So as a kid he’d walked on the wild side. Greg was a man now, and the only thing he did on the wild side these days was to make love to her.
McKella charged into the steamy bathroom and flung open the shower door. Greg blinked in surprise, then ducked his head to rinse the shampoo from his thick, dark hair.
“That’s it, Wyman, I’ve had it.” She realized her robe was getting wet and didn’t care.
“Had what?”
“I’m tired of always being the one to take the first step in this relationship, but God knows, I’d wait forever if I had to wait for you. Are you going to marry me or not?”
The smile started in his eyes, but quickly spread to the corners of his lips, where it twitched to be free.
“I thought you were never planning to marry again. I thought you said—”
“I know what I said. I lied.”
“I see.” He was having trouble holding back that smile. He reached over and removed the wet robe from her shoulders. Instantly, her body responded to his touch.
“You don’t see anything. You’re a man.”
The smile broke free. “So true.”
She pushed her hand against his chest, holding him at bay when he would have pulled her closer. “You said we would live together until the children came.”
A stillness came over him. “You’re pregnant?”
“Not yet, but I’m planning to be and I’m oldfashioned. I want the ring first.”
His eyes twinkled. “Hmm. You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
He took her robe and tossed it into the sink. “Wait here.”
“What?” But she was talking to his back again. Dripping wet, he left the bathroom. She allowed the soothing warm water to pelt her skin, afraid to hope, but wanting desperately to believe.
He returned a moment later and stepped back inside the shower stall. He reached for her finger She stared down at the marquise diamond flanked by two brilliant rubies. He slid the ring past her knuckle. A perfect fit.
“Now can we make the baby?” he asked
Her tears mingled with the running water. “Idiot.”
“No doubt. We’ll hope she gets your genes.”
McKella flowed into the haven of his strong arms as the water bathed them both. “How long have you had this?”
“Since two days after Larry was arrested.”
“What? Why didn’t you ask me sooner?”
“I was waiting until you were sure, McKella. And you couldn’t be sure until you knew the whole truth. Your dad likes me, and I can run the company. It was too much like last time”
“You’re not Paul. I mean you are, but—”
He kissed her, drinking in her sigh of pleasure. “I know exactly what you meant,” he whispered. “No more illusions. I wanted all the secrets out in the open first And there’s a condition that comes with that ring.”
“A condition?” She could feel him growing hard against her body, could feel her own quickening response.
“Uh-huh. I want us to buy a real house. One with a large yard, big enough for a swing set and maybe even a tree house How do you feel about dogs?”
She was crying. She hated to cry. She hoped her smile didn’t look as tremulous as it felt. “Dogs, plural?” she asked.
“It’s negotiable. But I’d like the house. A man has to have at least one place in his life where he’s the boss, even if it is in name only.” He kissed her forehead.
“Are you calling me bossy?”
“Never. Hey, I’m not foolish.” He fondled her nipples, bringing them to hard points.
McKella moaned softly and arched in pleasure. “I don’t want to run things,” she gasped, “but you should know I intend to keep my hand on every aspect of our lives.”
He guided her fingers to his waiting appendage. “You can start here.”
“That wasn’t exactly what I meant,” she told him, laughter bubbling from within. “Never mind. Maybe this is one illusion I should leave alone.”
“Please don’t. I think I’ll go crazy if you stop.”
She licked her way down his chest, satisfied when he drew in a sharp breath. “Don’t worry. The world will run out of hot water long before I stop loving you.”
eISBN: 978-14592-6171-6
MARRIED IN HASTE
Copyright © 1998 by Patricia A. Gagne
All rights reserved Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontano, Canada M3B 3K9
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone beanng the same name or names They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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Table of Contents
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Excerpt
Dear Reader
Dedication
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Copyright
Married In Haste Page 21