Determined to stay on top of his game, he had also adopted an unstinting routine to help maintain his health and fitness. In New York he either started his day with an early-morning run or by working out at the gym. But lying there next to Imogen, with the sun pouring in at the window, highlighting her silky bare skin as she lay on her front, he honestly couldn’t think of a single thing he’d like to be doing more—except perhaps making love to her again...
As if intuiting that he was watching her, she lifted her head and glanced up at him. With her chestnut curls tumbling sexily over a bare shoulder she had a sleepy-eyed slumberous look that was so alluring. Seth found himself instantly turned on again, despite the fact that they’d made love for most of the night.
‘Hey. Are you intending on sleeping the entire day away, Mrs Broden?’
Her cheeks were suffused with indignation, arousing him even more.
‘Of course I’m not. I’m going to get up in a minute and see about breakfast. I’m hungry...ravenous, in fact.’
‘So am I...’ Lowering his tone meaningfully, he lay down again.
With a sigh, Imogen turned onto her side to study him. ‘Shall we get dressed and go downstairs to the dining room?’ she asked, her voice not quite steady.
‘Not yet. Food isn’t our top priority.’
The lascivious glance he gave her made her emit a husky little groan even before he touched his lips to hers. ‘Isn’t it?’ she breathed.
They both knew she was fighting a losing battle.
‘There are a few other needs that I want to see to first,’ he insisted. ‘Do you know how addicted I’m becoming to your body?’
‘Mmm-hmm...I think my aches and pains bear that out. Perhaps we were a little too energetic last night? I didn’t know I’d be getting in so much practice straight away.’
‘You can’t beat practice...’ Bending his head towards hers, Seth stole a deliberately provocative kiss—the kind of kiss that made his blood turn molten even before he’d finished it. ‘And you know what they say about practice...’ He slid his hand over her exposed bare breast, loving the way her nipple immediately stood to attention and her dark eyes turned misty.
‘What do they say?’ she breathed softly.
He smiled, knowing it didn’t really matter about the answer. This seemingly inconsequential little conversation was definitely only heading one way...
‘That it makes even the best things perfect.’
‘I don’t care about perfection. I want— I just want...’
‘What do you want, baby?’
‘You... I just want you.’
To his surprise and delight she manoeuvred herself on top of him and her sultry inner thighs clamped against his sides.
‘You’ve got me,’ he said throatily, ‘for as long and as often as you want.’
* * *
They were enjoying dinner in the restaurant that evening when Imogen remarked, ‘By the way, what made you hire a photographer for the wedding? It took me by surprise. I know that you don’t exactly court publicity.’
‘It seems that I’m changing a lot of my old ways since I met you, sweetheart.’ Raising his wine glass to his lips, Seth gave her a tender smile. ‘And I hope for the better. I thought it might be nice for you to have some pictures to show to your family and friends. To prove to them that you didn’t let what previously happened break you—that you stayed strong and fell in love with a man who adores you.’
Her eyes suddenly awash with tears, Imogen knew her gaze was transfixed. ‘I adore you, too, Seth. But I’m a little overwhelmed that you care so much about how I might feel that you would do that for me. I can still hardly believe we’re married. I’m scared that I’ll suddenly wake up and find that I’ve been having the most fantastical dream.’
Putting his glass down on the table, Seth captured her hand and lifted it to his lips. ‘This is no dream, angel. What’s happened has happened because it was meant. The older I get, the more I believe that universal forces aren’t random. I get the sense that events and situations are being carefully orchestrated. When a relationship feels as right as ours does, what else can you put it down to? Anyway...’ He planted a warm kiss across her fingers. ‘Now that’s clear we can start to enjoy our honeymoon.’
‘I’m already enjoying it. Even if we went home today it wouldn’t matter...just as long as I know we can be together.’