Terra awakened sometime later, her gaze landing on Dylan’s torso. She could see from the clock on the bedside table they’d slept a few hours with the light still on.

He cradled her hand against his chest, and she luxuriated in his heat and hardness. His hard right thigh pressed between her legs. He moved with a deep sigh, and she shifted in his arms enough to prop on her elbow. The sexual hunger in his eyes burned right through her and started a building need. She glanced down and saw the obvious evidence of his erection through his sweats. Her face heated. That he could want her this much just reinforced everything she felt at this moment. He closed his eyes and gently untangled from her. He sat up. When he stood up and placed his hands on his hips, he drew in a deep breath and let it out.

She eased off the bed to stand beside him. “What’s wrong?”

He looked down at her. “I vowed to keep my hands off you. I’m not going to pressure you into anything when today we could’ve both died.”

“Oh, God. Is that what you think? That you’re pressuring me if you…” She shook her head and placed her hands on his chest. “Dylan, I think it’s time for some plain talk.”

His eyes looked a little tormented. “It is.”

“I did want to keep things professional between us before. Because I was stubborn. I wanted to keep my distance because of my experiences with Allan. But that was wrong of me. Stupid, in fact. You’re nothing like Allan.”

He sighed. “I’m glad you realize that.”

“And I’m sorry I ever used what he did to judge you.”

“It’s all right. I don’t blame you. You were gun shy.”

There was more an she knew it. “There’s something other than…this thing between us that’s worrying you. What is it?”

He cupped her shoulders and looked down at her. “I didn’t protect you today. I—”

“Uh-uh!” She held one hand up. “Don’t say it. I know you’re not the kind of man who thinks a woman is weak and can’t take care of herself.”

Now he looked a bit irritated. “Of course not. You’ve certainly more than proven that.”

“Wait.” Understanding finally hit her upside the head. “It’s because you didn’t save that woman who was kidnapped. But that’s crazy, Dylan.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, damn it. You did everything in your power to save that woman. You gave a good description of the man who took her. You helped catch her killer. Please don’t beat yourself up about what happened today.”

“I let that asshole get the drop on me. I was supposed to protect you. If Fletch decides to kick my ass, I’ll probably just let him.”

Determination built up inside her. She couldn’t let him think this was his fault. “He got the drop on all of us. Everyone. But he’s going to prison again and he’s not getting out this time if I can help it.”

He cupped her face, tilted her up so she couldn’t look away even if she’d wanted to. The depth of emotion she saw in his handsome face tore her up inside in a whole new way.

“Terra, if anything had happened to you…look, I know we haven’t known each other more than a few days, but I’m absolutely crazy about you.”

Happiness blossomed inside her. “Flattery will get you everywhere. And I’m crazy about you. When Allan shot you…” She palmed his chest, delighting in the wonderful feeling of his strength. “That was the most terrible feeling in the world. If you’d died, I would’ve killed him myself and worried about the consequences later. The way you saved his life, now that was heroic, Dylan Westcott. Being a hero isn’t all macho shoot-em-up.”

He made a small smile and moved even closer to her. “God, you’re the most magnificent woman I’ve ever met.”

“Keep saying things like that and…”

“Yeah?”

She decided showing him would be better than talking his ear off endlessly. She slid her arms around his neck, and brought Dylan down for a hungry kiss. Immediately he took the kiss deep, his tongue plunging deep. Her heart accelerated, her pulse trying to keep the pace. His erection pressed against her, and in that moment she wanted nothing more than him inside her. The burn built kiss by kiss as his touch slid over her sides and down to her butt. He cupped her, pulling her tighter against his erection. She writhed in excitement. She’d never felt anything so right. So much heated desire as it pooled low in her belly and spread between her legs. Her breasts tingled, nipples hard as she writhed a little in his hold. When he tore his mouth from hers and kissed a path down her neck, she shivered in ecstasy. She’d never felt anything so good before. No man’s touch had ever moved her the way his did.

She reached between them and undid the knot at the waistband of his sweatpants, and all bets were off. Dylan worked the buttons on her flannel top until he spread the shirt open. His gazed upon her naked breasts, and her breath caught at the hunger in his eyes. He cupped her with a worshipful touch.

Moment spilled into moment as he tasted her inch by inch, working his way down to her breasts. Sharp, tingling heat filled her left nipple as he gently licked, then sucked her tender flesh. The desire built fast, overwhelming in proportions until she couldn’t take it any longer. They could do slow later.

“Now,” she said, her breath coming out in a pant.

“Yes.”

He released her long enough for them to discard the rest of their clothes. Stripped, they stared at each other for a moment. He was the most magnificent male she’d ever seen, his body ready for her worship. His thick erection stood at attention. The scorching look he gave her left no doubt he loved what he saw. Dylan went to the bathroom, and through the open door she could see he rummaged in his utility kit. A moment later he came out with a handful of condoms. He put one on, tossed the rest on the nightstand, and then drew her into his arms.

He spread the fire downward, tasting her breasts and stomach, peppering little kisses over her flesh. When he reached her core, he placed a worshipful kiss to her softest flesh.

She gasped. “Dylan.”

One sweet lick and she almost saw stars.

Seconds later he lifted Terra, and her legs automatically went around his waist. His male power excited her. Hot.

As they kissed he steered them to the wall. Then he touched where she wanted him the most. Drew back. Thrust slowly. She gasped as all that thick hardness moved into her. She tilted her head back against the wall, shivering with pleasure as he pushed until he could go no further.

“Dylan.”

“Okay.”

“So good.”

They didn’t wait any longer. She moved against him, begging without words for more. He thrust. Again. Again. The beat started slow, and each inward stroking built her fire until she was moaning softly, over and over.

“More,” she gasp.”

“Yes.”

He moved faster, taking her with deeper, harder plunges until she couldn’t stop begging him for more. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Until the fire inside built so high she couldn’t take another moment. The ache rose. The throbbing excitement expanded, breaking her apart as she muffled her screaming climax against his shoulder. With a few more plunges Dylan broke against her, his male shout of satisfaction ending in a snarl of pleasure. They panted in each other’s arms.

When she opened her eyes, he was still deep inside her. “Dylan that was…”

He kissed her forehead. “I know.”

And for awhile there wasn’t anything more that needed to be said.

One Year Later

“My wife, my beautiful wife Terra, is everything I’ve ever wanted. She grounds me in a way no person has before. With her I’m safe, just as she is with me. She’s taught me a lot about toughness, what it means to be a good person who is generous and kind. She’s made me a better man, even though she claims I’m the one that made her a better woman. Whatever the case may be, I’m never gonna be the same. When I met her, they broke the old mold Dylan Westcott used to live in. I have more days of happiness, of clarity and understanding than I ever did in that shell.

We weathered storms this last year as Rivers was tried again for new crimes and sentenced to a far longer term in jail. He isn’t getting out for decades.

As she walked down the aisle yesterday, I cried. Yeah, Fletch and the other guys teased me, but I know what I have, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. I’m the luckiest bastard in the world. We took our honeymoon in this beautiful cabin in Texas far away from bad memories. We know that we’re here for each other every day from now on. Every step of the way.”