Free Reaching the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux Page A

if the whole
experience was a letdown for both of us? I tried to put those
thoughts out of my mind as I fiddled with my dark blonde curls,
twisting them around my fingertips and then brushing them over my
shoulders.
    Not until I’d examined every pore, every inch
of my creamy skin did I step back from the mirror and put on my
robe. I tied the sash loosely around my waist and went back into
the bedroom. It was dark except for two candles burning atop the
dresser. The scent of lavender and the passionate strains of
Barber’s Adagio for Strings filled the room.
    I left the dreamy romantic scene and walked
across the hall to another one. Stopping at the glass door of the
terrace, I took a moment to admire the view, especially that of
Sergei. He’d shed his jacket and tie and had untucked his shirt and
rolled up the cuffs. He was pouring white wine into two glasses,
and more candles cast a soft glow over his face. I imagined running
my fingers through his short golden brown hair as he pressed me
against his long, lean body.
    I couldn’t tear my eyes from him, and my
heart began to pump harder. Sergei was mine. This sweet, amazing,
loving, smoking hot man was all mine. And I could finally
show him the full depth of love in my soul.
    A lilting breeze tickled my cheek as I
stepped onto the patio. Sergei looked up from the wine, and his
gaze traveled slowly over me, growing hotter with appreciation. He
set the bottle on the table and came toward me, still speechless.
Moistening his lips, he finally spoke.
    “You look… wow.”
    My face warmed, and I smiled and dipped my
head. Sergei gently lifted my chin and brushed a whisper of a kiss
on my mouth. I just then noticed there was music on the patio,
also. “With or Without You” played low on the stereo.
    “I love your music choices,” I said.
    “I thought we’d do a little edgy out here and
then soft inside.”
    “It’s perfect. Everything’s perfect.”
    Sergei continued to gaze at me, and he only
looked away for a moment to pick up the wine glasses. He handed one
to me. “Let’s make a toast.”
    I smiled up at him. “Can I start?”
    “Of course.”
    I raised my glass and tried to gather my
thoughts, not easy to do with the way Sergei was looking at me. I
took a long breath to slow my racing pulse.
    “To my husband.”
    Sergei’s mouth curled upward, and I
continued, “You make me feel so loved… in everything that you do.
Being with you is like a dream.” My voice caught, and I needed a
second before I could go on, “A wonderful dream that’s only going
to get more and more incredible. I love you so much.”
    Sergei touched my face, sweeping my cheek
lightly with his thumb. His admiring stare deepened into an even
more intense look, one that quickened my pulse further.
    “To my wife,” he said, his voice thickening.
“You amaze me every day. Not just on the ice but with who you are.
You have the most beautiful heart, and I feel like the luckiest guy
in the world that you’ve given it to me.”
    Tears watered my eyes, and I blinked a few
times.
    Sergei raised his glass. “I love you, now and
always.” He tapped his glass to mine, ringing a crystal chime.
    I took a long sip of the sweet wine and then
set my drink on the table. Sergei did the same and brought me into
his arms. “Do you know how happy you make me?”
    Still choked by emotion, I answered with a
kiss, and Sergei drew me nearer. His tongue caressed mine in slow,
soft circles as his hands slid inside my robe and closed around my
waist. The lump in my throat melted into scorching desire.
    Sergei’s lips moved down my neck, making me
feel more liquid, like I could pour myself all over him. If simple
kisses were that intoxicating, how good was it going to feel to
cross all the boundaries?
    “Sparks” began to play on the stereo, and I
squeezed my arms around Sergei’s shoulders. “Would you dance with
me?”
    He left one more lingering kiss below my ear
before lifting his head to face me.