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His own chuckle rumbled in his chest. Hooking a hand around her neck, he drew her close and kissed her laughing mouth.
More applause broke out, and some people tapped their glasses with flatware.
“Welcome to the team, Belle!” Ross raised his glass to her in tribute, and she gave him a wave and a smile that was sweet enough to bring Declan’s low hiss of need to the edge of his lips.
When chatter resumed around the table, he leaned close to whisper to her. “So you’re a tech geniusandan heiress.”
She eyed him. “So, you work for WEST Protection and saved the President of the United Statesandkept dozens of planes from crashing.”
He compressed his lips. “I can assure you that there will be a very good benefits package included in this job if you accept.”
She leaned close, staring into his eyes. “I hope that includes some time in the barn…and the hayloft. But not riding horses.”
“Not a requirement.” He noticed that his chuckle lured her even closer until her arm brushed his. “Besides, the only acceptable thing for you to ride is me.”
She shifted in her seat. Pitching her voice low, she murmured, “We’re going to have to keep it clean now that we work together.”
He placed his lips at her ear. “We will be nothing but professional. But when we return to that cabin, I intend to bend you over the table and throw that dress over your hips so I can feel your ass cradling me right before I sink inside your tight pussy.”
Her nails bit into his thigh. “Maybe I’ll even let you borrow my hat for that ride.”
Epilogue
One year later
The memorable scents of cranberry, pine and candle wax flooded the barn. Declan slid his hand into the pocket of his tux jacket to keep from straightening his tie for the tenth time that evening.
If Boone had to fix it for him again, he just might back out of being his best man.
As he took his position at the front of the room, he looked out at the neat rows of chairs filled with his teammates, friends and family. His own parents sat in the front row, grinning ear to ear. On the opposite side of the aisle his bride was about to walk down were Belle’s parents.
Boone clapped him on the back. “You good, man?”
He thumbed the brim of his white Stetson. He’d gotten it professionally cleaned just for the wedding. All those months and months of wear and tear on the accessory had left it looking less than perfect. And he wanted everything perfect for their big day.
After all, getting married only happened once in a lifetime—at least for him and Belle.
He gave Boone a nod. “I’m good. No nerves.”
“Your tie says otherwise, man. I think you strangled the thing.”
He laughed. “Only because I want to look good for her.”
The low piano music tinkled throughout the barn they were using as their wedding venue. In the next few days, the space would be transformed to accommodate more guests for the second annual Christmas on the Ranch.
Their lives had come full circle. To think that just a year ago, he and Belle had met in this very room.
Twinkle lights competed with candles. Everyone was dressed to the nines, in sparkling gowns and merry colors. The men looked like a more dapper version of the cowboys that they were first and foremost.
On every corner of the property, guards were posted for the occasion. And the exits were all being manned by the WEST Protection team. Not that Declan was worried about their safety. Not now that Ethan and his fiancée were both locked up.
The music changed to a new tune. This one caused the hair on his neck to prickle with excitement.
The crowd stirred, twisting to look at the back of the room where Belle would make her entrance.
First, Madeline did her maid of honor duty by preceding her up the aisle dressed in icy silver. She threw a wide grin to Declan, and he dropped her a wink.
Then he saw Belle. Dressed in white Christmas lace. Her beautiful face glowing with joy as she met his stare and began her slow walk to meet him and join with him forever as his wife.
His chest swelled with so much love that extended to everyone here in this room acting as witnesses to their union. And especially for the woman he would devote the rest of his life to making feel loved and cherished.
To think it all started with a fake date.
