Page 55 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“You think I’d leave without saying good night?” He picked up a quilt and began folding.

She bit her lip. It wasn’t a question that warranted an answer.

“It was a long day,” he said. “But a good one.”

She nodded. “Yes, it was.”

“Tomorrow will be just as good.”

“I hope so,” she said, without much heart.

“Are you too tired for a dance?”

She stopped in mid-fold, refusing him eye contact. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”

“Not at all.”

“The DJ’s gone home.”

“Exactly. We’re alone in this big barn and the dance floor is empty.”

He pulled out his phone and tapped it. Immediately, a soft country ballad turned on. He took the quilt out of her hand. “C’mon, Autumn. Dance with me.” He covered her hand and gave a little tug.

“Sam, what are you doing?”

“Something I should’ve done earlier.” He led her onto the dance floor, the music filling the quiet barn.

“Then why didn’t you?” she asked in a whisper.

He grabbed both of her wrists, setting her hands around his shoulders and automatically their bodies meshed together as natural as breathing. “I couldn’t, Autumn.”

They moved slowly, matching the rhythm of the music, Sam holding her tight and steady, keeping her close. He twirled her around and around, his dreamy eyes focused solely on her. He was so handsome, so strong and so darn confusing. “Why couldn’t you ask me to dance?”

“First, tell me, are you serious about that guy?”

She looked away. Stared at a batch of pumpkins lining the dance floor.

“What guy?”

“I think you know who I mean.”

“Jared? Why is that any of your business?” She spoke kindly, but with conviction. She didn’t want to play games with Sam. She wanted the truth from him.

“You know it’s my business, sweet Autumn.”

She looked him straight in the eye. “I don’t. You don’t make it easy for a girl—”

And then he dropped his mouth onto hers, mating their lips. He took her on a journey of desire and want and need, the kiss devastating in its power. This kiss wasn’t like the ones from before. This kiss claimed her and there was no doubt about Sam’s intentions. He was all-in. A little whimper rose from her throat, a sweet acknowledgment of her surrender.

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again and again. Her pulse pounded, her heart raced, every nerve in her body was in tune with his.

He broke the kiss, speaking over her mouth. “This is why I couldn’t dance with you tonight. This is why I had to wait, Autumn.”

She heard the words, but she could hardly believe them. It was what she’d wanted to hear since she was a young girl. It was what she’d needed to hear from Sam. Her heart bursting, she looked into his eyes and saw the truth there.

“Oh, Sam.” He tightened his grip on her and kissed her again.

“Be my date to Nicole’s wedding,” Sam said.

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