“I know exactly what I want. Do you?” Seth challenged.
She pressed her body to his, and he could feel the heat even when both of them were soaked to the bone. “I want to go home, Sheriff.”
This time, her home wouldn’t be someplace three thousand miles away. This time her home would be with him.
Chapter Twenty-One
Presley hummed Christmas carols along with the music drifting from her iPod dock. She wanted to surprise Seth by finishing the decorating of their cozy log home before his shift ended.
Their home.
She liked how it sounded. When they’d arrived back in Montana last week after three days of driving, Seth had stomped up the stairs to her tiny apartment and helped her pack her belongings. She’d moved out and never looked back. She’d thought she might be depressed finding out her sister was a murderer but Seth’s family and Eliza were determined to show Presley she belonged in Harper. She hadn’t mourned the tragic end to her family long. She would, however, probably have to go back and testify against Nora at some point. It wasn’t something Presley relished but at least she wasn’t hiding out anymore.
Now she was wearing naughty red silk lingerie and trying to string lights and pine garland on the mantle. Seth had been working so hard this last week, giving his deputies time off since they’d covered for him. He had tonight and tomorrow off and she wanted nothing more than to spend time with him, make love, and watch the Broncos on television.
“Now that’s what I like to come home to.” Seth’s wolf whistle made her whirl around. He was standing in the doorway looking like the God of Sex in his uniform. “A gorgeous woman in lingerie under twinkling Christmas lights. Hell, we even have an angel choir in the background.”
Presley let her gaze wander up and down the man she loved. He was hotter than sin and she loved to look at him. His wide shoulders and flat stomach were emphasized by the tailoring of his shirt and his jeans cupped his perfect ass as if they were made especially for him. She had the perfect vantage point to see his ass as he turned to hang his coat by the door. His grin was wicked and his hand went straight to his cowboy hat. He tossed it through the air, across the living room, and it landed perfectly on the back of the sofa. He did that every night, much to Presley’s amusement. Her man was really loosening up and having some fun.
“You scared me.” Presley put her hands on her hips. “Sneaking up on a poor, defenseless woman like that.”
Seth’s eyebrows shot up. “Defenseless? Baby, you are about as far from defenseless as you can be. The mightiest of men shake in their boots at the mere mention of your name.”
Katie Johnson had been declared dead after the car bombing and Presley didn’t want the name back anyway. She was more Presley than Katie. She probably always had been.
“Does that include you, Sheriff?” Presley teased. She draped the strands of lights behind her neck like a feather boa. “Do you shake in your boots?”
Seth glanced down at his black cowboy boots with a mock scowl. “Maybe, if I did something really scary.”
“Running from hit men wasn’t scary enough for you?”
Seth walked toward her and she felt the rush of love and passion she always did when he was close. He smelled delicious and his clean, masculine scent wrapped around her. It never ceased to make her feel calm and centered. He was her rock and she was his roll, as she liked to tease him.
“I was thinking about doing something far scarier than that, honey.” He stopped right in front of her and captured her chin in his fingers, tilting her head so she was looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. They were soft and loving and she felt her entire body fill with warmth at what she saw there.
It was true love.
She placed her hands on his chest and his heart was beating faster than normal. “You seem excited, Sheriff. Are you in the mood for something in particular? Shall we head in to the bedroom?”
He didn’t answer. Instead he fell onto one knee, holding her hands in his large ones. She sucked in a breath as she realized what was about to happen. He was either planning to beg for her to fix dinner or propose. Her heart beat wildly at the thought of the latter.
“Seth, what are you doing?” she asked slowly. If he didn’t propose now after this big show she was going to be really disappointed.
Seth looked up at her. “Presley Lawson, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I think you would agree, the time we have been together has been intense.” She couldn’t argue there. She nodded in agreement. “I love you and you love me. I figure if I don’t get a ring on your finger quick, well, there’s no telling what else might happen. You’re walking trouble, honey, and I’m just the man to enjoy it.”
Presley’s eyebrow lifted but joy started to build in her stomach making it flutter and dance. “Enjoy it or tolerate it? You don’t like chaos, remember?”
Seth stood up but didn’t let go of her hands. “I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe being in control all the damn time isn’t as great as I thought it was. I love you.” Seth dug into his pocket with one hand and pulled out a small velvet box. “Will you marry me? Love me and have a family with me?”
The world tilted and the room spun. Presley threw herself into Seth’s arms, laughing and kissing him everywhere she could reach.
“Yes! Yes! I love you so much! Yes!” His arms wrapped around her and she felt safe, warm, and loved. His lips found hers and she was lost to the passion between them, her body responding as it always did to his patient loving. When he lifted his head, she was breathless and he was grinning ear to ear.
“I thought it might take the ring to seal the deal.” He pulled away just enough to flip open the top of the box with his thumb. “Let’s get this on your finger, honey, so I know it’s official.” The beauty of the princess-cut solitaire brought tears to her eyes. Seth certainly made her feel like a princess so it was very appropriate. He slid it on her finger, and her hand shook with excitement. He bent to kiss the knuckle. “No changing your mind. This is forever.”
She nodded, hardly able to make out his face through the tears. “Forever, Seth. I promise. Not one day less.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He lifted her up and carried her over by the tree, placing her on her feet. He grabbed some pillows and a blanket from the couch and tossed them on the floor before hitting the power switch on the wall. The room was now bathed in the most romantic glow from the fireplace and the tiny multi-colored bulbs of the Christmas tree. He lifted the light strand from her neck and found the end with the plug. He held it up and she frowned, not sure what he was going to do with it. He knelt under the tree and found the power strip, plugging the strand in so it lit up in his hands. “Lie down, honey. We’re going to make love next to this Christmas tree.”
She couldn’t think of anything she wanted to do more. She settled on the cushions and reached up for him but he laughed and shook his head.
“You touch me and this is going to be all over with too quickly. I want to take my time.” He lifted her arms over her head and wrapped the strand of lights around her wrists and then around the leg of a chair, effectively restraining her. If she pulled hard enough, she knew the strand would give way but instead she relaxed, tugging at the bonds slightly. It was secure enough to give her a reminder if she tried to bring her hands down.
His rough hands glided over her flesh, bringing goose bumps to the surface and making her shiver in response. He flicked open the butterfly clip between her breasts and pushed the lace cups away so she was exposed to his gaze. “Beautiful. Just beautiful.” His hands slid to her hips and he tugged her panties down her legs, tossing the scrap of lace and silk over his shoulder.
He reached into the box of decorations forgotten at the foot of the tree and pulled out a handful of silver tinsel, dangling it above her breasts. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip as he swirled the strands around and around the nipples, back and forth between them, until they were hard and tight.
Presley’s cu
nt clenched in anticipation and honey dripped down her thigh as he moved the strands up and down her stomach, then up to her shoulders and neck, and back down to her hips. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her quivering abdomen, her breathing shallow as the blood began to burn in her veins.
He dragged the strands down her thighs and then up along the sensitive skin near her pussy. He did it over and over, every time coming closer to her slit but not quite. She was about to scream when he brushed the tinsel over her clit, sending pleasure to every receptor in her shaking body.
Her eyes drifted closed as he tortured the nub, bringing her close to orgasm but never letting her go over. Every muscle was tense and poised for release when instead of the tinsel she felt his mouth close over the swollen button. She arched her back, frozen for a moment. When her climax hit her, she screamed Seth’s name, the waves radiating from her center relentlessly until she was limp and drained.
Her eyelids fluttered open and Seth had divested himself of his clothing and was kneeling between her thighs with nothing on but a smile. A condom package dangled from his fingers.
“Is my future wife ready for me? What does she want?”
His voice was deep and it sent tingles up her spine. She couldn’t believe she was going to get a lifetime with Seth.
“Fuck me,” she hissed. “I need you. Fuck me.” Her voice wasn’t as smooth as his, but he didn’t seem to mind. He tore open the condom with his teeth and rolled it on his cock. She slid her thighs further apart in entreaty. Presley wanted, no, needed, his big cock pounding them both to heaven and beyond. He positioned himself on his elbows, the head of his cock nudging her cunt.
Just as he leaned down to kiss her, he surged forward, thrusting into her waiting and welcoming pussy.
“Yes!” She cried out against his mouth. His tongue traced her lips as his cock pistoned inside of her, each stroke sending her higher and higher until they were floating above the living room and tumbling in the clouds. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer and tighter so each time he thrust in, his groin rubbed her already sensitive clit. She was ready to go off like a firecracker again.
Seth’s head was thrown back and his jaw was tight as he pumped in and out of her, the pressure growing in her lower abdomen. His mouth dipped down and suckled at a nipple. It sent ripples straight to her cunt and she tightened around him, silently urging him on to completion.
His strokes sped up and the coil wound tightly inside her finally sprung free. Lights danced in front of her eyes and waves of pleasure roared through her from head to toe. Her pussy clamped down on his cock and he groaned as he too fell over the edge. His forehead was covered with beads of sweat as he thrust into her one last time, his face contorted with ecstasy. She loved watching him as he fucked her, the emotions flitting across his handsome features fascinating her. Each time they made love, she fell more deeply under his spell.
As they came slowly down to earth, Presley realized she’d pulled her hands free. She wrapped them around his shoulders when he would have moved away.
“Not yet. One minute more.”
He dropped a kiss on her nose. “One minute, then I need to take care of the condom.”
“I can’t wait to spend my life with you. Thanks for keeping me alive long enough to do it.”
His laughter rumbled in his chest. “Thanks for saying yes. Were you surprised or did you know it was coming?”
She giggled and wrapped a leg around one of his, the rough hair scratching against her skin. “Couldn’t you tell? I was shocked.”
This time he did move away with a sigh. “I’ll be right back.” He padded into the bathroom and was back in a few moments, cuddling under the blanket with her. “I’d planned to ask you on Christmas actually, but I couldn’t wait.”
She idly stroked his chest. “I’m glad you didn’t. Seth?” Presley levered up on her elbow so she could look into his eyes. “Everything has been pretty exciting up to now. What if you get bored?”
“I doubt that will happen, honey.” Seth smiled and shook his head.
“How do you know? It could happen.” He thought he knew everything, for heaven’s sake. He was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“I don’t think it will. You know when I went into the bathroom to dispose of the condom?” He cupped her jaw in his warm hands. “It was broken, honey. We might be parents in nine months.”
She shook her head. “What? Broken? Huh?” She couldn’t even string a sentence together. Her brain was buzzing with his words.
Seth laughed. “You wanted a family. Looks like we might get one. I knew you were trouble. Mom and Dad are going to be thrilled.”
Presley dug her fingers into his shoulders, her heart starting to swell with love. “Will you be thrilled?”
He got nose to nose with her. “Honey, I can’t think of anything that would make me happier. We better get married quick. Lord knows what might happen next. I need to be prepared for anything with you.”
Presley grinned. “We can name him Elvis.”
“We’re not naming him Elvis.” Seth shook his head.
“Elvis Aaron Reilly.” Presley sighed in contentment. “It has a ring to it.”
“We’re not naming him Elvis,” Seth repeated. He was frowning now.
“If it’s a girl we can name her Priscilla.” Presley was really starting to enjoy herself. Seth pulled her into his arms.
“Let’s keep our options open. I love you but I’m not a pushover.”
She giggled and let herself melt in his arms. “No, you’re not. I love you, Seth Reilly. I’ll name our baby anything you want.”
Seth rolled his eyes. “I know you won’t stay this cooperative so I’ll enjoy it while I can.” She snuggled closer to him, the lights of the tree casting multi-colored shadows over the room and Harry Connick, Jr. singing on the iPod about snow.
Life was a funny thing. She’d had to die to be born. She’d lived more in the last few months than all the years before combined. She’d found the love of her life while trying to stay alive. She had everything she’d ever dreamed of, all in a little town in Montana.
Epilogue
The next day, Seth strode into the roadhouse. It was Sunday morning and he hadn’t wanted to leave the warm bed and Presley’s soft body pressed up against his. It was only with supreme will he’d managed to wrench himself from her arms and make the drive to the meeting with his friends.
He sat down at the table, the stench of beer and cigarettes even stronger today than last time. With the falling temperatures, the doors stayed closed more and the smokers stayed inside. Tanner grinned and tossed him a can of soda, the only thing allowed to be served on a Sunday morning when the bar was closed.
“Well, you look in one piece. I’ve heard the story but most of the other guys haven’t. Why don’t you fill them in?”
Between sips of Pepsi, Seth reviewed everything that had happened. Reed was laughing when Seth came to the part about Nora and Presley in the pool. “Shit, was it cold?”
Seth shook his head. “Actually, no. Presley said the pool was heated but it was about seventy-five degrees outside to begin with.”
Griffin grinned. “Seventy-five in December. I could get used to that.”
“Anything new with the drug traffic in the area?” Seth asked. He was ready to change the subject. It felt like all he and Presley did was tell the story over and over to friends and family. The entire town probably knew the tale by now and had changed and embellished on it as well.
“I’ve had a particular issue in my area,” Tanner answered. “Drug-related crime is way up. It used to be my worst problem was with teenagers drinking and driving. Now I have to worry about them getting high on crystal meth.”
“I busted a meth lab just last week,” Logan declared. “A fucking meth lab in my little town. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Jared’s expression was dark. “This whole area is getting overrun. I don’t like it. I think we may need to ca
ll in some federal help.”
“At least the vigilante has been quiet in the last month,” Griffin offered. “That’s something to be grateful for.”
Tanner nodded. “Maybe he or she has moved on or worked whatever demons he had out of his system? I’d like to think that, but I doubt it. It’s rarely that easy.”
The rest of the meeting passed uneventfully and they all stood up to leave. Seth glanced at his watch, happy to see he had plenty of time to get home to watch football with Presley.
“Hot date?” Tanner laughed as they walked out into the cold. Five inches of snow was expected, with more later in the week.
“Presley and football.” Seth grinned. He was smiling like a fool all the damn time now but he couldn’t seem to help it.
“Sounds good. Hope you both have a good Christmas.”
“Thanks. You too, Tanner.” Seth gave his best friend a closer look. “You were quieter than usual today. Is everything okay?”
Tanner sighed and stared out at the road and the bleak landscape. “My ex-wife told me yesterday she’s getting remarried.”
Tanner had been divorced for almost eight years. Seth hadn’t realized his friend was still hung up on his ex. He slapped Tanner on the back.
“I’m sorry. That sucks, man.”
Tanner frowned and then grinned. “No, it’s not like you’re thinking. I’m not still in love with Abby. I have love for her. She’s the mother of my two children and she’s a good person, but I’m not in love with her anymore. She’s not breaking my heart or anything. Shit, Seth.” Tanner was openly laughing now.
“Then what’s the problem?” Seth groused. “You don’t know what to get her as a wedding gift? Go with the silver candlesticks.”
Tanner sobered. “The guy she’s marrying. I don’t know. There’s something about him that bugs me.”
“Did you say anything to her?” Seth shoved his cold hands in his pockets. Fuck, it was freezing out here.
Cowboy Command Page 24
