‘One more dance with you in that flirty little dress before we go,’ he said with a sexy suggestiveness that had her whole body humming with desire for him as he swept her into his arms and twirled her onto the dance-floor.
He was a superb dancer, fantastic at everything, Serena thought giddily. ‘Thank you for loving me, Nic,’ she said in a rush of sheer happiness. ‘And for bringing me into your wonderful family and making me feel I belong with you.’
‘You do belong with me.’ He grinned, his whole face lit with triumphant pleasure. ‘We’re married.’
She laughed at his delight in this achievement. ‘So we are. And I love my husband very much.’
‘Rightly so. It wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t since I’ve applied myself so diligently to winning your love.’
‘Now why would you do that when I presented so many problems?’ she teased, adoring him for wanting the role of her knight in shining armour.
He heaved a mock sigh. ‘I’m a sucker for challenges.’
She arched her eyebrow. ‘Don’t you think tying yourself to me for life is taking a challenge too far?’
‘I’m into bondage with you. Can’t help myself. My soul says you’re my soul mate, now and forever. If marriage is a challenge, I’m definitely up for it as long as you’re my wife.’
He rolled out the words with such relish Serena had to laugh again, but her soul was deeply stirred by his commitment to her and silently echoed it—now and forever. Nic clasped her closer and whirled her around in a burst of exhilaration that left them both simmering with the desire to be by themselves and make wild passionate love together.
‘Just tell me one more thing before we take our leave of everyone,’ Serena begged.
‘I’ll grant you one minor delay.’
‘Your family seems to think I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you. And I don’t know why.’
‘That’s easy.’ His eyes twinkled with devilish delight. ‘I had the perfect plan to win their instant approval of our marriage, and to regard you as manna from heaven.’
‘Manna from heaven?’
‘Serena, the Morettis are of strong Italian blood and the big thing in their lives is family.’
‘But I don’t have much in the way of family. Only Michelle and…’
‘The point is, my darling wife, you’re keen to provide one.’
She looked her bewilderment. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘It’s a great sorrow to my parents that Angelina and Ward can’t have children. So what did I tell them? Apart from the fact that I loved you and couldn’t imagine a life without you at my side… I told them what you wanted most was to be the mother of my children and have a houseful of kids.’
‘Children,’ she repeatedly dazedly. ‘Oh, my God! What if I can’t have them?’
‘Trust me,’ Nic said with supreme confidence. ‘I’m very potent.’
Trust…that was what it had been about all along…and it worked.
Serena smiled at her all powerful husband. ‘You’re right, Nic,’ she agreed with the same supreme confidence he had shown. ‘You are very potent.’