He was so on edge, so ready, so close, and he needed her, needed her so desperately, had been lost without her, wanting so badly to have her back in his arms, to claim her once and for all, permanently.
She nipped at his jawline. “I missed this.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea.”
“Don’t ever leave me again.”
“Never.”
She released a moan as he claimed her the way he’d dreamed, branding her, branding himself.
Her head fell back, and the ends of her hair tickled his thighs. Even that served as a stimulant. But then, everything about her delighted him. And that’s the way it should be. A man and wife should see the best in each other, should work together, should enjoy each other.
Solo would never take this woman for granted. He would never forget the beauty of her heart. And he would always strive to be the man she needed. They wouldn’t just have a life together. They would have a future and a hope.
“Oh, Solo,” she cried. “Yes!”
In an instant, pleasure slammed into him, undeniable, uncontrollable, and he shouted her name.
She collapsed on his chest, panting.
His wife, he thought, content. Their sweat-drenched skin rubbed together, and utter contentment overflowed inside him. She had given him everything she had to give, and he would cherish her always.
There was only one thing left unfinished.
“I hate to bring this up now,” he said after he’d caught his breath. He traced his fingers along her spine. “But I have to work one more case before I can become a full-time farmer.”
“Smart man, waiting until I was too weak to move.” There was no condemnation in her tone. Only amusement.
“Exactly.”
“You plan to search for your friends,” she said.
“Yes.”
“I understand, and, like I told you before, I can even help. I met some pretty shady characters at the circus, and even tried to buy a new identity from one. Of course, he raised the price the more time that passed, causing me to have to raise more and more funds, but that’s okay. The wait brought you to my door.”
“Something I will be forever thankful for.” He kissed her temple. One day, he would replace all her bad memories with good. She would look back and smile, only smile.
“We’ll find them,” she said. “Don’t worry.”
“I know we will. Together, we can do anything.”