One final thrust, and his cock spasmed inside her. Filling her. Completing her. Making her whole.
He sank against her, his slick chest tantalizing her nipples, and then pulled her back into the water and crushed her against him. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, a soothing kiss.
A kiss that said goodbye.
She held back her tears until he was gone.
* * *
“Please? Isn’t there anything you can do?”
“I’m sorry, Rafe,” Lisa said on the other end of the phone. “It’s like Dallas said. A divorce takes about six months to finalize. I wish I could help you, but I can’t.”
“I understand. Thanks.” He hung up the phone.
What did it matter anyway? Angie had already decided what was important. Her inheritance. She’d marry a man she didn’t love to get it. She’d already made that choice. The fact that they ignited fires in bed didn’t matter. The fact that he was hopelessly in love with her didn’t matter.
Did she love him? She hadn’t said it, and he had no idea.
But their lovemaking was so full of passion, almost surreal. He’d never experienced anything like it.
He feared he never would again.
* * *
Angie awoke in a cold, clammy sweat. She’d dreamed of Rafe. Of their lovemaking. Of a future with him.
A future with him wasn’t possible. He was married to someone else. But perhaps somewhere, she had no idea where, another man existed whom she could love and who could love her in return.
Her parents hadn’t been in love. They’d married because Mama had been pregnant with her. While they had given her a wonderful life and she appreciated it more than she could ever say, hadn’t they deserved to be in love? Hadn’t they deserved to feel about someone the way she felt about Rafe? And hopefully would feel about another man at some point?
One thing had become clear as day.
She could not marry Frank Longhorn.
Her heart broke at losing her inheritance, but it wasn’t worth it. The old Angelina would have done anything for the ranch.
Not this Angelina.
Not the Angelina who had experienced what it felt like to love another human being with her entire heart and soul.
Before she changed her mind, she called her mother.
“I’m sorry, Mama. I just can’t do it. It’s not fair to Frank, and it’s not fair to me.”
“Are you sure, Angelina?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Frank deserves a woman who loves him. A woman who isn’t marrying him just to use him. A couple years ago I might have been able to do this, but now I can’t. I’ve changed. I’m not the spoiled brat I used to be.”
“I’m proud of you, Angie,” her mother said. “And you are right. Frank deserves better. And may God forgive me. Your father deserved better. Most importantly, you deserve better. You deserve love. I don’t want you to settle for anything less.” She sighed. “There may be a way out of this yet. I need to talk to Jefferson.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Angelina—”
“Mama, this concerns me. Anything you have to say to him can be said in front of me.”
“Yes, perhaps it’s time.”