Page 84 of A Rancher's Vow

Her eyes had widened for a split second at his words, then she cupped his face and kissed him with a passion that sent slow out the window. Deeper now, harder. Pulsing on the bed, her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she urged him on.

Dustin slipped a hand between them and stroked her clit, leaning to the side to give her that extra touch.

“Dustin.” She scratched his back hard, hips pressing to his as she arched against him.

He let go. Let the power of pleasure roll through him like an express train. Her under him, soft and drowsy and holding him close.

Perfect.

Tangled together after, Dustin rolled only enough to not crush her. Lingered there to catch his breath until he couldn’t wait any longer. “Back in a second.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Charity sprawled as he left.

He dealt with the condom and was back in seconds, pulling her over him on the mattress. “So, what do you want to do for the rest of the night? Good to just Netflix and chill?”

She chuckled softly, tracing a finger down his jaw. “Didn’t we already do that?”

“Funny girl.” Dustin cupped her face in his hands so she couldn’t get away while he blew a raspberry against her cheek.

They wrestled for a bit before Dustin miscalculated and his butt slipped off the bed. He hit the floor with a thud.

Charity hung over the side, eyes wide, smile wider. “Since you’re up, grab dessert. I’ll find something for us to watch.”

“Sounds good.” He stood and nabbed the cow print briefs off the mattress. Her laughter followed him as he pulled them on then slipped from the room.

By the time he had thick slices of apple pie slathered with whipped cream on the coffee table, she had a nest of blankets waiting for him to join her on the couch.

“Sad to see you found my T-shirts.” Dustin pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck. She’d put her hair up for the night like usual, a pouf of curls escaping the top of her silky headscarf. “God, whatever you put on your hair is like crack.”

“Glad you like it.” She giggled as his nose slid lower. “Dustin, feed me.”

He offered a mighty sigh but obediently settled down. Arm tucked around her, balancing his snack so he could keep her close.

The show she turned on seemed to involve people baking cakes that didn’tlooklike cakes. Whatever.

When it was finally late enough to hit the sack, they moved companionably back to the bedroom. She took her side of the bed. He took his. She sighed softly and snuggled into her pillow, her butt tucked to his groin as if that’s where she always slept.

As if that’s where she belonged.

Dustin spoke softly, tracing circles on her belly. “I have an early shift. Want me to call to wake you?”

“No. I’ll be up before anyone misses me.”

She was breathing smoothly, asleep long before Dustin felt himself about to go. Which meant it was safe to say it. “I’llmiss you. I like having you around, Tee. I think we’re good together.”

No response other than a soft hum.

Untangling himself from her and crawling out of bed just before five a.m. was hellish. He had one more thing to attempt before starting his day.

Patchwork Annie met him outside the cottage door. Dustin stopped to talk to her, petting her first as he hoped like hell his idea worked. “Hey, girl. I have a big job for you today. I need you to guard.”

He put Charity’s boots on the porch and pointed at them.

Annie sat obediently, but her expression said she wasn’t sure she liked what was going on.

“You need to stay with Tee.Guard,” he repeated as he rose to his feet.

He checked once when he was halfway to the barn. Annie remained where he’d told her, although her head hung a little lower than usual. Probably wondering why he’d left her behind.