Page 44 of Texas Tycoon's Christmas Fiancée
“He’ll have a tux,” Grace said. “Right now, nothing seems real about the marriage or the wedding ceremony.”
“The middle of January will come soon.”
Enchanted, Grace looked around the huge ballroom of Eli’s mansion. A fire blazed in a massive stone fireplace while an orchestra played and she danced in Nick’s arms.
“I can’t believe I’m here in your arms and I’ve had an enormous wedding with hundreds of guests. This is a dream come true.”
“I’ll say that about eight hours from now,” he said.
“Or sooner if we can,” she added breathlessly. The weeks since his proposal had been a dream—the excitement, the preparations, the presents, and in the center of it all was Nick. She had difficulty believing she was actually his wife now. Mrs. Nicholas Rafford.
Her life had turned upside down and at the moment she was deliriously happy as she looked into Nick’s eyes. Whatever their future, today, as well as the next two weeks on a honeymoon with Nick, should be paradise.
“You’re beautiful, Mrs. Rafford,” he said. “And hot. You don’t have any idea what you do to me.”
“Thank you, my handsome, sexy husband. This is paradise.”
“Oh, no. How wrong you are. Paradise will be tonight. That’s when the fireworks begin. Hopefully a little sooner than that. If I could kiss you now the way I want, people would stare because it would not be a casual kiss.”
“You won’t hear any objections when we’re alone. Oh, Nick, this is wonderful,” she said.
He spun her around and watched her with a look of satisfaction. “This marriage may be the best merger and greatest idea I’ve ever had.”
“Don’t sound so smug,” she said in amusement, and he grinned at her.
“I have a right to be smug. Marrying you, giving Dad what he wants, getting what I want, taking you on a two-week honeymoon—how could I possibly top that?”
He spun her around the floor and then the music changed to a fast Latin number and she danced, watching Nick, flirting silently and exchanging looks that heated her more than ever.
Finally she was back in his arms for another slow dance.
“How could your family know so many people?” she asked as they danced past others. “I’d guess fifty or seventy-five from my guest list are here. All the rest of this enormous crowd is from your dad’s and your list.”
“Dad has always led a social life, been active in business, been on boards. We know a lot of people. There’s only one person I’m interested in today.”
She gazed up at him, tingles tickling her as their gazes locked and she forgot the crowd. “Nick, I know we can’t, but I’m ready to leave here.”
He drew a long breath. “I’m thinking of all the things I want to do with you when we’re alone,” he said in a husky voice.
“You’re making it harder.”
“Au contraire, darling. You’re the one making it harder,” he said in a double entendre that caused her cheeks to burn as she smiled at him.
“I hope so,” she replied softly.
“You better stop before I whirl you out of here, away from everyone, and make mad, passionate love to you.”
“You tempt me,” she said, flirting with him.
“Grace, one more minute and I carry out my threat.”
“Very well, we’ll be proper and perform our duties as the honorees.” She looked at her hand on his shoulder, still dismayed by the enormous diamond ring he had given her. “My ring has to be the most spectacular ring in the world. Nick, it’s worth a fortune by itself, not to mention the other things you’ve done for me,” she said. She recalled how awed over the ring she had been when he surprised her with it, kissing her passionately and telling her how glad he was she’d accepted his proposal.
“I wanted you to have it and I’m glad you like it.”
“It impressed my sisters,” she said, and he grinned.
“I’m still doubtful if they’re really your sisters. Bart and I weren’t alike, but you and your sisters don’t have a shred of resemblance in personality or looks.”
