by Kate Hewitt
But best of all was her life with Cristiano, the easy love they shared. The doubts and fears had fallen away for both of them, leaving nothing but love and joy, shining and pure.
A knock sounded on the door of Laurel’s bedroom in Lorenzo’s villa, where the wedding was to take place.
‘Are you ready?’ Ana, the wedding planner, called. ‘Everyone is waiting.’
It was going to be a small wedding with a handful of friends from Rome and Capri in the villa’s garden, overlooking the sparkling sea. Lorenzo wasn’t able to travel and Laurel had never wanted a big ceremony of pomp and circumstance. She took a deep breath, gave her reflection one last, considering glance and turned to the door.
Elizabeth slipped her hand in hers for a quick squeeze before walking out. Laurel had chosen a simple dress as befit the occasion—summery and light, with broderie anglaise on the bodice and a gently swinging skirt. A circlet of flowers kept her veil in place and she held a small posy of violets.
Giving her mother a small, nervous smile, she headed downstairs.
The garden was bathed in sunshine, a trio of violins playing soft music as Laurel approached. Guests turned in their seats but she barely noticed, so conscious was she of Cristiano standing under an arbour twined with white roses. He looked magnificent in a navy blue suit, but it was the look on his face that stole Laurel’s breath and reminded her that he already had her heart. Pure, shining love, the same as she felt.
The music swelled and, with a smile on her face and a song in her heart, and all the love she felt shining in her eyes, Laurel started down the aisle to meet her groom.
* * * * *
Coming next month
CLAIMING HIS NINE-MONTH CONSEQUENCE
Jennie Lucas
Ruby.
Pregnant.
Impossible. She couldn’t be. They’d used protection.
He could still remember how he’d felt when he’d kissed her. When he’d heard her soft sigh of surrender. How she’d shuddered, crying out with pleasure in his arms. How he’d done the same.
And she’d been a virgin. He’d never been anyone’s first lover. Ares had lost his virginity at eighteen, a relatively late age compared to his friends, but growing up as he had, he’d idealistically wanted to wait for love. And he had, until he’d fallen for a sexy French girl the summer after boarding school. It wasn’t until summer ended that his father had gleefully revealed that Melice had actually been a prostitute, bought and paid for all the time. I did it for your own good, boy. All that weak-minded yearning over love was getting on my nerves. Now you know what all women are after—money. You’re welcome.
Ares’s bodyguard closed the car door behind him with a bang, causing him to jump.
“Sir? Are you there?”
Turning his attention back to his assistant on the phone, Ares said grimly, “Give me her phone number.”
Two minutes later, as his driver pulled the sedan smoothly down the street, merging into Paris’s evening traffic, Ares listened to the phone ring and ring. Why didn’t Ruby answer?
When he’d left Star Valley, he’d thought he could forget her.
Instead, he’d endured four and a half months of painful celibacy, since his traitorous body didn’t want any other woman. He couldn’t forget the soft curves of Ruby’s body, her sweet mouth like sin. She hadn’t wanted his money. She’d been insulted by his offer. She’d told him never to call her again.
And now…
She was pregnant. With his baby.
He sat up straight as the phone was finally answered.
“Hello?”
Copyright © 2018 Jennie Lucas
Continue reading
CLAIMING HIS NINE-MONTH CONSEQUENCE
Jennie Lucas
Available next month
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ISBN: 978-1-474-07164-2
THE INNOCENT’S ONE-NIGHT SURRENDER
© 2017 Kate Hewitt
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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