Marian’s heart lurched. No, don’t get excited. He wouldn’t come. She’d see him when Chelsea’s babies were born. But a tall man stepped through the doorway of the living room.
“Hello, Marian.” Rand’s husky voice poured warmth into her cold body.
“How did you get here?”
“I flew.” His lips curled up in that lopsided smile.
“Why?”
“To take you to dinner. Will you go? We have a lot to talk about.”
She swallowed and took a breath. “Do we? You just pop in here after two months and say we have to talk?”
“Seven weeks. I’ve been counting.”
Marian blinked her eyes. She would not cry. He’d been counting just like she had, or so he said. She tried to rouse her anger at him for leaving her all this time without a call or anything. But that’s how I left him initially. “I have to change clothes.”
“You look great to me. But I’ll wait.”
She practically ran to her room, shut the door, and leaned against it. Her legs were putty, and her heart pounded. He was here. Seven weeks and two days later, and they’d both been counting.
She looked through her closet and finally chose a pale-yellow, multidraped, long-sleeved dress that fit snug and short. Spiked cream-colored shoes completed the outfit. She’d wear her cream-colored coat to keep her warm. Not that she needed anything. Just looking into his blue eyes and seeing that smile had her blood running hot.
I mustn’t get my hopes up. This doesn’t mean he’s going to ask me to marry him. She put on her coat and buttoned it up. Might as well let him get the full view at dinner.
Her mother was alone in the living room when she came out. Her heart sank.
“Your dad asked Dr. Brodie to join him for a drink in his study. I’m sure they’re talking medicine. Your father may be retired, but you can’t take the doctor out of the man. Sit.” Her mother studied her. “He’s the one that sent you flying home looking like you’d lost your best friend or lover.”
“Momma!” Marian knew her face was beet red.
“Really, darling. Your dad and I were young once. We aren’t that old now.” She smiled at Marian. “Follow your heart.”
They both looked around when they heard male voices. Her father and Rand strolled in. Both were smiling.
Her dad patted Rand on the shoulder. “I like this young man and what he’s doing.” He looked straight at Rand. “I meant it when I said I’d visit to see your operation there in Montana. Beautiful country. I hunted there a long time ago.”
He glanced at Marian. “Guess I’m holding you two up. Enjoy your dinner.”
Rand took Marian’s hand. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
In the drive, a limousine waited. “For us?” Marian asked.
“I thought I’d do this up right. Ty said Lily loved their limo ride.”
He opened the door. Marian got in and slid across the seat.
“Take us for a ride,” Rand told the driver and then pulled the curtain down, giving them privacy.
“We have champagne and hors d’oeuvres to start. Our dinner reservation isn’t for an hour.” Rand popped the cork and poured the sparkling wine into two glasses. He handed one to Marian.
“A toast. To you, my love.”
The tiny flicker of hope flared into a fire in her belly.
She took a sip. The bubbles tickled her nose. “When we got old enough Mom and Dad would let us have a tiny sip of champagne at Christmas. I always loved the bubbles. They made me laugh.”
Rand took a chocolate-covered strawberry and held it to her lips. She took a bite. He finished the rest.
Outside, a light flurry of snow melted before it hit the ground. The driver had put on the radio. Sweet melodies filled the air.
Rand took her glass and set it and his to the side. Then he closed the side curtains and pulled her close. “I’ve missed your scent.” He sniffed her hair and tickled her neck with a kiss. “And I’ve missed your smile.” His fingers ran around the outline of her mouth. He nibbled at her bottom lip.
By this time her heart was pounding so loudly she thought surely he and the driver could both hear it. Desire stroked her belly and spread to every nerve.
He unbuttoned her coat and pushed it off her shoulders. “Wow, you do look great.” His lips kissed the pulse beating rapidly in her neck. Tenderly, he cupped her breasts. Reaching behind her, he pulled the zipper down and lowered the top of her dress to her waist.
“I love these front openings on your bras.” In a minute he’d opened the bra, and his warm hands caressed each breast. His teeth rubbed across her pebbled nipples. She held his head fast to her chest.
Raising his head, he said, “I’m rushing again. After I saw you, I knew I’d never make it through dinner without tasting and touching you.”
“Don’t stop now.”
“I can’t. One touch or taste is never enough.”
“Yet it took you seven weeks to get here.” The words slipped out of Marian’s mouth. She shivered, fastened her bra, and pulled her dress up to cover her shoulders. “I guess I’m afraid that tomorrow you’ll change your mind like you did several times in the past.” Darn, there I go pushing him to prove to me he means it this time. He must. He came all this way, but I’m afraid to believe him. I don’t want to go through what I have these past weeks.
“I was wrong. Being with you was so different than anything I’d felt before. You scared me. I’d planned to take my time getting used to the job, build a house, settle in, and then find a wife. I’m a great planner.”
“How does that work for you?”
Rand shrugged. “Not so good. It got me into a long-term engagement with another planner. If I hadn’t seen how ecstatic Dirk and Chelsea were at their wedding, I might never have realized Anna and I didn’t have that type of relationship. At least not until it was too late. But then I also saw you that day, and I touched your hand and got zapped.
“We’ll be getting to the restaurant soon. After we eat there’ll be plenty of time to talk and play.” Rand pulled her dress zipper up and pulled her coat around her. His hands held her lapels together. He leaned close. “Just touching you still gives me a zap, like an electrical charge to the heart.” He kissed the tip of her nose as the limousine slowed to park.
The restaurant was elegant with red satin wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, and a three-man band playing easy-listening music. Rand removed her coat and handed it to a waiter.
“You look incredible. That dress hugs every delectable curve, and those sexy shoes highlight your smooth, soft, long legs.”
Marian put her hand on his chest. “Down, boy. I intend to order the most expensive item on the menu and take my time eating it.”
“Sheer torture.”
“You deserve every bit.”
She didn’t tell him how sexy he looked. Every woman they’d walked by had stared. His tall, well-built body wasn’t hidden by the silk, dark-blue suit. And the feline grace in his walk was enough to make a woman moan.
He let go of her lapels and motioned for her to sit. The maitre d’ brought them a menu covered in red satin and thick enough to be a small book.
“The lady will have the most expensive item you have listed. I’ll take a steak, medium rare, and baked potato.” Rand handed the menus back.
The maitre d’ looked surprised. He started to ask a question but instead shook his head and walked off.
Marian giggled. “I can’t believe you did that. It might cost over a hundred dollars. I might not like it.”
“Money is no object, madam. Your wish is my command.”
“All right. Who are you? You are not Rand Brodie.”
Rand took the hand she’d been waving around. He kissed the top of her fingers. “This is the Rand you have created.”
“Don’t blame it on me.” But she couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear.
“Hell, I can’t wait.” Suddenly, he slid out of his seat, took a small box out
of his jacket, and went down on one knee.
“Will you marry me, love me, have my children? I’m madly in love with you. Please put me out of my misery.”
The band had quit playing. The room went quiet. All eyes were on them. It was as though the whole room held its breath.
Tears filled her eyes. She looked at the face of the man she loved. “I ought to make you suffer more first, but I can’t. I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She threw her arms around his neck.
A deep sigh went around the room, and then the other diners clapped and cheered. Rand slid the diamond ring on her finger. He made her move so he could sit close beside her. When he kissed her, she hugged him tighter.
“Sir,” the maitre d’ said. “The couple across from you has sent a bottle of champagne to offer you congratulations.”
Rand and Marian waved their thanks as the cork popped out of the bottle. “Maybe I’d better warn you,” Marian whispered. “I get a little wild when I drink too much of this sparkling wine.”
“Wonderful. I’ve got the top suite at the hotel. No one will hear you chase me around the room.”
* * * *
When they arrived at the suite, she ran into the bathroom. “Stay out.” She slammed the door in Rand’s face and locked it.
“I’m the doctor. Let me in.” He heard mumbling.
In the small kitchen on the other side of the suite, he found tea and crackers. The meal had been delicious. Marian had lobster and steak with a special sauce. She ate every bit and the chocolate cake with rum sauce. All the rich food and drink had not agreed with her stomach.
He’d noticed she’d lost weight. He had hurt her, but he’d make up for it. He planned for it to take him the rest of his life.
Marian wandered into the kitchen. He poured her a cup of tea. “Try this.” He handed her the cup. “How about a few crackers?”
“Just the tea will do. I found a packaged toothbrush and toothpaste in the bathroom. At least my mouth tastes better.”
“I don’t guess I’ll get to see that wild woman tonight.”
“None. She’s gone.”
“Just as well. We need to cuddle and talk.”
Rand helped her undress and covered her with the blanket. Then he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he came back, Marian was curled on her side, asleep.
He undressed and got in beside her. He lay against her backside, smelling her sweetness and touching her soft skin. His hard cock jerked in response. “No playing tonight, buddy. The lady has retired for the evening.”
Her soft snore brought a smile to his face. She’d said yes. That was all that mattered.
Tomorrow, they’d work out all the plans and the wedding. He wanted it soon. In fact, he didn’t want to return to Montana without her.
Chelsea had helped him choose a few pieces of furniture for his cabin. A bed and some chairs. He and Marian would pick the rest. After all his doubts, he couldn’t wait for her to be Mrs. Randolph Brodie.
It felt like he’d just gone to sleep when Marian stirred. But Rand saw daylight peeking between the slit in the curtains. He pulled her hair to the side and kissed her neck.
“Good morning.” Rand moved closer against her buttocks and cupped her soft breast in his hand.
“What a nice way to wake up. I was afraid last night might have been a dream.” Marian twisted around onto her backside. “No, there really is a handsome cowboy in bed with me. And”—she looked at her ring finger—“I’m wearing a diamond ring.”
“You said yes. I won’t let you change your mind.”
“Hmmm, maybe you’d better remind me why I said yes.”
“You mean like this?” He bent his head and kissed her breast closest to him while he rubbed the other peak between his fingers.
“That’s a good start.”
Rand took his time tasting each breast. His tongue ran over and around her nipples, and then he kissed her abdomen.
When he slid farther down, he spread her legs wide. Her sweet, sensual scent hiked his desire to another level. With his fingers, he separated the folds that hid her jewel. His tongue licked across her nub.
“Oh yes, that feels so good.”
He tasted her sweet honey from her clit to the opening of her pussy. His tongue flicked inside, and her hips moved restlessly. He put two fingers into her pussy opening. His mouth covered her clit. As he suckled her nub, he moved his fingers in and out.
Her breathing became more rapid. Rand removed his fingers and flicked his tongue inside her opening again. Marian called out for him to go inside her.
Quickly positioning his cock, he plunged inside and sank deep within her tight, hot pussy. Leaning forward, he nipped at her sensitive nipples. Inside her, his dick pulsed against her inner walls.
Slowly he withdrew then thrust back in. Marian grabbed his buttocks and pulled him deeper. His eyes connected with hers as he pounded in and out until they were both glistening with perspiration and shivering from the reaction to their connection. He saw Marian’s eyes glaze over and her body stiffen. She clamped tighter around his hard dick.
Once more Rand pulled back and pushed in deep. His hard cock throbbed for release, but he held back until he heard her cry of fulfillment. Then he went in and out rapidly a few more times until his orgasm hit him hard and vibrated through his whole body.
He rolled to the side but kept her close. They lay together rasping for breath. When their bodies cooled, he pulled the cover back over them. Leaning over her, he kissed her sweet mouth.
“I want to wake up to you every morning for the rest of my life. Can we plan our wedding for very soon? I want to take you home to our cabin.”
“You got it finished?”
“I drove the workers crazy going by every day and urging them on. We’ll start building the bigger house in the spring.”
“What about children?”
“I’m ready when you are. That’s a project I’ll definitely enjoy working on.” He brushed her hair off her forehead and rubbed the silky strands between his fingers. “I want it all just like you do, a wife, a home, children, the whole works. I’ve had plenty of time to think about what you wrote and how I almost lost the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Then let’s get married.”
“Where and when?”
“I’d like a place outdoors with both our big families all there and our friends,” Marian said. She lay half across him with her chin balanced on her hand. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“Here or in Montana?”
“I’d like my family to see where we’ll live. Do you think your mother would mind if we had the wedding at the gazebo? It’s a beautiful setting. Chairs could be set up for the guests.”
“Mom would love to be in the middle of it all, and my sister is great at decorating. I’m sure she’d help with that.”
“Our families can mingle and get to know each other.”
“Let’s shower and check the plans out with your parents.”
“We haven’t told them about our engagement yet. But they’ll be pleased. I’d better call. They might be worried.”
“They won’t be. They know.”
Marian had started to get off the bed. She turned back. “Know what?”
“I asked your father for your hand in marriage. He said he’d be glad to have another doctor in the family.”
“I’m sure you’ve won Mom and Dad’s heart with that gesture. Dad’s sort of old fashioned.”
She headed for the shower. “Let’s get dressed. We have a lot to do.” Marian wiggled her hips and laughed.
Rand ran to her, scooped her up in his arms, and joined her in the shower. “Our plans and seeing your parents can wait a few more minutes.” He adjusted the water to warm. “I’m still hungry for you. It was a long seven weeks.”
She put her arms around his neck, and he pulled her legs up and around his hips. His mouth plundered hers as the warm water cascaded across their bodies. He stepped to the si
de and held her against the tile wall as his cock slid deep inside. Her pussy clamped around him. Her soft breasts rubbed against his hard chest.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Deliriously,” she purred in his ear. A sharp bolt of desire shot straight up his spine. He began to move in and out while watching the glow in her sherry eyes. She kissed his neck and bit the edge of his shoulder.
“I’m never going to get enough of you.”
“Good,” she said. “Because I love you so very much.”
“Same here, darlin’.”
Marian moved her hips and took him in deeper. Her pussy walls clenched and unclenched around his cock. His hands clamped her sweet ass tight. He quickened his movements. When her body trembled, he pushed in harder. He gulped for air and heard her yell his name as unbridled joy ripped through him.
He slowly let her legs down. She leaned into him. “Don’t let go. I might fall.”
“Never, not with me holding you.” But he wasn’t so sure right now. His legs felt shaky.
She put her arms around him and kissed his chest.
“We’d better finish this shower and dress, or we won’t make it to your parents’ today,” Rand said.
Her soft giggle warmed him through and through. She stepped back. “We need to get our wedding planned and soon. I want to go home to your cabin.”
His hands cupped her face. “Our cabin, darlin’.” He kissed her mouth and then the ring shining on her finger.
Chapter Thirteen
Marian woke early to a gentle rain blowing against her window. It was her wedding day. She snuggled back under the covers for a few more minutes.
The past month had been hectic. Rand had had to return to work the Monday after he proposed. Her mother, father, and she flew to Montana a week later.
Her parents stayed with Mrs. Brodie. Marian took up residence in Chelsea and Dirk’s cabin. She had returned to her job at the doctor’s office. Everyone had seemed pleased to see her back. She thought she might even forgive Andy and come to like him.
Sheriff Grady had notified her that the robbers were being sent to South Dakota to be tried for the murder they’d committed. “You might be called to testify about how they mentioned murdering someone. But these things take time. It won’t be soon,” he’d told her.
Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 11
