He didn't disappoint. Putting one hard–muscled thigh between her legs, he eased them apart before teasing her.
"Why do you love tormenting me?"
"Because delay is the servant of pleasure. I like taking you too—"
Breath shot out of her lungs as Jack proved his point. He brought her to the edge quickly and efficiently by thrusting deep and slow. Clutching his buttocks, she used her inner muscles to make his release inevitable, and laughed triumphantly as Jack groaned and upped his pace until they both came apart, falling at the same moment into a turbulent, but thoroughly enjoyable black pool of pleasure.
They slept for a while after that, until Jack squinted at his wristwatch.
"Fuck!"
"I thought we just did that," Bella murmured lazily, lacking even the strength to open her eyes.
"Bella get up!" Without waiting for her to respond, Jack bent down to pick her up, and tossing her over his shoulder as if she were a bag of feathers, he ran with her to the house. "We're getting married in two hours' time," he reminded her as he deposited her on her feet in the hall. "Thank goodness everything's ready in advance. The guests will start arriving in about an hour. I'll get your friends. They should be here by now. They're probably sitting in the kitchen, wondering what to do."
"No bride?" She laughed. "That would give them a problem."
Jack came back to give her a parting kiss. "I'll see you later."
"Got the ring?"
"Of course." He brought out her mother's wedding ring and held it up. "And I've got something more for you..."
She laughed as he showed her the big brown box. "I can't possibly guess what that is."
She'd gotten something for Jack too, Bella thought as he strode away. She smiled as she cradled her stomach. She was carrying Jack's baby. This was the start of the family he'd always wanted, and it was what she wanted too. She wanted the old house to live again, and to ring to the sound of children and people visiting and enjoying it. Everyone who came to the Old Hall would be part of their family, for however short a time, because if there was one thing she did know, it was that she and Jack had love to spare.
She turned at a knock on the door. Her girlfriends from the Ladies Club had arrived to help her get dressed. She opened the box when they clustered round, demanding to see her wedding dress.
"I hope it's white," Tracey teased her.
He turned around as the band struck up the bridal march to see Bella walking up the flower–strewn path in the garden she had created at the Old Hall, on the arm of her friend Tracey. The rest of her friends, all dressed in soft pastel shades, walked behind them. He felt a great surge of emotion at the thought that this exceptional woman had agreed to marry him. He wanted nothing more than to give everything he possessed, and everything he was, to Bella.
It was lucky they were both optimists, he thought wryly, because they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. Working with Bella would make every day special. It would make every challenge they faced together a test to relish. Bella had changed his life. He had never imagined he would have the time for romance, let alone a love like this. And when the bride wore red...
"Thank you for agreeing to be my wife," he murmured discreetly as they stood in front of the minister. "You look beautiful—both in red, and out of it."
Bella didn't say a word. She didn't need to. She just looked at him and took hold of his hand, and then she guided it to where their child was growing safe inside her.
"Yes?" he asked in wonder as the congregation settled down.
"Yes," she whispered, smiling back at him.
Arabella
Taurus April 19th–May 19th
Element: Fire... Earth... Taurus is an earth sign... a lover of earthly pleasures, full of determination that can show as any combination of stubbornness, loyalty, stability, or the unflinching will to succeed.
Mode: Taurus is a fixed sign, showing the element at its least changeable form, again pointing to stability or stubbornness.
Planetary ruler... Venus, the planet of love and beauty.
A typical Taurean prefers to live a risk free, stable life, and must beware of becoming stuck in a rut. A considered risk now and then is not a bad thing, and can aid progress.
Those born under the sign of Taurus do not like to be pushed into anything and will stand back and take their time before coming to a decision, but when they finally set their mind on a goal nothing will stop them until they reach it. A lover of comfort and good food, those born under this sign must take care not to overindulge.
Taureans are slow to anger, but can be formidable when roused. They make a tolerant and loyal friend, but if betrayed they will never forget the wrong done to them. A placid outer shell gives little clue to the passions burning within. The most sensual sign of the zodiac, this sign exudes sexuality when they are attracted to a mate. They don't rush into love, and enjoy the foreplay, the hunt. They value stability too much to take a leap into the dark, but when they do find love they are fiercely loyal.