Page 111 of Enchant the Dawn

* * *

It was late when the party broke up. After numerous hugs and kisses and promises to stay in touch, Dominic’s parents left for home.

Lily decided to stay and spend more time with Ava and her brother and new sister-in-law.

When they reached Maddy’s home, Dominic swung her into his arms and carried her over the threshold. Shutting the door, he slowly lowered her to her feet. “I love you, Maddy. I hope I never let you down.”

Maddy smiled at him, then took him by the hand and led him upstairs to her bedroom.

When they reached the bed, she pushed him down on the mattress. Then, feeling suddenly bold, she began to undress, ever so slowly—removing first her veil, then her shoes, followed by a seductive striptease that elicited a low whistle of appreciation from Dominic.

A moment later, she was flat on her back on the bed and a fully aroused male was hovering over her, his dark eyes burning into hers as he lowered his head and claimed her lips with his in a long, searing kiss that left her breathless and panting with need.

Throwing her head back, she cried his name as he thrust into her, carrying her over the edge into paradise.

* * *

Maddy woke slowly, her body aching in places it had never hurt before. Turning her head to the side, she smiled when she saw Dominic sleeping beside her. “Husband,” she whispered. “What a wonderful word.”

They had made love before and it had been wonderful, but last night . . . last night he had made her forever his in a way she couldn’t explain but had felt in every fiber of her being.

With a sigh, she placed her hand on her belly. His child was growing inside her. She had little experience with babies. What kind of mother would she be? She traced Dominic’s lower lip with her fingertips. What kind of father would he be?

Knowing Dominic would likely sleep at least until afternoon, she slipped out of bed, threw on a robe, and padded downstairs. They’d have to find a place to live soon, she thought, because her parents would be home in two months. Her parents! She needed to call them to tell them the news.

As she’d feared, the news of her so-called spur-of-the-moment wedding didn’t go over well with her parents, especially with her mother.

“How could you get married without us or your sister being there?” her mother asked.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I knew you’d be disappointed, but we just couldn’t wait to be together. I know you’ll understand when you meet Dominic. I love him so much. Please try to be happy for me.”

With a sob, her mother said, “Your father wants to speak to you.”

“I love you, Mom,” Maddy said, but her only answer was more sniffles.

Her father was a little more understanding. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed,” he said, “but I still remember what it was like to be young and in love. What does he do for a living? I think you might have told me, but I forgot.”

“He’s in business with his father and grandfather,” Maddy said. “His family is very close.”

“I can’t wait to meet him. And don’t worry about your mother. She’ll get over it. Everything all right at the house?”

“Yes, fine. Dominic’s father gave us money for a down payment on a place of our own.”

“Really? Well, I guess his business must be doing well. We’ll call you when we’re on our way home.”

“Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Maddy girl.”

Feeling better, Maddy ended the call.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, she headed for the kitchen in search of coffee and nourishment. After all, she was eating for two now.

Sitting at the table, she ate a leisurely breakfast. They needed to find a house pretty quickly, she thought. They hadn’t really talked about where they wanted to live. Originally, she’d thought she wanted to stay in New Orleans, but there were too many bad memories in Louisiana. Florida maybe? Or California? Anywhere but Connecticut. Still, her parents were here, and now that she was expecting a baby . . . She smiled as she placed her hand on her belly. With the baby coming, it might be nice to have her mother nearby. But it didn’t really matter where they lived, she thought, as long as Dominic was beside her.

Picking up her cell phone, she searched online for houses for sale. So many choices. One story or two? Big lot, or something smaller and easier to maintain? Pool or no pool? Close to the city or not? How would Dominic feel about getting a puppy?

---