He didn’t take his eyes off her once, and she didn’t blink. Instead, she seemed…curious. Breathless. And that made him move even faster.
When he stood again, his suspenders dangling and his trousers resting low on his hips, he loved the way her gaze dragged over his body. Her eyes lingered on his bare chest, making him warm.
He stalked forward, intent on touching her, and she didn’t back away. Instead, she met him head on, eyes bright, chin up. When she inhaled sharply, her nostrils flared, and her breasts rose to brush against his chest.
He groaned and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him. He knew she could feel the hard length of him pressed between them, but that was fine and natural. They were married. They were in love, and they had a future.
“Where was I?” he murmured, staring into her eyes.
One delicate finger pointed at his favorite spot on her neck. “Here, I believe.”
Humming in delight, he lowered his lips to her skin again and liked the way she moaned in response.
Soon, lost in each other’s touch, Hart backed her against the bed, laying her down across the clean quilt. Splayed, she looked up at him, breathless and panting and pink.
Wait, forget everything else. This was his favorite position for her to be in.
He was grinning when he lowered himself onto her, his forearms pressed against the bed to keep his weight from crushing her, and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“I love you, my queen.”
“Husband!” she squirmed under him. “Stop stalling.”
He had to chuckle at that. His Regina, giving him orders from the very beginning. “Not until you say what I want to hear.”
She exhaled in exasperation, then opened her blue eyes, cloudy with passion. But she rested her palm gently against his cheek, and smiled a smile full of promise.
“I love you, Hart. I’m blessed to spend my future with you.”
He grinned. She really was the queen of his heart.
Their future began, right then and there.
* * *
Wait, wait. If Hart isn’t the Black Ace, then who is? I know you have your suspicions, so check out Three of a Kind to see if you’re right!
If you’re looking for some backstory into the town of Black Aces, Montana,
pick up Lucas’s Lady, Verrick’s Vixen and Abigail’s Adventure to find out what you’ve missed…
If you’ve enjoyed Regina and Hart’s romance, I urge you to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Bookbub. I frequently post fun stories, links to great books, and cute animal pictures.
If you’d like to keep up with my books, read deleted scenes, or receive exclusive free books, sign up for my newsletter.
And if newsletters aren’t your thing, come join my reader group, Caroline’s Cohort!
Do you like reading historical westerns, and like hanging out with others who do too? Join us on the Pioneer Hearts Facebook page, where we have the most wonderful discussions, contests, and updates about new books!
Please consider leaving a review—it’s bread and butter to an author like me. It’s proven that books with more reviews—and they don’t have to be effusive—sell better, and I appreciate each and every one. Thank you!
* * *
As always, big thanks to Alyssa, Sonya and Merry Farmer, to my beta readers and Cohort members, and to my editor CM Wright.
About the Author
Caroline Lee has been reading romance for so long that her fourth-grade teacher used to make her cover her books with paper jackets. But it wasn't until she (mostly) grew up that she realized she could write it too. So she did.
Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After in NC with her husband, sons, and brand-new daughter, Princess Wiggles. And while she doesn't so much "suffer" from Pittakionophobia as think that all you people who enjoy touching Band-Aids and stickers are the real weirdos, she does adore rodents, and never met a wine she didn't like. Caroline was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 and is really quite funny in person. Promise.
You can find her at www.CarolineLeeRomance.com.
Also by Caroline Lee
* * *
Other historical westerns by Caroline Lee
Sunset Valley
(Black Aces prequel)
Everland Ever After:
Sign up for Caroline’s Newsletter to receive exclusive content and freebies, as well as first dibs on her books! Or if newsletters aren’t your thing, follow her on
Bookbub for a quick, concise new release alert every time she publishes a book!
Ante Up: Black Aces Book One Page 13
