A Seal's Desire. Tawny Weber

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СКАЧАТЬ been indulging in a little afternoon delight with her new hubby.” As no-nonsense as her gamine-cut ebony hair and simple linen pantsuit, Clara shot her sister a chiding look.

      “Whine, whine, whine.” Mia said, dismissing the criticism with an airy wave of her hand, her glistening wedding ring catching the light, sending rainbow sparks around the room. “We’re newlyweds. We’re supposed to have uninhibited, spontaneous sex as often as possible. Right, Sammi?”

      “I’m not a newlywed yet, but I’ll be sure Sterling knows that rule,” Sammi joked, pushing her hand through her heavy fall of hair.

      Now that it was combed out of its fancy twist, the russet waves tumbled wildly around her face, so she grabbed a clip to pull it back. As she did, she noticed three pairs of eyes lock on her left hand.

      Her bare left hand.

      As one, they frowned. Clara opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again when Mia stepped on her foot. All three started talking at once, so the room was filled with random observations about Blythe’s dress, the weather and how many calories there might be in lemonade.

      Sammi sighed. She’d rather ignore it, but she knew it was better to head off their concern.

      “Did I mention that Sterling is having his mama’s rings redone for me?” she said with a little laugh, curling her fingers into her lap. Granted, it was his mama’s cocktail ring and they’d visited the jewelers for the fitting a month ago. But that was beside the point. “It’s taking a little longer to get them back.”

      “Oh, there’s nothing like an heirloom,” Amy gushed, giving Sammi’s shoulder a friendly rub.

      “Oh, I have something for all of you,” Sammi exclaimed as if she’d just remembered. She hurried over to the glossy writing desk where she’d left the envelopes. She’d actually planned to give them each the hand-painted cards as they were leaving. But hey, why pass up a good distraction?

      “Oh, Sammi Jo,” Mia breathed as she opened hers.

      Still, Sammi bit her lip as they all sighed and murmured their delight, each woman, including Blythe, showing the others her card and exclaiming over theirs.

      “I’m so glad you like them.”

      “Like? Oh, no, love.” Amy traced her finger over the delicate watercolor roses twining around the elaborately lettered Thank You before giving Sammi a beaming smile. “You are so talented. You could make a living painting cards, Sammi Jo.”

      “You did for a little while, didn’t you?” Mia asked, holding her card, with its long, leggy irises, close to her chest. “Or was that only in college?”

      She’d had quite a small business going in college, painting cards, wall hangings and the occasional stationary set to supplement what she made waiting tables. Most semesters her art had not only covered the cost of books, it’d given her enough to actually fit in with her friends instead of standing out like a country bumpkin. But once she’d come home and started working at the inn, she’d been too busy for painting, except the occasional gift.

      “I dabbled,” Sammi said, shrugging as if she hadn’t hated to give up that dream.

      “You could still dabble,” Blythe pointed out, carefully tucking her sunflower-covered Thank You back in its envelope.

      “Maybe after you’re married,” Clara said. “I’ll bet Sterling would love it if you spent more time on your art.”

      Sammi didn’t think Sterling was even aware that she painted. Thankfully, Mrs. Ross chose that moment to barrel into the room, saving Sammi from having to comment. As she began leading the women through their fitting, the talk bounced more naturally now, the women sharing their latest gossip while Sammi curled up on the bed, her robe draped around her feet as she enjoyed the vicarious fun.

      “Sammi, has Sterling finalized your honeymoon plans yet?” Amy asked as she preened at her reflection in the mirror.

      So much for fun.

      “Honeymoon?” Sammi bit her lip. She didn’t want to tell them that Sterling had decided to put off the honeymoon for a couple of months until they were both less busy. So she went with, “Oh, no. He’s keeping it a surprise.”

      “I so admire your patience, Sammi Jo.” Mia stood with her arms wide as Mrs. Ross pinned and tucked her sapphire dress to a perfect fit. “I was all over Conner about the arrangements months before the wedding.”

      “You’re always all over Conner,” her sister muttered, earning a snicker from Blythe.

      “How do you know what to shop for if you don’t know where you’re going?”

      “Not everyone is a shopaholic, you know.” Holding up one lipstick and then another to the mirror to check the color against her dress and her complexion, Clara paused to roll her eyes at Amy. “Some people actually wear the clothes they already have instead of shopping for an entire wardrobe.”

      “Says the woman with fifty lipsticks in her bag,” Mia responded laughing.

      “Amy is right, though,” Clara declared as she tried on a pale pink lipstick, then wiped it right off. “Even if you dress from your wardrobe for the honeymoon, you’ll need something extra sexy for your wedding night.”

      “Extra sexy?” Sammi repeated, frowning down at her robe-covered body. Under her practical cotton was more practical cotton. Why would she bother with anything else?

      As if hearing her thoughts, the other women dove into a discussion on the merits of various lingerie styles when it came to the art of seduction. When the talk turned to sex play, Sammi had to force herself not to run, screaming, from the room. She pressed her hands against her churning stomach.

      Just bridal nerves, she assured herself. It was natural to be nervous. Totally normal to freak out. She knew lots of women who’d been nauseous before their wedding day. Granted, they were pregnant. She didn’t think she could lay her nausea on that without the blessing of divine intervention.

      After all, she and Sterling had never had sex.

      Which wasn’t a big deal.

      She’d seen enough evidence in her life that sex was better left off the table. People either put too much meaning on it, so that it became an obsession that screwed up their lives. Or the only value they put on it was the mileage they got out of bragging about it after the deed was done.

      The only lingerie that suited her attitude toward sex was a flannel nightie or, maybe, a chastity belt.

      Not that she’d say that aloud. They were all friends—good friends—but she just couldn’t talk about that sort of thing.

      Except with Blythe. Sammi’s gaze cut over to the bubbly blonde being tucked and pinned into her dress. Blythe was like a sister to her. They told each other everything. But she hadn’t found a way to tell her best friend since first grade that she hadn’t slept with the man she was about to marry.

      She’d thought about pointing out that there was nothing wrong with saving yourself for marriage.

      But Blythe knew perfectly well that Sammi had had sex before. So she was going to want specifics on why Sammi hadn’t СКАЧАТЬ