by Maya Banks
“I was hoping you’d say that. I mean about wanting children. It’s not that I have to have them right away. A small part of me realizes it would probably be better to wait but I’ve always wanted a large family and I don’t want to be old when they’re graduating high school.”
“You realize we’ve done nothing to prevent pregnancy so far,” he said in a low voice.
“Do you mind?” she asked anxiously. “I mean would you be upset if I was actually pregnant before we got married?”
He chuckled. “It would be the height of hypocrisy for me to be upset over something I could have very well prevented.”
“I just want to be sure. I don’t want us to have a bad start. I want everything to be…perfect.”
He touched her nose and then traced a path underneath her eye and down the side of her face. “Do you suspect that you’re already pregnant, Ash? Is that why you’re bringing this up tonight? I don’t want you to be afraid to tell me anything. I’d never be angry with you for something that is equally my responsibility, if not more so. You were an innocent when I made love to you. Birth control absolutely should have been my responsibility.”
She shook her head. “No. I mean I don’t know. I don’t think so anyway.”
He rested his forehead on hers and thought for a moment that they already acted like a married couple who were at ease in their relationship. Strangely, he trusted Ashley and felt comfortable with her. There was a sense of rightness that he couldn’t deny. Maybe William Copeland had known what he was doing after all.
“Well, if you are, then fantastic. Really. I want you to tell me if you even suspect you could be. And if you aren’t? We’ll work on remedying that. Deal?”
She grinned and a delicate blush stained her soft cheeks. “Deal.”
“Now what do you say we go to bed so you can have your evil way with me?”
Her cheeks grew even redder and he smiled at the shy way she ducked her head.
He leaned in to nibble at her ear and then he whispered so the words blew gently over her skin. “I’ll do my very best to make you pregnant.”
To his surprise, she shoved him forward. He landed on his back on the mattress with her looming over him, a mischievous grin dimpling her cheeks. Then her expression grew more serious and her eyes darkened. “I love you so much, Devon. I’m the luckiest woman on earth. I can’t wait until we’re married and I’m officially yours.”
As she lowered her mouth to his, he was gripped by the feeling that she was completely and utterly wrong. It wasn’t she who was the lucky one.
Seven
“Ashley, if you don’t sit still we’re never going to get your hair and makeup right,” Pippa said in exasperation.
“I still think she should have just called in a stylist,” Sylvia said as she eyed the progress Tabitha was making on Ashley’s hair.
“Tabitha is a stylist, silly,” Ashley said. “She’s the best and who doesn’t want the best on their wedding day? And who knows more about makeup than Carly?”
Pippa snorted. “That’s so true. I’m convinced cosmetic companies should just pay her to endorse their products.”
“Close your eyes, Ash,” Carly said. “Time for mascara. Just a bit, though. Don’t want you looking clumpy on the big day.”
Ashley frowned. “Definitely not clumpy.”
“Darling, are you almost done?” Ashley’s mother sang out from the doorway. “You’re on in ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?” Tabitha shrieked. “No way. Can you stall them, Mrs. C.?”
“I’m not going to be late to my own wedding,” Ashley said firmly. “Just hurry faster, Tab. My hair will be fine. Just put the veil over the knot.”
“Just put the veil over the knot,” Tabitha grumbled. “As if it’s that easy.”
Sylvia rolled her eyes, pushed between Tabitha and Ashley and quickly affixed the veil to the elegant chignon. “There, Ashley. You look beautiful.”
“Lip gloss and we’re done,” Carly announced. “Make a kissy face.”
Ashley smacked her lips and a moment later, Carly pulled away to allow Ashley to see herself in the mirror.
“Oh, you guys,” she whispered.
Her best friends beamed back at her in the mirror.
“You look beautiful,” Pippa said, her eyes bright with tears. “The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
“Absolutely you do,” Tabitha said.
The four women crowded in to hug her.
“Girls, time for you to go. Your escorts are waiting. We don’t want to make the bride late,” Ashley’s mother called.
Her friends scrambled toward the door, bouquets in hand.
“Your father is coming to get you now,” her mother said as she walked over. She paused when she got to Ashley and then smiled, tears glittering in her eyes. “My baby, all grown up. You look so beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”
“Don’t make me cry, Mom. You know I have no willpower.”
Her mom laughed and reached for her hands. She squeezed them and then helped her to her feet.
“Let me fix your gown. Your father will be pacing outside the door. You know how he hates to be late for anything.”
She fussed with Ashley’s dress and then there was a knock on the dressing room door.
“That will be him now. Are you ready, darling?”
Sudden nerves gripped Ashley and her palms went sweaty. But she nodded. Oh, God, this was really it. She was about to walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Devon Carter.
She threw her arms around her mom and hugged her tight. “Love you, Mom.”
Her mother squeezed her back. “Love you, too, baby. Now let’s go before your father wears a hole in the floor.”
She went ahead of Ashley to open the door and sure enough, her father was outside checking his watch. He looked up when he heard them and his expression softened. A glimmer of emotion welled in his eyes and he held out his hand to take hers.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” he said in a tight voice. “It seems like only yesterday you were learning to walk and talk. You look beautiful, Ash. Devon is a lucky man.”
She leaned up to kiss his wrinkled cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. You look pretty spiffy yourself.”
The wedding coordinator hurried up to them and motioned with rapid flying hands. She shooed them toward the entrance to the aisle and then spent a few seconds arranging the train of her dress.
Ashley’s mom was escorted down the aisle and seated, which only left Ashley to be walked down the aisle with her father.
The music began, the doors swung open and every eye in the church turned to watch as Ashley took her first step.
Her bouquet shook in her hands and she prayed her knees would hold up. The dress suddenly seemed to weigh a ton and despite the cold outside, the church felt like a sauna.
But then she caught sight of Tabitha, Carly, Sylvia and Pippa all standing at the front of the church, their smiles wide and encouraging. Pippa winked and held a thumbs-up then pointed toward Devon and made a motion like she was fanning herself.
And finally her gaze locked on to Devon and she forgot about everyone else. Forgot about her nervousness, her sudden doubt. Nothing but the fact that he awaited her at the front of the church and that from now on, she’d belong to him.
It gave her a warm, mushy feeling from head to toe.
And then her dad was handing her over to Devon. Devon smiled reassuringly down at her as they took the step toward the priest and the ceremony began.
It pained her to later admit that she didn’t remember most of the ceremony. What she did remember was Devon’s eyes and the warmth that enveloped her standing next to him as she pledged her love, loyalty and devotion. And the kiss he gave her after they were pronounced husband and wife scorched her to her toes.
Suddenly they were walking back down the aisle, this time together, as a married couple. They ducked into an alcove to
“You look absolutely stunning.”
He kissed her again. This time slower. More intense. Long and lingering. He took his time exploring her mouth, and when he pulled away, she swayed and caught his arm to steady herself.
Around her, the noise of well-wishers grew and she realized that guests were coming out of the church.
“Darling, they need you back inside the church for pictures,” her mother called as she hurried towards Ashley and Devon. “All your attendants are already gathered. The others are going ahead to the reception. The car is waiting to take you and Devon after you’re finished with all the photos.”
Devon looked less than happy at the idea of posing for so many photographs but he gave a resigned sigh and took Ashley’s hand to lead her back into the sanctuary.
“It’ll be over soon,” she whispered. “Then we can be off on our honeymoon.”
He smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. “It’s the only thing making the next few hours bearable for me. The idea of you and me locked in a hotel suite for days.”
She flushed but shivered in delight at the images his words invoked. She too couldn’t wait for them to be alone.
But at the same time, this was her day and she was going to enjoy every single moment of it. She smiled as she was swarmed by her friends. She was surrounded by countless cousins, her uncles and aunts, her parents, her brother, distant relatives, friends.
It was truly the happiest day of her life.
Devon collected a glass of wine while Ashley’s brother took his turn on the dance floor with her. Devon should probably be dancing with one of her family members but she had so many female relatives that he couldn’t keep track.
Cam immediately found him and Devon whistled appreciatively to mock the formal tuxedo his friend wore.
“Only for you would I wear this getup,” Cam said darkly. “I didn’t wear this for Rafe’s wedding and Ryan married Kelly so fast we were lucky to get a phone call saying the deed was done.”
“You weren’t required to wear one for Rafe’s wedding,” Devon pointed out.
Cam shrugged. “True, but then I wasn’t required to wear one for yours, either. I didn’t want to disappoint Ash. She thinks I look hot.”
Devon shook his head. “I can’t believe you’ve stuck around this long. Not like you to be out of your cave for such an extended period of time.”
Cam made a rude noise. “I’m supposed to convey my congratulations or commiserations, whichever you need or prefer, from Rafe and Ryan. They were both sorry they couldn’t make it but with wives about to drop the package at any moment, they understandably remained at home by their sides.”
“You have to cut it out,” Devon said. “My getting married isn’t the end of the world. You didn’t give Rafe and Ryan this much grief.”
“Oh I did,” Cam said with a grin. “I totally did. But they deserved it. They were both total douche bags.”
“Like you’re a shining example of chivalry, Mr. I-hate-everyone-and-women-in-particular.”
Cam sobered. “Don’t hate women at all. I like them too much if anything. Kind of sucks if you ask me. Besides, it’s fun to give you hell. I think Ashley is perfect for a stuffy stick-in-the-mud like yourself.”
“I didn’t mean that, man,” Devon said wearily. “I’m just on edge. I’ll be glad when this is all over with. Too much stress. I’ve worried on a daily basis that she’d find out the truth and tell me to go to hell. The sooner we can get the hell out of here and on the plane to St. Angelo, the better I’ll feel.”
“For what it’s worth, I wish you well,” Cam said. “I think you made a huge mistake marrying someone over a business deal, but she’s a sweet girl and you could certainly do worse. It’s not you I worry about anyway. It’s her.”
“Gee, thanks,” Devon said dryly. “Glad you’ve got my back on this one.”
Cam’s gaze found Ashley on the dance floor as her brother spun her around. She laughed and her smile lit up the entire room. It was clear she was having the time of her life.
“At least you won’t suffer a broken heart,” Cam said in a low voice. “Can you say the same for Ashley?”
“I’m not going to break her heart, damn it. Can we drop this? The last thing I need is for someone to overhear us.”
“Yeah, sure. Think I’ll go cut in on Ashley’s brother, pay my respects to the bride before I head back to the cave you accuse me of crawling out of.”
Devon watched as Cam sauntered onto the dance floor. A moment later, Eric relinquished Ashley into Cam’s arms.
“You’ve made my little girl very happy,” William Copeland said.
Devon turned around to see his father-in-law come up behind him. William smiled broadly and clapped Devon affectionately on the back. “Welcome to the family, son.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s an honor.”
“You take Ashley and you two have a good time. Don’t worry a thing about the business. We’ll have plenty of time to focus on what needs to be done when you get back.”
Devon nodded. “Of course.”
“Ashley’s mother wanted me to tell you that the car taking you and Ashley to the airport is waiting outside. Now tradition is that you stick around, do silly stuff like cut the cake and stuff it into each other’s faces, but if it were me and I’d just married one of the sweetest girls in New York City, I’d duck and make a run for it. You could be to the airport before anyone notices you’re gone.”
Devon smiled. “That sounds like the best plan I’ve heard all night. You’ll cover my exit?”
William smiled back conspiratorially. “That I will, son. Go on now. Go collect your bride. Everyone here will be more than happy to eat the cake for you. No groom I ever knew gave a damn about cake anyway.”
Devon laughed and then waded into the crowd to go retrieve Ashley from Cam.
Eight
The sun was sinking over the horizon when Devon carried Ashley through the doorway of their suite. As soon as he put her down, she ran to the terrace doors, flung them wide and gasped in pleasure at the burst of color splashed across the sky.
“Oh Devon, it’s beautiful!”
He came up behind her, slipped his arms around her body and pulled her into his chest. He nibbled at her ear and she sighed in pleasure.
“I can’t believe this is our view for the next week. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been to the beach? I was a little girl.”
“What?” he asked in mock horror. “You don’t go to the beach?”
“I know. Terrible, isn’t it? I don’t know why. It’s just not where our family ever went on vacation and my friends aren’t really beachgoers. I just haven’t made it a point to go and yet here we are and it’s so fabulously gorgeous that I don’t even have the words to describe it,” she said breathlessly.
He chuckled. “Sounds to me like you have plenty of words. But I’m glad you like it.”
She turned in his arms, allowing his hands to drop to her waist as he held her there. “How on earth did you find this place? I’d never heard of St. Angelo.”
“We’re constructing a resort here. We broke ground several weeks ago. Ryan and Kelly live here, remember?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Oh yes, you told me about them. I remember now. I’ve never met them. I’ve only met Cam.”
“A situation I’ll remedy soon. Bryony and Kelly are both very near to their due dates and so they aren’t able to travel. We’ll have dinner with Ryan and Kelly while we’re here and I’m sure we’ll have the occasion to meet Rafe and Bryony before long.”
“I can’t wait.”
“I couldn’t care less about them at the moment,” Devon murmured. “I’m more interested in our wedding night.”
Heat exploded in her cheeks at the same time a delicious shiver wracked her spine. “I have to get ready,” she said in a low voice. “I have something special. It’s a surprise.”
“Mmm, what kind of surprise?”
“Umm, well, it was a gift from my girlfriends. They assured me no man alive would be able to resist me in it.”
“Oh hell, remind me to thank them.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t seen me in it yet.”
“I’ll like it. I’m sure I’ll like it. I’d like you in sackcloth. Whatever it is they bought you, I’m sure I’ll appreciate it. Right before I peel it off your delectable body.”
She all but wiggled in excitement. She was barely able to contain herself. “Okay, you wait here. Give me fifteen minutes at least. I want to look perfect. And no peeking!”
He held up his hands. “Would I do such a thing?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Promise me.”
He sighed. “Okay, okay. But get moving. I’m going to go down and arrange for a very good bottle of wine and also give them our breakfast order for the morning. You have until I get back to do your thing.”
She went up on tiptoe, kissed him and brushed past him into the suite. She waited just until he walked by and out of the bedroom before she hurriedly retrieved the bright pink, totally girly gift box from her suitcase.
At her lingerie shower, her girlfriends had delighted in making her eyes grow wide at all the things they’d bought her. The gifts had ranged from totally classy and elegant to absolutely outrageous and daring.
For her wedding night, she’d chosen a gown that was the perfect blend of elegant and sensual. It was sexy without being over-the-top siren material, although Ashley had no objection over the siren part. Being a seductive temptress for an evening had its merits and she was determined that she’d eventually work up the nerve to pull that one off.
She hurriedly changed and then went to survey herself in the mirror in the corner. The gown was beautiful. She felt like a princess and she liked that feeling very much. A pampered, cherished princess.
She reached for the clip holding her hair up and let the strands tumble down onto her shoulders. She fluffed it a bit, ran her fingers through the ends to straighten it and then took another step back to survey her reflection.
The bodice plunged deep between her breasts and offered just a hint of a view of the swells. If she turned just right, her nipple was almost bared. Almost, but not quite.
The skirt of the gown was sheer and it shimmered over her legs like a dream. Maybe she’d underestimated the siren quality of the lingerie. It seemed innocent enough in the box, but on her…? It took on a more seductive air and made her look less innocent and more brazen.
Not a bad look to achieve on one’s wedding night.
She flashed herself an impish grin and turned away from the mirror. Impulsively, she swirled around, outstretching her arms as she pretended to dance with an imaginary partner.
Humming lightly she twirled again, sighing dreamily as she performed the steps to the waltz she and Devon had danced at her reception. He was a good dancer. He didn’t seem entirely comfortable with dancing as a rule, but he’d been more than adept at it. He moved like a dream. Commanding. Graceful with a hint of arrogance that made her all giddy inside.
She closed her eyes and whirled again. Her outstretched hand smacked against something hard and pain flashed over her knuckles at the same time a crash jolted her out of her fantasy.
Devon’s laptop that had been resting on the mantel of the fireplace along with his wallet, keys and the contents of his pockets, was now lying on the floor in pieces.
She dropped to the floor, groaning her dismay. It looked as if the battery had just popped out but how could she be sure? What if she’d broken it? Who knew what all-important, irreplaceable things he had on his laptop. If he was anything like her father and brother and countless other family members, his entire life was in the damn thing.
Okay, she knew her way around computers. She may not spend her life on one, but she was capable of working one. Or determining whether or not she’d just -->