Magic Moment (13 page)

“We’ll get married later,” he whispered against her ear. “Let’s start on the baby now.”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer. His hand glided up her nightshirt, not stopping until he cupped a breast. His other hand cradled her head as his mouth came down on hers. His kiss was soft, then turned more insistent, his tongue creating a seductive rhythm.

When he came up for air, his gaze passed over her face. She smiled at him. He simply had that effect on her. His grin matched hers, and his lips brushed her temple. She moaned a soft, contented sigh.

“Chase.” Her predicament wasn’t his to carry. Their conversation wasn’t finished. “We have to talk.”

“Shh.” He gave her a quick kiss. “This is your ship’s captain issuing an order. No talking.”

He kissed her again, and she responded with ready eagerness. His body moved against her. As their kiss deepened, she felt his passion. Chase wanted her this instant, and it had nothing to do with making a baby. He was hard and ready, and wasn’t about to be gentle and patient. She grabbed a fistful of black fleece and tugged down his sweat pants. Her desire synchronized with his, burning, aching to be a part of him.

His kisses deepened, a demanding need that she matched wholeheartedly. He pulled the nightshirt over her head, almost ripping the fabric.

“Laura,” he panted.

She felt his need pressed against her. He had to take her this instant.

“I’m not glass. I won’t break.” She clung to him.

Her urgency reflected his. Laura pulled Chase to her, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her lips met his, their kiss intensifying their desire. Instinctively, her mouth opened to his probing tongue. She was ready for him, too. Spreading her thighs, she opened herself wide.

Without a word, without pause, he was inside her, plunging deep. Sighing, Laura arched against him, welcoming the vigorous, driving force. He panted, moaning her name against her ear. More than lust compelled him. Chase thrust as if branding her, momentum pushing him feverously toward the edge. They were locked together, neither wanting to let go.

She sensed his powerful urgency, matching his hearty speed stroke for stroke, trembling with the threat of her own release. Their excitement climbed and peaked, reaching higher and higher for their plateau. A hot, feverish sensation surged throughout her entire body.

Chase, nearing the brink, plunged wildly while alternating between kissing Laura and murmuring her name. As her body jerked with ecstatic tremors, he lunged and tensed one final time before shaking with his own burning relief.

• • •

Laura lay beneath him, her arms clasped around his waist.

She liked Chase sprawled on top of her. His arms encircled her head, his own head resting on her shoulder as he dozed. His cheek was warm and sweaty pressed to her bare skin. She rubbed her chin on his soft, wavy hair.

She had always thought he had a nice body with his clothes on. Her hands roamed over his muscular shoulders. A shameless grin curled her lips as she traveled lightly over his smooth, broad back, hard thighs, and firm buttocks. He was much more appealing with his clothes off.

They hadn’t discussed last night, their feelings, the ins and outs of what had occurred, and yet they had made love again. He wanted to get married and have a baby. All to protect her. Chase bit off much more than he could chew, taking on the responsibility of protecting a wife and child.

Still, Laura had always wanted a baby. Of course, with the right man. Only that man wasn’t coming along. From the very beginning with Jack, she knew he wasn’t “the one.”

She had never been a career “go-getter.” Never looked for the next rung on the corporate ladder. Her job was just that, a job to pay the bills and keep busy. What she had really always dreamed of, besides her antique shop, was a husband, a family, the PTA. Aspirations she had shared only with her mother because in the twenty-first century, there seemed to be something atypical with wanting those simple things in life.

A baby, a little person to love and nurture. Her eyes misted and she smiled, hearing a small, soft voice call, “Mommy.” Laura yearned for a baby, someone to be close to, a precious little darling who would be a part of her.

This one would also be a part of Chase.

His borderline insanity was contagious.

She had to marry Chase. They not only had to worry about his father, but also Oliver Daniels or whoever else was a part of this racket. If the ringleader, be he Daniels or whomever, discovered Chase had lied, that Laura wasn’t his pregnant wife, it was unlikely even his father could keep Chase or her safe. Chase had put his life on the line with his tall tale. She had to stand with him.

Chase … her Chase … her very special Chase. She couldn’t deny her feelings for him, partly because they had surprised her. While Chase was charming and fun to be around, his compassion for others and sensitivity amazed her and drew her straight to him.

But Chase didn’t want a wife. What he did want was not to have her death on his conscience … or on his boat. And she didn’t want him endangering himself for her. Despite her growing feelings for him, she wasn’t about to saddle him with a lifetime commitment when all he wanted was to protect her.

Laura’s fingers tap-danced up his back’s perfect cords. “Chase,” she murmured. He didn’t respond, and she called his name again.

His eyes blinked open, and anticipating her desire for more intimacy, his lips covered hers. Laura was more than willing to oblige, but she had an answer for him first.

“Chase, I’ll marry you and have your baby. On one condition.”

His eyes met hers. A wayward golden lock hung on her forehead and he twisted it around his index finger. “What?”

“You don’t deserve to be saddled with a wife just to protect me. When this is over, we get divorced.”

He took no time to consider. “I have a condition for you.”

“Yes?”

“You will not keep me away from my child.”

She kissed his cheek. “You always will be my baby’s father. You can see our child any time you want.” She blinked back tears. The simple thought of keeping their child from him was repugnant. “Any time, day or night, with or without notice. I promise.”

“Good,” he said softly. “We’ve been through too much not to be fair to each other.”

The following day, shortly before noon, perfect results on their blood tests, the ink still drying on the paperwork, and dressed in jeans, Chase and Laura married at the Beach Bay Courthouse. The mailroom clerk, serving as best man, kept disposal cameras in his desk. He took several pictures of the smiling couple before Chase purchased the camera.

The day’s events seemed surreal. A quick wedding ceremony, a leisurely lunch, including slices of vanilla cake substituting as wedding cake, followed by a peaceful stroll along the bay, Laura hadn’t had a minute to second-guess their actions. She had never been so content.

Later, in the darkened cabin, Chase lay across her. The man was wearing them out, and if she didn’t find herself pregnant quickly, they would literally copulate themselves to death. The image shook her body with a giggle. Without disrupting his snooze, Chase eased off her length. Laura snuggled up against his side and he turned toward her, his chin brushing the top of her head. She gazed at her husband’s left hand, resting comfortably on her breast, a gold band on his third finger. That morning in the jewelry store, she had been astonished by his genuine desire for her ring’s mate.

She pressed his open palm to her bare belly. On their way to the courthouse, they had stopped at an ATM and Chase noted their wedding date on his receipt. In the courthouse ladies’ room, Laura had rummaged through her purse, finding the small calendar she carried. Forget that she had missed lunch the previous day with Kate — she would email her friend regrets from Chase’s laptop — Laura had always kept track of that dreaded twenty-eighth day every month so she could curtail her caffeine intake. As she had stared at the date with the red felt-pen circle, she counted backwards.

• • •

The next afternoon Chase strolled down the dock, holding the window above his head. The weather had clouded up again, but the temperature was quite pleasant. A light wind whisked the waves. Laura, stretched out on a deck chaise, wore her jeans and a T-shirt and flipped through a magazine.

Installing the window proved a challenge for Chase, probably because he concentrated more on sneaking glances at his beautiful wife.
Laura, his wife.
He liked that.

Their marriage had been no idealistic whim. Nor had he been playing games when he told her his father would protect a pregnant daughter-in-law. This marriage, along with the baby proposition, solved a dilemma. As Mrs. Chase Donovan, Laura was safe. He got to hold on to the woman he was crazy about. And her pregnancy? Well, at this point, all that really mattered was that Dick Donovan thought Laura carried his grandchild. Planting that idea in his father’s head was the only way Chase could count on to protect her.

She would be safe with his aunt. What he expected to find in the warehouse invoices, how he would handle the discovery and what he would say to his father still preyed on Chase’s mind. But one detail at a time. Right now the priority was getting Laura, his wife, to Sea Tower.

He gazed out the brand new window, picked up his cell phone from the desk and pressed a digit. She jerked forward, startled, and then realized she had her phone on vibrating mode. Placing the magazine facedown across her thighs, she took her cell phone from her jeans’ hip pocket. She glanced at the caller ID, and put the gadget to her ear. His eyes fixed on the kittenish smile spreading across her face.

“Hello, husband.”

Husband … Chase’s heart did a flip, delighted to hear how she addressed him. He never considered a woman addressing him as such. He liked hearing the word. “Come see the new window,” he said.

“I’m comfortable. If you want me, come and get me.” She barely hid her lighthearted laugh.

“If you make me come up there, you’ll pay, my beauty.” His voice lowered, mimicking a ruthless privateer.

“I’m scared,” she taunted and ended the call.

Chase took the stairs two at a time. The boat was docked tight against the pier, swaying in the sparkling bay water and surrounded by bright sunlight. Laura’s face was buried in the magazine, and she never looked more desirable. Her golden hair windblown, cheeks rosy, Chase couldn’t help himself. He wanted her. Plus, she did disobey the captain’s direct order.

She focused on her reading, paying him no mind when he stepped onto the deck. He scooped her up in his arms. Laura screamed, more startled than frightened. He dipped her over the side. She shouted a loud protest and smacked his shoulder with the rolled-up magazine. He dipped her again. Her feet kicked the air.

“When we get inside, I’ll show you what happens to naughty wenches who disobey a captain’s orders.”

Laura half screamed, half laughed as he carried her down the stairs. She slapped his chest with the magazine, wriggling in his grasp.

She was still laughing — at his amateur buccaneer voice she insisted — as he dropped her onto the soft mattress.

“You’re a very bad lass to make sport of the ship’s captain,” Chase croaked.

He plopped down beside her. Laura’s attempt to roll away from his reach proved fruitless. His hands closed around her waist, pulling her against his body. His mouth took hers, cutting off her laughter. Laura returned the hungry kiss. His mouth traveled to a cheek, down her throat, and back up to take hold of her mouth again. His tongue slid inside, meeting hers, and Laura’s soft, slender body relaxed against him. He gentled the kiss, brushing his tongue over her lips.

“That’s what you get for being a naughty wench,” he said drawing away, his voice husky.

She met his gaze and smiled demurely. “I like being naughty.”

Chase liked her naughty, too. He lowered his head and kissed her again. Teasing, caressing, his mouth parted her lips, his tongue sparring with hers. He was lying on his side, facing her. His hand found her left breast and closed over it. His hand kneaded, a thumb grazing her nipple, his teeth gently biting the side of her neck. Laura sighed, pressing closer. Desire soared through him, enjoying her nearness. She was soft, warm, passionate, tantalizing. His mouth moved lower, kissing the soft mounds of her breasts through her shirt. She sighed, her fingers weaving themselves in his wavy hair. His mouth crept lower, his fingers clenching the zipper of her jeans. Damn, would he ever get enough of her?

“Time for this later,” she breathed into his ear. “First, I want to see our new window.”

He rolled off her and flipped over on his back. “You sure can kill a mood.”

“I’ll be back.” She slid off the bed. “I want to see our window.”

“No, too late.” He propped himself up on elbows and looked down at his pelvis. “You ruined it.”

“I can fix that easily.”

She knelt on the window seat, staring out the casement. Chase loved hearing her say
our window
,
jointly, together, like regular, sharing, married people. It felt right. Her divorce notion … he had gone along with her because it was the easiest thing to do. But Chase was convinced he and Laura were good for each other. He had at least nine long months to convince her.

“Chase,” she said, her voice wary.

“What? Did I forget a nut or bolt?” He swung off the bed and stood beside her.

She whirled and looked at him, her previously amused green eyes now alarmingly wide. “Chase, there’s a man watching us.”

Fear, an all too familiar sensation, returned to Laura. “I didn’t pay him much attention. I thought he was taking in the day, enjoying the water,” she said, her voice cracking.

Chase stood next to her, fixated on the outside. “Honey, no one is there. Did you see him the entire time you were on deck?”

She stared back out the window. There was no one in sight. “Not until you picked me up. When you spun me around.” Her words pushed through the tightness in her throat. “I saw him. He was on the dock. I thought he was enjoying the water,” she repeated. “He was by the newspaper box.
He was there.
”