Page 39 of One Night in My Rival's Bed

I shook my head, trying to get my brain around this new development. There was so much to think about. How would my sister cope with the responsibilities that came with motherhood? Our own mother hadn’t had any of the limitations Niamh had and she had really struggled with the day in, day out routine of providing for and taking care of her children.

‘Aren’t you happy for me?’

I painted a bright smile on my face and sprang to my feet and enveloped her in a hug. ‘Of course I am. I’m thrilled for you and Ethan.’

Niamh finally stepped out of my embrace and beamed at me. ‘Ethan will be the most wonderful father. He’s so excited because he never thought he would have the opportunity. I know there’ll be obstacles to face but I’m sure we’ll face them together.’

I wasn’t sure what Grayson would think of this new development. He was far more against their wedding than I was, and I was pretty determined against it. Now I couldn’t wait for them to tie the knot.

But not here.

Not in Las Vegas.

Half an hour later, Niamh left to go back to her and Ethan’s room to pack for the trip home. I had already emailed Happy Ever After Weddings and as soon as the time difference and travel distance allowed I would call into their London office in person. I didn’t care how much it cost but my sister was going to have the wedding of her dreams.

There was a tap at my door, and I opened it to find Grayson standing there with a grim look on his face.

‘You know?’

‘Yes, Ethan told me.’ He stepped through and I closed the door behind him.

‘I hope you weren’t too negative about it.’

He scraped his hand through his hair and let out a whooshing breath. ‘This changes everything. My mother is going to be beside herself with joy.’

‘And you? Are you excited about being an uncle?’

I studied his features, wondering what was going on behind the screen of his shuttered gaze.

‘I haven’t given it much thought. What about you?’

I rolled my lips together, not sure how to answer. I was still trying to get my head around my sister becoming a mother. She had always been my little sister, the person who depended on me for everything. But, in the space of weeks, I had been cast aside for her fiancé. Now they were going to be parents. So many changes in such a short timeframe.

‘On one level I’m thrilled to be an auntie, but on another I’m worried how my sister will cope with all the responsibilities of motherhood.’

‘Yes, well, every new parent goes on a steep learning curve, from what I’ve heard. But I’m sure Ethan will support her in every way he can. And my mother, of course.’

There was a beat or two of silence where we just stood looking at each other.

I couldn’t read his expression and I desperately hoped he couldn’t read mine. I was trying to hide my emotions. The emotions I wasn’t supposed to be feeling. The emotions I had forbidden myself to feel. But I was feeling them all the same.

I’m not sure how it happened but I was in love with him. I loved so much about him. The way he supported and protected his brother, the way he worked hard at his career, the values he stood by and his strength of character and self-discipline.

And I loved how he made love to me.

‘I’ve booked a flight for us all,’ Grayson said. ‘The sooner we get back to London the better.’

‘You’re right. It’s going to take a miracle to get a wedding organised in a couple of weeks.’

Grayson stepped up close, so our toes were almost touching. He lifted a hand to my face and stroked the curve of my cheek with a lazy finger. ‘I wish we had more time.’

‘For?’

He leaned down so his mouth was just above mine. ‘For this.’ His lips covered mine and I was swept up in the magic of the moment. No one had ever kissed me with such tender thoroughness. No one had ever made my blood sing in my veins the way he did. It was a kiss that spoke of fervent passion and deep longing. I wound my arms around his neck, my body pressed close to the strong wall of his. I could not bear to think of a time when I wouldn’t be able to do this—to be so close to him I could feel the thunder of his heart against me.

Grayson finally lifted his mouth off mine and gave me a twisted smile. ‘Hold that thought until we get back to London.’

I ran my hands down his chest and let them settle on his trim waist. ‘I think Niamh suspects we’re seeing each other.’

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