Santa Fe Fortune & How to Marry a Matador

the holding turned to dozing…at least on Gwen’s part. Dan stared down at her angelic face, cheeks dusted light pink as she slept cradled against his chest. It felt so good to hold her. It was like she belonged here, like she’d always belonged here, with him, in his arms.
    He’d seen the relief wash over her when he’d told her they wouldn’t sleep together. He repressed a chuckle at the irony that she was now sleeping on him. “My dear, sweet woman,” he whispered to her. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you. Did you think I couldn’t wait one more night?” She stirred slightly, and he held her more tightly, sensing in his heart he’d never want to let her go.
    The truth was waiting one more night had been difficult for him. It was painful in more than just a physical way. Every one of his manly urges had insisted they be together. Reason had said waiting until Gwen was completely sure would make things that much more wonderful for both of them. Dan would never do anything to hurt Gwen or cause her regret. He needed her to trust him with her heart and soul. Once she did that, he had faith she’d trust him with that beautiful body too. Until then, he had to act like the mature individual he’d always told himself he was. For the moment, he was just happy to have her close.
    His heart thumped in his chest at the recognition that he might have never met her. Serendipity was a funny thing, and a happy coincidence had placed Gwen in his path. Had Nancy not gone to France on her honeymoon, Dan wouldn’t have been overseeing the gallery. Hell, if Nancy hadn’t gotten engaged, she would have never left town. Love was unusually cryptic in how it brought people together. It was like a huge jigsaw puzzle filled with blotches of color that didn’t make sense until the individual pieces fit together and you saw the big picture.
    Dan looked down at the incredible woman resting in his arms, knowing this was the portrait he wanted. He tried to paint it in his mind’s eye lest he forget. Dan shook off the feeling of panic that swelled his throat. Forgetting Gwen would mean that she’d be out of his life, and he absolutely couldn’t have that.
    “Dan…?” she called drowsily, raising her head. “What time is it?” Gorgeous dark eyes peered up at him.
    “Nearly three a.m., sweetheart,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Perhaps we should call it a night?”
    She gazed up at him dreamily and smiled. “Will we both still be here in the morning?”
    “You bet your boots, missy,” he said with a grin.
    Dan helped her to her feet and walked her to her bedroom.
    “Would you like water? A glass of juice? Anything else before heading to bed?”
    “I want you!” she said, standing up on tiptoes and smooching his lips.
    Dan didn’t know whether she was still under the influence of the wine or suffering from pure exhaustion, but he opted not to take advantage of the situation.
    “And I want you too, baby,” he said fondly, patting her on the rump.
    She released a little squeak. “Oh! Do that again!”
    Yep. Definitely the wine. Dan should have made sure it was paired with something to eat.
    “Not right now, sugar,” he said, calmly leading her into her room. “Maybe tomorrow.”
    “Really?” she said, looking woozy.
    “Why don’t we get a good night’s sleep first?”
    “All right,” she said as he deposited her inside the threshold.
    “Sleep tight, cowgirl,” he said, backing away. “See you in the morning.”
    She bit into her bottom lip and, for the life of him, looked as if she were entertaining very naughty thoughts.
    “Is that a promise, Mr. Holbrook?” she said with a giggle.
    “That’s a promise, Ms. Marsh,” he said with a wink.
    She lunged forward on her feet and grabbed him by his shirt at his chest, dead-center.
    Dan stared down at her in surprise.
    “Kiss me good night?” she said, tilting her succulent mouths toward his.
    This bit Dan couldn’t resist. He was only human.
    Dan took her in his arms and gave it to her with everything he had. She was soft and warm and wonderful and, good God almighty, smelled of fresh jasmine blooms. Their mouths blended hungrily, tongues tangling and lips on fire. Her breasts were pressed against him, her hips angling up toward his. Dan released an unintentional groan as he struggled to keep himself under control.
    The weight of her collapsed into his arms, and he tightened his grip to hold her.
    “Had enough?” he asked, his voice