“My little matchmaker,” Mac said and gave her that mind-your-own-business look.
“No really, Mitch,” Annie continued to describe Melanie. “I’m sure you’ll like her. She’s about your age and lots of fun. I’ve missed working with her.”
“Cool,” Mitch said. “I’m looking forward to meeting her.
“Mac, where’s Arthur? I thought you said he was right behind you.”
“I’m sure he’ll be…”
Arthur walked in the door and went directly upstairs.
“…down in a minute,” Mac finished his statement. “So, Mitch, how did you like working with the horses?”
“I loved it. Luke and Elise are such fun. I wish I could spend more time with them.”
“Well, if you ever decide to give up bartending and leave the Big Apple, you’ve always got a place here,” Mac said.
“Thanks, Mac. I’m going to give that some thought.”
“I think we’ve got all the arrangements for tonight figured out,” Mac announced. “Monica, you and your husband will take the room Arthur had last night, and my father and I will be going down to Luke’s place for the night. Dad, you could stay here with mom.”
“Oh nay, nay. If I know ye, and I do, ye will sneak back here when I’m sleepin’ and I’ll no have it.”
“Your father’s right,” Trudy said. “You cannot see your bride tomorrow until she walks down the aisle.”
“And I agree,” Arthur said as he walked out onto the deck and sat beside Carolyn as the others, having finished eating, cleared the dishes and disappeared into the house.
He helped himself to a sandwich and some potato salad and noticed Carolyn had waited for him to get back before she ate.
“I’m sorry you had to drive all the way out to the airport,” she said.
“It was my own fault. I should have driven my car home instead of getting in the limo with you.”
“And I’d have ridden with you just to avoid Annie’s third-degree.”
“Now that she knows, that will be the end of it,” he said.
Carolyn laughed. “Not if I know my Annie.”
He didn’t tell her he stopped to get the lube and she didn’t tell him she bought some either. She was dying to tell him about Mac’s father in the pharmacy, but that would have to wait until later.
With everyone gone, they took advantage of the time alone and sat and talked.
“I’m growing very attached to you,” Arthur confessed. “Do you think you could handle a long distance relationship? I have access to Mac’s plane and I’d love to spend time with you on your farm.”
“I think you’d find it boring. Even I find it boring,” she admitted. “Annie’s asked me many times to move out here and I’ve never given it a fair thought until now.”
“What’s different now?”
“Well, I’m hoping they will have children and I’d love to be close to the little ones as they grow up…and then, there’s you, Arthur. I’m growing attached to you too. I honestly never thought it could happen at all, and certainly not in so short a time.”
“I didn’t either,” he said. “Maybe after the wedding we can talk more about it.”
“I’d like that. We don’t have to rush into anything. Annie’s asked me to stay while they honeymoon in Scotland.”
“And?”
“I’m giving it serious consideration.”
Victor and Marcus showed up late in the afternoon and unloaded everything they needed to create the perfect wedding venue for the bride and groom. It would be a small traditional Scottish wedding in the yard just off the deck. The men pitched in to help with the tables and chairs and the women carried linen, lace, and floral arrangements. By tomorrow afternoon, the transformation would be complete and beautiful.
It had been a long day and after dinner everyone settled into their respective rooms. Mac kissed Annie good-bye and he and his father drove down the back road with Mitch to Luke and Elise’s house.
Carolyn and Arthur stayed up until the house was quiet and then tiptoed up the stairs to their room.
Chapter 12
Arthur had no sooner closed and locked the door when he swept Carolyn into his arms.
“I’ve been waiting for this all day,” he said.
“So have I, but we’ll have to be quiet. Monica and her husband are sleeping in the room next to ours.”
“I’ll be as quiet as a mouse,” he whispered as he began to take off her clothes.
He slowly unbuttoned her blouse, slipped it off her shoulders, and let it fall to the floor. His lips nibbled on her skin and she shuddered at the feel of his touch—so tender, yet so sexy.
She heard the rasp of the zipper and felt his hands caress her hips as he pushed her jeans down. Stepping out of them, she wrapped her arms around him for balance and his hands cupped her cheeks to bring her closer as she kicked the jeans aside.
A long sigh stole its way from her.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked.
“I am, Arthur, I truly am. It’s just that no man has ever undressed me. It’s causing an ache within me that I never felt before either.”
“Oh Carolyn, I didn’t know.”
“How could you know? I was married, I have a child, anyone would assume I’d been undressed by my husband at some point in my life.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“Oh no. I’m excited to be introduced to what making love really is, and if we hadn’t met I never would have known.”
“It’s almost impossible for me to imagine what that must have been like for you.”
“I don’t mind telling you it felt empty. I was a virgin when I met my husband. I’d never been kissed; I’d never petted or been touched like this. I’m sure it would be fair to say I never made love. He used me to get off…my mouth mostly. The few times he penetrated me, I was either already in bed and in my nightgown when he came home or if I was dressed, he just pulled the crotch of my panties aside, never bothering to take them off.”
Arthur tried not to show the disgust he was feeling for the man. He felt angry that she’d been robbed of something so meaningful.
“I will never treat you like he did. I promise you.”
“I know you wouldn’t; if I didn’t feel confident about that, we wouldn’t be here together now.”
Arthur continued to hold her. As he stroked her hair, she began to carefully undo the buttons on his shirt.
“I’ve never done this before either,” she murmured.
“This may sound corny, but I’m glad I’m your first. We can have a lot of firsts together right here in this room and outside too.”
“I’d like that but right now I’d like to get into my nightgown; there is a chill in the room.”
Carolyn stepped aside and walked toward the bathroom.
Arthur followed behind her. “I want to help.”
“Help what? Help me take off my underwear?”
“Yes, it will be a first for us.”
Carolyn looked a little baffled but she stood in front of the mirror in nothing but her soft pink bra and panties.
Stepping behind her, he cupped her breasts and nuzzled his mouth into the crook of her neck. His hands began to entice her nipples through the fabric. When they pebbled, he unfastened the clasp at the front of her bra and turned her around to face him.
Before she knew what was happening, he slid her panties off and placed her on the counter top between the two sinks.
Capturing a nipple, he immediately sucked it into his warm mouth while his hand attended to the other one.
Carolyn’s hands threaded into his hair and she purred like a kitten. The sound coming from her changed to a near growl when he pushed her breasts together and his mouth claimed both her nipples at once.
His tongue flicked across them, and then he sucked, drawing each one out until it was hard and elongated. He continued his work with his hands, rolling and pinching them until she was moaning.
Trai
ling kisses and little bites down her stomach, he spread her legs and rubbed his stubble against the inside of her thighs.
“Oh my, you can undress me anytime,” she sighed as she leaned back against the wall.
“Right now I’m going to undress myself in record time,” he said, and in less than ten seconds he was naked and sitting on the vanity bench.
He moved her closer to the edge of the counter and shouldered her legs. His mouth sought pleasure between her legs and his tongue parted her folds to find her magic spot.
Her breathing was heavy; she grabbed his hair and pulled him even closer as he flicked and swirled, drawing out a little nub.
Sweet liquid began to flow; she was wet—wetter than she ever remembered being.
He ravaged that spot until her breath was shallow and her body pushed against him harder.
When he felt her legs tighten and her body tremble, he cupped her ass and lifted her onto him.
She hooked her legs around him as he pistoned into her.
He knew she was close to having an orgasm and he wanted to hold out, pound into her longer until she came, but he didn’t dare. The liquid essence from her core didn’t last, he knew that much, and he wasn’t about to hurt her. With one final thrust, he released into her and she tightened around him, coaxing out the last drop.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked as he switched off the bathroom light and carried her to the bed.
“No, but I wish I stayed wet longer. I didn’t want to stop; I almost got there, I was so close. It all happened so fast once we walked into the bathroom, I didn’t think to get the…”
“Hush, it’s okay,” he said as he drew the covers over them. “You’ll get there tonight, I promise. I made a quick stop in town on the way back from the airport. I picked up some of that lube I was telling you about but once we…”
“Wait…you got the lube? So did I.”
“How did you manage that?”
“It wasn’t easy,” she said and she started laughing. “We went into town to do some shopping and Mac’s father insisted we go into the pharmacy first. I’m sure Trudy knew why because she hustled me into the card section while he walked up and down the aisles looking for that same lube of all things.
“Oh my god, Arthur, he couldn’t find it on the shelf and kept naming all the items he passed by, everything from feminine products to rubbers, as he called them, and everyone in the store could hear him.”
“Poor Trudy, she must have been mortified.”
“Oh she was. She grabbed a bunch of post cards and left the store. I stayed pretending to pick out more cards, but I kept peeking around the aisle watching him. He got so mad that he couldn’t find it, the pharmacist finally asked him if he could help.”
By now Carolyn was laughing so hard her body shook and she had a hard time finishing the story.
“C’mon, Carolyn. What happened?” Her laughter was so contagious, Arthur was laughing too although he wasn’t sure why.
“Well, when the pharmacist asked if he could help, instead of telling him exactly what he wanted, Conall said ‘It depends’ and the pharmacist led him right to the adult diapers and asked him what size he needed.”
A roar of laughter bellowed out of Arthur. “Oh, I wish I’d been there.”
“You should have been. Conall was furious that anyone would think he needed paper diapers. He finally lowered his voice and described what he wanted.”
“That’s…that’s hysterical.”
“It was, for everyone but Trudy. After Conall paid, I ran back to the pharmacist and when he asked if he could help me, I told him I’d have some of what he bought.”
“Well, that would explain why when I went in to purchase the last of the same thing, the guy shook his head and said he should buy stock in the company.”
They both continued to laugh; Carolyn had tears running down her cheeks and Arthur brushed them away.
“Carolyn, that was so sweet of you. You didn’t have to buy it; I planned to stop on the way home.”
“I did have to buy it—I need it and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I had no idea if you would get a chance and I really am excited to try it.”
“You have to promise me when we use it tomorrow night after all the festivities, you won’t think about this story and start laughing,” Arthur said.
“Don’t you worry about that! I can’t wait to come with you, and with what you do to me I won’t have any time to think of it.”
“You know, I want to try it out right now,” Arthur said.
“Me too, but we’ve got a big day ahead of us. Tomorrow night…can you wait?”
“I’d wait forever for you.”
He kissed her with more love than she’d ever felt and she fell asleep in his arms thinking about a future she thought she never have.
Chapter 13
When Mac wasn’t pacing the floor, he played cards with his father in the kitchen of Luke and Elise’s home. Everyone had gone back to the house, but Mac’s father was determined not to let his son out of his sight.
Victor and Marcus had everything ready in plenty of time and guests began to arrive. Mitch was anxiously waiting near the front door for Duncan, the chauffeur, to arrive with Melanie. When the limo pulled up and she stepped out of the car, Mitch had to touch his chin to make sure he hadn’t drooled on himself. She was beautiful. He ran out to meet her and she greeted him with a smile that created a major stir in his loins.
Carolyn and Elise were helping Annie into her wedding gown and she looked like a princess walking out of a fairy tale. While Elise put the finishing touches on Annie’s hair, Carolyn helped her slip the garter up her leg and gave her a penny to put in her shoe for good luck.
The priest had arrived and the bagpiper was playing as the guests were seated.
Arthur called Mac’s cell phone and told them to come on up. It was only a three mile ride.
“Ye look nervous. I know ye and ye should no be thinkin’ about the past.”
“I know and I’ll be okay as soon as I see Annie. Her very presence makes everything but the moment fade away.”
“Tis a beautiful day to be takin’ a wife and ye have a long life ahead of ye, unlike me. I’ve only one favor to ask of ye and that’s to make a wee bairn in Scotland. We need a grandchild to love.”
Mac laughed. “I’ll get right on it. Trust me.”
They pulled up to the house and Mac hoped to catch a glimpse of his bride. No such luck. He and his best man, Luke, took their place by the priest.
The piper played as Conall escorted Trudy to her seat. He returned to escort Carolyn and seated her next to Arthur before sitting next to his wife.
Annie waited at the bottom of the stairs out of sight.
“I’m going to walk now,” Elise said, “are you ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready…go!”
Elise walked toward the priest and as soon as she took her place, the tune changed to a wedding song.
Mac could not believe his eyes as the radiant Annie stepped onto the carpet and began to walk slowly toward him. He never would have believed this day would come and he barely managed to prevent the tears welling up in his eyes from spilling down unto his cheeks. Rays of sunshine framed Annie as she handed her bouquet to Elise and took Mac’s hand.
Exchanging rings, Mac recited the vows he had written. “I promise to defend and protect you always, to be faithful and true. I will love you all the days of my life.”
Annie slipped the ring on Mac’s finger, promising to love, honor and obey him all the days of her life.
Trudy walked to Annie and pinned a square of the MacDermot tartan on Annie’s wedding gown, welcoming her into the Clan MacDermot in perfect Gaelic.
They turned to face each other as the priest blessed them, after which he said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mac, you may kiss your bride.”
Knowing a wee bairn could be conceived this very night, the elder Conall jumped from his seat. “Well get on with it
, lad. Kiss her; I’m no gettin’ any younger,” he professed.
Laughter from the guests was only hushed when the piper began to play softly and Mac leaned down and kissed his wife.
The reception was in full swing. Mac and Annie danced in the great room, the cake was cut, numerous toasts were made, and Mac easily pulled the garter off Annie’s leg with his teeth. There were hoots and hollers all around and then the other couples took the floor.
Mitch and Melanie were a match for sure and stuck together like glue. Carolyn and Arthur were wrapped up in each other’s arms until a faster song from their era played. Couples parted to let them have the spotlight.
“You’ve got some moves,” Carolyn said as they finished the dance.
“I’ve got more moves but I’m saving them for later,” he whispered.
“I can’t wait.” She blushed.
“It won’t be long. Duncan has their luggage loaded in the limo and it looks like they are getting ready to leave.”
Mac and Annie came down the stairs in their travel clothes and were out the door. There were hugs and kisses all around. The sun was low in the sky and off they went to catch a red-eye to Scotland.
Monica and her husband had reservations at a hotel in Denver and planned to spend the weekend exploring the city. Mitch drove Melanie home and no one expected to see him until the following day. Mac’s father had more than enough to drink. When he fell off the breakfast bar while doing a jig and Arthur caught him, Trudy insisted it was time for bed. They functioned on Florida time and it was late for them.
“Conall,” she demanded. “You’ve had enough and we are going to bed.”
“But I’m dancin’ a little jig my dear, in celebration of havin’ a grandchild soon.”
“Well, jig yourself right into the bedroom and under the covers.”
“She’s thinkin’ she’s the boss,” he said to Arthur. “But when we get in there, I have a surprise she’s no expectin’.” And off he went, kicking up his heels.
Carolyn started laughing. “I think we know what the surprise is.”
Hot Silver Nights: Silver Fox Romance Collection Page 28
