“I’ve already got you covered.”
“You do? Is that what we’re having tonight?”
“Yep.” Reaching the front door, he said, “I can’t wait to show you the garden. And I think you’ll be very pleased with the centerpiece.”
Lena stared at him, her heart stirring hopefully. “You built a teahouse? A real teahouse?”
Roderick slanted her a slow, mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”
And then he opened the door and swept her across the threshold. Into their new home. Into their new life.
Epilogue
Four months later
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Lena groaned softly. “Go ’way. You promised to let me sleep in after you kept me up all night.”
Roderick chuckled, gently kissing her bare shoulder. “I did let you sleep in. It’s almost noon.”
“I don’t care,” she mumbled groggily. “I need more rest.”
“Okay,” Roderick drawled, his warm breath caressing her nape, “but we’ll be arriving at our destination soon, and ready or not, this love boat’s gonna be overrun with our family members.”
Lena rolled over in bed and stared up at him. “Why didn’t you say so?”
He grinned. “I just did.”
“You should have said that at first.”
“Why? It wouldn’t have gotten you up any faster—you’re still lying there, lazybones.”
She poked her tongue out at him, and he laughed.
Sobering after a moment, he gazed down at her. “Good morning, wife.”
Pleasure coursed through Lena’s veins, and she smiled shyly at him. “Good morning, husband.”
A broad grin swept across his face. “God, I love how that sounds.”
“So do I.” She sighed contentedly. “I still can’t believe we’re on our honeymoon.”
“It’s been amazing.”
“It really has.”
After an unforgettably romantic wedding, they’d embarked on a Caribbean cruise aboard Roderick’s yacht. The past two weeks they’d spent alone together had been sheer bliss, making up for the long, torturous months they’d been apart. Lena almost wished they hadn’t invited their families to meet them in St. Lucia.
As if he’d read her mind, Roderick chuckled. “Just remember, it was your idea.”
Lena grinned sheepishly. “I know. I’m just being greedy, wanting to keep you all to myself a little longer. But I’m glad we invited them. Morgan really needs a vacation from her job. And Poppa deserves a reward for working so hard in therapy.”
Although her grandfather hadn’t been able to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day—he’d wheeled alongside her with tears of joyous pride streaming down his face—he was making good progress, thanks to the assistance of Margaret Jacobs.
Everyone believed Cleveland would walk any day now, and because Lena didn’t want to miss the momentous occasion, she’d begged him to accept Roderick’s invitation to move in with them. But Cleveland had chosen to remain at Lake view Manor, wanting to give Lena and Roderick a chance to settle into their new home as husband and wife. He’d even hinted that they should get right to work on giving him great-grandchildren.
Roderick smiled, tenderly stroking Lena’s cheek. “I love the way you always look out for your family.”
“I’m not the only one.” She gave him a knowing smile. “Isn’t that why you invited Zandra on this trip? For your brother’s sake?”
Roderick blinked innocently. “Zandra’s always been like a member of the family. She goes everywhere with us.”
“Uh-huh.” But Lena knew better. If the dynamic duo of Roderick and Remy Brand teamed up against Zandra, the poor woman didn’t stand a chance.
Chuckling at the thought, Lena said, “This ought to be a very interesting week.”
“I’m counting on it,” Roderick murmured under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” He grinned at her. “Now are you gonna get up, woman, or do I have to drag you out of that bed and carry you over my shoulder to the bathroom?”
Lena sighed in resignation. “Fine, bossy. I’ll get up. But first—” She pulled him down for a kiss, then quickly shoved him onto his back and straddled him, startling a laugh out of him.
“Nice moves, samurai,” he told her.
She grinned, blowing her tousled hair out of her face. “Think we have time for a quick game of Capture the Pirate Captain?” she purred seductively. “I brought handcuffs this time.”
“What? Fresh out of manacles?”
She winked. “A girl’s gotta improvise.”
Roderick grinned. “And here you’ve got my mom thinking you’re such a sweet, wholesome young lady. Tsk-tsk.”
Lena grinned mischievously. “Everyone has their secrets.”
“So true.” His hands roamed up her thighs and cupped her bare bottom. “I suppose it’s not too late to ask the captain to slow down.”
“Mmm. That’d be good.” Lena kissed her way down his bare chest, feeling his muscles quiver at her touch. She grasped the waistband of his dark shorts and tugged.
Without warning Roderick flipped her over, pinning her beneath his heavy body.
“Hey!” she sputtered indignantly.
A wicked gleam filled his eyes. “I’ve got an idea. How about we play Capture the Maiden instead?”
Lena shot him an exasperated look. “I swear, you’re such a control freak.”
He grinned. “And you adore me anyway.”
“I do. God help me.”
Sobering, Roderick stared down at her, his eyes tracing her features in a way that made her feel positively reborn. “I love you so much,” he said huskily.
“I love you, too, sweetheart.” Lena closed her eyes, her lips curving in a dreamy smile. “Now stop talking, and get to capturing my vessel.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Without further ado he slid inside her, only too happy to oblige.
WHATEVER YOU LIKE
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7454-3
Copyright © 2010 by Maureen Smith
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