His Brand of Beautiful (33 page)

“She’s getting tired,” Christina said. “And she’s due for her feed. Bring her here.”

Her heart started beating even faster. She opened her shirt. Her sweating fingers missed the clip on the bra’s catch. It took a few tries. Then she eased the triangle of material carefully off her breast and held out her arms for her daughter, trying hard not to feel silly.

“Dinner time Evie‐J,” Tate said, treating the baby like an aeroplane and zooming her up, down, round...up…looping‐the‐loop…

Sheesh. It’s the longest damn plane ride ever.

The baby squealed, harder this time, she could smell her milk now and her need for it over‐rode her love of the game. Tate zoomed her down.

And stopped, his arms extended.

Eva bounced unhappily.

Gently, Tate lowered the baby onto the pillow across Christina’s lap and dropped to his haunches on the carpet by her knees. Eva’s tiny perfect hand clutched at her breast and the little mouth hunted greedily for her nipple. The baby’s nose scrubbed out the word

‘marry’ and wrinkled, like she didn’t care for the paint smell.

Tate hadn’t said a word.

Christina had to will her shoulders to relax. She felt the tingle as her milk let down, heard the baby’s rhythmic swallows.

“Wow,” Tate said at last. “What brought this on?”

“It’s important to you. I know it means a lot.”

He didn’t like that. “It has to mean a lot to you too, Christina.”

She looked down at the baby, content at her breast, eyes closing. “You told me once that I say things best when I don’t speak.”

“You say more without opening your mouth than any woman I know,” he corrected automatically.

Christina sucked in a deep breath. “A year ago I thought all I wanted was a new wine brand. Then I met you.”

He reached out a hand and rubbed her calf in his fingers.

“I knew when we were at Binara that I wanted a baby, too, and that I wanted to have that baby with you. I know I went about it all wrong, but if this little girl is what I get? Tate, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. She is the most perfect gift.” She wiped a dribble of milk from Eva’s rose‐bud lips.

“I love you. I’ve loved you for months, I just didn’t know it. And if the offer is still open, I want to be your wife. Will you marry me?” A dancing beam of light inside her chest seemed to expand and glow with the words.

“Yes or no, Tate?” Saffah cried. “We’re dying out here.”

“Yes.” He said it soft.

He kept his kiss soft too, until Christina returned the pressure and heat stirred through her breast and her thighs, and she heard his muffled sigh against her mouth.

“Looks like a yes to me.” Her father muttered from the doorway.

Tate dropped a final kiss on her
nose
.

Saffah’s head poked around Richard’s shoulder. “Are you sure Dick? I mean, he kissed her on the nose.”

“About my new in‐laws…”

“Don’t be too hard on them,” Christina said. “They never thought they’d see this day.”

“I always knew I’d see the day.” He kissed her once more, let it linger. Then he picked up the now‐sleeping Eva‐Jolie and carried her through to her bassinette.

Lily Malone

ISBN: 9780857990303

Title: His Brand of Beautiful

Copyright © 2013 by Lily Malone

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