Page 31 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

Her mother cupped her face in her hands. “Oh, stop it. He loves you. He’ll be waiting. Now go, before they close the doors.”

Elise squared her shoulders, pressed her hand against her mother’s damp cheek, then stepped toward Gate Twelve.

Her stomach tightened as she passed through the jetway, a tunnel of harsh lights, leading to the waiting plane.

Once inside, she settled into her window seat, the cabin’s low hum lulling her senses.

Outside, snowflakes drifted in endless processions, coating wingtips in fragile lace.

A kindly stewardess offered a bottle of water; Elise shook her head and thanked her.

She gazed through the oval window at the golden sun cresting the horizon, its light painting the winter sky in shades of rose and amber.

Clifton would be freezing, well below zero, she’d seen, but she didn’t mind.

As long as Declan waited, she’d brave any chill.

The engines grew louder. With a gentle lurch, the plane glided down the runway and rose into the crisp air. Elise pulled her eReader from her purse and tapped the screen. A novel, she hoped, would quiet her thoughts until she reached him.

Nearly six hours later, the pilot’s voice announced their descent into Kalispell. Elise straightened, clicked her seatbelt into place, and let out a shaky breath. The ground rushed up to meet them, a snow-blanketed landscape unfolding below.

Once she’d claimed her luggage, she made her way to the car rental center.

The air felt sharper here, each breath like inhaling liquid cold.

She chose an SUV with four-wheel drive and climbed inside.

Before pulling away, she called her mother to let her know she’d landed safely, then paired her phone to the stereo.

Familiar songs drifted through the cabin, music to guide her across the silent prairie.

She drove along the lone ribbon of asphalt winding past trees covered in snow and icy fields. Her grip on the steering wheel was steady now, heart thrumming with anticipation. Mile markers ticked by until finally, a cluster of warmly lit storefronts appeared—the edge of Clifton.

Elise exhaled, a soft laugh escaping her lips. Okay, Elizabeth, she told herself. You can do this. Just take your time, and soon you’ll see your man.

****

Declan walked from the barn after getting the horses inside and giving them fresh oats and water. The snow was thick and heavy with more predicted, and he didn’t want them out in it. He tugged his hat lower and his collar up as the wind sent a chill through him.

“Damn, it’s cold,” he muttered, then stopped when he thought he heard a vehicle. He peered through the snow and saw an SUV rolling to a stop in front of his house. His heart went into overdrive, hoping it was Elise and fearing it wasn’t, but it wasn’t her SUV.

He watched the door open, and she stepped out.

He stood in one place to make sure he wasn’t imagining it.

Then she looked in his direction. He grinned when she ran toward him, and he caught her in his arms and groaned at the pain.

His lips found hers and her arms wrapped around him as he pulled her closer.

Declan slowly raised his lips and stared into her eyes. “Are you really here?”

“Yes, and I’m not going anywhere without you again.” She smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks but frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine. I was shot—”

“Shot! Oh, my God!”

“It’s okay, it hit my vest, but I have a bad bruise on my ribcage. Nothing cracked or broken. Damn, I’ve missed you.”

He cupped her face in his gloved hands and kissed her passionately. When she moaned, he took her hand and led her into the house.

“I missed you so much, Declan. I wanted to come back two weeks after I left but I promised Wynonna two months, and I even left earlier than I was supposed to.” She removed his hat, ran her fingers through his thick hair and stared at him.

“I have seen this face every night in my dreams,” she whispered.

“I saw you every day.” He kissed her forehead.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You look a little pale.”

“I’m sore, but it’s just a bruise. I’ll be fine, baby. I promise.”

They both jerked when Tank ran into the kitchen from the pet door, covered in snow. He shook his body throwing snow everywhere, then walked to Elise and sat down. She squatted and rubbed his ears.

“I’ve missed you too, you big lug.” She laughed when Tank barked.

Declan removed his coat, then helped her out of hers and hung them up on the hooks.

“Are you hungry?”

“No. I stopped for a hamburger on the way. Not as good as Connie’s but I’ll be getting one of those soon.” She frowned. “I’m sorry I missed the wedding. Did you go?”

“Yes. I wish you’d been there, but that’s alright. You’re here now.”

“And not going anywhere.”

“Thank God.”

Elise took his hand and led him toward the living room, then down the hallway.

“I want you.”

“I want you too.”

Declan kicked the door closed behind them, then picked her up and placed her on the bed. “God, I’ve missed you so much,” he said, his voice catching.

Elise cupped his cheek in her hand. “Show me.”

His hands were on her like a starving man, peeling her clothes off her body like he had all the time in the world.

She was left wearing her lace bra and matching panties and he groaned at the sight of her, her nipples already hard and begging for his mouth.

“Elise,” he growled, his voice rough with need, “I need you so much.”

She reached for his belt, fingers working the buckle. “I need you too. Show me how much you missed me,” she said again, her breath hot against his neck as she shoved his jeans down, freeing his cock, which was already hard and throbbing for her.

Declan didn’t waste time. He yanked her lace bra off her, freeing her breasts, and buried his face between them, sucking and biting until she moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair.

His hands slid down to her hips, tugging her panties off and tossing them aside.

Then he was on her, pushing her back onto the bed, her legs spread wide as he climbed between them.

He kissed her like he was dying for it, his tongue sliding against hers, tasting every inch of her mouth. His hands roamed her body, until she gasped, then sliding down to grip her thighs, spreading her wider.

“You’re so wet for me,” he growled, his fingers slipping between her legs, teasing her wetness, feeling how ready she was for him.

“Declan,” she begged, her voice trembling, “please… I need you.”

He quickly rolled on a condom then pushed inside her, slow and deep, inch by agonizing inch until he was buried to the hilt. She was tight, perfect, and his. He groaned, his hips grinding against her as he started to move.

The pace was slow, torturous, every thrust driving her wild. Her nails dug into his back, her legs wrapping around his hips as she pulled him deeper, begging for more. “Harder,” she gasped, her voice raw with need, and Declan obeyed, slamming into her.

Sweat slicked their bodies, the sound of their moans and gasps filling the air. Elise cried out as she came, her body tightening around him, clenching him like a vice as she screamed his name. Declan followed, his release crashing over him hard, then he collapsed beside her on the bed.

Elise’s chest heaved as she looked at him.

“You did miss me,” she teased, glancing at him.

Declan grinned, as he rolled to his side, and pulled her against his chest.

“Yes, I did,” he whispered. “I love you, Elise. More than anything.”

“I love you too.”

“Please don’t ever leave me again,” he said.

“I won’t. I told you I knew I belonged here, but no, you had to be a hardheaded cowboy and tell me to go.” She shook her head.

“I had to be sure this is what you wanted. Seeing you dance… the joy on your face, made me think that’s what you wanted.”

“Declan, if I had wanted to stay in New York, I never would have come to Clifton.”

“I’m so glad you did. Oh, Johnston is in jail and he’s not getting out this time.”

Elise sat up. “What? How?”

Declan explained what had happened, then looked at her. “His sister came here to take Jenny home with her.”

“So, I won’t see her again?”

“No, probably not, baby. But she’s much better off with her aunt. Johnston could have killed her anytime she was in the car with him. She’ll be fine.”

“Yes, she will. I bet she’ll continue dancing. She seemed to be a natural at it. I’ll miss her, but she is better off now. I can’t believe you let Tank take him down.”

Declan grinned. “I have to admit I was a little happy to tell Tank to get him, especially after he shot me.”

Elise ran her fingers lightly over the bruise. “I bet you hurt now. We should have waited.”

“Hell, no. I waited long enough. It only hurts when I breathe.”

“I’m sorry.” She kissed the bruise.

“I was planning to go tomorrow to get a tree. Want to go with me?”

“Yes. My mom put hers up and I wondered if you would.”

“I wasn’t going to, but Frankie comes here to get her presents Christmas Day.”

“I bet you spoiled her, didn’t you?”

“I always do. I’ll spoil our kids too.”

“Our kids?”

Declan sat up. “You don’t want kids?”

“Is that a deal breaker?”

“No, of course not. Whatever you want.”

“We have never discussed marriage, Declan. You didn’t ask me to marry you.” She raised an eyebrow.

He grinned. “I will.”

Elise laughed. “Okay. I want kids. A bunch of them.”

Declan groaned. “I knew it. You’re going to kill me.”

She grinned. “But what a way to go. Okay, what is Frankie a nickname for?”

Declan laughed. “I suppose I can tell you now. It’s Francesca.”

“That’s so pretty.”

“Yeah, it is, but she hates it.”

“Most people don’t like their full names. I do, but I’ve always gone by Elise.”

“I love either one for you. Let’s get some sleep. I haven’t slept much since you’ve been gone and with the snow falling outside, it’s a nice day to take a nap.”

“Only if you make a fire in this fireplace.”

“Anything for you, love.” Declan got out of bed, pulled a pair of sweatpants on, and built a fire. “Do you have luggage in the SUV?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, let me get my jeans on, then I’ll get it.”

“I’ll help.” She looked at him. “I’m not leaving here, Declan.”

He grinned. “I know.”

“I’m a little hungry now.”

“There’s a box of chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen counter.” He grinned.

“Your weakness,” Elise said with a laugh.

Declan walked to her, cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.

“My weakness is you.” He leaned down and kissed her lips.

“Just like you’re mine and always will be.” Elise smiled when he grinned, then they took a shower and took a nap, just happy they were together.

The next day, though it was still snowing, the sun was peeking through the clouds as they walked among the trees on Richards Christmas Tree Farm.

“This is so great. The trees are all so beautiful,” Elise said.

“It’s hard to pick one. I get a tall one since my ceilings are so high.”

“Where do you put it?”

“In the corner by the fireplace in the living room.”

“I bet it will look gorgeous.”

After finding a tree, Declan had one of the workers cut it down, then take it to be wrapped. They entered the big white tent where Declan introduced Elise to Paige and Nick Richards and got hot chocolate.

“Paige and I already met,” Elise said. “Hi, Paige. It’s nice to see you.”

“You too.”

As they drove home, Declan took Elise’s hand in his and raised it to his lips. She smiled at him. He winked at her, then turned his eyes to the road and drove them home and he knew, in his heart, that she’d never leave him again.