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The cowboy strides purposefully back into the room, setting a cooler on the ground next to me. “Here you go, Angel. There should be ice in the freezer you can use to keep everything cold.”

His mouthwatering face radiates excitement as he leans down to kiss me. “Just so we’re clear, and no matter what we find today, Angel, you will always be my greatest treasure.”

My eyes follow him back through the kitchen and living room out the front door, devouring his round, tight ass in a pair of Wranglers, his back muscles bare and straining with no shirt and only the bandages I secured earlier. Fanning myself, my mind wanders to our earlier delights, understanding exactly what Reese means by the last statement. Gold or not, I’m here for this sexy, amazing man.

Chapter Thirteen

REESE

“No luck finding Coast to Coast?” I ask as Esmeralda turns the dial through thick auditory waves of static back to our station. Elvis’s rich, dark voice croons “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

“Nope, it appears we’re still stuck on love songs.”

“Perfect. After all, you’re about to fall head over heels for me, Treasure. Just you wait and see.”

I side-eye Esmeralda, watching her forehead knit as she puzzles out my words. “After the kitchen, the shower, and the bed?Thisis what you think will make me fall for you?” she asks breathlessly.

I chuckle, reaching over to grab her hand. Bringing it to my mouth, I kiss and lick each finger with care, spending extra time on the one holding my band until a little moan escapes her lips. “Would it really take that much to fall in love with me?” I counter, raising an eyebrow.

Her cheeks burn, and she quirks her adorable, kissable mouth. I’m ravenous again for this little, tantalizing wife of mine. “Let’s just say there’s nothing on that treasure map that’ll outdo your earlier performances.” Her voice sounds lazy and seductive.

“You have no idea. That was just a taste of the ways I plan on claiming and pleasuring you,” I promise with a wink.

Her breath catches in her throat, and I’m right back to the kitchen bench with her straddling me, buried to the hilt in her sweet, juicy pussy. This woman will be my fucking undoing. And every moment will be well worth it.

She crosses her legs, shifting uncomfortably and squeezing her legs together, her cheeks burning.

I chuckle, knowing my little angel is ready for more devilish things. Too bad we’re hurtling through the dark of a Nevada night into the middle of nowhere.

“You know, there are some amazing hot springs on this property. How do you feel about skinny dipping?”

Esmeralda smiles languidly, her big turquoise bedroom eyes simmering. “Hot springs sound good with the chill in the air, although I don’t know how I feel about being naked. Especially after you gave those UFO hunters permission to be on your property.”

“Shit, I almost forgot about that. We’ve packed so much into less than twenty-four hours that I can’t keep it all straight. But don’t you worry, Treasure. Those extraterrestrial people always hang out in the same damn spot. Far away from the hot springs. You’ll see.”

“I’ll see?” She shifts again, eyeing me curiously. “Tonight?”

“More than likely. Although three’s pretty late—or early, depending on your perspective—for them. I’d wager we’ll only see them if there’s been strange activity in the skies.”

“So, that’s really something you see a lot of around here?” she asks, a shiver in her voice.

“Yes, ma’am, along with the occasional cattle death and mutilation. ’Course, the mass die-off I told you about before was likely related to the developer,notlittle gray men. But I wouldn’ttotally discount those motherfuckers. They’ve caused enough trouble to have men in black out here a couple of times.”

“Men in black,” she huffs. “Now, I know you’re lying. Are tall tales the norm for you?”

“There isn’t a rancher in Nevada without his fair share of tall tales. But I swear to you, Angel, that’s the honest truth. I don’t mean to scare you, but you asked.”

“Do you think the UFO activity has anything to do with Area Fifty-One?”

“Dunno.” I shrug. “That’s pretty far from here. All I can say is this has been the reality on our ranch for as long as I can remember. But don’t worry, wife, I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.”

She smiles, her face relaxing, and I feel like the toughest guy on the planet. I could get used to this.

“Enough of the spooky stuff,” she says, shaking her head. “Back to the treasure. I’m dying to see what you want to show me. I just hope it’s not a nothing-burger. Grandpa and I have had too many of those to count on the trail of the El Cortez treasure.”

“I don’t think it’s a nothing-burger, but we’ll see. That said, I am kicking myself for the whole gambling my dually thing. What in the hell was I thinking? I could’ve thrown the cabover camper on the back, and we would’ve been perfectly comfortable tonight.”

Esmeralda eyes me. “I still don’t get how you gambled vehicles at a casino table anyway. I thought that kind of stuff only happens in private poker tournaments behind closed doors.”