Weaving through the crowd, she headed straight for him. Hips swaying, eyelids heavy, she sensually slid her tongue over her full lips and stopped before him.
The tingling in his groin built, not helping his current problem. “Stop that.” He groaned.
“Stop what?”
He saw through the innocent flutter of her lashes. “You know what. The way you’re looking at me.” As if she wanted to devour him.
Leaning into him, she brushed her lips over his. “It appeared to me you might need a hand?”
Marc sucked in a breath. “What?”
Her gaze dipped south to the bulge between his thighs. Her voice dropped an octave. “With that.”
A rush of liquid desire coursed through his veins.
“Wretched wench.” Marc pulled her into his arms, his lips close to her ear. “Baby, I’ll take a hand, a mouth, anything you are willing to—”
“Am I disturbing anything important?” Gina’s new agent, Georgia Brown, sidled up to them. Short and bookish, she wore an ear-to-ear grin beneath a nose that was a little too long. “You’re not going to believe what just passed over my desk.”
Gina twisted in Marc’s arms, leaving them wrapped around her waist. “What?”
“A script for an historical film and, Gia, it was written for you. In fact, the producer called and the leading part is yours.” The woman’s excitement beamed across her face as the news tumbled out of her mouth. Before Gina could respond, Georgia continued. “But we’ll have to leave in a week. England. What do you say? Should I call the producer? Make travel arrangements? Are you coming along, Marc? Damn. I hope we can tie things up with your attorney and Mr. Temin before we leave.”
After their small wedding two months ago at her parents’ house, Gina’s ex-agent-slash-boyfriend finally realized that wooing her wasn’t an option. Like the parasite he was, he was using their contract to stay in her life. It had been Georgia who had showed them the loophole in their agreement. Doug would soon be history, as would Mary, who had moved back home to Cincinnati.
Gina shook her head. “I have to pass.” As she glanced over her shoulder at Marc, he heard her disappointment. “Remember we’re taking a month-long honeymoon starting tomorrow.”
“Sweetheart.” Marc gazed down into her crystal-blue eyes. “Spain is close to England. We could change the location and kill two birds with one stone.”
“Really?”
“Gina, I know when an opportunity presents itself you have to jump on it. I also know what your career means to you. And there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching you perform.” He gave her a hug and then let her go.
“Wonderful,” Georgia beamed. “I’ll make all the arrangements. Oh. Oh. Oh.” Her eyes widened. “There’s more. Terry Livens wants a meeting with you.” Her eyes gleamed. “He wants to offer you the lead role in a series that he’s considering.”
“That’s great, but—” When Gina paused, Marc and Georgia’s concerned expressions matched. “Well, I-I,” she stammered. “I was thinking about starting a family after we returned from our honeymoon.” There was an edge of vulnerability in her tone Marc found so endearing. Her gaze rose to meet his. “I mean, only if you want to too.”
“Oh is that all?” Georgia heaved a breath of relief and swiped a palm through the air. “Honey, remember this is Hollywood. Everything is done with cameras, mirrors, lights and clothing. As long as you’re healthy and able to work, no one will know the difference. Even if you’re as big as a house. Which I’m sure you won’t be,” she quickly added.
A family?
Emotion caught in his throat. “You want to have a baby?”
She nodded.
Excitement welled inside him but he hesitated. “I thought you’d want to wait.”
“No. I mean. We can wait if you want.”
He laid a palm on her stomach. “I can’t wait until you carry my son or daughter.”
Gina went on tiptoes and softly kissed Marc. “Let’s go.”
After entering her dressing room and slipping out of her costume, Gia shimmied into a full-length evening gown that shimmered as if it were made of golden flecks. Holding up the hem, she slid her feet into a matching pair of stilettos. She glanced in the mirror, checking her long red hair and gave it a fluff with her hands before moving around the vintage tri-fold French dressing screen.
As she scanned the dressing room, a nostalgic moment clenched her chest. This had been home away from home for some time, but now she had a real home with a husband and maybe soon a little boy who would be the image of his father or perhaps a redheaded girl who would have Gia’s eyes. She laid her palm on her flat abdomen and smiled at the thought of Marc’s child growing inside her.
“You’re beautiful.” Marc eased up behind her, circling her waist with strong arms. She leaned back, soaking up his warmth. “Happy?”
“Yes.” She would be even happier if they could skip the celebration party given in her honor and go home.
He looked so handsome dressed in a black tuxedo and a white shirt that contrasted his suntanned skin deliciously. Marc’s dark hair was combed back, his eyelids heavy. His sexy expression made her heart stutter. How had she gotten so lucky?
Warm breath washed across her neck and her flesh prickled. Firm but soft lips slid across her skin as his teeth nibbled and teased the sensitive area behind her ear.
“I love you,” he murmured.
Gia turned in his arms, their noses touching, their mouths a breath away. “I love you too.”
Briefly he kissed her before giving her a squeeze. “Let’s get out of here. Get this party over so we can go home.” Grabbing her hand, he led her toward the door. As they stepped outside, her black limousine pulled up and Antares got out. The android tipped his head and then activated the doors, which sprang upward.
Gia climbed in, adjusting the folds in her gown before Marc followed. “We need to call our families to let them know we’ve changed our plans.”
“Can you take off work for several months?” Gia couldn’t bear the thought of an ocean between them. Even with faster-than-light travel being what it was, she couldn’t bear being away from him.
He remained quiet for longer than was comfortable.
“Marc?”
“We’ll have this next month together, but I’ll need to return to the States to oversee the build of the Institute’s backorders.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Maybe I shouldn’t take this job.”
The door closed softly and the dark-eyed android slid behind the steering wheel. “Lexar Hotel?”
“Yes. Please.” Conflicted, she dropped her gaze to her folded hands laying in her lap.
Marc draped an arm around her shoulders. “You’ve already made a commitment. We’ll work through this. I can fly back and forth when time permits.”
“Distance kills a relationship.”
Gia didn’t need to tell him that. All he had to do was listen to Entertainment Daily, which provided the scoop on all celebrities’ lives. In fact, their wedding had been plastered across the sky waves. Las Vegas even provided two-to-one odds on how long their marriage would last. It was disheartening.
“Not ours, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “I promise I’ll do whatever I can to minimize our separation.”
Sighing, she snuggled into him, inhaling his clean scent spiced with a woodsy cologne. She couldn’t believe she was married to such an understanding man. Now if they could actually make it happen.
They pulled up to the hotel entrance where a massive crowd had already gathered. Cameras flashed. Onlookers attempted to see into the dark tinted windows of their vehicle. Marc and Gia waited until the door opened. A familiar roar erupted, echoing in Gia’s chest, but this time she wouldn’t be walking alone. Marc got out, extended her his hand, and she smiled.
As they strolled arm in arm down the red carpet, she leaned in to him and whispered, “I rented a hotel room—the honeymoon suite.” Then they entered the large ballroom and she w
as swept away by a group of admirers.
Time passed and each time she attempted to make her way back to Marc someone else would sabotage her. The sultry come-hither expressions he gave her from across the room promised a night of passion, heating her body with anticipation.
Patience had never been a virtue she possessed. Wetting her lips, she motioned with a jerk of her head toward the door.
Marc winked his acknowledgement.
Before anyone else could stop her, Gia slipped into the hallway. She didn’t have to wait long for Marc to join her. Like two errant children, hand in hand and laughing, they raced toward the elevators.
Alone in the closed-in structure, she tipped her chin to receive Marc’s passionate kiss. Taking several steps, he pinned her against the cool steel and ravished her mouth. She was breathless when they reached the penthouse floor. As the door to their suite slid open, she kicked off her heels and faced Marc.
Neither she nor Marc paid attention to the elegance of the room, the dimly lit chandelier or king-size bed that awaited them. They had eyes for only each other.
Marc began to unravel his tie. “Remove your gown.”
Reaching behind her, Gia activated the fastener and her zipper fell in a hush. The hunger in his steamy glare made her hand tremble. With a slight shrug, the silky material slid off her arms, baring already heavy breasts, then slinking past her hips and legs before pooling around her ankles.
Naked.
Marc’s jaw dropped in surprise. “You wore nothing beneath that gown?”
Through lowered lashes, she gazed up at him. “Uh-huh.”
A growl echoed from somewhere low in his throat. Feverishly he worked to remove his coat, tossing it to the floor. As his heavy footsteps closed the distance between them, he fumbled with his shirt.
In a heartbeat, Gia found herself wrapped in his arms, his mouth plundering hers. He tasted of brandy and forever. When his tongue slid alongside hers, she sucked on it with long pulls.
When Marc had removed all his clothes she had no idea, but in mere seconds the heat of his nude body was pressed into hers. His rigid erection bit into her belly. She made a small adjustment and felt his hardness against her moist pussy.
“Thank you,” he whispered close to her ear.
Rocking her hips back and forth, she savored the feel of him. “For what?”
“Forgiving me.” Marc eased back so that their gazes met. “Why did you?”
“You mean besides the fact that I love you?” She smoothed her palms up arms of steel until they were locked around his neck. “Honestly, I quite lost myself in your apology. Not to mention that kiss.” Her gaze fell to his lips. “It was hard to hate you after that.” Well, there was also the fact that she had been miserable without him those five weeks. “Now, husband, shut up and kiss me.”
He did just that and so much more. With one thrust he joined them together and began to focus on making all Gia’s dreams come true.
About the Author
A taste of the erotic, a measure of daring and a hint of laughter describes Mackenzie McKade’s novels. She sizzles the pages with scorching sex, fantasy and deep emotion that will touch you and keep you immersed until the end. Whether writing contemporaries, futuristics or fantasies, this Arizona native thrives on giving you the ultimate erotic adventure.
When not traveling through her vivid imagination, she’s spending time with three beautiful daughters, a devilishly handsome grandson, and the man of her dreams. She loves to write, enjoys reading, and boating and jet skiing top her list of summer activities. If mischief is in order—Mackenzie’s your gal!
Mackenzie welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].
Also by Mackenzie McKade
A Tall, Dark Cowboy
A Very Faery Christmas
Dead Awakening
Destiny’s Touch
Echoes from Heaven
Ecstasy 1: The Game
Ecstasy 2: The Charade
Forbidden Fruit
Return to Wonderland 1: Lord Kir of Oz with Cheyenne McCray
Return to Wonderland 2: Kalina’s Discovery with Cheyenne McCray
Sand Angel
Print books by Mackenzie McKade
A Tall, Dark Cowboy
Ecstasy 1: The Game
Ecstasy 2: The Charade
Return to Wonderland 1: Lord Kir of Oz with Cheyenne McCray
Return to Wonderland 2: Kalina’s Discovery with Cheyenne McCray
Sand Angel
White-Hot Holidays Volume 1 anthology
Wicked Winter anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com
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