The GP’s Meant-To-Be Bride

by Jennifer Taylor

  He breathed deeply then pressed his mouth to the spot, let it linger, let his tongue touch it, taste it, heal it and, hopefully, her. She might have these scars but they meant nothing to him apart from the fact that they had caused her to suffer: for that reason alone he hated them but not for any other. They certainly didn’t detract from her beauty, they enhanced it. They were proof of her courage, her will to survive against the greatest of odds. They summed up everything Gemma was—a beautiful, loving, strong and caring woman any man would be proud to love.

  Ross let his mouth carry on exploring—across her spine, over the dip of her waist, round to her tummy, her navel…He groaned as his tongue slid into the dip of her belly button. He could have let it remain there for a lifetime only there were more delights to explore, not to mention the fact that his knees were in danger of seizing up. He staggered to his feet and grimaced.

  ‘I’ll have to give up skiing,’ he muttered, seeing her eyes widen at the non sequitur. He grinned ruefully. ‘I don’t want the old knees to give up the ghost at an inopportune moment, do I?’

  ‘But what about these?’ She glanced down at herself then looked away as though she couldn’t bear to see her own flesh.

  ‘What about them?’ He dropped a kiss on her mouth then another on the tip of her nose for no other reason than he wanted to. ‘If you imagine they’re going to put me off then think again. I love you and it doesn’t matter to me how many scars you have.’

  ‘But they’re so ugly, so…so repulsive…’ She tailed off and he sighed.

  ‘Did someone tell you that, my darling?’

  ‘Yes. The first and only man I ever slept with.’ She tilted her head, a hint of challenge in her eyes. ‘After that, I swore I wouldn’t put myself through that kind of pressure again.’

  ‘Whoever he was, he was a fool,’ he said roughly, pulling her to him. He felt the rigidity of her body but he didn’t let it deter him. She wanted him, he could tell. She was just afraid of being hurt and he understood that feeling only too well.

  His lips stroked across hers, nibbling, tasting, and he felt her relax a little and smiled. When he let his mouth trail kisses up her cheek and across her brow, he heard her murmur, tiny little sounds of pleasure that spurred him on. He was going to make this night so special that she would forget all about what had gone on before.

  The thought immediately set light to his ardour as he pulled her to him and kissed her with a hunger he couldn’t disguise. The magical thing was that Gemma kissed him back, her lips as eager as his were. When he reached around to unhook her bra, she helped him, dispensing with the tricky little clasp far quicker than he could have done. Her panties came next and then she was standing in front of him, naked and beautiful.

  ‘You are so beautiful,’ he said, mesmerised by the sight of her pale skin, her curves, her femininity. He ran his palms down her sides, from breast to thigh, and shuddered at the desire it aroused in him to touch her like that. When her hands went to his shirt as she began to undress him, he didn’t move a muscle. He couldn’t. He was transfixed with longing, with need, with love. It was only when her hands touched the buckle on his belt that he snapped out of his trance.

  ‘Let’s make ourselves a little more comfortable,’ he murmured, lifting her into his arms and carrying her over to the sofa. He laid her down on the cushions then had to pause while he mustered a bit of self-control for the next bit.

  ‘Ross?’

  A hint of fear coloured her voice and he realised with a rush of tenderness that she had misconstrued his hesitation. He smiled wryly as he knelt beside her. ‘Just taking a breather in case I got too excited. Where’s that legendary control of mine when I need it most?’

  She laughed softly, her cheeks filling with rosy colour. ‘You could try a couple of deep breaths.’

  ‘I just tried that. Take it from me, it hasn’t worked!’

  He bent and kissed her, letting his tongue slide between her lips, feeling their passion soar out of control. It took him just seconds to shed his own clothes so that he was lying naked beside her. Bending, he kissed her breasts, stroked her nipples, aroused her and himself to the point where there was no hope of holding back, not that either of them wanted to. When he entered her, she was ready for him, welcomed him, loved him with her body as well as with her mind.

  Their love-making was the most profound experience Ross had ever had. He’d never believed it was possible to feel so close to someone, to know that every beat of her heart made his heart beat too; that her every breath was precious to him as well. In that moment he knew that real love, the love he felt for Gemma and she felt for him, had changed him for ever. He had found himself in her arms, discovered who he was and who he wanted to be and that, quite simply, was the man Gemma loved.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ALTHOUGH

  they didn’t tell anyone about their new relationship, it wasn’t long before the staff at the surgery guessed that something was going on. It caused a bit of a stir at first, but Gemma didn’t care. She was so gloriously happy that nothing could dampen her mood, especially when Ross had made it clear that he felt the same way. Once everyone got over their initial surprise, they were delighted for them. The only person Gemma was concerned about was Matt. She had no idea how he would react when he found out that she and Ross were a couple, but she needn’t have worried. He seemed genuinely pleased when they told him, and there was no doubting his sincerity when he offered them his good wishes for the future.

  It seemed to put the seal on their happiness. Not only were they working together, they were living together too. They spent their nights at Gemma’s house because Ross preferred it to his own home. And every second of every hour they spent together made Gemma love him even more.

  As for their love-making, it could only be described as perfect. For the first couple of weeks, she had found herself unconsciously watching him, half-afraid that her scars might repulse him in some way. However, it had soon become clear that Ross didn’t see them as imperfections. He accepted them and they certainly didn’t have any bearing on how much he loved her—that was obvious. Knowing that restored her confidence in herself as a woman. Gemma no longer saw herself as damaged goods but as a woman with a wonderful future ahead of her. Although they hadn’t made any plans, she knew that one day she and Ross would get married and have that family she had dreamed of.

  When Matt telephoned one Friday night to tell Ross that Heather was home for a visit, it didn’t worry her the way it once would have done. She knew that Ross loved her and that she had nothing to fear. To her mind she was the luckiest woman alive and she told him that later that evening as they were making love.

  ‘It’s me who’s the lucky one,’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘The thought that I could have gone through my life and not experienced this kind of happiness scares me to death.’ He kissed her hungrily. ‘You’ve given me so much joy, Gemma. I don’t know how to thank you.’

  ‘And you’ve given me back my confidence,’ she whispered against his mouth. ‘I never thought I was capable of being loved but you’ve shown me that I was wrong.’ She bit gently at his lower lip, feeling the shudder than ran through his powerful frame and glorying in the effect she had on him. ‘I think that makes us quits, Ross, don’t you?’

  ‘Mmm…’

  The rest of the sentence was swallowed up as he kissed her with a passion that made talking unnecessary. Their love-making seemed to reach new heights that night, forging an even stronger bond between them, one they both knew could never be broken. As she drifted off to sleep in his arms, Gemma knew that she couldn’t be happier. She had the man she loved with all her heart lying beside her and a future filled with love ahead of her. Ross was everything she had ever wanted, and the best thing was that she was everything he wanted too.

  Ross awoke early the next morning despite the fact that he and Gemma hadn’t fallen asleep until the early hours. He smiled as he propped himself up on his elbow and watched her sleepi
ng. Her lips were slightly parted, inviting his kiss, but he managed to resist the temptation. She needed her rest after their night of passion. His body made its own, very predictable statement about that thought and he grinned as he climbed out of bed. A cold shower was called for if he was to stick to his decision to let Gemma catch up on her sleep.

  Fifteen minutes later, showered and dressed and having consumed a cup of coffee to warm him up, he set off for a walk. It was still early and there were few people about as he made his way to the river. He walked as far as the weir then turned back, wanting to be there when Gemma woke up. She should have had enough rest by then, he thought, lengthening his stride at the prospect of a little more intimate exercise. He rounded a bend in the path and ground to a halt when he saw the woman walking towards him. What on earth was Heather doing here at this hour of the morning?

  Gemma was in the kitchen making a pot of tea when she heard Ross come in. ‘I’m in here,’ she called, dropping teabags into the pot.

  ‘Hmm, now, that’s a sight to gladden a man’s heart.’ He came up behind her, rubbing his cold cheek against her warm one as he pulled her into his arms.

  ‘You’re freezing!’ she squealed, struggling rather ineffectually to free herself.

  ‘But I’ll soon warm up,’ he assured her, smiling lasciviously as he trickled icy-cold kisses down her neck.

  Gemma shivered and not just because of the chill of his lips. The feel of his mouth was playing havoc with her self-control. She gasped when he pulled her back against him and she felt his erection pressing against her buttocks. Obviously, it was having an effect on Ross as well!

  He turned her round and kissed her properly, his mouth hot and hungry now as it demanded a response she was only too eager to give him. All she had on was the oversized T-shirt she had slept in and that was soon dispensed with. Gemma gasped when he lifted her up so that her legs were wrapped around his hips. Her back was pressed against the kitchen cupboard and the feel of the solid wood against her spine and Ross’s heat and hardness against her front was a potent combination.

  He made love to her right there in the kitchen, calling out her name as he climaxed. Gemma clung to him as they both rode out the storm, feeling their passion melting her bones. She loved him so much, wanted him even more. He was her world, her life, her love, and the thought brought tears to her eyes which he kissed away.

  ‘I’m not really crying,’ she murmured. ‘I’m just so happy.’

  ‘Me too.’ He kissed her softly and with great tenderness then picked up her T-shirt and gently pulled it over her head. ‘You get back into bed and I’ll bring you a cup of tea.’

  ‘Give me five minutes to have a shower,’ she begged him, and he grinned at her.

  ‘Just five. If you take longer than that, I’m coming to get you out.’

  ‘Promises, promises,’ she retorted, skipping smartly out of the way when he made a grab for her. She raced up the stairs, smiling as she headed into the bathroom. She loved it when he teased her like that, loved it when he didn’t too. In fact, she loved him whatever he did!

  Ross was waiting in the bedroom with her tea when she went back. She slid beneath the quilt, smiling when he sat down beside her and handed her the cup. ‘This is what I call room service.’

  ‘So long as I’m the only one providing it, that’s OK.’ He kissed her quickly then nodded at the cup. ‘Drink up before you spill it all over you.’

  ‘Hmm, I’d need another shower then, wouldn’t I?’ she said, smiling smugly when she saw his eyes darken with passion.

  ‘Yes, you would.’ Another kiss before he reluctantly drew back. ‘I’ve just seen Heather. She was down by the river when I went for a walk.’

  ‘Is she all right?’ Gemma asked, waiting for the pang of nerves that would surely hit her at mention of his ex-fiancée. It didn’t happen and she smiled, delighted that she was as confident of his love as she’d thought she was. ‘Come on, then, tell me what she said.’

  ‘Apparently, she’s met someone in London, a guy called Archie. From what I could gather she’s mad about him but isn’t sure how he feels about her.’

  ‘Really? So what did you say to her?’

  ‘That she should follow her heart and see where it leads her.’ He laughed when she gasped. ‘See, I’m giving out advice to the lovelorn now—how amazing is that?’

  ‘Unbelievable,’ she retorted, chuckling.

  ‘Unbelievable?’ His brows rose as he took the cup from her. ‘Are you implying that I’m not in touch with my emotions?’

  ‘Well, you do usually prefer a more reasoned approach,’ she countered.

  ‘I’m not sure how to take that,’ he retorted, scooping her into his arms. ‘I hope you’re not implying that I’m a cold fish.’

  ‘Not all of the time, no,’ she began then laughed when he tickled her. ‘Ross, no! Stop it, you pest!’

  ‘Is that any way to speak to the man you love?’ He tickled her again until she was squirming in his arms. Bending, he kissed her on the lips then drew back, one brow quirking. ‘Still think I’m a pest?’

  ‘No-o-o-o…you might just have redeemed yourself,’ she whispered, looping her arms round his neck. There followed a very satisfactory interlude and Gemma sighed when he finally raised his head. ‘I must call you names more often.’

  ‘It’s fun, isn’t it?’ He kissed her gently. ‘Everything is fun when we do it together, Gemma. That’s why I want to make sure that we never have to be apart. I know it may seem a bit soon to ask you this, but will you marry me? You don’t have to give me your answer right away just as long as you’ll think about it.’

  ‘There’s nothing to think about. Of course I’ll marry you, Ross. Just try and stop me!’

  He let out a whoop of joy as he pulled her to him and kissed her. Gemma closed her eyes as the world started to spin. Round and round it went, and at the very heart of it was Ross and their love for one another. That was what would keep them together, always keep them feeling this way.

  ‘I love you so much,’ he whispered. ‘I never dreamed that I could find someone as perfect as you to spend my life with.’

  ‘Me too,’ she whispered, feeling her heart swell with happiness. Ross had found his perfect wife at last, and it was her!

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-2925-3

  THE GP’S MEANT-TO-BE BRIDE

  First North American Publication 2009

  Copyright © 2008 by Jennifer Taylor

  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, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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