James untied his cravat as she opened his shirt. She bent her head and placed little kisses on his chest.
“More?” he asked, reaching behind her to unfasten the hooks of her dress.
“Yes,” she answered, her lips trailing over him. “You’re my husband. My friend. My lover.” She kissed his throat, his chin. “You’re the man who gave me my son, the man who rescued me, the man who—”
James placed his finger on her mouth to still her. She stared up at him, her eyes dark.
“The man who loves you beyond reason, darling,” he finished.
Catherine gave him a slow nod.
His fingers tunneled through her loose curls as he pulled her closer. “I love you, Catherine,” he rasped, settling his mouth on hers.
She sighed into his mouth. “You’re everything to me, James.” She breathed. “Everything and more.”
With that, he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. There he loved her thoroughly, drawing gasps of sheer pleasure from her lips.
Afterward, while they lazily summoned the energy to rouse themselves for tea, James marveled at the wonder of his life. He’d discovered this girl, this violet-eyed angel, directly beneath his nose. Before he’d found her, he’d been content to charm his way through society, never letting any one woman touch his heart. He knew now that it had taken more than charm to win Catherine’s heart.
Happily, he found he was more than up to the challenge.
About the Author
JoMarie DeGioia has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and has spent years giving voice to the characters in her head. She’s known Mickey Mouse from the “inside,” has been a copyeditor for her town’s newspaper, and currently works as a bookseller. She writes Historical Romances with a touch of mystery and Contemporary Romances with a touch of home. She divides her time between Central Florida and New England, and you may contact her at JoMarie@JoMarieDeGioia.com
Dedication
Also Available
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
About the Author