In Too Deep (9 page)

Her fingers curled. She shook her head. Tears leaked from her eyes. “It made me feel…connected to you. Like it hadn’t been just a dream or some tawdry episode. Every time I looked at it, I was reminded of your face when you told me goodbye.”

“I said I loved you. That I’d wait.” His voice was even, his words filled with conviction.

Lena uncurled her fingers and stared at the ring. Just a little silver band with a speck of a diamond in the center. “And you did,” she whispered.

Gabe tucked a finger under her chin, he studied her face and a smile began to stretch.

Lena leaped forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, giving in to the tears from a rush of happiness that swept through her. “I loved you too. But I couldn’t admit it. And seeing you again, some part of me knew it was you, because I’ve never ever been that way with another man. I swear it. I wanted you in an instant, and when you were inside me, I suddenly felt whole. It scared the heck out of me.”

They held each other, Gabe dropping kisses on her cheek and squeezing her so tight she could barely breathe. When he let her go, she drew in a deep breath and laughed.

The ride to the ranch house took five minutes. All the way home, he held her hand, gliding his finger on the promise ring.

Epilogue

Gabe sat on his horse, holding the reins of Jake’s pinto as his son boarded the school bus.

At the top step, Jake turned and gave him a cheeky grin. “See you tonight, Dad.”

Gabe smiled back, waving as the doors closed and his boy made his way to his seat. Rather than have his dad drive him in his pickup each morning, Jake preferred practicing his riding. The daily ritual was one they both enjoyed. Jake had taken to riding and life on the ranch like he’d been born to it. When he wasn’t in school, he was in the barn, learning to muck stalls or riding with Gabe and his brothers when they moved the cattle from pasture to pasture.

Gabe remembered their first meeting. His son had taken a step toward him, looked into eyes that were the same gray as his own, and asked, “Are you my dad?”

There wasn’t a dry eye among any of the people crowding the driveway to greet Jake and Mr. Twohig.

Gabe had gone down on one knee and opened his arms. The hug they’d shared as he’d gruffly said yes was the first of many.

Pulling the reins of his horse, he pointed him back to the house and the woman sitting on the top porch step. Lena had yet to join them on their morning rides, but it was going to be a while before he’d allow her to sit a horse. Not until she healed after the birth of their child, scheduled to arrive at the Triple Horn in early May.

A girl this time. And he couldn’t be happier. Colt’s little girl would need a playmate.

His smile stretched as he halted the horses and wrapped the reins around a porch rail.

“How many times I have to tell you the porch isn’t a hitchin’ rail,” Colt grumbled as he opened the door.

“Maybe I’ll remember if you repeat it a couple hundred more times,” Gabe said, chuckling.

Colt patted his pockets then cursed. “Left the keys to the cruiser on the dresser.” He opened the door. “Zuri, why’d you let me leave without my keys?”

Lena and Gabe waited until Colt’s footsteps faded before they let loose with laughter.

“He does it every morning,” Gabe said, as he lowered to sit beside Lena on the step. “He doesn’t have anyone fooled. Just wants to sneak another kiss before he heads to work.”

“And she stays in bed waitin’ for it. Takes him an awful long time to find those keys.”

Gabe drew in a deep breath as he watched the smile lighting up her face. “You look beautiful.”

“If you say I’m glowing, I’ll hit you. Never could figure out what that meant. If I’m glowing it’s because I’m always sweaty hot.”

Gabe reached across and rubbed her rounded belly. “Breakfast staying down?”

“So far, so good. Don’t think either of us is going to have to change our clothes today.” She placed her hand over his and hugged it against her body. “Ready for another day?”

“Not getting bored yet?”

She rolled her eyes. “As if. Zuri and I will be busy baking all day.”

“Don’t overdo.”

“Don’t fuss. I’m not an invalid.”

“How’s Grandpa?”

“Getting around nicely on his cane. Can’t keep him down now. Says it’s time to get rid of that damn ramp,” she said, mimicking the gruff old codger’s voice.

Gabe held her hand and looked out across the corral to the pasture beyond. “Is he happy here?”

“He hasn’t said, but since he’s got lots of ideas about how you should be runnin’ this place, I’m guessin’ yes.”

Gabe laughed and turned to lock gazes with Lena. “Are you happy?”

Her eyes welled with tears and she chuckled as she wiped a fingertip beneath one eye. “Worst part of pregnancy. Everything makes me cry.” She sniffed and her expression cleared. Her cornflower blue eyes held steady. “My son loves it here. Loves you.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Her gaze fell away and she leaned against the rail beside her, still staring at him. “I’ve never felt this way. Like I’ve come home. Zuri’s the sister I never had. Your brothers have been amazing, making sure we all feel welcome and that we have a place here.”

Gabe blew out an exasperated gust of air.

She laughed, a twinkle glinting in her eye. “And I have the most amazing husband. He can’t keep his hands off me. Won’t let me sleep at night. Whispers the sweetest, dirtiest little nothings in my ear. He makes me feel beautiful and desired. He rubs my feet when they swell. My belly when I’m nauseous.” She shook her head. “I’ve never been so blessed.”

Gabe dropped his gaze and smiled, winding his fingers with hers. “I’m a rancher,” he sighed. “I should do some ranchin’.”

She tugged on his hand, and he came closer. “Tommy said he had it covered,” she whispered.

He arched a brow. “I owe that boy.”

“He’s not sleepin’ so good. I think he’s just glad to be out of the house. Says it’s quieter.”

Gabe’s shoulders shook and he tilted back his head to laugh. “Soon as Colt and Zuri finish with their renovation, they’ll be movin’ into the new wing. Then he’ll only have us keepin’ him awake at night.”

“We could try not to make so much noise.” But her dubious frown said she wasn’t sure she could manage it.

Gabe stood and pulled her up. “We can start practicin’ now.” He held the door for her and then swatted her backside as she ducked beneath his arm.

“Ouch!” Her bottom swayed as she led the way down the hall to their bedroom.

Gabe canted his head, listening to the voices coming from the kitchen, of Tommy and Grandpa arguing amiably over how many jalapenos to add to the chili. They’d be at it for a while. Would never notice if he and Lena got busy makin’ hay.

He hurried behind his wife and waited until the door closed before pouncing.

She giggled as he swept her into his arms. “I’m too heavy for that,” she said, swatting his chest.

Gabe ignored her, striding straight for the bed. He lowered her to the mattress, stripped off her pants and underwear and went to work opening her blouse and bra. He didn’t bother removing his own clothing, just opened his belt, tugged down his zipper and shoved down his jeans just enough to free his cock. He climbed onto the bed, rolled her on her side and settled behind her, lifting her thigh to ride the top of his and opening her to his thrust.

Only when he was eight inches deep did he slow down and breathe. He wrapped his arms around her, cuddling her belly, and began to move. Gabe closed his eyes and breathed her in. He held his whole world inside his arms. “I love you, Lena.”

“I love you, Gabe.”

With the sounds of her soft moans echoing around the room and her warm body moving against his, Gabe gave silent thanks for all his blessings. He’d never felt so at peace with himself. He was at last comfortable with his place at the Triple Horn. Had a son he doted on and a woman who filled the empty places in his heart.

Lena moved his hands from her belly to her breasts. “They ache,” she murmured.

Smiling against her hair, he filled his hands with her ever-ripening breasts and gave her gentle caresses until she groaned her discontent, and then he began to pinch and pull her sensitive nipples.

With their hips churning together, their breaths breaking apart, they loved each other, forgetting at the last to practice being quiet. No, lonely quiet was a thing of the past for at least two of the Triplehorn brothers.

About the Author

Until recently, award-winning erotica and romance author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she’s missing the wide-open skies and starry nights but loving her dark forest in Central Arkansas, with its eccentric characters and isolation—the better to feed her hungry muse! For Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines, because it’s comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war and many countries, cultures, jobs and relationships to bring her to the place where she is now—writing sexy adventures that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation.

To learn more about Delilah Devlin, please visit
www.delilahdevlin.com
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[email protected]
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A Four-Gone Conclusion

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Five Ways ’Til Sunday

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The TripleHorn Brand

Laying Down the Law

Seeking sanctuary could be the hottest mistake she ever made.

Laying Down the Law

© 2012 Delilah Devlin

The TripleHorn Brand, Book 1

A lifetime ago, Zuri Prescott kicked the dirt off her boots and ditched her small-time small town for the glam city life—and lived to regret it. When she’s framed for a bank job, she lights out for home, seeking refuge with her old high school sweetheart while she figures out her next steps. Only she discovers that the boy she left behind is the last man she should trust.

Sheriff Colt Triplehorn knows trouble when he sees it, especially when it comes in the form of a familiar trespasser, caught naked between an angry bull and her underwear. Sure she’s up to her usual no good, he grants her sanctuary at his ranch—the better to keep an eye on her, and purge her from his system once and for all.

Reconnection is sweet and hot, but the heat can’t hide the truth. When Colt inevitably finds out the truth, it’s too late to put the fire out, and he’s got a career-compromising choice on his hands. Follow the letter of the law, or follow his heart.

Warning: When a sheriff captures the girl who got away, expect revenge so hot it leaves brands on two lonely hearts...

Enjoy the following excerpt for
Laying Down the Law:

Zuri bit back a complaint, wishing he’d quit hovering because he was keeping her on edge. But when he didn’t budge, she dragged her feet to the bed, scooped up the wash-softened cotton and turned toward the bathroom.

“Uh uh,” he said, tsking softly. “My house. My clothes.
My rules
.”

She glanced over her shoulder, not knowing if she’d heard him right, but that same hard challenge he’d issued when he’d demanded the kiss was stamped all over his granite features.

She knew she ought to ignore him and lock herself into the bathroom to dress and gather her scattered wits, but the underlying tension riding the edge of his jaw excited her.

Colt had never been this dominating…except when they had sex. She’d loved it then. Her body seemed to crave it now. Heat bloomed again, winding around her core. A delicious little thrill accelerated her heartbeats.

Without a saying a word, she walked back to the bed and tossed down the clothing. Then keeping her gaze glued to his, she slowly untied the belt and let the robe fall open. With a sexy shrug, she let it slide off her shoulders and pool behind her on the floor.

Colt blinked first. His gaze trailed downward. His throat worked around a tense swallow, and Zuri couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. He might think he was in charge, but she knew better. Colt liked what he saw.

His quickening breaths were the first clue. The curving of his fists the second. When he opened his stance, just a few inches, she nearly crowed.