Page 44 of The Maverick

“The only time I’ve been lucky is just now when you saidyes. The rest I planned.”

“Not true. You didn’t plan for us to be in kindergarten together and/or that your parents kept you at that school, even after they moved to the ranch with your grandparents. Speaking of your parent’s ranch, do you know how lucky you are to have someplace like that in your family for generations?”

He kissed the sensitive area behind her ear and then down her neck. Then he did the same thing to the other side. “I’m aware.”

His kisses barely touching her neck made her shiver all over. “You’re making it hard for me to concentrate.”

“I’m aware.” He nipped her neck and then soothed the area with his tongue, followed by a kiss.

“Are you aware we have a lot to plan before we get married?”

“I’m aware, but that doesn’t have to start until tomorrow. I’m sure your mom will be thrilled to help you. My mom, too. You’re not doing this alone. I might even be coerced into helping. Although, I don’t know anything about that stuff.”

“Greg’s mother did everything for our wedding. She even picked out my wedding dress.”

He stopped kissing her. He looked over her shoulder, his eyes narrowed a bit, and his forehead wrinkled. “Do you want a wedding dress? You know a white one with a train and lace and all that?”

She chuckled at his sudden seriousness and turned in his arms to face him. “No. I really don’t. I want something I can wear again and again. Something that when I wear it I’m reminded of our special day.”

He kissed her gently. “What about a honeymoon? Where do you want to go?”

“Well.” She wasn’t sure how to broach this subject, so she just plowed ahead. “I want to do something with the kids. I don’t want them to feel left out of any of it.”

“I don’t know. I think I’d like some time for just the two of us before we officially become a family of four.”

She nodded. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way.”

“Think about it for a bit and then we can get together and talk about it again.”

She tilted her head. “Where would you like to go?”

He answered quickly, like he’d been thinking about it for a while. “Someplace with a beach and ocean and drinks with little umbrellas.”

She laughed, as she was sure he intended. “I think that sounds great. Do you have an island somewhere or a friend with a private villa on some secluded beach?”

“Actually, I do. Adam purchased an island for the company’s use. We normally use it for wining and dining prospective clients, but I’m sure I could reserve it for our honeymoon.”

She widened her eyes and dropped her jaw. “Are you kidding me? You have an island?”

He laughed. “Of course, I’m kidding you. Islands are out there for sale, but the expense and upkeep is ridiculous. We have many more mundane things to spend our money on. Like more land and cattle for our ranches. For Ray, he wants to expand his racing stock. An island we would barely use is a waste.”

She blew out a deep breath. “Oh, thank goodness. I was afraid you’d really lost your mind.”

He grinned and cupped the back of her head and massaged her neck with his fingers. “Not hardly. I asked you to marry me, didn’t I? That clearly shows I haven’t lost my mind and that I’m a very smart man, indeed.”

She smiled and kissed his chin, then each cheek and his forehead before finally landing on his lips. When she pulled back, she ran a hand through his hair and gazed into his eyes. The pool house was too dark to see the beautiful blue looking back. “I love you, Nicholas Kincaid. I always have. You are my best friend, and soon you’ll be my lover. I can’t wait to make love to you, but not until after we’re married. We have children to think about, and I don’t want to confuse them about what is and what isn’t acceptable behavior. Do you agree?”

He reached up and cupped her head. “I do, but this will be the longest two weeks of my life, you know that don’t you?”

“Mine, too. I want to be with you in every way. Please don’t think I don’t.”

“I could never believe you don’t want to make love. We’ll just have to settle for cuddling for now.”

“I’m all for that, but I’m ready to be under a blanket in front of the fireplace with our wine. We can lean up against the sofa and cuddle all we want under the blanket.”

“That sounds perfect.” He kissed her quick. “Get up and let’s go inside.”

She stood, stepped around the lounger to the table, and picked up the empty glasses. “You get to bring the bottle. I don’t want to forget it and have to answer questions from curious children tomorrow.”