Prelude to a Wedding (29 page)

"You do?"

"I do." She watched his eyes acquire a
familiar glint, and she realized that her love for this man might
never stop growing. "See, I even know my line already. 'I do.'
"

She laughed. She couldn't help it. It was one
of the things she loved about Paul Monroe, this ability to make her
laugh. Because, his joy in making her laugh, in drawing that out of
her, was one aspect of his love for her. She wrapped her arms
around his neck. "Thank you for making my fantasy come true, Paul,"
she whispered against his lips. "My whole fantasy."

His arms tightened across her back, almost
fiercely. But his voice was soft.

"Any time, Bette. Any time."

Their mouths met with a tenderness that
belied the desire trembling in their bodies. The desire that would
be as much a part of their lives together as the tenderness. And
the laughter.

Paul rested his forehead on hers, though he
couldn't resist dipping to take her top lip between his in a caress
that evoked memories and promises between them. Then he loosened
his arms enough to meet her eyes. "You kiss me like that again,
Bette Wharton, and you better be prepared to tell me you've had
fantasies about airports."

Her chuckle was still a little frazzled, and
his brows rose above suddenly hopeful eyes. "Have you?"

"No!" This time she laughed outright.

His disappointment sighed deep and long, and
he pressed a quick, hungry kiss to her lips before settling his
arms more comfortably around her waist.

"So, how long do you think it'll take you to
plan a wedding like that?"

"Oh, so I'm going to do the planning?"

He grinned. "I'm learning to enjoy thinking
about the future, but would you really want me to plan a wedding?
With schedules and deadlines and stuff?" He seemed to take her
wrinkled-nose grimace as a no. "I bet you could get my mother to
help. And I'll consult. So, how long will it take you to plan a big
wedding like that?"

"I don't know. Nine months, a year
maybe?"

"A year!"

"I really don't know, Paul. I haven't done it
before, you know."

"I tell you what, since you're a rookie at
this, I'll give you eight months and a little time to spare—say the
last weekend in August."

"I feel a 'but' coming."

His grin sent a deliciously hot shiver
through her.

"But—" he drew out the word as he ran his
hands up her arms and along her shoulders "—the honeymoon comes
first."

The pads of his thumbs reached lower,
skimming the points of her collarbone, stirring her body to
recognition of the sensations those thumbs could create if they
strayed lower, and lower still. She felt a small shudder ripple
through her, and saw from his eyes that he felt it, too, had wanted
to feel it, had been trying to create it.

"We'll turn in these tickets to Vegas and see
how far that'll get us toward the most exotic, most romantic, most
sun-drenched, most secluded place we can get to with the least
possible delay."

She went into his arms without hesitation.
"Just like a kid, wanting dessert first."

~ ~ ~

Bette Wharton and Paul Monroe
request the pleasure of your company
as they celebrate their marriage
(and play matchmaker for Michael Dickinson!)
at their
WEDDING
PARTY

~

PATRICIA McLINN books

www.AWritersWork.com

THE GAMES

Available in print: ISBN: 0-9765185-1-1

THE PRINCIPAL OF LOVE

(Fall: Seasons in a Small Town)

~

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RITA Finalist

NJRW Golden Leaf winner

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Affaire de Coeur Contemporary author of year
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GRW Maggie finalist

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GDRW Booksellers Best Award finalist

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(Wyoming Wildflowers)

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OCRW Orange Rose Award finalist

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(Wyoming Wildflowers)

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More Than Magic Award winner

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National Readers Choice Award finalist

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Voted eHarlequin readers' Favorite

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(Spring: Seasons in a Small Town)

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~

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