Brazen (36 page)

It was growing late when Michael and Casey finally
returned home.

"I should let my pa know, too," Casey was saying as
they rode up to the house.

"We'll pay him a visit tomorrow. Right now..." Michael looked over at her, the intensity of what he was
feeling reflected in his gaze.

"Right now?" she repeated.

"I need some time alone with my wife."

"I like the way you think," Casey said, excitement racing through her from the heat of his regard.

They reined in before the house and dismounted. Michael quickly went to pick Casey up in his arms.

"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly, clinging
to him.

"I'm going to carry you over the threshold again."

"But what about the horses?"

"They'll be fine. They're not going anywhere."

"But-"

He silenced her with a passionate kiss as he strode up
to the house and carried her inside. He did not set her
on her feet, but carried her straight to their bed and laid
her upon its softness.

"I love you, Casey Donovan," Michael said with deep
emotion.

Casey decided to show him rather than tell him of her
love. Brazenly she reached up and drew him down for a
hungry kiss.

The moment was rapturous for them both. They were
caught up in the whirlwind of their desire. With eager
hands, they stripped away their clothes. They took the
time to explore the beauty of each other's bodies.

Each caress, each kiss, heightened the power of their
need to be one. Michael pressed hungry kisses to her lips,
then traced a fiery path down her throat. She arched in
ecstasy against him and cried out his name as he sought
the sweetness of her breasts. Deep within the womanly
heart of her, Casey ached to know his love more fully.
She ran her hands over his shoulders and back, urging
him on, wanting to be one with him.

Michael could deny himself no longer. He moved over
her and made her his own, breaching the proof of her
innocence.

Casey went still for a moment, glorying in his loving
invasion. She surrendered to his full possession and responded hungrily to his passionate kiss.

They came together.

Loving.

Sharing.

Worshiping.

Adoring.

Giving each other the most perfect gift the gift of their
love.

When at last they reached the height of desire's delight,
they crested together.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they clung together, one
in body, one in spirit, one in love.

What God had joined together, no man would put asunder.

They loved.

Three Weeks Later

The going-away party for Anne and Nick at the Circle D
was festive. The couple would be departing for Philadelphia the following day.

"Nick is going to show me the world," Anne said in
delight as she gazed adoringly at her husband. "And I
can't wait to meet his parents."

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled to meet you, too," Elizabeth
said, knowing how lucky her brother was to have such a
wonderful daughter-in-law. He was almost as lucky as she
was with Cassandra, she thought with an inner smile.

"We'll be in Philadelphia for a few weeks, and then
we'll set sail for the Continent and our official honeymoon," Nick said.

"That sounds wonderful," Elizabeth said.

"Hey, Nick!" Tom and Harry called him over to join
them.

"Excuse me." Nick left Elizabeth and Anne and went
to see what the two ranch hands wanted.

"Here's your money," Harry said, handing him a large
wad of bills.

"What money?" Nick asked, surprised. It was a goodly
sum.

"We're men of our word here in Texas. We made you
those bets that day in the bunkhouse about Michael and
Casey getting married, and it turns out you were right. You
won."

Nick was smiling. "Thanks."

"What bets?" Michael asked as he came up on them.

"Oh, nothing." Nick and Harry and Tom shared conspiratorial looks.

Harry and Tom moved away, leaving Nick and Michael
together.

"I'm going to miss you, Nick. Thanks for all your help.
I appreciate your coming out here with me," Michael said.

"If I hadn't come to Hard Luck, I would never have met
Anne."

"So you enjoyed your stay here?"

"Oh, yes, and I'm sure we'll be back to visit regularly."

"I hope so. I'll miss you."

"No, you won't. You've got Casey now. You're never
going to have a dull moment in your life with her around."

"You're right." Michael grinned. "And I love every minute of it."

Frank was sitting in his wheelchair across the room from
them with Jack standing at his side.

"I would never have believed things could work out
this way."

"Neither would I.Life is good," Jack agreed. His health
was holding up, and just knowing Casey was happy made
all the difference in the world to him.

It was just before sundown when the party broke up.

Michael and Casey promised Anne and Nick that they
would come into town the next day to see them off.

On their way home, Michael drove their buckboard off
the road down toward the river.

"What are you doing?" Casey asked, puzzled.

"Well, it's been a long hot day."

"Yes. So?"

"So I was thinking it would feel real good to take a swim
on our way home."

"But we don't have anything-"

"I know," he said, grinning at her.