she held it. Still overwhelmed by his words, she swallowed, and said, “I take you, Cash Powers, for my husband. You’re the most generous person I have ever known—kind, honest, and loving. I promise to be your hearth, to keep a flame alive for you in my heart. I vow to share my life with you in everything—to respect and love you. I take you to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, not just for this moment, not for an hour, or day, or year, but for every season, every year, forever and ever.” She slid the ring on his finger. He beamed a smile, clasping her hand.
They turned to the pastor as he said, “With the power vested in me, and in the eyes of God and man, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Cash pulled her close, and she trembled in his arms, filled with a joy that surpassed any she had eve
r experienced. Gently lifting her veil, he let it fall to her back and teased her lips with a tender kiss, as if to show her how he’d care for her. Then he deepened the kiss, sending a wave of thrills through her body, reminding her of the passion they would have in their marriage. He ended their kiss playfully, with a nip and a smack, grinning as he picked her up and hugged her. He set her on her feet, and the jubilant chords of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” filled the sanctuary.
He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “I love you, Dallas.”
Holding his gaze, she put all the love she had in her voice, “I love you more, Cash.” Despite nearly losing him, this perfect man, the answer to her prayers, was hers at last.
EPILOGUE
Dallas fought her way through the slowly moving crowd. Her swollen feet were killing her, though she wore flats. Cash would be waiting outside the auditorium, along with her mom and dad and Piper and his parents. They all sat together for the ceremony today.
First, she’d finished pre-law at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls. That had been the easy part. For law school, she’d attended Texas A & M in Dallas. Renting a small mobile home on week days, she drove home to her family on the weekends for three long years.
She’d planned on taking Piper with her, but Piper, who by that time was school age, adored Cash, and he had convinced Dallas he was up to being a full-time dad during the week.
Breaking out into the afternoon sunshine, she walked toward the light pole, their meeting place. As she drew near, she spotted him. Her heart picked up speed, and she rushed the last few feet, throwing herself into his open arms.
He laughed. “Whoa, there, be careful.” Kissing her forehead, he set her back, grinning. “You looked gorgeous up there on that stage.”
She groaned. “Right, sure I did.”
He reached out and rubbed her round, eight-months-pregnant belly. “Most beautiful woman on the planet, and don’t argue with me.”
God, how she loved this man. They’d waited to plan a family until her last year in school. Now, she’d take time off and enjoy being a momma. When she was ready to start working, she had a job lined up in Howelton with a life-long friend of Cash’s father. The home-town lawyer wanted someone who would take over his family law practice when he eventually retired.
The baby kicked under Cash’s hand, and he grinned. “Easy, buddy, it’s just Daddy.”
That was right. It was a boy. Cash had already picked out newborn jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, and when he was a little older, her boy would have tiny little boots, a belt, and a straw hat just like his daddy’s.
Cash called out to his father, “Take some pictures on my phone. And don’t forget how I showed you. We’re framing these.”
Piper held Dallas’s diploma and pressed against her momma. Cash put one arm around Dallas and the other hand on her tummy. As he always did, he gave her belly a little pat. A warm wave of joy swept through her. She leaned her head into him and smiled for the camera.
CHECK OUT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE HOWELTON TEXAS SERIES
AFTER SUFFERING A DEVASTATING loss, the last thing Ward Ramsey needs is a woman and her child on his ranch. But the desperation in her eyes when she applies for the job is more than he can bear. He gives her two weeks to prove herself. That’s before he knows of the danger that follows her.
Hunted by a vengeful ex-con, ranch hand Jayme Bonner flees with her young son, finding sanctuary on a North Texas ranch. Ward, the crabby rancher who hires her, is none too happy with the fact that she’s a woman. As she proves she can handle the job, his opinion of her changes and so does their relationship.
As love blossoms and long-held barriers fall, danger draws near. When Ward is injured in the war the ex-con wages against her, Jayme decides it’s time to take the battle to the hateful man desperate to kill her.
The ex-con doesn’t stand a chance against a woman out for vengeance
AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR BOOK RETAILERS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
NOBODY KNOWS SEXY TEXAS cowboys like Janalyn. From an early age, she competed in rodeo, later working on a ten-thousand-acre cattle ranch, and these experiences lend an authenticity to her characters and stories. Janalyn is an avid supporter of the Brighter Days Horse Refuge and absolutely owns the title of wine drinker extraordinaire. When she’s not writing spicy cowboy romances, she’s living her dream—sharing her twenty-acres of Texas Hill Country with her daughters and their families.
Fans are invited to check out Janalyn on her website at janalynknight [dot] com, where they can sign up for her newsletter and keep up with all the latest happenings and upcoming releases. You can also connect with Janalyn on any of the following places:
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Cowboy Promise Page 16