As Hot As It Gets (17 page)

One week later…

M
ASON BENT AND CUFFED
his tuxedo pants for the third time that day to keep the sand off of them, smirking at his bare feet. Not only had he never imagined his own wedding, he'd definitely never imagined it happening on the beach without shoes. It had been Claire's idea for them to get married in the exact spot where he'd proposed to her, and he'd loved it, considering the secluded beach was his favorite place on the island.

The photographer was busy packing up his equipment, and Lucy and Judd were waiting for them to all walk together back to the wedding reception.

Claire had other plans.

Claire, his wife. For a guy who'd made a hobby of avoiding commitment, those three words gave him inexplicable satisfaction.

No, not inexplicable. Just unexpected.

And if Mason had learned anything in the past few weeks, it was that the unexpected blessings in life were the best ones.

“We've got to lose them,” Claire whispered, and Mason nodded, trying to keep a straight face.

“Judd, Luc, we'll be back at the reception soon. We'd like to take a walk alone, if you guys don't mind.”

“Of course not,” Lucy said, but she eyed them suspiciously.

“See you in a few!” Claire called as they walked off.

“I know a secluded spot in this cove up ahead,” Mason said as they walked.

Claire smiled. “You know how to hook a girl, that's for sure.”

He took her hand and they walked across the sand and along the border of the dense tropical forest that edged the beach, to the cove. In the canopy above, birds sang and chirped, and the sound of the ocean faded a bit.

This was Mason's other favorite spot on the island.

“Do you think we'll be late for our own reception?” Claire asked.

“I don't care if we are. The party can start without us.”

“Maybe if we're quick—”

“Not likely,” he said, fully intending to take his time and savor their first time making love as husband and wife.

He lifted up the skirt of her dress and found that she was wearing an exquisite little pair of beaded white-lace panties. “Too bad these will have to come off. Hate to get sand on them.”

Claire tugged them off and tossed them aside. “No worries.”

She unfastened his pants and took him out. She ran her fingers along the ridge of his cock, sending a shudder through him.

Mason lifted her up and rested her weight against the nearest palm tree. With his bride's limbs wrapped around him, her body pressed against him, her breath on his cheek, he felt happier than he ever had in his life.

He slid inside her in one delicious thrust, and when her hot, wet flesh enveloped him, it was the sweetest sensation he'd ever known.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Claire's face was softened with satisfaction, but she gave him a quizzical look. “For this? I think it's called my wifely duty,” she said with a wry smile.

“No, for making my life complete.”

Claire blinked, and he could see an uncharacteristic dampness in her eyes. “It's the very least I can do,” she said, her smile fading as he thrust deeper inside her, filling her completely.

Her face transformed with pleasure, and he knew he'd never tire of seeing her the way she looked right now. Never lose the thrill of holding her, loving her, exploring her.

And the very least he could do was spend the rest of his life making Claire happy. Starting right now, up against the palm tree.