by Rya Stone
She chuckled now. “Did you spend all of last quarter’s earnings on this?”
“Not a dime,” he said, running his free hand over her bulging belly. “That’s all for him.”
She bit her lip, but not to withhold her usual, “Or her,” comeback. No, what he’d just said…she wasn’t sure she had the words.
He’d sold Black Drum, every last nut and bolt. What he kept was a working interest, the profits from which he reinvested every quarter. And he reinvested in clean energy. That’s what he was giving their child. A better world. He called it washing his money. She called it brilliant.
“Gonna take you anywhere you want to go on our honeymoon.”
“I want to stay at the Tee-Pee. I never got the chance.”
Jase laughed deeply. When he stopped, he said, “And I’m going to finish the ranch house, too.”
“It is finished. We’ve been living there for two months.” Without Clint, thank God. He’d moved into the Neely house, which was great, although she couldn’t bring herself to set foot in it yet.
He shook his head. “Your writing room isn’t done.”
“My writing room?”
“The room upstairs, next to the nursery. That’s where you’ll finish your bestseller.”
She rolled her eyes.
“And what did I tell you?” he asked, grinning.
“What?”
“I told you your name was perfect. There are too many R.R.s already. The fantasy world needs an M M…a Cassandra M. M. Lucas.”
She bit her lip, fighting back fierce emotion.
“You’ll get there. Those fuckers in New York will buy your shit, and they will publish it.”
“Or what? You’re going to barge into their offices like you did Marshall’s, demanding I get a book deal?”
He buried his head in her chest. “Something like that.”
It was her turn to laugh. Only Jason Lucas would think “something like that” would actually work.
He looked up at her. “You gonna put it on?”
“Yes,” she whispered, running her thumb the length of his scar. “Yes.”
Actually, he put it on. And she took off her shirt. At this point, the black string-bikini top did nothing but hide her nipples, and her enlarged breasts drew Jase’s hands like a magnet.
“Mmmmm,” he growled, pulling both the cups to the side. He didn’t do anything but stare, though.
She rolled her hips atop his. “You plan on sealing the deal?”
He pecked one nipple, then the other. “After I’m done fishing.” He stood, dragging her with him.
“I can’t believe—”
“Do you remember the last time we were here?” he asked, covering her breasts.
Her mouth flew open. “This is the spot?”
He nodded. “Close enough. Remember what I told you I was going to do to you on that bow?” She nodded slowly. “I never got the chance,” he said, cupping her face.
“You’re not really going wading are you?”
He brushed his lips against hers. “Hell no. Too much to lose, baby. You go sunbathe. I want to watch you from the back of the boat, and when I feel like I’m about to explode, I’m coming for you.”
“Just…hurry.”
“Take the top off, and don’t forget to flip…uh, as much as you can. I’ll be watching.”
The man remembered everything. And as she watched him cast into the bay, she, too, remembered. She remembered the first time she ever saw him, looking like a roughneck fantasy come to life. In that moment, she never could have imagined she’d be here, stretched out across the bow of his boat, her hand resting atop the child they’d created together.
Jase wasn’t a fantasy, but what they had sometimes felt like one. They’d fallen in love and battled darkness to save that love. Though not unscathed, they’d found their happy ending.
For evermore.
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Acknowledgments
The first person I’d like to thank is my husband, who learned long ago that “I’m almost done with this chapter” means nothing of the sort. I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for all the dinners, dishes and homework assignments you handled while I was busy with rewrites, edits and more edits. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my dreams. You inspire me and make me a better person. You will, always and forever, be my hero.
To my agent, Nicole Resciniti, who saw something she liked in that very first draft and opened the door for me. Your advice has always been spot-on and your encouragement priceless, especially during those moments I felt like throwing in the towel. Thank you for sticking this out with me and pushing me to become a better writer.
To my editor, Tera Cuskaden, who answers texts like a boss. Thank you for your patience with all my newbie questions and writer neuroses. Thank you for taking that chance on me and for all the work you’ve put into getting this bad boy out there. I can’t wait to do this all over again!
To all the awesome folks at Entangled, who have made me feel like a part of the family. A big shout-out to Riki, Shayla, Crystal, and Melanie for the smokin’ cover and all the magic that happens behind the scenes.
To Summer and Lydia, friends first, beta readers second. Your support and encouragement mean the world.
And last, but certainly not least, to my parents, who continue to nurture my talents and always, always, have my back, no matter what shenanigans I get into.
About the Author
Rya Stone grew up in a ranching family along the beautiful Texas coast, where she still lives with her husband and three children. After earning a B.A. in English, she spent a decade in the oil field. She now spends her days crafting stories full of protective, alpha heroes, smart, feisty heroines and sexy, suspenseful plots. Caught Up is her debut novel and the first book in the Roughneck Romance series.
Check her out on the web at:
www.ryastonerocks.com
www.facebook.com/Rya-Stone
www.twitter.com/AuthorRyaStone
www.instagram.com/author_ryastone
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