“How did you get him to start using that cane?” Rafe asked Lilia.

“I finally put my foot down.” Her smile gleamed. She looked as though she’d just conquered Mount Everest. “I told him I was out of here if he didn’t start taking better care of himself.”

Her soft gaze rested on his father. Was that love in her eyes? Rafe wasn’t sure. He inhaled and let out the air in a slow stream. Now or never.

“I need to talk to you two.”

“About what, son?”

“About…us, I guess. Lilia and me.” He cleared his throat. “I think it’s time to end the marriage.”

Lilia and his father looked at each other. Neither seemed fazed. What was going on?

His father lifted his gaze to Rafe. “Could I ask why?”

“I’ve…been thinking. A lot, actually. I was young when I agreed to this, and at the time I didn’t think I’d ever want to marry or have kids. I’ve changed my mind.”

“Oh,” Jack said.

“But don’t worry. I’ve talked to a lawyer, and Lilia will be able to keep her green card since we were married more than three years. It’s all worked out.”

“How much will it cost?” Lilia asked.

“The filing fees, of course. Other than that, nothing. I’ll owe Dallas McCray a big favor, but nothing, for now.” He grinned. “Maybe I can give his kids riding lessons or something. I’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t like you beholden to anyone, boy,” Jack said. “We Grayhawks find our own way.”

“Finding our own way sometimes means accepting help when it’s offered,” Rafe said. “Then we help others in return.”

“He’s right, Jack,” Lilia said. “If I hadn’t accepted help from your family, where would I be today?” She smiled. “Besides, it’ll solve our little problem.”

Rafe widened his eyes. “What problem would that be?”

“Come here, honey,” Jack said to Lilia, and she went to him and perched on his good knee.

Ah, so that’s how it is.

“We’ve fallen in love, son,” Jack said. “It’s been coming for some time. So Lilia won’t have to worry about keeping her green card, because as soon as your marriage is dissolved, I plan to make an honest woman out of her.”

“That’s wonderful.” Rafe’s heart warmed. He couldn’t have asked for this to work out any better. “I’m happy for both of you.”

“What about you?” Jack asked. “Is there a lady in your life? Why this sudden interest in making yourself available?”

Angie’s image appeared in Rafe’s mind. Beautiful Angie, who kissed him like a temptress and made his knees weak with a mere look. Lovely Angie. Engaged Angie.

“Not at the moment,” he said.

“What about that Angelina Bay? Tom and that pretty Amber sure tried hard to keep me from seeing you on the dance floor with her.”

Rafe laughed. Nothing got past his father. “Angie is a remarkable woman,” Rafe said. “But she’s too old for me.”

“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number.” Jack gazed at the woman in his lap. “Right, honey?”

“Right,” she agreed.

Rafe sighed. “No matter what her age, she can’t be mine. She belongs to someone else.”

“Oh.” Jack’s eyes drooped a little. “I just thought—I mean the two of you looked so—”

Rafe simply shook his head.

“I’m sorry, son.”

“It’s okay. We’re from two different worlds, anyway. But my woman’s out there somewhere. In the meantime, I’m glad you found yours.” He meant those words with his whole heart.

As he left to go back to town, he wondered if he’d ever find his own.

He had a sneaking suspicion he’d already found her.

Too bad she’d never be his.

---

“What are you doing here?”

Rafe’s deep timbre voice cut through Angie like a saw through a giant redwood. She swallowed. “I still need to learn to ride, don’t I? I’m going to be a rancher’s wife. You’ll still be paid the price we agreed upon.” She smoothed Belle’s mane. “Besides, my horse is here.”

Rafe grabbed the bandana out of his pocket and wiped his face. “I figured our lessons were over. You haven’t been here in a while.”

“I’ve had other things to do, as you know. My father just died.”

“Yes, I know.” He put the handkerchief back in his pocket. “But aren’t you getting married day after tomorrow?”

She swallowed again. The thought nauseated her. “Yes. So it’s safe to say I won’t be here for a lesson tomorrow. I am, however, here today.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. We have a deal. Go ahead and bring her out.”

Rafe saddled Adonis, and they led the horses to the practice area once again. He helped her mount.

“You obviously did fine with walking and trotting the other day.”

“Yes, but I used the reins.”

“I know. We’ll work on getting you to use your body more so you aren’t in her mouth so much. Go ahead and do the circles I taught you last time, only this time, don’t hold onto the reins at all.”

“At all?” Fear gripped her. Silly, she knew. She’d hardly used the reins the last lesson. Still, they were kind of a security blanket.

“Don’t be frightened. I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen.”

His voice soothed her like a cup of steaming chamomile. As though it could take all the bad away and keep her safe forever.

But it couldn’t. Rafe couldn’t.

At least she could have him for riding lessons. Spending this small amount of time with him might get her through the next few days. She hoped, anyway.

He’d stopped trying to explain about his marriage. At this point, it didn’t matter. He couldn’t save her ranch for her, so she’d marry someone else and live without love. It had worked for her parents. They’d grown fond of each other, and they’d respected each other. They’d had two more children, and she knew her mother had suffered several miscarriages between Harper and Catie—one of the reasons they were nine years apart. So sex had worked between them. They no doubt enjoyed it. Sex was fun with anyone, right? She’d enjoyed it with Zach McCray and with others.

But she’d been attracted to everyone she’d had sex with. She was not attracted to Frank Longhorn. He was a nice guy. A genuine guy. A man who genuinely adored her.

More than she could say for the magnificent man with her now.

Why, oh why, does he have to be married? And why, oh why, didn’t he tell me before we…

She shook her head. No use ruminating. She’d done herself a disservice coming here today. She’d only prolonged her agony.

Today would be her last riding lesson. Her last riding lesson with Rafe, at least. She’d still learn to ride. She’d promised her daddy, and she meant to keep that promise. She’d be a rancher’s wife, after all.

Rafe worked both her and Belle hard, and by the end of the long lesson, her thighs and buttocks were sore and miserable.

“I’m going over to Catie’s pool and sit in the hot tub,” she said.

“Okay, have a nice time.”

“Want to come?” she blurted out before she could stop herself. Damn. Not the way to fall out of love Rafe Grayhawk.

“I’m on the clock, sorry.”

“Yes, of course. I know that. But…Chad took Catie into Denver for a pregnancy checkup.”

“Wish I could. Can’t.”

“I understand.”

He nodded. “Go ahead and get Belle situated. I’ll see you Monday for your lesson, I guess. By then you’ll be Mrs. Longhorn.”

She shook her head. “I won’t be coming back. This will be my last lesson.”

“Thought you said you needed to learn to ride. You being a rancher’s wife and all.”

“True. I will need lessons. But I’ll find someone else. Seeing you…it’s too…” Too what? Too hard? Too sad? Too much like stabbing herself in the heart?

All of the above.

“You interested in hearing me out yet?”

She shook her head. “What would be the point? I’m marrying Frank. I have to.”

“Damn it, Angie, you don’t have to do anything.”

“You don’t understand. I can’t lose my ranch. I just can’t. I don’t have anything else.”

“You’d have—” He stopped.

“What?”

“Never mind. Enjoy your dip.” He tipped his hat, removed it, and wiped his face. “On second thought, I might just join you after all. Chad always says the pool is at our disposal if we need it, long as we warn Catie we’re comin’. Since she’s not home, I guess that rule doesn’t apply.”

Her heart leaped. He’d come with her. She recalled their previous time at the pool when he’d driven her crazy and then left. How she’d hungered for him to finish what he started. And finished he had, the next day.

They didn’t talk as they tended the horses, and then made their way to the pool house. Angie’s nipples were straining against her bra by the time they got there. Rafe’s arousal was evident beneath his jeans.

Such a beautiful man. With such a beautiful body. Even his golden bronze cock was beautiful.

Would Frank’s be beautiful?

Shivers raced down her spine. She didn’t want to find out. Why was she thinking about him anyway? She’d enjoy this last hurrah with Rafe. It was just a date in the pool and hot tub after all. Nothing dishonest about that.

He’d left her in the pool house to change. She grabbed her red bikini off the hook and undressed.

Why did she need the bikini? It’s not like that hadn’t seen each other naked before. And no one was home. Chad and Catie would be gone all day…

She hung the suit back on the hook and stepped out of the pool house buck naked.

Rafe’s eyes turned to dinner plates.

Good, good. Just what I wanted. “I figured you wouldn’t have a suit here, so I didn’t want to make you feel bad.”

“God, baby. Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” Good, let him squirm. Let him see what he’d be missing. Let him imagine her using her body to pleasure Frank Longhorn in bed.

He stalked toward her like a wolf scenting his mate. “Damn you.” He grabbed her and pulled her to him, crushing her body to his.

Their lips met in a frenzy of teeth and tongues.

She gasped, her heart beating so hard against her chest she knew he must be able to feel it. “You have too many clothes on.”

“Damn right I do.” He shed them quickly.

Her skin tingled as he bared himself. So gorgeous, a sculptor’s dream. A painter’s fantasy. Though she had no artistic talent, Angie was sure Rafe could inspire her to create a masterpiece.

She dropped to her knees, the cement of the pool deck grating into her skin. She didn’t care. She needed that beautiful cock in her mouth.

Sweet, stiff hardness. She licked the head, sucked on it, trailed tiny kisses down to the base of his shaft.

“God, baby.” His voice cracked.

“Mmm, you like?” she teased.

“I like.” He grabbed the back of her head. “Take me. Take all of me.”

She obliged, taking as much of him as she could into her mouth. Pleasure ripped through her. He stroked her hair, keeping to her rhythm, never rushing her, moving with her, guiding her in his pleasure. Giving oral had never been her favorite part of sex. Rafe changed that.

“Baby, baby, yes, yes.” His voice drifted over her, a soothing caress.

No man had ever ejaculated in her mouth. She’d never even considered it, thought it too…too… She wasn’t sure. But she was sure right now. She wanted that from Rafe.

She continued to torment him, adding her hands so she could pleasure his entire massive length at once.

“Baby, slow down. I don’t want to… God, slow down.”

Not in this lifetime. She wanted this more than she wanted to breathe. She continued her assault, faster, faster, faster…

Until pulses began beneath her tongue.

“God, baby, I can’t stop it—” He panted, his breath coming in rapid gasps.

She continued, hoping he knew it was okay. Hoping he would give her this gift that she’d treasure always. Hoping—

He came with a gush over her tongue. The salty tang of him slid over the roof of her mouth, down her throat.

She shivered. This was the most erotic experience of her life. She’d never forget it.

Never.

And she knew in the depths of her being, she’d do this for no other man. Ever.

She pulled away from him. Rafe’s gaze was upon her, staring down at her with lust and anticipation.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

She shook her head and smiled, only now realizing the pain in her knees. “Don’t be. I wanted it. I wanted to do that for you.”

“It was amazing.”

“For me too.”

He pulled her to him. “I hope you don’t think we’re done.”

“You mean?”

“Hell, yes. I may not be eighteen anymore, but you affect me like no other woman. Let’s go sit in that tub and soothe your sore muscles, and I’ll show you exactly what I’m capable of.”

She couldn’t wait.