The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,105
bed and floor from last night had been cleaned up in their absence. Now, a bouquet of exotic tropical flowers graced the table next to the bottle of champagne chilling.
He turned Kelly in a sweet pirouette and stopped her to face him. He leaned in for a precious, delicate kiss.
“I have a gift for you.”
She smiled. “I love presents.”
He slipped the strap of her dress off a shoulder and kissed the soft flesh on the spot where the strap had rested.
“Only, to receive this gift you must be naked,” he said, letting his lips trail from her shoulder down along the soft skin above her breast.
A murmur rose in her throat. “That can be arranged with a little negotiating.”
He lifted his head. “Oh, yes?”
A grin pursed her lips. “I’m thinking that to accept my gift, you should be similarly attired, as well.”
He reached into his shorts pocket. Something hid in his closed palm. “I can accommodate you, Red. Only I’ll need your help, after this...”
He pushed the strap off her other shoulder with his free hand. As he hoped, the loose fabric fell down her body, resting momentarily on her hips. He watched hungrily as she shimmied her hips ever so slightly to allow the fabric to fall to her feet.
Loose tendrils of hair escaped her braid, framing her face. High color was rising on her cheeks and those eyes held an anticipation that made his groin tighten. He would not be able to wait another moment. He bent and kissed her wedding band.
“I needed you perfectly naked to know there would be nothing between us when I brought this to your attention.”
Question filled her eyes. “What are you up to?”
He grinned. “This.”
He opened his hand. An engagement ring. Emerald cut. Huge. Two diamonds flanking the center stone glistened in the palm of his hand. He slipped the ring on her finger. It nestled against her wedding band, a crowning glory to the vows they’d taken.
“When I told you I loved you, I did not lie. I will love you until the day I die. Now I need to know. Do you love me and will you stay wed through richer or poorer, sickness and health until death do us part?”
The tears that filled her eyes were like a baptism for them both. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body as close to his as she could possibly get. With every ounce of love and willpower she could muster she met his gaze. He could see it in her eyes.
“I don’t need this most precious gift from you to promise my love, trust and fidelity through any goddamn test the good Lord should choose to send us, but I accept this ring with gratitude. I am honored to hold your love. You have brought me happiness I never believed would come for me.”
The most beautiful smile he’d ever seen curved her mouth as she reached down and unfastened his shorts. When they dropped to the ground, she smiled at the effect she’d had on his body. Leading him to the bed, she pulled him down next to her, her skin like silk as they entwined arms and legs. She kissed his mouth with a tenderness that touched him right down to his soul. He rolled her over, the magic of this woman, this place and her promise setting him on fire.
Kelly sighed her satisfaction as he trailed kisses down her neck. She answered by using her hands to wreak havoc on his body. Bringing her lips close to his ear, she whispered, “I love you now, Evan McKenna, and will love you through eternity. These words, my sweetest Irish heart, are no lie.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Back to the Good Fortune Diner by Vicki Essex!
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CHAPTER ONE
TIFFANY KNEW THE EXACT MOMENT when her family arrived in the E.R.
“Say joh may-ah?” Poh-poh’s voice creaked.
“No, Grandma, she’s not dead.” She heard Daniel reassure in that too-smooth voice of his. Tiffany grabbed the edges of