Chain of Love (22 page)

“What the hell?” he muttered, scooping it up from the floor. Faint traces of her scent still clung to it, flowering the air. He was suddenly
very still.

It was now or never, Cathy thought, her heart pounding against the thin cotton sheet. What could she say? Something cute, light, and clever? Something
witty and sophisticated, to set the tone, keep it casual? Slowly she sat up, searching for the right words. And it came out, one perfect word, in a tone of
such longing that time seemed to stand still.

“Sin?” Her voice trembled and broke on the word. And then his arms were around her, his lips covering hers, and all that existed in the world
were their bodies and their need and love.

No more words were needed. Slowly, achingly, they brought each other to the point of ecstasy and beyond, instinctively knowing what the other needed,
answering that need and glorying in their ability to do so. Their union was made all the sweeter by the six week abstinence and the uncertainties,
uncertainties that at that moment no longer needed explaining. And as the final m-ments of passion approached and peaked, Cathy knew that nothing short of
force could remove her from her lover’s side. As his cry echoed in the night, she knew he felt the same, and together they traveled over the edge of
the mountain to dash into a thousand stars against the rocks below.

It was a long, long time before he spoke. Their bodies were drenched with sweat, still warm with the glow of their perfect love. He cradled her body
against his, one hand cupping her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her swollen lips as if he couldn’t quite believe she was really there.
“Don’t you ever,” he said, and his breathing was still ragged, “leave me again. I don’t think I could stand it.”

She snuggled closer against his commanding length, a mischievous grin playing about her mouth. “I guess I’d better not. I waited long enough
for you to find me, then had to give up and come to you. How you ever got to be so successful as a private investigator is beyond me. Can’t find a
simple thing like a wife when you set your mind to it,” she mocked lightly, giving herself up to the sweet punishment of his kiss at her lack of
respect.

“I would think,” he said after a long, breathless moment, “that you’re more than a match for me. Professionally, and
otherwise.” There was a longer pause. “I never meant to fall in love with you.”

Cathy gloried in the words, even though his body had told her as much over and over again. “I should have warned you,” she said sleepily,
rubbing her smooth cheek against his chest. “There are times when I never take no for an answer, either.”

“Is this one of them?” He cradled her head against his shoulder.

“Anything to do with you is,” she replied pertly. His hands reached down and stroked her waist, resting lightly on the gold chain.

“I know why you came back,” he drawled. “You just wanted your chain.”

“Sin, darling.” She raised herself up to look him squarely in the eye. “I didn’t need this scrap of gold to feel chained to
you.” Her face was shining with love. “You still haven’t let me say it, you know.”

His eyes were very serious as they looked down into hers. “I couldn’t, Cathy. I couldn’t tell you I loved you when I was busy tricking
you, and I couldn’t let you tell me. I figured that was the only dignity I could save you.”

A small smile curved her mouth. “And do I still need a shred of dignity?” she questioned airily.

His smile met hers. “No, my love. You have a natural dignity that nothing can take away.”

“Then,” she said, levering herself above him and resting her hands on his hard chest, “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love
you...” She continued it like a litany as her greedy mouth showered kisses on his mouth, his neck, his chest. “I love you, I love you, I love
you...” Until his hungry mouth captured hers once more, and there was no longer any need for words.

The Tamlyn rocked gently beneath her unsteady feet, and Cathy squinted up through the bright tropical sunlight to her husband’s amused face.

“Thank heavens you found a more tranquil place to anchor, she said with heartfelt gratitude, the green tinge beginning to leave her face.
“I’m not sure if this was the best possible way to spend our first anniversary.”

“You’ve never been seasick before,” Sin said lazily, leaning back against the cushions on the deck.

“I’ve never been four months pregnant before,” she replied, the pleased grin that touched her face whenever she thought of it taking the
sting out of her words. “And now that we’re relatively motionless I’ll do just fine. Where exactly are we?” She peered out at the
small, secluded cove with dawning, delighted recognition.

“Five hours south of St. Alphonse.” He caught her exuberant body with expert ease, laughing tenderly at her. “I told you I could find it
again.”

“I should have trusted you,” she said ruefully, her green eyes shining up at him as she settled herself into the curve of his arm.

“Yes, you should have,” he returned lightly, his lips brushing hers. “But I forgive you.”

A small chuckle escaped her. “Magnanimous of you. Do you suppose Alexander is going to enjoy having a new cousin?”

“I expect Meg will have them playing together in the cradle. Are you going to dote on ours as much as Meg moons over Alexander?”

“Probably worse.” She cast a belatedly worried glance up at his suntanned profile. “Will you be jealous?”

“You forget, I know you pretty well by this time. I have no doubt you have enough for the both of us, and more besides.”

With a sigh of complete happiness she pressed closer against his lean, sun-warmed body. “You’re absolutely right. And absolutely
wonderful.”

“Of course I am. And to prove my devotion I’ll tell you now that I’d rather sail down to the Caribbean with you vomiting all the way,
than with your brother-in-law anytime.”

“Charles’s snoring being worse than nausea?” she queried impishly. “You’re so romantic I don’t know how I stand
it.”

In light punishment his face covered hers, blocking out the bright sunlight as his mouth caught hers in a long, slow, deep kiss. When he finally released
her, her heart was pounding, her pulses racing, and the light that shone in her large green eyes was both dazzling and dazzled.

“Not romantic, am I?” Sin grumbled. “I’ve got a mind not to give you your anniversary present.”

“But you already did!” Cathy protested. “This trip-”

“Is ephemeral. In a while it will only be a memory. I wanted something more lasting.” He drew a small velvet box from the pocket of his khaki
shorts.

“Oh, Sin, I didn’t get you anything....” She took the box reluctantly, but he silenced her with one large, warm hand spread tenderly over
her rounded belly that swelled gently over the skimpy bikini.

“Hush, love,” he murmured. “You’ve already given me the two most important things in my life.”

With trembling fingers she opened the box. There, nestled against the soft velvet, was a long gold chain, with a heart-shaped emerald pendant attached.
“Oh, Sin,” she whispered.

“You’ve almost outgrown the other one,” he said lightly, his fingers playing with the gold chain that now fit quite snugly around her
thickening waist. “So I thought I’d better get you one for your neck. I wanted to make sure you’d always have something to remind
you.”

She smiled up at him tremulously, her emerald-green eyes bright with unshed tears. “Remind me of how much I love you, how much I’m chained to
you? I don’t need to be reminded, Sin.”

He shook his head. “No, darling. It’s to remind you how much
I
love you. And that I’m chained to you just as you are to me, by
chains of love as fine and strong as the gold around your waist. Never doubt it, Cathy. Never doubt me.”

It was a plea, not a command, and her answer was in her eyes, in her heart, in her mouth as she kissed him, her softly rounded body pressed against his
lean strength. Passion, never far away, flared between them. As Sin scooped her up in his strong arms and started toward the cabin Cathy let out a soft
laugh of pure pleasure. “I think I’m going to enjoy this honeymoon even better than the first one,” she murmured as with great dexterity
he maneuvered them down into the main cabin and back toward the bedroom.

“And why is that?” he queried, one eyebrow raised.

“Because this time I won’t make you wear those ridiculous jockey shorts,” she laughed. And reaching around his shoulder, she pushed the
bedroom door shut behind them.