His kisses were slow and easy now, because they had all the time in the world. And when they sighed together, content, at home, complete, he asked her, ‘Will you marry me, Grace?’
‘I will,’ she said, smiling against his mouth.
He felt a great surge of awe and pride that this incredible woman had chosen him. ‘I love you,’ he murmured after she’d fallen asleep.
‘I love you too,’ she whispered.
‘So you weren’t sleeping,’ he said, kissing her again. She nestled her head against his chest. ‘You’ve done so much for me, Grace.’
‘I’ve done so much for you?’ she queried groggily.
‘You’ve set me free,’ he said.
EPILOGUE
ACROSS the world it was dubbed the wedding of the year, but for Grace it was the wedding of a lifetime—her lifetime and Nacho’s.
A few carefully screened photographers were to be allowed in to record the event, with all the proceeds going to their new scheme to introduce blind youngsters to horse riding. The marriage ceremony was to be held at the hacienda, so it could be a double celebration in which everyone could join in.
It was a real family affair, with Nacho’s sister-in-law—the celebrated wedding planner Maxie Acosta—in charge of the arrangements. To ensure Grace enjoyed her day as much as everyone else, Maxie had filled the sumptuously decorated marquee with delicately scented blossoms, and as Grace walked in on the arm of her new husband they crushed rose petals beneath their feet. Elias had been flown in on the family’s jet at Nacho’s personal invitation, and all the Acostas were there.
Lucia had helped Grace to choose her wedding dress—a dream of filmy silk chiffon, soft to the touch, edged with the finest Swiss lace embellished with tiny crystals and seed pearls because Grace liked the way they tickled her palm and Lucia said she glittered like a queen. There was even a new collar for Buddy, whose new best friend was Cormac, Nacho’s Irish Wolfhound. Nacho’s big dog had made the trip from the family’s main estancia in the back of Ruiz Acosta’s car.
Grace had only wanted a plain gold wedding band, but a man like Nacho could never be tamed to the extent where Grace would be allowed to instruct him on the subject of the type of jewellery to buy for his wife.
‘And thank goodness for it,’ Lucia exclaimed after the ceremony, as she examined Grace’s diamond-encrusted wedding band. ‘You can always have plain gold for everyday.’
Grace laughed indulgently as she hugged her new sister-in-law, glad that some things, like extravagant, fun-loving Lucia, would never change.
‘Though I still can’t believe Nacho went shopping,’ Lucia said, frowning as she held Grace’s hand up to the light.
‘I think he had the jeweller come to him,’ Grace confessed.
‘And why not?’ a husky voice demanded.
‘Talk of the devil,’ Lucia murmured dryly, leaving the newlyweds alone.
‘I have a very special wedding gift for you,’ he murmured, drawing Grace into his arms.
‘But you’ve given me so much already’ she said, quivering with love and desire when he found the sweet spot behind her ear.
‘Come on,’ he prompted, linking his arm through hers.
‘Are we going into the hacienda?’ she said, hearing the gravel path beneath their feet.
‘Not for the reason you think,’ he said as her breathing quickened. ‘We must be back in time for the first dance, or the wedding breakfast will grind to a halt.’
‘But I don’t need a gift,’ Grace insisted, pulling back. ‘I don’t need anything but you. I wouldn’t be able to see a gift anyway,’ she pointed out with her unfailing logic.
‘But you’ll hear it,’ he said. ‘Sit … play.’ Taking her by the hand, he led her to the piano stool. ‘I finally got round to having all the pianos tuned,’ he explained. ‘They’re all yours now, Grace. Everything I have is yours.’
He shouldn’t be surprised at the sensitivity in those hands, Nacho realised, but the sounds Grace coaxed from a piano had to be heard to be believed. She made him want to listen to her all night. Well, almost all night, he accepted wryly as his gaze tracked up Grace’s arms to the nape of her neck—so soft, so kissable.
‘I’m sorry if I’m interrupting—’
He swung round in anger, hearing a woman’s voice. Who would dare intrude at a time like this? ‘Can I help you?’ he asked frostily.
‘I’ve come to take some photographs,’ the diminutive photographer informed him boldly.
‘Nacho,’ Grace murmured, feeling his hackles rise. ‘Can I help you?’ she said, standing up.
‘My apologies,’ the girl said, speaking to Grace with more respect than she’d shown Nacho. ‘I was supposed to check in with someone called Kruz Acosta?’
‘My brother isn’t here—as you can see,’ Nacho cut in with an angry gesture. ‘I imagine he’s with the other guests in the marquee.’
‘Would it be all right to take some photographs now I’m here?’ the girl suggested. ‘My name’s Romily—Romily Winner, from ROCK! magazine. The magazine your sister-in-law Holly works for?’ she prompted.
‘Of course. I’ve been expecting you. I read your column. It’s really good.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Nacho?’ Grace prompted.
‘I don’t know it,’ he said brusquely. ‘But if you want some photographs you’d better get on with it. We’re needed back at the marquee.’
‘Perhaps if Grace could sit at the piano and you could stand behind her?’ the girl called Romily suggested.
‘Of course we will,’ Grace accepted before Nacho could argue.
‘So … that was interesting,’ Grace said, when Romily had finished the photoshoot and left them. ‘Do you think Holly is trying to set your brother up with Romily?’
‘Who knows what goes through Holly’s head,’ he said with a shrug.
‘What does she look like?’ Grace asked him.
‘I wouldn’t have thought she was Kruz’s type.’
‘That’s not much help,’ Grace said with a laugh in her voice as they walked arm-in-arm to the door.
His lips pressed down as he shook his head, stumped for an answer. ‘She looks … alternative.’
‘Alternative? Now you really have to fill me in.’
‘Piercings, tattoos, black eye make-up—leather clothes. As tiny as a whip, but more trouble than any man needs.’
‘She sounds interesting,’ Grace commented, her lips curving in an amused smile. ‘Just what your rebel brother needs.’
‘More trouble? I don’t think so.’ Nacho swung the big oak door wide, but before they stepped outside he brought Grace into his arms and kissed her. ‘I suppose we do have to get back?’ he said.
‘To our own wedding breakfast? Yes, I think we must,’ Grace said wryly. ‘Let’s make one condition.’
‘Name it,’ he said.
‘As soon as we’ve cut the cake you and I come back here alone for dessert.’
‘It’s a deal,’ Nacho agreed, dragging his wife into his arms for a hungry kiss.
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All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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First published in Great Britain 2012
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited.
Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Susan Stephens 2012
eISBN: 978-1-408-97461-2
Table of Contents
Excerpt
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
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
Epilogue
Copyright
A Taste of the Untamed Page 16