LITMIR.BIZ

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hope for, and she looked at him in silence as the seconds ticked by.

      His smile completely disarmed her, and warmth seeped into her veins, heating and gathering force until it ran through her body.

      ‘You want it all, don’t you?’

      Her mouth trembled as she fought to control her emotions. She was shaking, inwardly. Very soon, she’d become a trembling mass. ‘Yes.’

      Carlo pushed both hands into his trouser pockets, and she was mesmerised by his mouth, the way it curved and showed the gleam of white teeth, the sensuous quirk she longed to touch.

      ‘I knew marriage between us could work. We come from the same background, we move in the same social circles, and share many interests. We had the foundation of friendship and affection to build on.’

      The vertical crease slashed each cheek as he smiled, and his eyes... She felt as if she could drown in their depths.

      ‘In the beginning I was satisfied that it was enough. I didn’t expect to have those emotions develop into something more, much more.’

      She had to ask. ‘And now?’

      ‘I need to be part of your life, to have you need me as much as I need you. As my wife, my friend, the other half of my soul.’ He released his hands and reached out to cup her face. ‘To love you, as you deserve to be loved. With all my heart. For the rest of my life.’

      Aysha felt the ache of tears, and blinked rapidly to dispel them. At that precise moment she was incapable of uttering a word.

      Did she realise how transparent she was? Intimacy was a powerful weapon, persuasive, invasive, and one he could use with very little effort. It would be so easy to lower his head, pull her close and let her feel what she did to him. His hands soothing her body, the possession of his mouth on hers...

      He did none of those things.

      ‘Yes.’

      He heard the single affirmative, and every muscle, every nerve relaxed. Nothing else mattered, except their love and the life they would share together. ‘No qualifications?’

      She shook her head. ‘None.’

      ‘So sure,’ Carlo said huskily. He reached for her, enfolding her into the strength of his body as his mouth settled over hers. Gently at first, savouring, tasting, then with a passionate fervour as she lifted her arms and linked her hands together at his nape.

      Aysha felt his body tremble as she absorbed the force of his kiss and met and matched the mating dance of his tongue as it explored and ravaged sensitive tissue.

      His hands shaped and soothed as they sought each pleasure spot, stroking with infinite care as the fire ignited deep within and burst into flame.

      It seemed an age before he lifted his head, and she could only stand there, supported by the strength of his arms.

      ‘Do you trust me?’

      She heard the depth in his voice, sensed his seriousness, and raised her eyes to meet his. There was no question. ‘Yes,’ she said simply.

      ‘Then let’s go.’

      ‘OK.’

      ‘Such docility,’ Carlo teased gently as he brushed his lips against one temple.

      Aysha placed a hand either side of his head and tilted it down as she angled her mouth into his in a kiss that was all heat and passion.

      His heart thudded into a quickened beat, and she felt a thrill of exhilaration at the sense of power, the feeling of control.

      Carlo broke the contact with emotive reluctance. ‘The temptation to love you now, here, is difficult to resist.’

      A mischievous smile curved her mouth. ‘But you’re going to.’

      His hands slid to her shoulders and he gave her a gentle shake. ‘Believe it’s merely a raincheck, cara.’ He released her and took hold of her hand.

      ‘Are you going to tell me where we’re going?’

      ‘Someplace special.’

      He led her outside, then turned to the side path leading to the rear of the grounds.

      ‘Here?’ Aysha queried in puzzlement, as they traversed the short set of steps leading down to the gazebo adjacent the pool area.

      Lights sprang to life as if by magic, illuminating the gazebo and casting a reflected glow over the newly planted garden, the beautiful free-form pool.

      Her eyes widened as she saw a man and two women standing in front of a small rectangular pedestal draped with a pristine white lace-edged cloth. Two thick candles displayed a thin flicker and a vaporous plume, and there was the scent of roses, beautiful white tight-petalled buds on slender stems.

      ‘Carlo?’

      Even as she voiced the query she saw the answer in those dark eyes, eloquent with emotive passion. And love.

      ‘This is for us,’ he said gently, curving an arm across the back of her waist as he pulled her into the curve of his body. ‘Saturday’s production will fulfil our parents’ and the guests’ expectations.’

      She was melting inside, the warmth seeping through her body like molten wax, and she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

      An hour ago she’d been curled up on a soft-cushioned sofa contemplating her shredded emotions.

      ‘OK?’ Carlo queried gently.

      Her heart kicked in at a quickened beat, and she smiled. A slow, sweet smile that mirrored her inner radiance. ‘Yes.’

      Introductions complete, Aysha solemnly took her position at Carlo’s side.

      If the celebrant was surprised at the bride and groom’s attire, she gave no indication of it. Her manner appeared genuine, and the words she spoke held a wealth of meaning during the short service.

      Carlo slipped a diamond-encrusted ring onto her finger, and Aysha slid a curved gold band onto his, listening in a haze of emotions as they were solemnly pronounced man and wife.

      She lifted her mouth to meet his, and felt the warmth, the hint of restrained passion as he savoured the sweetness and took his fill.

      Oh, my, this was about as close to heaven as it was possible to get, Aysha conceded as he reluctantly loosened his hold.

      The heat was there, evident in the depth of his eyes, banked down beneath the surface. Desire, and promised ecstasy.

      She cast him a witching smile, glimpsed the hunger and felt anticipation arrow through her body.

      There was champagne chilling in an ice bucket, and Carlo loosened the cork, then filled each flute with slightly frothy sparkling liquid

      The bubbles tingled her tastebuds and teased the back of her throat as she sipped the excellent vintage.

      Each minute seemed like an eternity as she conversed with the celebrant and two witnesses, and accepted the toast.

      With both official and social duties completed, the celebrant graciously took her leave, together with the couple who had witnessed the marriage.

      Aysha stood in the circle of Carlo’s arms, and she leaned back against him, treasuring the closeness, the sheer joy attached to the moment.

      Married. She could hardly believe it. There were so many questions she needed to ask. But not yet. There would be time later to work out the answers.

      For now, she wanted to savour the moment.

      Carlo’s lips teased her sensitive nape, then nuzzled an earlobe. ‘You’re very quiet.’

      ‘I feel as if we’re alone in the universe,’ she said dreamily. Her mouth curved upwards. ‘Well, almost’ A faint laugh husked low in her throat. ‘If you block out the cityscape, the tracery of street lights, the suburban

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