Nineteen months ago, Gage had enjoyed a very good time with Emma. But not this good. She was funnier, sexier, and dear God, could she turn up the heat.

She had him begging for mercy before she finally gave herself—and him—the gift of a deeply satisfying mutual orgasm. And she’d done it all while wearing his black hat.

He hadn’t been celibate for the past nineteen months, and naturally he’d worn that hat on dates. But he’d never suggested another woman put it on. Emma was the only one.

He staggered to the bathroom to ditch the condom and then returned to flop on the bed, still breathing as if he’d carried a football the length of the field. His hat was back on the bedpost and Emma lay beside him, as out of breath as he was.

Reaching for her hand, he interlaced their fingers and waited for his heartbeat to settle down. “Think we’ll ever get to the sandwiches and wine?” He looked over at her.

“We need to if we plan to keep this up.” She glanced at him and smiled. “Carbs would be helpful.”

“Then let’s make a plan. Once we have the energy to leave this bed, we’ll climb out and eat the sandwiches to keep up our strength.”

“And drink the wine. I’m glad you thought of bringing it.”

“I got a kick out of Michael. He wanted to make sure you’d like it. He asked if you’d rather have red or white. I didn’t know, but you seemed happy with the red Kendra served last night, so I—”

“Red is a great choice.”

“Good.”

Her brow puckered. “Then Michael knows you’re spending the night with me?”

“Not specifically, but it’s logical if I’m buying a bottle of wine to bring over here. That’s kind of a tell, especially since everyone in the family’s aware that my dad and Kendra are keeping Josh.” He held her gaze, not sure if mentioning the baby would set off a reaction.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“You look fine. Calm.”

“I am, now. Driving away from the ranch without him was very hard, though. If I hadn’t done my makeup before going over there, I could have pulled off the road and had a good cry. Or come back here and cried it out. That would have been better.”

He squeezed her hand. “You’ve never been through this. How could you know?”

“I do, now. First day of kindergarten, no eye makeup. Sunglasses.”

First day of kindergarten. What a sobering concept. Did she want him to be there? Did he want to be?

“Anyway, the potential for ruining my makeup turned into a straitjacket. I couldn’t cry so I convinced myself I didn’t need to. But after I texted you I got nervous about how tonight would go. I thought looking at videos would be a good distraction.”

“I’ll bet that part worked like a charm.”

“Sure did. I was too busy crying to worry about whether sex with you would be awkward after all this time.”

He smiled. “Which it wasn’t, at least not until I hobbled into the bathroom.”

“I don’t remember it being that funny before.”

“Like I said, your bedroom was darker and the distance to your bathroom was only about four feet. Here it’s more like eight or nine.”

“I don’t think you shoved your jeans and briefs down to your ankles the other times, either.”

“Sure I did.”

“No, I’m pretty sure you only pushed them far enough so you could put on the condom. I remember your jeans rubbing against my thighs and feeling the rough texture of the denim.”

“The rough texture you’re remembering was more likely my beard. Some nights I didn’t have a chance to shave before coming over to the bar to meet you. Then if I—”

“No, that was different.” Her eyes darkened. “I know what your beard feels like on my…thighs.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem tonight. I shaved right before I left the house.” And he had a very strong urge to engage in that activity. He had some vivid memories of making her come that way.

Her breathing changed. “We said we’d eat our dinner.”

“I have a different taste treat in mind.” He lifted her hand and began nibbling on her fingertips.

“You’re very good at this seduction business.” Her voice was husky. “So before I completely lose my mind, I’m going to request a raincheck on that very tempting suggestion.”

He stopped nibbling and met her gaze.

She took a deep breath, which made her breasts quiver invitingly. “Sharing our private little meal will be special, too.”

He was touched that she was looking forward to it. Still aroused as hell, but touched. “You’re right. Let’s get dressed.” Leaning over, he gave her a quick kiss. “If I eat everything on my plate, can I have dessert?”

She grabbed his head and pulled him down for a hot, wet kiss. Then she let him go. “Yes. You are without a doubt the sexiest man I’ve ever known.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He grinned at her as he climbed out of bed and reached for his clothes. “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.”

“Then that works out very nicely for both of us.”

As he was buttoning and zipping his jeans, he noticed an antique desk tucked into a cubby just big enough for it. He’d been so involved in Josh when he was here before, and Emma tonight, that he’d missed it entirely. A laptop sat on top of it.

He turned just as she finished putting on her slinky PJs. “Did you do some work today?”

“I did, while Josh was napping. That’s prime time to get stuff done.”

“What kinds of things do you do for your clients?”

“It varies.” She walked with him over to the kitchen. “It’s geared to individuals and small business owners. My most popular service is creating a robust online presence for those who don’t have the time or expertise to make that happen.”

“How do you do that?”

“I help them get out a newsletter, guide them through social media, teach them about online ads and write ad copy if they need me to, that kind of stuff.”

He leaned against the kitchen counter and gazed at her. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Taught myself some of it, found online resources for the rest. I’m still improving my skills, but these days you can learn almost anything if you have access to a computer.”

“Might not be able to learn to ride a horse that way.”

“That’s true, but you could get some pointers and watch a few videos so you wouldn’t go into it blind.”

He nodded. “I’ll grant you that. And teaching yourself enough to start a new business—that’s impressive, Emma.”

“Thank you.”

“I know a few people in Eagles Nest who might want to hire you, my dad being one. Thanks to Roxanne he has a website, but I doubt he sends out a newsletter or spends much time on social media.”

“I’d love to help him. Maybe when I come down next weekend I can talk to him about it. I’ll text you the URL for my website and you can show him that, see if he’s interested.”

“I will. Ready to eat?”

“You bet.” She glanced at the food sitting on the table. “I wasn’t paying much attention when I unwrapped these sandwiches, but they’re huge. Which is a good thing because I really am hungry.”

“And thirsty?” He picked up the wine from the counter and grabbed the two stemmed glasses he’d found earlier.

“For wine and water. I’ll get us some ice water if that sounds good.”

“Yes, please.” He poured the wine while she brought over two large water glasses and put those down at each place. “I noticed you lowered the blinds on the window.”

“I thought it was a good idea, considering. Want to put it up now that we’re semi-dressed?”

“Nope. I prefer the privacy.” He pulled out a chair for her. “I don’t know where you intended to sit, but this one has a view of the bed. That way you can contemplate our future activities while you eat.”

“That’s all well and good.” She slid into the chair. “But that gives you a view of the sink.”

“What sink?” He took the chair opposite her. “I don’t see any sink. I just see you.”

“You do have a way with words, Gage Sawyer.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’d rather have my way with you.”

She laughed. “I think you have, cowboy. Twice.”

“And we’re just getting started.”

“You might want to pace yourself. We’ve never had an entire night together.”

“Let’s toast that.” He picked up his wine glass. “To spending an entire night enjoying each other.”

“I’ll drink to that.” She touched her glass to his and drank. “And one more toast. To Quinn and Kendra, who made it possible.”

“I’ll definitely drink to them.” He took another swallow. “Good wine.”

“Very good. To Michael, who knows his wine.”

“Hear, hear.” He tapped his glass to hers and drank. “And to you, for being brave enough to bring Josh to Eagles Nest so I could have a chance to know my son.”

“I’m so glad I did.” She gazed at him over the rim of her glass. “And to you, for opening your heart to him.”

“That I have.” He raised his glass. “To us, for bringing such an awesome kid into this world.”

She lifted her glass, too. “And to Josh.”

“To our little family.” He held her gaze as he touched his glass to hers and drank. She didn’t repeat the toast, but she took a sip of her drink, which was kind of the same thing. He was starting to think of them as a family. Hard not to.

She put down her wine glass and gingerly picked up half of her sandwich. Pieces of lettuce, tomato and cheese tumbled out. “This will be a challenge.”

“I’m sure you’re up to it.” He scooped his hand under his sandwich.

“I’m sure I am, but it’s an advantage having big hands.”

“Not when you’re trying to thread a needle.”

“You sew?”

“I struggle with it, like when a button pops off. Takes me forever, but it’s either that or ditch the shirt.”

“I like knowing that you sew buttons back on. I wouldn’t have thought you’d bother.”

He chewed and swallowed a bite of his sandwich. “We could probably fill a book with what we don’t know about each other.”

“Not the usual situation for the parents of a child.”

“No, ma’am. But we can work on it.”

“Could take a while. But we have tonight as a start. What do you think your dad and Kendra had in mind when they suggested it? I know they wanted to keep Josh, but—”

“I think they also did it to give us a chance to spend time alone, see what the dynamic is when Josh isn’t here.”

“It’s a good idea.”

He grinned. “Awesome idea.”

“And not just because of that.”

“I know. Couldn’t resist. But it is nice to have a chance to talk about stuff, like your work, which I had no clue about. It’s cool the way you switched gears. Do you like it?”

“Even more than I expected. I set my own hours and I can grow the business as I have more time to devote to it. Bartending had no future unless I wanted to own a bar, which I don’t.”

“I can see the appeal of being self-employed. Roxanne and Wes seem to like it. Guess I always wanted the security of that paycheck.”

“Then you must feel really secure right now if you decided to take time off.”

“I am, but it’s starting to gnaw on me a little that money’s going out and nothing’s coming in except for the investments. I’ll probably go job-hunting soon.” He finished off his wine and picked up the bottle. “Can I top off your glass?”

“Sure. Thanks. What will you be looking for?”

He refilled their glasses. “Ranch work, most likely. I like the satisfaction of putting in a day of hard physical labor. I’ve about run out of projects at Dad’s place. But I don’t want to just get a job. I want it to be part of a plan.”

“What kind of plan?”

He gazed at her. “It’s still in the formulating stage.”

“I see.”

She probably did. He wasn’t known for making firm plans or commitments so this was new territory for him. He couldn’t claim to be adept at it.

But she had to suspect she and Josh were factors in whatever vague concepts he’d come up with. And how did she view his sudden appearance in her life? Did she even want a guy around? Had she dated?

That last question was nosy, but, what the hell. “You don’t have to answer this, but your life seems to revolve around Josh. Have you dated at all?”

“No.”

A knot of tension loosened in his gut. “Why not?”

“It’s way too complicated a concept for me right now. I don’t want to waste my time with somebody unless they’re totally on board with the idea of Josh. Which means I have to like them, Josh has to like them—”

“Doesn’t he like everybody?”

“More or less, which leaves me with the giant responsibility of figuring out if someone sincerely adores my kid or is faking it to make a good impression on me.”

“But you’re good at reading people. I’ve watched you at the bar. You’d have a guy pegged in seconds.”

“Thank you. I’d like to think I’d know, but the stakes are so high now that I have Josh. It’s easier to table my social life than take a chance.”

“I can understand that.”

She gazed at him. “You’re looking extremely pleased.”

“This is a delicious sandwich and really good wine. The company is outstanding. With all that going on, what kind of sourpuss wouldn’t look pleased?”

“Admit it, Gage. You’re happy I haven’t dated anyone. Although I’ll bet you have.”

“I have, but I didn’t—well, never mind. Yes, I’m happy that you haven’t dated, which is not very evolved of me. You have every right to date. I should want you to find someone who’s wonderful in bed and crazy about you and Josh.”

“Yes, you should.” She regarded him with a smile on those sweet lips.

“You know, it’s the funniest thing, but when I drove up to Great Falls last week, it never crossed my mind that you’d have somebody else.”

She blinked, but then she started laughing. “You do realize how arrogant that is, right?”

“Well, I suppose that’s one way of—”

“You assumed I couldn’t possibly be satisfied with another man after I’d been with the amazing Gage Sawyer.”

“Yeah, that’s extremely arrogant. I’m not proud of thinking that way. It’s a failing.” He grinned. “But is it true?”

“None of your business.”