Page 19 of One Weekend On Mackinac Island
“Try to keep up, Dad,” my brother teased. “Owen and Kat are in love,” he said, drawing out the last word like a five year old.
“When did this happen?” Dad wondered.
Remembering what Owen had told me about the missed birthday party, I replied, “When I was ten.”
Chapter 10
Kat
My brother had justmarried the woman of his dreams in the most romantic setting I’d ever seen. The ceremony took place on the porch of the Grand Hotel, overlooking the beautifully maintained grounds and the shimmering lake beyond. The women had worked their magic with the lilacs, transforming them into vibrant bouquets and boutonnieres that injected a perfect burst of color.
Taking place just before sunset, the setting was sensational. And as they exchanged rings?which Mr. Chambers had foundand returned to us?the sky erupted into a show of color to rival the flowers.
The reception was also out on the porch and as the sun slipped below the horizon; the air turned chilly. When a tux jacket settled on my shoulders, I smiled. I could feel the lingering heat from his body radiating through the fabric, a comforting warmth that I loved. From my chair, I looked up at the handsome man standing behind me. He bent and kissed my forehead.
“Happy?” he asked as he took a seat beside me.
“Immeasurably.”
The bouquet in my hands was a symphony of colors and scents, and I inhaled deeply, unable to ignore the intoxicating aroma.
“I’ll have to remember to add that shade of lilacs to your next birthday bouquet,” Owen remarked casually, his gaze lingering on the delicate purple petals.
My gaze snapped up to his. “You?”
He nodded. “Me.”
All this time I’d thought the flowers that had been delivered to my door on my birthday every year had come from my brother. I never imagined it had been Owen’s doing. “Why did you ever say anything?”
“I thought I did with the delivery.”
“But you never signed them,” I argued.
He shrugged. “Well, now you know.”
Yes. Now I knew. Everything. Every secret was out in the open now. And I couldn’t be happier. Rising to my feet, I walked over to him and settled into his lap. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, and mine went around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair. I leaned in and kissed his cheek, the light scruff on his face a pleasant texture against my lips.
“Thank you for always remembering me,” I said, my voice a whisper against the backdrop of unspoken feelings, for what I really meant was “thank you for always loving me.”
“I could never forget you. Remember? You are my sunrise and my sunset.”
A wave of goosebumps rippled across her skin, a physical manifestation of the wonderful feeling his words evoked. “The things you say and what they do to me,” I whispered against his lips before I kissed him.
The growl, deep and rumbling, vibrated against my skin, sending a jolt of electricity through me as our lips locked. The laughter and chatter of the crowd on the porch faded into the background, swallowed by the intensity of his kiss. As his arousal intensified beneath me, I could feel my own excitement growing stronger. There was a pulsing heat and a sudden rush of moisture that surged between my legs. If we didn’t get out of here soon, I was going to combust.
The sound of a booming laugh jolted us apart, breaking our passion filled moment. Our eyes locked in surprise for a moment before we both couldn't help but burst into laughter. He leaned in closer, his voice husky, and whispered, “Why is it so easy to lose control around you?”
“I wonder the same thing.”
He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “Want to get out of here?”
“Absolutely.” He sprang to his feet so quickly, his chair teetered and almost tumbled to the floor. I couldn't help but let out a small giggle. He helped me from my chair, then grasped my hand as we walked into the hotel.
The elevator ride seemed to last forever, but finally, we were inside my room, the door closing behind us with a soft thud. I slipped his jacket from my shoulders and placed it over the deskchair. Turning to him, I slid my hands up his chest and around his neck, pressing my body against his.
As soon as his lips met mine, all thoughts of being nervous disintegrated. Instead, a hot streak of yearning shot straight between my thighs. As I was beginning to learn, the kiss went from simple to fiery in a flash and I moaned into his mouth.
His hands were everywhere, igniting a burning sensation everyplace they passed. When they reached my ass, he lifted, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist. I kicked my shoes off as he laid me on the bed. He hovered over me, his hands slipping up my legs under my dress. I loved the sky-blue gossamer gown, but right now I wouldn’t mind if he ripped it off of me.
