Chaste Kiss (36 page)

He'd never forget the way his beautiful mermaid teasingly swam away from him every time he got close enough to touch her. She nearly drove him to the brink. Nor would he forget that when he finally caught her, how easily her swimsuit disappeared by simply pulling on the bow ties at her hips and the base of her neck. Oh, what a night that was.

Shifting in his seat, he tried to cool the growing heat from the memory. There would plenty more memories made on their honeymoon. That is, if she didn't lock him out of their room for his teasing about Winifred.

He reached over, cupped her chin, and turned her face to his. “Isabel, I was never in love with her, and I didn't sleep with her,” he whispered, then kissed her tenderly.

She melted against him and the heat he'd been trying to cool sparked to life once again. Giving into what he knew would be a constant bit of discomfort during the flight, he lifted his arm and wrapped it around her, pulling her as close as he could.

Leaning into him, she snuggled under his chin. “I'm sorry. I'm being pretty silly."

"No. You're being honest, and I'm sorry for teasing you."

She sighed and snuggled deeper and remained that way until the plane took off.

"You know, I'm glad Debi caught the bouquet,” she said.

"I thought your old boss was going to tackle her to the ground for it.” With a chuckle, he placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You've got a good arm, sweetheart. You wouldn't have been playing matchmaker at our wedding, now would you?"

She looked up at him sheepishly. “Well, a little. Do you mind?"

"No. I don't mind, but I've got to ask. Who's the unlucky—umph!” He rubbed at his rib where she'd jabbed him. “Okay, okay. Lucky. Who's the
lucky
fellow?"

"You know perfectly well, who."

"You're not serious. Mick and Debi can't stand each other. They're—they're—"

"Say it. Just like Uncle Jerome and Constance."

Laughing he rested his forehead against hers. “Amazing. And here I thought you were always such a level headed woman."

"Oh, stop. You know what I mean.” Pulling away, she straightened up in her chair.

He kissed the tip of her nose. “I know, love. Remember, I learned a long time ago to trust your instincts. You were right about her being a natural, too. I'm glad you made her a partner and hired another assistant."

"Thank you.” She fidgeted for a moment with one of his shirt buttons. “But, instinct wasn't the only reason I hired another assistant.” An adorable grin stole across her bow like lips. “I won't be able to work in the shop as much as I wanted, after all."

"Oh? And why is that, love?"

"I'll need the extra help when the baby comes."

He jerked upright in his seat. “The ba—you mean—I'm going to be—we're going to have—"

"Well I'm glad I didn't tell you before the ceremony since becoming a father has taken away your ability to complete a sentence. You'd have never finished reciting your vows and we'd still be standing at the altar."

"But how? When?"

She shook her head. “Maybe it's the altitude."

"Isabel,” he growled, pulling her back against him.

She giggled. “As for the how, the usual way. If you recall we let ourselves get carried away a few times and forgot to use—you know. As for when, I'm only a few weeks along.” She looked worriedly up into his eyes. “You
are
happy. I mean, it isn't too soon? We didn't really talk about when, we just agreed to have children someday."

William closed his eyes and rested his head against hers. A father. He was going to be a father. He couldn't keep the tremor from his voice. “I'm probably the happiest man on this plane. No.” He opened his eyes and looked into hers. “In the world. I don't think I'll ever be able to really express how much I love you, Isabel. There aren't enough words to tell you, there aren't enough ways to show you. Just know that I do."

"And I love you,” she whispered.

He kissed her then made himself pull away. The urge to go on kissing her for the rest of the flight was powerful. As he gazed at her beautiful face, a sparkle glittered in her eyes.

"I can think of one way you can show me,” she said.

"I can think of a hundred, but none of them are appropriate at the moment."

"Oh, I don't know. Have you ever heard of the mile high club?"

He chuckled and shook his head. “Woman, will you ever cease to amaze me?"

"I hope not. I wouldn't want your life to get boring."