drinks and handmade chocolates had been served. He was married—something he hadn’t envisaged in his foreseeable future. If he ever had, he would have imagined his choice would be one of his peers—a successful woman with interests they’d share, who had no desire to procreate.
Circumstances and his code of honour had dictated otherwise. Yet to his amazement he felt satisfied, content, as if he’d found a unique treasure he hadn’t realised he’d been searching for. The vows he’d made to her were real. Her vows had been defined and strong.
As if sensing his attention, Alina turned to meet his gaze. When she smiled shyly contentment morphed into something earthier, lustier. He’d never had the urge to swing any other woman round and then drag her into a mind-blowing kiss. Never had an impulse to sneak away at a family function for a kiss and a cuddle—maybe more. Now he stared into enticing violet eyes and imagined it all happening.
Tonight there were no shutters; her wide-eyed open expression raised the hairs on his nape. Tingled his spine. Flipped his heart. Alina James. The name rolled sweetly off his tongue.
‘Well, Alina James, do I call for the car or do you want more dessert?’
‘I’m full. It was all so delicious.’
The tip of her tongue licked her lip, as if searching for a final taste, sending a fiery jolt to his groin.
* * *
They were alone apart from the limousine driver. Ethan wrapped his arms around his bride and kissed her, slow and deep. His body responded with a sharp tug, low in his gut. She tasted sweet—pavlova-sweet. He craved more. He craved pure Alina taste.
His wife. They were legally one. She...
He was doused in a cold shower of reality. He could do nothing that might remind Alina of her first wedding night. Nothing she might regret in the morning.
He settled back holding her close, murmured, ‘We’ll soon be home, Mrs James,’ into her ear.
Home. The word echoed in Alina’s head. Her home—for as long as she chose to stay. Ethan had given the impression he meant every word of his vows. Only she knew he didn’t.
‘Tired, sweetheart?’ The tenderness in his eyes melted her misgivings.
‘Just thinking. Thank you for making tonight so wonderful, even if it’s n—’
His mouth cut off the rest. Powerful and firm. Punishing. ‘It’s as real as any other,’ he grated, tilting her face, his flashing dark eyes boring into hers. ‘Don’t ever forget that.’
Her body chilled, as if she’d dived into icy water. She’d offended him—the last thing she’d intended. Tears prickled in her eyes as she struggled for words to put it right.
Suddenly she was crushed against him and kissed, with a thoroughness that left her body alive and burning.
He looked dazed when he broke away, bemused and aroused. She knew he’d see the same in her. Complete obliviousness to their surroundings.
Ethan’s fingers shook as they cradled her cheek. ‘Alina, darling...’ He trembled as he drank her in. His reaction when she’d denied their marriage was real had astounded him. He’d endeavoured to show her how valid it was to him. Succeeded spectacularly. With a kiss like none he’d ever known.
He struggled to draw air into empty lungs, fought to clear his brain. He’d been lost in a fantasy world where the only reality was the taste of Alina on his tongue and the softness of her in his arms. Heaven.
Her stunning eyes were dark and bewildered. His stomach twisted. Bewitched by her beauty, and by her response to his kisses, he’d allowed his own ardour to override the need for restraint. Only noisy revelry out on the street as the vehicle stopped had thrown him back to reality.
He leant his forehead on hers and sucked in air scented with spring and his wife. ‘I’m the one who’s apologising now. Not for the kiss. Never for the kiss as long as I live. Not for anything we’ve shared—especially tonight. I have no right to be angry when you’ve complied so willingly with everything I’ve asked of you.’
He helped her from the car, thanked the driver and hugged her to his side as they walked to the elevator, squeezed tighter as they flew upward. When the ping announced the opening of the doors he scooped her into his arms—ignoring her protests—and stepped out.
‘This is for me, sweetheart.’
Her pupils dilated, making her eyes even more alluring.
‘This will be my once in a lifetime.’
He jiggled her body onto his chest as he used his key card, pushed open the door, and covered her lips with his as he carried her over the threshold. She slid her arm around his neck, her fingertips curling into his hair.
After kicking the door shut he continued the kiss, slowly letting her slide down until her feet were on the floor. Clasping her hands, he stepped back, imprinting her into his memory.
‘Tonight was special in so many ways, but this is the memory I’ll keep for ever. You—so incredibly beautiful, so enticingly sweet.’
Alina watched his Adam’s apple bounce as he swallowed his emotion. She’d been right in thinking their relationship might change—wrong to believe that it was a bad thing. Hormones or not, she couldn’t deny she cared about Ethan James.
‘You made it special, Ethan. I was... Oh, I don’t know how to explain. Then you were there, and everything was right.’
‘And now I have to let you go to bed.’
She heard the desire in his voice, saw it in his eyes. For a second she wondered why she wasn’t pulling away and running. Then she gave her answer without any qualms.
‘I’m your wife.’
She felt his tension flow out, even though their hands were their only contact. Heat flared in his eyes, quickly softening to concern.
‘And much more than I deserve, Alina James. Turn around.’
He unclasped her necklace and trailed light kisses across her neck. Slipped his arms around her and drew her close, his breath teasing her earlobe.
‘Go to bed, darling. While I can still let you leave. Tonight I want no regrets.’
Her cheeks burned. She’d refused to think of that other first night, and yet he’d understood how it might come flooding back. She’d blatantly offered herself, denying the possible—probable—consequences.
Twisting to face him, she touched her fingertips to his lips. ‘I’m sorry, Ethan, I’m being selfish. I thought if you held me it wouldn’t—’
‘It still might. But I’ll hold you in whichever bed you choose. Tonight we’ll sleep. Tomorrow we’ll start our honeymoon.’
She raised up onto her toes and pressed her lips to his, kept it brief.
‘Thank you, Ethan.’
Her final thought as sleep overtook her was I’m Mrs Alina Paulette James...
