His Dakota Bride (Book 5 - Dakota Hearts) by Lisa Mondello

As he looked up at the sky, he said, “Would you look at that moon.”
    Curious, Skylar followed him out to the porch. The front yard was lit up from a near perfect full moon hanging high in the sky. And Skylar was truly breathtaking under the moonlit sky. But then, her beauty had always taken his breath away.
    * * *
    Skylar looked up at the sky, amazed at the brilliance of the moon. “Wow.”
    “I love looking up at the stars here in South Dakota. I missed that while I was away. But this moon is drowning out any stars we may have been able to see tonight.”
    A small ache formed in the center of her chest.
    “What are you thinking?” he asked.
    “Nothing.”
    “It’s not nothing. Tell me.”
    She shrugged as memories invaded her mind. “Do you remember when we were on the island and we’d sit out on that old lawn chair with the broken pieces that kept coming unwoven?”
    “The one I eventually fell backside first through?”
    She laughed, recalling the never ending quest they’d had to always repair it. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
    “I remember that well. I remember getting stuck with my behind on the cold ground and trying to pull myself out with my legs and arms. But the chair just kept breaking.”
    Tears filled her eyes as she laughed. “I can’t believe that chair held the two of us for so long and then the one time you sat in it alone, it broke.”
    His rich laugh stirred a longing deep in her belly that was familiar and yet terrified her.
    When their laughter calmed, she took a cleansing breath. “You used to say there was nothing like a Dakota sky.”
    He looked at her directly. His face was so handsome and sure. She’d always loved that confidence in him. She wished she had even an ounce of that now.
    “I’ve been all over this world and I can honestly say there isn’t,” he said. “There’s nothing like you either, Sky. There’s still no one else I’d rather be with.”
    He reached for her and to her surprise, she didn’t pull away. The memory of the first time Wade had brushed his lips against her after a long midnight walk on the beach consumed her. His had arms enveloped her, yet she could have slipped away from him at any time.
    She’d been nervous then. And now Skylar thought about how foolish she’d been to feel that way. Wade McKinnon was the most intoxicating man she’d ever met and she’d never had anything to fear with him. Especially when she was in his arms.
    She reached up and touched his face and traced his lips with her fingers. He kissed each fingertip as she moved them across his mouth. And when her hand settled on his cheek, he bent his head and brought his mouth over hers.
    She’d wanted this for so long it was hard to believe it was really happening. She was in Wade McKinnon’s arms again.
    Skylar abruptly pulled away from him. “This shouldn’t happen,” she said, out of breath from their kiss. She turned her face away from him with all the strength she had. “Alex is in the house.”
    “And we’re outside on the porch. He can’t see us. Besides, lots of married couples kiss in front of their kids. They make love when their children are asleep in the next bedroom. It’s not scandalous.”
    “We’re not married.”
    “We were planning to get married. Just say the word and we can pick up where we left off, Sky. I’m ready.”
    “I’m not. Don’t make this complicated, Wade. This is already confusing enough for me.”
    “I want you, Sky. Not just to make love with you. Although I very much want that, I know it’s probably too soon. I just want you next to me when we sleep. I want to feel your warm skin. Leaving you the other night nearly killed me.” He bent his head and nuzzled her neck, brushing his lips lightly against her skin.
    “Please stop. You and I know from experience it won’t end there.”
    He smiled devilishly. “Would that be such a bad thing?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why? We’ve made love before. Many times. We made a baby. We’re