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“Growled?”
“You made me desperate. Always have, always will. After everything happened, it took me a while to confess everything to Mama. She gave me a tongue-lashin’ like you never heard. Said I got what I deserved and if I ever got another chance, try not to mess up the only girl I dated worth a damn.”
“I really like Tabitha.”
“She likes you, too.”
Rowan tilted her head, looking at a spot on the wall. “Sweet Pea read my palm that day. Said I’d have pretty babies and asked me a lot of questions about myself.”
She swallowed hard. “She told me I’d have my heart broken twice but it would be worth it because every woman should experience a broken heart to appreciate good love.”
“Ihatedbein’ your broken heart.”
Smiling up at him, she said, “Sweet Pea mentioned you were still too much of a boy but if I gave you time, you’d be a real good man.” She stared at him, “I was embarrassed because I didn’t wantanyoneto know about the raging crush I had on you. I changed the subject.”
Reaching in the drawer again, he withdrew a small linen envelope with old-fashioned handwriting on the front.
“When you came back, Mama took this ring and note out of the safe.” He handed it to her and she withdrew the heavy paper inside.
Gage, you must be ready to grab what you really need with both hands. Rowan’s roots are strong and she’s going to love the spring after some harsh winters. I’m glad you’ll be there for the blooming. You’ll be a fine husband and father. Tell her she’s to keep her promise - she’ll know which one. Sweet Pea
The page shook in her hand.
“What promise, Rowan?”
“The-the one I made to Bennett...to love again.” Reaching up, she slipped her palm along his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
Then they were pulling at each other’s clothes. When they were naked, Gage picked her up and lowered her to the bed. He followed her down and Rowan’s legs wrapped around his waist. Positioning himself, he drove deep and strong.
She kissed him and tightened her hold to bring him closer. Her feet pulled him hard into her and he increased the power of his thrusts, pushing her desperation higher.
The first time she came, it hit her suddenly, her upper body slamming into his as she screamed his name.
Gage didn’t give her time to think and she didn’t want it. He kept going and her mind didn’t get a chance to doubt what she wanted, what she needed.
Running both hands under her back, he gripped her shoulders from behind and drove into her without mercy as Rowan dug her nails into his ass.
Bracing one leg on the bed, she shoved, rolling them over. Her hands holding herself up on Gage’s chest, she stared at him as she moved.
His hands dropped to her hips. “I’m never gonna last seein’ you over me like this.” She moved her palm over his heart and felt the strong thump under the skin. As she raised her gaze, he smiled. He covered her hand with his. “Yes, Rowan. I can feel your body tightenin’. I want to see it.”
Head dropping back on her shoulders, she let the pleasure take her. It was the freest she’d ever felt.
When it let her go, she placed her hands on either side of his head and bent to kiss him. “Come for me, Gage.”
He thrust hard three times and came roaring her name, his hands gripping her hips hard enough to bruise.
Sitting up, he devoured her mouth before rolling them again. Staring into her face, he said, “I love you, Rowan. I’ll love you hard every day for the rest of my life.”
Rowan stroked her hands over him, kneading his muscles, and lightly scraping her nails on his skin. Again and again, she brought him back to her mouth and held him to her.
Finally, she whispered, “I’ve loved you forever, it seems.” She kissed him slow and steady. She placed her palm over the steady beat of his heart while he stroked her hair.
“I’m healthy and strong, Rowan. I’ll have a check-up every six months so you don’t worry.”
“Three…” she whispered. Soaking up the warmth of his skin, she told him, “Life is funny sometimes. The night I went to the barn was the first time I saw a naked man, the night Bennett died was the second, and the day Benji was born was the third. I got a late start on all of this.”
“We’ll make up for lost time, Rowan.”
