Passionate Night Page 12
“Right here with you, babe.”
Her cheeks began to hurt as her wide smile could no longer stretch. “Hunter … you’re here? To stay?”
“Yes, baby. I told you I wasn’t giving up on us. I love you, woman.”
“And I love you, too. I’m in utter disbelief. Deep down I never wanted you to go but I didn’t want to be selfish either.”
“Harper, you were willing to sacrifice our relationship because you love me enough to let me go. That signifies you’re the woman for me. There’s no need for me to go anywhere when everything I want and desire is right here with you. One of the reasons I was always shooting off to the next destination was because I didn’t have any responsibilities or ties to hold me down. Yes, I have my family, but not a family or a home of my own. And for once in my life I feel at home with you.”
“This is so surreal. I can’t believe you’re here, but I’m so happy that you are.”
“I would’ve been here sooner, but I needed to meet with your brothers, and I called your parents. They’re somewhere in Canada, I believe.”
She wrinkled her nose with a light giggle. “Why? You don’t need their permission to date me. I’m a grown woman.”
“No, but I needed their blessing,” he stated, taking her hand and kneeling down to one knee.
“Oh my goodness,” she screamed out as the happy tears floated down her cheek. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I love you, beautiful one. I fell for you the second I met you and each moment after that I found myself falling for you even harder. The thought of being without you for four months … heck, for four hours suffocates my heart more than you could ever imagine. A love like yours is what I’ve searched for, and now I finally have it and never want to be without you. Will you please do me the honor of being my wife, Harper Elaine Bennett?”
“Yes, yes. A gazillion times yes.” Flying into his arms, she smiled as he gathered her up and spun her around before setting her back down. In all of the excitement, she hadn’t realized a crowd had gathered around them including her brothers, London, and Simone. Everyone clapped and cheered as Hunter dipped her for a long, amazing kiss.
Epilogue
A year later …
“Baby, this is absolutely gorgeous,” Harper stated, gazing out at the tranquil, blue ocean that went on for miles and miles.
Sliding his hands around her waist from behind, Hunter placed a tender kiss to the side of her neck. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the yacht, Mrs. Arrington.”
“Mmm… I love the way that sounds, Mr. Arrington. And yes, a yacht off the coast of Naples for our honeymoon is the most perfect surprise ever.”
“Well, I wanted to do something special for you. You planned a beautiful wedding for us for the past year at The Atlanta Botanical Gardens.”
She pivoted in his embrace and encircled her arms around his neck. Resting her bikini top-clad breasts against his bare chest, she sighed as the warmth from the sun touched her back.
“Mmm … yesterday was such a glorious day with all our family and friends, and now this. You sure do know how to spoil me.”
“Nothing I wouldn’t do for you, beautiful one.”
“I know. I realized that the day you didn’t go to Ghana. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that all of this is happening. I love you so much, Hunter.”
“I love you, too. I knew I had to make you all mine after our first passionate night. I realized then you were everything I wanted in a wife. I’d never felt so at home and comfortable before.”
“I do remember the first time we made love. Goodness, you had me thinking that you, too, were the one.”
He shook his head as his expression turned serious. “It was a passionate night as well, but actually I’m not referring to that. I mean our first night together. From going with you to Café Intermezzo, to the intense first kiss in the hallway, then watching the basketball game and falling asleep afterwards. Sex isn’t the only passionate act. Sometimes being with your soul mate can be fulfilling and romantic. I realized then I wanted many more days and nights like that with you … and of course making love to you is definitely a perk.”
“Yes, it is. I have to say last night’s escapade was highly intense.”
He yanked her all the way against him. “We can do it again tonight.”
“Looking forward to it for the next two weeks and for the rest of our lives.”
Picking her up, he sat down with her on a chaise lounge and pulled her close to him. “I still can’t believe you’ve changed your schedule at the club. Only three nights a week? Are you sure you can handle being away from the club?”
“Yes, because I can’t handle being away from you. Besides, my brothers understand that I’m married now and I want to be home when you get off work whenever possible. I’ve worked at Masquerade since straight out of college. Plus, some of what I do can be done during the day and my staff is awesome.”
“Thank you. I look forward to having you to myself on some evenings now.”
“Besides, you made a big sacrifice for me. And when we start having babies, I may even take off for a year or so. That’s what my mother did.”
“Well, she did have triplets,” Hunter said with a smirk.
“Yep, and you’re a twin sooooo …”
“Hmm, you think we may have multiples, as well?”
“I hope so. That would be cool. I love my brothers very much and we’re so close. It would be wonderful for our children. However, it doesn’t matter. I just want healthy, happy babies with you.”
“When do you want to start?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“How about on our next anniversary, and we’ll spend this year practicing.”
Flipping her over on the chaise, he slid his body on top of hers.
“I take it you want to practice right now, Mr. Arrington?”
“Yes, beautiful one. Right now.”
The End
The Bennett Triplets Series
But that’s not the end. In case you didn’t know, there are two more novellas in the series that are available and written by my fabulous friends. Check out the blurbs below.
*****
A Passionate Love by Delaney Diamond
Simone Brooks and Cameron Bennett should not be together. She’s a wealthy socialite looking for a suitable husband. A man with the right pedigree and an economic status that matches her own. He’s part owner of the hottest nightclub in Atlanta with his siblings. Someone who loves cooking, the outdoors, and women, not necessarily in that order.
After one night together, their sizzling chemistry makes it difficult to stay away. Then comes the hard part—navigating their differences to salvage a relationship that, while it may be imperfect, overflows with love and passion.
*****
A Passionate Kiss by Sharon C. Cooper
Retired Marine, Mason Bennett, has two goals: adjust to civilian life and keep drama out of it. His focus is on his role as part-owner, along with his siblings, of Atlanta’s hottest nightclub. However, his attention shifts when the woman he has loved like a sister reenters his life and thoughts of a passionate kiss they shared hijacks his mind. Their connection is explosive. Feelings he’s tried to deny come to the forefront, and he’s tempted to do something he thought he would never do—cross that line from friends to lovers.
TV news anchor, London Alexander, is back home in Atlanta and ready to start a new chapter in her life. This time she hopes her future includes Mason, the man she has loved forever. She’s ready to step over the forbidden line that he’s drawn in their relationship.
Will taking a chance on love lead to a happily-ever-after? Or will risking their friendship leave them both with broken hearts?
About Candace Shaw
Candace Shaw writes romance novels because she believes that happily-ever-after isn’t found only in fairy tales. When she’s not writing or researching information for a book, you can find Candace in her gardens, shopp
ing, reading or learning how to cook a new dish.
Candace lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her loving husband and their loyal dog, Ali. She is currently working on her next fun, flirty and sexy romance.
You can contact Candace on her website at www.CandaceShaw.net as well as subscribe to her email list for updates, excerpts and giveaways.
Books by Candace Shaw
The Arrington Family Series
Cooking up Love
The Game of Seduction
Only One for Me
Prescription for Desire
My Kind of Girl
Chasing Love Series (Harlequin Kimani Romance)
Her Perfect Candidate
Journey to Seduction
The Sweetest Kiss
His Loving Caress
A Chase for Christmas (December 2016)
Precious Moments Series
For the Love of You
When I Fell for You (Winter 2016)
Then There was You (Late Spring 2017)
Free Reads
Simply Amazing (Arrington Family Series)
Only You for Christmas (Chasing Love/Harlequin’s website only)