The Paternity Pact (Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches 3)

“You weren’t wrong back then,” she said. “I had a lot of growing up to do. Becoming Daniel’s mother and the years abroad with no one to rely on but myself enabled me to figure out who I am.”

“I lusted after the woman you were,” he declared with a wicked grin. “but I adore the woman you are.”

Harley’s heart melted at the mixture of fondness and passion in his gaze. All she’d ever wanted was for someone to love and appreciate her.

“You know that we don’t need to leave Royal for me to be happy,” she said. “I understand how important your work is to you.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m able to leave it behind.” Eyes glowing with affection, he cupped her face in his palm. “My family never made an effort to understand me. You see what motivates me and appreciate why I am the way I am.”

“I love your big beautiful brain and your selfless dedication to helping women conceive. You don’t help people for the accolades or the money. You create families because that brings people joy. Anyone who doesn’t understand that is a fool.”

Harley barely finished speaking before Grant crushed her body to his and pressed ardent kisses to her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself over to the bliss that flooded her. As she lost herself in his thrilling embrace, she thought about the journey she’d been on since the troubles began plaguing the Wingate fortune. The financial downturn she’d suffered had forced her to come home, but it was her heart that had been impoverished. Only when she’d set aside her pride and believed in love had she been gifted with all the riches that were Grant’s devotion.

“We’re going to make this work,” she murmured in wonder when at last he lifted his lips from hers. She framed his face with her palms and smiled.

“We’re going to do more than that,” he assured her, his eyes glowing with tender passion. “We’re going to make people’s lives better and we’re going to be very very happy doing it.”

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