Rugged (18 page)

Then she felt a hungry kiss on her neck, and excitement conquered her fear.

“Jed?” she whispered

“Yes,” he whispered back, his lips not leaving her skin.

Down her spine. Inch by inch.

“I’m sorry too,” she said. “I hadn’t realized that you weren’t the only one who needed to compromise. I have to change too. I’m bossy, and I don’t trust easily enough. And sometimes I can be a little stubborn.”

“Hush.” Jed kept on kissing her back. “I like you just the way you are.” His lips reached the base of her spine, moved to the side. His teeth closed over the crest of her buttock, took a teasing bite.

“Ah!” The cry of passion burst from her throat.

This time, Jed didn’t ask if he’d hurt her. He knew her responses by now.

“Did you learn that from a book?” Rachel asked, her voice a ragged gasp.

Jed moved up to nuzzle her neck. His low laugh sent a breeze over her damp skin.

“Yes,” he said. “And I guess you liked it.”

“I know what to get you for your birthday.” Rachel felt herself blush. “Some books…racier ones…perhaps one or two involving silk scarves and bedposts and—” Her words ended on a muffled cry as Jed stood up in the bathtub with a rush of water. He stepped over the edge, leaned in to scoop her into his arms, and carried her out to the bedroom, leaving a trail of puddles in their wake.

He laid her on the bed and settled over her, nudging her legs apart. “That sounds tempting, but it’s not the present I’m asking for.”

“Then what are you asking for?” Rachel watched him brace up on his arms above her, the muscles in his shoulders bunching and rippling.

Jed paused. For a moment, their gazes held. Moving again, he thrust into her, smooth and strong, and halted to allow her time to adjust to him.

“I’ll let you figure it out.” He started moving inside her. “There’s no rush. Nine months ought to do it, but I don’t mind if it takes a little longer. Or takes a bit more practice.”

And then he set out to make his dreams come true.

Chapter Ten

Rachel clasped Jed’s hand and watched her boss and coworkers pull up outside the log cabin that now included a two story extension with an office, a dark room, two more bedrooms and another bathroom.

“Hank is going to eat me up alive,” she groaned.

“We’ll defend you,” Ambrose called from the other end of the porch.

Nilesh said nothing, but strolled over and handed her a little white flag he’d made from a pencil and a silk handkerchief.

Philippe was checking the settings on his Cannon and Melvin was adjusting the video camera on a tripod, getting ready to film the wedding ceremony.

The minister, who seemed flummoxed by it all, stood listening in silence.

Hank slammed the door of the rented minivan and sauntered over, without waiting for the rest of his staff to get out of the vehicle. He was trying to look stern, but a big smile was fighting to break through. “I never expected you to be so irresponsible,” he bellowed. “I can’t believe you are going to have a baby in January. You were supposed to be in the office for the tax season.”

Jed moved to stand in front her, his broad back sheltering her.

Rachel peeked out from behind him and waved the white flag. “I will be.”

“What?” Hank snapped his head back. “Is something wrong?” He stared at her stomach that only showed a tiny swelling inside the white silk dress.

“No.” She smiled and stepped out from Jed’s shadow. “Jed will come to California and look after the baby while I’m in the office. He’s hiring a full time ranch manager to take care of things here. I’ll only miss a few days while I’m in hospital. I’ll promise you that I’ll be in the office as soon as I’m back on my feet.” Her mouth pulled into a tight line at the thought of the sacrifice she’d make, missing her baby’s first few weeks. She reminded herself that Hank had stood by her during her troubles. She owed him. “Only until the end of April, mind you,” she said sternly. “Then I’m going to take six months off to spend every second of the day with my child.”

Hank’s gaze shuttled between them. “The
Rugged Man
will be changing diapers?”

Jed grinned in response, a lazy grin that bore no anger or resentment over the prospect of humor at his expense. His shoulders rose and fell in an easy shrug inside the formal black suit.

“I’ve got it under control,” Ambrose cut in. “Market research says we need to soften his image. A baby will do the trick.”

“I’m not having this baby to improve your sales,” Rachel protested.

“Then why are you having this baby that you are having right in the middle of the tax season?” Hank grumbled.

“I’m having this baby because my husband-to-be told me that no disruption in his life will be too big if I go back to him.”

“That settles it.” Hank slammed the heel of his palm to his forehead. “Never promise anything to a woman.”

“Why is that?” Jed asked.

“Because they’ll remember,” Hank replied.

“Good thing too,” Jed said.

“Why is that?” Rachel asked.

Jed leaned over her and kissed her, full on the lips in front of everyone. When he spoke, he looked only at her, shutting out everyone else, but he didn’t lower his voice. “Because every minute of every day, I want you to know how much I love you, and if you didn’t remember, I’d have to repeat it so often that I’d never have time to say anything else.”

“Hey,
Rugged Man
can’t talk like that,” Nilesh shouted.

Rachel paid no attention.

She was too busy standing on tiptoe and kissing Jed back.

About the Author

Tatiana March writes contemporary and historical romance, as well as romantic suspense.

In her spare time, Tatiana enjoys hiking and camping, particularly in Arizona where some of her historical novels are set.

Tatiana lives in Buckinghamshire in the UK.

You can read more about Tatiana and her books on
tatianamarch.com

Also Available from
Resplendence Publishing

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