Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [81]
“I love you so much,” Netherland whispered, letting her head fall forward on his chest.
“And I love you,” he whispered back, tightening his hold on her.
The small wedding Ashton had planned had turned into a lot more with both family and friends attending. Trevor’s father-in-law, the Reverend Nathan Avery, had officiated. Smiling, the couple accepted congratulations and well wishes from everyone and looked forward to a night spent in each other’s arms. However, Nadine Kalloren was not about to let the couple escape until pictures, and a lot of them, were taken. She had hired a photographer to guarantee that very thing.
It was close to midnight when Netherland and Ashton arrived at his hotel room. He closed the door and leaned back against the frame, looking at her. He thought she looked absolutely beautiful wearing the tea-length white dress she had purchased that very afternoon. Everything had been rushed, but now as he stood looking at her, he knew the haste had been well worth it.
She smiled at him and said, “We never did dance together, did we?”
He regarded her with a grin as he pushed away from the door. “No, but that can be arranged.” He walked over to the nightstand and turned on the radio. He moved the dial from station to station until he heard a song he felt was appropriate. He then turned to her. “May I have this dance, Mrs. Sinclair?”
Netherland crossed the room and walked into his arms. Then they began swaying to the sound of the slow music. There was something about the way he held her that made a lump form in her throat. It was as if he didn’t know when he would get the chance to hold her this way again. She blinked back tears, not wanting to think about that. She had to believe that he would find Jada and return to her as soon as he could.
She closed her eyes, wanting to free her mind of everything except being held by Ashton, and to concentrate on the feel of his hips moving against hers, and the tantalizing male scent of him. Moments later when the song ended and she opened her eyes, she met his gaze and saw flickers of heat shifting in his. She also saw love so profound it took her breath away. A feeling of heartache engulfed her, and she wondered if this was how her mother had felt the nights before her father had left on deployment. Knowing he had to go but wanting him to stay.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Ashton,” she whispered softly, looking into his eyes.
“And I’m going to miss you. Just remember what I told you that first night in Oklahoma. No matter where I go, you will always be here,” he said softly, taking her hand and placing it over his heart.
Reaching up, she laced her fingers behind his head and pulled him down to her, taking his mouth, determined to pleasure it with passion beyond anything they had shared together. She wanted to give him memories to sustain him until he returned to her. She hadn’t known how dangerous going into Deadpan Hollow was until she’d overheard Lieutenant Barton discussing it with her father. He’d said that place was a fire hazard, liable to burn to a crisp at any time, and that Ashton was risking his life going there in his attempt to find Jada.
And now, although a semblance of fear clutched her insides, she knew there was no way she could ask him not to go. Doing what he considered an honorable thing and standing up for what he believed in was what he was all about. So, she did the only thing she could do and that was to put everything she had into her kiss.
As she did, he returned her kiss the same way, putting everything he had into it, as well. His tongue latched onto hers, stirring explosive sensations and feeding a hunger that demanded to be fed. His hand was on her bottom, pressing her close and letting her know just how much he wanted her, just how much he needed her.
She continued kissing him with wild fervor, wanting memories