Texan Undercover (Romantic Suspense) (21 page)

"Look at me, Claire."

The intensity of his gaze matched the
intensity of his thrusts. He plunged deep and hard, withdrew only
to plunge again. He held her head steady, palms on her cheeks,
fingers buried in her hair, eyes focused on her.

"I can't hold on much longer," he said.
Lowering his head, he kissed her breast, straightened and pumped
faster. "Come with me, babe."

Claire wrapped her legs around his hips and
pulled him in deeper. She toppled over the edge, dragging Dillon
with her. He whispered her name over and over as his body shuddered
in release. They fell asleep in each other's arms . . . still
joined.

****

The morning sun woke Claire from a sound
sleep. Under the down comforter, she snuggled closer to Dillon's
naked body, seeking warmth. She adjusted her head against his
shoulder. The soothing rhythm of his deep breathing and the beat of
his heart created a cocoon of contentment she'd never experienced
before.

Sometime during the night, Dillon had made
love to her again with breath-taking ferocity. Like a man
possessed. Like a man who was branding his woman, before leaving
her behind.

The reality of that thought burst her bubble
of happiness. A soft sob caught in Claire's throat. Immediately,
Dillon's arm tightened around her.

"What's wrong, babe?"

His deep voice melted her insides. Why had
she fallen in love with Dillon Anderson? She'd fought hard to be
independent of men, to be strong and capable. Hadn't she promised
herself she'd never lean on anyone ever again?

Visions of Frank and the events of last night
flashed through her brain. Claire cringed inwardly as the feelings
of fear bombarded her again. Fear for herself. Fear for Dillon.

He'd come running to the rescue. To save her.
Mindless of the danger. And she'd sat helpless watching Frank and
Dillon fight. But in the end, she had helped Dillon. She was the
one who'd knocked Frank out with the vase. She hadn't been so
helpless after all. Dillon had come to her rescue and she had
rescued him right back. They'd worked together to get out of the
dangerous situation. Like a team.

Now it was over. He would be going back to
Dallas. Another sob escaped. She couldn't help it.

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." She didn't want to spoil what
little time they had left together.

He scooted up on his pillow, holding her at
arm's length, searching her face. "Something's wrong. Tell me."

She shrugged. "I was just wondering when you
were leaving."

Dillon's brows creased in a frown. "I'm not
going anywhere."

Her tummy tilted. A glimmer of hope struggled
to the surface. "You're not?"

He shook his head and tucked a strand of hair
behind her ear. "I love you, Claire."

She sat straight up. Her heart hammered in
her chest. "You do?"

He smiled that gut-wrenching, sexy-as-sin
smile of his. "Oh yeah. I love you very much."

She was melting now, but still had doubts.
"Don't you have to go back to Dallas? You live there. Your company
is there. You have to go back."

"Maybe. We'll work something out. You're
opening a new cafe there, aren't you? Natalie can take care of
things here. She
is
the manager, after all. You can still
supervise by commuting back and forth. It'll work. We'll make it
work."

He pulled her close and kissed her hard. "I
love you. I can't live without you. I hope you feel the same way.
Can you can love me back, Claire?"

A joy rose up in her so fierce, she was
afraid her heart would burst. "Of course, I love you. Why wouldn't
I love you? What's not to love?"

"
Why wouldn't you love me
?" he said,
exasperation evident in his voice. "We had an agreement, remember?
About not getting involved. About not having a relationship. I'm
afraid I reneged on our agreement."

Claire slid her arms around Dillon's
shoulders, plastered her body against him and whispered something
naughty in his ear. Something about what he could do with that
agreement.

Suddenly, she was flat on her back with
Dillon rising above her, a passionate gleam in his eye. "What a
waste of time and energy. I'd much rather do this, wouldn't
you?"

And to Claire's pleasure and delight, that's
exactly what Dillon did. That night and forever.

THE END

###

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****

THE MEN OF THE DIAMONDBACK RANCH

by Anne Marie Novark

The McCades. Four brothers whose love for
the land is engrained in their souls. Four rugged Texans who live
and breathe for the women in their lives. Four heroes who will
steal your heart.

Cameron McCade

Book One: The Doctor Wears A Stetson

Jessie Kincaid was fifteen and innocent when
Cameron asked her to the prom. She lost her heart that night, but
his plans didn't change. He left their small town to pursue his
dreams.

Seventeen years later, a trip home leads
Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas, and the newly widowed
Jessie Devine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot
as ever. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her
heart again?

Dallas McCade

Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender

Copper River Oil Company is drilling for oil
on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do a thing to stop
them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to
injury, they've sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has
good reason to distrust women. As soon as he sets eyes on Gillian
Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his control. That makes him
spitting mad and frustrated as hell.

Gillian has never met a man quite like
Dallas. He's rough around the edges, but his kisses are hot enough
to ignite a West Texas wildfire. Gillian's been burned before and
wants nothing to do with love . . . or lust. Battle lines are drawn
and it's war between the sexes. Will they surrender to the powerful
attraction neither can deny? Who will be the first to wave the
white flag?

Austin McCade

Book Three: A Match Made In Texas

When Austin McCade’s wife dies, a vital part
of him dies, too. The sexy single dad devotes himself to his
motherless daughter and his work on the Diamondback Ranch. For
twelve years, he ignores life and women . . . until a new pretty
schoolteacher moves to town.

From the moment Theresa Rogers arrives in
Salt Fork, Texas, people warn her about the lonely widower. He’s a
hopeless case, a lost cause. But Theresa sees beneath the crusty
exterior of the man to the deep emotions and his enduring loyalty.
Can she pierce the impenetrable wall surrounding his broken heart?
Will she be able to vanquish the ghost who keeps him from loving
again?

Tyler McCade

Book Four: Lone Star Heartbreaker

Tyler McCade is the youngest McCade brother
in Salt Fork, Texas, and the biggest heartbreaker of them all. Or
he was--until a plane crash wrecks his body and sends his
crop-dusting company into a tailspin. Needing time to heal and form
a new business plan, he retreats to the Diamondback Ranch, where he
spends too much time alone and tormented over the possibility that
the accident might have been his fault.

Caitlyn Ross lives to fly planes. Accepting
the job as pilot for Lone Star Wings seems like a dream come true.
But when she packs up everything she owns and finds herself working
for the brooding Tyler McCade, her defenses go on high alert. The
sexual tension sizzles, but does she have what it takes to help him
heal? And is she even brave enough to try?

And their sister:

Tori McCade

Book Five: The Cowgirl's Secret

An Independent Young Woman

Tori McCade is bound and determined to earn
her degree and return home to practice veterinary medicine in Salt
Fork, Texas. Nothing and no one can stop her, not even the hottest
man she's ever met in her life.

A man who knows what he wants

Sam Garza meets the much younger Tori McCade
in a dance club in Dallas, Texas, and all bets are off. He wants
her, and he's going to have her . . . even if it means following
her to Salt Fork. Both agree they need to keep things simple and
uncomplicated. And he's okay with that  . . . for now.

****

CHECK OUT THE DIAMONDBACK RANCH SWEETER
SERIES

Same stories, only sweeter.

****

In the mood for an uber alpha male in the
making?

Josh and Hannah

Redwood Falls

by Lynda Chance

Josh Turner wants Hannah more than life
itself. She's perfect and new . . . but she's a McIntyre. She's
from the richest family in the county, and he's a Turner, from the
wrong side of the proverbial tracks. And to make matters worse,
there's no love lost between their families.

****

How about a Sweet and Clean Historical
Western Romance Short Story?

The Rancher's Orphan Bride

by Anna St. James

Rachel Hendricks moves to Cactus Gap, Texas,
to reclaim her young brothers whom she sent out West on the Orphan
Train after their parents died. She plans to reunite her family and
make a home for them so they can start a new life together.

Reese Cooper takes the Hendricks boys under
his temporary guardianship and provides room and board in exchange
for good honest work. Even though he still mourns the death of his
wife, the two boys inch their way into his battered heart. When
their sister comes to claim them, Reese discovers the healing power
of love.

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For years, Damien Avenall loved Alexandra
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***

Dark Moon Rising

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