Melody of the Heart (Runaway Train, #4)

I smiled down at her. “I think that’s a promise I can easily keep. I never knew you wanted to go that much.”


She nodded. “I love Italy. I love the idea of traveling anywhere in Europe.”

“We have a European tour coming up.”

Her brows arched in surprise. “You do?”

“Yep. As my wife, you’re more than obligated to come along.”

She laughed. “If it works out with my teaching schedule, I’d love to.”

At the mention of teaching, I sighed. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I just hate that you have to go back home in a week. I want you out on the road with me. Can’t you quit your teaching job?”

She gasped. “Why would I want to do that?”

“Seriously, Lily, you don’t need to work. I make plenty enough money for the two of us.”

“But I just started teaching. And I love it.”

“Don’t you love me more?”

“If you loved me, you wouldn’t ask me to choose. You would want me to do the thing that made me happy, just as I supported you all those years.”

Deep down I knew she was right. Her dream since we first got together was to be a teacher. I could tell just how passionate she was about teaching from the way she spoke about it. Leaning down, I kissed her gently. “I’m sorry. You’re right. You deserve to do what makes you happy. I can’t imagine living a nomadic life on the road with me and the guys would be that thrilling.”

“I’ll come out to visit you every weekend. I promise.”

“And during the summer, you’re completely mine. Right?”

She grinned. “Oh yes.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

When the gondola ride was over, I happily climbed out and then helped Lily with her dress. I had one thing on my mind, and that was getting the honeymoon started. We would be leaving Vegas in the morning for our next tour stop in Reno, so we had to make use of the time we had.

As I started tugging her toward the elevators, she balked. “What is it?” I demanded.

“I need to do some shopping.”

I groaned. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Wagging her eyebrows, Lily jerked her head at the store we were in front of. “Oh, okay,” I replied, with a smile. She ducked into Victoria’s Secret alone. Pacing around outside, I waited for her to make a choice…or several choices. At this point, I didn’t need to see her in any sexy lingerie to get me up and running. Right now she could be wearing a burlap sack, and I’d still blow my load. There was something about getting to make love to my wife for the very first time that was so fucking sexy.

After what felt like an eternity, Lily emerged with a bag and a secretive smile. “Now are we ready?”

“Yes, Mr. Impatient, we are.”

Taking her by the arm, I once again hurried her to the elevators. Even though I had just been with her last night, I couldn’t wait to be inside her again. Of course, this time was monumental because it was the first time we would be making love as husband and wife. It felt a little overwhelming, kind of like the first time we were together.

When we got to the suite, I put the keycard in. After swinging the door open, I grabbed Lily around the waist. “Brayden, what are you doing?” she demanded.

“I’m carrying you over the threshold.”

She laughed. “But this is just a hotel room, not our house.”

I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Still wanted to do it.” When I set her on her feet, she glanced at me over her shoulder. “Unzip me, so I can go put on your surprise.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I muttered. I didn’t want to just unzip her. I wanted to tear off her dress and start going at it right there on the floor.

Once she was unzipped, Lily slid out of her dress, revealing her strapless bra and underwear. “You’re killing me, babe.”

“Just wait,” she teased before grabbing the bag and running into the bathroom.

I groaned and then started working at getting out of my suit and tie. When I had stripped down to my boxers, I waited patiently on the edge of the bed for Lily to appear. Nothing could have prepared me for when the door opened. It was like an extreme moment of Deja vu. She was wearing lingerie that looked almost exactly like what she had worn for our first time. “How did you…?”

She smiled. “I was actually going for something in black or red when I saw this.” She swept her hands to her thighs. “Real garters this time instead of just the stockings.”

“I’m digging them.”

With a laugh, Lily crooked her finger at me. “Come here, Mr. Vanderburg, your wife would like to touch you.”

“She would?”

“Oh yes, very much.”

I rose off the bed and went over to her. “We really should open a bottle of champagne or something.”

“Later,” she argued.

“You don’t want to take things slow?”