by Mollie Molay
The sun glittered on the unspoiled, calm turquoise waters. An occasional flying fish broke the surface, spun in the air in a graceful arch and plunged back into the water. “The water’s awfully clear,” she said doubtfully. “Anyone could see us.”
“I doubt it,” he replied, and placed a quick kiss on her chin. He picked a loose rose petal out of her hair. “Most of the other guests have gone off on a tour to the Mayan ruins, anyway. And if someone does pass by, all they’ll be able to see is our heads. I’ll cover the rest of you,” he promised with a broad grin that melted the last of her resistance.
Luke had more than delivered on her fantasies on this, their honeymoon. For that matter, he’d even fulfilled a few she hadn’t been aware of. She thought dreamily of the rose-petal-strewn bed waiting for her on her wedding night and the hours of passion that had followed.
The more she’d learned about Luke since they’d turned their make-believe marriage into a real one, the more he fascinated her. And, if possible, the more she loved him.
They’d delivered the briefcase to its owners and gone back to New York for their wedding to make her father happy. Her father had married them in a quiet ceremony as soon as they’d obtained a license. At the time, he’d looked perfectly happy to turn her over to Luke’s care.
Life with Luke was going to be a mixture of loving, adventure and excitement. She was more than ready for all three. And anything else the future might bring. Especially a son that would look exactly like his father.
Luke lifted her to her feet and took the hand where the phony wedding ring still occupied the place of honor. He’d bought her a real wedding ring, but Arden had insisted she loved the dollar ring too much to replace it.
“Ready?”
“Ready!”
They raced into the warm waters together. By the time they were submerged in shoulder-high water, Luke’s laughter had turned into heated glances, his glances to kisses.
The warm, pristine waters closed over Arden’s head when Luke playfully pulled her beneath the surface. He released her after a quick kiss and took them to the surface. In moments he wrapped her in his arms and kept his promise. Too well.
“Now, about that siesta,” he said when he could catch his breath.
“What’s the matter with staying right here?”
Luke shouted with laughter. “You did say you were a minister’s daughter, didn’t you?”
“Yes. But now I’m your wife.”
As she lost herself in his arms, Arden fleetingly realized she never did learn what was in the briefcase. Not that it mattered, anyway.
eISBN 978-14592-6778-7
OVERNIGHT WIFE
Copyright © 1997 by Mollie Molé.
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All 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 Incidents are pure Invention.
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