Page 244 of Storm of Bells
Stopping just before I would have carried herover the threshold, I set her down. With one swift move, I capturedher cheek in my hand and turned her towards me so I could gazestraight into her eyes.
‘Why don’t we step inside together?’
Slowly, a beaming smile spread across herface. In that moment, I saw so much love into her eyes…
So much superfluous emotion. Horrific!
At least…that’s what I should have thought.But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not when her smile was bright enough tolight up my heart and soul. She took my hand and, together, westepped across the threshold. Yet, when we reached the stairs, shestopped in her tracks. Glancing down at her, confused, I stopped aswell—and saw the grin spreading over her face.
‘Nowyou may carry me.’
A muscle in my cheek twitched. ‘I may, mayI?’
‘Yes, Sir.’
I was Mr Rikkard Ambrose. No one, and I meanno one, could order me around. On the other hand…this was mywife, asking me to put my hands all over her.
Without another second’s hesitation, I swepther up into my arms again. Pulling her against my chest, I strodeup the stairs while my one free hand stroked her silken hair.
‘So,’ I enquired, not sounding even theslightest bit sarcastic. Not in the least. ‘Your quest for equalitykeeps you from being carried over the threshold, but not from beingcarried up the stairs?’
‘Of course,’ she mumbled into my chest as ifit were obvious. ‘Thresholds are sexist. Stairs aren’t. Besides, myfeet are hurting from these darn shoes!’
I cocked my head. ‘I shall commit your pearlsof wisdom to memory.’
‘Good idea.’ Reaching out, she patted myhead. Shepattedmyhead. ‘You do that.’
The nerve of her! The nerve of her! Ishould—
Then she snuggled into my chest again,without a worry in the world. So trusting. So soft.
—carry her up and into the bedroom straightaway!
Taking three steps at a time, I reached thetop of the stairs in just as many seconds. Striding down thecorridor, it took me only a moment to reach the door to my room. Myroom, for me, andmywife.
Slamming open the door, I strode inside theroom, reaching the bed in a blink. As gently as I could, I loweredher onto the bed and stared down at her. She lay there, her hairspread out wildly across the sheets, the white of her wedding dressshining brightly in the dimming sunlight. White that symbolizedinnocence.
Our eyes met.
Reaching down, I gently touched her face.
‘Finally…mine!’ It was a prophecy. Anunchangeable fact. An order that could not be denied.
So, of course, she denied it.
‘Chauvinistic son of a bachelor!’ Oh, thattone in her voice… She tried her best to sound indignant. Reallytried. But the fiery look in her eyes said otherwise. ‘Women aren’tanyone’s possessions—and I most certainly don’t belong to you!’
Oh. A challenge?
My fists slammed into the bed on either sideof her, trapping her in place. Leaning down towards her, I piercedher with my gaze.
‘Indeed?’
‘Yes!’
‘Well, well…’ Smoothly sliding onto the bed,I lowered myself until my face hovered only inches above hers.‘Then I’ll have to prove you wrong!’
The Night
