Page 34 of The Bride's Desire

Joe felt her tighten on him, and then he heard a strangled sob tear from her throat as wave after wave of her orgasm passed. He kept up his assault until she collapsed under him.

His eyes closed as he drove into her with deep, powerful surges. The tingle started at the base of his spine and spread, taking his whole body over. He heard himself groaning so loud it seemed to fill the room. His thrusts finally slowed, and he kept moving inside her until he had no more seed in his balls.

He rested his forehead on hers, concentrating on calming his heart and breathing deeply. When he had the strength, he lifted his head to look down on her. Her eyes looked unfocused, and he saw a soft smile that told him without words that he’d pleased her. Joe rolled them to their sides, keeping his cock in her as long as he could.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

She nodded. “Good. Are you okay?”

He grinned. “I’m more than okay. I’m perfect, Love.”

“I like it when you call me that.”

“Love?”

“Yes. It makes me feel special,” she said.

“Because you are.”

He leaned closer, pressed his lips gently against hers, and watched as her eyelids lowered. “Sleep. I’m going to hold you all night.”

“Good.”

He listened, and it didn’t take her long before her breathing deepened.

Joe had no idea how long he stared at her. Everything about her appealed to him. She was so petite but had the curves he loved. Now that she was pregnant, her breasts were filling out, and her hips would widen more, making her even more beautiful to him.

He wanted to take her to his special place on the ranch and propose to her there, and he couldn’t wait another day. He wanted his ring on her finger, and to be married as soon as possible. It was something he’d talk to her about tomorrow.

Joe felt himself drift as his exhaustion finally pulled him down. He’d have plenty of time to study her, and the fact that she was in his bed and he was wrapped around her made his world peaceful and miraculous. He really thought having a woman would never happen, and he’d almost given up.

Every time he thought of his bleak future, he’d feel depressed for days, so he tried to put all his energy into the ranch. He worked harder and longer than anyone so he could fall into bed and sleep.

Now, he had Naomi. She was already his world and on his mind every minute of the day. He thought he would eventually mellow out, but it wouldn’t be soon.

His last thought was how he’d have to thank his mother because she brought Naomi into his life.

God, she’d never let him forget it either.

Chapter Nineteen

The first rays of light woke him the next day. It took him a moment to realize he was wrapped around Naomi, and his grip was tight. He worried until he saw the soft smile on her face.

He had to get a few things done before he took her to the pond. He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, untangled his arms, and rolled out of bed. She needed as much sleep as she could get, so he was quietly dressing. He scribbled a note and put it on his pillow, saying he wanted her to make them a picnic lunch and to be ready at noon.

Joe stood at the kitchen window, drinking a cup of coffee and watching the ranch wake. Men and animals started moving around, and the sounds grew. He grabbed an apple and walked outside. The sunrise seemed to glow, making the land around him feel almost magical somehow. Fuck, if the guys knew he was thinking that, he’d get razzed forever.

He had no idea how long he’d been working when one of his men got his attention.

“Hey, Boss, your woman is looking for you.”

Joe wiped his hands on a nearby towel before walking out of one of the barns. His body tensed when a surge of need raced through him. She was his, and he was going to make sure she was tied to him in every way.

“Hi, Love,” he said as he walked up to her. The smile on her face made something settle within him. He would have guessed contentment, but it felt deeper.

“Hi. I have the picnic ready.”

He wrapped one arm around her waist, and the other slid under her dark brown hair and then on the back of her neck. He kissed her with every emotion he was feeling.

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