His San Diego Sweetheart

by Yahrah St. John

  “Ah.” Eliza bunched her shoulders. “Certainly not as fast-paced as New York, but opening a boutique here has taken up quite a bit of my time.”

  “Don’t work too hard.”

  Eliza laughed. “I believe that’s your motto, not mine.”

  “Very funny.” Vaughn grinned. “But I think it’s time I finally danced with my wife. I wouldn’t want her to get any ideas hanging around Emily and Brianne.” He loved his two sisters, but lately they had baby fever and already had four children between them after only three and five years of marriage, respectively.

  When he returned to the group, he strolled toward Miranda and circled an arm around her waist. “You don’t mind if I steal my wife for a dance, do you?”

  “Of course not,” Emily and Brianne said almost in unison.

  Vaughn led Miranda to the dance floor and hauled her soft body against his hard one. He was dying to hold her in his arms and he didn’t care that the planner seemed a bit stricken as she rushed to put on their first dance selection. Eventually, the soft sounds of Kem’s “Share My Life” drifted in the air and Miranda finally relaxed, expelling a short breath.

  “Are you alright?” he inquired, looking down at her. “You’ve seemed on edge since the ceremony.”

  “I—I’m fine,” she finally stammered. At his raised brow, she continued, “It’s just all so real, you know? Having a wedding made it real that we’re married.”

  “That’s right, baby girl, you’ve hitched your train to this wagon and I’m not letting you go.” Vaughn twirled her around the dance floor, causing Miranda to have to fight to keep up, but she did and when she returned to his embrace, her face was flushed with amusement.

  “I didn’t expect that. You’re a good dancer.”

  Vaughn shrugged. “I learned a thing or two from all those military balls.”

  “Oh I just bet you did,” she said, giving him a wink.

  “Why don’t I show you one of the things I learned,” he whispered. He pressed his body into hers, grinding his hips into hers. Startled, she glanced up at him and her fingers clutched at his tuxedo jacket, but she didn’t move away. Vaughn took that to mean that she knew what was coming next.

  His mouth on hers.

  He dipped his head until their foreheads touched and their breaths mingled as one, then he kissed her. This time his kiss was softer, gentler, but equally as potent. Their lips and tongues tangoed to a sensual tune that only the two of them could hear. Desire whooshed through him like wildfire and Vaughn knew that nothing but total consummation of their marriage was going to put it out, but he couldn’t rush things. He pulled back and looked down at her. “That was nice.”

  “Nice?” She sounded breathless and he liked it.

  “Yes. Nice. And maybe we can try later for a different adjective but for now, I think there’s a cake to cut.”

  A large four-tier blinged-out cake with roses cascading down the side was being wheeled out to them on the dance floor that very minute. “Ready to cut the cake, Mrs. Ellicott?”

  They each took hold of the gleaming gold-tipped knife handle and smiled at the camera as they cut the cake. Then, they were both piercing off a piece of cake with a fork and feeding each other. Vaughn’s eyes never left Miranda’s and vice versa.

  It was going to be a long night.

  * * *

  Miranda was having a hard time separating reality from fantasy. It had been that way the entire day since she’d walked down the aisle and Vaughn had made her his wife. It had started with that amazing first kiss. She’d been expecting a quick peck on the lips, but instead, Vaughn had kissed her like their marriage was a real one. And he hadn’t let up since. Throughout the reception, he hadn’t strayed far from her side, constantly touching her and keeping her near him.

  And again during their first dance, he’d seduced her. The way he’d held her, the world had ceased to exist and she’d wrapped her arms around him of her own accord. She hadn’t stopped him when his masculine lips and talented tongue had invaded her mouth until she was a whimpering mass of need.

  Need which could not be met.

  She was slick between her thighs with wanting her husband and it wasn’t right. She’d made the rules and she would abide by them, even if it killed her. And it damn near did.

  She was happy when the evening started to draw to an end and the hotel had a dazzling fireworks display to help signal the end of the night. During the display, Vaughn procured a bottle of the finest champagne which they’d sipped under the stars. Miranda indulged, emptying the contents of the flute. Vaughn refilled it and together, they nearly polished off the bottle. Was he as anxious as she was? The day had already been spectacular, from the historic hotel on the beach, to the planner, to the world-renowned photographer, to the romantic beachside ceremony, to the elegant ballroom reception.

  Vaughn had left nothing to chance. He’d arranged the wedding of her dreams. Miranda couldn’t help but wish they were in love. That would be the icing on the cake.

  Right now, they were in serious lust.

  As they said their last goodbyes to his family and her parents, Vaughn grasped her hand and began leading her out of the ballroom as bubbles were blown at them.

  “Where are we going?” Miranda asked, picking up her train and following him out the door.

  “To the honeymoon suite, where else?”

  “Honeymoon suite?” she croaked.

  “Yes, where did you think we were staying?”

  Miranda hadn’t really thought about their wedding night beyond getting through the ceremony and reception. She’d just assumed she’d go back to her room and vice versa. “What about my stuff?”

  “All taken care of. The planner had our rooms packed up and our suitcases are in the honeymoon suite.”

  “Oh.” Her excuse was gone.

  “C’mon.” He led her to the elevator. Once inside, they both stood on opposite sides, staring at each other. Miranda knew what she was thinking—which was she’d like nothing better than to unzip his pants, hike up her dress and let him put her out of her misery. But instead, she did the ladylike thing, curled her arm around his and walked to the honeymoon suite.

  When they reached the door, Vaughn surprised her by lifting her off her feet and carrying her over the threshold.

  “Vaughn, you don’t have to do this,” she said as he sauntered inside the room, carrying her with little to no effort. “Nobody is watching us.” He shut the door with his foot and that was when Miranda noticed that the entire suite had been decorated with all sorts of candles of various heights casting a romantic glow around the room, and rose petals were strewn across the bed.

  “I did it because I wanted to.” Vaughn gently placed Miranda back on her feet and, before she could speak, leaned in and kissed her.

  His kiss was hot and hungry. And he plundered her mouth without restraint since this time, they had no audience. It was just the two of them alone in the room. His hands moved to her hair and his fingers impatiently wove themselves through to remove the carefully positioned pins of her updo until the strands tumbled down around her face. Miranda’s heart quickened as he pulled her closer, molding her body to his until she felt the cradle of his masculinity at the apex of her thighs even through the full bodice of her dress.

  “Miranda!” he whispered into her mouth and she gave a mew of pleasure that at first sounded like it was in the distance until Miranda realized it was her; she was making the moans of pleasure as he invaded her entire being.

  His mouth.

  His scent.

  He was everywhere and she wanted him inside her. “V-Vaughn,” she panted.

  “Yes, baby?”

  “Please...”

  Reaching behind her, he began unzipping her wedding dress. And she was thankful that instead of a corset, she’d opted for ease. Had she known that the eve
ning might end this way? Was that why she’d chosen a dress that was easy to get out off? She felt the cold air at her spine as he slowly peeled the dress off her. Using his forearm for balance, she stepped out of the concoction and stood before him in nothing but her panties and high heels.

  For a moment, Vaughn just stared at her and his eyes seemed almost unseeing as he took her in. Because her wedding gown was strapless with a built-in bra, she was now half naked and so he could see her nipples had turned to bullet points.

  Miranda heard his groan, seconds before his mouth drove down on hers.

  * * *

  Vaughn growled as powerful need—hot and consuming—tore through him. He’d waited so long—and seeing Miranda bare chested in nothing but the skimpiest of thongs undid him. He’d told himself that he would take things slowly, go at her pace, but it was impossible to do that now. Not when her glorious body was standing there and she was his for the taking.

  He hauled her to him and began walking with her arms curled around his neck backward to the bed. He lowered them both, pushing aside the rose petals so his fingers could tangle in her hair as he deepened the kiss. He lost himself in her sweetness and left her delicious lips long enough to explore her face. He kissed her closed eyelids, the tip of her nose and her dimples and then his mouth grazed the curve of her jaw. He wasn’t thinking about the wedding or his business or his parents’ decision to not attend. There was only one thing on Vaughn’s mind.

  Miranda.

  He wanted to seduce her.

  Entice her.

  She wouldn’t be able to resist the attraction that ratcheted up ever since he’d walked across the beach and caught her checking him out. And now his own need, which had been battering his self-restraint, took precedence. He spread his whole body across hers and felt her full breasts push against his chest as their limbs tangled together. Then her legs clamped over his calves and she met his mouth when it came crashing down on hers. He kissed her again and again.

  A groan escaped his lips as the sensation of her tongue tangling with his consumed him. “I want you,” he murmured. “And you want me too?” It was a question, but he needed her assent that she too would go up in flames if they didn’t come together as husband and wife.

  “Yes.” She whispered the word, but he heard it all the same. He cupped her jaw and angling her face, fused his mouth again with hers. He kissed her slowly and deliberately. He wanted to stir a need—because she’d been firing one in him all night. A need he couldn’t name, a temptation he couldn’t resist.

  * * *

  Miranda gave herself permission to enjoy Vaughn making love to her mouth because that was exactly what he was doing. He was luring her into his web, drawing her in and making her feel sexy. His solid frame pushed against her and her breath quickened at his hardness against her soft curves. She could feel the steel length of his arousal against her stomach and it caused an instant pulse to beat between her legs. She was awash with lust and gripped at his jacket, helping Vaughn pull it off and toss it aside.

  Then she tore at his shirt until buttons popped off and went flying everywhere. She couldn’t wait to touch him. When she reached skin, her hands trailed a path from his powerful shoulders to his muscled chest. Nothing had ever felt quite this good and she gloried in the feeling of his rock-hard abs as she pressed kisses to his torso and heard his sharp intake of breath when her tongue curled around one of his nipples. She circled it with her tongue, drawing the sensitive peak into her mouth until it hardened. But her exploration didn’t last long.

  “Later,” he growled. His dark eyes gleamed with a promise of what was to come and Miranda reveled in the hunger that Vaughn evoked in her. His hands were everywhere, skimming her body. Miranda didn’t shy away from his touch; instead she allowed his deft hands and sensual mouth to work wonders over every inch of her body from her throat to her earlobes, to the sensitive skin of her nape. Shivers of ecstasy coursed through her because there was no path that his hands and mouth didn’t touch or taste. And when he took the weight of one of her breasts in his palm and rolled the engorged bud between his fingers, lustful pleasure welled inside her.

  “Vaughn...” She let out a loud cry as wicked sensations coursed through her when he leaned in and drew the other bud into his hot, moist lips. She was so caught up in the delicious feelings he was evoking that she didn’t stop him when she felt his hands trail a path down her sides to her hips and lower until he came to her entrance. Pushing the flimsy fabric of her thong aside, he slid a finger between her folds and found her hot and slick with desire for him.

  “You feel so good.” His voice was velvet and honey all rolled into one and it hit Miranda in her core, causing her to clamp around his fingers. “Easy, easy.” He urged her legs farther apart so he could stroke her ever so slowly.

  Miranda was going to lose her mind. Vaughn was inciting her to madness. “Oh God, yes,” she gasped as his fingers began to pulse faster and faster inside her.

  “That’s right, baby. Come for me.” He increased the tempo and she greedily arched her hips for more. She craved him and his skillful fingers unlike she had any other man before him. Vaughn had just that kind of effect on her and she moved restlessly between his fingers.

  And then she splintered as the entire world fell off its axis and she cried out. “Vaughn!”

  He drew away from her long enough to look down at her and smooth her tousled hair from her face. “I love how responsive you are,” he murmured. “And how beautiful.” He bent his head to press a kiss against her lips.

  As she came back down to earth after experiencing a glimpse of passion with Vaughn, Miranda’s heart started and insecurity began to bubble up inside her. On the one hand, she’d felt more alive than she’d ever felt, but on the other hand if they continued down this path, it would make her feel things more deeply toward him. And that was when she knew—she shouldn’t be doing this. As good as it felt, imagine what it would feel like tomorrow. She’d been here before, giving so much of herself to a man—only to have her love not be returned. If she let Vaughn make love to her, she’d get attached because he would be a part of her. And she would begin to think they had a future together when their marriage had a set end date. Men easily took women to bed and emotion didn’t play a part because they were thinking with their anatomy. And much as Miranda wanted to be swept away in the fantasy of their first time together, warning bells were ringing inside her head and she began to pull away.

  Vaughn recognized her reticence and pulled away to look at her. “Miranda, what’s wrong?”

  A bone-deep instinct told Miranda she was traversing a slippery slope, but for once she had to listen. “I’m sorry, Vaughn. I can’t do this.” She quickly moved away from him, sliding underneath the duvet to hide her naked body even though her entire body drummed with desire. She had to keep her distance because if she didn’t, any shred of strength she had would go flying out the window if he continued to touch her.

  “I don’t understand.” His voice was raspy with desire. “Are you honestly denying you enjoyed that?”

  Words caught in her dry throat and Miranda couldn’t speak. She should never have allowed the situation to get out of control. She could blame all the champagne she’d consumed but that was only part of the reason. The other part had been her. She’d wanted to feel the crush of his lips on hers and the powerful strength of his body on top of hers. “It...it’s just not right, Vaughn.”

  “So we’re debating the merits of what’s right and wrong? We’re married and you’re my wife, for Christ’s sake,” Vaughn said, catapulting off the bed. The flash of emotion on his face was real and she could see anger and desire, because despite his outward appearance, he still wanted her. His body gave him away. His erection was still prominently bulging in his shorts.

  “In name only,” she added quietly.

  “Like hell!” he roared. “You weren’t thinking
about a marriage in name only when you came apart in my hands just now. You were thinking about how badly you wanted me buried deep inside you.”

  Miranda colored at his blunt words. “I’m sorry. I screwed up. I—I was just so caught up in the moment. The wedding, our vows, the dance.” She shook her head and turned into the pillows as tears began stinging her eyes. “It’s all been too much.”

  * * *

  Vaughn sighed and slowly walked over to her and scooted next to her on the bed. “Please don’t cry, Miranda.” He grasped her underneath her arms, forcing her to look at him. He reached out a finger and wiped the tears on her cheeks. “I’m sorry for yelling. I—I just want you so much,” he growled. “And I didn’t think you’d pull away. I thought you wanted me too.”

  “I do,” she cried, lowering her lashes, “but I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to be casual about sex. Certainly not with my husband, a man I’m married to for the next year. Sex would only complicate things.”

  In his opinion for the better, Vaughn thought. He was sporting an enormous erection thanks to the mews of pleasure she’d made when his fingers had been buried inside her. He’d nearly come undone. “Why do you assume it would? You don’t know that for sure.”

  “I do. I’ve—I’ve been here before. Trust me, it’s safer if we don’t do something rash that we might regret in the morning.”

  “I wouldn’t regret being with you, Miranda.” On the contrary, he would treasure their time together, but she didn’t see it that way.

  “You don’t know that for sure.”

  “Are you looking for a one-hundred-percent guarantee that I—” Vaughn touched his chest “—or no other man will ever hurt you? Because I’m here to tell you, Miranda, that it’s unrealistic. We’re all human and are going to make mistakes and you can’t safeguard your heart against hurt. If so, you’ll miss out on passion because one thing’s for certain—you have never responded to another man the way you’ve been with me.”