‘I know. You temporarily lost your judgement,’ he teased, nipping her earlobe. ‘But I forgive you. We put that behind us now and move on. OK?’
‘OK.’ A rush of peace flowed through her and she allowed herself to believe that maybe it was going to be all right.
Gabriel smiled and drew her to her feet, taking Foxy’s lead in his other hand. ‘Good. Now, come with me.’
‘Where are we going?’
‘Home. To bed. We have a week of loving to catch up on and I intend to make the most of every moment.’ The sensual promise in his sexily accented voice sent needy desire coursing through her. ‘When we come up for air,’ he continued with a wicked smile, ‘we can start planning our wedding. We can elope like Oliver and Chloe or we can have a big shindig. Whatever you want. Just so long as it is soon.’
‘Is that a proposal, Dr Devereux?’
‘It is, Ms Nightingale.’ He sent her a mock glare in warning. ‘And I don’t plan to take no for an answer.’
‘Just as well I’m going to say yes, then.’
He caught her to him and swung her round, tangling them up with Foxy. Lauren laughed through her tears—happy tears—beyond grateful that Gabriel loved her, believed in her and hadn’t given up on her. The fingers of one hand sank into her hair, tilting her head for his kiss. A hungry, deep, thorough kiss that was full of the passion and desire that had flashed between them from the first moment and the love that had grown with each day that had passed.
Gabriel broke off, his breathing as ragged as hers. She could feel his heart thundering as madly as her own. She could also feel the effect their kiss had had on him as she rocked her hips against his. Sweet mercy she had missed this…missed him…so much.
‘Home,’ he growled with pleasing desperation.
She wasn’t at all sure she could wait to get back to the Manor House. Excitement fired her blood and an ache of need clenched deep in her womb. Some time in the next decade or two she might even manage to breathe again. Filled with the same urgency that drove him, she allowed Gabriel to take her hand, linking their fingers, as they all but ran back to his car.
Anticipation clamoured inside her. How could she have gone from despair to blissful joy in such a short time? The sexual tension crackled between them as they drove back through town—a town that had been through so much in the last year or two but which had only grown stronger and more together because of it.
Just like Gabriel and herself.
The future of her eyesight was uncertain, but with Gabriel by her side and secure in their once-in-a-lifetime love, she would no longer be afraid. Wherever they went, whatever they did, together they had everything they would ever need. Each other…united in body, heart and soul.
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
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THEIR MIRACLE BABY © Harlequin Books S.A. 2008
First published in Great Britain 2008
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Caroline Anderson for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
SHEIKH SURGEON CLAIMS HIS BRIDE © Harlequin Books S.A. 2008
First published in Great Britain 2008
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Josie Metcalfe for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
A BABY FOR EVE © Harlequin Books S.A. 2008
First published in Great Britain 2008
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Maggie Kingsley for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
DR DEVEREUX’S PROPOSAL © Harlequin Books S.A. 2008
First published in Great Britain 2008
Special thanks and acknowledgement are given to Margaret McDonagh for her contribution to the BRIDES OF PENHALLY BAY series.
ISBN: 978-1-408-91489-2
Caroline Anderson, Josie Metcalfe, Maggie Kingsley, Margaret McDonagh Page 66
