Free The Accidental Bride by Portia Da Costa

somehow, but about what, she couldn’t decide. It might even be pure imagination.
    ‘Yes, I do know. I did it again, didn’t I?’ His hand smoothed over her shoulder, the touch sweet, not sexual. His fingertips seemed to say,
Yes, I’ll want you again soon, and you’ll want me, but for the moment, this is good too. This is what I need.
    ‘But it was too good an opportunity to let slip by,’ he went on. ‘I couldn’t lose it, then kick myself for allowing you and Marie to miss out.’
    Lizzie laid her head on his shoulder, loving the simple feel of his strong sure body. She was an individualist, and a feminist, but having a powerful man to look out for her too didn’t compromise that.
    ‘It
was
too good to miss,’ she said. It was the honest truth. ‘I know I’ve been critical of your pre-emptive strikes in the past, but there’s no use getting my knickers in a twist about this one. It’s what I want. I’d probably have asked you to help us anyway, so you’ve saved me the bother.’
    John kissed the side of her face, a quick peck. ‘You’re a wise girl, Lizzie, but nothing you ask for could ever be a bother.’
    She turned to him, and gave him a firm look. ‘OK, and thank you. It is the most wonderful thing you’ve done, and I adore you for it. But this still doesn’t mean I don’t wish tobe consulted in future. You’re always at pains to impress on me that we’re equals, so you must treat me like one.’
    John snagged his plush lower lip between his teeth. For a man of forty-six, he could do a marvellous impression of a naughty, shamefaced boy sometimes.
    ‘I will, my love. I will … And you’re not just my equal. You’re my better. In every way.’
    Did he mean it? She had a feeling he did. His heart certainly did, even if sometimes his actions, and his controlling benevolence, made her feel like a pampered doll.
    But there was still that adorably guilty look on his face … over something else?
    ‘What?’ she demanded. What else had he done? That expression said it all.
    ‘There might be a car.’
    Oh John …
    ‘How do you know I can drive?’
    ‘I made a point of finding out. Apparently you’re quite a good driver.’
    Lizzie shook her head. ‘You’re hopeless, you know that, don’t you? I should go all dominatrix on you for this. Give you a damn good thrashing and all that.’ She reached up and caught his earlobe between her fingertips and gave it a warning squeeze. ‘But I’m tired from the journey … and everything … so I’ll take a rain check on that.’ She tried giving him a stern look, but the wicked glint in his eyes, and the way he quirked his sandy eyebrows at her, made that almost impossible.
    ‘You’ll like the car. It’s nothing too posh or racy … Just an Audi S3. I thought a hatchback would be most useful to you, for transporting sewing projects and whatever toand fro.’ He held her gaze. Goodness, he looked genuinely nervous. Troubled … and, perhaps, not about the car. ‘But if you want something different. Well, just say the word.’
    ‘An Audi of that ilk sounds pretty posh to me! But seeing as how my Dad has one … a rather old one, I might add, I’ll let you off.’ She released his ear, and slid her hand to cradle his cheek. He’d shaved recently and his skin felt deliciously smooth. He smelt amazing too, as she leaned in and kissed his lips. ‘And I thank you too, John. You’re a very thoughtful man. A car to ferry stuff about in will make life so much easier.’ She kissed him again. ‘You give me so much. Don’t ever believe I’m not grateful, even if I do get a bit shirty with you sometimes.’
    ‘I don’t mind shirty,’ he said, sliding his hand into her hair, cradling her skull and effortlessly taking control of the kiss. His lips met hers again, assertive yet tender, making it a proper kiss, latent with promise. Despite their coming together earlier, the demon imp of desire stirred again.
    As the television played on in the