EMMA SAT IN THE OLD rocker on the porch listening to the sounds of the night, a single thought rolling through her mind: I’m getting married tomorrow.

The moon hung low in the sky, just over the top of the barn illuminating the area with a misty glow. The last two days were a challenge. First, dealing with Rafe, who seemed surprisingly supportive of her marrying Ty and second, dealing with Leo and the other hands. Leo wasted no time in saying he would be moving on after the round up. She hated to see him go and considered asking him to stay but decided it would be best if he didn’t.

Ty didn’t say much beyond work related things which bothered her a lot. Was he second-guessing his decision? Would he change his mind?

Sarah, on the other hand, had plenty to say and Emma’s cheeks still burned from their last conversation. Sarah’s adamant declaration of the next time will be wonderful had Emma covering her ears. How on earth could she be like that with Ty?

She shuddered. There was so much more to this marriage stuff than she thought. She stood, stopping when she saw her husband-to-be watching from the end of the porch.

“Ty. I didn’t hear you walk up.”

He walked toward her. “Sure is peaceful tonight.”

Her stomach clinched as images of what Sarah had regaled her with earlier formed in her mind. “Um, yes it is.”

He stopped a few feet away, locked those mesmerizing eyes on her, gluing Emma’s feet to the floor.

“What did Walker say the other night?”

Not at all what she expected him to say and it caught her off guard. “What? Oh, nothing important.”

He took a step closer, his velvety voice raising gooseflesh on her arms.

“I will never, ever lie to you, Em.” He paused. “And I expect the same in return. What did he say?”

She bit her lower lip, heaved a sigh. “He said I wouldn’t be rid of him so easily.” She squared her shoulders. “And that you were good as dead.”

He nodded. “Figured as much.” He closed the short distance between them, ran a finger down her cheek.

She couldn’t stop the sudden gasp or the shiver than ran through her.

“I don’t trust him, especially where you’re concerned.” He ran his thumb over her trembling lips. “Stay away from him.”

It took a moment for his words to penetrate the veil of inexperienced desire clouding her mind, and she took a step back. “Stay away from him? Are you telling me what to do?”

“I’m telling you he’s bad news, which you are smart enough to know.”

“But not smart enough to know to stay away from him unless you tell me to?” She stood ramrod straight, hands fisted at her sides, voice rife with controlled anger.

She saw his jaw clench and storm clouds gather in those fearsome grey spheres, but didn’t back down. They weren’t even married yet and already he tried to control her. She wouldn’t have it. Not for a minute.

“Not sure why you think being concerned for your safety is telling you what to do, but you best get used to it.”

Before she uttered the scathing rebuttal he deserved…as soon as she found her voice, he walked away.

Ty gritted his teeth so hard his jaw hurt. Damn stubborn-ass woman.

Not at all how he envisioned the evening ending. The thought of kissing her again dug under his skin like a hidden tick. Just the thought of it made his body throb with need.

But her damn pigheaded pride interfered and it ended before it even started. Prickly as a cactus is right…but damned if I don’t like her fiery spirit, too.

Trouble was, he liked everything about her. The way her infrequent smiles lit up her face and made his stomach flip over. The way her eyes flashed when riled made him wonder what would happen if all that fire were directed to more enjoyable tasks.

He rested his forearms across the top rail of the corral and exhaled slowly, willing his aching body to relax. They would be married tomorrow; if the wedding night didn’t happen soon after, he wasn’t sure he would make it. But he gave his word he wouldn’t push and would wait if it killed him. Considering his state at the moment, it probably would.

He sensed when she came up behind him though she didn’t speak at first.

“…what did you mean about get used to it?”

Something in her voice alerted him. Uncertainty? Fear? Cautious, he turned, one arm still resting on the rail, and was struck mute. Moonlight softened her features and made starlight twinkle in her eyes. Her hair fell in glorious waves over her shoulders and that damn top button called him like a siren. Why is it I find her most appealing in those damn jeans?

He tried to speak but nothing came out. He cleared his throat, looked at the barn in the distance and not the moonlit angel in front of him. Finally, his voice returned. “What are you afraid of?”

She jerked and drew his attention back to her face where shock and surprise made her eyes widen, and her lips quiver. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She spun around and he grabbed her arm, moved in front and placed his hands on her shoulders. “No lies, Emma.”

Lips a tight line, she said nothing.

He paused, clenched his jaw, then relaxed it. “You are a beautiful, strong and self-reliant woman.”

Her brows lifted and her mouth dropped open.

“You have such a…a fire in you…I don’t ever want to see that fire banked or put out.” I want to know the pleasure side of that fire. “Just because I say do something or don’t do something, doesn’t mean I’m trying to order you around. I’ll be your husband.” He dropped his hands and took a step back, the urge to kiss her again so strong it made him quake.

“A man looks out for his wife, protects her, even when it means protecting her from herself. I don’t know any other way.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “So, you’ll just have to accept me as I am and I’ll do the same for you. Our differences will no doubt result in some…disagreements.” Visions of making up after those disagreements brought a slow smile to his face. “But I think the making up afterwards will be worth it.”

Moonlight danced in the emerald pools fixed on him. “Making up?” she whispered.

He nodded, took a step forward. “When we disagree, and I don’t doubt for one minute there will be some dandies, the anger won’t last, not when you look at me like that.”

“H-how am I-I looking?”

He stood close enough to see the passion-darkened pupils, smell the faint aroma of roses in her hair. “Like you want me to kiss you.”

“I-I do.”

So he did.