'Oh, Jake, I've missed you too, so much,' she sighed ecstatically as he nipped her bottom lip between his teeth, and kissed her again with a deep, hungry passion until shewas mindless and shaking in his arms. I love you so much, love what you do to me,' she moaned, almost incoherently—but not quite.
'I know.' Jake smiled against her mouth. It was one of the things he adored about her, she was such a vocal lover, and slowly he slid his hand down her body. His long fingers curled beneath the hem of her shorts and he cupped her between her thighs, and she moaned his name again.
'Charlie, I need the keys to the safe...'
Jake's hand shot from between her thighs to grip her around the waist and hold her tight against him as he let fly with a string of Italian curses that would have made the devil blush.
'Oops! Not the best of timing, but I am glad to see you've kissed and made up.' Her manager's voice finally got through to Charlie's love-hazed mind.
'Jeff!' she squeaked, pushing against Jake's chest, her face the colour of a beetroot. 'Have you never heard of knocking?' She tried to squirm out of Jake's hold, dying inside with embarrassment.
'My sentiments exactly,' Jake said sardonically, looking at the other man over the top of Charlotte's head.
'Sorry.' Jeff grinned, looking not in the least sorry. 'So, Charlie, does this mean I can tell the staff wedding bells are on the cards, and finally put them out of their misery?' he queried, tongue in cheek.
Jake stilled, his brows drawing together in a puzzled frown, and then he suddenly grinned. 'Ah, now I understand the staff's attitude,' he said dryly.
'What attitude?' Charlie demanded. 'Was someone rude to you?'
'Not exactly, but let me guess. They all know you're pregnant, and they all know my name.'
'Well, I might have mentioned you in passing.' She had the grace to blush.
Jake laughed out loud, his arm tightening around her shoulders. 'As you appear to have been doing all the talking so far, at least allow me to make this announcement. As the man concerned, it is only fair,' he added mockingly.
Charlie stayed dumb.
'Jeff, isn't it? I believe we met earlier. As you have seen for yourself, Charlotte and I can't keep our hands off each other, and so, yes, we are getting married, just as soon as it can be arranged. Feel free to tell everyone. If you don't, I'm sure Charlotte will.'
'Certainly, Mr d'Amato.' Jeff laughed. 'Obviously you know our Charlie well. I'll just get the keys and leave.'
'So, Charlotte, it is done. We are to marry—no going back.' He drew her into his arms again.
'I won't change my mind.' Never one to duck a challenge, she asked bluntly, 'Is it because I'm pregnant? Or do you really love me?'
'Yes, cara. I adore you.' And he kissed her.
They were married two weeks later in an outdoor ceremony in the grounds of the hotel. The wedding breakfast was over and the speeches done, and Charlie, with Jake's arm around her shoulder, was still in shock from the speed of it all.
'One more and that's it.' Diego Fortuna, Jake's best man, was a famous fashion photographer.
'I feel as though I should strike a pose or something,' Charlie murmured, slightly intimidated.
'The something being, let's get out of here. I want you to myself. And I don't want to waste any more of our wedding day, or more importantly wedding night, chatting to your friends—nice as they are,' Jake added, his dark eyes roaming over the exquisite vision in ivory silk at his side.
His wife. He congratulated himself on having made the right decision. He had discovered, on being introduced to quite a few of her male friends, that she was a member of the local mountain rescue team. Not only was she beautiful, and very beddable and carrying his child, she was also brave, though the climbing
would have to stop, he decided. He didn't believe in love, but he had no trouble accepting Charlotte's declarations of love. Life didn't get any better than this.
'You have a one-track mind.' Charlie chuckled, her blue eyes laughing up at him.
'Do you blame me? It has been seven weeks.'
'No, I can't wait either,' she said honestly. She had never felt more loved, more cherished in her life than when the registrar had said, 'You may kiss the bride,' and Jake had taken her in his arms, and kissed her with a tenderness that had brought tears to her eyes. But now she wanted more.
The day he had proposed had turned into a party at the hotel, and by accident or design Jeff and Dave had turned it into a stag night for Jake. Pressure of business had forced Jake to leave early the next morning. Even so, he had with Jeff and Dave's assistance organised everything long distance. The only thing Charlie had done was shop for her trousseau. She had bought lacy underwear and a few totally impractical flimsy nightgowns. She had limited herself to one cocktail dress with the prospect of a bulging tummy in mind, and, ever practical, for her wedding outfit she had chosen an exquisitely made designer suit.
A sophisticated column of ivory silk, the dress was strapless and revealed a hint of cleavage before skimming her still slender figure to end just on her knees. Apart from a posy of rosebuds, her only other adornment was a choker of pearls around her throat. Jake had flown in last night and given them to her over dinner at the hotel, but they had not spent the night together. Amy, the receptionist, had made sure of that, saying it was unlucky, and sharing Charlie's room herself, much to Jake's chagrin.