‘Time for a refill,’ he said, and Ellen picked up her empty glass and held it tilted while he topped it up, then held his glass while he did likewise.
He set down the champagne bottle and raised his brimming glass, clinking it against hers.
‘This is to us,’ he said, and now his eyes wound into hers, his love for her glowing like an eternal flame. ‘To our marriage, to our lives together, to our love—and to our beautiful, most precious home.’
‘To us,’ she echoed. ‘To you, my darling, wonderful Max, who has made all my dreams come true!’
He dropped a kiss on her upturned face, then took a deep draught of champagne as she did likewise.
‘It’s going to be quite a busy honeymoon,’ he observed. ‘Undecorating the house from all that interior design, getting it back to the way it used to be... It’s great,’ he added, ‘that so much of the original furniture got stashed in the attics.’
‘We will need new curtains, though, and soft furnishings,’ Ellen commented.
‘We’ll choose them together. Did I tell you?’ He cast a wicked look at his bride. ‘I’ve always had a thing about spots. I think curtains made from a polka dot fabric would be ideal...’ He trailed off.
She laughed. ‘Let’s save that for the nursery, maybe,’ she said.
He cast her an interested look. ‘Are you trying to tell me something?’
His voice was casual, but Ellen was not deceived.
‘Well, no,’ she admitted. ‘But maybe this time next year? That should give my headmistress time to sort out maternity cover.’
‘You really want to go on teaching?’ Max asked.
‘Oh, yes,’ she answered. ‘I can’t just be the idle wife of a rich man! And besides...’ it was her turn to throw him a wicked look ‘...if I don’t teach Games I might go off the boil about exercise in general. I might run to fat,’ she said dulcetly. ‘And then,’ she finished dramatically, ‘you wouldn’t love me any more!’
A growl came from Max and he set down his champagne glass, removing hers at the same time. His arm around her shoulder tightened, and with his free hand he cupped her face.
‘My goddess—my lioness—you could turn into a morbidly obese rhinoceros and I wouldn’t love you an iota less. Don’t you realise it’s you I love, and to hell with anything else?’
‘Oh, Max!’ She gave a little choke, feeling her eyes misting suddenly.
How blessed she was—how unutterably blessed—that Max should love her!
He kissed her, warm and tender, deep and passionate.
Increasingly passionate.
Gently he drew her down upon the stone floor of the folly, and their bodies were limned with the light of the setting sun as desire flared between them—rich and ardent, sweet and eternal. Desire that was the manifestation of a love that would not end—that could not end. That could only bind them, each to the other, all their days...
* * * * *
EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT
Dante Di Sione can’t believe the beautiful blonde who ‘accidentally’ stole his family’s tiara is blackmailing him – for a date to her sister’s wedding! If Willow wants to be his fake fiancée, she’ll have to play the part to the full. Only Willow’s confidence is fake…and she’s a virgin!
Read on for a sneak preview of
DI SIONE’S VIRGIN MISTRESS
the fifth in the unmissable new eight book Modern series
THE BILLIONAIRE’S LEGACY
“I’m sorry. I’m out of here.”
“Dante…”