After breakfast in the morning they would leave the ship. He had a rental car waiting. They would find a charming pensione in the hills of Tuscany and lose themselves in each other for days and nights on end. He might let her out long enough to do a little sightseeing, but he wasn’t making any promises. Her loving brought him alive. As far as he knew, she felt the same way about him.
Would it be enough if he couldn’t give her children? Or if she couldn’t carry a child to full term?
He’d purposely left that subject alone. It was more important to him that they enjoy their honeymoonlike marriage without any pressure that might take away from their joy. When he felt the time was right, he’d talk to her about it. After this side trip was over, he’d get her a new puppy. She was partial to little Pugs.
The second the elevator opened to the foyer he called out to her, hoping to hear her voice. When silence greeted his ears, his disappointment was greater than he could believe.
He headed for the bedroom to shower and change. If she still hadn’t returned by then, he would make dinner to surprise her. But his footsteps stilled when he saw that their bedroom door was closed. There was a sign taped to it.
Stop. Go to the guest bedroom and prepare yourself. You’ll find the necessary clothing on the bed. When you’re ready, knock on this door three times.
Ben would have laughed, but excitement had already started to sweep through him like an F-5 tornado. He swore his adorable wife was going to give him a heart attack one of these days.
Prepare myself.
He chuckled inwardly as he showered in the guest bathroom. But by the time he’d donned the new beige silk robe with an Egyptian motif of all things, his amusement had changed to desire that was building in quantum leaps.
When he stood at the door, his hand trembled harder with each knock.
“Go away unless you are my body servant Orastes.”
Orastes?
“This is the night I celebrate the blessing of life. Only Orastes is permitted the pleasure of my company.”
Suddenly something clicked in his brain.
“It is I, Orastes, your highness.”
“How do I know this is not a trick?”
“You have heard my voice many times before, oh fair one. I live only to serve you.”
“You may enter.”
The moment he stepped inside, it was like he’d gone back in time. The room had been transformed down to the temptress on the bed swathed in some flowing white creation right out of Pharaoh’s court. Her eyes, outlined in black, glowed like great blue jewels.
“Come here, my love.” She held out her arms to him. “I have a gift for you. Then we will embrace one last time before Pharaoh’s guards discover us.”
His wife was the most exciting woman he’d ever known, but tonight she’d outdone herself. He knew this was all playacting, but there was something mysterious and provocative about her right now.
It was almost as if she really were the wife of Pharaoh and he was the besotted guard who’d been forced to undergo live mummification for the crime of daring to love her.
“Orastes—” She beckoned him with unfeigned longing.
He joined her on the bed, wanting to crush her voluptuous red mouth beneath his. But she thrust a small package in his hands, preventing him from taking what was undeniably his.
“Open this quickly.”
Aroused by her witchery, his fingers were all thumbs as he removed the wrapping.
He blinked. After being caught up in the ancient past, it took him a moment to recognize the early pregnancy test device for what it was. There was a red line matching the other one.
Their eyes fused.
“Darling—” he cried before searching blindly for her mouth. Then they were clinging to each other as if it really were their last moment on earth.
“My love,” he whispered as he kissed her face and neck feverishly. “I’ve wanted this for so long.” He lifted his head so he could look into her eyes again. “I’m going to take such perfect care of you, nothing will happen to our child.”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “I know it won’t. You see, I’m already past my first trimester.”
“What?”
She nodded. “I’m fifteen weeks pregnant already. The ship’s obstetrician doesn’t foresee any problems. That’s because I’m married to the most wonderful husband alive.”
“Terri— You kept this from me all this time?”
“Please don’t be hurt.”
“I’m not. I’m so happy, I think I’m in shock.”
“You never noticed certain changes?”
He flashed her a wicked smile. “Now that I think about it, yes.”
“You thought I’d been gaining weight.”
“In all the right places,” he murmured against her mouth before devouring it. “When I walked in here a few minutes ago, I thought I’d never seen you looking more beautiful.”
Her seductive eyes narrowed like a cat’s. “I’m the luckiest of women to be pregnant by my handsome husband. Quick now. Embrace me one more time. The guards are on their way up with a special dinner prepared by your favorite chef.”
“Now?” He groaned.
“I’m afraid so. Ship gossip tells me he’s made this fabulous cake for the new father-to-be. But don’t worry, darling.” She pulled him as close as she possibly could.
“After he leaves, destiny has decreed our love will go on, and on, and on, and on. If you don’t believe me, I know a certain video we can watch…”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7817-6
THE TYCOON’S PROPOSITION
First North American Publication 2002.
Copyright © 2002 by Rebecca Winters.
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The Tycoon's Proposition Page 17
