“There’s something you should know.”

He shook his head. “The only thing I need to know is that we care for each other and want to make this marriage work.”

His words echoed through her until they reached the deepest regions of her heart. “I want that too, but—”

He cut off her words with his lips, and her mind went blank. She heard his intake of breath as his hands locked against her back. He drew her so close that she could hardly breathe. It was as if their hearts beat as one. The last of her rational thoughts dissolved into a mass of warm feelings. Her curves molded perfectly against his hard, lean body, as if they had been created for this very moment. Her head filled with the scent of him. The feel of him. The safe circle of his arms.

Cupping her chin gently, he ran his thumb over her trembling lips. “This is your home, Em. And if you let me, I’ll be the best husband you could ever want.”

He trailed heated kisses all the way to the hollow of her neck before covering her mouth once again with his own. Ripples of pure joy rushed through her as she kissed him back, giving as freely as she received.

When at last their lips parted, his smoldering eyes searched hers. The tenderness of his gaze made her senses spin, and she felt more alive than she’d ever thought possible.

Taking her by the hand, he pulled her slowly across the room, stopping just short of the bed. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice gentle.

The question awakened feelings she hadn’t even known existed. She’d never been so certain of anything in her life.

“Before you answer,” he said, touching a finger to her lips. “I think you should know that once you become fully mine, I’m never gonna let you go.”

Her lips quivered beneath his touch. “The ranch,” she whispered.

His eyes brimmed with tenderness. “This has nothing to do with the ranch.” Sliding his hand up her arm, he drew in his breath.

She longed to hear the word love fall from his lips. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe she was rushing things.

“So I ask again,” he said softly. “Are you sure?”

Sure? Oh yes, she couldn’t be more certain. She wanted to be in his arms, in his bed, in his life. Unable to find her voice, she let her dressing gown fall from her shoulders to the floor. She stood before him completely naked, silently begging him to take her and fulfill the promise in his eyes.

The look on his face told her that was answer enough.

33

Emily woke the next morning in a warm glow of pleasant sensations and happy memories. She instinctively reached across the bed for Chase, but he was gone. Disappointment washing over her like a wave of cold water, she sat up.

She had wanted to wake in his arms. To feel the ecstasy of his touch, the joy of his kisses, the feel of his body next to hers. She’d wanted to know for certain that last night had really occurred and hadn’t just been a dream.