Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Heat

The most intimate touch.

“Damn, that was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

She couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe.

They lay in the chair until Blake softened enough he slid from her body. He twisted her in his arms, both of them sticky with sweat and come, and Jaxi realized she didn’t care one bit. She’d never felt more alive.

Blake loosened one of the nipple rings. He pressed his palm against the stinging tip for a minute before removing the other one. Dragging his jeans closer, he reached into a pocket to slip the rings away. He kissed her and cradled her against the beating of his heart.

“Jaxi, I tried to ask you something the other day before the munchkins invaded our picnic.”

She sat up a little, glowing from their shared heat.

Blake grinned. He kissed her hand and slipped something cold on her finger.

“It’s temporary. We can go pick up something real in Calgary or Edmonton, or even online I guess. I wanted—”

Jaxi kissed him to silence and leaned back to examine the ring. He’d woven two horseshoe nails together, smooth and shiny. It was simple and beautiful and evoked feelings in her she hadn’t thought possible to grow any stronger.

He held up his hand to show off a matching ring, and she fought back tears.

“Can we can be ready by October? Ma and Dad got married Thanksgiving weekend, and I figure a wedding would make a real fine reason to be thankful.”

Jaxi drew a contented breath and nodded.

He paused for a minute, then gave an embarrassed cough. “You notice we forgot to use something? Again?”

Jaxi blushed. “I was too interested in what we were doing to worry about it.”

Blake let out a big breath. “This past week I thought about the fact we’ve had sex with no protection, a couple times already. I also pondered that lecture you gave me, that first night we made love.”

“Lecture?” She shot him her best evil eye.

“Hey, I’m not saying I didn’t deserve it. In fact, I earned more of an ass kicking than you gave me that night. It was reckless of me to put you in that position, no matter how right you were about us being together no matter what the outcome. I shouldn’t have acted all territorial until we’d talked about the future.”

Jaxi wasn’t sure where he was going with this. “And the next time? In the kitchen? And now—you’re not being territorial now by leaving off a condom?”

“Now I’m totally staking my claim. Like a bloody caveman.” He brought their lips together and caught her in mid-laugh. When he finally released her from the kiss it was to back up only a couple of inches. “This time I figured I had your permission—something I didn’t have that first night in the cabin. But after you told me very plainly you didn’t think us having a baby was a mistake, I thought you might not mind us getting started on a family right quick. I know I wouldn’t mind a bit.”

The delight in her core turned from a tiny flutter of happiness to a wash of nearly unbearable joy. Having him and a family? “Oh God, Blake.”

“Good oh God, or you’re ready to kill me oh God?”

They were getting married. They could have a baby soon. Wild, incredible, unbelievable. “You’re safe, no murder on the agenda. I’m just as responsible for birth control as you are, if it comes to that.”

“Just as irresponsible, you mean.” His grin flashed bright, and she nodded ruefully. “I also did something this week I’d never done before. I did the math. You know when I was born?”

“May seventeenth.”

“Hmm. I’ve heard that planning for life takes different routes for different folks. But it sure looks like I’m following in my daddy’s footsteps in more ways than one.”

Oh boy. “You talking six boys?”

“Maybe. Hate to remind you, it’s tradition. Great-Grandpa started it.”

They dressed and strolled away from the barn hand in hand, Blake playing with the ring on her finger with his thumb.

“So, when are you going to ’fess up and tell me what other classes you’ve taken? The interesting ones you wouldn’t share last week…”

Jaxi raised her gaze to his. “Let’s see. Self-defense and boxing.”

“Handy for those six boys we’re going to have.”

“Stop it. Personal massage.”

“Nice. What else?” Blake drew her close as he led her back to the cabin. It had been worth the wait to know she was finally his. No more questioning if he’d be able to hold her heart.

She was his. He was hers. It was enough.

Canadian Thanksgiving

“How long we do we wait?” Blake plopped down on the edge of the mattress.

Jaxi burrowed a little farther under the covers and groaned. “Oh hell, don’t rock the bed.”

Blake pulled the edge of the quilt free and smoothed his fingers along her neck, rubbing gently. He leaned over and kissed her nape. “You’ve got to get up sometime, Slick.”

“Go away.”

Blake chuckled and drew the blankets back, a tug at a time. She was still warm and soft from sleep, cheeks rosy, and the subtle scent of her skin made his mouth water. He rolled her carefully to her back and smoothed his hands down her body all the way to her toes. He picked up a foot and massaged his thumbs along the bottom length.

“Oh, yeah. You keep that up, and I promise I’ll be real nice to you later.”

Blake snuck in a nip to her arch. “You’re already going to be real nice to me. How long do we have to wait?”

Jaxi opened her eyes with reluctance. “I don’t know, read the box. Why do we need that thing anyway?”

“’Cause I want to know for sure.”

Jaxi sat and snuggled in close.

“You ready for today, Jaxi?”

“I’ve been ready for a long time, but…”

He kissed her eyelids, stroked her hair, held her close.

Three more hours and they’d be standing in front of their family and friends, saying the words to join them as a couple. Together and forever and everything that went with it.

It felt so right.

“But what?”

Those big eyes stared at him as she traced a finger along his jaw. Her touch was light but it echoed through his whole body.

“I’m a little scared.”

Blake shook his head. “You? Scared? Hell, woman, I’ve always admired how fearless you were. Even as a little tyke, the first time I saw you, half-naked, covered in mud and whaling on Travis. You were so damn proud you never gave a hint to how much you hurt.”

“I was only seven and Travis deserved it. You’re never going to let me forget that fight, are you?”

Blake stroked a finger over her lips. “Nope, I like it that you know how to use your fists.”

“You like a woman who fights?”

Blake kissed her. “I love a woman who fights. I think I fell in love with you the day I found you taking on that boy who was planning to drown the kittens.”

Jaxi’s eyes flashed. “You never did let me finish him off. He was ready to go home crying to his mama—”

“Yeah, but he was about three years older than you and a whole lot bigger. Tell me when you knew you wanted me.”

Jaxi nuzzled at his neck, her lips brushing his rough stubble. “I fell in love with you when you came to the school for the Professional Day talks. You told everyone all about how the ranch was managed, and the hard work and caring needed to keep the animals happy and everything. I decided right then and there I was going to be the one that helped you.”

His jaw dropped. “Jaxi, you must have been about ten years old when I gave that talk.”

She flashed him a gorgeous smile. “I told you I’ve loved you forever.”

He cradled her tenderly, enjoying their embrace. There was one last lingering concern he had to share. He had to start this marriage with a clean slate and somehow he’d never managed to bring it up while they were wooing. His chest tightened. “Jaxi, I’ve got to tell you. Travis and you and me. I mean, there was this one time…”