Promises (25 page)

“Take everything off
, bar these.” As he unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes never leaving her. She unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor, followed by her panties. After stepping out of her shoes, she stood waiting and basked in his burning gaze as he stripped naked. Finally he pulled her close.

His
hand cupped her breast, holding it, feeling the heaviness and relishing the sensation. He tweaked her nipple, groaning when he felt her hands cover him. Slipping with a blissful ease down, she stroked and caressed him before she dropped to her knees. Sol closed his eyes, groaning as she took him into her mouth, her tongue swirling as she sucked. “What bloody page number is this one from?”

“Room
six, remember?” She glanced up and winked, reminding him of that first night. She gave a loud shriek as he pulled her up, tossed her onto the bed, and lay beside her. His hands skated rapidly over her, his fingers like quicksilver, increasing her sense of urgency.

B
eyond the slow and gentle route, he nudged her legs apart and drove home. His hips rocked and gyrated against her body and her legs wrapped firmly around his waist. She took him deep, meeting each powerful thrust until she was trembling. Tossing her head back and forth, she was desperate for the release that only her Sol could give. She screamed and curled into him as he growled and shuddered against her. Pressing his damp forehead against hers, he breathed heavily and moved to lie next to her.

“Honey
, I needed that. Sorry it was so quick.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I promise the next time we’ll take it easy.”

“I can’t believe how much time we’ve wasted
.” She threaded her fingers through his and raised his hand to her mouth, kissing his knuckles.

“Think you’ll get used to me being a millionaire?”
He was still anxious that his money would be an issue.

“Multi
, from what I heard.” She nipped at his finger then glanced up at the worry etched on his face. “Suppose so, as long as you don’t splash it around too much,” She teased, cricking her head. “But Sol, get rid of that bloody Beetle, will you?”

He burst out laughing, a rich baritone
echo rumbling from his chest, and Alex lay in his arms enjoying the moment.

“How about a Porsche?” His hand stroked
her head, savouring the texture of her hair. He still couldn’t believe how much he’d missed her.

“Hmm
,” she frowned, knowing he’d have to buy another car. She’d never fit a pram in that.

“What’s up
? Don’t tell me you don’t like sports cars,” he said, almost groaning.

Alex grinned
and leaned her head against him, listening to the rhythmic thumping of his chest. She had to tell him, now that she was secure in the fact that he loved her and he wouldn’t be staying just for the baby’s sake.

“
Sol, can I ask you something?” She swallowed her nerves and realized it wasn’t a leap year. But hell, she couldn’t wait that long.

“Anything you like
. From now on there are no secrets between us.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “And if you don’t like Porsches we’ll get something else.”

Alex turned to face him
, needing to read his reaction, see his response. Her hand cupped his chin. “It’s not that, well it is. But shit, Sol.” She fumbled over her words. “Will you marry me?”

“Will I what?” T
hose definitely weren’t the words he was expecting to hear, and he grinned, only slightly put out. “You know I will. But why couldn’t you wait for me to do the asking?”

“Just thought I’d put the plan into action before
our baby is born.”

Sol was silent.
“You’re p-pregnant?” he stammered as she moved over onto her back. Grabbing his hand, she spread it over the almost imperceptible swelling of her belly.

“Say hello to your son
, Sol,” she whispered, quietly watching the news sink in as he took in the information.

“Oh my
God, Alex.” Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her with sweet tenderness. “And to think you’ve been hefting heavy trays around here. You bloody idiot!”

“Sol, I’m pregnant
, not ill.” She had the distinct feeling he was going to try to wrap her in cotton wool.

He put a finger to her mouth
. “Shut the hell up, Alex. I’m not going to compromise on your health, or that of our child, so get used to it!” He tempered his words with a smile, still unable to believe he was going to get married and become a father. “How do you know what it is?”

“Because I want a son that looks exactly like his father
,” she said, licking at his finger. “And I also want a big family, so I hope you’re up to it.” She looked down and grinned. “Ah, I see you are.”

“Dam
n right I am!”

“And Sol?”

“What now?” Nuzzling her throat, he let his hand crawl down and his fingers edge a trail along the inside of her thigh.

“Can I have my beach bum back, complete with ripped tatty jeans?”

“Honey, you can have whatever you want. Just shut the hell up.” Shifting his hand upwards, he stroked her gently. “And let me show you exactly how much I love you.”

* * *

* * *

S
olomon stood nervously beside Callum in the small church where Fiona had insisted they get married. She’d had her way, but he had his for the reception. He wasn’t compromising on that. As long as Alex said I do, he didn’t give a damn where they got married, but he wasn’t stinting on the actual event.

O
nly once in his life would he take this momentous step, and he was pushing the boat out, even against Alex’s wishes. She’d wanted less, he’d wanted more.

He thought back to the first night he’d spent with her
after they had come together again—the sheer intensity of it. She’d made love to him, and how. In the morning he’d watched the colour drain from her face. Holding a hand over her mouth, she’d raced to the toilet. He hovered anxiously beside her with his arms around her, stroking her head as she was sick. As her stomach heaved, his insides turned around on a corkscrew. He wanted so much to take this pain away from her.

She
lifted her head and smiled. “The joys of motherhood, but as long as I’ve got you with me I’ll cope.” And she cupped his face gently.

He was
relieved when, a few weeks later, she came through. Instead of throwing up, she began to put on weight and blossom, his old Alex returning.

H
ot, sexy, and sassy.

“How
are you feeling?” Callum nudged him, waking him from his reverie.

“Shit scared, what do you think
?” he whispered as the music began. Instead of the traditional wedding music, he’d insisted on his own. The strains of ‘You Are So Beautiful’ filtered around the church.

H
e turned to see Alex walking with confidence down the aisle. Her arm rested on her brother, who was beaming. Then, glancing at Fiona, he saw her gaze settle on her daughter. Her face was awash with happiness; at last she’d had her way and was going to become a grandmother.

The dress
Alex wore, a pale ivory, was soft and flowing. She clutched a small posy of flowers, brilliant hues of cold blues, hot burnt orange, and vibrant yellow. Instead of a veil she wore a matching garland on her head.

As she neared him
, she peered up, her green eyes radiant.

“You look beautiful
,” he whispered, his gaze dropping to her swollen stomach. He’d been in shock for over a week after she’d had her scan. It revealed twins.

“So do you
.” She admired his pale grey suit, the darkness of his hair standing in stark contrast.

Without hesitation
, Alex recited her vows. Sol nodded with approval. She was beginning to grow more confident, as he’d hoped.

T
hen the words were spoken.

“I now pronounce you man and wife
.”

He
pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly, knowing damn well they’d be having an early night. “I love you, Mrs. Avery, with all my heart.”

And Alexandra whispered
, “What page number do you want tonight, baby?”

Ellen March
and her husband live on top of a mountain in Wales, which is ideal in the summer but not so much in the winter months or when it rains. She has three grown children, one suicidal cat—it really does have nine lives—and five Alaskan Malamutes. One of her hobbies is showing and working them.

Ellen's first love, however, is reading and writing. Since childhood, she has devoured every romance and fantasy she can get her hands on and enjoys acting out her own fantasies in print. Her body of work includes erotic romance, psychological thrillers and supernatural fantasies. She has published three novels in the Doms of Drakos series—
Escorting Sydney
,
One Night in Heaven
, and
Shadow Play
(Ravenous Romance). Fanny Press will be releasing several more of her erotic romances in 2014. Next up:
His Girl Friday. 

You can find Ellen online at ellenmarch.jimdo.com.