The Fiancee Charade(69)

                Swinging her up in his arms he carried her to the bed, set her down and joined her. “Not for six years.”

                “Then I might consider it.”

                He watched as she slipped out of the chemise, restraining himself from simply grabbing her and taking control. His patience was rewarded as she slowly peeled his soft cotton pants over his hips and down his legs.

                When he was finally naked she straddled him and produced a foil packet and ripped it open. He almost grinned when he saw the condom, which was color coordinated with the candles, although the desire to smile disappeared as she ripped open the foil package and began to fit the condom. The feel of her hands on him and the small fumbling movements she made almost drove him insane.

                When he was completely sheathed, she gently lowered herself onto him. Taking a deep breath, he fought for control as she accustomed herself to having him inside her then began to move, slowly and smoothly, closing her eyes as she did so.

                Exquisite pleasure rolled through Gabriel. He framed Gemma’s hips, steadying her as the tension coiled and built on endless waves of heat until, with a muttered expletive, Gabriel moved, rolling her beneath him as the shimmering heat and intensity coiled tight and the scented, candlelit night dissolved in a blaze of light.





                                      Fifteen

                The wedding was set for the following weekend, the reception booked at the Dolphin Bay Resort, which was adjacent to the Messena estate.

                Luisa arrived home after two days, but happily Gabriel had already explained the whole situation to his mother over the phone. Sanchia took care of any other awkwardness. As the long-awaited first Messena grandchild, she was always guaranteed center stage for Luisa. Gemma was more than happy to take a quiet step back and let Luisa come to terms with the impending marriage.

                The following day, after another night of lovemaking and physical closeness, during which the distance she couldn’t seem to close was just as present, just as frustrating, Gabriel had to go back to town for an appointment he couldn’t cancel.

                Already dressed for work in a dark suit with a blue tie that made him look formal and distant, Gabriel pulled her close for a kiss, then picked Sanchia up and hugged her.

                Standing on the forecourt, waving goodbye as he drove away, Gemma couldn’t help comparing his response to Sanchia with his response to her.

                With Sanchia there was no ambivalence. Gabriel loved her unconditionally; it was there in the teasing exchanges, the way he relaxed with his daughter. His response to her was guarded; there was no other word for it. No matter how hard she tried, the tension hadn’t entirely dissolved.

                While Gabriel was away, Gemma threw herself into ordering the dresses for the wedding. Luisa, who was expert at all forms of entertaining, took over the organizing for the pre-wedding dinner and the ceremony and reception the next day.

                Expecting the wedding to be very small because of the short notice, Gemma was a little dismayed to see the Messena social network come to immediate vibrant life. Family and friends were not only coming from distant places in New Zealand, Gabriel had organized charter flights to bring cousins and relatives from overseas.

                As she spent time with Gabriel’s mother, Gemma came to the conclusion that, in her own way, Luisa was trying to make her feel at home and accepted as Gabriel’s bride.

                Warmed, when the dresses were delivered by helicopter on the front lawn, she unwrapped the parcels and showed Luisa the wedding and flower girl dresses she had selected.