No Other Love
Page 19
Without speaking, he lowered his forehead to rest it against hers.
Her heart in her mouth, Jenna asked the question that had become a sudden need to know. “Was I any good?”
“Any good?” When he lifted his head, his brown eyes sparkled with amusement and he smiled that sexy smile. “You were sensational.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me?”
“Scout’s honor.” Their bodies were still joined, and he teased her nose with a lock of her hair while his eyes found hers. “You look like you just conquered the world.”
“I just did.”
He kissed her again and made to move away, but she tightened her legs around his waist. “Don’t go, Lucas,” she pleaded, her voice husky.
“If I don’t,” he said at softly, “you’ll be in for more of the same.”
He kissed her long and hard, and she accepted it with all the fire of a woman newly awakened. Her fingers fisted into his hair, holding his mouth against hers, as he thickened inside her. “That feels promising.”
“Does it now?” he said with a cheeky grin.
“And,” she said, walking her fingers up his nose, “don’t you always make good on your promises?”
“Always. But I’m curious.”
“What about?”
“I understand that after what happened to your mother, you didn’t want to make the same mistake, but, how come, in this day and age, you were still a virgin?”
“Any law says I shouldn’t be?
“Of course not, but—”
“The day and age has nothing to do with anything. It’s not a given. No one was going to take my choices away from me.” She placed a finger over his lips. “And, my darling, it was the only way I had of letting the man I love know for sure he was the only man I’d ever wanted, or would ever want.”
His million-megawatt smile dissolved and his face turned serious. “Jenna?”
“Yes, Lucas?”
“Marry me.”
She ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Yes, Lucas.”
He looked at her as though he hadn’t expected her to answer that way. “What did you say?”
“I’d love to marry you.”
He tensed, and she saw the love shining in his eyes. “You’re sure?”
She smiled and slipped her arms around his neck to pull him to her. “Very sure.”
“I’m not a prince, or an earl, or a duke,” he whispered against her lips.
She took his face between her hands. “You, Lucas Nelson, are a prince among men. And I don’t ever want to hear you mention dukes and earls ever again.”
He dropped little kisses all along her neck. “But what about your job? You love it. You worked hard for it.”
“Lucas Nelson, I hope you’re not trying to talk me out of this.”
“‘Course not.” He laughed, his warm breath in her ear sending little shivers of delight through her body. “Just making sure it’s what you really want.”
“I loved the job, of course I did, but not as much as I love you.”
He rested his elbows on either side of her head and she tightened her arms around his neck. “Well,” he said, “since we’re now officially engaged, I guess we’d better think about making some arrangements. Maybe we should go back to LA and get things rolling.”
“Why go all the way back there when we’re already in the perfect place for a honeymoon? Maybe we get could married here.”
The broad smile she was getting so used to seeing spread across his face, the dimple in his left cheek burrowing deep. “Of course we can.” He hesitated briefly. “You’re serious?”
She stroked his cheek. “Of course I’m serious. But let’s talk later.”
“Later?”
“After I’ve had my second helping.”
He kissed her. “Your wish is my command, my lady. But I’ll need to go change.”
“Hurry then.”
He laughed and made sweet love to her again.
****
“You look like the sun just came out.” Lucas smiled as Jenna came out from the bedroom in a yellow and white kaftan.
“I feel like it did.”
He got up, moved close to her, and took her in his arms. “You’re sure this is what you want?”
She slipped her arms around his waist and held him tight. “Very sure.”
He bent to kiss her, holding her against his body. “We’d better be careful,” he warned, “or I could embarrass us in front of our entourage.”
“Chicken.”
He ground his hips provocatively against hers. “Don’t push your luck.”
Soon the strains of bouzouki music drifted up from the wharf below. “Sounds like the band’s getting in full swing already.”
“Should be quite a bash down there today.”
Jenna agreed. “It was inspired to have our wedding on the same day as the fiesta.”
“I thought so. Our escort should be arriving soon.” Almost as soon as he’d said the words, a knock sounded on the door. “And here they are, right on cue.”
“Let’s not keep them waiting.”
Lucas opened the door to the grinning group of about eight people, who’d come to act as their wedding procession and take them to the little church on the wharf. His smile stretched from ear-to-ear as he turned to her. “Let’s go get married.”
With Lucas at her side, Jenna made her way down the hill. Her heart was full as she smiled at all the people spilling out of the little European church on the far side of the wharf, packed to capacity for the wedding of Mr. Lucas and his lady.
“I haven’t married anyone here in a long time,” the priest said with a big grin, and bade them enter.
One of the women of the town had presented Jenna with a posy of yellow roses as a gift. She gazed up at Lucas. “For a wedding that wasn’t going to be a big thing, we’re not doing too badly.”
He smiled in return. “If there’s one thing the Greek people love, it’s a good wedding.”
The congregation stood silent as they made their vows of love to each other and it surprised Jenna her voice sounded strong and clear when she made her promise to love and honor Lucas.
After the ceremony, Lucas took her in his arms and kissed her as passionately as he dare in front of the crowd.
“Will you join us for the meal, Father?”
“Thank you, Lucas. I’d be honored.”
Great cheers went up from the well-wishers as they threw confetti, then followed the bride and groom to Costas’ taverna at the other end of the wharf. Costas had decorated the cafe for the occasion with white and silver streamers that fluttered gracefully in the light sea breeze.
Lucas laughed when he saw the veritable feast of seafood awaiting them. “I ordered a special meal,” he said, “but I didn’t expect a banquet.”
“My gift to you,” a very proud Costas announced.
“Then I hope everyone is going to help us eat it.”
The bouzouki band started playing, kick-starting the party atmosphere.
Since it was also the day of the fiesta, giving thanks to the sea for all its bounty, a short procession soon began. The bustle and party spirit of the double celebration of wedding and fiesta captured her heart and Jenna laughed and clapped in time with the music while bouzoukis strummed their lilting tunes. The sound of laughter grew louder and all the while she was aware of Lucas sitting close at her side.
The procession floats were colorful, although crudely made, simple but heartwarming. They were decorated with huge shells and octopus, but Jenna particularly liked the one put together by the children, with myriad fish of differing colors and sizes, and at its center a huge pink lobster.
Toward the end of the meal, Lucas fed Jenna a forkful of succulent creamy lobster. “You know, I realized earlier today I’ve forgiven them. Why else would I feel so happy?”
“I’m glad to hear that, my darling. I would’ve hated to have their specters hanging over our marriage. Now we can
move forward with nothing to ruin our happiness.”
His brows furrowed suddenly. “It wasn’t the big white society wedding you always wanted.”
“It didn’t have to be,” she said and kissed him on the lips. “But it’s the most romantic wedding any girl could ever have had.”
That smile broke out on his handsome face.
“So,” Jenna said, as her eyes met his chocolate-colored gaze, “no more lies. No more ghosts of the past.”
“Only promises of love, now and forever.”
“Now and forever.” She paused. “And lots of great sex.”
The familiar sparkle came to his eyes. “Truck loads,” he agreed with a sexy grin. “Speaking of which, do you want to go home to bed?”
She shot him a grin back. “Thought you’d never ask.”
A word about the author...
Jean is a firm believer in happily-ever-after and enjoys writing books with happy endings.
She has published seven romance novels and is working on several other books, including a trilogy set in ancient Egypt.
She likes dark, mysterious heroes and strong heroines who are their perfect match. They are soul mates, and their love for each the goes soul deep.
Jean is the founder of Romance Writers of New Zealand.
www.jeandrew.co.nz
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
No Other Love
Copyright
Dedication
Praise for Jean Adams
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
A word about the author...
Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.