The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride by Jenn Roseton Read Free Book Online Page B

for a second, then she rested her hands on his shoulders.“What are you doing?”
    “ Carrying you over the threshold.” He grinned down at her, and she now understood why some women swooned. She felt like joining them.
    He carried her into the house. She bit her lip, wondering if she was too heavy for him, although his stride didn’t seem to be affected by her weight at all. When they reached the living room, decorated in earth tones, he gently set her on her feet.
    A pang of disappointment flittered through her. She’d felt safe and secure in his arms, and a frisson of desire had flashed through her. She wished the journey to the living room had been a lot longer.
    “ Let me show you the house.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering over the delicate shell. A sensual thrill ran down her spine and she nodded.
    He wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her into the kitchen. The decor and fittings were dated, and reminded her of pictures she’d seen of a 1950s home, the interior suiting the exterior of the house.
    “It’s small, but serviceable,” Alex said, gesturing at the kitchen before opening the refrigerator and peering inside. “Good. Carol bought the champagne.” He pulled out a bottle of Dom Perignon and placed it on the table, his other arm still wrapped around her waist. “We’ll have some in a moment.”
    After viewing the dining nook next to the kitchen, Alex led her to the bedrooms. One was a guest room with two twin beds with sturdy wooden frames and neutral colored bed linen. The main bedroom was furnished with a large brass bed, a cream comforter draped over it. Sunshine yellow curtains were pulled back from the large window, and Laura caught a glimpse of green pasture outside the house. A wooden closet and two nightstands on either side of the bed were the main furnishings.
    “The bed’s comfortable.” A sexy grin rumpled the corners of his mouth. “I come here whenever I can get away from the city.”
    Alone? Laura wanted to ask, but didn’t, in case she didn’t like the answer. A sudden thought occurred to her. What if … what if their definitions of marriage differed?
    “ Alex.” She licked suddenly dry lips, barely aware that he’d caught the small movement and turned all his attention on her. “When … when you said a real marriage …” she paused. This was so awkward. Why on earth hadn’t she thought of this before she’d married him?
    “ I meant a real marriage.” He pulled her towards him, until there was barely an inch of space separating their bodies.
    Finding it hard to think, let alone breathe, Laura tried again. “Yes, but what about … other people?”
    He scowled. “There won’t be anyone else in our marriage, Laura,” he said firmly. “Just you and me.”
    Relief flooded through her. “Okay,” she whispered, allowing herself to relax in his embrace.
    The next instant, he tightened his arms around her. “I hope we’re clear on this point,” he growled.
    “ Very,” she managed to utter, before he kissed her.
    His lips claimed hers, his tongue demanding immediate entry. Surrendering with a small sigh, Laura curled her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. Just as well he was holding her, she thought hazily, as she met his increasingly passionate demand, otherwise she didn’t think she could stand upright on her wobbly legs.
    When he finally released her, she looked up at him in a daze, her lips tingling, glad she’d asked the question.
    ###
    After that amazing kiss, Alex led her to the kitchen where he poured them each a glass of champagne.
    “ To us.”
    “ To us,” she echoed, the male satisfaction in his eyes causing her to grip the stem of the champagne flute even tighter.
    “ I’ll make us dinner,” Alex said, once he’d swallowed half the champagne in his glass. He opened the fridge. “Carol’s left us some steak and salad for tonight. As well as bacon and eggs for breakfast tomorrow and a few