“Morgan, I hadn’t wanted to like you when we first met. But you charmed me completely. I know what a challenge I was, but I’m so very grateful you continued to stay by me regardless of my faults.” She smiled as a tear slipped from her eyes.
“You were a challenge,” he whispered. “You were the sweetest challenge I’ve ever had.”
“Oh, Morgan.” Her voice choked. “You are the only man who could see past my most improper career, and see me as a woman. Why wouldn’t I allow myself to love a man like you?”
A deep growl-like moan tore from him as he gathered her tightly in his arms. When his mouth met hers, she sighed heavily. Explosions erupted inside of her, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was the man for her. She’d made the right choice in picking this one.
Morgan Drake was one in a million.
The kiss turned urgent, and she participated fully, copying his actions and not holding back. So wrapped up in the moment, she didn’t care how uncomfortable it was to kiss him like this while on top of a horse. But now, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was being close to him, and enjoying their intimate time together.
She ran her fingers through his glorious hair that was much longer than other gentlemen she knew. But that’s what made him stand out more. Just as she wasn’t like most women, he was different from most men.
As he tilted his head back and forth, she could tell her bonnet was getting in the way. She withdrew from the kiss to take off the barrier, but his fingers were already at her chin, untying the silk ribbons. Before she could see where her bonnet had fallen, he pulled her back to his waiting mouth.
She loved how eager he seemed—as if he couldn’t get enough. His hands caressed her back, and up her neck. She didn’t mind that he tangled his fingers in her hair, either. He acted as if he wanted to touch every part of her. Melinda felt that urgency, as well, but being on a horse was not the place to become so intimate with one another.
When she felt herself slipping, she broke the kiss and grasped the saddle. Laughing, he righted them in place.
“I suppose we got rather carried away,” he said.
“We did, but perhaps this isn’t where we should kiss to our heart’s content.”
He shook his head. “Definitely, not here.”
With both hands, she stroked his face. “So where and when?”
He laughed again. “Are you anxious, my love?”
She sighed aloud, loving the endearment. “Extremely.”
“Before we decide on a location, I need to ask you one more thing.”
“What?”
He took hold of her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles. “Melinda, my love, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her heart soared as happiness flowed through her body. “Most definitely.” She kissed his lips again but withdrew before they could get carried away again. “But my question would be—how soon can we marry?”
Morgan hugged her tight and buried his face in her neck, still chuckling. “Oh, my love.” He left tiny kisses on her skin, which sent heated chills through her. “I promise to make you my wife as fast as I can.”
* * * *
Morgan and Melinda decided on a small ceremony, only because they didn’t have many family members here, and only a few friends. Judith Woodland stood beside Melinda as her witness, and Lord Trey was Morgan’s witness. Melinda’s brother Jake was the ring keeper, and he also was the one to give his sister away. Thankfully, Lord Trey knew how to get a special license for Morgan, and he was also friends with a minister.
Morgan’s chest burst with happiness. He didn’t think he’d ever feel this elated, but as he watched his bride enter the chapel and walk toward him, the love he felt for her brought tears to his eyes.
Her pure white gown was trimmed with silver ribbon along the square neck. The short sleeves gently swept off her shoulders. She wore elbow-length white gloves, and a pure white cape that hooked to the back of the gown, flowing behind her as she walked down the aisle. The gown itself appeared to have pleats going from just under the bodice, all the way down. Melinda’s hair was styled just the way he liked, in loose ringlets. White and baby blue flowers decorated her hair, and a pearl necklace decorated her lovely neck…that he had enjoyed nibbling on many times in the seven days they had to wait to be wed.
For the special occasion, Morgan wore his off-white trousers with a dark blue velvet jacket. His waist jacket was the same color of baby blue flowers in Melinda’s hair, and his cravat matched his trousers. On his head was the customary top hat.
After admiring the way she regally waltzed down the aisle toward him, he noticed that she couldn’t take her gaze off him, either. He would never remember what the Woodlands were wearing, or what Melinda’s brother looked like, but he’d forever have Melinda’s image stamped in his memory.
He took her hands and pulled her beside him as they faced the minister. Morgan didn’t even know what the man of the cloth looked like, either. All he could do was stare at his beautiful bride. Her amber eyes were like gems, and misted slightly as she met his gaze.
Morgan wasn’t really listening to the minister, and Lord Trey had to nudge him and remind him to repeat the vows. Apparently, Judith had to do the same with Melinda. Morgan grinned wide, knowing she felt the same way as he did today.
Jake handed them the rings, which they exchanged. And when Morgan heard the minister pronounce them husband and wife, he didn’t let the man of God finish before he was pulling Melinda into his arms and sealing their vows with a kiss.
She responded to his kiss, answering him back with excited kisses of her own. This was the happiest day of his life, and he didn’t want this moment to end. However, Lord Trey cleared his throat and tapped Morgan on the shoulder.
“Save it for the bedroom,” Lord Trey whispered.
Morgan and Melinda broke apart laughing. Her cheeks were red from embarrassment. Morgan assumed his would be, also, but he really didn’t care. Melinda Stewart was finally his wife, and nothing could change that miracle. Melinda Drake did sound perfect.
Their few guests congratulated them, and it didn’t take long before Morgan escorted his wife to their coach and climbed inside. Once the footman shut the door, Morgan gathered her in his arms and relaxed them against the wall of the vehicle.
“Finally, we’re alone,” he mumbled and kissed her forehead.
“My thoughts, exactly.”
“So, wife, have you decided where you’d like me to take you for our honeymoon?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She cuddled closer. “Wherever we go, I’ll be happy.”
“And so will I.” He kissed her on the ear this time, breathing in her scent of lilacs.
“However, I would very much like you to take me to visit your family. I don’t know about them, and I’d like to.”
“I shall take you anywhere your heart desires, my love.” He trailed kisses down her neck.
“And then do you know what I want to do when we return?”
“What is that, my darling?” He took a piece of skin of her throat, and gently sucked it in his mouth.
Giggling, she pulled away and looked at him. “I’m trying to be serious.”
He nodded. “Forgive me, my dear. As you can see, I’m very eager to make you mine in the Biblical sense.”
“Yes, I can tell.” She laughed.
“Can you blame me?” He stroked her cheek. “You are finally mine.”
“And you are mine.”
“So tell me, my love. Where do you want me to take you after I take you to meet my family?”
She sighed. “Do you remember me telling you about the man who bought our house and kicked us out on the street?”
“I do.”
“Well, I want you to take me to him so that I can buy his business and kick him out on the street. And you, my handsome man, are the perfect person to convince him to sell it to us.”
Morgan threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, d
ear. What kind of woman are you?”
“I’m a woman that wants to right the wrong any way I can.”
He took both of her hands and brought them to his mouth as he brushed his lips across her gloved knuckles. “Then that will be our next line of business. I’m assuming you want to work beside me.”
“You assume correctly.” She smiled, and then tilted her head as she narrowed her eyes. “Do you realize by marrying me, you now own my land—the land I was determined not to sell you?”
“Oh, but my dearest love, this is the only way to seal the bargain, don’t you agree?”
“Yes. Working together, we shall accomplish anything.”
“And speaking of working together,” he said, pulling her back into his embrace. “I think from now until we return home, I want our communication to be with our mouths and hands. Doesn’t that sound pleasing?”
Releasing a low growl, Melinda snuggled against him and kissed his chin. “Nothing sounds more enjoyable.”
He silenced her with his mouth, but she acted as if she didn’t mind at all. It pleased him to know they were so much alike. He now looked forward to his life with the woman of his dreams by his side…forever.
THE END
**READERS –
There are other books in this series. Make sure you check out:
The Sweetest Kiss (book 1)
The Sweetest Touch (book 2)
The Sweetest Love (book 3)
The Sweetest Secret (book 4)
Author’s Bio
Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s been with a Christian publisher since 2010. Between those and her others, she’s published over 30 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, fairy tales, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and turns and unexpected endings.
Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – www.mariehiggins.com
Facebook – facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543
And Twitter - @MarieHigginsXOX
The Sweetest Challenge (Sons of Worthington Book 5) Page 11