“Nicky is on her way up. She needed to make a last-minute phone call to be sure everything is going according to schedule. She has a small reception planned immediately after the ceremony in our home,” Kimara answered.
“It’s not your home any longer, darling,” Kyle said, giving her a smile that sent her pulses racing. “After today your home is with me.”
“Yes, of course,” Kimara replied, smiling smoothly, betraying nothing of her annoyance. She knew they were playacting for the benefit of Judge Williams. Mason already knew this was not a marriage based on love.
“Where will the two of you be staying after the honeymoon?” Mason Long asked.
“We’ll be moving into the Garwood estate for a while,” Kyle answered.
“And the honeymoon? Or is it a secret?” Judge Williams asked as a huge grin covered his face.
Kyle chuckled. “Now is as good a time as any to let Kimara know where we’re going,” he said. “We’ll be spending our honeymoon at Special K.”
Kimara’s gaze flew wide open to Kyle’s face. A look of total surprise and bewilderment covered her features. “Special K? But I thought your grandfather sold it right after our parents’ death.”
“On the contrary, Miss Stafford,” Mason answered rather quickly. “Although he could not handle the thought of ever going there again, Mr. Garwood retained ownership of the mountain cabin. In fact, over the years he’s made sure it’s been kept up. The Garwood-Stafford retreat is waiting for a Garwood and a Stafford to bring it back to life again. I contacted the caretaker and he assured me everything has been prepared and is waiting your arrival.”
Kimara absorbed Mason’s words. She then turned to Kyle. “How long have you known about this?”
Kyle heard the quiver in her voice, and he understood. Special K held a lot of fond memories for the both of them. It had been the site of numerous Garwood-Stafford family picnics, special gatherings, and vacations.
“Mason told me about it a few days ago. I thought it would be nice to see the place again and spend some time there. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind. I’m just a little shocked. All these years I assumed your grandfather had sold it. I never asked him about it for fear of bringing up sad memories.”
At that moment Nicky walked in and Judge Williams indicated it was time for the ceremony to begin.
The ceremony was brief. After Kyle placed the beautiful diamond ring on Kimara’s finger and the words were spoken declaring them husband and wife, Judge Williams gave him the go-ahead to kiss the bride. Instead of grazing her on the cheek like Kimara thought he’d do, Kyle pulled her to him and gave her a traditional kiss with all the trimmings.
It brought back memories of the kiss they’d shared the night he had taken her out to dinner. She was again taken aback by her immediate response to him. His lips moved softly but boldly over hers, making slow, circular motions before allowing his tongue to penetrate their depths. When Kimara’s knees nearly buckled under her from the sensuous onslaught, he gave her the needed support by tightening his hold and drawing her closer as he continued to kiss her.
Kimara found herself thoroughly enjoying the intimate contact with the man who was now legally her husband. The unexpectedness of his kiss, along with the pure pleasure it was giving her, made her feel hot, tingly, and flushed. The feel of his lips on hers sent sparks of desire throughout her body. Kimara knew she was in trouble. Deep trouble. She became every bit as caught up in the kiss as Kyle. Later she would blame it on the sip of wine she’d taken before leaving home to calm her nerves. On the other hand, Kyle’s lethal good looks weren’t entirely guiltless either. They reluctantly pulled apart after Mason cleared his throat several times.
Nicky kissed her on the cheek and congratulated her. She then received hugs from both Mason and Judge Williams. Both men informed her they would be skipping the reception, but wished them the best.
A few minutes later Kimara found she was alone with Kyle as they got into an elevator to leave. Nicky had gone on ahead, to make sure everything was all set for the reception. Kimara stared straight ahead, trying hard not to concentrate on the man standing by her side.
“Are you sure you want to go to Special K, Kimara?” Kyle asked in a soft voice. “It’s not too late for me to make other arrangements if going there will bother you.”
She looked up at him. Her expression was tight with strain. “It really doesn’t matter where we spend our honeymoon, Kyle. The purpose of us being there will be the same. Your goal is to get me pregnant, not to look upon our time together as some romantic interlude. Our marriage is a business arrangement, nothing more.”
A faint light twinkled in the depths of Kyle’s eye. “Are you having second thoughts about our agreement?”
“It would be too late if I were, wouldn’t it?” Kimara replied in a resigned voice.
“Yes,” Kyle answered, touching her cheek with a lone finger. “It would be, since you’re now my wife.”
“The huskiness of Kyle’s tone of voice, as well as his words, captivated Kimara, but she was determined not to let him get next to her. “For only six months,” she snapped. “Even less than that if I get pregnant right away.”
Before Kyle could respond to her statement, the elevator opened. They suddenly found themselves swamped by reporters.
“Blast it! Who tipped them off?” Kyle whispered in an agitated voice. He tried shielding her from the firing line of flashbulbs.
She smiled weakly. Anything Kyle did was news. It was rare to pick up a magazine or newspaper and not find him being featured in it.
“Is it true, Mr. Garwood, that you and Miss Stafford just got married?”
Kyle turned to Kimara and gave her a tender smile. An offer of apology for not making sure the news of their wedding was kept under wraps shone in his eyes. “Yes, Kimara and I just married. Now, if you will ex--”
“Why the secrecy?”
“Evidently it wasn’t too much of a secret, since you found out,” Kyle answered in a curt voice, ushering Kimara outside the building to his parked car.
Kimara noticed that Kyle had changed vehicles as he opened the door to a beautiful Mercedes. When they were in the flow of traffic, he reached over and took her hand in his and squeezed it. “I’m sorry for what happened back there.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Do you think they’ll follow us?”
“I don’t know. I hope not.” He took a quick glance in his rearview mirror. “It doesn’t appear that they are. To be on the safe side, do you want to skip the reception?”
I can’t do that. Nicky went to a lot of trouble. I don’t want to disappoint her.”
Kyle nodded as he swung the vehicle onto the interstate.
Kimara did little talking as they traveled, absently taking in the sights that she had seen numerous times before. She was glad when Kyle’s car pulled into the driveway.
“I’ve made arrangements for us to fly out in three hours.”
Kimara nodded. “I’ll be ready.” Deep down she knew she would never be ready for Kyle Garwood. The thought of spending the night with him was beginning to play havoc on her nerves.
A few minutes later she found herself smiling. The reception was everything Nicky had planned it to be. Their own company had catered the affair, and by the looks on everyone’s faces, they had outdone themselves. The food was delicious. The only people in attendance were close friends of hers and Nicky. Kyle hadn’t bothered to invite any of his friends or associates.
“Let’s dance,” he whispered in her ear after she had introduced him to various friends. Kimara moved into his arms as a slow, seductive melody by Luther Vandross filled the room. He pulled her closer to him. She pressed her cheek to rest against his hard chest as they slowly swayed to the music. The way he was holding her seemed to make every square inch of her body touch every square inch of his. She was so physically charged from the feel of him that she nearly forgot to breathe. He had rested his cheek against the top of her head, and their movements were so slow that at times it appeared neither of them was moving.
“You’re a beautiful bride,” Kyle murmured against her ear.
She smiled. “Thanks. And you’re a handsome groom.” She felt his arms tighten around her. Neither spoke again during the remainder of the dance.
“Nice party,” Kyle said to Kimara an hour or so later, when they found themselves alone.
She nodded. “Yes, it is.”
“Why don’t we leave?” he said softly.
She felt a nervous flutter in the pit of her stomach. She began to panic. “Now?”
Kyle smiled the sensuous smile that came from him so easily. “Now is just as good a time as any. We’ve been here for a little more than a hour. I’m sure your friends will understand if we left a little early.”
She took a deep breath. “Are we leaving for Special K tonight?”
“Yes. My plane is at the airport, waiting. Did my chauffeur come by earlier today for your luggage and all of your other belongings to take to the Garwood estate?”
“Yes. But I didn’t send everything.”
A spark of some indefinable emotion flashed in Kyle’s eyes with her statement.