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As if on cue, Sally left her makeshift dog bed and walked over to his side of the bed, whining softly.

He chuckled as he picked the puppy up and placed her at the foot of the mattress. Content now that she was closer, the dog settled in, leaving no doubt she’d claimed that spot forever.

“You big softie,” Macie mumbled, though she didn’t lift her head to look at him.

Hank slid next to her, wrapping his arm around her waist as he kissed the back of her head. “How mad will it make you to know I’m hoping I put a couple strong swimmers inside you just now?”

He lifted his head just in time to see the corner of Macie’s lips tip upward. “You’re insane,” she whispered, repeating the same sentiment she’d made earlier. “And you’re taking me down with you.”

“How so?”

“I’m sort of hoping one of the little guys breaks through as well. But I’m pretty sure that’s the afterglow talking. Tomorrow, I’ll be reasonable again.”

“Let me know when that common sense kicks back in.”

“Why?”

“I plan to fuck it out of you again.”

Macie chuckled, then sighed. “Happy birthday, Hank Cooper.”

He knew she was asleep the second after she’d spoken, so he didn’t bother to reply.

Instead, he kissed her soft shoulder, glanced down at his adorable puppy and then lay there with a big-ass grin on his face until sleep claimed him as well.

Best birthday ever.

Chapter 8

Hank stopped in the mudroom before entering the kitchen to wash his hands and face. It was a damn hot day, and his skin felt like it was carrying an inch of sweat and dust. He’d spent the better part of the morning working with a new horse, and he still had at least eight hours worth of chores left to do. He’d risen before Macie and waved to her from the paddock when she left a couple hours earlier.

It had been hard leaving the bed. She had looked so sweet this morning, her long brown hair a tangled mess on the pillow with Sally nestled up next to her. The puppy had actually dug her way under the covers, her head sharing the same pillow as Macie. His two girls. He’d snapped a picture of them with his cell and wouldn’t admit—even to himself—how many times he had looked at it today.

A week had passed since his birthday, and Sally already had them both wrapped around her little paw. Macie had stirred at the sound of his camera clicking and rolled her eyes when she spotted the dog next to her. “You’ve already ruined her,” she chastised.

He wasn’t going to apologize for that. Or change. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind he’d be even worse when kids started coming along.

He had to admit, Sally was stealing some of his thunder lately. Crawling in between them somewhere in the middle of each night. Macie was a cuddler when it came to sleeping. It could be a thousand degrees under the covers and she’d still be wrapped around him tighter than a coil. Not that he minded that a bit. Lately, though, it was Sally getting the snuggles.

Hank grinned when he recalled how cute she’d looked this morning when she left. Macie was all long limbs and soft curves—the perfect woman, in his opinion, though he knew she saw herself as too tall and too thick. She’d even said as much one night and he’d tied her up, keeping her on the edge of an orgasm he refused to give her until she promised to never say those words again.

Fucking media telling women they were only beautiful if they were stick figures. Annoyed the hell out of him.

He dried his hands and face. He’d have a quick sandwich and get back to it. Macie was working the late shift, so he’d be spending tonight at her place. While he didn’t mind her apartment, he decided it was high time the woman moved to the ranch permanently. He had mentioned it to her last night, but she’d laughed and reminded him they’d only been dating six weeks.

He told her he’d sweeten the deal with a night-light, so it wasn’t so “unnaturally” dark. Hank had been sincere, but she’d only laughed again, thinking his words a joke.

He didn’t understand why it should matter if they’d dated six weeks or six years. Hank had told her from the very beginning where he thought they were headed. His determination to get his ring on her finger had only grown. Macie was funny, sexy, smart, sweet—the whole package—and it was time to take things to the next level.

He’d broach the subject again tonight and this time, he wasn’t taking no for an answer. It was silly for her to waste her hard-earned money paying rent on an apartment she only slept in a couple nights a week.

Besides, now there was Sally to consider, he thought with a grin.

Hank walked into the kitchen—and froze.

Blinking a couple times to make sure he was really seeing what he thought he was seeing.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.