The Australian Affairs Collection. Margaret Way

The name rolled sweetly off his tongue.

      ‘Well, Alina James, do I call for the car or do you want more dessert?’

      ‘I’m full. It was all so delicious.’

      The tip of her tongue licked her lip, as if searching for a final taste, sending a fiery jolt to his groin.

      * * *

      They were alone apart from the limousine driver. Ethan wrapped his arms around his bride and kissed her, slow and deep. His body responded with a sharp tug, low in his gut. She tasted sweet—pavlova-sweet. He craved more. He craved pure Alina taste.

      His wife. They were legally one. She...

      He was doused in a cold shower of reality. He could do nothing that might remind Alina of her first wedding night. Nothing she might regret in the morning.

      He settled back holding her close, murmured, ‘We’ll soon be home, Mrs James,’ into her ear.

      Home. The word echoed in Alina’s head. Her home—for as long as she chose to stay. Ethan had given the impression he meant every word of his vows. Only she knew he didn’t.

      ‘Tired, sweetheart?’ The tenderness in his eyes melted her misgivings.

      ‘Just thinking. Thank you for making tonight so wonderful, even if it’s n—’

      His mouth cut off the rest. Powerful and firm. Punishing. ‘It’s as real as any other,’ he grated, tilting her face, his flashing dark eyes boring into hers. ‘Don’t ever forget that.’

      Her body chilled, as if she’d dived into icy water. She’d offended him—the last thing she’d intended. Tears prickled in her eyes as she struggled for words to put it right.

      Suddenly she was crushed against him and kissed, with a thoroughness that left her body alive and burning.

      He looked dazed when he broke away, bemused and aroused. She knew he’d see the same in her. Complete obliviousness to their surroundings.

      Ethan’s fingers shook as they cradled her cheek. ‘Alina, darling...’ He trembled as he drank her in. His reaction when she’d denied their marriage was real had astounded him. He’d endeavoured to show her how valid it was to him. Succeeded spectacularly. With a kiss like none he’d ever known.

      He struggled to draw air into empty lungs, fought to clear his brain. He’d been lost in a fantasy world where the only reality was the taste of Alina on his tongue and the softness of her in his arms. Heaven.

      Her stunning eyes were dark and bewildered. His stomach twisted. Bewitched by her beauty, and by her response to his kisses, he’d allowed his own ardour to override the need for restraint. Only noisy revelry out on the street as the vehicle stopped had thrown him back to reality.

      He leant his forehead on hers and sucked in air scented with spring and his wife. ‘I’m the one who’s apologising now. Not for the kiss. Never for the kiss as long as I live. Not for anything we’ve shared—especially tonight. I have no right to be angry when you’ve complied so willingly with everything I’ve asked of you.’

      He helped her from the car, thanked the driver and hugged her to his side as they walked to the elevator, squeezed tighter as they flew upward. When the ping announced the opening of the doors he scooped her into his arms—ignoring her protests—and stepped out.

      ‘This is for me, sweetheart.’

      Her pupils dilated, making her eyes even more alluring.

      ‘This will be my once in a lifetime.’

      He jiggled her body onto his chest as he used his key card, pushed open the door, and covered her lips with his as he carried her over the threshold. She slid her arm around his neck, her fingertips curling into his hair.

      After kicking the door shut he continued the kiss, slowly letting her slide down until her feet were on the floor. Clasping her hands, he stepped back, imprinting her into his memory.

      ‘Tonight was special in so many ways, but this is the memory I’ll keep for ever. You—so incredibly beautiful, so enticingly sweet.’

      Alina watched his Adam’s apple bounce as he swallowed his emotion. She’d been right in thinking their relationship might change—wrong to believe that it was a bad thing. Hormones or not, she couldn’t deny she cared about Ethan James.

      ‘You made it special, Ethan. I was... Oh, I don’t know how to explain. Then you were there, and everything was right.’

      ‘And now I have to let you go to bed.’

      She heard the desire in his voice, saw it in his eyes. For a second she wondered why she wasn’t pulling away and running. Then she gave her answer without any qualms.

      ‘I’m your wife.’

      She felt his tension flow out, even though their hands were their only contact. Heat flared in his eyes, quickly softening to concern.

      ‘And much more than I deserve, Alina James. Turn around.’

      He unclasped her necklace and trailed light kisses across her neck. Slipped his arms around her and drew her close, his breath teasing her earlobe.

      ‘Go to bed, darling. While I can still let you leave. Tonight I want no regrets.’

      Her cheeks burned. She’d refused to think of that other first night, and yet he’d understood how it might come flooding back. She’d blatantly offered herself, denying the possible—probable—consequences.

      Twisting to face him, she touched her fingertips to his lips. ‘I’m sorry, Ethan, I’m being selfish. I thought if you held me it wouldn’t—’

      ‘It still might. But I’ll hold you in whichever bed you choose. Tonight we’ll sleep. Tomorrow we’ll start our honeymoon.’

      She raised up onto her toes and pressed her lips to his, kept it brief.

      ‘Thank you, Ethan.’

      Her final thought as sleep overtook her was I’m Mrs Alina Paulette James...

       CHAPTER FIFTEEN

      ETHAN STOOD BY the lounge window, swirling his brandy in its glass, oblivious to one of Australia’s most iconic views. He was reliving the emotional rollercoaster he’d ridden since the elevator doors had opened to reveal his exquisite bride.

      The moment she’d seen him her stunning eyes had seemed to fill her face. She’d stopped, giving him the chance to take in every gorgeous centimetre of her. His heart had hammered; his stomach had clenched. His brain had ceased to function logically.

      Her tongue-tip had flicked nervously over her tempting lips. With her bouquet held defensively over her baby bump, she’d been like a frightened animal, captured in a hunter’s spotlight, unable to move. So adorable. So courageous.

      He’d made no conscious decision; his movement towards her had been instinctive, as natural as breathing. Drawing her close and kissing her had eased the unaccustomed ache from being apart from her. The brightness in her eyes as they’d stood face to face, hands joined for the ceremony, had given him cause to hope.

      Yet as she’d sworn, ‘’Till death do us part...’ her fingers had lain cool in his, her voice had been calm and steady, making him wonder if she still had no intention of honouring that vow. Then she’d returned his kiss with a fervour that had made his head spin.

      His cognac was failing to have its usual satisfying effect. His complete focus was on Alina.

      He rinsed the glass and went to find her. She lay on her side, in his bed, one hand tucked under her cheek. His wife—for as long as he could persuade her to stay.

      Sliding in beside her, he cradled her into his body and splayed his hand on her belly. Alina James. Baby James. His family. Here in his arms where he could protect them. All was