She patted his cheek and gave him a breathtaking smile. “How about just saying we’ll take care of each other?”
He couldn’t imagine anything better, because Beth was a woman who could do it all—partner, wife, mother of his children…lover. He was particularly looking forward to the lover part.
“That’s perfect,” he murmured, framing her face in his hands. “But isn’t there something you have to tell me? Something important you might have forgotten?”
Her nose wrinkled in confusion, then her lips curved. “There certainly is. I love you, Kane O’Rourke. So much it frightens me. The best day of my life was when I won that silly contest.”
He pulled her back against his heart, whispering his love and hearing it sweetly returned. Beth might have won the contest, but he was the one who got the real prize.
Epilogue
“Close your eyes, sweetheart.”
“But I can’t see that way.”
Kane chuckled. “I know. That’s the whole point.”
Shifting his bride in his arms, he managed to punch the elevator button. The door closed with a silent whoosh, and the car rose smoothly.
“Don’t tell me, we’re having a picnic for our wedding dinner,” Beth said. “Ants, hot dogs and everything.” Still keeping her eyes closed, she nuzzled his neck, touching the tip of her tongue to his carotid artery.
Kane groaned and nearly dropped her.
They’d gotten married relatively quickly—just four weeks after his proposal—but it had seemed like forever. Apparently even the simplest wedding required endless fittings, meetings with bridal consultants and hours of poring over every imaginable book and magazine on the subject.
And that was just his mother; his sisters had been worse.
Beth just smiled serenely through the whole thing, her nerves only showing when they were alone together—which in Kane’s opinion hadn’t happened nearly enough.
But the wait was finally over.
He had his wife to himself; just the two of them, a huge bed, and no family. Luckily he had the resources to ensure their privacy. Beth would squawk when she discovered he’d booked the entire floor for their honeymoon, but teasing her out of a snit was too much fun for him to mind.
“We’re not having a picnic,” he said. “How does Dom Pérignon and strawberries sound to start?”
She made a huffy sound. “Expensive.”
Kane chuckled. He didn’t think Beth would ever be comfortable being the wife of a billionaire, but he enjoyed reminding her of all the good she could do with their money.
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you are, Mrs. O’Rourke?”
“Not in the last five minutes. Can I open my eyes now?”
“You’ll have to wait a little longer.”
The elevator opened and he carried her toward the last flight of steps, nodding at the security men he had posted as an extra guarantee they wouldn’t be disturbed. They were consummate professionals and never even cracked a smile at the sight of their boss acting like any other besotted bridegroom.
“Where are we going, outer Mongolia?” Beth asked as she swayed against him during the climb.
“Nope.” He walked into their room, one of the Victorian “attic” suites offered by the hotel. “You can look now.”
Beth opened her eyes and let out a delighted cry. “It’s wonderful,” she said.
“It seemed appropriate—this is where we were originally supposed to stay on our first date. Separate rooms, of course.” Kane kissed her gently, reluctant to put her down because it felt so nice holding his wife that way.
His wife.
Two words that had the power to bring him to his knees.
When he finally laid Beth on the four-poster bed, his breath was coming fast. She was so lovely, her face glowing with the kind of happiness he knew was reflected in his own eyes.
He cleared his throat. It wouldn’t be sensitive of him to suggest they rip off their wedding finery and fall into bed, so he backed off and tried to be patient.
“I…I’ll let in some air.”
Beth watched Kane cross to the window and swing it open. He stood for a while, breathing the night air and gazing out at the harbor. She could hardly believe he belonged to her, or the way her life had changed in the past month. It was as if they had been created for each other, in the special way that lucky men and women had felt since the world began.
There were still times she felt uncomfortable with his family, but the O’Rourkes were the determined type, cutting right through the awkward moments with hugs and laughter. The only thing that seemed to matter to them was that she made Kane happy.
Shaking out the heavy skirt of her wedding dress, Beth looked around. They were at the very top of the hotel, in one of the Victorian suites Emily had extolled as being the “most romantic place you can imagine.”
Dozens of creamy-white roses filled the air with a gentle fragrance, though a single flame-red rose lay on the table where a champagne bucket and strawberries also waited.
Beth picked it up, a secret smile filling her.
Maybe it wasn’t the room that was romantic, but the man she’d married.
She poured the champagne and brought a glass to Kane, leaving the strawberries. Truthfully she wasn’t hungry. They had eaten a little at the reception, and too many butterflies were dancing in her tummy to consider anything else.
“We could have had a bigger wedding if you’d wanted it,” he said, slanting a kiss across her lips. “We didn’t have to come back to Victoria.”
Beth shook her head. “I wanted it this way, too. It was perfect.”
They managed to keep the press from bothering them by agreeing to pictures after the ceremony, so the wedding had stayed the intimate affair they had both hoped for—just Kane’s family and a few friends, including Emily and Nick with their daughter and new baby son.
Everyone else was partying in one of the hotel’s private banquet rooms, but Kane had finally suggested they slip away to their own “celebration.” Anticipation had grown with each glance and touch they’d shared; now Beth wondered if she’d hyperventilate before they made it into bed.
“By the way,” he murmured, “you still haven’t answered my question.”
Beth frowned, trying to think what he was talking about. “What question?”
“You never said yes, you’d marry me. Honestly, I’ve never known a more contrary woman,” Kane said with mock exasperation.”
She managed a smile.
The spacious room seemed to shrink as he leaned over her, kissing her with a gentle patience that seemed at odds with the teasing heat in his eyes. She couldn’t help remembering that he had lots of experience, while she was a neophyte with only a few spicy kisses to guide her.
“I’m glad we waited,” he said simply, referring to their decision to wait before making love. Old dreams and ideas were hard to let go, and now she’d have the traditional wedding night she’d once planned to share with another man.
One of the things they had done during the past month was really talk about Curt. Beth didn’t want any ghosts in their marriage, even ghosts that Kane only feared were there. Curtis Martin had been a good man, but he wasn’t Kane O’Rourke. Kane had shown her a world of love beyond anything she’d ever dreamed.
Her heart belonged to him, wholly and completely.
“Um…I think I’ll change,” she said, and saw a fierce satisfaction in Kane’s face.
Before she could change her mind, Beth scooped up the nightgown draped across a pillow and hurried into the bathroom. She no longer worried that Kane wouldn’t be satisfied with her body, but she had nervous jitters dancing in her tummy. Making love was something of a mystery. Oh, she knew what went where, but knowing and actually understanding it were two different things.
Her wedding dress was made of antique lace and crystal beads over a crepe silk underskirt. Simple and elegant, it must have cost a fortune, though her mother-in-law-to-be had pooh-poohed t
he cost. Beth carefully put it on a hanger and donned the nightgown that Shannon had given her at a bridal shower. The gown clung to her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination. It practically screamed, “Come and get me, I’m not wearing anything underneath.”
At least, that’s what Shannon had claimed it said. Her knowing wink hadn’t shown any mercy for Beth’s warm face.
Well, they’d promised to love each for better or for worse. And her husband would just have to be patient while she was figuring out what he liked the best.
She swallowed and opened the door.
Kane looked at Beth in her white satin gown and groaned. The soft light turned her skin golden and she seemed too delicate and otherworldly to be real. Then he remembered the wedding toast she’d surprised him with at the reception, and his heart expanded with pride.
To my remarkable husband. I’ve never known a man more deserving to be called a hero. I’ll love you forever, and even that won’t be long enough.
“More champagne?” he asked, his voice almost unrecognizable.
Beth shook her head. She was breathing quickly, and like a magnet, his attention was drawn to the rise and fall of her breasts.
“I’ll get my wedding dress out of the way so you can use the bathroom,” she said.
“Wait.” Kane’s arm shot out, blocking the door. “The thing is,” he said quietly. “I’m a little nervous here. I love you to the bottom of my soul, and I need you so badly I can’t hardly think. How…um…how do you want to…start?”
An incredulous wonder filled Beth.
He meant it. Her dear, wonderful husband was nervous about making love to her.
“I think we could start here,” she whispered, reaching up slowly to slip the spaghetti strap of her gown off her shoulder. She flipped the second one down her other arm, and wiggled slightly.
Kane felt as if he’d been hit with a forklift. The thin satin slid down, its progress only impeded by the thrust of her nipples. The fabric clung precariously, those sweet points hardening beneath his gaze. With a smile he leaned close and caught one of the straps with his teeth. It only took a little tugging and pulling to drop it in a heap on the carpet.
He stepped backward, his gaze sweeping Beth’s body. She was a study in elegance, with small, perfectly shaped breasts and hips that flared gently from a slim waist.
“Kane?”
“I’ve dreamed about this,” he muttered. “And now I’m going to have a heart attack. That’s why old guys shouldn’t marry sexy young things like you—it’s too hard on their system.”
Beth laughed. “You’re only thirty-seven. That’s not old.”
“Oh, good. I may live after all.”
Sweeping his hands beneath her, he lifted his wife again and laid her on the bed.
“Things have been so rushed,” Beth whispered, “and I didn’t think to discuss it with you, but…I’m not on the pill.”
If possible, his body grew ever harder. “I’m glad,” Kane said with heavy satisfaction.
Beth moved restlessly, wondering at the grabbing sensation at the base of her stomach. Kane had barely touched her and yet she felt prickles of heat and electricity everywhere. She wanted him to go faster, so she rose on her knees.
“Do you mind?” she purred, unbuttoning the shirt he wore. “I’ve waited for twenty-six years to do this.” Swaying forward, she kissed his jaw, brushing her nipples over the wedge of chest hair she’d uncovered.
Kane moved so quickly it took her breath away. One minute she was kneeling in front of him, the next they were both naked and in the bed.
His exploring fingers made her squirm and sigh, and she had an equal effect on him. The tingling in her abdomen grew so bad she couldn’t keep from squirming, which seemed to be all right with Kane until she felt him nudging between her legs.
“Oh…” She jerked.
Catching her hips, he held her perfectly still.
“Easy,” he soothed. “Slow and easy this time.”
He gave her time to adjust as he pressed downward, wincing visibly as she absorbed the slight flash of discomfort. And then they were so deeply joined she couldn’t believe they’d ever been apart. He seemed to know when the balance shifted, her muscles no longer tight from instinctively trying to reject him, but tensing for another reason, this one far more pleasant.
It only took another deep thrust to send her over the edge, and she fell, sensations exploding beyond anything she could have imagined.
Much later, Beth lay with her head on Kane’s shoulder. It was a lot to absorb, the power of two people being together. And she felt a little embarrassed going off like a firecracker and leaving him behind.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“About what?” Kane asked, clearly astonished.
“About…not waiting.”
He chuckled. “Don’t go apologizing. A man likes to know he’s appreciated. And besides…” His forefinger circled her nipple and she moaned. “You caught up again, real quick.”
“Is it always going to be like that?”
Kane pulled her over him, delighting in the feel of her silken skin. “It’s only going to get better.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible.”
He looked into Beth’s eyes and saw the promise of forever shining in them. “Love makes everything possible. Now be quiet and kiss me.”
She smiled, finally doing exactly what he asked.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5335-6
A DATE WITH A BILLIONAIRE
Copyright © 2002 by Martha Ann Ford
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*Bridal Fever!
A Date With a Billionaire Page 15