Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss (Pregnancy & Passion #3)(16)

She shook her head. “No. I mean I don’t know. I don’t think so anyway.”

He rested his forehead on hers and thought for a moment that they already acted like a married couple who were at ease in their relationship. Strangely, he trusted Ashley and felt comfortable with her. There was a sense of rightness that he couldn’t deny. Maybe William Copeland had known what he was doing after all.

“Well, if you are, then fantastic. Really. I want you to tell me if you even suspect you could be. And if you aren’t? We’ll work on remedying that. Deal?”

She grinned and a delicate blush stained her soft cheeks. “Deal.”

“Now what do you say we go to bed so you can have your evil way with me?”

Her cheeks grew even redder and he smiled at the shy way she ducked her head.

He leaned in to nibble at her ear and then he whispered so the words blew gently over her skin. “I’ll do my very best to make you pregnant.”

To his surprise, she shoved him forward. He landed on his back on the mattress with her looming over him, a mischievous grin dimpling her cheeks. Then her expression grew more serious and her eyes darkened. “I love you so much, Devon. I’m the luckiest woman on earth. I can’t wait until we’re married and I’m officially yours.”

As she lowered her mouth to his, he was gripped by the feeling that she was completely and utterly wrong. It wasn’t she who was the lucky one.

Seven

“Ashley, if you don’t sit still we’re never going to get your hair and makeup right,” Pippa said in exasperation.

“I still think she should have just called in a stylist,” Sylvia said as she eyed the progress Tabitha was making on Ashley’s hair.

“Tabitha is a stylist, silly,” Ashley said. “She’s the best and who doesn’t want the best on their wedding day? And who knows more about makeup than Carly?”

Pippa snorted. “That’s so true. I’m convinced cosmetic companies should just pay her to endorse their products.”

“Close your eyes, Ash,” Carly said. “Time for mascara. Just a bit, though. Don’t want you looking clumpy on the big day.”

Ashley frowned. “Definitely not clumpy.”

“Darling, are you almost done?” Ashley’s mother sang out from the doorway. “You’re on in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?” Tabitha shrieked. “No way. Can you stall them, Mrs. C.?”

“I’m not going to be late to my own wedding,” Ashley said firmly. “Just hurry faster, Tab. My hair will be fine. Just put the veil over the knot.”

“Just put the veil over the knot,” Tabitha grumbled. “As if it’s that easy.”

Sylvia rolled her eyes, pushed between Tabitha and Ashley and quickly affixed the veil to the elegant chignon. “There, Ashley. You look beautiful.”

“Lip gloss and we’re done,” Carly announced. “Make a kissy face.”

Ashley smacked her lips and a moment later, Carly pulled away to allow Ashley to see herself in the mirror.

“Oh, you guys,” she whispered.

Her best friends beamed back at her in the mirror.

“You look beautiful,” Pippa said, her eyes bright with tears. “The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“Absolutely you do,” Tabitha said.

The four women crowded in to hug her.

“Girls, time for you to go. Your escorts are waiting. We don’t want to make the bride late,” Ashley’s mother called.

Her friends scrambled toward the door, bouquets in hand.

“Your father is coming to get you now,” her mother said as she walked over. She paused when she got to Ashley and then smiled, tears glittering in her eyes. “My baby, all grown up. You look so beautiful. I’m so proud of you.”

“Don’t make me cry, Mom. You know I have no willpower.”

Her mom laughed and reached for her hands. She squeezed them and then helped her to her feet.

“Let me fix your gown. Your father will be pacing outside the door. You know how he hates to be late for anything.”

She fussed with Ashley’s dress and then there was a knock on the dressing room door.

“That will be him now. Are you ready, darling?”

Sudden nerves gripped Ashley and her palms went sweaty. But she nodded. Oh, God, this was really it. She was about to walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Devon Carter.

She threw her arms around her mom and hugged her tight. “Love you, Mom.”

Her mother squeezed her back. “Love you, too, baby. Now let’s go before your father wears a hole in the floor.”

She went ahead of Ashley to open the door and sure enough, her father was outside checking his watch. He looked up when he heard them and his expression softened. A glimmer of emotion welled in his eyes and he held out his hand to take hers.

“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” he said in a tight voice. “It seems like only yesterday you were learning to walk and talk. You look beautiful, Ash. Devon is a lucky man.”

She leaned up to kiss his wrinkled cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. You look pretty spiffy yourself.”

The wedding coordinator hurried up to them and motioned with rapid flying hands. She shooed them toward the entrance to the aisle and then spent a few seconds arranging the train of her dress.