Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding. Sara Orwig

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СКАЧАТЬ and she knew she was falling under his spell.

      Next, Ryan’s father danced with Ashley, while Ryan stood on the sidelines and watched. He wanted the event to end. He was eager to get Ashley to himself, and this reception was stretching his nerves.

      The minute the dance was over Ryan took her arm. “They want us for a picture or some such,” he said, leading her toward the nearest door.

      “Ryan, the photographer is over by the cake.”

      “So he is. If you must know, that was just an excuse to get you alone. C’mon. Let’s slip away for one quick kiss,” he said, taking her into a room across the hall and turning her to him as he leaned down to kiss her. She clung to him, responding as always to his kisses, setting him on fire. Her mouth was soft and she wore an enticing scent. Her shoulders were bare, tantalizing soft curves showing at the straight neckline of her dress. Now she was his wife. With every moment that passed he grew more certain they had done the best thing possible, and to his surprise, he was growing pleased with the whole prospect.

      “We have to get back. This is our party and we’re host and hostess,” she whispered, pushing against him.

      Ryan inhaled deeply. “It seems like an eternity until we can get out of here,” he told her again. “Just one more quick kiss.” He pulled her to him, sliding his hand down her back to cup her bottom. His breathing was ragged and he ached.

      Finally, he reluctantly released her, and this time, she stepped away from him. “Ryan, we’re going back to the party,” she said firmly. “You’ll have to wait.”

      He looked at her features as if memorizing them, then nodded. She took his hand and led him inside the ballroom, and minutes later she was surrounded by old friends and Ryan was across the room.

      He tried to pay attention to friends talking to him, but all he could do was think about Ashley and glance at her constantly. She was laughing at something someone said to her. When had any particular woman been this important to him? He knew the answer to his own question, never before, and that made him all the more certain he’d done the right thing in forcing her to marry him. Every time they kissed, she responded to him fully. They enjoyed each other’s company and they liked each other’s families, all of which meant they were truly bonding. But it was already deeper than that. He trusted her and knew he could confide in her. He could tell her his hopes and plans, and he valued her opinion when they discussed topics. Most of all, she set him on fire with her passion.

      No sex after their wedding night … He was certain after making love tonight, she wouldn’t hold out in the days to come. Sex would be fantastic and make the ties between them stronger. How could they keep from falling in love?

      He turned and Kayla was there. His irritation surfaced, but it was mild because she was no longer important and nothing she said mattered. “I heard what you told Ashley,” he stated.

      She shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t marry her unless she’s pregnant. And if she’s not, well, I don’t think you’ll be able to stick with one woman either way. Particularly one who isn’t in your social world, Ryan. You’re not going to settle down and be the sweet, faithful husband,” she said, smiling slyly at him.

      “It’s over between us, Kayla. Absolutely and forever.”

      Her smile widened and she licked her lips slowly. “Darling, you’ll be back. I give you three months tops.” Her strong perfume assailed him when she stood on tiptoe and brushed his cheek with a kiss. Stepping away, she smiled at him.

      “You stay away from Ashley,” he declared again, wondering how he could have ever been so involved with Kayla.

      Still smiling, she turned and walked off.

      One of his brothers called to him, and Ryan joined Brett and a group of friends who stood nearby. He forgot about Kayla, because Ashley filled his thoughts. His gaze drifted across the crowd until he spotted her. Talking and laughing, she stood in a group of guests. He wondered if he would ever tire of looking at her.

      He glanced at his watch. “C’mon, Ashley.”

      Ashley glanced around and saw Ryan talking with his brother and some other men. Nick Colton stood in the group, and she saw Jake Thorne join them. She had gotten to know Jake because of planning his wedding, and now Jake had been a groomsman in her own. He had rugged features that softened when he smiled. He was friendly, but she felt he was reserved, keeping strangers at arm’s length. All three men shared that same determination and poise, and she wondered if they had ever clashed in the years they had been friends.

      She looked at her tall husband. She had seen Kayla talking to him only a short time before. When she’d seen the redhead brush his cheek with a kiss, Ashley hurt briefly. She had never been jealous in her life, but it pained her to watch Kayla kiss him even lightly.

      Had Ryan really meant all he’d said? She would take him at his word until she had a reason not to, but again, she hoped she wasn’t being foolishly gullible. Even though Ryan had been convincing and reassuring, uncertainty still hovered in the back of her mind.

      She watched him while she half listened to those around her. He was charismatic and exciting, and she still couldn’t believe that she was Mrs. Ryan Warner.

      Ryan’s wife. The whole world seemed different now. If only … She couldn’t stop wishing that there was mutual love between them.

      They would have a real wedding night. The thought turned her knees to jelly and heated her insides, because she could remember their weekend and what a consummate, energetic lover he had been. She pulled her thoughts back to the present and looked at Ryan, meeting his gaze. Even though he was across the room and people were between them, sparks flew. She smiled and saw him wink at her in return, and her eagerness to be alone with him mushroomed.

      The hours dragged until finally she decided it was time to go. Last-second jitters sent a tingle up her spine.

      She worked her way around the room, and when she reached Ryan, she took his hand.

      He turned to look at her and excused himself from those around him. She led him to the dance floor and stepped into his arms.

      “We can leave now, but I wanted one last dance,” she said, and saw a flare of satisfaction in his expression.

      “Aah, that’s the best news since the minister pronounced us man and wife. And it’s not as if we can’t dance on our honeymoon.”

      “This is magical, Ryan. I want to dance and remember it,” she said.

      “I’m encouraged if you’re really enjoying yourself and want memories of today.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tenderly while they danced to the slow number. “This is the beginning, Ashley. Life will be good between us.”

      “I hope so,” she answered solemnly, her heart thumping over his words, and hope kindling that his love would blossom.

      The minute the music ended, he took her hand. “C’mon, Ashley, we’ve partied and danced and schmoozed all afternoon. I finally can have you all to myself.”

      “Let’s tell our families goodbye before we go, and let a few other people know.”

      He groaned. “That’ll take another hour.”

      “But СКАЧАТЬ