Rolling over onto my side, I propped my head higher up the pillow, watching Adam walk from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped across his waist.

I traced his form with my greedy eyes, knowing underneath he was naked, delicious and... all mine!

He looked at me and there it was the twinkle in his eye and that smile. The one that woke up every single goosebump. I couldn't believe this man wanted me, and I'd found what I'd always been wanting.

Love.

And there wasn't a hint of worry in my heart. I also never thought I'd ever get to say he was mine and five days ago, the unthinkable happened.

He told me he loved me!

Me. Riley Jo Lockwood.

The girl who nobody would want had landed herself the sexiest man alive... in my humble opinion.

Walking toward the bed, he scrubbed his hair dry with a towel and I bit back a sigh.

Everything was perfect, well, more or less. The only dark spot on the horizon on this bright Saturday morning was the fact he was getting ready to head home for four days... ugh.

The bed dipped. "What's running around that gorgeous head of yours?" he asked.

"Oh, just this and that." Shrugging. "Wondering what I'm gonna be doin' whilst you're gone."

He threw the towel in his hand onto a nearby chair and lay down, turning to his side so we were face to face. Droplets or water dotted along his collarbone as it tempted me to lick them from him. His eyes caught mine and there was no missing the intensity between us...it crackled.

I inhaled deeply. Hmm, shower freshness mixed with his scent of what I could only describe as masculine... sexy. It certainly spiked the appetite in my lady parts. "You smell good enough to eat!" My eyes dipped and oh lordy lord, his towel had split to show me what I would be missin' over the next few days.

"My eyes are up here, baby." he chuckled and leaned toward me, pressing a kiss to my nose. "You're going to the horse sanctuary today, yes?"

Focus Riley Jo. "Mmhmm."

Adam had gotten me a car since I'd agreed to move here. Agreed is probably not the best word. He'd said he wouldn't take no for an answer and, in all honesty, I hadn't wanted to go back to my apartment. And if I hadn't moved in, we wouldn't have christened every room in this beautiful house... twice.

My thighs clenched.

"That blush to your cheeks tells me you're not thinking about horses... dirty girl," he growled.

I blew out a shuddering breath. "I don't know what you mean, doctor..." And faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition his lips sealed over mine and his hand settled on my ass, pulling us closer.

It did not surprise me his erection grew, pressing the seam of my thighs as his hand moved, slipping between us, under my night-shirt. "I know what you need, baby."

I didn't doubt my underwear was near soaked as his finger slipped the damp material to one side and his finger teased me mercilessly. "You're so soft," he whispered against my lips. "So wet under my fingers. I wish I had time to put my mouth on you and make you scream."

Was that my ovaries exploding?

He kissed me again, hard and demanding, making a sound more primal, needy. I lost myself in his kiss, his touch.

Reluctantly, he groaned, separating our lips, but still our breaths mingled. "One more minute..." And then his lips were back on mine, but this time kissing me lazily and I pretended he wasn't just about to dress and leave me.

"Christ Riley. Every time I touch you I just want more." he said, a little throaty and a whole lot sexy.

I blushed. "Me too. Want more." All I felt was love, lust and a hunger for this man and a crazy urgency to make him mine forever and ever.

A sexy slow smile spread across his mouth, his entire face held so much love and joy. I wanted to soak it all up. He groaned. "I have to get ready."

My whole body sagged. "Y'all gonna get me riled up and then leave me?" I pouted. "Not fair, doctor!"

Adam chuckled, rolling away from me, getting up. "Just think how much you'll want me when I get back?" He threw a teasing smile my way.

"Oh, I'll always want you, doctor." My body was needy and aching. How would I survive the coming days? Damn, I was gonna miss him.

"Have you given any more thought about what we talked?" he asked whilst pulling on his slacks.

I had. None stop. He'd mentioned the option of us moving closer to home. Not in Lockwood, but maybe a short car ride away.

"Yes. Cynthia thinks I'd be stupid not think about it."

Adam still had his house in Lockwood but said he would put it on the market as soon as we decided. I worried he might be rushing into selling his last physical connection to Emma, but he said he was fine. It was time.

"What do you want to do?" Every time we talked, he kept saying he was good with whatever I decided.

Moving back toward the bed, he came around to my side pulling on his shirt but left it open as he leaned down snatching a quick kiss. "Riley. I told you, where you are, then that's where I'm going to be." Standing upright, he worked the buttons. "I hate going back and too, leaving you. I want to come home to you every night." He left the ultimatum dangling.

"Can I think on it for just one more day?" I threw my best puppy eyes out there. "And give you a decision by tomorrow?"

Holding out his hand, he pulled me up onto my knees and wrapped his arms around me. "Take your time. I'm not saying you need to decide by tomorrow."

It was almost lunchtime by the time I arrived at the rescue centre. After Adam had left for the airport, I'd had a lazy breakfast and a swim before I got myself ready and drove here.

This was my fifth time visiting. I tried to get up here once a week to help out, and I'd grown attached to Blue and Betsy.

Parking up, I headed into the front office. Frank Senior and Frank Junior were busy debating football. They both looked my way as I came in.

"Hey Riley," said Frank junior. "Looking mighty fine, today."

"Hey yourself, and thank you."

"Afternoon, Riley Jo," said Frank Senior, tipping his head. "I already told them to leave Blue inside and not to give him a rubdown. Knew you would want to get your hands on him."

"I sure do. How's my boy been?"

Frank Senior scoffed. "You realise you've gone and spoiled that critter? You're the only one he wants to fuss over him now."

I couldn't help but grin. "I've been told I'm good with my hands." I wiggled my fingers.

"To make a bold statement like that needs proof to back it up." Frank Junior's eyes wandered over me, all but undressing me.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes.

"Well, you head on over," butted in Frank senior, throwing his son a chastising eye. Frank senior and Adam got on well and I wasn't in any doubt he would have words with his son when I left the office.

But I took his harmless flirting with a pinch of salt. My eyes would never wander. There was only one man on my mind. And right on cue as I walked to the stables I pictured running my hands through his thick hair across his strong jaw, down over his chest with the slight dusting of hair and then he was touching me in that reverent possessive way of his like I'm some kind of gift made just for him.

I shivered and warmed up at the same time. As I went to open the door, my phone hit me up with a message. I yanked it from my back pocket, hoping its Adam telling me he got back to Lockwood safely.

Nope. Supposedly, I'd won a lottery. I hit delete.

It was weird though, Adam not sending me a message yet. Surely he would have landed by now? A prickly unwarranted fear flooded me—was he okay?

Biting on my bottom lip. Don't be thinking crazy thoughts Riley Jo. I fired off a quick message telling him I missed him and loved him and shoved my phone back into my jeans pocket.

Putting my weight behind the door to pull it open, I headed in and slid it shut. It was quiet. Which was odd because usually there were one of two stable hands around. Betsy was in her stall as I stopped and gave her nose a rub. "How's my girl?" She nudged my hand, but it was Blue who made a noise from his stall.

"Impatient, are we?" I gave Betsey another rub and walked down to him.

"And how's my handsome boy doin' today?"

What in the world? He had something around his neck. It was a pink ribbon leading down to a large golden heart. "Has someone else fallen in love with you?" I grinned, hoping Blue would find a wonderful home, one he deserved. "Do I need to be jealous? Are you stepping out on me?" I giggled.

Blue ruffled his mane, lifting his head. "How about you let me take a closer look?" I pulled the neatly tied bow on the ribbon and slipped the heart free. It was quite heavy and beautiful as I turned it over in my hand. It was the size of my palm and there was a small card attached. A clue maybe to who had put it there.

I read it out loud. "Open me," it said.

Odd. Glancing over my shoulder, I shouted out hello to make sure no one was in here with me.

Silence. Returning my attention to the heart, it had a small clasp, which I carefully unclipped and opened.

What the? I gasped. Inside was another heart on a tiny clasp with a folded note underneath. Carefully pulling out the note, I unfolded it and read that out loud.

"Take me home. Make me yours?"

Weird. I didn't understand that message as I re-read it.

This was very, very strange.

Well, I'd gotten this far so might as well open the next heart.

A third heart greeted me. It was like one of those Russian dolls I'd seen years ago. Each one opened to reveal another. There was also another note. Extracting, I unfolded.

"Let me give you the world."

My heart stuttered as I stared at the note, but then a yelp escaped, almost making me jump from my skin when strong, familiar hands wrapped around my waist. Adam? He was here?

I turned in his powerful arms to find my assumption correct. My lips parted in surprise. "Adam—What?" he pressed a finger to my lips. Why wasn't he back in Lockwood?

"Open the last heart, baby," he said.

Shifting his finger and I lifted the heart between us and opened it. I gasped and refused to blink. It was a ring sat on a golden clasp. I looked up, eyes as wide as tires. "Adam...what? Did you...?"

He smiled. "Marry me, Riley Jo."

I must have been dreaming, because I was sure Adam had just asked me to marry him.

Me.

Marry him.

Yep, that was the only rational explanation, because only in my wildest dreams did Adam ask me to be his forever.

My mouth opened, closed, and repeated. My guppy impression was in full swing as my mind repeated his question over and over.

"Riley, baby. Did you hear me?"

He stared at me, a little worried. But dream or no dream, I knew my answer.

"Yes." I nodded as a wicked shiver of heat washed across my skin and my body tightened with excitement. "Yes, yes, yes!!" Still nodding like a crazy fool. "Yes, I'll marry you."

I saw the full impact of my words register on his body, bit by bit. His eyes fixated on my mouth as his grip on my hips tightened.

"Yes, Adam." I repeated.

He nodded slowly, his Adam's apple bobbed. His hands shifted from my hips as he took the heart from me and plucked the ring. Falling to one knee in front of me, he took my hand and poised the ring at the tip of my finger.

"Riley Jo Lockwood. I'm already the happiest person on the planet, but I want to tie us together in every way possible. Marriage. Children. Grandchildren...oh and horses too."

My throat tightened with emotion. "You honestly want me?" I swallowed, pressing my hand to my chest as I was sure my heart wasn't beating in my chest and sweet Jesus, where the hell was all the air?

"I do." He took a breath. "My love for you burns, Riley. Every day this need to see you. Touch you. Kiss you. It never goes away. It's just getting bigger, expanding to where all I think about and want is you." He teased the ring onto my finger. "I want nothing to keep us apart and I'm going to spend every day of my life... if you'll let me—loving you."

I could not move. I stared at the ring now proudly sitting on my finger. Noting the detail, it was like my Nana's, only this was white gold and had an emerald and diamonds running around the emerald, kinda like a horseshoe. It was honestly the most beautiful ring I'd ever set eyes on.

"Baby?"

I dropped to my knees in front of him, still not quite believing this was happening to me. His thumb grazed across my lips, mapping out my smile, which would be a permanent fixture until the day I died.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

Happy—he had to ask? "Never more so. Adam Matthews, I love you." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his lips to mine. I was ready to kiss the hell out of my man...oops, I stand corrected—my fiancé.

We both groaned as he pulled me closer, deepening our kiss. But as our lips parted, the first part of his message came back to me.

"What did you mean you want me to take you home?"

He grinned. "Not me."

My brow furrowed as Adam pointed up. "Him!"

I looked over my shoulder. He was pointing at Blue.

"I don't understand. How can we take him home? You don't have stables and he needs open space, and lots of it."

"Ah, that's the next thing I want to talk to you about, but first I really need to get up on this hard floor. It's not good on this old man's knees."

I playfully slapped his arm as he rose and then helped me up. "You are not old and even if you think you are. You're still mine."

He glanced around and tugged on my hand as I followed him to a hay-bale and he sat, pulling me into his lap. I held out my hand, looking at my ring. It would no doubt take a few days to sink in.

"Here, I need to show you something." He reached inside his coat jacket and pulled out his phone. Scrolling through it, he nodded when he found what he was looking for. Turning the phone toward me.

I pulled back slightly. It was a picture of a field—and nothing else. "Y'all lost me Adam." My eyes lifted to his, hoping he would explain.

"We should make a place for ourselves. One that just belongs to me and you," he announced like it was obvious. "This could be ours."

Ours? "I'm still not following?"

"This piece of land borders Lockwood on the Eastern side."

Oh, that's where Logan Reilly's ranch was located.

"I want us to move there and we build our home together." His smile widened as his eyes twinkled. "What do you say about starting your own animal, or horse sanctuary—like this one here?"

My jaw literally fell onto the floor. I didn't know what to say.

"Riley?" It was the second time my mind had taken a vacation to the land of possibilities.

I jerked on his lap. "Pinch me!"

"What?"

"Pinch me because honestly, I'm not sure if I'm dreaming. Good things like this never happen to me."

He smiled, running a finger across my cheek. "Get used to it and you're most definitely not dreaming."

Amongst the feelings of crazy happiness, there was also a niggling worry. "Adam, how is all this possible?"

"What do you mean?"

I tapped his phone. "This—the land? That all costs a lot of money." We'd never had conversations about money. It didn't seem important, but now I had to wonder. "I don't have money to afford all this." My chest deflated. It wasn't right that he bought everything. All my savings had been stolen and even then they hadn't added up to much.

He frowned when he realised what I'd said. "Riley, I have more money that I know what to do with."

He did? "You do?"

He nodded. "My family owns HSA Holdings."

"The what?"

"HSA Holdings, on the of the countries largest family run companies. It's a hospital management company—on my mother's side."

"But I thought you said your parents were doctors?" Although they were both now retired.

"Yes, that's true. My parents never showed an interest in the company."

I'd never heard of it. "So what—you're rich? Like some kind of trust fund baby?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you could put it that way."

Wow, someone knock me down with a feather.

He took my hand. "Riley, this doesn't change who I am and my brother's been groomed to take over, along with my cousin. And I'm happy for them to do that. It has never been an interest of mine."

I looked down. This was a lot to take in. Adam gently gripped my chin between his finger and thumb, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Will they like me?"

"Of course they will like you. They'll love you, Riley." He smiled, and I wanted to believe him.

"Now let's get back to our conversation. Is this something you might want?"

I shrugged. "I do love horses."

He jumped in. "Well then. Let's do it. Me and you."

I bit my lips as my smile expanded. "We're really fixin' on doin' this?"

"We are. If you're happy to live closer to Lockwood."

My mama slipped in-between my happy thoughts. But why should I let her keep me away? What could she do to me? Why should I have to stay away from my friends...and family? Or Adam have to give up the job he loves.

"Let's do it!" I squealed.

"Good." His mouth moved ravenously over mine, and the simmering excitement of our future was intoxicating.

Everything I'd ever dreamed of and more was coming true.

How the heck did I get so lucky?