before their wedding. Rush made the arrangements with a navy chaplain, and Jeff and Susan Dwyer stood up for them. The ceremony itself lasted only a few short minutes. Rush stood close at Lindy’s side, and she couldn’t ever remember him looking more handsome than in full-dress uniform. When he repeated his vows, his voice was strong and confident. Lindy’s own was much softer, but equally fervent.
Afterward they went to an expensive restaurant for dinner and were met by several other couples, all navy people, all friends of Rush’s. Names and faces flew past Lindy, and after a while she gave up trying to keep track of who was who. She managed to smile at each one and made the effort to thank them for coming to share this day with her and Rush.
Once they were seated, Lindy placed the bouquet of baby’s breath and pink rosebuds in her lap. Susan sat on her left and Rush on her right. Rush was talking to Jeff who sat on the opposite side from him. Rush’s fingers closed around Lindy’s and communicated his frustration at being trapped with all these people when he wanted to be alone with her. Lindy felt the same way. Rush was her husband and she was dying with the need to be his wife in every way. They had such little time left together. Three days and two nights to last them half a year.
“Do you think we’re both crazy?” Lindy leaned over and whispered to Susan. There’d been so little time to talk before the ceremony.
“I think it’s the most wildly romantic thing I’ve seen in years.” Her new friend’s eyes sparkled with shared joy. “A blind man could see how much Rush loves you.”
“I honestly didn’t think he’d do it,” Lindy confessed.
“What? Marry you?”
“Yes, before he left anyway. He wanted to wait until he returned in December, and…then he didn’t. I hardly had time to think once he made up his mind. The past three days have zoomed by. I feel as if I’ve been on a spaceship—everything’s a blur. We’ve been up every night past midnight discussing the arrangements.
“Didn’t you have to work?”
Lindy nodded and suppressed a yawn. “I didn’t dare ask for any days off since I’ve been working such a short time. I regret that now, because I think my supervisor would have understood. But Rush didn’t want me to jeopardize my job.”
“You’ll need it once he’s gone,” Susan said with a wisdom that must have come from her years as a navy wife. “It’s important for you to keep busy. Rush knows that. Having a job to go to every day will help the time he’s gone pass all the more quickly. The transition from being together almost constantly to being alone will be smoother, too.”
“What about you?” Lindy knew that Susan didn’t work outside the home. Her friend couldn’t with Timmy and Tommy still so young.
“I manage to do some volunteer work with some of the other navy wives,” Susan explained. “We help each other. Once everything settles down, I’ll introduce you around.”
Lindy smiled, more than willing to meet the others and make new friends. She wanted to do everything that was right to be a good wife to Rush. There was so much to learn, so much to remember. Susan was already a valuable friend, and now she was willing to show Lindy the ropes.
When they left the restaurant, several couples stood outside waiting, and Lindy and Rush were bombarded with flying rice.
Rush had chosen a hotel close to the restaurant for their wedding night. He’d checked in before the ceremony and had their luggage delivered to the suite.
“I didn’t think I was ever going to get you alone, Mrs. Callaghan,” he whispered to her in the elevator, wrapping his arms around her waist and looking very much as though he wanted to kiss her.
“And exactly what are you planning to do once you have me all to yourself?”
“Oh Lord, Lindy.” He breathed in a giant whoosh of oxygen. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep my hands off you these past few days.”
“Yes, I do,” she answered softly, blushing just a little. “Because it’s been equally difficult for me.”
The elevator came to a smooth halt and the door glided cheerfully open. With Rush’s hand at her waist guiding her, they walked down the long narrow hallway to the honeymoon suite.
When they reached the room, Rush gently scooped her up and into his arms, managing to hold onto her, juggle the keys and unlock the door.
Rush carried her into the room, slammed the door closed with his foot and gently laid Lindy upon the huge king-size mattress.
Lindy’s arms curled and locked around his neck and, unable to wait a minute longer, she smiled up at him, raised her head and kissed him. Rush groaned and pressed her deeper into the pillows, covering her upper body with his own. Her breasts felt the urgent pressure of his chest, her nipples already tingling with the need to experience his touch. The hammering rhythm of his heart echoed hers and seemed to thunder in her ears. Lindy had waited so long for this night.
Poised above her as he was, Rush’s mouth dipped to capture hers.
“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” he whispered, his mouth scant inches above hers.
“I can’t believe we’re actually married.”
“Believe it, Lindy.” The moist tip of his tongue outlined her bottom lip.
“I’m going to be a good wife to you,” she whispered fervently, planting her hands on either side of his face and guiding his mouth to hers, taking his tongue in her mouth. “You won’t regret marrying me…. I promise.”
“I have no regrets. Dear God, Lindy, how could I?” Again and again his mouth claimed her until she lost count.
“Lindy, Lindy,” he whispered against her neck. “I don’t think I can wait much longer…. I wanted to do this slow and easy, but already I feel like I’m going to explode, I want you so much.”
They kissed again tempestuously, their mouths grinding hard, their tongues meeting. The kissing sparked the coals of their desire with an urgency that left Lindy trembling in its wake.
Reluctantly, his breath coming in uneven gasps, Rush moved away from her enough to start unbuttoning his jacket. Lindy noted that his movements were abrupt, impatient.
With trembling, uncooperative fingers, she reached for the zipper at the back of her gown, letting the satin and lace knee-length dress fall to the floor.
She was about to slip the pale pink camisole over her head when Rush stopped her.
“Let me,” he murmured, his eyes consuming her with a need he couldn’t disguise.
She nodded and let her hands fall slack at her sides.
He stood before her—so tall, so solemn, so intent. Lindy could feel the spiraling desire wrap itself around them both, binding them to each other as effectively as any cord. His hands reached for the garment’s hem and she raised her arms to better aid him. The silky material whispered against her skin as he drew it over her torso, and Lindy heard Rush’s soft gasp as her breasts sprang free.
To her surprise, his hands came up to caress her neck and not her breasts. His touch was
