The Accidental Bride by Portia Da Costa Page A

what happened, with the woman he met at work?’
    John beamed. ‘Yes, I do. They ended up getting married, and they’re still married. Blissfully so. Nobody deserves a “happily ever after” more than Ben. I was best man at his wedding. He’d told her about me, but she’s a broadminded lass and it wasn’t … isn’t … a big deal to her.’
    Happily ever after … will we have that? Will we ever get as far as marriage, or has John sworn off it now?
    She hardly dared contemplate that can of worms. In fact, those cans …
    John’s eyes narrowed a little, as if he’d read her thought. He drew her close and gave her a hug. ‘And now I’ve got my own broadminded lass too. Everyone’s a winner. Ben and Jessica live in Scotland, but one of these days, you and I will have to visit them. They have a pretty place, by a loch. I think you’d like it, and they’ll love you!’
    ‘If you say so.’
    ‘I know so.’
    He wanted her to meet people in his world. In the coolerlight of day, she could rationalise this. She was just as good as anybody. She could hold her own. But in the dead of night, doubts circled.
    ‘Lizzie, don’t worry. I want to show you off to people. You’re my jewel, my star. I want to bask in their envy when they see me with you.’ He kissed her brow, her temple, her hair. ‘And anybody who doesn’t adore you, or “get” you, just isn’t worth my time of day.’
    It blew her away when he said things like that, but still, her nerves frazzled over it.
    ‘I don’t know …’
    ‘Look, let’s not think about that now. I’ve got something that’ll take your mind off any anxieties about future socialising.’
    Holding her tight, he rolled his hips against her.
    Again? Oh, you insatiable devil!
    John laughed again. ‘Yeah, I know it’s a bit of an imposition to expect you to accommodate my horny excesses in the small hours of the morning, but if we go at it spoon style, you don’t have to do any work. It’ll just be me, in your exquisite pussy, while I play with your clit and make you come.’
    ‘Tempting.’
    Who was she kidding?
    ‘But not irresistible, then?’ Grabbing her, he rolled onto his back, so she was half lying across his erection. Hot as a brand through his pyjamas, it almost had a life of its own, lifting and pushing against her. As he held her with his hands at the small of her back, she writhed against him, making him groan.
    ‘Actually … yes,’ she gasped, twisting her wrist to slide her hand between them, and grip him. ‘It is irresistible.You’re not the only one that’s subject to horny excess, you know.’
    ‘Ah ha! I knew you’d succumb,’ he cried, gripping her by the waist, using the power in his strong wrists and forearms to work her against him. ‘So, what’s it to be, horny miss? On top? Underneath? Or spoons? Or maybe some devious new variation from your fertile mind?’
    ‘Oh, spoons, I think … I really fancy spoons.’ Slithering off him, she turned away, and massaged her bottom against the long, muscular line of his thigh. Her pyjama bottom bunched as she moved to and fro, slipping down.
    ‘Minx! You know how I love the crease of your bottom … I’m almost tempted to …’
    ‘Think again, buster,’ said Lizzie quickly, but half laughing also. ‘Much as I enjoy that, it’s not on the menu without at least a little prior warning.’
    John laughed too, his voice husky against the back of her neck as he swept aside her hair to kiss skin. ‘We must check our organisers tomorrow. So I can make an appointment to have your beautiful arse soon.’
    ‘Don’t mock. You know what I mean.’
    ‘I do, my sweet darling, and you’re right.’ He nuzzled her shoulder as he rubbed his erection along the cleft of her bottom, ‘Now, stay right where you are while I fish in the drawer for a condom.’
    ‘No need. I slipped a couple under the pillow. Just in case.’ Well, if he hadn’t been able to sleep, they had to have something else to