Page 67 of The Christmas Cowboy

Val didn’t want a divorce either. But she didn’t want Trent involved in her baby’s life. At least, no more than he had to be. She didn’t believe he’d gone from wanting nothing to do with her and the baby, to wanting to be a father to the child and have partial custody for no reason. No, he’d changed his mind when he discovered she’d married Liam.

“You’re forgetting one major point in this scenario,” he said.

“What?”

Liam took her in his arms and kissed her. “I love you and I love the baby. A divorce is the last thing I want.”

“Oh, Liam.” She laid her head against his chest. He was so warm. So loving. A man she could depend on. And she was starting to believe he really did love her and the baby.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Idon’t knowwhat to do,” she said.

“I do.” Liam picked her up and carried her to the bed. Stood her up beside the bed and began stripping off her clothes. She wore jeans and a T-shirt. First the shirt. He began pushing it up. Though Val helped him she said, “Don’t we need to—”

“We need to make love,” he interrupted. He finished taking off her shirt, unhooked her bra and threw it aside. Then he gathered her into his arms and took her mouth in a deep, intense kiss. He felt her melting against him, felt her excitement growing as his did. Not that he needed help. All he had to do was look at Val and he was ready.

Val spread her hands over his chest. “Have I told you how much I love your chest?”

He laughed. “Not in words.” But she had by her actions. When she trailed her hands over him as if she wanted to learn him, to sink into him, it drove him wild. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans and watched her wiggle out of them. Soon, she was naked, and he dropped his towel and pushed her gently back on the bed. He played with her breasts, with his hands and mouth, teasing and sucking her nipples until they were hard points. Then he kissed his way down her torso. At her stomach he paused, appreciating the small swell. She wasn’t showing yet, but when she was naked he could see a change in her.

“Does it bother you?”

He slid a finger inside her, appreciating her gasp of pleasure. “Does what bother me?”

“That I’m pudgy.”

“Does it feel like anything bothers me?” He pushed his finger in and out in a slow rhythm.

“Um, no.” She lifted her hips and groaned.

“You’re not pudgy. You’re pregnant. And—” he kissed her tummy “—it sounds corny but you really are glowing.”

“If I am it’s because of you. Because you make me happy.”

So, no more talk of breaking up. He wasn’t sure what he’d have to do to assuage her worries, but he’d figure out something.

“When you’re naked I can’t think of anything except getting inside you.”

“Works for me,” she said, smiling at him.

He laughed again and rolled onto his back, taking her with him. “Show me.”

She rubbed against his hard length, slick, wet and ready for him. He caressed her breasts, heavier and more lush now that she was further along in her pregnancy. She leaned down and kissed him, her tongue seeking his, darting inside his mouth and tormenting him with her kisses, with her body.

“Val, you’re killing me.” If he didn’t get inside her, sink himself into her, it was all going to be over in about thirty seconds. And then she sank down on his cock, pulled up and sank down again. Riding him slowly, her head thrown back in abandon. She looked amazing, a woman enjoying her sensuality.

He felt her shatter, heard her cry out, and let himself come, spilling inside her endlessly. Val collapsed onto his chest, her head buried between his neck and shoulder. He tugged her head back and gazed into her eyes, blue as the Montana sky, and right now glazed with the aftermath of passion. “I love you.” He waited, wanting, just once, to hear her say it.

But she didn’t.

*

The next daywas Christmas Eve. Liam was in Moondance’s stall with the mare and her foal when he heard Connor calling him.

“Liam, where are you?”

“In the foaling stall. Do you have today off?” he asked as his brother appeared. As a flight paramedic Connor worked odd hours.

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