by Sable Hunter
For long moments, she stared. She ran her thumb along the lines, knowing they were real – but needing to feel them for herself. Jewel didn’t ask how, she knew how.
Easy had changed.
His heart had changed.
Instead, she asked the one question that mattered, “Why?”
“You, treasure. I’m not the same man I was when we first met. You changed me. Before, I wasn’t capable of love. I didn’t trust it. I didn’t think I deserved to be happy.” He laughed a bit harshly. “And then you came along and showed me how wrong I was. You brought Yuma to me. Helped heal me from a lifetime of guilt.”
“You’ve always been a good man, Easy.” She didn’t know what to do with his confessed gratitude. Just because he considered himself capable of loving, didn’t mean… “All I did was remind you of those things.”
“I’m not the same person, treasure. I don’t want the same things.” He held her hands tightly in his. “I used to be a man satisfied by a one…”
She finished his sentence before he could say it, “A one-night stand.”
He released one of her hands so he could cup the side of her face. “I’m more than willing to give them up forever, treasure. For the woman I’m unwilling to be away from for even one night.”
“Me?” she asked, even though she saw the answer written all over his face.
“You. Yes, you. My Jewel.” He left the chair and got down on one knee at her feet. “You’ve shown me how magical the world can be. You’ve opened my eyes to wonders I couldn’t have imagined even in my wildest dreams. But the greatest wonder, the most magical thing – above all – is you. I didn’t know what love was until you showed me. And if you’ll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”
Jewel felt like her heart was about to explode in her chest. She bent her head, unable to stop the tears. As she cried, she realized something – a startling discovery.
This was it. The exact scene she’d seen in the cards.
Jewel was crying, but the tears weren’t from sadness – they were from joy. “I love you too, Easy.”
“My heart is yours, Jewel Baptiste.” Kissing the tears from her cheeks, he pulled a ring box from his pocket and opened it so she could see the sparkling diamond within. “I love you with my whole body and soul. Will you marry me? Will you be my wife?” Before she could answer, he continued, “I know I haven’t made a lot of smart decisions in my life, but I have part ownership of the ranch and Philip said…”
“Hush.” She placed one finger over his lips and held out her left hand. “Yes.” She smiled at him, a huge beaming smile. “Yes, Ezekiel Blackhawk. I’ll marry you. Even before I met you, I longed for you. My heart called to yours and drew you to me.” She watched in awe as he slipped the ring on her finger. “I’m sure it wasn’t really fair to you. The whole universe conspired to bring you to me.”
Easy bent his head to kiss the finger wearing his ring. “Then I owe the universe a deep debt of gratitude. Don’t ever think I fear that you might use your magic on me.” He gave her a wicked grin. “I know you have. You cast a spell on me from the moment I saw you and it’s a spell I never want to end.”
Unwilling for there to be distance between them, she sank to her knees so she could take him into her arms. “I cherish you, Easy. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Standing, he swept her up into his arms to stride to the bedroom, kissing her every step of the way. “If I have any say, you won’t have to wait long. I want to marry you as quickly as possible.”
“Sounds good to me. I don’t believe in long engagements,” she told him in a breathless whisper. Just before they entered the hall, the phone rang. They exchanged a questioning look, then she nodded. “Get it. There’s so much going on, it might be important.”
Placing her gently on her feet, Easy went to the answer the phone. As soon as he picked up the receiver, his eyes widened at the name on the display. “It’s my family.”
“Maybe it’s about the baby,” Jewel whispered, holding her breath while he talked to one of his brothers.
“Well, that’s great, Daniel! Congratulations!”
“What is it? A boy or a girl?” Jewel went to him, padding gingerly on her sore feet. Leaning near, she tried to hear.
“You’re an uncle again. I have a son. Eight pounds, six ounces.”
“What did you name him?” Easy asked, hugging Jewel to pull her close in celebration.
“Tobias. We’re going to call him Toby.”
“I love it!” Jewel stood on tiptoe to speak into the receiver, “Congratulations!”
“Thanks. So, what’s up with you guys? Any news on the case?”
Easy and Jewel looked at one another and she shook her head. Easy got the message. “Today’s your day, man. We’ll talk about the case another time. Just know we’re fine. Kiss Sarah for me, okay?”
“I’ll do it. You two take care.”
Once Easy ended the call, he wrapped his arms around Jewel. “I’m so happy for him.”
Nestled against his strong chest, Jewel couldn’t help but sigh. “He and Sarah are going to be amazing parents.”
Easy rested his cheek on her head. “You’d be an amazing Mom. Would you consider having my baby?”
A thrill shot through her making her knees so weak she had to cling to him in order to stand up. “I’d love to have your baby, Easy. There’s nothing I’d ever want more.”
Her excitement transferred to him in an undeniable way. He grew hard. Instantly hard. Just the thought of her pregnant with his child awoke his every primal instinct. “Good. First, we get married. Second, you get pregnant. Tonight, we need to rehearse.”
“Rehearse?” She laughed as he stepped out of his lounge pants, her eyes drifting down to see he was beautifully aroused for her. “For the wedding?”
“Uh, no.” He picked her up and headed for the bedroom. “The honeymoon!”
“Ah, okay.” She nestled her head against his shoulder as he carried her. “I guess this makes you my fiancé.”
“Your fiancé. I like the sound of that.” He flipped on the light, then moved to gently place Jewel in the middle of the bed. “Hold your arms up.” When she complied, he whipped the gown from over her head, then took a moment to admire the beautiful woman who’d consented to be his bride. “I intend to kiss every inch of your beautiful body.”
Jewel was so happy, she couldn’t stop smiling. “Now, I like the sound of that.”
“I’m glad.” He gave her a tantalizing grin as he came to lift one shapely leg, teasing the delicate arch of her foot with tiny nips and licks of his tongue. “I think I’ll start here.”
“I’ve always heard it was wise to start at the bottom,” she muttered breathlessly as he deposited a line of sizzling kisses up the sensitive curve of her calf. “Although, I have to tell you I’m a little overexcited tonight.” She momentarily lost her train of thought at the sight of her handsome future husband kissing his way up her body. “Getting proposed to…and all.”
Easy could see she was highly aroused and he loved it. A rosy glow flushed her creamy skin and her nipples were as plump and firm as hard candy. “Oh, I understand.” He continued to take his time, paying special attention to the inside of her knee. From this angle, he could see the tantalizing soft place between her thighs. Swollen and pink. She was ready for him and God knows, he was ready for her. “I just want to do this right, seeing as how I’m going to be the one taking care of you…” He moved closer to trace a tantalizing pattern on her creamy thigh. “Forever.”
“You’re doing it right, but,” she whimpered, writhing in anticipation. “I’m too excited to wait.” When she felt him place an open-mouth caress on her throbbing clit, Jewel exhaled in pure relief. “You’re getting warmer.” But to her consternation, he continued blazing a trail north, high enough to lick the valley between her breasts. “Colder,” she muttered, clutching his shoulders, her entire body trembling with excitement.<
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“Never cold.” Easy layered his mouth to hers, drinking from her lips. “I’m your hot-blooded man and I know exactly what you need.”
“You.” A surge of desire made Jewel wrap her legs around his hips, letting him know exactly what she needed. “I want you,” she whispered in his ear as she nipped the lobe. “Now.”
“You’ve got me, baby.” With a primal growl, he captured her mouth again, kissing her hungrily. She whimpered as he touched her, butterfly caresses from her breasts to her thighs. He loved how she responded to him – he’d always known she wanted him and now he knew she loved him. And that made the heaven of having her in his arms even sweeter.
Jewel closed her eyes in ecstasy as his mouth drifted down to suckle at her breast. Cradling his head, she bowed her back, pushing more of her sensitive flesh into his mouth. “Oh, Easy. God, this is good,” she whimpered as he drew her nipple between his lips and sucked until she shuddered.
“Let’s see if I can make it even better,” he spoke softly as he cupped her mound, sliding his fingers between the tender petals of her sex.
“Oh, yes!” she keened, bucking her hips, raising them in a wordless plea as he pushed a finger into her pussy – giving her a small taste of the pleasure to come. “Please, Easy. Please,” Jewel begged as he plunged his finger repeatedly inside of her, causing her sheath to tighten, trying to keep him where she needed him the most.
“I love you,” he murmured as he continued to pleasure her, adding an additional finger to the first, and a thumb to tease her clitoris.
With her nails finding purchase on his back, Jewel couldn’t be still. He was driving her mad! With her face pressed to his chest, she cried hoarsely, “Love you so much.”
Jewel’s admission earned her a reward. Easy bent to her breast and tongued her nipple while he continued the relentless stroking and teasing between her thighs. When the bliss engulfed her, she arched and screamed, giving herself over to the intense climax – giving herself to him. While she shivered, he held her, his own hunger skyrocketing out of control. “See how much I need you?” he whispered as he guided her to touch him, groaning his relief when she palmed his cock.
“Let me take care of you.” Jewel stared up into his gorgeous face as she stroked his long, thick manhood. “You are so hung, Blackhawk.”
This unexpected salty talk from his future wife made Easy gasp in amusement. He couldn’t stop to laugh outright, what she was doing to him just felt too good. All he could do was close his eyes and moan as she pumped him, squeezing, taking him to the point where he had no choice… “Now, Jewel. Please.”
“At last.” She sighed with relief as she guided him to her, sliding the broad head through her cream, her hips undulating as the tip nudged her clitoris.
“Put me in,” he hissed. “I need to be inside you.”
“Oh, yes.” Jewel placed the wide crest to her opening, canting her hips, then surrendered all control to him.
Locking his eyes to hers, Easy flexed his hips, working his way in, moaning with relief when his cock was fully seated.
“Oh, that’s it. That’s what I needed,” she keened as her inner muscles tingled and burned, stretching to accommodate his size.
“Me too,” he muttered as he sought to muster control. The wonder of her snug warmth enveloping him was so good it was almost impossible for him to take his time. “You’re perfect.”
Recognizing how his impatience matched her own, she framed his face. “Just take me, please. As hard as you can. I can’t wait any longer.”
Receiving permission to lose control, he let go. “Hold me,” he muttered as he placed his face in her neck, burying the full length of his shaft into her welcoming warmth over and over again. “I love you so much.”
She loved how often he voiced his feelings. Jewel hoped it would always be like that between them. “Show me,” she spoke softly next to his ear, then gasped as he began pounding into her – hard, fast – over and over. “Oh, God, yeah, that’s it.”
He smiled through the bliss and closed his eyes, concentrating on setting a rhythm he knew would satisfy them both. What made it even better was how she gave back to him, tightening her pussy around his cock, milking him with every pass. “You’re dangerous, witch.”
Jewel smiled, kissing the base of his throat. This was what she’d longed for. This is what she’d craved. To be filled. Possessed. Taken. “I’m in love.” She scraped her teeth on the strong muscle at his throat. “Makes me crazy for you.”
“I’ll give you what you need. Every time.” Easing to his knees, he bent her legs up so he could plunge deeper. Jackhammering into her. His body moving in and out of her with fluid grace.
“I know,” she managed to whisper as he pleasured her, thrusting in and out of her body until the sublime friction pushed her over the edge. “Easy!”
When she found her release, he knew it. The muscles of her perfect pussy fluttered around him and she made the sexiest sounds a woman could make. He held her as she trembled, loving the expression on her face – the way she clung to him as if he were the only thing in her life that mattered. He knew the feeling, because Easy felt exactly the same way. As he experienced her euphoric climax, his own came unbidden. He couldn’t have held back the ecstasy if he’d tried. With one final plunge, he exploded. Bellowing his pleasure, he froze in place as he filled her welcoming body with his seed.
Jewel cradled him to her, happier than she ever expected to be. “You’re perfect.” She rained kisses all over his neck and shoulders. “I think that’s what’s called a storybook ending.”
Easy knew what she meant, but he couldn’t resist saying how he felt. “This isn’t the ending, treasure. This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
EPILOGUE
A glimpse into the future…
“Catch her. Catch her. She’s escaping,” Jewel called as their little daughter trundled down the path. “Head her off at the pass, Daddy!”
Easy swooped down to catch his little girl, knowing exactly where she was off to. “You want to see the fairy houses, precious?” He picked her up, kissing the downy dark hair on her sweet, round head.
“Yea, I want to see the fairies. I like to watch them fly.”
He knelt next to the small houses, wishing he could see the world through his magical daughter’s eyes. “These belonged to your mother when she was your age.”
“Mama!” Mai Blackhawk lifted her baby hand to wave at her mother who was heading toward them with a big smile on her face. “Come to me!”
“I’m on my way, love.” Jewel’s heart was full as she neared her husband and child. “Mother’s not here. As usual.”
“I guess she’s off tending to her civic duties.” Easy laughed just thinking about it. “I can’t believe she decided to run for mayor.”
“I can’t believe she won!” Jewel grinned at the thought. “The town forgave her, that’s for sure. Anyway, she didn’t leave us destitute. The fridge is full of food she prepared for our visit.”
“We’re here so often, she shouldn’t try to feed us every time. I can grill, you know.” He leaned over to open one of the doors of the miniature houses, chuckling when Mai almost fell out of his lap leaning over to peer in. “See anything?”
“Yea. Two fairies. They’re waving at me.”
Jewel plopped down next to her two favorite people in the world. “Thanks for taking the time to bring me home. I know you’re busy with the ranch work at Packsaddle.”
“Hey.” He stretched to kiss her. “I do my part. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last couple of years. I helped Philip get Belle Chasse in shape. I found my niche with my brothers. We renovated a house and moved it to Blackhawk land.”
“You’re right. The world has righted itself. The Hills are behind bars. They won’t be torturing any more women.” Jewel took a moment to reflect on that difficult time in her life. “I’m just relieved Willie and the baby are doing well.”
Ea
sy took her by the hand. “You did your part. Sheriff Truman Lawson appreciates you. He didn’t hesitate to call on you to help find the bodies of the missing women. And when you located them on Laurel Planation, he publicly thanked you in the newspaper.”
“Yea, I guess I’ve redeemed myself in the eyes of my hometown.” She cupped her husband’s face, leaning in for a kiss. “As I read in a famous book once – that was the worst of times and the best of times. Best…because I found you.”
Easy kissed her palm. “I bless the day I walked into your life. I wouldn’t trade what we have together for anything, treasure.”
“Plus…we made a beautiful baby,” Jewel couldn’t help but add.
“You can say that again.” He buzzed Mai’s silky soft neck, making her squeal with delight. “You’ve given me the world, treasure.” Easy looked into his wife’s eyes. “Why wouldn’t I do everything in my power to make you happy?”
“Well, you’re succeeded,” Jewel answered, her voice thick with emotion. “Beyond my wildest dreams.”
“Besides, I love to come visit your mom. And Cotton.” He glanced toward the house he’d rented from Jewel so long ago. “Have to keep the chess games going. He’s beating me too often these days.”
Jewel sighed with happiness. “I know. It’s just the commuting. I know it has to be hard. Not too many men would sacrifice so much of their time traveling to see their wife’s mother.”
Easy looked her straight in the eye. “Hey, my mother-in-law just happens to be Witch Hazel. I intend to stay on her good side. Besides, I have my pilots license now and a brand-new private plane. We don’t have to use your broom anymore.”
Jewel picked up a handful of leaves and threw them at him. “Watch it. Don’t make me turn you into a toad again.”
Easy threw back his head and roared with laughter as Mai joined in, not needing to know what the joke was about for her to be happy. “You know that toad thing doesn’t work very well. You kiss me too often. I just keep turning back into a handsome prince.”
