Love's Deception
Page 17
Her arms flew around his neck as their lips met in a passionate kiss. When they withdrew, Carissa snuggled within the crook of his neck. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “And I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into because I’m never letting you go again.”
His arms tightened around her. “I guess this means that life is full of second chances.” Nathan’s head descended to seal their love with a kiss, but the moment his lips landed on hers, his body craved something more. Suddenly, their hands were tearing at each other’s clothes.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for too long,” Nathan said huskily. His eyes drifted closed at the exotic feel of her tongue dancing across his lower earlobe. At the same time, his hands managed to free her breasts from their lacy confinement.
“Oh, I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, then leaned her head back as his lips caressed her neck.
Their clothes fell in pieces and formed a trail heading to the couch. There was no way they were going to wait until they were home.
Helena, Travis, Smokey and Liz stood from having their ears pressed against the door. Each wore a wide smile of satisfaction.
“I think I’m going to cry,” Helena said, trying to retrieve a tissue from her purse.
Travis handed her his handkerchief. “I can’t believe we’ve pulled it off,” he said to Smokey.
“I’m no fortune teller, but I’d say we’ll be planning a wedding here soon.”
“Now, I know I’m going to cry.” Liz wiped at her eyes and was rewarded with Smokey’s handkerchief.
Much later, Carissa and Nathan lay spent in each other’s arms and wore smiles of satisfaction. Carissa loved the way their different skin tones complemented each other. This was the man she wanted to share the rest of her life with, and he was what completed her.
“There you go thinking again.” Nathan lifted her chin to claim another kiss. “Should I dare ask what steals your attention from me?”
“Actually, I was thinking about you—or shall I say us.”
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” His eyes darkened with concern.
“Never.”
“Good.” Their lips met again before Nathan grew serious. “Now that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, I think it’s time we have a little talk about honesty and communication.”
“I was afraid of that.” She bit her lower lip.
He laughed. “It’s very important to me that you never feel that there’s something you can’t tell me. No matter how much you think it may upset me, I want you to come to me. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” She stole another kiss, then slid her arms around her future husband. “I love you, Nathan Edwards.”
“I love you, too, Risa.”
Chapter 31
Six months later
Nathan carried Carissa across the threshold and into their honeymoon suite. Their lips remained locked in a passionate kiss as he continued to carry her blindly to the king-size bed.
When their lips finally parted, it was only long enough for him to whisper, “I love you, Mrs. Edwards.”
“Not half as much as I love you.”
Nathan slid next to her and immediately fumbled with the buttons on her blouse.
Greedily, she tugged at his clothes, but couldn’t stop herself from laughing at their sense of urgency. They’d chosen to remain celibate since they’d announced their engagement. Both had agreed that the wait would enhance their wedding night and give them something to look forward to.
So far they had been right.
Nathan’s brows arched in surprise at the discovery of her red lace teddy. “You really know how to melt a man’s heart,” he complimented with a cocky grin.
Carissa ran her hand down the corded muscles of his chest. “You’re not doing such a bad job with me yourself.” She winked.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too much of a tease, Mrs. Edwards?” His head descended to capture a tan nipple between his teeth.
Carissa’s head lolled back as a moan escaped her lips. Her body arched as her mind’s passion-filled haze thickened. How was it that he knew her body so well? How was it that she came alive with just the simple touch of his hand?
“You’re mine,” he whispered huskily, just as his fingers invaded the dewy folds of her womanhood. Waves of ecstasy rippled throughout her body. It was as though she were suspended through time and space.
Tears of joy slid from her eyes as he entered her and filled the void in her life. As their bodies found their own tempo, Carissa’s moans of pleasure reverberated throughout the room and sounded like sweet music in his ears.
Throughout the night, the couple experimented with exotic oils, candle wax, feathers and Carissa’s favorite…blindfolds.
“I wish it will always be this way between us,” Carissa said, snuggling closer to her exhausted husband.
“It will be. When we go back to Miami, I have a nice little surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”
She sat up. “You expect me to wait after our three-week honeymoon to find out what the surprise is?”
“Yep.” He rolled over and pretended to go to sleep.
“I don’t think so.” She shook him and became frustrated when he started to snore. “You’re not asleep, Nathan. Tell me what it is?”
His snoring grew louder.
Carissa playfully pounded his back. “Wake up, you brute. And tell me what the surprise is.”
With lightning speed, Nathan turned over and pinned his wife to the bed. “I’m the brute? Aren’t you the one beating me up?”
Carissa laughed as she tried to break free from his iron grip.
“You want to know what the secret is?”
She stopped struggling and nodded.
“I found this nice little studio, not too far from our place, that I thought would be perfect for you to teach dance.”
Carissa’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”
He released her and was immediately rewarded with a fierce hug.
“I can’t believe it,” she cried excitedly. “My own dance studio?”
“You haven’t even seen the place yet.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She pulled back to stare at him. “I know that I’m going to love it. Just as I know that I’m always going to love you.”
“That’s good to know because I’m always going to love you, too.”
Epilogue
Dear Aunt Helena,
Greetings from Morocco. We’re having a wonderful time here. If you ever get the chance, you should add this wonderful place to your travel schedule. I hope you enjoy the enclosed pictures. I took them myself.
By the way, Nathan finally told me you guys’ secret. I can’t believe you actually crashed his bachelor party. What on earth are we going to do with you?
Wasn’t it great to see Travis and Smokey serving as groomsmen at the wedding? Who knows, maybe there’s still a chance for them to bury the hatchet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Well, I have to go. I hope to see you soon,
Love,
Risa
Dear Risa,
Thanks for the pictures. Next time try to keep your finger out of the shots. I hope we’ll soon hear the pitter-patter of little feet.
You’ll never guess what has happened. I met this wonderful man in Las Vegas last week. His name is Charlie and he’s a doctor. He’s also ten years younger than me, but what the heck? Anyway, we had a blast, painting the town. And guess what—we eloped. (Lucky number seven.)
I can’t wait until you meet him.
Love,
Helena
LOVE’S DECEPTION
An Arabesque novel published by Kimani Press/April 2010
First published by BET Publications, LLC in 2000
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5182-7
© 2000 by Adrianne Byrd
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