She squeezed his fingers. “I understand. Truth is, I’m a bit envious of how close y’all are. I’ve never had anyone, except my daddy, that I’ve been particularly close to.”
“They might be fools, but I’m lucky to have them, especially Lee.” He took a deep breath before he could continue. “I drank myself into a hole and Lee was the one who pulled me out, inch by inch. Now I think he might have some difficulty with you and me, well, being together.”
“Are we together, for good I mean?” She searched his face for a sign. “I wasn’t rightly sure we made that decision yet.”
Zeke was on uncharted ground, and it was a might shaky beneath his feet. What he said right now could affect the rest of his life with this woman.
“I don’t think I’ve run across anyone like you before. You confounded me, angered me, aroused the hell out of me, and made me become human again.” He looked away, unable to meet her gaze as he poured out what was in his heart. What if she said no? “I’ve never told a woman I love her, not even my mama, and I sure as hell never asked anyone to marry me before.”
Her hand tightened so hard on his, her little nails dug into his skin. He didn’t know if that was a good sign or not.
“I know we’ve only known each other a month, but I sure as hell love you as if it’s been years. I’m not much of a catch, and a drunk to boot, but I’d be right proud if you’d marry me.” The words came out in a rush because if he even remotely hesitated, he’d never have gotten it all out at once. Not that it was the most fancy marriage proposal in the world—he’d sounded like an idiot.
The silence in the room made his pulse echo like a big bass drum in his ears. He had to force himself to raise his gaze to hers. What he saw made his heart miss a beat. Tears streamed down her face as the love of a thousand years shone in her eyes.
She tried to speak, but it came out as a croak. After clearing her throat, she tried again. “What other answer could I possibly give? Yes, yes, yes.”
This time when their lips met, it was as if they were sealing a pact. Yes, that was it exactly. He was promising her his heart, and she did the same.
“I can’t believe you said yes.” He smiled, a genuine grin he felt all the way down to his toes.
“I can’t believe you asked.”
Naomi floated on a cloud as she counted the blessings in front of her. A man who loved her, who wanted to marry her, and looked at her as if she were precious to him.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you before in the street, you know when I jumped on your back.” She winced.
He chuckled. “You didn’t embarrass me. People can think what they want.”
Naomi laughed and kissed his cheek. “You are a tough man, Ezekiel.”
“I’m not sure I want you calling me that.” He cupped her cheek as his gaze locked with hers. The moment became much more than a tease between them.
“Too bad because I don’t plan on stopping.” She leaned forward and swiped her tongue across his lips. “I like the way you taste on my mouth.”
The slow beat of arousal pulsed low in her belly as she watched his pupils dilate. His thumb grazed her lips.
“Then taste me again, little one.”
When his lips touched hers, Naomi opened her heart and let herself go. They had been together many times, but this was different. It was the promise of a future, of love and commitment between them.
Her breasts pressed into his chest, the nipples tightening to near pain. He flipped her around until she sat on his lap, straddling him. With a roguish smile, he started unbuttoning her dress.
Naomi raised one brow and reached for his shirt. He laughed and worked faster. By the time they’d both finished, she didn’t care who’d started it or who won. She slipped the dress off her shoulders and bared her aching breasts to him. Zeke immediately latched onto one and used his talented fingers to tease and tantalize the other.
Naomi closed her eyes and leaned her head back, reveling in the pleasure from his mouth. He licked, nibbled and sucked at her, sending bolts of ecstasy straight to her pussy.
She rubbed herself against his already hard staff. His chuckle tickled her skin.
“Want something, little one?”
“You, naked on my bed.” She pulled at his hair. “Now.”
“I can see our marriage will never be boring.” He grasped her by the waist and stood her up, although her knees wobbled. “Let’s get the rest of this off.”
Soon they were both nude and Naomi crawled onto the bed, spreading her legs and crooking her finger. Zeke stood there in all his glory, his proud staff jutting from a nest of dark blond curls, his scarred body hard and strong.
“Come to me, cowboy.”
He smiled then, the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in her life. It was a true smile, an expression of his love just for her. Naomi’s heart slammed against her ribs as tears pricked her eyes.
This, this is what she’d been searching for.
When he lay down on her and slid into her slickness, Naomi wrapped her arms around him and held on. Sweet, slow thrusts were all they needed. His mouth found hers and they kissed with the passion of a thousand years.
“Love,” she managed to gasp out as his strokes grew deeper and harder.
“Love,” he responded.
Then the stars in the sky came to earth and landed all around them. Naomi held onto him as she rode the wave of pure ecstasy and they sealed their union with their bodies, souls and hearts.
Epilogue
Byron Ackerman was charged with attempted murder and hauled off by a Texas Ranger to face charges in Houston, for which the town breathed a sigh of relief. Matthew Marchison was even healing and seemed to be well on the way to a full recovery. Life, it seemed, had found a way to return once again to Tanger.
A grand wedding was planned for two weeks later. Naomi had no idea what to do, but luckily Margaret, Lucy and interestingly enough, Hettie Cranston, were eager to help. Edith made a beautiful bridal gown of yellow and white with intricate lacing she’d designed herself.
Naomi felt like a fairy princess the morning of the wedding as the sun streamed through the windows in Edith’s shop. The dress almost sparkled on her.
Lucy, Hettie, Carmen and Louisa all stood in the back of the room, murmuring amongst themselves. Margaret fashioned a crown of daisies for Naomi as Edith made last-minute tucks to the dress.
“Is that really me?” Naomi peered into the mirror.
Everyone laughed and Naomi smiled at her reflection.
“Yes, darlin’, it’s you. Now let’s get this finished before you’re late for your own wedding.” Lucy could be bossy when she wanted to, that was for certain. She hadn’t changed that much.
The ladies filed out of the room after giving Naomi a quick hug. Only Margaret was left, holding out the crown she’d made. The older woman had a sadness lurking behind her eyes, one that had deepened after Byron Ackerman’s arrest. The son of a bitch should be shot for what he’d done to the dear woman who had become a friend.
“You look beautiful.” Margaret situated the crown on Naomi’s head. “The sheriff won’t know what hit him.”
“Thank you, Margaret, for everything.” Naomi clasped her friend’s hands. “You’ve been so amazing to me and I wanted to thank you.”
“No reason to thank me. That’s what friends are for.” Margaret hugged Naomi hard, and she could see tears in her friend’s eyes. “Now let’s get to the church.”
Naomi thought it would be awkward to have Gregory marry them, but he’d insisted. In fact, he’d met a young woman at church the Sunday before and it looked as if the minister had already found someone to capture his heart.
She took a deep breath and entered the church.
Zeke tugged at the collared shirt, silently cursing Gideon for making him wear it. The bolo tie was at least more
comfortable than one of those bowtie things Gabby had tried to give him. None of it really mattered though because it was his wedding day and soon Naomi would be his wife.
To his surprise, Gideon, Lee and Jake had fixed up the old carriage house behind the restaurant and made it into a cozy house for he and Naomi. They’d even had Margaret fix it up real nice and Edith had made curtains.
Someday they’d have a proper house, but for now they would begin their lives together in that little nest. Naomi didn’t know about it yet and he couldn’t wait to show her.
Gregory stepped up beside him and gazed down the long line of men. “You have a lot of friends.”
“I have a family and I thank God for that.”
Lee stood beside him, then Gideon who talked with Jake, and then a beaming Nate. They hadn’t seen their friend, their fellow Devil, in months, not since his wife Elisa had given birth to their first child. He was the handsome, refined one of the group while his wife was an untamed hellion who wore trousers and cursed like a muleskinner.
Elisa, the redheaded curmudgeon, sat in the pew with the baby in her arms. They’d named him Sean after her papa and he had a shock of red hair to match his mama’s.
Zeke’s heart was nearly full to bursting as he gazed at his family. They meant the world to him. The only missing piece was his bride. When he saw Margaret walking down the aisle, a small smile on her face, Zeke knew it was time.
She nodded to Gregory and sat beside Elisa, cooing at the baby. Edith plunked out the wedding march and everyone stood waiting for Naomi to appear.
From the shadows of the vestibule, she walked forward, gliding towards him like the angel Gregory had seen. Perhaps she was Zeke’s angel. After all she’d breathed life back into his bleak world.
When she got to his side, he looked down into her hazel eyes and saw the love shining up at him. “You ready to get married today?”
“More than anything in the world.” She took his arm then smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you too, little one.” He tucked her under his arm and turned to face the preacher.
“Dearly beloved,” Gregory began.
Zeke held onto Naomi as they began their new lives.
The celebration in Tanger that night was genuine, the love between the sheriff and his new bride everlasting. Another son of Briar Creek, Georgia found home.
About the Author
Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010, and a semi-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.
Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels, fueled by Reese’s and tenacious pursuit of the perfect story. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses as well as bookstores.
Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. ;)
Website: www.bethwilliamson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bethwilliamson
Twitter: twitter.com/authorbethw
Newsletter: eepurl.com/fd822
Look for these titles by Beth Williamson
Now Available:
Marielle’s Marshal
Branded
Endless Heart (as Emma Lang)
The Malloy Family
The Bounty
The Prize
The Reward
The Treasure
The Gift
The Tribute
The Legacy
Hell for Leather
The Present
The Fortune
The Prospect
The Jewel
The Gem
Devils on Horseback
Nate
Jake
Zeke
Lee
Gideon
Private Lives
On His Knees
Coming Soon:
Devils on Horseback: Generations
Adam
Jesse
Clint
Elias
Spencer
Devils on Horseback: Millennium
Her Bucking Bronc
His Prairie Blossom
Her Dark Cowboy
His Dream Spirit
Don’t miss these other titles by Beth Williamson
Coming December 2015
Sometimes the universe has to turn your life sideways so love can find its way in.
Devils on Horseback: Generations, Book 1
As the oldest of five, Adam Sheridan’s life is full of obligations. He longs to do something, anything, besides working his family’s flour mill in Tanger, Texas. His mama always says the universe moves in its own sweet time.
Apparently the universe was waiting for his wagon load of flour to overturn so he could meet the woman he was destined to love.
Eve Tate is a woman from nowhere with a shady past and an uncertain future. When she is left behind in Adam’s care, she reinvents herself again to be his perfect mate. Little does she know who she was will haunt who she tries to be.
And, just like the couples of old, Adam and Eve must find a way to live together—or lose everything they have.
Warning: Contains a redheaded man with a Texas-wide stubborn streak, and a chameleon-like woman with a heart that needs attention and a soul that needs redeeming. Foolishness, canoodling and deep abiding love result.
Rereleased December 2015
When anger and tenacity collide, sparks are inevitable.
Devils on Horseback, Book 4
The Civil War took more than Lee Blackwood’s arm. It took his confidence, his pride…and hope that any woman will see him as more than half a man. His friendships helped keep the demons at bay—until now. As each Devil has found happiness, Lee is left alone to cope with the darkness that claws at his soul.
Genevieve Blanchard has only one thing going for her: her no-good late husband’s run-down farm. That, and a fancy name no one can spell might get her a cup full of dirt in Tanger. Room, board and seamstress skills aren’t much, but it’s all she can offer any man willing to help her bring in her wheat crop.
Reluctantly Lee takes on the job, the widow’s smart-mouthed daughter and his growing attraction to a woman who stubbornly refuses to see him as anything less than whole. Slowly, his bitterness begins to fade under the light of their blooming love.
This title has been revised for rerelease.
Warning: Look out for a one-armed Devil to meet the woman who will teach him to love, to give, and to fight for what he believes in. Make sure to include a crop of wheat and a lot of fighting and making up.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Devils on Horseback: Zeke
Copyright © 2015 by Beth Williamson
ISBN: 978-1-61922-038-6
Edited by Sasha Knight
Cover by Kim Killion
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written per
mission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Original Publication: 2008
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: December 2015
www.samhainpublishing.com
Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3 Page 21