by Rita Herron
Her lips curved into a heart-stopping smile, and the two of them practically danced down the aisle. The next few minutes they were bombarded by hugs and congratulations and photographs, and Austin had to grit his teeth against grabbing Kimberly and escaping to someplace private.
"Are you sure you don't mind us horning in on your reception?" he asked Josh as they entered the clubhouse Josh and Marilyn had booked for the wedding party.
"Are you kidding?" Josh hugged Marilyn to his side, giving Kimberly and him a grin. "I told you your wedding was the best wedding present you could give me. The more, the merrier."
Kimberly stiffened by his side, but he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck until he felt her curl into him.
"Your mother ordered an extra cake." Kimberly gestured toward the three-tiered wedding cake.
A table holding champagne glasses had been set up for them. "Yeah, it looks like Mom did a lot of last minute preparations."
"I can't believe you did it!" Philip slapped him on the back. "Now I get to kiss your bride." Philip elbowed him, then swooped Kimberly into his arms and kissed her fervently. A sliver of jealousy worked itself into Austin, and he quickly yanked on his brother's arm until he released her.
"Don't forget, bro, she's my wife now."
Kimberly's cheeks tinged with pink and he wondered if she'd heard the undeniable edge of possessiveness to his voice, an edge he didn't even try to hide.
His grandmother pulled Kimberly into an embrace. "You're beautiful, dear. Welcome to the family."
"I'm so proud to be your mother-in-law, Kimberly," his mom said in a tearful voice.
"Mom, don't cry," he said, hugging her.
"I can't help it. I just know the two of you will live a long and happy life together."
His throat closed and his gaze met Kimberly's, her eyes sparkling with more unshed tears. He'd never suspected Kimberly would be so sentimental, but his mother had obviously touched her, and the realization that she fit with his family only confirmed the growing feeling that she belonged to him. With him.
Forever.
He threaded his fingers through hers. "You're right, Mom. We belong together. I just don't know why it took me so long to see it." Then he angled his head and kissed Kimberly again, this time tenderly and gently and full of all the feelings he had inside. He felt her hands cup his face, stroking his jaw, and her tongue slid out tentatively to meet his.
He forgot his family and a room full of guests were watching as he got lost in the kiss.
"Bro, you've got all night for that." His brother Rob chuckled in his ear.
Austin pulled away, keeping Kimberly tucked in the crook of his arm as he allowed his mother to guide them to the table to cut the cake. First Marilyn and Josh fed each other the traditional first slice, laughing and kissing.
Then he and Kimberly took their turn. Her devilish look sent a spark of playfulness through him. She smeared icing on his mouth, and he licked it off, then sucked the confection from her fingertip. The guests laughed and clapped, then he sliced a small piece, wiggled his eyebrows, and smeared it on the edge of her mouth. The crowd erupted into a cheer.
Playing into the mood, he took his time, teasing and nibbling the sweet icing from her lips. When he was finished, he wasn't sure who was more flushed or aroused, him or Kimberly.
She definitely had a fire in her eyes that he'd never seen before, and his body ached with an intensity that he knew Kimberly could only sate.
How long did they have to stay at this reception anyway?
Then again, he hadn't planned a real honeymoon—would they go back to his parents' house? Damn, he should have at least reserved a hotel suite for the night.
A drum roll exploded and Josh's father announced the entertainment. They had hired a band and a slow, romantic love song drifted through the speakers. "Time for the bride and groom to dance," Marilyn's mom announced. "I mean, the brides and grooms."
Everyone clapped, and Marilyn and Josh glided onto the dance floor. Austin held out his arms, inviting Kimberly into his embrace. She moved with the fluid grace of a born dancer, pressing her voluptuous curves against the hard planes of his body. The lights dimmed to a soft hue that mellowed the guests and made the wedding dance a dreamy reality.
He inhaled the sweet scent of Kimberly’s perfume and nibbled at her neck. Satin and lace brushed his skin, and the soft tendrils of her hair tickled his face as he angled his head so their cheeks touched.
They swayed to the lulling guitar music, his heart pounding when her hips swayed enticingly close to his growing arousal. His arms tightened around her, pulled her closer so her legs gently touched his, her skirt teased his thighs, and her nipples beaded beneath her dress and tormented his body. The music seeped into his soul just as Kimberly had over the last few days, and when her breath whispered against his neck, he groaned and stroked her back.
The evening passed in a blur of slow dances, light teasing and banter from his family. But it was the stolen moments, secret looks and tender touches from Kimberly that built a crescendo of want and need in him, keeping his body hard and aching all night.
As the midnight hour neared, glasses clinked and champagne flowed freely. After Josh made a sentimental toast to Marilyn, Austin felt the need to do the same for his wife. He filled his glass with champagne, then Kimberly's.
"I'd like to make a toast to my bride," he said, his heart in his eyes. "For being foolish enough to marry me." He brushed a kiss over her lips. "Honey, I don’t plan to ever let you go."
Kimberly tried to swallow the champagne, so lost in the magic of the evening that she forced herself not to analyze Austin's words or his kisses as his family and friends cheered.
At least for the moment, she had actually married Austin McDane. And all evening he'd taken her on a slow, sensual journey of seduction. As their bodies had swayed and moved together, touching, yet not touching, loving, but not quite loving, the hunger in his eyes had eaten away her last shred of resolve. She raised her glass and clinked it with his.
"And I'd like to say something," she said slowly.
The crowd grew quiet with anticipation and she swallowed, wondering if she dared voice her true feelings.
"Yes, darlin'?" he drawled, skimming his hands down her sides to squeeze her waist.
Kimberly laughed softly, tilting her head teasingly. "I want to thank the McDanes for welcoming me into their family..."
He arched a dark brow.
"And for having the sexiest son alive."
The crowd whooped with laughter. Austin's dimple widened, his dark eyes burning with heat, and he clasped her hand, kissed her fingers, then turned to the crowd.
"It's time for us to say good night."
A flurry of words and whispers surrounded them, then Josh spoke up.
"Before you leave, man, Marilyn and I have a small wedding present for you."
Kimberly froze, wondering what else these people could give them. Then Josh reached inside his tux jacket and removed an envelope. "We've reserved a bridal suite for you at the Sugarloaf Bed & Breakfast in town. Happy honeymoon!"
Kimberly's gaze met Austin's. Their wedding had been fake, but magical.
What would their honeymoon night be like?
Chapter 9
Austin dodged birdseed as he swept Kimberly into the back of the white limo, another surprise, and Philip's contribution to the honeymoon night. Kimberly had momentarily looked panic-stricken at the announcement of the bridal suite in town, and he'd tried to contain his excitement in case she thought he'd set this evening up as an opportunity to sleep with her.
But at the same time he'd had to act ecstatic in front of his family, which he secretly was, so he hadn't actually had to act.
"But I don't have my bags," Kimberly protested feebly as he helped her pick up the long train of her wedding dress and place it in the car so it wouldn't get crushed.
"No problem." April gestured toward a small overnight bag in the corner of the
limo. "You have everything you need for tonight right there."
"Suzanne and I had champagne delivered to your room," Rob yelled.
"And I packed you a midnight snack," Becca said with a sly grin.
Kimberly's eyes once again glazed with slight panic until Austin squeezed her hand. "Thanks, you all have been wonderful."
Marilyn and Josh waved as they darted to their own limo. "We're off to the hotel ourselves," Josh said.
Austin’s family and friends waved and yelled, and his brother Rob closed the door for him as he climbed in beside Kimberly. Knowing his family was watching, he told himself he'd kiss her just once for the show. But still tingling with arousal from the evening, he curved his arm around Kimberly and the short kiss he'd planned took longer.
He tasted her luscious lips, silently admitting his reaction had nothing to do with his family and everything to do with the chemistry between him and Kimberly.
At first tension tightened her posture, but as he gently kissed her mouth, he slowly coaxed her into surrendering, and she parted her lips and met him thrust for thrust. He tasted the sweet cake icing, champagne and felt the heady hunger in the way she clung to him.
Lust pooled in his groin. Only when his lungs begin to ache for air did he pull away. Kimberly's ragged breathing pierced the silence and the short ride came to an abrupt stop as the driver pulled in front of the historic Sugarloaf Inn.
Her eyes brightened in the dim light of the car, and he wondered if she thought he'd planned this all along—some elaborate scheme of seduction—and although he wanted her with a fierceness that shocked him, he wanted to reassure her that he hadn't planned this at all.
Her hand trembled as she reached for the skirt of her gown, and he covered her fingers with his. "Relax, Kimberly. Nothing's going to happen unless you want it to."
A soft sigh escaped her kiss-swollen lips and the smile she gave him did nothing but intensify his desire. She traced a finger along his jaw and gestured toward the door.
"Thank you for saying that, Austin."
His throat felt tight. "You're welcome." He brought her hand to his mouth. "I meant it, too."
She laughed softly, then glanced up at the antebellum house. "This looks like a beautiful place."
"It is," he said quietly.
She arched a gorgeous red brow.
"Although I've never stayed here," he said, realizing the question in her eyes.
Another soul-stopping smile lit her face, and he took her hand, helping her from the car. They gathered her bag and long skirt, and he guided her up the azalea-lined walkway to the spacious front porch. A cool night breeze fluttered the trees, creating a symphony of sounds that mingled with the fresh scents of grass and roses. When they opened the door, a stately-looking woman greeted them and escorted them to their room.
"Your brother said you'd need the bridal suite," the woman said. "Hope you two enjoy it. If you need anything, just let me know." Then she disappeared down the winding staircase and Austin was left alone with his bride.
"Why break tradition now? I guess we should do this right," he said solemnly.
Then he swooped Kimberly up in his arms and carried her over the threshold.
* * *
Only no one was watching, so why the act? Kimberly thought as she felt her feet being lifted off the floor.
Austin held her against his warm chest, his arm cradling her bottom, and heat raced through every nerve in her body. She clung to his shoulders, curving her arm around his neck as he moved into the blue and white wicker-furnished room, carrying her as if she weighed nothing.
And in his arms, she was so lightheaded, she probably didn't weigh much, she thought, foolishly. Giddy with desire, she laughed when he gently dropped her onto the antique four-poster bed.
Then a wave of panic assaulted her. Now what?
Dress sexy, act sexy, think sexy...
She glanced down at her dress. Sexy? Well, she thought a wedding dress was sexy, but did Austin?
"You look absolutely radiant in that dress," Austin said in a husky voice.
The giddy feeling Kimberly had evaporated, smoky passion rising in its wake. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your mother was very generous—"
"I don't want to talk about my family," he said, his voice thick. "Not tonight."
She nodded. She'd like to forget about them, too—all the lying, all the guilt.
As if he read her mind, he kissed her fingers, slipping the tips of each one in his mouth to suck them. "I enjoyed tonight, Kimberly. Dancing with you was wonderful."
She nodded, unable to speak. They’d fit together perfectly.
He took the champagne bottle from the ice bucket in the antique armoire and poured them both a glass. Kimberly tried to gain control of her raging desire as she scanned the room.
The suite was exquisite, decorated with antique eyelet curtains, seascape paintings, pale yellow walls, and blue and yellow accents. A bouquet of fresh yellow roses sat on the wicker dresser next to a silver tray filled with fruits and cheeses and chocolate.
Austin handed her the champagne flute and sipped from his own glass, watching her intently. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get out of this monkey suit and get comfortable," he said, loosening his tie. "This thing's been choking me all night."
Kimberly nodded and sipped her champagne. The bubbly softness tickled her tongue and the light, almost fruity flavor had a delicate bite. Austin yanked at the confines of his dark bow tie, then tossed it onto the chaise angled in the corner. Kimberly watched him shrug out of the jacket, thinking how handsome he'd been in the tux, but how sexy he would be in nothing at all. His broad shoulders and tall body filled out every inch of the suit, the black accentuating the deep richness of his eyes and the dark hues of his hair. A slight evening stubble grazed his jaw, making him look impossibly masculine and almost dangerous.
His hand rose to the buttons of his dress shirt, and Kimberly's lips paused at the rim of her glass. He inched open the top collar button, then one by one, slowly opened all the others. She felt like a voyeur watching him undress, but she was so enthralled she couldn't take her eyes away from his seductive striptease.
He was dangerous, she admitted silently, dangerous to her sanity and well-being because she was falling in love with him. And she was terribly afraid that one night was not going to be enough.
"You can get out of that dress if you want." He hesitated as if he was unsure whether to suggest more or not.
"I think I will," she said softly.
A slow smile spread on his mouth, and he yanked his shirt apart, revealing the strong planes of his broad shoulders, the short dark hair swirling on his chest, and a flat stomach so hard with muscle that she wanted to reach out and touch it.
"Kimberly?"
"Huh?"
"You were going to change?" He gestured toward the suitcase.
She bit down on her lip. "Oh, yeah." She slowly opened the bag, not surprised to find the lacy lingerie April and Suzanne had given her earlier packed neatly inside, along with toiletries, bubble bath and body liqueurs. A blush climbed her neck, warming her already hot skin. She started to grab the suitcase and rush into the privacy of the bathroom, then remembered this was her night, her one and only night with Austin.
If she wanted to win him, to be with him, she couldn't act like a frightened schoolgirl.
Taking a deep breath, she reached behind her to open the tiny pearl buttons at the back of her dress. There were at least a dozen of them and her fingers trembled as she managed to unbutton one or two. But she could barely reach the rest.
"Here, let me," Austin whispered in a voice rough with sexual desire.
Kimberly shivered at his touch, her own desire building as his fingers found each tiny buttonhole and slipped the buttons free. His warm breath brushed her neck, his scent enveloped her. The mere presence of his hands touching her ignited a desire within her that was so strong she felt as if she were on fire.
She removed the pins holding her veil in place and laid it aside. With a whispered kiss against her ear, he undid her French knot, then threaded his fingers through her loosened hair, combing it down around her shoulders with his hands.
Sweeping the tendrils of her hair aside, he kissed her neck while his fingers continued to work the buttons free. Her breathing grew hot and unsteady, and at last, when he parted the fabric and slipped it gently off her shoulders, baring her back and arms, she moaned softly.
They stood there, her back pressed to his bare chest, his hands stroking and teasing her body for what seemed like a blissful eternity. He moved his hands around her waist, kissing her neck and shoulders as his fingers skimmed up her midriff and slowly found her breasts. Her nipples beaded, aching for his touch, but he simply cupped the mounds of her breasts, kneading them and tempting her until she arched into him.
Then, as if he knew what she wanted, his fingers trailed over her nipples, and he stroked the hardened tips, teasing her slowly, building an urgency that made her moan and press her hips against his arousal. He eased the dress down and she whimpered, his hands searing her with sensual heat.
The delicate fabric fell to her waist and she closed her eyes, leaning on his arm for support as she slid the dress over her hips and stepped out of it. Then she slipped her feet free of the white high heels and kicked them aside. A moment of insecurity attacked her, then she remembered how it had felt to dance with him, to be held, and she wanted that feeling again, only more this time. She wanted to know what it was like to be loved by this man.
She took a deep breath for courage and imagined spending the rest of the night in his arms. Wearing only the slinky chemise, sheer white bikini panties and the white garter belt holding her stockings in place, she slowly turned to face him.
The hot look that blazed in his dark eyes sent a shiver of delight racing through her.
"You are so incredible," he said in a rough whisper. He skimmed her bare shoulder with his fingertip, his gaze hungrily devouring her. "I can't believe I'm really here with you like this."
