REECE STEPPED OUT OFthe cabin and inhaled the crisp cold air. Three months ago, he’d been dead set against coming to Wyoming. And now—he froze. Something was off. His body hairs spiked. Alone on the porch, he stood exposed—defenseless against any threat. He scanned the empty property. Nothing stirred.
Time to move.The thought came a second too late as a bullet of icy coldness hit his neck. Stunned by the chill, he jerked around. He cupped his neck, jumped over the balcony, and landed squarely in front of the pick-up. With the stealth of a wolf, he moved cautiously then abruptly stopped when a soft sound gave away the perpetrator’s location.
Not taking any chances, Reece raced around the vehicle. However, he wasn’t expecting the sudden onslaught of icy snowballs that pummeled his body. The squeal of a little girl’s laughter made him smile. Relentless, his attackers advanced, bashed his body, and gave him no chance to recover.
Reece dropped to his knees. Breathing hard, he raised his arms in surrender. “Mercy, please. I give up,” he begged. Giggling uncontrollably, Aria, Prisha, and Laney circled his fallen body. “Three against one. That ain’t fair.” He looked up with a mock scowl. Kelly had left Laney with Aria for her date with Darryl.
“All’s fair in love and war, darlin’,” Aria mimicked a western drawl then wiggled her brows. Reece laughed hard at her failed attempt.
“Can I stand now?”
Aria glanced at her daughter and Laney. “What do you say, girls. Think he’s had enough?”
“No,” both girls giggled in unison.
“Aww, Pri,” Reece tried his best effort to appear upset. “I thought we were pardners?”
The little girl laughed. “Okay, Mommy, let’s give Daddy a break.”
His heart still cartwheeled at the use of the word. The first time Prisha called him ‘Daddy’—almost three weeks ago—at the social services offices in Durban. Aria had applied to adopt Prisha, and Reece went with her. The word sealed his love for the child. While she didn’t understand the dynamics behind the whole situation, she accepted everything with the request to call Reece ‘Daddy.’
Reece, with Cody’s blessings, sealed the deal on a ranch in Dubois as their permanent residence. The forty-mile drive to Shadow Valley allowed him and Aria to check in on Daryl, who’d been thrilled with the offer to manage the mill. Aria, Kelly, and their daughters could still see each other whenever they wanted. They let out the home in South Africa as a holiday home under Mr. Harman’s strict supervision.
“Traitor,” Aria teased her daughter and pulled him out of his daydream.
With a roar they weren’t expecting, Reece jumped up. Squealing with laughter, Aria and the girls shot off in different directions as Reece chased after them. A free for all followed. Snowballs whizzed through the air as everyone ducked for cover while still trying to keep their aims precise.
Reece went after Aria. A snowball to her tummy brought her down quickly. He pounced. Not giving her a chance, he dropped to the ground and held her captive under his body with her hands splayed out on either side.
“Get off me, Reece,” she managed between giggles and tried to push him off.
“Not a chance.’ He pinned her arms with his, dropped his head, and captured her lips. The iciness a deception to the warmth of her mouth, mesmerized his senses.
“Eew,” Prisha and Laney’s harmonized gripe made Reece look up.
“Don’t look, sweetheart. I want to tell your mommy a secret.” He winked at her.
Prisha smiled. Reece had shared his intentions with her. Hard-pressed to share her excitement, the child promised to play along. “C’ mon, Laney, nothing will stop him now.” Prisha grabbed her friend’s arm, and they took off.
“You’ve ruined their fun.” Aria playfully punched his chest. Reece chuckled.
“Well, I’ve got a better game to play.” He kissed her lips after each word. “It’s called Mommy and Daddy go to war. I’ve already got you at a disadvantage.” He rubbed his crotch against her sex.
“That’s your secret?” Aria burst out laughing. “Really? Here in the snow? You want to fight? My butt’s going to freeze.”
“No, babe. I don’t want to fight. I have a kingdom to overthrow, remember?” Reece rolled and took her with to lie on him.
He let his gaze run slowly over each feature on her face, then held her gaze. The exotic smell of almond and vanilla filled his nostrils. His body heated—the love he’d discovered three years ago now surfaced, hard and strong. Every vein, artery, and cell in his body, powered up into a roaring flame of adoration he was sure would never extinguish.
“I love you, babe, and I want to rule, with you, permanently.” He pulled the ring he purchased in Jackson from his pocket. A spur of the moment decision on his part. “Aria Singh, will you marry me?”
Shock replaced her smile. “Did the cocky playboy just propose marriage?” She admired the diamond solitaire he held between his thumb and forefinger.
“Yeah?” He grinned.
“Do you think you’re ready for an eternal commitment of me making your life a misery.”
Her sexy chuckle flowed over him like a river of warm syrup. His cock jerked to attention. He’d never tire of this woman. “I’m at your beck and call.” He kissed her for emphasis. “People in relationships fear rejection and often don’t admit their true feelings. I don’t want to make that mistake with you. Yes, I’m a little afraid ’cause I don’t want to ruin the perfection we have, but you and Prisha are everythin’ I want in my life. I can’t live without either of you.” His heart thumped harshly. He didn’t want to scare her. “And you’d never make my life a misery. I won’t let you.”
