The Princess Has Amnesia! (Crown & Glory Book 5)
Page 15
He had waited, for over a month. During that time he’d spent days here supervising the repairs and addition made to the cabin. Things he’d meant to do when he bought the place, but hadn’t gotten around to it. The prospect of a new wife pushed his plans into motion. He hadn’t had much time, but with Pierce’s help and laborers from Penwyck, they repaired the roof and enlarged the porch to hold a swing that held two. “I thought we could sit here and watch the sunrises and sunsets.”
Ana smiled. “This is lovely. What other surprises do you have for me?”
“See for yourself.” He pushed open the door and carried his bride over the threshold. Ana gasped, seeing a fire in the hearth, and several lamps had been lit, bathing the room in a soft seductive light. A snowy white cloth draped the table, which was set for two. Jake could smell the aroma of their wedding supper warming in the oven.
“Looks like elves have invaded the place,” she said.
“They were pricey elves.” He’d planned this for weeks. With a little help from Ana’s sisters, Megan and Meredith, he’d surprised himself at how creative he could be.
Both he and Ana had had so much to do this past month. Beside wedding preparations, Ana had taken on more responsibility at Marlestone House, making the children her top priority.
He’d spent every spare moment working with the contractor on the cabin. The rest of the time, he’d stayed busy with orientating himself into his new position with the Royal Elite Team and finding out exactly what fit into his job description. He was proud to say they’d found several leads on the men who’d invaded their mountain to get the diamonds. He also had met the king’s brother, the infamous Broderick. Jake hadn’t been impressed with the man who was making it his life’s ambition to overthrow King Morgan.
All that was forgotten this week while he and Ana began their lives together. Jake set his bride down and found he was holding his breath as she moved around the cabin. She examined the new furniture, the propane stove, then walked to the bedroom door and opened it. He heard another gasp and she swung around.
“Oh, Jake. What have you done?”
He went to her. “You don’t like it?” He glanced over her shoulder into the newly remodeled bedroom. The carpenters had rebuilt the room making it almost twice its original size—big enough to fit a king-size bed, a large dresser and an overstuffed chair. Along one of the walls were bay windows above a padded seat overlooking the mountain range.
“It’s beautiful. But, Jake, you didn’t have to do this. I loved the cabin just as it was before.”
He drew her against him. “I know, but if we’re going to spend any time here, I wanted us to be comfortable.” He pointed her to the opposite wall and a door. “That’s why I added this.”
“A closet?” Ana crossed the room, admiring the thick sand-colored carpet, wondering if Jake had picked it out. At the doorway, she gripped the knob and opened it, finding a bathroom, with a gleaming white tub, sink and a toilet. “How did you manage to do all this?”
“I had a lot of help. I thought indoor plumbing was a necessity. I hated those long walks to the outhouse. There’s also a generator, so we’ll have electricity and heat for those cold nights.”
She walked to him. “I was hoping you’d keep me warm.”
Jake grinned. “I like the way you think, chère.”
Ana slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. “I like it when you call me that.” She kissed him.
“I thought you hated it.”
Ana couldn’t recall a time when she ever hated anything about this man, unless it was his stubbornness. “I had to act indifferent at first so you wouldn’t see how much I was beginning to care for you. It was you who couldn’t stand having me around.”
“Oh, yeah, I couldn’t stand you, all right, but I couldn’t resist you, either.”
“I think we both were trying so hard to fight our feelings. Now, we don’t have to—fight that is.”
“No, we don’t.” He bent his head and captured her mouth. When she moved against him, he deepened the kiss, running his hand over her back and down to her bottom. When he pulled away, she could see the desire in his eyes.
“Maybe we should eat our supper now while we have the chance,” he suggested as he started to lead her out of the room.
She resisted. “I’m not hungry for food…just you.”
Jake wanted tonight to be special…for her. He knew this was Ana’s first time. And to be honest, he was terrified that somehow he would rush her. “Wouldn’t want to waste good food.”
“We can have our meal later.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, breaking down his resistance. He had trouble thinking about anything other than making love to her. “Unless you don’t want me.”
“Oh, I want you. You’re all I’ve been thinking about since the moment I first saw you.” He pulled her against him, letting her know how much. “But we better slow down. I mean it isn’t even dark….”
“Goodness, Jake.” She bit her lower lip to hide a smile. “I thought bridegrooms were supposed to be the anxious ones.”
He kissed her, hard. “Never doubt, chère, I want you morning, noon and night. I’m crazy for you. I just want this to be perfect for you.”
“Your making love to me will be perfect. Now, haven’t we waited long enough?”
In answer, Jake swung her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. “Way too long, Princess. This southern boy is more than willing, but I like to take things slow and easy, prolong the pleasure.”
“Oh, I like a man of action,” she said in a breathy voice.
He managed to remove the blue comforter and laid her down on the sheets. He pulled off her shoes and tossed them to the floor, then went for her sweater and her slacks. He stripped away his own shirt and slacks, then climbed in next to her. He brushed her hair back and kissed her until she was whimpering. “How am I doing so far?
“You’re not doing bad.”
He grew serious. “Tell me what you want, chère.”
Her fingers ran through his hair. “Just you, and your love…and your baby.”
Emotions nearly choked him as Jake tried to find his voice.
Then Ana said, “I was hoping we could get started on expanding our family. Is that all right with you?”
“You want a baby? Now?”
She locked those sparkling blue eyes with his. “I want your baby, Jake, but only if that’s what you want, too.”
“I want that very much. I love you.” He held her in a tight embrace.
Ana couldn’t know the gift she was offering him, but he planned on showing her for the rest of their lives. Suddenly he was a true believer in happily ever after.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Patricia Thayer for her contribution to the CROWN AND GLORY series.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5841-3
THE PRINCESS HAS AMNESIA!
Copyright © 2002 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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