And then he began moving in and out while his hands cupped her bottom low so that his fingers skimmed her inner thighs. He pulled his mouth and his hands away and she moaned out his name as he continued to ride her hard.
Tunneling his fingers through her hair, he held her gaze, knowing this was the woman that was meant to be his, and she was, and he wouldn’t let her go. He would admit the thought of a long-distance romance scared the hell out of him, but he would do it if it came to that. But he’d learned his lesson never to assume that he knew what she wanted. He had been wrong the last time, which meant that maybe, just possibly, she would consider moving to Australia with him.
He lifted his head, arched his back and bucked at the straining of his muscles when he felt his entire body explode. “Ainsley!”
She cried out his name as somehow she opened her legs more and took him in even deeper. He looked down at her, saw her closed eyes and whispered, “Look at me, baby. I want you to look at me and feel the love. I love you and I need you.”
She opened her eyes and locked her gaze with his when another explosion hit them both. Never had he desired a woman so much. Loved one to such a degree that he trembled all over.
A short while later with their naked limbs entwined, he held her in his arms as her head rested on his chest. “I’m leaving the country for a while.”
Ainsley lifted her head to stare at him, certain he could see all the questions in her gaze.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to work in Australia at the Great Barrier Reef.”
“To do more studies on the turtles?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She leaned up as a smile touched her lips, knowing how much he wanted that. “Oh, Winston, that’s great.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to leave you behind.”
She pulled herself up. “Then don’t. Take me with you.”
His gaze widened. “You’d go? Leave your work here and travel with me there? It will be for three years.”
“I don’t care if it will be for thirty years. I can write articles from anywhere and I don’t need that plush office after all. I want to be with you.”
He smiled. “And I want to be with you.” He pulled her back down in his arms. “You know what that means, right?”
She had an idea but wanted him to tell her. “What does it mean?”
“That I want you to be Mrs. Winston Coltrane.”
She chuckled. “Is that a proposal?”
“You bet it is. If you prefer the more traditional on-your-knees kind of proposal, I can do that, as well.”
She shook her head. “No, all I want is your undying love as you’ll have mine.”
“Baby, you got it.” He then eased her up closer over his body, so his mouth could reach hers. “I love you, Ainsley,” he whispered against her moist lips.
“And I love you, too.”
And he captured her mouth and kissed her with a hunger he felt all through his body. This love was meant to be. He had joined the ranks of totally whipped men and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
The bright sun beamed down on the couple as they stood before the minister being joined as man and wife.
They were on Barrett Shores on this glorious day in June, in an outdoor wedding with a beautiful view of the ocean in front of them. “I now pronounce you man and wife. Winston, you may kiss your bride.”
Ainsley turned and Winston lifted the veil from her face and leaned in to claim her lips. She knew his kiss would be powerful, shake her to the core and probably be too lusty for the two-hundred guests assembled oceanside.
He finally released her mouth, grinned over at his five godbrothers and gave each a thumbs-up...even Virgil and Zion. They weren’t happy that the Bachelors in Demand Club had dwindled from six members down to two, but they were happy for Winston and she appreciated that. She was counting on them finding their true love like she and Winston had. After all, she was convinced that everyone had a soul mate.
Holding hands she and Winston turned to face their guests as the minister said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Winston Coltrane.”
She heard the clapping, cheers, whistles and catcalls. But what she would remember most was Winston pulling her back into his arms and kissing her again. Later tonight before they left for their honeymoon in Ireland, she intended to dance for her husband. She intended to strip for him, as well. But what she really intended to do was be his mate for life.
She gasped when be broke off the kiss and swung her up into his arms to stride away from the beachside wedding party. She was happy, overjoyed and elated with how the day had turned out and was ready to start a new life with the man she loved.
The bachelor that was unclaimed no more.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781460303788
Copyright © 2013 by Brenda Streater Jackson
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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. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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