Only 06 - Winter Fire

that he couldn’t breathe. It was like being pulled apart.
    No!
    This can’t be. It simply can’t be!
    Yet it was.
    The agony was a living thing inside him, devouring him. He hadn’t felt such torment since he rocked his dead niece in his arms and knew that nothing within his power could change what had happened.
    He hadn’t wept then.
    He wept now.
    Â 
    Sarah didn’t want to wake up. Being awake meant that it was morning, and morning meant that she would be on the trail, riding away from everything she loved.
    She whimpered and moved restlessly, trying to evade the dawn that even in her sleep she knew must come.
    Tender kisses soothed her struggles. Strong arms held her, gentling her. Warmth radiated through her as though from a nearby fire.
    Sighing, she reached out for the dream she needed more than her own heartbeat. She wrapped the heat around her like a blanket against the approaching chill of dawn.
    The tip of a warm tongue traced her lips. She smiled and savored the sensual dream.
    Just a dream .
    A dream of sunlight caressing me. Sunlight and —
    â€œCase!”
    Sarah sat bolt upright. The oil lamp was still burning on the table, but the fire had gone out.
    She was naked, which only added to her confusion.
    â€œI fell asleep sitting at the table,” she said, dazed.
    A long arm snaked out of the blankets and pulled her back into the warmth.
    â€œI carried you to bed,” he whispered.
    He pulled her against his body. Skin smoothed over skin. Pleasure was a sweet fire shivering through her.
    â€œI was dressed,” she said, still trying to understand.
    â€œI undressed you.”
    Teeth nibbled delicately at her earlobe. Her breath caught and her thoughts scattered.
    â€œI’m still dreaming,” she whispered.
    It explained everything.
    He laughed and kissed the pulse beating in her neck. The caresses continued down her neck to her breasts. So did the soft laughter.
    â€œNow I know I’m dreaming,” she said sleepily.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou only laugh in my dreams.”
    â€œYou’ll get used to it.”
    He kissed the tip of first one breast, then the other.Smiling, he watched her change with each brushing caress of his beard.
    Eyes closed, she stretched languidly, lifting herself against his smile. Then she sighed and gave herself completely to the wonderful dream.
    â€œSarah?”
    â€œDon’t wake me up. I don’t ever want to wake up.”
    Long, strong fingers slid down her belly and traced the soft skin between her thighs.
    â€œSome things are better when you’re awake,” he said.
    Her only answer was a movement that opened her to his touch. He caressed her hot, sleek flesh. Her answering passion licked over him like molten silver.
    His breath stopped. Then he lowered himself between her legs and took her with deep certainty, giving himself in turn. He moved unhurriedly, thoroughly. With dreamlike slowness the silky contractions began in her and spread to him, undoing him completely.
    It was a long time before Case had enough breath to speak.
    â€œWe keep this up,” he whispered, “and you’re going to get pregnant for sure.”
    Eyes closed, Sarah shook her head languidly, clinging to the wonderful dream.
    â€œCan’t,” she murmured.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œAlready am.”
    â€œ What? ”
    Her eyes flew open. “Oh, God. It really wasn’t a dream, was it?”
    He stared at her.
    â€œAre you sure?” he demanded.
    â€œAlmost. I’m so darned sleepy all the time, just like my mother was.”
    A long shudder racked Case’s strong body. Slowly he lowered his face to her breasts.
    Her heart turned over when she felt the heat of his tears and his laughter combined.
    â€œYou make me whole,” he said huskily.
    She went still. Suddenly she slid her fingers into his hair and lifted his head until she could see his eyes.
    â€œWhat did you say?” she whispered.
    He smiled.
    Sudden tears starred her long eyelashes and made her eyes a silver mystery.
    â€œI thought it was just the land calling to me, sinking into me,” he said. “But it was you. It was always you. A fire in winter burning just for me.”
    â€œCase,” she whispered.
    He bent and brushed his lips over hers.
    â€œI love you, Sarah. And the only place you’re going tomorrow is to the nearest preacher.”
    She kissed him.
    â€œNo arguments?” he