by Ann Bruce
One hand stroking her hair, he murmured soothing sounds and words even as he lowered his head. She managed to take several shuddering breaths, not deep ones because he couldn’t make himself loosen his hold, and wiped at the tears trailing down her cheeks.
“I couldn’t do it,” she said, voice raw. “I can’t leave.” She dropped her head to his chest and rolled her forehead against him. Her voice went even lower, barely a whisper. “The thought of never seeing you again terrifies me.” Her hands clutched at him with desperate strength. “More than the possibility of you leaving me later on.”
“Good,” he said with fierce delight, and took her mouth with a ferocious kiss. When he lifted his head, she had no breath left and was clinging to him weakly. The fierceness faded from his expression as he looked down at her. “I love you, too.”
Epilogue
The bride was radiant. Tiny, white flowers adorned upswept, dark hair; champagne-colored satin flowed over slim curves; and a wide smile stretched rose-tinted lips, making her look youthful.
Brenda leaned in close to the woman standing next to her. “Mom looks amazing.”
Unable to form coherent words, Parker could only nod and smile as she watched her mother glide down the aisle as if she were floating on air. Kelly reached the altar, kissed both her bridesmaids before handing her bouquet of creamy calla lilies to Parker, and took the hand of her groom. As she turned to face the altar, Parker caught the best man’s eyes, saw the heated promise in them and wondered how long it would be before she could drag him into the nearest dark corner.
The ceremony was short and sweet, and the newlyweds’ first kiss was long enough to embarrass the bride’s daughters and make the four-year-old flower girl giggle. Red-faced, Brenda grabbed her daughter and clapped a hand over her mouth.
Husband and wife started back down the aisle. The best man and maid of honor followed.
“I’ve never seen my mom happier,” Parker said softly, her eyes on the couple.
“Same with Gordon,” said Dean. Dryly, he added, “He loves telling people he’s the younger man.”
She laughed softly. “You know, he’s my stepfather now. Aren’t you going to feel awkward sharing my bed with him around?”
“Which is why I offered him early retirement. He and your mom are spending the next two years trotting the globe. First stop is London, England.”
Parker came to an abrupt stop. Concerned, Dean grasped her waist and pulled her to him. He waved at Brenda and her escort to cut in front of them.
“Parker?”
Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you.”
Concern vanished, replaced with an arrogant, self-satisfied smile. “Am I your hero now?”
“No,” she replied, blinking away the tears. “You did it because you don’t want a man who might feel obligated to protect my virtue hanging around.” She slid her hands up the lapels of his tuxedo, curled her fingers into them and tugged his head down. “But I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
She whisked a kiss across his lips, then danced out of his reach when he tried to deepen it. He caught her and hauled her against his side, but he didn’t try to kiss her. They walked through the double doors and out into the bright May sun.
“Tease,” he growled for her ears only.
“It’s my mom’s wedding day. Besides, your father’s watching us like a hawk.”
“He’s looking for a baby bump.”
She flushed. “Oh.”
“I swear, that man was actually upset when I told him Savannah isn’t my daughter.”
“Oh,” she repeated, this time with amusement.
“He and my sisters will get off my back if you just let me tell them we’re engaged.”
“I never said yes,” she reminded him. “You just came home one day, announced we were getting married and shoved the engagement ring on my finger.”
“If I asked you properly, you might’ve said no. I went with the safer strategy.”
“True. I would’ve done it to torment you, but only for a few days. Can’t have you taking me for granted.” She rested her head against his chest. “You can tell the families in a few more weeks.” She sighed. “I like keeping it between us. Nothing else in our lives is secret from our families…or your admin assistant or my admin assistant or your employees or my former neighbors. Did I leave anyone out?”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Since we had to cut our last trip short, Jay said the island’s ours for the next two weeks.”
“Two weeks? Did he really?”
His eyes gleamed, the color darkening to midnight, and his voice roughened. “I figure that’s how long we’ll need to do everything we missed the first time. And since you didn’t get to finish what you started, we’ll start off with the hammock.”
“I did not molest you while I was asleep.”
He put his mouth to her ear. “You did last night.”
About the Author
Ann Bruce is the pseudonym for a self-professed computer geek who, in between snowboarding, reading comic books and wearing out the buttons of her PS3 controller, writes because it’s an acceptable means of explaining all the voices in her head.
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ISBN: 978-1-4268-9013-0
Copyright © 2010 by Ann Bruce
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