Page 73 of Merrick

She grinned as he automatically tugged at his tie. “Damn monkey suit.” He muttered. “I am happy for you. Never thought I would see the day.”

“Neither did I. Feels weird.”

“Must be.” He stopped talking as they cleared the threshold, and the music changed. Her eyes went straight to the man standing at the altar, his own black tux suiting his tall, leanly muscled frame.

The look on his face, the light in his eyes was just for her and it gave her a jolt to know that he had eyes only for her. As far as he was concerned, she was the only woman in the world.

Love overflowed and wrapped her around and without a doubt, she knew this was exactly where she belonged.

He came forward to take her hands, nodding briefly to her commander.

And just stood there for a minute, taking her in. “My beautiful bride.” He whispered as he guided her towards the minister who was waiting.

Chapter 16

The honeymoon lasted two weeks. He insisted on it.

“Surely you can spare two weeks from the precinct. Crime will still continue to prevail even if you are not here and I want to show you the world.”

They took long walks on Champs Elysée’s. He knew all the crevices and corners, having been there so many times. He acted as her guide, especially when he discovered that her only trip out of the country had been to Jamaica and Mexico.

They went to Tuscany, where he invested in a vineyard and spent two nights there, having cheese and wine. In Venice, they took rides on the gondola, skimming along the water with the colorful city before them.

In Paris, he took her shopping, ignoring her protests and bought her expensive scents and ridiculously priced clothing and had the packages sent to their hotel.

They took in Scotland, the craggy mountains and shimmering green land and stopped at pubs where he she found a love for their stout.

England was next and then Wales. Their final destination was Hawaii. They spent most of their time on Waikiki Beach, the white stretch of sand and blue water under a brilliant sun was the perfect end to their enchanted honeymoon.

He had procured a private villa and under the stars, with the water lapping against the sand, he made love to her, until she was crying in his arms.

He had shown her so much, given her so much and still it would never be enough. He had found her late in life when he had all but given up on love and romance. Now, she was his and he was going to lavish her with everything.

“We could extend the honeymoon.”

It was their last night on the island, and she was wrapped around him after a rather tumultuous lovemaking.

“You have a company to run.”

He shifted so that he could look at her beloved face. It still gave him a jolt to know she was his wife.

“The benefits of being CEO means I can take extended time.”

“Since I am not CEO and I have a job to go back to, the answer is regrettably no.” She eyed him for a minute. “You promised you would not interfere with my job.”

“I was not planning to.” He brushed back the hairs from her forehead. “You were shot and then knifed.”

“While under cover. I am riding a desk now.”

“I cannot lose you.”

“I could just easily die in an accident.”

“Don’t!” He closed his eyes briefly. “Please do not say that. I cannot…”

“I’m sorry, darling…,” he felt a jolt at the endearment. “What?”

“You’ve never said that to me before.”

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