EMMA’S HEART POUNDED SO HARD she could hardly breathe. She watched the play of emotions across Ty’s face as he concentrated, and pinpointed the exact moment the memory surfaced.

“Red,” he repeated softly.

A choked sob escaped as Ty pulled her onto his lap.

“My beautiful Red.”

She cupped his face in her hands. “You’re back.” She kissed him, lightly, tenderly, a kiss for her tired soul to melt into.

Strong hands circled her waist, and pulled her to him as he smothered her lips with a commanding kiss.

She trembled at the urgency of it, feeling the loss when he pulled back a few inches.

He pillowed his head on her chest, arms tightening around her, the warmth of his breath seeping through her shirt.

After a bit, he pulled away and leaned back in the chair. His brows pulled together when he spoke. “The damn gaps are still there.” The line of his mouth tightened, then relaxed. “I remembered seeing you walk into the parlor on our wedding day.”

Her body shivered when his expression changed from confusion to desire.

“You took my breath away.” He pulled her hands to his lips and pressed kisses across her knuckles. “And I remember that night by the creek, but not much about getting shot.” He blew out a breath. “It’s the damnedest thing how stuff comes back. All bits and pieces in no particular order.”

His slow, sexy smile caused heat to pool in her middle.

“Which probably explains why I had so much trouble sleeping lately.”

She cocked her head to one side. “I don’t understand.”

“Having you beside me at night, wanting to pull you in my arms…” His voice trailed off.

“Why didn’t you?”

“There’s so much I don’t remember…I didn’t think I…had the right.”

She nibbled her bottom lip. “I wanted so much to touch you, to kiss you.” She lowered her lashes, then peeked up at him. “I kept remembering something you told me.”

“What?”

“You said I should touch you, kiss you anytime I wanted to.” She ducked her head again as her cheeks burned. “But you didn’t remember…” Her whispered statement failed to hide the pain it generated.

He pulled her to him. “I’m so sorry for the hell I’ve put you through.” He kissed her softly. “I don’t deserve you.” This time, his kiss held a dreamy intimacy that foretold of things to come. With a soft groan, he shifted in the chair and pulled back.

“Oh no! I’m hurting your leg.”

He stopped her when she made a move to get up. “Red, my leg is not the problem right now.”

Heat flooded her face when the problem moved against her hip. “We can’t…not now!”

He palmed her breast, his thumb rubbing the hardened tip. “Why not?”

“You’re hurt.”

“Not that hurt.” His mouth replaced his hand as he nibbled her through the fabric, fingers working the buttons lose. “Now I know why this damn button fascinated me so.” He pushed her shirt open. “Some part of me remembered what was inside.”

Her breath caught as he nipped at her breast.

The soft click of the door closing made her jump. “Oh no! Lupe must have seen us!”

He ate away at her composure. “Does she know we’re married?”

“Of c-course.”

His mouth continued its assault on her concentration.

“Did she shut the door?”

“…Y-yes.” Her hands gripped his shoulders as she leaned back to allow him more access.

“I need you, Red.” His nostrils flared as he sucked in air, eyes turning the color of storm clouds flashing with silver lightening. He placed her on her feet, then pushed himself from the chair. He ran his hands down her hips, pulling her to him. “I don’t deserve you, but God I need you.”

She had a moment – a heartbeat – of hesitation before she sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off her boots.

Ty woke to the warmth of his wife cuddled up beside him, her hair tumbled across his chest, her breath teasing his nipple with each exhale as her fingers played with the hair on his chest. His bruised and battered body ached like the devil but his soul knew peace for the first time in…forever.

Memories flashed like points of light through his mind, some clear, some vague. Emma riding hell bent for leather as they raced for the house, her laughter floating on the air around him, filling his heart with joy; eating supper together as they discussed ranch business. And teaching her to kiss. To make love.

His heart thumped wildly as each new recollection surfaced. He was back.

At last.

Emotion clogged his throat and he pulled her tighter against him, inhaling the fragrance uniquely Emma.

His wife.

“Mmmm,” She slid her leg over his, fingernails raking across his chest.

Renewed desire hit him like a gut punch. His injured arm protested when he pulled her on top of him and he barely noticed the pain when her leg grazed his wounded thigh.

She gathered her hair and pulled it over one shoulder, her provocative eyes playful, one corner of her mouth tilted up in smug smile. “Again?”

He slid calloused hands over her creamy flesh, and cupped her bottom, pressing down. “What do you think?”

She leaned in and kissed him. A slow, sensual kiss that nearly sent him over the edge.

“I taught you that?” He flinched when he realized his thought was spoken out loud.

“Uh-huh,” she nipped at his lower lip, “I learn quick.” She gifted him with a seductive smile. “You taught me other stuff, too.”

Momentarily speechless, he uttered softly, “I did?”

She eased down his body. “Shall I demonstrate?”

“I’d die a happy man.”

He didn’t die; but he did sleep – eventually.