by Cheryl Holt
“Yes.”
“We have an unusual affinity, you and I.”
“Why?” she repeated.
“I don’t know. It just happens. It’s one of life’s great mysteries.”
Alice had asserted that people could fall in love in an instant, but Ellen hadn’t believed her. Now it seemed as if he was claiming the same, that they were made for each other, that they belonged together.
He was amazed and bewildered and was inspecting her strangely, as if he hadn’t come to grips with their dramatic attraction himself.
Dare she assume that their assignation had been as profound for him as it had been for her?
Suddenly shy, which was silly in view of their nakedness and what they’d just done, she inquired, “Do you suppose we could do it again?”
“As soon as I catch my breath, you bawdy wench.” Playfully, he swatted her on the rear. “We’ll do it all night, if I can keep up with you.”
“We’ve only been acquainted for a few hours, and you’ve transformed me into a wanton.”
“Lucky me.” He delivered another swat. Then their mirth died down, and he sobered. “May I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.”
“Well, you’ve been in London for months, searching for a husband, and you’ve been introduced to so many people. I wasn’t even in the market for a wife, yet you set your sights on me, and now, here we are.” He scowled, his vexation evident. “I was just wondering. When you could have had anyone, why did you pick me?”
“I had many reasons.”
“What was the deciding factor?”
“You truly want to know?”
“Yes.”
There’d been nothing random about her choice. She was tempted to acknowledge how frequently he’d been followed, how extensively they’d examined his background and finances, how deliberately she and her father had debated the pros and cons, how long and often she and Alice had dissected his likely sexual and other manly habits, but she’d save the entire story for another day.
He was abundantly narcissistic. No sense in letting him deduce how enchanted she’d been, or how desperately she’d wanted him, or how the others had paled in comparison.
She gave him a piece of the truth. “Because you have such a cute behind.”
Incredulous, he glared at her, then he roared with laughter, shaking with merriment. He spun away from her, their bodies detaching as he flung himself onto his back to chortle uncontrollably.
When he could complete a sentence, he whirled toward her once again. “And a...a...shapely derriere was important to you?”
“Extremely.”
“And what other lofty attributes swayed you in my favor?”
“Well, you’re a randy fellow. Very lusty too.”
“Randy and lusty?”
She wiggled her brows in naughty invitation. “My sister persuaded me that your licentious constitution pushed you to the top of the list.”
Flabbergasted, he gulped in dismay. “You discussed my...my...lascivious propensities with your sister?”
“Incessantly.”
Groaning, he flushed to the roots of his hair and flopped onto his back once more, slinging his arm over his eyes. “I’ll never be able to face anyone in your family again.” After a brief reflection, he peeked over at her. “Wait a minute. How do you know so much about my behavior?”
“You don’t think I went into this blindly, do you?”
He rose up on his elbow. “Whatever do you mean?”
She winked at him, trying to look enigmatic, and he fastidiously perused her, his mind whipping through the possibilities.
“You saucebox!” he chided. “You had me investigated.”
“Maybe a little,” she allowed. Hilariously, he was panicked and horrified, and she leaned forward and snuggled herself to him. “I wanted some excitement in my marriage. You wouldn’t have had me wed some old goat, would you?”
“You devious scamp!”
Seductively, she rubbed herself against him, much like a contented cat, reveling in how they melded, how his bodily hair tickled and stroked her. He liked it too. Down below, his cock began to harden.
“If you’re really, really nice to me,” she teased, “I’ll show you the files.”
“The files!”
“Pages and pages. All about you and your antics.”
“Oh, my Lord.” Astonished and appalled, he twirled away again.
He had good reason to be aghast. The accumulated information painted a picture that was either grim or enticing—depending on one’s point of view.
Fortunately for her, she’d wanted a spouse who was untamed, unencumbered by convention, and just a tad indecent. He’d fit the bill perfectly.
“I selected you because of the reports,” she said, and she brazenly climbed onto his lap, his erect phallus a wedge between her legs. “From the details I’d gleaned, I knew you were the ideal man for me.”
“You’re joking.”
She smiled down at him. How handsome he was. How appealing. How irresistible. “You’ll make me a fine husband, Stephen St. John.”
After a significant hesitation, he smiled in return. “I just might at that.”
He tipped her so she fell onto his chest, and he kissed her soundly, making her rejoice with happiness. Their embrace went on forever, and when their lips parted, she was aroused anew, her heart pounding, her skin tingling, her nipples contracted and aching.
Though she was sore, she pulsated with need. She couldn’t bear their separation, and she longed to have him join with her a second time.
“I do have one teeny confession to make,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“When I told you I didn’t want any children, I was lying.” She sat on her haunches, lowering her privates so she could flex across his enlarged phallus. “I actually hope we have a dozen.”
Intrigued, he perked up. “A dozen?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, milady, we’d better get started.”
He flipped her onto her back and applied himself to the task.
THE END
CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author of over thirty-five novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she is also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
READ MORE GREAT NOVELS BY CHERYL HOLT!
WONDERFUL
WANTON
WICKED
LOVE’S PERIL
LOVE’S PRICE
LOVE’S PROMISE
SWEET SURRENDER
MUD CREEK
MARRY ME
LOVE ME
KISS ME
SEDUCE ME
KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION
NICHOLAS
DREAMS OF DESIRE
TASTE OF TEMPTATION
PROMISE OF PLEASURE
SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL
DOUBLE FANTASY
FORBIDDEN FANTASY
SECRET FANTASY
TOO WICKED TO WED
TOO TEMPTING TO TOUCH
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
THE WEDDING NIGHT
FURTHER THAN PASSION
DEEPER THAN DESIRE
MORE THAN SEDUCTION
COMPLETE ABANDON
ABSOLUTE PLEASURE
TOTAL SURRENDER
LOVE LESSONS
MOUNTAIN DREAMS
MY TRUE LOVE
MY ONLY LOVE
MEG’S SECRET ADMIRER
WAY OF THE HEART
Praise for New York Times Bestselling Author
CHERYL HOLT
“Best storyteller of the year...”
Romantic Times Magazine
“A master writer...”
Fallen Angel Reviews
“The Queen of Erotic Romance...”
Book Cover Reviews
“Cheryl Holt is magnificent...”
Reader to Reader Reviews
“From cover to cover, I was spellbound. Truly outstanding...”
Romance Junkies
“A classic love story with hot, fiery passion dripping from every page. There’s nothing better than curling up with a great book and this one totally qualifies.”
Fresh Fiction
“This is a masterpiece of storytelling. A sensual delight scattered with rose petals that are divinely arousing. Oh my, yes indeedy!"
Reader to Reader Reviews
Praise for Cheryl Holt’s “Lord Trent” trilogy
“A true guilty pleasure!”
Novels Alive TV
“LOVE'S PROMISE can't take the number one spot as my favorite by Ms. Holt—that belongs to her book NICHOLAS—but it's currently running a close second."
Manic Readers
“The book was brilliant...can't wait for Book #2.”
Harlie’s Book Reviews
“I guarantee you won't want to put this one down. Holt's fast-paced dialogue, paired with the emotional turmoil, will keep you turning the pages all the way to the end.”
Susana’s Parlour
“...A great love story populated with many flawed characters. Highly recommend it.”
Bookworm 2 Bookworm Reviews