The Accidental Bride (40 page)

Rats! He stirred. She’d woken him.

‘What do you want now, woman?’ Laughter was rich in John’s voice as he snapped awake. ‘Do I have to service you yet again? I really ought to spank you, never mind fuck you. Waking me up after such a long, rigorous day, you trollop!’

Lizzie leant over him, looking down into his beloved face and his gleaming blue eyes. ‘Rigorous? You should try having to wear a meringue and a fifteen-foot train for hours. It was a good day, though, wasn’t it?’

‘The best,’ he said emphatically. ‘I always thought that if I ever did have to have a big wedding, I’d hate it. But I didn’t. I loved every minute of it.’ A surprised grin played around his lips. ‘Especially when I saw you walking towards me in that glorious dress.’

Yes, that moment. The best. John standing waiting for her, joy and wonder in his eyes. An emotion too exquisite to describe in mere words.

‘No, it isn’t sex I’m wanting, actually. I’m a bit tired myself. But let’s put a pin in the spanking for when we get
to France, shall we? And make a date with a certain rustic table in the garden of a certain villa, eh?’

John waggled his sandy eyebrows at her. ‘Done deal, my love. Your fantasy is my command. As always.’

Tomorrow, they’d fly to the south of France, in a private hire jet, for their honeymoon, returning to the lovely villa they’d stayed at before. John had bought the place from his friend without telling her, as a surprise wedding present, but this was one pre-emptive strike with which she certainly wasn’t going to take issue.

‘What, even a pair of leather trousers?’

‘Maybe one of these days … just for you.’ John reached up to stroke her face. ‘But seriously, if you don’t want me to make love to you or smack your gorgeous bottom, why did you wake me?’ He smiled at her.

And that was it. The main reason she’d woken him.

She had to see the smile.

This was the smile that had bewitched her, the smile that had won her all those months ago, down in the Lawns Bar. It was a smile not just on the lips, but in the eyes, the face, and in the whole being of her wonderful, wonderful man.

Lizzie’s heart swelled with happiness. She was so lucky, so loved by John. She knew now that she’d see this beautiful smile every day for the rest of her life, and always reflect it right back with a smile of her own. Lit with her love.

Dipping down, she laid her lips against his. And the wonder-smile became a long and loving kiss.

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First published in 2013 by Black Lace, an imprint of Ebury Publishing
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Copyright © Portia Da Costa 2013

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This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

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