An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [48]
“I do love you, always.” He lowered his mouth to hers again. His kiss was sweet as his hands fiddled with the zipper at the back of her dress. Growing impatient, he rolled her onto her side, turning with her in order to ease it open. He removed the dress, along with her bra and panties.
Then his own clothes came off.…
Afterward, neither spoke. Alek kissed her repeatedly and Julia kissed him back, in relief and jubilation. Her season of pain had passed just as her grandmother had claimed it would. She’d found her joy in Alek.
They slept, their arms around each other, their bodies cuddling spoon-fashion. Alek tucked his leg over hers and pressed close to her back.
Julia woke first, hungry and loving. She turned over so that her head was nestled beneath Alek’s chin.
“Hmm.”
“You awake?”
“I am now,” he muttered drowsily.
“I’m hungry. Do you want to order out for dinner?”
Alek grinned. “I was going to cook for us, remember?”
Julia scooted closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers delving into his thick hair. “I think you should conserve your strength for later,” she advised, bringing his mouth down to hers.
Gentle flames flickered over the gas logs in Julia’s fireplace while they lounged on the floor, the remains of a boxed pizza resting nearby on the plush, light gray carpeting. Alek had found a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass.
“You’re quiet,” Alek commented.
Julia leaned back her head and smiled up at him. They couldn’t seem to be apart from each other, even for a moment. Not just then. His touch was her reality.
His arms tightened around her. “Any regrets?”
“None.”
He kissed the side of her neck. “Me, neither.”
“I thought you’d gloat. Our making love is a real feather in your cap, isn’t it?”
“I care nothing for feathers. All I want is my wife.” He stroked his chin across the top of her head. “Are you still hungry?”
Julia patted her stomach. “Not a bit. Are you?”
“Yes. I’m half-starved.”
The odd catch in his voice told her it wasn’t food that interested him. He went still, as though he feared her response. Looking up at him, she stared into his eyes and smiled. “I have a feeling I’ve awakened a monster,” she teased.
Alek pressed her down into the thick carpet, his eyes seeking hers. “Do you mind?”
“No,” she whispered, untying the sash to her silk robe. “I don’t mind at all.”
Alek’s mouth had just touched hers when the phone rang. He froze and so did Julia.
“Let it ring,” she suggested, rubbing her hands over his chest, loving the smooth feel of his skin.
“It could be important.” Reluctantly his eyes moved from her to the phone.
“You’re probably right,” Julia said, although she was far more interested in making love with her husband than talking on the phone.
“I’ll get it.” He scrambled across the floor and grabbed the receiver. “Hello,” he said impatiently.
Julia followed, kneeling beside him. Leaning forward, she caught his earlobe between her teeth.
“Hello, Jerry,” he said curtly.
Julia playfully progressed from his ear to his chin, then down the side of his neck.
“Yes, Julia’s right here.” He seemed winded, as if he were under strain.
“It’s for you.” He handed her the phone.
Julia took it, her eyes holding his. “Hello, Jerry,” she said in a clear, even voice. “You caught me at a bad moment. Would you mind if I called you back in say…half an hour?”
“Ah…sure.” Her brother obviously wasn’t pleased, but Julia didn’t really care.
“Thanks.” She hung up the phone. “Now…”
“A bad moment?” Alek repeated, struggling to hide a smile. “Or a good one?”
“Definitely a good one,” she said. “At least from my point of view.”
“And mine, too…”
Nearly thirty minutes passed before Julia returned her brother’s call.
“Hello, Jerry,” she said, when he answered the phone. “I’m sorry I couldn’t talk earlier.”
“What’s going on over there, anyway?”
“Sorry. We were busy.”
The pause that followed was full of meaning. “Ah. I see. So,” he said smugly, “how do you like married life now?”
“I like it just fine.” She felt