by Jayne Castle
"You had it coming," Adam pointed out wickedly. "You won't ever lie to me again, will you, honey?"
"No," Janna subsided, too happy to wrangle with him at the moment. Then she thought of something else.
"Your brother and Lucy are going to be surprised when they get back and find out we're married!" Laughter bubbled up inside as she pictured Lucy's amazement.
"I doubt it. I told them at the wedding what I intended to do with you," Adam replied lightly.
"You had the whole thing planned?"
"I planned to marry you before we'd even been introduced! The details of the plan worked themselves out as matters progressed!" Adam confirmed.
"I have an idea I should be incensed at finding myself the victim o{ a plot!" Janna grinned wryly.
"You never had a chance," Adam said with satisfaction. "How could I let the only woman I had ever fallen head over heels in love with get away?"
"Oh, Adam! You really do love me?"
"As I have observed before, for a woman with so much education, you can be amazingly slow at times!"
A long time later Janna stood in a darkened hotel room gazing out the window at the glitter of Las Vegas. A band of gold gleamed softly on her left hand and she glanced down at it, a small smile touching her lips.
"In the future I shall buy you nothing but apricot colored nightgowns," Adam's voice came from the direction of the bath, rich and velvety. Janna turned to face him, the softness of the gown's material floating around her ankles. He stood there with the light behind him, a towel wrapped around his flat stomach, his grey-green eyes intent and serious.
"My darling Adam!" Janna breathed, gliding across the room to slide happily into his arms. "I love you so much!" She snuggled against his broad chest. "I don't know why I didn't realize it from the first."
"Just see to it that you don't ever forget it in the future! I couldn't stand that, Janna. You are my love and my life now. I could never let you go'"
"i could never leave you, Adam," she promised gazing up into this rugged face. She knew in that moment that she spoke nothing but the truth. Never would she be capable of hurting him. "All I ask is that you love me and let me love you."
With a swift movement of casual power, Adam swung her up into his arms, holding her possessively against his chest as he carried her to the bed. "I've told you before that I would give my woman anything she wanted as long as I thought it was good for her." He settled her gently among the turned-back sheets and then followed her down onto the bed.
"Come to me, my royal little wife and let me show you how much I love you," he said, the velvet voice thickening with passion. He reached for her, pulling her close with arms that formed a beloved band of steel.
"Whatever you say, my darling," Janna whispered demurely, eyes glowing.
"So obedient," he chuckled softly, sounding pleased.
"Didn't you know that when a queen is lucky enough to find her king she will do anything to keep him?"