Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3 (21 page)

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Authors: Beth Williamson

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BOOK: Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3

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He had trouble finding his voice and she seemed to understand that. After swallowing the enormous lump in his throat, he took her hands in his shaking ones.

“I’ve been a hard-ass most of my life. I never let anyone get away with any shit and I’ve prided myself on being a straight shooter. But I did you wrong, Naomi.” He looked down at their joined hands. “I’ve disrespected you, treated you as if you were nothing more than a bedmate and left you wondering if I had a heart at all. For that and any pain I’ve caused you, I’m sorry, honey, so sorry.” His voice broke on the last syllable, and she squeezed his fingers.

“Zeke, I—”

“Let me finish.” After a moment, he was able to continue, as he worked to keep the tears from falling. “I found a woman I thought I loved in Tanger, but it was just an infatuation. She was murdered and I lost my way for a while. Getting the job as sheriff got me off my knees, but you, Naomi, you”—he raised his gaze to look at her as tears streamed down her cheeks—“you breathed life back into me, made my heart beat again and saved me. God, I don’t know how to say all this, it’s all jumbled up inside me.”

She closed her eyes and swallowed so loudly, he heard the gulp. “I love you, Zeke.”

He froze in place, wanting, needing to hear her say it again. Somehow, some way, Zeke and Naomi had found their way through the darkness and into the light of a love that beat within them. He felt it and allowed it to spread through him.

His entire body shook with it and when she opened her eyes again, he was ready.

“I love you, Naomi.”

With a sob, she threw her arms around him, and Zeke held her so close, her heart beat in tandem with his.

Tanger had brought him misery, happiness, and everything in between, but now it had brought him something of infinite value. And he intended on holding onto her for the rest of his life, come hell or high water.

Naomi was his and he was hers, and nothing would ever change that.

Zeke was able to extract himself from her arms and sit on the bed. “Sit down, little one. I have some things to tell you.”

She perched beside him and gazed at him with those unreadable hazel eyes. He needed her to understand why he did what he did and start their lives without secrets.

“When I left Georgia after the war, I didn’t hold out much hope I’d find a new home. It didn’t much matter because I had my friends with me and we were together.” Zeke took her clammy hand in his. “I can’t explain other than to say we’re brothers, friends and part of each other. Without them, well, I don’t think I’d be here now and not just because of the fighting during the war.”

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

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