When Cheyenne woke, Donovan had already left the couch. She leaned up on her elbow, her other hand clutching the blanket to her naked body. Hearing clanking from the kitchen, she rose from the couch, wrapping the thin fabric around her and walking towards the loud sounds. He was in there, his smooth, muscled back to her, wearing only jeans that rode low on his hips. She leaned against the doorframe, watching as he poured himself a cup of tea, the actions causing his taut muscles to flex and release in a seductive display of power and masculinity. Steam gushed from the teapot as he replaced it on the stove, wispy transparent clouds that disappeared as it rose, and she smiled softly. She moved from her place, her feet almost silent as she crept up behind him and wrapped her slender arms around his waist, her face pressed against hard back muscles. He didn’t jump, as though he knew she was coming to him, and in actuality, he probably had known. He merely grasped her arms gently and pulled her around to face him, her back against a countertop. Her face snuggled into his slightly hairy chest.

            “Morning, baby,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. He gently pushed hair aside so he could kiss the tempting flesh. She moaned in answer and he chuckled low in his throat, the sound sending intense shivers down her back.

            “There’s still water in the pot for your tea.” Every word was accompanied by a gentle nibble on her jaw, making his way slowly to her sweet mouth. She managed to thank him before his mouth settled on hers in an achingly saccharine kiss. The kiss brought back recent memories with starting clarity, intended precisely for seduction, for reminiscing, and all too soon he pulled his mouth from hers slowly, carefully.  He released her, grapping his mug and sitting at the table, leaving her to grip the countertop for balance behind her. With shaky hands, Cheyenne prepared her tea before sitting across from him, sipping cautiously at the scalding liquid. She looked up at him, glancing at him, watching as he read the newspaper. A scene remarkably similar entered her mind, and her heart clenched. She didn’t want him to leave her, not again, not like he had in Scotland. She didn’t know if she could stand it again.

            “What now Donovan?” She asked, lowering her gaze even as he raised his. He leaned back in the chair, studying her face carefully.

            “What do you want to do? I’m not leaving you again Cheyenne. If I go or you go, either way, you’re with me.”

            “ You belong in Los Angeles, and I’m always moving, going from one place to the next. I can’t give up archaeology, just like you can’t give up your career.”

            He placed an elbow on the table, resting his chin in his palm as he thought.

            “ Well, neither of us can give up what we love, but then again, who says we have to? We can work with this. It won’t be the easiest thing we’ve ever done but we can do it. The only problem really is where we can live. I’m not having you living in the city. I know you hate it,” He said slowly, carefully monitoring her reaction. She smiled at him, nodding.

            “You’re right. As to where we can live, well why not buy a house outside of Los Angeles, you know, close enough for you but far enough away. And we can also keep this house, so we can come back whenever we want. That way, you can still have your city, but I can have my country.”

            The smile he bestowed on her was, she decided, the most beautiful she had ever seen.  Suddenly, he stood, holding his hand out for her to take.

            “If we’re going to look for a house, then we’d better get back to the States, “ He said, leading her to the living room, where he had left his suitcase the night before. She laughed with him, her happiness being given free rein. She started for her bedroom, intending to get dressed and pack what she could.

            “Cheyenne?” he asked suddenly, his voice taking on a serious tone.

            “Yes?”

            “You know I’m going to marry you right?”

            She smiled at him gently, softly, moving then to stand in front of him. She lifted a hand, rubbing his rough cheek.

            “I know.”

            And then she could say no more, for at that moment, the blanket she still wore slipped, revealing inches of bare, tempting skin. Her hand caught it before it fell fully off her breasts. Donovan’s gorgeous brown eyes darkened, as they focused on the seductive flesh. He eyed her hungrily, and her breath caught. Unsure of the look in his eyes, she moved backwards until her back hit the cold wall. He moved towards her, his movements deliberately slow, dangerously sexy. His gaze found hers, locked with it, the brown almost a black shade as he closed in on her. Her breath became shallow, more erratic as he stopped in front of her, his body almost touching hers.

            “I really am sorry though,” he growled, placing both hands on either side of her head.

            “Why?” she replied, her voice unusually stumbling.

            “When we get to L.A., You’re not going to be able to see that sun that you love so much for a long time. Matter of fact, we won’t be able to search for a house for a time either.”

            “Why?”

            “Because I’m going to lock us up in my room, then I’m going to strip you and place you right in the center of my bed. And then I’m going to tease you baby, torment you, do all the things that I want to do to your gorgeous body,” He watched as her eyes darkened his words conjuring erotic images in her mind. He moved even closer, his lips a mere fraction from hers.” And only when you’re hot and pleading with me. Only then will give you what you want.”

            His words undid her, and she pressed her lips to his in a sweet frenzy. He leaned over, gathering her in his arms, walking toward the bedroom. And then, after placing her in the center of the bed, he preceded to show her only a glimpse of his sensual promise.

But it was more than enough. 

Afterward, they lay in bed, Cheyenne still resting on Donovan’s broad chest. He growled lowly, as she ran her hands along the muscled ridges, a sound of supreme masculine satisfaction.

            “I love you,” she whispered. He moaned as her lips brushed his sweaty chest.

            “I love you,” he answered, his voice even deeper than usual.

            “Lord, Donovan.” She sighed after a while.

            “What? What is it baby?” he moved to his side, dragging her with him. His hand caressed her back, seeking to sooth rather than arouse.

            She shrugged.” I just can’t believe that you’re here, with me.” He kissed her forehead.” I’m here. And I’ll always be here. Now that I’ve had you, I’ll never have enough.” He wriggled his eyebrows at her sexily, making her laugh. She snuggled into his chest.

            “I wonder what Maggie will say. I do hope she comes with us when we move.”

            “ I think she will. She already loves you, you know,” he sighed.” Speaking of though, we should get back to L.A. soon. I don’t want to make her worry,” he paused.” actually; I doubt she’s worried. I think she just wants to know what happened.”

            Cheyenne sat up, inching for the edge of her bed.

            “What are you doing?”

            “Getting ready,” she looked at him, confused.

            He gave her a wicked grin, one that stopped her heart. He leaned over, grabbing her and pulling her across his lap.

            “Not yet. I have other plans.”

            And then she could not answer him, as his mouth closed over hers. And as his hands traveled down her naked body, all thought left her, except for one. How much she loved him.

            “I love you, Cheyenne,” he whispered against her lips.

            “Show me how much Donovan,” she murmured back, smiling, a gesture that he returned.

            He did.