Page 17 of Rekindling Desire

Ella pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Some ice for your hand, a cool shower, and sleep.”

My eyebrows moved up and down. “I’m liking the shower idea.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

I lowered my voice to a deep growl. “You’re mine now, Mrs. Sinclair. I don’t plan on letting you forget.”

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I found Johnathon’s number and hit call.

“It’s too early,” Ella protested.

Johnathon answered before the second ring. “Mr. Sinclair.” His voice was as clear as it would be in the middle of the day.

My gaze met Ella’s. My next phrase was more for her than Johnathon. “Sorry about your sleep. I have a list of things I need done before sunrise.”

“What do you need?”

Once I hung up the phone, I met Ella’s judging stare.

“You never called me in the middle of the night like that. He needs a raise.”

“I never called you because in the middle of the night you were at my side…next to me, beneath me, over me…And for the record, he’s well compensated.”

“I’m not even going to start on salary inequality.”

“Good,” I replied. “I’ll text Mom and tell her about the security, and then it’s the two of us in the hotel.”

“I’m exhausted.”

I lifted her hand and brought her knuckles to my lips. “Our wedding deserves more than a quick fuck in a public bathroom.”

“It’s not legal until we sign the license.”

“More days to celebrate.”

Gabriella

Looking down at my left hand, I spun the gold band beneath my knuckle as Damien unlocked the door to our suite.

Ours.

It seemed inconceivable that two weeks ago, I was living my best single life and keeping the memories of Damien at bay. My heart accelerated, beating faster as he opened the door and pushed our luggage inside.

He flashed a tired grin my direction. “I should carry you over the threshold, Mrs. Sinclair.”

Before I could respond, my feet left the floor as Damien lifted me, cradling me against his hard chest. Despite my wavering thoughts, my lips curled, causing my cheeks to rise, and a giggle bubbled from my throat. Once inside the suite, Damien’s lips took mine before he lowered my feet once again to the tile.

Light trickled through the unblocked windows from the central Florida city beyond. Tipping his forehead to mine, Damien secured my hands in his. “I can’t believe you’re here with me, that you’re officially mine.” He lifted my left hand and ran his finger over the ring. “It’s as if this last week has been both a dream come true and a nightmare.”

I pursed my lips, hearing the sadness in his tone. “Derek will be okay.”

Damien nodded.

“As for this week,” I began, “I’m also having difficulty comprehending it. I think I’ll fall asleep and wake up in my condo, shaking my head that I could concoct such an outrageous dream.”

“You didn’t say nightmare.”

Shaking my head, I grinned. “Whirlwind. The only nightmare part is watching your anguish over your dad and Sinclair Pharmaceuticals.”

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