Outback Bachelor
Page 18
“And the one after that,” Skye said, her happiness absolute. Her vision had such clarity. The two of them making their journey hand in hand through life. Partners. Full partners. In every way. It filled her mind with glory. “I suppose it would be too much to hope Scott can get his act together?” She briefly sobered.
“You said it, Sky-Eyes.” Keefe’s answer was laconic. “Scott’s a man in charge of his own future. I guess he has a perfect right to go to the devil if he so chooses. We’ll just have to make do with the entire McGovern clan plus most of the Outback.”
“Wonderful!” She was floating high again on emotion. “Only you haven’t officially asked me to marry you.”
“Watch this!” Before she knew what he was about, he tumbled her off his lap, falling to one knee on the plush rug, taking her hand. He turned it over, spread her palm wide. Then he bent his raven head to press an ever-deepening kiss into her palm. It sent little electric jolts all over her highly receptive body. “How old were you when you first asked me to marry you?” There was devilment in his eyes. “Five, wasn’t it?”
She gave a little laugh, her expression both tender and alluring. “I was always a precocious child and you were always my prince. You used to call me ‘little buddy’.”
“You were my little buddy then. Now you’re my woman, soon to be my wife. I can love you and take care of you better than any other man on earth.”
“You’d better!” she teased, exhilaration in her eyes.
“Oh, I will.” He leaned forward to kiss her lips, luscious as strawberries, taking his own good time. Slowly…very slowly…drawing the tip of his tongue over the pillowy contours, tracing the outline…all the while feeding her hunger….
Her arms draped themselves around his neck. “You’re the best kisser in the world,” she exulted. “The best!”
“And we’re not finished yet,” he said with thrilling ardency. “Skye Catrina McCory, will you do me the great honour of becoming my bride?” He stared into her eyes, thinking them the most beautiful blue he had ever seen. His daughters simply had to have eyes like that. “Would you please raise your left hand?”
“Right hand for the Bible.” She tried to laugh, but there was a decided shake to it.
“Left hand for engagement rings,” he pointed out.
She threw her head back in surprise. “You haven’t got one surely?”
“Not on my person, no. But give me a moment.” He sprang up with characteristic litheness, moving across to where his jacket was folded over an armchair.
“Quickly, quickly!” She gave in to a helpless moan. “The suspense is killing me.”
He came back to her, and then with an exaggerated courtly flourish knelt at her feet. “I had hoped things would go more perfectly tonight—”
“Don’t you dare speak about Gordon Roth,” she cried, love and longing rising high in her breast. “I’m not going to allow a miserable creature like him mar our great moment.”
“I should think not! Voilà!” He opened up a small box covered in dark blue velvet. “Name me one beautiful blue-eyed woman who doesn’t have—or should have—a magnificent sapphire?” he challenged. “You think it’s beautiful?” His gaze, earnest and intense, sought her approval.
“Oh, Keefe!” She made a little sound of awe and heady delight. “It’s so beautiful. I’m going to need all night to tell you.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you awake so you can,” he promised, silver eyes glinting. Gently he slid the exquisite sapphire and diamond ring down over her knuckle into its resting place. “With this ring I seal our pact. Together we walk through life hand in hand. Man and wife.”
“A big amen to that!” She answered on a prayerful breath. The high sense of occasion was accompanied by overwhelming emotion, blocking her throat with tears. “It’s very scary, loving you so much,” she confessed.
He answered with raw emotion. “My darling, you scare me, too. That’s what comes of loving so intensely.” He reached for her hungrily, drawing her down onto the rug beside him. Gently he settled her on her back, loving the way her honey-blonde hair fanned out around her flushed, excited face, pulsing with light. “I want to look at you. I want to love you.” For long moments he placed his hands on either side of her head, staring down at her.
“Now can’t be soon enough!” The heat of passion was making its blistering path from her head to her toes.
“So what do you think?” His voice was as smooth and rich as molten honey. “Will I make love to you here, or will I carry you down the hallway to bed?”
For answer Skye threw up her slender arms, ecstatically locking them around his neck and drawing his beloved head down to her. She was literally thrumming with love and desire.
“Here is perfect for me,” she said.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5006-6
OUTBACK BACHELOR
First North American Publication 2010.
Copyright © 2010 by Margaret Way Pty., Ltd.
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