by Maggie Cox
Imogen wished she could say, Yes...I need you to look at me as if I’m important to you and not distance yourself as you’re doing now. Instead, she answered, ‘No, there’s nothing. It sounds as if you’ve taken care of everything.’
There was a fleeting glimmer of what seemed to be disquiet on his face, but it quickly disappeared. ‘In that case I’ll say goodnight.’
‘Goodnight, Seth.’
She wanted him to take her in his arms and kiss her, to reassure her that everything would work out for the best. But it seemed he had decided to maintain his distance until tomorrow, and after her outburst just now there was nothing she could do about that but accept it...
* * *
Rising from the sumptuous bed that she had occupied on her own last night, Imogen glanced out of the window to see that the morning was bright, but likely very cold. A lone leaf skittered across the immaculate lawns that were covered in a veil of icy frost, and the sounds of birdsong seemed muted.
Was it an omen that she would end up alone after all? That Seth wouldn’t follow through with the marriage?
Impatient that she still found it so hard to trust, she escaped into the bathroom to take her shower.
When she emerged a while later her gaze immediately fell on the exquisite dress she would be wearing that day. It was draped on a hanger outside the wardrobe, its delicate shimmering folds resembling the magical garb of a mythical princess. But it wasn’t at all easy to feel joyful about it. How could she? She was marrying a man who didn’t love her and history seemed to be repeating itself.
Would she ever be able to reach Seth’s heart and help him see that she had come to believe that love wasn’t a mere emotion, that it was the truest thing of all? That if he gave it a chance it would help dissolve the fear of loss that undoubtedly dogged him and allow him to see that he deserved to love and be loved again, by a woman who honestly adored him? Imogen wanted him to know that there were second chances in life and that his first love didn’t have to be his only one.
With a heartfelt sigh, she moved across to the dressing table to fix her hair...
* * *
It had been ten years ago that Seth had started his career in America, and with his knowledge of mechanics and his enthusiasm to work on the most desirable sports cars that career had spectacularly taken off to catapult him into the elite world of the rich and famous. Since then he had experienced many social events amongst the great and the good, but he had never felt more tense or nervous about an occasion as he did now, on the day of his marriage to Imogen.
Last night he’d found out that she wasn’t entirely happy with him. Her outburst had seriously given him cause to doubt his decision to marry her. What was she looking for in this upcoming partnership of theirs? Had he missed something?
Because of his disquiet he hadn’t enjoyed the best night’s sleep. In fact he’d hardly slept at all. He’d been far too restless. Restless and frustrated. Dominating his thoughts had been the moment when he would hopefully take her in his arms and make her his own...
As arranged, they were travelling to the Peel Tower in separate cars, so that he wouldn’t see his bride before the wedding. Acting as one of their witnesses, the hotel manager sat beside him. He was a friendly young man called Aziz, and with his cheerful upbeat manner he gamely endeavoured to help Seth feel more relaxed.
In truth it was a futile exercise, because he wouldn’t relax until he had put his ring on Imogen’s finger and officially made her his wife. It was a matter of honour to him. He wanted her to know that not all men were cheats and liars like her ex-fiancé.
On their arrival at the venue, they discovered that the ancient tower was situated amidst a sea of manicured lawns and surrounded by a graceful meadow. The scene was utterly charming for a young bride to see on her wedding day, he mused, and he hoped that Imogen would be delighted by it.
When they’d disembarked from the white Rolls Royce they’d arrived in, the immaculately dressed steward waiting for them directed them inside. Seth and the affable Aziz would wait there for Imogen and the concierge, Nina, to arrive.
As they climbed the age-old stone steps to the room where the ceremony would take place Seth’s stomach muscles clenched hard. For the first time since she’d died, all those years ago, he couldn’t seem to conjure up Louisa’s face. A momentary sense of panic rolled through him. Was he starting to forget her?
As he tussled with the idea, he followed the steward through an arched doorway into a beautiful serene chamber, where it seemed that time had stood still for centuries. The atmosphere was as hushed and reverent as inside a church. But aside from the tangibly almost holy atmosphere, he found that he hardly registered much else. Not even the historical artefacts and paintings on the walls surrounding them claimed his attention as they might have done if he hadn’t been about to undertake something as momentous as this marriage.
The anticipation of seeing Imogen again and the fear that she might be regretting making this commitment to him after all wasn’t exactly reassuring. Their final words last night had been undeniably awkward and stilted as they’d bade each other goodnight. Seth had been feeling selfishly disgruntled that she hadn’t succumbed to a little more intimacy with him, and Imogen had angrily suggested that the deal they’d made was cold and devoid of feeling.
He wanted to reassure her that he genuinely cared about her feelings, and that if it was what she wanted he’d aim to make things up to her by giving her a wedding to remember. He had even relented and had a photographer from a reputable style magazine in attendance, so that he and Imogen would have some pictures to mark the event.
His hope was that she would have some nice memories of their wedding and that they would eventually help make her forget about the humiliation of being jilted at the church by her ex-fiancé, as well as show her family and friends that she was more than capable of making good decisions.
He was more than a little stunned when he realised that his feelings for Imogen were becoming disturbingly stronger day by day, hour by hour and moment by moment. Lost in thought, he was jolted when Aziz nudged him.
‘Mr Broden?’ the other man said quietly. ‘Your bride is here.’
Seth turned round and was immediately struck dumb. What confronted him was a vision of the loveliest woman he had ever seen...dressed in the exquisite silk and lace wedding gown he’d bought her. To set off the beauty of the dress Imogen’s alluring chestnut curls were crowned by a delicately arranged floral headdress. Against her breast she clutched a small bouquet of ravishing white camellias.
Her incandescent beauty astounded him. She was quite simply bewitching. He walked towards her, then dazedly came to a standstill, and for a second or two his words deserted him.
‘Hello, Seth.’ Her prettily painted coral lips curved in a tentative smile.
‘You look utterly enchanting.’ Keeping his words low, for her ears only, he went on, ‘Just as though you stepped out of a dream.’
He held out his hand and she gracefully accepted it. Any tension that might have previously seized her ebbed away, and her beautiful brown eyes shone like twin candles, lighting the way on a moonlit night.
‘You look pretty good, too,’ she told him. Her cheeks dimpling, she took her time surveying the flawless grey tuxedo, waistcoat and matching silk tie that he wore. ‘Just like a movie star.’
‘As long as I please you...that’s all that matters, sweetheart.’
An elegant woman dressed in a formal navy blue suit stepped forward just then to introduce herself as the celebrant. She asked, ‘Mr Broden? Miss Hayes? Are you ready to be married?’
Seth had told her that she looked as if she’d stepped out of a dream and from that moment on Imogen felt as if she inhabited one. During a beautifully conducted ceremony they made their vows and she officially became Mrs Seth Broden.
Not
hing could have been more surreal than the moment when Seth put the diamond-encrusted platinum ring he’d bought on her wedding finger. She only wished she had thought to buy one for him. Would he have minded if it had been a far simpler affair than the one he’d given her?
But then she thought, Surely love is far more valuable than any jewel or diamond?
CHAPTER TEN
THE SENSE THAT she must be dreaming stayed with Imogen for the rest of the day—throughout the wedding breakfast that followed and afterwards, when they were toasted with champagne by Celia Bamford, their witnesses, and some of the friendly hotel staff.
She felt as if she was in some kind of trance. Oh, she talked and she smiled at people, and ate some of the incredible food that had been prepared for them, but her ability to remember who, what and where seemed to have deserted her. All she seemed to be able to focus on was Seth. He stayed by her side the whole time, catching her hand if there was the merest hint of her being monopolised by anyone else, and sending her a smile that conveyed to her that this was their day. Nothing else would take precedence.
Anyone observing them must believe that theirs was a true love match—that their wedding had come about because they couldn’t bear to be without each other. How surprised they’d be if they knew that the ceremony had been instigated out of a purely practical desire to help each other out.
Hurriedly jettisoning the thought—because for today at least she wanted to imagine that Seth did love her—Imogen endeavoured to engage with their guests and keep to herself the fact that their supposedly ‘convenient’ marriage had truly become the most important event of her life...
When they finally departed for their suite she was almost certain that she would suddenly wake up and find herself back in her flat, alone. The charismatic Seth Broden was just a figment of her imagination... He had to be, didn’t he?
‘At last I’ve got you all to myself Mrs Broden.’
Seth’s warm breath tickled her nape as his strong arms went round her waist. He’d captured her from behind and her senses were flooded by his sexy, classy cologne and the irresistible natural scent of the man himself.
‘So you have...’ she murmured softly.
‘You’re trembling,’ he said, breathing against her hair.
‘I know...’ There was no point in denying it. The dreamlike events of the day had been overwhelming. Now, alone with her new husband and nervous about what might be following, could anyone blame her for trembling?
Seth turned her in his arms and his compelling blue eyes stared into hers. A sexy half-smile played across his lips. ‘Do you want to make love with me, Imogen? I need to know now, before I venture any further.’
Staring back into his eyes, she felt any doubts she might have held on to melt away. Because he’d asked her, hadn’t just presumed they would make love, she was more than reassured that her agreement to go ahead was the right one.
‘I do, Seth. I want to make love with you very much.’
He released a long, slow breath. ‘That’s music to my ears, baby.’ The smile he gave her was nothing less than heartfelt. ‘And there’s no need to be nervous. We’re going to take things very slowly. I know it’s your first time and I want you to enjoy it.’
‘Maybe...maybe I should go and take a shower first?’
He surprised her with a distinctly predatory glance. ‘Are you crazy? Taking a shower is the last thing I want you to do. The natural scent of your body turns me on.’
She was already tense with anticipation of the event to come, and his frank remark stunned her to silence. The cool lace of her beautiful gown suddenly became too hot where it glanced against her skin, and inside the fitted bodice her breasts ached and surged.
Swaying against him, she lifted her face. There would be no more words...provocative or otherwise. Instead, Seth’s lips came down on hers, hungrily, insatiably, as though he couldn’t bear one more second to pass without tasting her. His hands cupped her face and Imogen dizzyingly pressed herself against him, knowing that she wasn’t likely to be taking things slowly any time soon. Desire was like a raging river inside her that wouldn’t be quelled—not until she was intimately acquainted with his body in the fullest sense possible...
As if echoing her feelings, Seth lifted his mouth from hers, breathing hard. ‘I don’t want to tear your dress, sweetheart, but if I don’t strip it off you soon I’m liable to go crazy.’
Standing on tiptoe, she greedily stole another kiss from him, loving the way it took him by surprise, and felt him eagerly reach for her dress fastening to undo it.
Stilling his hand, she said shakily, ‘No. Let me do it.’
As the garment drifted lazily down to her feet it resembled the dying petals of a delicate ivory lily. Stepping out of it, Imogen kicked off her shoes. Next to go was her very feminine and pretty headdress. All she was left wearing was a flimsy ivory-coloured chemise, with white stockings and a matching bra and knickers.
Although she felt incredibly exposed, she also had a sense of being surprisingly free—free from the self-imposed strictures that had so often stopped her from enjoying her life to the full.
Witnessing Seth, sucking in a breath, she watched him breathe it out again slowly. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Then, with a distinct economy of effort, he smoothly removed his jacket and tie. Even the rustle of the material was seductive. It was like watching poetry in motion, Imogen thought excitedly. Everything he touched seemed drawn to do his bidding.
She opened her mouth to ask if they should go into the bedroom, but before she could utter the words he lifted her high into his arms and took her there. Carefully setting her down on the luxurious bed, he began to disrobe. Now it was Imogen’s turn to feast her gaze.
When Seth was down to black silk boxers, her mouth turned dry. She had already been aware that he was seriously fit and toned, but when she saw him in the flesh she had to stifle a gasp. If she had to describe it, she’d say that his body resembled a sublime Renaissance sculpture come to life. From his lean, hard-muscled biceps to his wide shoulders and slim hips, his musculature was smooth and mouth-wateringly defined.
Aware that she was watching him, he stopped to push his hand through his tawny hair. It lazily flopped onto his forehead. ‘Now it’s your turn, sweetheart.’
The low-voiced declaration put her in a spin. ‘You mean you want me to undress...completely?’ She could barely get the words out.
‘Yes—and I want you to let me watch as you do it.’
‘Really...? I—I mean, I...’ She gulped down a breath ‘I suppose under the circumstances I don’t have much choice.’
‘You always have a choice, angel, but I don’t doubt you’ll make the right one.’
Seth’s faith in her wasn’t so easy to apply when his helplessly lascivious gaze was studying her so intently.
It took every ounce of courage Imogen had in her to follow through with it, but with a breathy little sigh she started to peel off her stockings. Reminding herself that it was her wedding night, and of how much it meant to her, she took her time and deliberately turned the action into a provocative striptease. To her astonishment, she actually found herself enjoying it. She was no seductress, but she wanted to make their night together memorable, and for Seth not to forget that she’d willingly stripped for him despite not doing it for any other man before.
Inching towards the end of the bed, she felt the silken counterpane beneath her heightening her senses wherever it touched her flesh. She took her time to stretch out the sensual tension between them. When she stood up to remove her chemise Seth’s eyes visibly darkened. It was easy to see that he was straining to contain his desire.
With a teasing little smile she continued to undress, as though born to the task. When she’d finally slipped the garment off completely she took off her bra, and stood before him wearin
g just her lace panties. She didn’t cover herself as she might have done but stood proudly, knowing without vanity that he liked what he saw.
Keeping her arms down by her sides, she moved to stand in front of him. ‘I thought you might like to help me remove these?’ Even as her glance dropped meaningfully down to her underwear her daring made her tremble...
With an enigmatic smile, Seth didn’t reply. Instead, he yanked her towards him and ground his lips against hers in a hard, hot kiss. His passionate response might have made Imogen crumple had he not been holding her.
Reclaiming her breath, she remarked softly, ‘I take it that means yes?’
‘Damn right it means yes, you little witch.’
His big hands possessively cupped her bottom, his palms shaping the smooth soft flesh with undisputed eagerness. Then he impelled her towards him, expertly and seductively easing the delicate lingerie down over her thighs. For a while he just stood and stared, drinking in the sight of her, and even though she was quaking inside Imogen managed to resist crossing her arms to cover herself.
‘You’re so beautiful it hurts my eyes to look at you, angel...’ he commented huskily.
And as his gaze trailed down over her body and back again she felt every single glance as though they were tiny shocks of electricity. Again, time seemed to slow and grow still. Finally, shaking his head as if to free himself from a spell, Seth stood back to remove his boxers. Imogen had another good reason to appreciate his impressive physicality. His manhood was beautifully and unashamedly erect.
Moving away, he drew down the bedcovers, then returned to lift her onto the bed. With bated breath, Imogen found herself lying supine on the silken sheets as she waited impatiently for him to join her.