by Mandy Magro
‘Love you too, sweetheart.’
‘Hey, what about me?’ Logan said with a playful chuckle. Brianna tossed a splash of water in his direction. ‘We love you too.’
Logan beamed like the extremely proud father he was.
Admiring the man before her, Nina leant into his ear and dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘How about, after we drop Brianna home, we spend the rest of the afternoon making mad, passionate love?’
‘If you insist.’ He flashed her a wicked smile, and then bowing his head, tossed her over his shoulder and carried her back to dry land.
* * *
Freshly showered and barefoot, with a low-slung pair of jeans hugging his butt to perfection, Nina watched Logan drag a flannelette on. He caught her reflection in the mirror and grinned, sexily so. Leaving his shirt unbuttoned, he turned and sauntered towards her, that charming smile on his oh-so-divine lips. ‘Were you just perving on me, Miss Jones?’
Freshly showered too, Nina left her robe open, liking the way he was trailing his gaze over her breasts and down her stomach. ‘Just a little. Can’t help myself.’
Although it had been tough making Bea’s old room theirs, Logan had made it easier by being by her side the entire day she’d emptied it out and then filled it with their personal belongings. Although she’d made sure to leave a bottle of Bea’s favourite perfume, Coty Wild Musk, on the dresser.
Logan stopped just short of her. ‘That’s what I like to hear.’ He flicked the robe from her shoulders, smiling wickedly when it dropped to the floor.
Captured by his arresting blue eyes, her heart pounded. Tiny thrills raced up and down her spine. The space between them grew taut with anticipation. She edged closer, his heat wrapping around her and drawing her to him. Anticipation, coupled with a familiar rush, came over her as he pulled her into his arms. Raising his hand to her cheek, he feathered his fingers down her face and over her parted lips. Then, purposefully, he lowered his head and kissed her, gently at first, teasing her by pulling away a little before kissing her again, harder this time, more hungrily, greedily. Her lids slowly shut as he expertly trailed a line of kisses down her neck, leaving pleasurable heat in their wake.
Wanting him, needing him, she reached up on her tiptoes and claimed his lips in another no-holds-barred kiss. He lifted her up and carried her towards their bed, and she wrapped her legs around his waist and tangled her arms around his back. He lowered her down at the side of the bed and tugged off his jeans and jocks. She slipped off his flannelette before pushing him backwards onto the edge of the king-sized bed and straddling him.
Tilting his chin so he was looking into her eyes, she said, ‘I love you, Logan Steele.’
‘I love you, too, Neens, more and more every day.’
He gripped her hips, pulling her to him as if greedy for her. As she folded forward and her breasts pressed into his chest, he skated his hands up her back and entwined his fingers into her hair, and then flipping her over, he took control. She was so ready for him. His lips came down upon hers, absorbing her breathless cry as he pushed himself inside her.
They didn’t take it slow, but instead devoured each other ravenously. Nina wrapped herself around him, loving how her body fit so perfectly with his. They climbed the pinnacle together, in unison, holding each other close, tumbling over the brink as they cried out, shuddering, quivering, sated, and bonded beyond the flesh.
Both satisfied, Logan buried his face into her neck, desperately trying to catch his breath. They lay there for a few long moments, riding the wave of trembles together, before he rolled off her and onto his back. ‘You are one wild woman.’ A little smile played on his lips. ‘And I like it a hell of a lot.’
Nina flashed him a sexy smile. ‘You make me like that, because I want you so much.’
‘So it’s all my fault?’
‘Yes, it is, Officer Steele.’
‘Good.’ Turning onto his side, he reached over the bed, grabbed something from the bedside drawer, and then hitched himself onto one elbow, gazing at her, his eyes growing more and more intense with every passing second. He flicked open a black velvet box, revealing a glimmering diamond ring. ‘Nina Jones, will you marry me?’
Nina’s breath whooshed from her. ‘Really?’
Logan’s captivating smile widened. ‘Yes, Neens, really.’
Nina blinked back happy tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. ‘Oh my god, Logan, yes, of course I will!’
Kissing her what felt like a hundred times, Logan finally eased back, pulled the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger.
‘I love you, Logan, always and forever,’ Nina whispered tenderly, everything in her world now falling into beautiful, perfect place.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A colossal hurrah to each and every one of my amazing team working behind the scenes at Harlequin Headquarters – my wonderful publisher Rachael Donovan, who has helped me grow and strive and reach for the stars … my editors, Rebecca Millar and Julia Knapman, for your guidance and eye to detail, the design magicians who’ve once again produced a mesmerising cover, and the rest of the inspirational and encouraging team who’ve helped make Riverstone Ridge the very best it can be. I count my blessings every day that I’m a part of the wonderfully supportive Harlequin family. You’re all superstars!
To my amazingly supportive huzzbuzz, Billy Anderson … Where do I start? To be lost for the right words is rare for me, but no matter what I express on paper, it will never truly explain the amount of love and admiration I have for you. I honestly thought men like you – loyal, kind, strong, loving, compassionate, adventurous, not to mention extremely hot and waywardly sensual – only existed in my head and the books I write, but you gallivanted into my life, not on a horse but on a Harley, and swept me off my feet. The beauty is you were there to catch me and lift me up to heights I’ve never been to before. We knew what we felt the second we met was different to everything else, and we took the chance and leapt off the cliff, holding each other’s hands – and what a brilliantly exhilarating ride it’s been so far! And I know, by your side, my life is always going to be fulfilled, complete and tremendously exciting! Thank you for being an awesome husband and a wonderful role model to Chloe – we love you so very much, and I will love you more and more every single day, always and forever. Xx
To my always inspiring, kind and loving, albeit sometimes extremely stubborn (just like your mumma), daughter, Chloe Rose. You, my darling, are the reason I am where I am today. Through your eyes, you have taught me to see the world in such beautifully magical ways. I’m so proud of the young girl you are, and will be by your side, fiercely protecting you and eagerly encouraging you, through your path into womanhood. Thank you for always telling me I’m the bomb and how much you love me. I’m truly blessed to have you brighten my every day with your gorgeous heart. I love you, sweetheart – so much my heart wants to burst. Xx
To my kind, supportive, strong and loving mum, Gaye. You’ve taught me to be the resilient woman I am today, and you’ve shown me how to stand up for myself, how to love fiercely, how important it is to live fully, and to strive for my every dream, no matter how immense it is. You’re my rock, my confidante, and the one who loves me unconditionally. I’m so lucky to have a beautiful mum like you, and Chloe is super blessed to have you as her Nanna. Thank you for all you do so selflessly, for me, and all your kids and grandkids. And Billy reckons you’re awesome too, Mom. We all love you to bits! Xx
To my wise and patient dad, John – you mean the absolute world to me. To know you’re always there to talk to, and guide me, and remind me how strong I am, is priceless. Thank you for being the wonderful dad and grandad you are. Love you very much! Xx
To my stepdad, Trevor, thank you for teaching me how to always find the good in everything and everyone, and for teaching me to always look on the bright side of life. This quality has helped me through many tough times. Love you lots! Xx
To my beautiful sis,
Mia, thank you for always having my back, and for taking the time to see me for who I truly am and loving me, warts and all. You’re my best friend and a woman I look to for clarity, inspiration, and sisterly love. I adore you, Mia, to the moon and back. I count my blessings for you every single day! Love you lots and lots. Xx
To my wonderfully spirited blister (sister), Karla. We’ve been through a lot together, from childhood right through to now, and I’ve always held you close to my heart. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become, and the amazing mother you are to your gorgeous little darling, Korbyn. Love you heaps! Xx
To my little (but with a personality larger than life), gorgeous sister, Rochelle. Thanks for always having my back, for teaching me how to embrace being a strong woman, and teaching me to have the confidence to strut what my mumma gave me! I adore your vitality for life and love you heaps! Xx
To my forever friend, Katharina Kotte. Thank you for your gentle heart, wild spirit and the ability to always make me laugh! I wish we didn’t live on opposite sides of the world, but I know whenever we are lucky enough to catch up face to face, it will feel like only yesterday. I loved seeing you on my last adventure, and hold many memories in my heart. Happppppyyyyyyiiiiieeeeee!!! Oh dear Katie!! LOL! Love you babe! Xx
To my amazingly supportive forever soul sister, Fiona Stanford. You’re a shining light in my life, my dear friend. We may not see each other much, but to know you’re always there, to laugh with and be encouraged by, is worth more than gold. Thank you for being beside me this entire way. Love ya! Xx
And lastly, but most importantly of all, a gigantic, wholehearted thanks to YOU, the reader! It’s all because of you that I get to do what I love every single day! If I could, I would hug each and every one of you! Your passion to turn the pages, dying to know what’s next for my dashing heroes and strong heroines, along with many messages and emails, is what inspires me to keep going when the going gets tough. So, stuff the housework, pop a ready meal in the tucker-buggerer (microwave), or better still, order a pizza, don the bed hair and put your feet up – you deserve to! I’m so blessed to have such loyal readers! Xx
Until my next book makes your heart flutter, your toes curl, and brings tears of both joy and laughter to your eyes, keep smiling and dreaming…life is beautiful.
Mandy xoxo
ISBN: 9781489277473
TITLE: RIVERSTONE RIDGE
First Australian Publication 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Mandy Magro
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