The Sinner's Marriage Redemption. Annie West

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ for Flynn so completely she should be floating in seventh heaven. But a lifetime’s caution couldn’t be shucked aside in an instant.

      ‘You don’t think we’re compatible? You haven’t enjoyed our time together?’

      ‘Of course I have. It’s been...wonderful. I’ve never felt like this. But it’s only been a week.’

      ‘How long do you need to be sure? A month? A year?’ Flynn put down his wine and leaned forward, shifting a platter of exquisitely presented appetisers. ‘I knew the moment I saw you in Paris.’

      Ava’s breath caught. Love at first sight? It sounded impossibly romantic.

      Yet it was there in his face: absolute certainty. Her heart flipped over.

      ‘You care for me that much?’

      ‘You’re the one woman in the world for me, Ava. I’ve never wanted anyone else as my wife. You’re perfect in every way. Perfect for me.’

      She heard the harsh edge of emotion in his voice.

      ‘You make me complete.’

      ‘Flynn...’ Her fingers meshed with his as he took her glass and put it on the table. Then he lifted her onto his lap with such negligent strength she would have been impressed if she hadn’t already been dazzled by his words and the gleam in his eyes.

      ‘Is it because you don’t care enough for me?’

      His lips brushed her ear, making her shiver.

      ‘I care, Flynn. You know that.’

      Despite a lifetime’s training in bottling up emotions, Ava had let her feelings show time and again. With Flynn, for the first time, that hadn’t seemed to matter. What they had was real and precious. Honest.

      His smile was so smug she laughed, sudden elation swamping doubt.

      ‘Then say yes and I’ll give you the biggest, best wedding London can provide. The church, umpteen bridesmaids and a lavish reception. I can see you in white, with a long train and—’

      ‘No!’ She tensed, a flake of arctic frost drifting down her spine, chilling her.

      ‘Ava? What is it?’

      She shook her head, trying to clear the shreds of dismay. ‘No big wedding. No white dress.’

      ‘But you’d look lovely.’

      Flynn’s voice was warm as syrup but it failed to dispel the cold creeping into her bones.

      ‘No.’ She met his questioning stare. ‘Not white.’

      Memory flashed an image of the long white evening gown she’d worn for that last winter ball at Frayne Hall. When she’d opened the couturier’s box she’d thought it pretty, almost virginal. But it had clung like a glove, displaying her to hungry eyes. As it had been designed to do, she’d discovered later.

      She shuddered.

      ‘Not white, then.’

      Flynn looked puzzled, but Ava wasn’t about to enlighten him. She’d rather shove the past back where it belonged—in the past—and get on with her life.

      ‘If I marry...’ She paused, making sure he heard her conditions. ‘I don’t want lots of bridesmaids or fuss. No big wedding.’

      ‘Surely you’ll want all your friends and family to celebrate with you?’

      Ava shook her head. She had a couple of good friends. She’d learned years ago to discern between those few genuinely interested in her and those attracted by her family’s status and money. When the money bled away so did they. As for family, there was only Rupert and he was in America. Her parents were dead.

      ‘No. If I marry I’d rather elope. Just a quiet, simple wedding.’

      ‘There was I, thinking you’d revel in lace and roses. I thought you a romantic.’ His tone was light but his expression was serious, as if he’d read her tension.

      She shrugged. ‘I love lace and roses. I just don’t like a public fuss over something private.’

      ‘So you’ll marry me?’ He tilted up her face.

      Black velvet eyes caressed her and Ava’s body softened. A sigh funnelled up from her lungs and she wanted to lean into him, surrender to passion, trust him totally.

      But marriage...

      ‘I need time to think about it.’

      Even as she said it a voice cried inside that she was a fool. She loved Flynn. She wanted him. She had to learn to trust some time, didn’t she?

      His smile was endearing, his stroking fingers along her cheek infinitely tender.

      ‘Then it’s a good thing I’m an expert at persuasion.’

       CHAPTER FIVE

      FIVE DAYS LATER they were married in Prague.

      Ava gripped Flynn’s hand tight, following the prompts in a civil ceremony that should have been unemotional with its speed and lack of family or friends. Instead its simplicity concentrated the power of the vows they made.

      Ava’s heart rose as Flynn tenderly brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was butterfly-soft but there was no mistaking the fierce restraint he imposed to keep it so. His dark eyes glittered as he clasped her waist tight, his large hands splayed, his heat seeping into her. His shoulders were rigid as steel beneath his suave tailoring.

      Soon, that look promised.

      Heat arced between them and she trembled, heart full and her body at such a pitch of desire she wondered if it were possible to die of sexual frustration.

      For five days Flynn had refused to do more than cuddle, or kiss her in some public place where there was no chance of giving in to the hunger spiralling between them.

      Because he wanted their wedding night to be special, he’d declared.

      If she hadn’t known better Ava might have suspected he’d used the sensual tension between them as a lever to persuade her to marry him quickly.

      Her hands cupped his neck and she looked into eyes that glowed with triumph. She felt the same elation. She’d made the right decision. Despite the whirlwind speed of their romance, she knew Flynn was the only man in the world for her.

      ‘Come on, Mrs Marshall,’ he murmured with that crooked smile that made her heartbeat hitch. ‘It’s time for photos.’

      ‘Do we have to?’

      Flynn laughed, the sound so infectious that Ava found herself smiling. He stroked his fingers down her cheek and her laughter faded. Just his touch turned her knees to jelly.

      ‘I СКАЧАТЬ