And now he was going to execute his well-laid plans.
At the chime of midnight, he slipped from his room and stole silently down the hall. Candlelight flickered in the dark corridor as he found his way to Meredith’s door.
He lightly tapped on the heavy door, glancing up and down the hall lest he be discovered. He listened, at the sound of footsteps from within the door, he held his breath.
Meredith cracked the door. ”Yes?”
Without an invitation, he pushed the door open farther, letting himself in.
“What in heaven’s name took you so long?” Meredith pulled him in the rest of the way, shut the door firmly, and all but leapt into his arms, meeting him in a frenzied kiss.
“Apparently I’m late, a thousand apologies,” he mumbled against her lips, then adjusted his grip so that he was carrying her towards her bed. ”I promise to make it up to you.”
“Delightful.” She ran her fingers though his hair, tugging on it, sending him into a spell of desire.
He slowly laid her on the bed, covering her with his body, and both cursing and adoring every stitch of fabric concealing her body; cursing it because it was a barrier, adoring it because it kept something precious hidden, something that would only belong to him.
“I can wait,” he murmured against her lips, his body denying his words.
“I know.” She arched into him.
“I will.” His voice was a coarse undertone, his body humming with a desire almost too powerful to think around.
“Which is one of the many reasons I’m marrying you. Because you would wait.” She placed her fingers over his heart.
“I would,” he affirmed, studying her beauty. ”I will… but only just.” He grinned wickedly then captured her mouth in a promising kiss, lacing his tongue with hers, binding his very soul into the kiss. His hands ran up her petite frame, glorying in the curves, the shape, and committing it to memory, exploring his soon-to-be wife. She gasped as his lips left hers and trailed down her jaw, to the sensitive spot below her ear, and down her neck to the soft rise of her breast, then back up, covering every inch with his touch, his brand.
His.
No one else’s.
She arched, gasped, pulled him in tight, yet he forced a control he didn’t want to have, all because it as a matter of honor.
A matter of respect.
A promise, because if he could control himself with her — the one who owned him body and soul — no other temptation would come close.
“Lucas.” Her voice caressed his name, almost breaking his control. Her skin was soft and fragrant, making him heady with the scent of rose water. Yet just when he wanted, needed, more of her, he drew away.
Because as much as he wanted her body, he wouldn’t settle for just one part of her. He wanted every part. Gently he rolled beside her, pulling her into the lee of his body. He gloried in the way her skin was flushed by his affection, the way her heart beat pounded with the desire he had awakened within her. She shifted so that she faced him, and reaching up, she caressed his face, tracing his jaw line, and placing a kiss to his lips.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“This.” She laced her fingers through his.
And they talked, and as she spoke, he studied her expressions, memorized the way her eyes would light up. Her laughter was musical, and it always seemed there was a hint of mischief in her expression. A thousand nuances he discovered, glimpsed through different lenses, all flooded his world.
And all too soon, morning dawned, and with a final kiss, he slipped out of her room and into his own.
For the last time.
And once they were married, every last shred of control he had was going to be set free.
IT WAS MAGICAL. There was no other word for it. When Lucas had knocked on her door, she thought she knew what was going to happen.
Yet again, he shocked her — in the most endearing way possible.
Because it would have been natural for her to give herself to him, after all, they were to be married.
But to be married wasn’t the same as truly being married. Few men would consider that small detail as important.
Yet he had.
After he left, she fell into a sweet sleep, only to be awoken by another knock on the door.
“Meredith!” Sara’s voice called to her.”Wake up!”
Slowly, thorough the fog of sleep, Meredith stretched and rose from bed, padding to the door. “Yes?”