He looked up from his newspaper. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now come back over and sit down.” He chuckled silently at her persistence. He had chartered a plane to keep their honeymoon location a surprise.
Returning to her seat, Bianca gave a frustrated groan. They were on their honeymoon and she had no idea where in the world they were going. All London had allowed her to pack was a toothbrush.
“London, please tell me where we’re going.” She snatched his paper and tossed it aside then moved over to his lap. “Please,”
she whined.
He groaned. Having her that close was hazardous to his libido.
“I guess it doesn’t matter now.”
She started planting quick, persuasive kisses all along his face. “Then tell me. Where are we going?”
Turning his face, he planted a kiss on her lips, then tipped his head back and looked at her. “To Grand Turk Island, in the Turks and Caicos.”
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Her eyes grew large and round. “I’ve never been there.”
“I know.” When her brows rose, he added, “I asked Jabarie.”
Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. “I wanted to take you somewhere you’d never been before.”
“Oh, I’ve been to Jamaica and the Bahamas, but never the Turks and Caicos Islands. Oooh, how exciting!”
He laced her fingers with his, loving how small they appeared next to his. “Did you know the island is only seven square miles and has fewer than four thousand residents?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Well, it’s true. And do you know what that means?”
Bianca shook her head, not following him at all. “No.”
London studied her face for a long time. “It means I get to have you all to myself.”
She gave him a smile that made his most intimate part ache.
Leaning forward, he caught her lips in a kiss that was deep and demanding. The sound of her faint little moan made his heart pound and his body hum with the anticipation of making love to her the first chance he got.
The plane landed. A driver was there waiting for them. As they drove along the island, London watched Bianca’s expressions in amusement. She was fascinated by everything she saw as she listened to the driver giving her the history of the island. London knew she would like it here. Two years ago Grand Turk had found a place in his heart. The island, known for its colorful British colonial architecture, exuded its own distinct Caribbean charm and Bianca clearly savored it as much as he did.
It wasn’t long before they pulled in front of a private Caribbean home on a cul-de-sac. Bianca found the spacious tropical home gorgeous. After a quick tour of the downstairs, she moved to the living room. Standing near a large window, she stared off at the beach paradise blessed with crystal-clear, turquoise waters and smooth white beaches.
London came behind her and pulled her to him. “You like what you see?”
She turned in his arms. “I love it! Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
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Her smile widened. “Right.”
“Why don’t we get changed and go spend some time on the beach?”
She frowned. “Sounds wonderful, but I don’t have anything to wear. Remember, you refused to let me pack a suitcase.”
He gave her a slow grin. “Come with me.” London took Bianca’s hand and led her up a spiral staircase to the master suite at the end of the hallway. Inside was a massive bed covered in a Caribbean-printed bedspread. The furniture was made of rich, dark woods. The oak floor was sparingly covered with mosaic-printed rugs. The blinds were open wide, displaying a large picture window and a beautiful view of the beach below.
He watched her staring outside in awe. One would think Bianca was a small-town girl who had never left Sheraton Beach.
He knew for a fact that she had visited over thirteen different countries—one for every other year of her life.
“Check out the closets.”
With an amused look, Bianca practically skipped over and slid the closet door to the left. She stared inside, then looked over at him, again with a narrowed frown. “Who do these clothes belong to?” she demanded.
Chuckling, he briefly closed his eyes before looking into her angry eyes.
“Well, I’m waiting,” she said with an impatient hand on her hip.
He walked over to her, trying to contain his amusement. “The clothes belong to my sisters. I’m sure there’s a swimsuit inside that’s never been worn.”
She looked confused and relieved at the same time. “This house belongs to your family?”
He nodded. “My sisters and I bought it about a year ago.”
“How wonderful. My parents own property in California and Florida, but nothing like this.”
London draped an arm across her shoulders. She closed her arms around him and, tipping her head back, her lips grazed his chin.
“You were jealous?” he said before she kissed him again.
“I was not,” she denied.
“Yes, you were. I think you care more about me than you want to admit.”
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She pushed away and winked. “I’m not admitting anything.
We have an agreement and I’m going to live up to my end of it.
That means enjoying everything that this year will bring without expecting anything more than it really is. Now let’s get dressed and have some fun.”
Bianca turned her back to him and looked through the closet until she found a bikini her size with the price tag still on.
His heart was pounding heavily in his chest. The attraction was so strong and he knew Bianca felt it, too. London watched her from behind as she stepped across the hall into the bathroom and shook his head.
That woman is going to be the death of me.
They spent the afternoon riding around the small town, admiring large homes and touring an old prison. Later, after a scrumptious dinner of conch and rice and peas, Bianca changed from the sundress she had been wearing into swim gear. Together they took the path leading away from the house down onto the private beach. They swam and enjoyed each other’s company while the scent of the ocean whipped around their bodies.
London couldn’t take his eyes off her in the two-piece fuchsia bikini she’d chosen. She was standing, looking out on the ocean with her back to him. His gaze traveled up the length of her shapely legs and perfect butt with male appreciation.
His wife was beautiful beyond words.
His wife. That had a lovely ring to it. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to hearing those words. London quietly moved up behind her. Reaching around, he found the ties to her top and pulled them loose, then cupped her bare breasts with his hands.
She gasped on contact but didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned back, pressing her body against his. He massaged her breasts, flicking her nipples until she gasped with pleasure.
His hands were hot on her skin, making her wild with wanting.
Turning around, Bianca pressed her bare breasts against his chest, the fine hairs grazing her sensitive nipples. When he shoved her bikini bottom down to her ankles and tossed them aside she was more than willing to accept what he had to offer. She watched as he lowered his swim trunks and kicked them away.
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“Lie down,” he ordered softly.
Obeying, she lowered herself onto the large blue beach blanket with her legs spread, and London knelt between her parted thighs. He then stroked her inner thighs and she didn’t pull away as he eased a finger inside her wet folds. He pushed in and out slowly, and when she began to rock her hips against him, meeting each thrust, he increased the rate.
Knowing they were outside on a private beach, about to make love where any beachcombers could see them if they really wanted to, had her burning with wicked desire.
“Please,” she begged, “make love to me.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. Gripping her hips, London guided his length into her moist entrance. She gasped, then squeezed him like they were meant to be together—forever. Only they weren’t. At least she wasn’t going to be foolish enough to believe that. Never again. It is what it is, she reminded herself.
She planned to enjoy every second they had.
“Yes,” she moaned.
London withdrew to the tip then pushed forward again. She cried out, her breath coming in little pants.
He plunged again and again, and she cried out with each thrust, loving the way he felt inside her. She was his, and he was hers—even if it was just for the moment.
Finally, she came. She gripped and milked him before she collapsed around him. He continued to pump into her, filling her with everything he had and came shortly after. As soon as their heart rates returned to normal, London rose with her in his arms and carried her into the house and back to bed.
Chapter 22
Bianca lifted London’s arm, which was draped protectively around her waist, and carefully slid out from beneath him.
On her tiptoes, she moved across the room, thankful that her steps were silenced by the plush carpet. As soon as she was inside the bathroom, she shut the door, moved over to a vanity in the corner and took a seat. With her shoulders slumped forward she shook her head and wondered what she was going to do. She had done everything she could to keep it from happening.
Denying her feelings. Reminding herself that it was only a deal.
Not spending any more time with him than necessary. Yet none of that had made a difference. Some way, somehow London had wiggled his way past the barrier that guarded her heart.
She had fallen in love with her husband.
Bianca lowered her head and brought her hands to her forehead, then groaned. This was not at all how she had planned it.
Utterly surprised, she had discovered how alike she and London were. They enjoyed the same R&B music, loved to read and had business minds that worked well together. The time she had spent working on the marketing for his restaurants and the 166
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input he had given had proven that. He cooked. She cleaned.
They laughed together and their sex life was phenomenal.
She had accepted Collin’s marriage proposal, knowing deep in her heart that she didn’t love him as a woman should love the man she was about to marry. Sure, she enjoyed being with him, but she had not wholly given herself to him. His kisses were nice, but her body hadn’t reacted the same way it had when London made love to her.
Now she knew what love was.
The realization hit her hard and she shuddered. What in the world was she going to do?
The sun had begun to rise. Tangled in the sheets, London lay on his side. He stared down at the beautiful woman sleeping comfortably beside him.
His wife.
He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from her. To him, Bianca Beaumont Brown was beautiful. So beautiful he could not put his emotions into words. He’d never felt his heart pound so hard from doing something more than just staring at a woman.
What was happening to him? Better yet, why was it happening? Bianca made it perfectly clear that falling in love with him was out of the question. Yet a part of him wished that they were married for real.
She gave a soft moan and the innocent expression on her face brought a smile to London’s lips. He leaned down and gave her a delicate kiss on the forehead. He kissed her again, and this time she mumbled something that he couldn’t decipher. When she snuggled closer, he realized there was no way he was ever letting her go. He would just have to show her how good they were together, so that she couldn’t imagine her life without him.
Chapter 23
Bianca heard a knock near her open door. “Come in,” she called out.
Debra stuck her head inside her office door. “I see you’re back.”
Lowering the pencil, she folded her hands on the desk and smiled. “Yes, I am.”
She pursed her lips with disapproval. “I guess I’m the last to know, since you’ve been ignoring all of my phone calls.”
“Not all of them. I was planning to call you this morning.”
“Uh-huh,” Debra said, looking unconvinced as she stepped into Bianca’s office wearing a slamming peach designer suit.
Bianca gasped. “Oh, my! I love your new hairstyle.”
Grinning, Debra combed her fingers through her short, spiked hair. “Thank you, girl. I felt I was do for a change. After seeing you going down the aisle, I decided that maybe it’s time for me to find myself a new man.”
Bianca’s brows rose. “Really?”
“Yes. At least for an hour or two.” Debra’s eyes crinkled as they shared the fun. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed their laughter. “Okay, enough with the stalling. I want to hear all about 168
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your honeymoon.” Debra flopped down in the chair across from her, an expectant look on her face.
Bianca grinned. “Fabulous.” Her pulse began to race just at the thought. She told Debra about the last four days she’d spent snorkeling, swimming, walking along the shore holding hands and the numerous hours she’d spent lying in London’s arms as he took his time making love to her.
“Damn, girl!” Debra studied Bianca intently and said, “Are you in love yet?”
Bianca met Debra’s gaze, no longer denying the truth. “Yes, I think I am.”
Debra practically jumped out her chair. “I knew it. And what did he say when you told him?”
Dropping her eyes to the report on her desk, Bianca shook her head. “I didn’t tell him.”
“Are you crazy? Why the hell not?”
Bianca looked up, then shrugged. “Because we have an agreement, and falling in love isn’t part of it.”
“Maybe not in the beginning, but a lot has changed between the two of you. You’re married, living in the same house, getting ready to have a baby. If that isn’t a lot of change, I don’t know what is.”
Debra just didn’t know how much she wished that was true.
But it could never happen because she wouldn’t allow it to. She had risked her heart once and look where it got her.
“But we both knew the rules from day one. He agreed to give my baby a name and that is exactly what London has done for me, and I love him for it.”
“But what about forgetting about what the two of you agreed on and taking a chance on loving each other?”
Oh, it definitely sounded good, yet everything that sounded good wasn’t always good for you, Bianca thought.
“No. You know what they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Our relationship is perfect just the way it is,” Bianca said out loud.
“It sounds like it’s broke to me.”
Yes, Bianca had to agree. However, she wasn’t prepared to do anything about it.
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* * *
There was enough going on at the new restaurant to keep London fully occupied. Even with a manager and a staff, there were still plenty of things left to be done for the grand opening this weekend. However, trying to prepare for the big night with Bianca swirling around in his mind was not making his job easy.
He took his job seriously, yet Bianca was the first woman who ever distracted him from his work. He couldn’t take a breath without smelling her scent or remembering her smile.
He knew from the beginning that their marriage was simply a business arrangement so why couldn’t he get his heart to cooperate? Bianca was not interested in forever. She had made that point perfectly clear on several occasions. So why did his heart refuse to listen?
Leaning back in his chair, he swung around and looked out the wide window, staring out at the bustling downtown. He already missed the smell of the ocean and the magnificent view from their bedroom window. Usually, he was e
xcited about the restaurant and his growing success. He enjoyed the hell out of his job. But now that he had Bianca in his life, none of that seemed anywhere near as important as her and the baby.
Now he wanted what he thought he would find time for later.
He wanted a family. Not just any family. His family. Bianca and the baby. He wanted her permanently in his life.
But she doesn’t want you.
With a scowl, he turned away from the window. He had every intention of keeping her in his life—permanently.
Chapter 24
Over the next week, they settled into a routine. The grand opening was drawing closer with every passing day, so London stayed in a hotel in New Castle. There were so many last-minute details that Bianca was amazed at how well London managed everything.
He was a natural.
Bianca played hooky from work and accompanied him. The restaurant was twice the size of the one in Sheraton Beach, but it had the same down-home feeling and warmth, and had the same aroma Mama’s kitchen was supposed to.
Bianca chuckled at that thought. Not her mother’s kitchen.
Memorial Day came and went and the big day was finally upon them.
Glancing around the restaurant at the tables that were all full, she smiled. This night was everything London had hoped for.
She’d hired a local, old-school band to perform. The music added to the comfortable vibe the restaurant exuded.
Playing hostess, Bianca made the rounds, spoke to customers and offered to help with anything anyone needed, while her husband worked the kitchen, making sure everything was Angie Daniels
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running smoothly. Every time London stepped out onto the floor, Bianca knew it because her body got tingly and hot.
The last few weeks had been fabulous. The more time they spent together and the more they got to know each other, the more her protective layers began to fall away. Bianca had not known it was possible to feel so comfortable and fulfilled in a relationship.
And she was terrified.
Her days and nights were spent in the company of a man who made her laugh one minute and cry out in ecstasy the next. He taught her things in bed that she had only read about in erotic novels, yet each and every time London made her feel like the sexiest woman alive.
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