Chapter 12

She was standing by the door, and as soon as she saw the sweeping arc of his headlights, she pulled it open, ignoring the biting cold. He shoved the door open and alighted, slamming it shut and not mothering to press the alarm, bounded down the steps, his long legs taking him across the threshold.

“Richard, I–”

That was as far as she got. Kicking the door shut, he gripped her around the throat and crushed her mouth with his. The kiss was rough, as if he was punishing her for putting him through hell.

She sagged against him, welcoming the invasion of his tongue. Her arms encircled his waist as he continued to kiss until she felt her insides weakened. Lifting her into his arms, he strode with unerring accuracy toward the stairs.

Lifting his head only to gauge how far he was from her room, he returned to the kiss as he carried her into the bedroom and laid her against the pillows. Kicking off his shoes, he covered her body with his hands, busy at the knot at her waist. A grunt escaped him when he discovered her bare flesh.

Lifting his head, he finally spoke, his breathing ragged, eyes feverish.

“Damn you for putting me through that kind of abject misery.” His hand gripped her chin as he tilted her face up to his. “I was about to drink myself into a stupor and was cursing myself for a fool when you called.”

“I am sorry,” she whispered. One hand lifted to touch his unshaven jaw tenderly. “I envisioned my life without you, and I could not stand it. I had to call.” His eyes burned at her admission, and suddenly, he could not bear anything between them.

“Does that mean you will marry me?” he asked gruffly. “I won’t accept anything less than that.”

She took a shuddering breath and nodded. “I am scared.”

“Of me?” There was an incredulous tone in his voice.

“Of what this will be. They are going to dig into my past.”

“I can arrange that we control the narrative.” He stroked her cheek gently. “I would never want to cause you one moment of pain. So, I will wait until you are ready to go public. As long as we are together, then I can endure anything.”

Pushing away, he made a quick job of taking off his clothing, dropping them carelessly on her shiny oak floor. Lying next to her, he shed the robe she had on, so that he could stare at her.

“I thought I was losing you and could not bear it.” He brushed back the tendrils of her hair. “When you said you needed time, I felt something dying inside me, and I was so angry at life at fate for bringing you into my life and then throwing so many challenges along with it.

I shouldn’t have rushed you, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I am impatient, I have found the love of my life for the first time, and I want to give you my name and everything else that comes with it.”

Her fingers curled against the hairs on his chest, her heart racing madly. “Did you mean it when you said you wanted a child? Or were you just saying that because of the one I lost?”

His eyes darkened. Lifting her hand, he opened her fingers and kissed her palm. “I meant every word I said.” He placed their joined hands on her flat stomach. “I want to see my seed growing inside you.”

“Richard–”Emotions clogged her throat. “I know I haven’t said I love you back–” “I can wait,” he assured her swiftly, not wanting her to feel pressured.

“No.” She shook her head, tears swimming in her eyes. “I love you.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “I was scared, I still am and I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me. I hated the word ‘spinster’, but I told myself that I was okay with it.” By this time, tears were streaming down her face.

“Collette, darling–”

“No.” She shook her head again. “Let me say this, please. I convinced myself that I was happy with my life the way it was. I had a very good career and was good at what I do. Life was beautiful and it could have been worse.

And then I would go to the park and see families, mothers and dads with their little ones and my heart would break. I stopped going because I could not bear it. Oh Richard, I thought it was over for me!”

He gathered her against him and felt his heart hammering as she sobbed. Her fingers clutched at him and even when she made grooves in the flesh of his arms, he didn’t feel anything.

“Baby–”Tilting her chin up, he brushed at the tears with his thumb. “Please, I cannot bear it when you cry.”

She smiled through the tears. “Don’t you see?” she whispered. “These are happy tears.

God sent you into my life and I am so grateful. Richard, I am still so afraid, but I am in love with you. I love you so–”

He cut off the rest by crushing his mouth to hers. For the next thirty minutes, he made love to her with fierce, tender passion that had her crying out his name and clinging to him.

Afterward, he held her against him, far from satiated but willing to wait a few minutes.

“Marry me now," he said quietly, causing her to lift her head to look at him. Her cheeks were still washed with tears, her eyes luminous from the passion he evoked in her.

“You mean–”

“No fuss, a civil ceremony in Vegas or the courthouse. I have a very good friend who happens to be a judge.

He could perform the ceremony.” His eyes bored into hers. “I don’t want to spend another week without you wearing my ring and bearing my name.” His lips curved into a smile. “Unless you are one of those modern women who insists on keeping your own name.”

She shook her head. “I want to assume yours. But when you say now–”

“Saturday. I would have suggested tomorrow, but if I do this without my mother being present, I will not hear the end of it.” His expression sobered. “And your sister?” Her lashes drifted down. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

He applied pressure to her chin and forced her to look at him. “She is your only family baby, and I don’t want you to get to a point where you have regrets that she was not present at the most important point in your life.” He bent to kiss her lips. “And there is no danger of me ever choosing her over you.”

Her eyes widened at his perception.

“I am starting to know you, my love. You have a very expressive face, and understandably, you have doubts after what happened. I love you. That’s something I do not say lightly.

I have never loved anyone like this before, never thought it could happen. I have been with numerous women because, as you can tell, I love sex. But it has always been physical, a way to sate my thirst.

With you it’s spiritual—you are at the core of me, and I will continue to love you until I draw my last breath. You never have to fear that I am going to change my mind or be with someone else. Invite her and put the past behind you.”

She never thought it was possible to love him even more, but she did and could feel it bursting through her heart and filling her up so much she could barely stand it.

“Saturday?”

“Yes.” He stroked her cheek. “You don’t have to do anything; I will get Rodney to make all the arrangements," he paused slightly. “My mother is going to want to meet you, and

I must warn you that she is a lot.”

Lowering her eyes to his chest, she absently combed her fingers through the hairs. “Will she like me?”

“Are you kidding? She has been on me to get married for ages. She is going to love you. Look at me, darling.” When she did, he continued gently. “I am here. I know it’s going to be overwhelming, but I am here for you.”

She nodded. “What about our working arrangement?”

His thick brows lifted. “You are going to have to tell your employer.” He traced the outline of her lush bottom lip and felt his blood stirring. “Unless you want to take over the entire account. You do know you don’t have to work, don’t you?”

“I want to,” she told him earnestly. “And I owe Babs a lot. I wouldn’t do that to her.” “And when the baby comes?”

Her body trembled, her expression turning luminous.

“If there is a baby–”She had to take a breath before going on. “I will take a leave of absence. Being a mother and your wife is going to take up most of my time.”

“It is. Right now, I want to concentrate on the woman I love. And I want you to move in with me. I have no intention of spending another night without you in my bed.”

*****

Babs stared at her in shock. After she agreed to be his wife, Richard had taken charge, and everything had started to happen immediately. Right then and there, he had called his very capable assistant, who had not sounded the least bit put out to be called at that late hour, and started issuing instructions.

He had spent the night and told her that she did not have to bother about packing. “I will send someone over to perform that task.”

“I have to pack my delicates.”

He had grinned at her boyishly. “Or you could leave everything. I am calling Monique to order an entire new wardrobe.” His grin faded. “You will be required to accompany me to a lot of functions, I just want to give you the heads up. And if there is a time you do not feel like going anywhere, just tell me.”

“I will.”

“You and Richard McBride?” The woman continued to stare at her in shock. “Since when? We just got his account, and he is– you are getting married?”

Collette nodded, a huge smile wreathing her face. “Oh Babs, I am so happy, it scares me. He loves me and I love him so damn much, I cannot breathe when he is near.”

“My God!” Babs breathed. “This is really true.”

“Yes. It’s going to be an intimate wedding at the courthouse, and you are invited. I am afraid you are going to have to keep it to yourself for now. We don’t want the press getting hold of the news. We know it’s going to be crazy when the news hits, but for now, we want to keep it low-key.”

Her friend’s eyes narrowed. “Whose idea was that?”

“Mine,” she said promptly. Dropping into one of the plush chairs, she clasped her hands in her lap. “I am scared Babs. I am marrying a very powerful man, and when the press finds out, everything will be out there again. The mess that was my life before and everyone involved.”

“If you are feeling any sympathy for that bastard of that sister of yours, I am going to cream you with this ashtray. They made your life a living hell, and honey, I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. After the hell you have been through, you deserve to have someone realize your value.” Her expression became anxious.

“Am I losing you?”

“No.” She shook her head hastily. “I specifically outlined to Richard that I am going to continue working.” Her eyes moistened as she pressed her hands against her stomach.

“We are trying to have a baby.”

“Oh, honey.” Babs had to sniff loudly, her own eyes getting moist. “After all these years, you are getting what you deserve.”

“I keep wondering if I really do deserve so much happiness.”

“Don’t make me knock you upside the head. Girl, you deserve this more than anyone else. And I hope you lord it over that backstabbing bitch who calls herself your sister.” “I am having lunch with her,” Collette told her with a smile.

“Good. Where is the ring?”

“He is having it resized and will be presenting it to me tonight. I have already moved into his loft.”

“My God.” Babs shook her head in wonder. “This is really happening.”

“I cannot believe it myself.”

“Girl, you are marrying Richard McBride. The man has been confirmed as a bachelor for years, and women have been vying to become Mrs. McBride and you– you did it in what? Less than a month.” Admiration glowed in her eyes. “What the hell did you do?” Collette laughed, her eyes twinkling.

“Absolutely nothing. It just happened. He said he noticed me when I was at the restaurant having lunch with Janice, and I didn’t want to go.” She shook her head in wonder. Now my life has changed.”

“For the better.”

*****

Richard leaned back in his chair and eyed his mother in indulgent amusement. As soon as he and Collette parted company this morning, albeit reluctantly, certainly on his part, he placed the call and asked her to come to the office.

Rodney could barely contain his excitement and was already making a list of things to accomplish regarding the wedding. He was also sworn to secrecy, something that was a given. The man had looked at his boss in reproach as if he was questioning his integrity.

“Darling, you sounded so mysterious on the phone and that– that Rodney was beaming as he showed me in your office.” Ruth pulled off her silk gloves and tucked them inside her jeweled purse, eyes bright and curious. “What is it? Are you going to be on the Oprah show again? And if that is so, I would love to be there with you.”

“Nothing like that.”

“Then what?”

“I am getting married.” It amused him to see her mouth dropping open, her eyes going wide.

“Excuse me?”

“Saturday at ten. Judge Michael Clarke has agreed to officiate the ceremony. And I must ask for your utmost discretion. We are–”

“Who is this mysterious woman?” she demanded. “And how is it that I have not seen or heard anything of you going steady with anyone?”

“Her name is Collette Sutherland.” A smile tugged at his lips. “I just met her a couple of weeks ago and–” He took a deep breath. “I love her.” He shook his head ruefully. “I feel like a damn schoolboy with his first crush. I wanted to marry her from the very moment I met her. She is handling our advertising account.

She is sweet and wonderful.” His smile faded, eyes boring into hers. “She has been through a hell of a lot, and I will not have her put through anything more. Is that clear?”

Ruth stared at her son in shock. The look on his face was priceless. She had wanted this for so long and had given up hope of it ever happening.

“Do you have a picture of her?”

“Why?” he demanded. “It doesn’t matter what she looks like, does it?”

“Of course it does, darling,” she rebutted silkily. “You are Richard McBride and as soon as the press gets hold of this information, you are—both of you will be bombarded…”her voice petered off as he turned his phone around and enlarged the photo he had taken of her astride the horse. It had been a candid shot.

She had turned her head toward him, laughing in sheer delight at being able to handle the horse. Her hair was streaming behind her, having escaped the rubber band she had secured it with, and her dark brown eyes were dancing.

Ruth stared at the colored photo in fascination. The woman could not be called beautiful in the accepted sense of the word, but there was an effervescence about her that made her striking. “She is– My word, she is radiant.” She shook her head. “That is not even the correct term.”

“I think you mean exquisite.” He turned the phone around so he could stare at her photo. He had taken several shots of her, ones when they were in bed, several of her fast asleep, and she had protested that he was being ridiculous.

“When do I meet her?”

“How does dinner at the loft tomorrow night sound? Or do you have to consult your secretary–”

“No. Anything I have on will have to be canceled, of course. I was hoping you both would come to my apartment and allow me to play hostess.” She gave her son a disapproving look. “Since I am going to be cheated out of the big wedding, it’s the least I can do.”

Richard grinned at her. “I knew you were going to say that. I told Collette that you would get to provide the meal for the reception. How does that sound?”

Her eyes glimmered with tears. “It sounds rather lovely. Oh darling! I am so excited; it feels as if I am bursting.”

“I need your promise that you are not going to utter a word about this. We need time to tell the press and–”He shrugged fatalistically. “I also need to share something of her past. I am not divulging anything she does not want you to hear because I cleared it with her first.”

*****

“I am so happy you called. And you sounded so excited.” Janice gave her a grateful look as she slid into the chair.

“You look fabulous, Collette. Is that a new outfit?”

She had placed their orders before her sister arrived and waited until the waiter had placed the chilled giant shrimp with the rosemary sauce in front of them before responding.

“It is.”

“The color looks so good on you.”

“How have you been?”

“Getting better.” Janice shrugged as she reached for her bowl. “I have been promoted to purchasing manager at my company.”

Her sister worked for a big retail company and had been with them for years.

“That’s wonderful news.”

She nodded.

“Uhm there is something I want to tell you.”

“Please. I am so happy you called me that I could hardly wait to see you. I really hope this means we are making headway in our relationship.” Her eyes became pleading. “I really want that to happen.”

Collette nodded. “It’s funny. I have hated you for so long and told myself that I would never forgive you.”

“Collette–”

“No, let me finish. What happened to me ten years ago felt as if it was the end of the road for me. I thought I would never recover.” She took a sip of her iced tea. Lifting shining eyes to her sister, she blurted. “I met someone.”

“Oh Collette!” Janice reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I am so happy for you. Is he–”

“Richard!”

“What–”the rest of the words died inside her throat when the familiar distinguished man came abreast of their table. Janice watched in shock as her sister rose and took his hand in hers. The look on the man’s face was so tender, it was obvious to anyone looking that he was in love.

“You didn’t say you would be here.”

“I had a meeting at the bank, so I decided to crash the party," he told her teasingly.

Turning his head and still holding Collette’s hand, he nodded to Janice.

“I suspect she was about to tell you the good news.”

Janice rose slowly, wondering if she was dreaming. “You are the– you are the person she met?”

“Yes. I doubt she got to the part where she invited you to the wedding?” Janice’s gaze swung from Richard to her sister, and she felt as if her world was spinning.

“When?” she asked thinly.

“On Saturday at the courthouse at ten. Mother also wants to include you for dinner.” He turned to look at Collette, a gentle smile wreathing his face. “She is dying to meet you, love.”

“Does she know who I am?”

“Absolutely. She thinks you are radiant.” Ignoring the other woman, he lifted a hand to touch her cheek. “Now I really have to run.” Giving Janice a perfunctory nod, he left.

“You are marrying Richard McBride, music producer extraordinaire.” Janice was still standing and gazing after him dazedly.

“To me, he is just Richard.” Collette pressed a hand on her chest and took a breath. “Sit while I tell you everything.”