Page 128 of Surly Sheriff
Beaulovedher.
Pushing to his feet, he pulled her up. “No more tears, baby,” he murmured, brushing his fingers over her cheeks. “Be my wife again, Raegan. In every way.”
Her heart hammered in her chest.
Had she heard correctly?
“Beau,” she whispered, a sob escaping.
“Say yes, baby.”
“Yes.Yes.” She flung her arms around his neck, weeping in earnest. He hugged her closer, and the months,yearsof tension and isolation and wariness simply drained away.
It was going to be okay.
It was all going to be okay because she was home, and Beau loved her.
Her tears subsiding, he lifted her, and Rae closed her eyes and snuggled against his broad chest, relishing the strength, thehavenhis arms provided. She had missed this so very much.
So when Beau placed her back on her feet and pulled away, she protested, tightening her grip on him. “Don’t leave me.”
“Not going anywhere.” Kissing her lightly on the lips, he walked her backward until her legs touched the bed. “Sit for a moment.”
Rae opened her eyes and looked around. She was on the other side of the bed. Her side.
He opened the pedestal drawer and removed the rings he’d placed on her finger years ago. Sitting next to her, he held out his hand, palm up. “Give me your hand.”
She did as he asked and watched him slide her wedding ring to the base of her finger, followed by the solitaire diamond ring.
“I love you, Raegan Stirling,” he said and kissed her again.
A fresh wave of tears blurred her vision.
He shifted his body, dug into his front pocket, and drew out another ring, holding it up between his thumb and finger.
“You kept it,” she murmured, taking his wedding ring from him.
“I did.” He held out his hand.
Rae slipped the gold band on his finger. “I love you, Beauford Stirling.” She met his stare, the love in his eyes washing over her, a warm and familiar mantle she would cherish forever. “And I promise to never leave you again.”
A smile broke across his face. “Holding you to that promise, darlin’.” His stare moved beyond her to the bed. “I never understood your need for all the dammedcushions.”
She laughed at his familiar complaint. “They’re pretty.”
“Waste of time. Want to make love to my wife. Now.”
Rae shot up, spun about, crawled across the bed, pushing cushions as she moved until they all lay on the floor on the opposite side. “All gone,” she exclaimed, sliding from the bed, turning to face—
She froze. Torso already bare, she caught Beau in the act of pushing his shorts and briefs over his hips. What a delightful sight. Firm ass and thick, corded thighs. An instant turn-on. “Youarein a hurry.”
He turned and faced her. All gloriously naked and so freaking sexy. For a man heading toward forty, he looked so good. Her gaze wandered to his erection, and her body hummed with anticipation. “Hmm. Forget surly. Renaming you sexy sheriff.Mysexy sheriff.”
He wrenched the comforter aside and crooked his finger. “Come.”
“I hope to. More than once.” She lifted her top, pulled it over her head, and tossed it aside.
Beau lunged across the bed and grabbed her waist, toppling her onto the mattress. Laughing, she flipped onto her back, and he settled his body over hers, propping his forearms beside her shoulders.
