"You can stop lingering at the threshold. I know you're there." She opened her eyes and watched as he walked in. "I should fire Irene."
"She's unfireable. I tried to get my parents to do so on several occasions when she spanked my bottom for getting in trouble. Itnever worked." He eased his hip on the edge of her desk, facing her.
"She works for you now," she pointed out.
"Tell that to her. More like it's the other way around." Emotions were making him unsteady. He had rushed over as soon as he received the phone call, ready to stand with her. Only to hear her say those words. He wanted them carved on their bedpost. "Baby." Lifting a hand, he cupped her cheek, not caring that it was shaking. "Sweetness."
"I meant every word."
"I know." He pulled her up between his thighs. "I should let you get back to all of it." He nodded at the pile of files on her desk.
"And you should get back to work." She wrapped her hands around his neck. "While sitting here listening to my mother spew her venom, I had an epiphany."
"That I was quite a catch?"
"That too. But it suddenly hit me all that I have. You." She studied the handsome face with the tumble of unruly dark hair.His eyes had always fascinated her. A sort of electric green that seemed to look into the soul. His face was rugged, chin strong, nose slightly crooked. "You love me."
"I've been telling you that for a very long time."
"No." She shook her head. "You truly love me. A lot of people make that declaration in the heat of the moment, whether during sex while passion is running high or just a spur of the moment sort of thing and it does not hold up under fire. But not you." She pressed a hand over where his heart was beating a little unsteadily.
"Apart from my dad, you're the only one who has ever been there for me. Through thick or thin. I'm not an easy person to live with, I can acknowledge the truth of it. But you put up with my eccentricities, my mood swings which have become worse since the pregnancy." She leaned into him, her eyes stormy.
"She does not matter anymore. Nothing she says will ever be of influence to me and it's because of you." Her hand slid up to cup his cheek. "What did you put aside to come rushing to my rescue?"
"Ah, nothing much. Just arranging a Ceili for Friday. That's all."
"You should stop doing that."
"Setting up the Ceili? The word's already out--"
"Jackass. You know what I mean."
"Should you be calling me names in front of our babies? After all, I'm the man who saved you from certain obscurity and a life without love and substance." He grinned as she stared at him balefully.
"If you continue, I'm going to take back every word."
"You can't." He tugged on a long rope of hair and brought her face closer. "It's already out there." He kissed her forehead. "In the atmosphere." His lips found one eye and kissed it shut. "I might have recorded every word." His lips trailed down one cheek and then up again. "For posterity." He nibbled at her bottom lip and had heat shooting through her body. "To be taken out as a reminder when you start to bitch at me."
"I don't bitch." She was already weak and needy. The man had a mouth on him.
"Hmm." He was enjoying the taste and texture of her, the exotic earthy scent. His woman was not one into perfumes. He was the one who showered her with expensive bottles of them. "I live with you, so I should know." He was soothing the bite with his tongue. "I know you like the back of my hand."
"So, I'm predictable." Her throat was tight, her nipples achingly full to bursting.
"Only to me. Give me your tongue." The demand was made in a thick voice.
"Say please."
"Please." He was already nudging her lips open. "Ah, here you are." He wasn't in a hurry, his tongue foraging her mouth in slow erotic movements. "Sweet, addictive." He captured it between his teeth and suckled, sending white-hot darts dancing through her body. She wondered she did not burst into flames. "Mine." The last word was uttered with possessive authority, right before he deepened the kiss.
The turbulence started and had her clinging to him, her body molding to his as she gave into the powerful desire.
Chapter 13
It was as if the day had decided that it would be perfect. The sky was a clear cobalt blue that reminded her of the color of her lover's eyes. A few puffy white clouds enhanced the brilliance. Even though it was officially October, the air was a balmy seventy degrees with only a slight wind.
The wedding was set for the early afternoon. She had opened her eyes at eight to find Maeve bearing a tray. Oscar had been banished to one of the other rooms, despite his very vigorous protest.
