Wedding Night With the Ranger Read Online Free Page A

shoulders and slightly twirled her toward him.
    “A penny in your shoe is good luck, you know.”
    A tender, slight frown formed between her eyes. “I’ve heard that,” she admitted.
    “Do you believe it?” he asked.
    Her shoulders slightly shrugged.
    “I do.” His voice came out in a husky whisper. It was powerful, this draw she had on him, and damn hard to fight. Temptation became so strong he couldn’t resist it any longer. He had to taste her before his body exploded more fiercely than a sulfur geyser. Slowly, watching her reaction, he lowered his face.
    The softest moan he’d ever heard escaped her lips as his mouth brushed over them. The smooth, silky feel and the sweet, heavenly flavor made his hands travel over her shoulders and up her neck until his palms cupped her face. He held her head so he could delve deeper, get a longer, more concentrated taste. She was intoxicating enough to make his head swirl, and he closed his eyes, savoring her.
    A warm sensation seeped into his sides, and it wasn’t until he lifted his face, sighing with pleasure that he realized her hands clutched his waist. Her breasts rose and fell with each breath, and her eyes were closed, the long lashes resting on her high cheekbones. Colt had never wanted something as badly as he did right now. But the comprehension of what that want was made him question his ability to gain it. He ran his thumbs over the lashes, understanding what he wanted—what he needed—was for her to want him as badly as he wanted her.
    Her lids lifted, and the gaze from those shimmering brown eyes made his heart double in size. His hands slipped to her back. Heat from her flesh beneath the dress absorbed into his palms and he drew her closer, cradling her against his frame. She twisted her head, nestling it against his chest and her hands slid around his back. Holding her was all he ever dreamed it would be.
    Their mingled sigh was music to his ears.
    They stood like that for several minutes, and would have remained there many, many more if Colt had his way, but she lifted her head, causing him to ease his hold. A tinge of fear that she’d conjured up something to be angry about—possibly the kiss—made him release her and then grasp one hand. “Come on,” he said, leading her toward the door.
    “Where are we going?” she asked.
    He could have sworn she sounded a touch breathless, and slowed his pace. “To the dining room. It’s time for supper.”
    “Oh.” She stopped near his side as he paused to unlock the door.
    He recaptured her hand as they exited the room. She didn’t protest—in actuality, her fingers laced with his so naturally he could have sworn her tiny digits had been created to intertwine with his big ones. A companionable silence hovered as they descended the stairs, and he chanced a glance her way. She looked up. The way the air shot out of his body made Colt wonder if a lightning bolt had struck his chest.
    Her lips curled with a tiny grin and her eyes glowed. On impulse he winked. The way she lowered her lids and her cheeks grew pink made a smile the size of Texas leap onto his face. That was one lucky penny.
    When they stepped off the stairs, he lifted their clutched hands. Gently, he separated their fingers then curled her hand around his elbow and held her fingers in place with his other hand.
    They crossed the foyer to the double doors of the dining room. Colt always knew there was something surreal about entering a crowded room with a beautiful woman on his arm, but at this moment, he realized the significance of having that women be his wife. His chest puffed, and if possible, he could have sworn he grew another inch right then and there.
    He nodded to a few patrons, repeated a greeting to one or two others, as he and Annalee strolled to an empty table along the back wall. He’d wanted a lot of things in his life, and had achieved many goals along the way, but nothing had left him with the overall proud and satisfied