TY AVOIDED LOOKING AT THE men, Leo in particular, as they road west toward the waiting herd, his mind occupied by two astounding thoughts: She kissed me in front the men. She loves me.

He didn’t think she even realized she spoke out loud. But he didn’t say it back. Did he love her? Did he even know what love was? He kicked Diablo into a canter, distancing himself from the others, his mind racing, looking for answers to the questions swirling around his head.

He was thrilled with her response to his love making. Shy at first, she quickly wanted to know more, explore more and just the memory of her exploration had him ready to explode.

An extremely passionate woman, it thrilled him to be the one to bring it out in her. On the heels of that thought came the questions: Would it have been the same if she married anyone? Leo maybe? Or even Walker?

One minute he believed he was the only reason, the next, he wondered. How could such a beautiful, passionate woman, remain untouched? She had a quick temper, sure but just as quickly, it passed. Strong and independent, she possessed a soft, vulnerable side that brought out the protector in him.

He thought over the last few weeks and had to admit to seeing a gradual but definite change in her. Standoffish at first, she now sought him out to discuss the ranch, or to just take a ride with her. She worked as hard as any man and yet maintained her femininity. Rafe told him she rarely wore dresses…until Ty came along. She appeared more at ease around him and smiled when she saw him.

She loves me.

He told her up front he wasn’t sure about love and she accepted his answer. He desired her without question but would desire be enough to keep their marriage a happy one?

Thoughts of her kisses, her body…there was no way in hell he would survive the long, drawn out weeks ahead without hurting someone.

He reached the edge of the herd in a foul mood at best, and the men gave him a wide berth.

“Leo, you and the boys split up right and left flank.” Ty’s curt voice brooked no discussion. “I’ll run drag a while.”

The most hated part of the drive. Nothing but dust, hard-headed mavericks and cow shit.

A perfect complement to his mood.

Emma sat talking with her father, amazed at how much better he appeared to be doing over the last few days. He didn’t cough quite as much and the awful wheezing sound when he breathed lessened. Tonight, he even ate most of his supper.

“You look a lot better today, Papa. And you ate most of your supper tonight.”

“Yeah, still can’t fight off a flea, though.”

His reference to his weakened state reminded her of Doc’s parting words earlier today. “He’s better but he ain’t out of the woods yet. He’s weak as a kitten and the least infection could do him in.”

“Well, you just do like Doc says and you’ll be up and about in no time.”

He rolled his head from side to side. “I get tired of laying here like a baby all day. I like it when Ty comes in and helps me to a chair.”

“He’s a good man.”

“Yes, he is. You done good marrying him. What time did they head out? I never heard ‘em.”

“About sunup. Are probably a little south of the Oakman place by now providing they didn’t experience any troubles.”

“Surprised you didn’t go. Especially since your new husband did.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she avoided looking at him. “Well, I thought he could handle things without me.”

“Meaning you thought you needed to be here.”

“Meaning I wanted to be here.”

Rafe looked at her, his pale blue eyes filled with regret. “I should’a done better by you, Girl.” He shook his head slowly. “I meant well, but…”

She placed her hand over his. “I know, Papa. I know.” And suddenly, she did know. She understood his need to see her married, to be happy. And because she had Ty, she was.

He stared for a long moment. “A father should always tell his daughter how proud he is and that he loves her.” His lips trembled and he took a long breath. “I never done that. But I am proud, Girl. No father could ever be prouder.”

She bit her lip for control, but still her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Papa.” She bent over and kissed his weathered cheek. “I love you. More than I can say.”

His eyes slid shut. “I love you, too, Emma-girl.”

She sat there until she decided he slept soundly, then kissed his forehead, picked up the food tray, and headed for the kitchen.

“Good evening, Señora Roundtree.”

Emma avoided Lupe’s gaze as she placed the tray on the table. “What happened to Emma?”

Amusement flickered in her doe-like eyes. “You are a married woman now. And judging by the smile you wore most of the day, I’d say a very happy one.”

Emma silently fumbled with the contents of the tray.

“I am sorry. I have embarrassed you.” Lupe placed her soft hands on Emma’s. “I am just so happy to see such a beautiful smile on your face.”

“Yes, well, um, marriage is not so bad.”

Lupe’s gentle laugh rippled through the warm kitchen. “No, it is not.” Dusting her hands on her apron, she picked up the tray. “Señor Rafe ate very well tonight. That is good.” She placed it on the counter near the sink. “Shall I fix a plate for you?”

“No thank you. I’m not hungry at the moment. Why don’t you go ahead and go home to José. I’ll clean up in here.”

“The house is lonesome without Señor Ty, no?”

Emma picked up a plate, set it back down. “Yes. It is.”

Lupe nodded and took off her apron. “I will see you in the morning, Señora.”

An hour later, Emma paced from the bed to the window and back again, too tense to even consider sleep. The moon edged up over the horizon when she gave up any pretense of slumber. Ty was out there somewhere. Was he thinking about her? Did he know how it distressed her not to go with them or how she longed to have him beside her, fanning the flames of desire that even now raced through her?

With a frustrated groan, she left the house and headed for the barn. She needed a ride to cool her too warm body.

By the time she reached her special place by the creek, the moon was high enough to fill the valley with light.

She looped the reins over a branch and lay down, eyes fixed on the twinkling stars above. “Have you ever seen a sky so beautiful, Midnight?”

The mare silently munched grass.

“I wonder if Ty is looking at these same stars.”

A soft snort indicated her companion’s lack of interest in conversation.

“God, I can’t believe how much I miss him and it’s only been one day!” She rolled her head and closed her eyes. “I wish Ty was here now.”

“He is.”

She jerked upright and stood at the sound of his voice. “Ty! What are you doing here? Is everything all right? Did something happen?”

He clutched Diablo’s reins in his hand and cleared his throat. “The boys told me to get the hell away from them till I could act human again.”

“I don’t understand.”

He didn’t explain. “I was headed home when I saw you riding hell bent for leather. I thought something happened to Rafe.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Me neither.” He looped the reins over a limb away from Midnight and faced her, his gaze intense. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

Tingles of awareness burst through her at his soft-spoken words, her long dormant sexuality jumping to life. “Really?”

He slowly nodded. “I had to see you.”

She took a tentative step toward him. “I haven’t stopped thinking about last night.”

“Me neither.”

She glanced around, nibbled her lower lip and looked at him from the corner of her eye. “We’re alone here.”

He pulled her roughly to him. “Damnit, Red,” he whispered. “When you look at me like that, I can’t think straight.” He crushed his mouth to hers in a raw act of possession, the urgency of his need fused with her own.

Her lips burned in the aftermath of his passionate demonstration and she reveled in it. Giving herself freely to the hunger of his kisses, she met each thrust of his tongue with one of her own, communicating her own need in the most primal way.

He pulled back and the blazing desire reflected in those stormy pools turned her knees to butter.

He gulped air. “Are you sure you can handle this tonight?”

She yanked at the buckle of his gun belt. “I’m sure.” It dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.

“This button drives me crazy,” he whispered as he opened the top button of her shirt, exposing ample cleavage over the tight fitting chemise she wore underneath. He bent his head and trailed wet, open-mouthed kisses across the exposed flesh, the pebbly tips hardening, pressing against the fabric.

She moaned and arched toward him, relishing the feel of his lips on her over-heated skin.

He pulled the shirt from her pants and yanked it open, sliding it off her shoulders, followed by her chemise, leaving her upper body bare. He stood back and looked at her, his gaze hot and approving.

He went to Diablo, pulled the blanket from the back of the saddle and spread it on the ground beside her. Reaching behind her neck, he pulled the ever-present ribbon loose and let her hair fall free. He raked his fingers through the chestnut curls, then pulled her to him again.

His kiss was surprisingly tender but still had her senses reeling.

He lowered her gently to the ground, and removed her boots, stopping to gaze at her with open want. He jerked his shirt over his head then sat down beside her and removed his boots. He joined her on the rough blanket, one hand cupping her breast, his thumb rubbing the hardened peak as he kissed the hollow at the base of her throat.

Her hands roamed his body, memorizing each line and curve as they slid over the muscled planes. She reached out to finger the curls on his chest, raking her nails across his tight nipples, enjoying the quick intake of breath that said he liked it. She pushed up and licked one tight nub, then the other before nipping at the tiny protrusion.

He groaned and rolled on his back, pulling her atop him, her hair forming a dark curtain on either side of his head. His hands gripped her hips, pressing her against the evidence of his need.

She lowered her head and caressed his lips with hers, mimicking movements learned from him, her tongue lightly tracing the fullness before delving inside to taste the richness there.

He pressed her cleft tighter against him, and then with soft growl, he towered over her, his eyes devouring her. Without a word, he worked at the buttons of her jeans, sliding them past her hips, down her legs.

Her thoughts scattered to the four winds as his hands and lips continued their hungry exploration of her body, scorching a trail down her neck, across her taut abdomen, and then lower, to the burning apex in the middle, his expert touch sending her to even higher levels of ecstasy. And then his mouth was on her, his tongue tracing the path his fingers took. All thought left. Nothing remained except the exquisite torture his mouth inflicted on her. Long fingers fisted in his hair as she clung to him, soft whimpers mixing with the sounds of the night as she writhed beneath his sensual assault.

When he stopped, she cried out in dismay. “Ty, please!”

He struggled to rid himself of his jeans. “Hang on, Red.”

And then he lay beside her again, his hand stoking the fire raging within her, as his lips explored the creamy flesh of her neck, her breasts.

Each took the time to explore the other, to arouse and give pleasure before his body moved to cover hers and she welcomed him inside.

They moved in perfect harmony, the tempo binding their bodies together, soaring higher and higher until they crested the brink as one in an exhilarating burst of pleasure that left them crying out, spent and breathless.