by Ginna Gray
They stood close together, looking suspiciously innocent, hiding a pair of binoculars behind their backs. Both women grinned at Abbey and winked, and Erin muttered cheerfully, "Well, so much for noble self-sacrifice."
Inside, David marched through the living room, past Max and Sam, ignoring their startled looks. Without pausing, he stomped down the hall to the bedroom he and Abbey had shared, strode inside and kicked the door shut behind them.
Abigail shrieked when David tossed her onto the bed. She bounced twice, and when the world righted itself and her spinning head cleared, David was bent over her, a hand on either side of her hips, his face like a thundercloud.
"Now," he pronounced in a gritty voice. "You and I are going to get a few things straight. First of all, you are not— I repeat—not going to join the FBI or the CIA or any other government agency. You got that?"
"Yes, David."
"What you are going to do is marry me. Immediately."
"Yes, David."
"And don't give me any argument about it, because it won't do any-good."
"I won't. I promise."
He straightened and began to pace. "It's obvious to me that left on your own you'll just end up in one scrape after another," he ranted. "Well, I'm not going to stand by and let that happen. You hear me?"
"Yes, David," Abigail said softly, but he was so caught up in his tirade, her meek, slightly smug acquiescence did not register.
"I know you're anxious to live a little, experience new things, and that's fine. But from now on, if you want excitement, I'll provide you with all you'll ever need. Understand?"
"Perfectly."
"And what's more, you..." He stopped and scowled at her. "What did you say?"
A languid, purely feminine smile curved her lips. She reached for his hand and pulled him down until he was bent over her again. "I said, yes," she whispered, cupping her hands around the back of his neck.
He sucked in his breath and gazed at her, as though afraid he hadn't heard her right.
"Yes," she whispered again. "Yes. Yes. Yes."
She felt the tension leave him, saw the flame leap in his eyes, and her smile widened.
"Aw, Abbey." He surrendered to the gentle tug of her hands, and as their lips met he stretched out on top of her.
They kissed rapaciously at first, their mouths rocking, open and hungry, as each sought confirmation of the love they had yet to declare. Wet tongues dueled in a rough caress, speaking of need, of the anguish just past, of the joy that lay ahead. The kiss went on and on, their lips clinging, devouring with greedy passion as hearts thudded and their blood surged hotly through their veins. David nipped Abigail's lower lip, then drew it into his mouth and sucked gently. She moaned, a low throaty sound, and stroked the back of his neck, telling him without words the depth of her feelings.
But soon it wasn't enough. Their love was too new, their hearts too unsure; they needed the words.
"Abbey," David murmured against her lips. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
She framed his face between her hands and pushed him away until she could look into his eyes. "Yes, I'm very sure. I love you, David. I think I have since that second night, when you held me while I cried."
"Aw, sweetheart, I love you, too. But—"
"Shh." She placed her hand over his mouth. "I know what you're going to say, but it isn't so. Believe me, I've had, enough adventure and excitement these past few days to last forever."
"You're sure?"
"Very." She smiled tenderly and stroked his face. "I came to Alhaja Verde for a once in a lifetime vacation. Instead, I found my once in a lifetime love."
The soft declaration banished the last of his doubts. With a low moan, David kissed her again. Like a spark to tinder, at the first touch of their lips passion exploded between them.
Urgently, a little roughly, as their lips clung and their yearning bodies pressed and rubbed, David's fingers worked at the buttons on the front of her dress.
"David, your family! They're—"
"Very discreet," he finished for her, freeing her breasts to his avid gaze. "By now they've all gone for a long walk on the beach. I guarantee it," he mumbled, rubbing his lips against her milky skin, and Abigail could only moan and arch her back as his mouth surrounded her velvety hard nipple.
"Y-you're sure," she gasped, reaching for the map on his jeans.
"Mmm." His tongue stroked a raspy caress, and his warm breath feathered over her wet flesh. "I'm sure. Now come here, woman, and love me."
They worked feverishly to divest each other of their clothes, but progress was hindered by shaking hands and the need to touch and caress. Finally, between lingering kisses and whispered words of love, buttons, hooks and zippers were dealt with, and they were tumbling together on the wide bed, lips fused, eager hands touching, stroking, learning anew lovers' secrets.
Neither could wait. The painful time apart had built their desire to a fever pitch. Wrapped in each other's arms, they kissed deeply, and as David rolled her to her back Abigail's legs wrapped around his hips in a movement as old as time, as instinctive as breathing.
Together they soared. Each seeking and giving pleasure, sharing the special rapture that only true love brings. The sweet tension stretched tighter and tighter. David's face was flushed and contorted with fierce gladness as he watched Abigail's aquamarine eyes go smoky with pleasure.
Abigail threw her head back on the pillow and clutched David's back. Then his name ripped from her throat as again they shared that shattering explosion that rocked them to the depths of their being.
As thundering hearts calmed, as breathing returned to normal, they drifted back to reality with a sigh of satisfaction. Abigail stroked David's slick back, a soft smile on her face.
"Mmm. I like that," he mumbled drowsily.
Rousing himself, he braced up on his forearms and smiled down at her. He dropped a quick kiss on the end of her nose and rolled away from her. Abigail expected him to take her in his arms and cuddle, but instead he bounded from the bed, stretched, then reached for her hand.
"David! What are you doing?" she squealed when he yanked her from the bed.
"C'mon, woman, we haven't got time to dawdle," he said, towing her toward the bathroom. "We've got to hurry."
"Why? Where are we going?"
He stopped and gave her a hard kiss. "To Alhaja Verde to get married."
"Tonight?" she squeaked.
He grinned and kissed her again. "Tonight."
Epilogue
David let himself into the apartment. He listened for a moment and smiled as he heard a faint sound from the bedroom. Perfect.
He eased down the hall and came to a halt in the doorway, smiling when he spotted Abbey, dressed in a pink satin slip, sitting at the dressing table, brushing her hair. It shimmered down her back in a golden brown cascade that fell below her hips.
"Happy Anniversary, Legs."
Abigail twisted around on the bench, her face lighting up, and David's heart contracted. Lord, she grew lovelier every day.
Chelsea, curled up in her favorite spot at the foot of the bed, looked up and lifted her lip at him.
"You remembered."
"Of course. What kind of husband would I be if I forgot our first-month anniversary?" He crossed to where she sat, caught her chin in his hand and tilted her face up for his kiss.
"I've got a present for you," he murmured when their lips parted, and placed a small box on the dressing table.
"Darling, you shouldn't have. It's present enough just knowing that you've finally quit smoking."
"Don't argue, woman. Just open it."
"Oh, David, they're lovely," Abigail exclaimed as she lifted the pearl earrings from the bed of green velvet.
"I brought Chelsea a present, too."
Abigail blinked up at him. "You brought Chelsea a present?"
"Yeah. I'm tired of that little fuzz ball growling at me every time I get near you, so..." He reached into the deep inside p
ocket of his suit coat and pulled out a bundle of fur.
"Oh, David! He's adorable!"
"He's five years old, he weighs four pounds, and got a pedigree as long as your arm," he explained as he set the male Yorkshire terrier on the floor. "His owner died, and he needed a home. I thought if Chels had her own love interest, maybe she wouldn't be so jealous of me."
The tiny dog scampered over to Chelsea at once, his tasseled tail waving. Chelsea lay with her snout on her paws, her eyes half closed, the picture of disinterest. Her suitor danced around her, yipping enthusiastically, but she ignored him, except to snap when he dared get too close.
Laughing, Abbey shook her head. "Nice try, darling, but I'm afraid it won't work."
"Don't be too sure. Give him a little time." Bending from the waist, David urged, "Come on, boy. Turn on the charm. I'm counting on you, fella."
Abigail giggled and teased that Chelsea was too virtuous and levelheaded to fall for such an obvious Don Juan.
But to her surprise, before long Chelsea began to coyly tolerate the smitten male's attention. After a while the canine pair trotted from the room—Chelsea with regal disdain and the feisty male cavorting around her like a lovesick swain.
David closed the door behind them and shot his wife a smug look. "Never underestimate a determined male."
"So I'm learning. By the way, does your little friend have a name?"
An unholy grin spread across David's face. "Yeah. It's Hooligan."
"You're kidding."
"Nope." Bending, he scooped his wife up in his arms and headed for the bed. "As soon as I heard his name, I knew he was the man for the job."
"Mmm. Yes, I think maybe you're right." Abigail wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled—a slow, suggestive smile rife with sensual secrets. She touched the top of his ear and combed her fingers through the hair at his nape, her nails lightly raking his scalp. "Every female should have a hooligan in her life."