“What are you talking about? Trust me about what?”
“To be faithful. To not announce that I’m pregnant and that you have to marry me.”
Shocked, he frowned. “What on earth are you talking about? I haven’t done any such thing. There hasn’t been another woman in my life since you came into it. The only people I’ve told about your pregnancy were our families, when you were with me.”
“Please!”
“That’s the truth! Where’s all this coming from?”
“Kayla came to see me before the wedding—”
“Dammit!” Fury boiled in him over a woman from his past that he couldn’t shake out of his present. “You listened to her?” His anger intensified, hot and swift and blinding, but was followed instantly by common sense and relief. “Ashley, there’s not one shred of truth in anything she said to you. I swear, there isn’t. I wish I’d never met her.”
Ashley’s eyes widened as she searched his gaze.
“Kayla is over and out of my life, whether she likes it or not,” he insisted. “There hasn’t been anyone—”
“How’d she know that I’m pregnant?”
Surprised, he slid his hands down Ashley’s upper arms. “Darlin’, I don’t know what she said to you, but I’d say that she was guessing. If you’d denied being pregnant, she would’ve shrugged it away. Knowing you, I doubt you contradicted her. I swear to you that I didn’t tell her that you’re pregnant, nor have I been unfaithful to you.”
“She said I wasn’t in your class, and the only reason you’d marry me was out of pity, since I’m pregnant.”
“Dammit, forget all that rubbish about class. I’ve told you about my past. I came from nothing. I’m not of one class and you another. That’s absurd. It sounds feudal. You have a great family. I like them and I’m not marrying you out of pity or sympathy or any such thing. Kayla guessed the pregnancy. Did you confirm it?”
“No. I was stunned,” Ashley replied quietly. “Her accusation of your being unfaithful isn’t true. Or am I being naive to ask?”
“Hardly. I told you, there hasn’t been anyone for a long time, definitely not since you’ve been back in my life. Nothing Kayla said was the truth,” he insisted. “I promise you.”
Her gaze searched his and he waited quietly, knowing she was weighing what he’d said against what Kayla had told her. “I almost left this morning,” Ashley admitted.
“Thank heavens you didn’t!” he exclaimed. “Okay, now?”
While silence again stretched between them, he gazed into her eyes, until she nodded. “Okay. I may be the most gullible woman on earth, but I’ll accept what you’re saying.”
“Ashley, time will show you that I’m truthful. C’mon, let’s go enjoy our wedding.”
“All through the ceremony I kept thinking I was making a mistake. I barely heard what the minister said.”
“I’m sorry Kayla ruined your wedding for you. She’s out of my life. I hope you heard the minister pronounce us man and wife.”
“I heard that,” Ashley said solemnly.
Ryan looked at her features and her hair. “You look stunning today. I”ll remember you forever the way you look now.”
She smiled, and he smiled in return. “Let’s give each other half a chance,” he added. “I expect us to fall in love.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Did you hear him say, ‘You may kiss the bride’?” Ryan asked, his desire spiraling as he looked at her full, soft mouth.
“Yes, I did,” she answered, with that sultry quality in her voice that excited him even more. He leaned the last few inches to kiss her, and her mouth opened to him as she wrapped her arms around him. Her kiss aroused him, and he longed to be alone with her. He wanted her naked in his arms, in his bed.
A pounding on the door got through to him dimly above the roaring of his pulse, while Ashley pushed against his chest and wiggled away. “Ryan!” a deep voice called.
“That’s Brett.” Ryan reached around her to open the door, and his brother stepped inside.
“Sorry,” he said apologetically to Ashley. “They’re searching for both of you for pictures. You’re holding up the works.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” Ryan answered, wishing he could pick her up and run out the back with her, sweeping her away right now. He took her arm and they started to follow Brett, then stopped again.
“Everything okay now?”
“Yes,” she said, smiling at him. Yet there was still a wary look in her eyes, and he wondered how much damage Kayla had done.
“Where’s the necklace I gave you?” he asked.
Her expression was stricken and her hand flew to her throat.
“Ryan, it’s—” She bit her lip and blinked. “I’m so sorry. I threw it on the floor of the room where I dressed. Let me go get it.”
He shook his head. “I’ll have Cal or Brett find it. Don’t worry. The necklace isn’t what’s important here.” He received a warm look at that, and felt better, hoping they’d cleared the air between them.
During the picture taking Ryan kept his arm around Ashley’s waist as much as possible, wanting her close at his side. The minute they reached the club for the reception, he was separated from her by crowds of friends and relatives, who congratulated him and wished him well. Often, he could spot Ashley across the room, and occasionally, she would look around and make eye contact. He could feel the invisible electricity instantly generated, and fought a constant urge to glance at his watch.
Finally she was at his side and it was time for the first dance. He took her hand as they made their way to the dance floor. She had shed the train of her dress, and followed his lead easily.
“I want to take down your hair and peel you out of that gown and kiss you all night long,” he said, knowing he ought to avoid the erotic images of her that he had thought about so much today. “You’re in my whole being, like a heady wine, Ashley.”
“Ryan, everyone is watching us now. I hope they can’t hear you.”
“You know they can’t. You’re beautiful, and I dream about having you in my arms. This is torture, and it’ll go on how many more hours?”
She laughed. “Most of the afternoon. We just got started. According to you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so relax and enjoy it.”
“There are some other things I would rather be doing,” he said tersely. “The first minute we can feasibly get out of here, let me know and we’re off.”
“So you said you’d surprise me about where we’ll go for our honeymoon. When are you going to tell me?”
“Not until we’re on our way.”
“Which we won’t be for hours,” she said, and her tone had lightened, which cheered him.
Ryan drew Ashley close, wanting to wrap her in his embrace, but she pushed against his chest. “Everyone is watching, so show a little more propriety.”
“Propriety isn’t my strong suit,” he said with amusement as they circled the dance floor.
She danced with him, wondering about their future. Would they fall in love? Would Ryan be able to settle into marriage and give up his playboy lifestyle and beautiful women? The last was a question that constantly nagged at Ashley. Marriage was an abrupt alteration for him, even more than the