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  As he continued to rock into her, she continued to rock with him. He penetrated her with long, deep strokes. His mouth was busy at her breasts, sucking the nipples into his mouth, nipping them between his teeth. And then he did something below—she wasn’t sure what—but he touched something inside of her that made her release a deep scream. He immediately silenced her by covering her mouth with his, still thrusting inside of her and gripping her hips tight. This was definitely wild.

  She felt him. Hot molten liquid shot inside of her, and she let out another scream as she was thrown into another intense orgasm. She closed her eyes as the explosion took its toll.

  “Wrap your legs around me now, baby.”

  She did so, and he began walking them toward the bed, where they collapsed together. He pulled her into his arms and gazed down at her. “I love you,” he whispered softly.

  She sucked in a deep breath and reached out to cup his jaw in her hand. “And I love you, too. I think I fell in love with you the moment you looked at me at the wedding reception.”

  He chuckled, pulling her closer. “Same here. Besides wanting you extremely badly, another reason I didn’t want you to come to Texas with me was because I knew how much finding out about Clarice and Raphel meant to you. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

  “You could never disappoint me, but you will have to admit that we make a good team.”

  Rico leaned down and kissed her lips. “We most certainly do. I think it’s time to take the Rico and Megan show on the road, don’t you?”

  She lifted a brow. “On the road?”

  “Yes, make it permanent.” When she still had a confused look on her face, he smiled and said, “You know. Marriage. That’s what two people do when they discover they love each other, right?”

  Joy spread through Megan, and she fought back her tears. “Yes.”

  “So is that a yes, that you will marry me?”

  “Did you ask?”

  He untangled their limbs to ease off the bed to get down on his knees. He reached out for her hand. “Megan Westmoreland, will you be my wife so I can have the right to love you forever?”

  “Can we get wild anytime we want?”

  “Yes, anytime we want.”

  “Then yes, Ricardo Claiborne, I will marry you.”

  “We can set a date later, but I intend to put an engagement ring on your finger before leaving Texas.”

  “Oh, Rico. I love you.”

  “And I love you, too. I’m not perfect, Megan, but I’ll always try to be the man you need.” He eased back in bed with a huge masculine smile on his face. “We’re going to have a good life together. And one day I believe those other Westmorelands will be found. It’s just so sad Fanny Banks has lived with that guilt for so many years.”

  “Yes, and she wasn’t planning on telling us the truth until we confronted her again. Why was that?” Megan asked.

  “Who knows? Maybe she was prepared to take her secret to the grave. I only regret Raphel never knew about his child. And there’s still that fourth woman linked to his name. Isabelle Connors.”

  “Once I get back to Denver and tell the family everything, I’m sure someone will be interested in finding out about Isabelle as well as finding out what happened to Clarice and Raphel’s child.”

  “You’re anxious to find out as well, right?”

  “Yes. But I’ve learned to let go. Finding out if there are any more Westmorelands is still important to me, but it isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore. You are.”

  Megan sighed as she snuggled more deeply into Rico’s arms. She had gotten the answers she sought, but there were more pieces to the puzzle that needed to be found. And eventually they would be. At the moment, she didn’t have to be the one to find them. She felt cherished and loved.

  But there were a couple of things she needed to discuss with Rico. “Rico?”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “Where will we live? Philly or Denver?”

  He reached out and caressed the side of her face gently. “Wherever you want to live. My home, my life is with you. Modern technology makes it possible for me to work from practically anywhere.”

  She nodded, knowing her home and life was with him as well and she would go wherever he was. “And do you want children?”

  He chuckled. “Most certainly. I intend to be a good father.”

  She smiled. “You’ll be the best. There are good fathers and there are some who could do better…who should have done better. But they are fathers nonetheless.”

  She pulled back and looked up at him. “Like your father. At some point you’re going to have to find it in your heart to forgive him, Rico.”

  “And why do you figure that?” She could tell from the tone of his voice and the expression on his face that he definitely didn’t think so.

  “Because,” she said, leaning close and brushing a kiss across his lips. “Your father is the only grandfather our children will have.”

  “Not true. My mother has remarried, and he’s a good man.”

  She could tell Rico wanted to be stubborn. “I’m sure he is, so in that case our children will have two grandfathers. And you know how important family is to me, and to you, as well. No matter what, Jeff Claiborne deserves a second chance. Will you promise me that you’ll give him one?”

  He held her gaze. “I’ll think about it.”

  She knew when not to push. “Good. Because it would make me very happy. And although I’ve never met your dad, I believe he can’t be all bad.”

  Rico lifted a brow. “How do you figure that?”

  “Because you’re from his seed, and you, Rico, are all good. I am honored to be the woman you want as your wife.”

  She could tell her words touched him, and he pulled her back down to him and kissed her deeply, thoroughly and passionately. “Megan Westmoreland Claiborne,” Rico said huskily, finally releasing her lips. “I like the sound of that.”

  She smiled up at him. “I like the sound of that, as well.”

  Then she kissed him, deciding it was time to get wild again.

  Two weeks later, New York

  Rico looked around at the less than desirable apartment complex, knowing the only reason he was here was for closure. He might as well get it over with. The door was opened on the third knock and there stood the one man Rico had grown up loving and admiring—until he’d learned the truth.

  He saw his father study Rico’s features until recognition set in. Rico was glad his father recognized him because he wasn’t sure if he would have recognized his father if he’d passed the old man in the street. It was obvious that drugs and alcohol had taken their toll. Jeff looked ten years older than what Rico knew his age to be. And the man who’d always taken pride in how he looked and dressed appeared as if he was all but homeless.

  “Ricardo. It’s been a while.”

  Instead of answering, Rico walked past his father to stand in the middle of the small, cramped apartment. When his father closed the door behind him, Rico decided to get to the point of his visit.

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and said, “I’m getting married in a few months to a wonderful woman who believes family is important. She also believes everyone should have the ability to forgive and give others a second chance.”

  Rico paused a moment and then added, “I talked to Jessica and Savannah and we’re willing to do that…to help you. But you have to be willing to help yourself. Together, we’re prepared to get you into rehab
and pay all the expenses to get you straightened out. But that’s as far as our help will go. You have to be willing to get off the drugs and the alcohol. Are you?”

  Jeff Claiborne dropped down in a chair that looked like it had seen better days and held his head in his hands. “I know I made a mess of things with you, Jessica and Savannah. And I know how much I hurt your mom…and when I think of what I drove Janice to do…” He drew in a deep breath. “I know what I did, and I know you don’t believe me, but I loved them both—in different ways. And I lost them both.”

  Rico really didn’t want to hear all of that, at least not now. He believed a man could and should love only one woman, anything else was just being greedy and without morals. “Are you willing to get help?”

  “Are the three of you able to forgive me?”

  Rico didn’t say anything for a long moment and then said, “I can’t speak for Jessica and Savannah, but with me it’ll take time.”

  Jeff nodded. “Is it time you’re willing to put in?”

  Rico thought long and hard about his father’s question. “Only if you’re willing to move forward and get yourself straightened out. Calling your children and begging for money to feed your drug habit is unacceptable. Just so you know, Jess and Savannah are married to good men. Chase and Durango are protective of their wives and won’t hesitate to kick your ass—father or no father—if you attempt to hurt my sisters.”

  “I just want to be a part of their lives. I have grandkids I haven’t seen,” Jeff mumbled.

  “And you won’t be seeing them if you don’t get yourself together. So back to my earlier question, are you willing to go to rehab to get straightened out?”

  Jeff Claiborne stood slowly. “Yes, I’m willing.”

  Rico nodded as he recalled the man his father had been once and the pitiful man he had become. “I’ll be back in two days. Be packed and ready to go.”

  “All right, son.”

  Rico tried not to cringe when his father referred to him as “son,” but the bottom line, which Megan had refused to let him deny, was that he was Jeff Claiborne’s son.

  Then the old man did something Rico didn’t expect. He held his hand out. “I hope you’ll be able to forgive me one day, Ricardo.”

  Rico paused a moment and then he took his father’s hand, inhaling deeply. “I hope so, too.”

  Epilogue

  “Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?”

  “Of course, handsome sir.”

  Rico led Megan out to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. It was their engagement party, and she was filled with so much happiness being surrounded by family and friends. It seemed no one was surprised when they returned from Texas and announced they were engaged. Rico had taken her to a jeweler in Austin to pick out her engagement ring, a three-carat solitaire.

  They had decided on a June wedding and were looking forward to the day they would become man and wife. This was the first of several engagement parties for them. Another was planned in Philly and would be given by Rico’s grandparents. Megan had met them a few weeks ago, and they had welcomed her to the family. They thought it was time their only grandson decided to settle down.

  He pulled her closer and dropped his arms past her waist as their bodies moved in sensual sync with the music. Rico leaned in and hummed the words to the song in her ear. There was no doubt in either of their minds that anyone seeing them could feel the heat between them…and the love.

  Rico tightened his arms around her and gazed down at her. “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes, what about you?”

  He chuckled. “Yes.” He glanced around. “There are a lot of people here tonight.”

  “And they are here to celebrate the beginning of our future.” She looked over his shoulder and chuckled.

  Rico lifted a brow. “What’s so funny?”

  “Riley. Earlier today, he and Canyon pulled straws to see who would be in charge of Blue Ridge Management’s fortieth anniversary Christmas party this year, and I heard he got the short end and isn’t happy about it. We have close to a thousand employees at the family’s firm and making sure the holiday festivities are top-notch is important…and a lot of work. I guess he figures doing the project will somehow interfere with his playtime, if you know what I mean.”

  Rico laughed. “Yes, knowing Riley as I do, I have a good idea what you mean.”

  The music stopped, and Rico took her hand and led her out the French doors and onto the balcony. It was the first week in November, and it had already snowed twice. According to forecasters, it would be snowing again this weekend.

  They had made Denver their primary home. However, they planned to make periodic trips to Philly to visit Rico’s grandparents, mother and stepfather. They would make occasional trips to New York as well to check on Rico’s father, who was still in rehab. Megan had met him and knew it would be a while before he recovered, but at least he was trying.

  “You better have a good reason for bringing me out here,” she said, shivering. “It’s cold, and, as you can see, I’m not wearing much of anything.”

  He’d noticed. She had gorgeous legs and her dress showed them off. “I’ll warm you.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. He was right; he was warming her. Immediately, he had fired her blood. She melted a little with every stroke of his tongue, which stirred a hunger that could still astound her.

  Rico slowly released her mouth and smiled down at her glistening lips. Megan was his key to happiness, and he intended to be hers. She was everything he could possibly want and then some. His goal in life was to make her happy. Always.

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss Riley Westmoreland’s story ONE WINTER’S NIGHT Available December 2012

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  One

  “Laura, I know you’re in there!”

  Ronan Connolly pounded on the brightly painted blue front door a few more times, then paused to listen. Not a sound from inside the house, though he knew too well that Laura was in there. Hell, he could practically feel her, standing just on the other side of the damned door.

  Bloody hardheaded woman. How had he ever thought that quality attractive? Now that attractive hardheadedness had come back to bite him in the ass.

  Seconds ticked past and there was no sound from within, which only irritated him further. He glanced at the sunshine-yellow Volkswagen parked alongside the house—her car—then glared again at the still-closed front door.

  “You won’t convince me you’re not at home. Your bloody car is parked in the street, Laura.”

  Her voice came then, muf
fled but clear. “It’s a driveway in America, Ronan. You’re not in Ireland, remember?”

  “More’s the pity.” He scrubbed one hand across his face and rolled his eyes in frustration. If they were in Ireland right now, he’d have half the village of Dunley on his side and he’d bloody well get her to open the damned door.

  “I heard that,” she said. “And feel free to hop onto one of your private planes and go back to Connolly-land anytime you feel like it!”

  If only he could, Ronan thought. But he’d come to California to open an American branch of his business and until Cosain was running as it should, he was going nowhere at all.

  At the moment though, he was tired, on edge and in no mood to be dealing with more females. Especially one with a head as hard as Laura’s.

  He had spent the past six weeks traveling across Europe acting as bodyguard to a sixteen-year-old pop star whose singing was only slightly less annoying than her attitude. Between the girl and her grasping mother, Ronan had been more than ready for the job to end so he could get back to his life. Now that he was back, he’d expected peace. Orderliness. Instead…

  Grinding his teeth together, he took a long moment or two and counted to ten. Then did it a second time. “Whatever the hell you want to call it, Laura, your car is here and so’re you.”

  “I might have been out,” she shouted. “Did you ever think of that? I do have friends, you know.”

  The Connolly temper lifted a couple notches inside him and Ronan was forced to fight it back down.

  “But you’re not out, are you?” he asked, entirely reasonably, and he gave himself points for it. “You’re here, driving me to distraction and making me shout at a bloody closed door like I’m the village idiot turned loose on his own for the first time.”