Page 39 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

Emily was frozen. Was it possible? Could she discount everything Winston had told her over so many years? Could she believe she was worthy of this man’s love?

“Answer me.”

Her forehead dropped to his chest, bumping it when she nodded slightly.

“Look at me, baby. I want to hear you say it and see your eyes.”

Emily lifted her head and looked solemnly at him. “I believe you.”

****

Cole’s breath swooshed out. “Thank you.” His head bent, and his mouth took hers, with a loving but possessive intent. He raised his head, and his gaze pierced hers. “Are you ever going to run from me again?”

Emily’s head jerked. “I didn’t run from you.”

“I know technically you didn’t, and because of the circumstances, I can’t get mad. Just don’t run from me again. Whatever happens, we can and will work it out. You’re mine, Em, and I’m never letting you go.”

Emily’s eyes filled with tears of love and relief as she nodded.

Cole took a small step back. One hand slid up her waist over the towel she still had wrapped around her. He tucked one finger down the top of it and slid it back and forth.

“Any chance I can get you to lose the towel?”

Emily swallowed. She lifted a shaky hand to loosen the top before letting it fall to the floor. Her gaze rose to his and waited.

Cole’s eyes burned as they swept over her.

“You are so damn beautiful.” Even with puffy red eyes and blotchy skin, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His eyes narrowed when Emily opened her mouth. “No, you’re not going to do that anymore. I don’t care what that piece of shit ex-husband told you, he’s wrong, and I’m just sorry I didn’t beat the shit out of him when I had the chance.”

A giggle tore from Emily.

He would never get enough of her laughter or the happiness that lightened her face. Cole lifted her and laid her out on the bed before stepping back. He unbuttoned his wet, uncomfortable shirt before tossing it down and went for his pants, all the time keeping his attention on her.

****

Emily’s breath stalled in her throat as his body suddenly came into view. From his broad, muscular shoulders to his strong hands and chest, to his slim hips and beyond, everything about him took her breath away and drove her body’s arousal higher than it had ever been with her ex.

Chapter Twenty-Three

When he was naked, he lay down on her, making a place between her thighs and softly pushing her into the mattress under him with his weight. He kept the majority of his upper body off her by resting on his elbows.

He started kissing her with all the emotions that filled his soul. He wanted to show her with his mouth, hands, and body how much he loved her.

Cole ran one hand down her side and then over to cup her breast. He loved the way her breath caught when his thumb pressed on her nipple. He kissed and caressed her breast for a minute before moving down her body so he could take the nipple into his mouth.

Her body bowed off the mattress when he sucked the tender flesh into his mouth.

“Cole...” she whimpered as she clung to his shoulders.

He lifted his head. “I’ve got you. Just relax and enjoy.”

He felt her nails dig into his shoulders as he moved lower. He wedged his shoulders in between her legs to make room for his body.

“Cole ... wait...”

He grinned when a scream tore out of her mouth as he swiped his tongue over her cunt and flattened it on her tender, red clit.

Cole ate at her for several minutes, sucking up the copious amount of her cum sliding from her.