The Texas Ranger's Nanny (Lone Star Lawmen 2)

“Yeah.”

“He’ll come over every day to see to them.”

“Oh.”

Vic’s gaze swerved to Claire. “This dinner is fabulous.”

“Thanks. I thought we needed a change from the same old.”

The same old suited Vic just fine, but Jeremy suddenly slid off the chair and ran out of the kitchen.

“He’s loved having you home,” Claire murmured.

“That’s not what’s wrong. I have to go to him. Please don’t go anywhere. I’ll find you after he goes to sleep.”

Two hours later, that was exactly what he did.

Vic walked out to the barn and discovered she’d gone riding. He could see her silhouette in the darkness coming closer. “Claire?”

“Hi. It’s a perfect night. I decided Marshmallow needed some exercise.”

He walked up to the horse and rubbed her forelock. Claire stayed mounted. “You shouldn’t be out here after dark.”

“I couldn’t help it tonight.”

Vic couldn’t help it either as he reached for her. “Come here, Claire.”

“Oh—” A tiny cry escaped her lips when he put his hands on her hips and pulled her beautiful body down against his. She’d changed into jeans and a cream-colored Western shirt he hadn’t seen before. Her fragrance intoxicated him.

“You’re so beautiful. Do you have any idea how long I’ve dreamed of doing this? I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want me to, it’s too late.” Far too late to wonder about her feelings for him. He was on fire for her.

Without waiting for an answer, he lowered his mouth to hers. There was nothing tentative about his kiss. He’d held back his desire for her far too long. Now that he had her in his arms his passion had taken over.

Urging her mouth open, he kissed her deeply, reveling in the taste of her while his hands roved over her back, drawing her even closer so there was no air between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with intense hunger. She’d been hiding her feelings, too, otherwise she wouldn’t be caught up in this euphoria where nothing mattered but the two of them. Her response was more than he could ever have imagined.

He lost count of time and his surroundings as every kiss grew into another one, leaving them breathless. The joy of loving and being loved again had quite literally taken his breath away. “I’m in love with you, Claire. I’ve loved you from the very beginning.”

“I’ve waited so long to hear those words.” Her confession almost gave him a heart attack. She kissed his face all over, starting with his eyelids. “I’m so in love with you, I’ve been bursting with it for months. If you hadn’t said those words to me tonight, I don’t know how I could have gone on living.”

Their mouths met again in a frenzy of mutual need. “I’ve been so afraid you’d leave if I tried to get close to you too soon.”

“I had the same fear,” she admitted. “I didn’t want to be the nanny who came on to you. All these months there’ve been so many times I almost stepped over the line I’d drawn. Today I saw myself in the four women who came to the house. They couldn’t help their attraction to you any more than I could. I’m crazy about you, Vic.”

“You never acted like them.” He planted gentle kisses about her face before finding her lush mouth once more. “You stepped into the role of mother to Jeremy so naturally, it was like it was meant to be.”

“I love him with all my heart. He’s an extension of you in so many ways. I’m out of my mind in love with both of you. How could you not have known that all this time?”

“My fear blinded me to what I wanted more than life itself. I need you, Claire. More than you’ll ever know.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “I know we have a lot to work out, but you can’t leave me.”

“You think I want to?” she cried. “Kiss me again so I’ll know I’m not dreaming.”

Heat licked through his body as she gave herself up to him, holding nothing back. Wanting so much more, he finally relinquished her mouth so they could both breathe. “Let’s put Marshmallow to bed, then go back to the house. I need you with me all night long.”

“Now that you’ve kissed me, I don’t know if I can let you go long enough to reach the barn.”

“Then we’re both in the same condition.” They kissed again, starving for each other.

Vic managed to find the reins and led Marshmallow into the barn while keeping Claire clamped at his side. He removed the saddle while she took care of the bridle. A quick trip to the tack room and they could close the barn doors for the night.