Page 71 of Zane

"Zane-" Her throat was swollen, and the rest of the words would not come.

Lifting her gloved hand, he kissed it, eyes trained on her, everything he was feeling clear. It swamped her and threatened to overwhelm her.

The minister cleared his throat, breaking the spell surrounding them. "I have a feeling that whatever I have to say at this time is anticlimactic. It seems the couple has already made their vows."

The room erupted in laughter and had Zane grinning. Tucking her hand through his arm, he guided her toward the front.

*****

"We're in Jamaica!" Kara turned to her husband, an enraptured expression on her face. Even on the plane ride on the company's private jet, he had refused to disclose their location. They had left the chilly December weather to land at the private airstrip, and even then, she hadn't a clue where they were.

Now they were standing on the porch of the charming stucco villa in Negril. The villa was situated right near the beach, where the bluest water seemed to meld with the color of the sky. And the family owned the villa.

"We're in Jamaica." Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. The late afternoon sun caught the glint of his wedding ring. They had eaten their fill of pineapple, so sweet it scratched the throat, and mangoes that had Kara gorging herself. She declared to her husband that she was going to eat everything.

Their housekeeper, a buxom-looking woman with the unmistakable island cheer and thick accent, had already prepared their meal of curried goat and white rice with some callaloo for the vegetable.

"You need meat on dem bones," she told Kara before she left. "Me will see to it."

"She's going to have me gaining twenty pounds."

"Fat will look good on you," her husband told her with a grin. "I thought we decided you were going to be naked."

"I almost am." Her swimwear was electric blue and very skimpy. Along with his sister, he had secretly ordered the things she would need for the trip and packed them himself.

"Two glorious weeks in paradise! Oh, darling, look at that sunset! I need pictures, lots and lots of pictures. The camera-"

"First." Spinning her around, he closed his mouth over hers and had her entire thought process jangling. With a sigh, she wrapped her hands around his neck and leaned into the kiss.

They were husband and wife. She now bore his name, Kara Stanhope, and was wearing his ring. They had made vows to each other, potent ones that had her eyes tearing. Her emotions were seesawing. One minute she felt like laughing, and the next she was weeping.

His lips roamed over hers, and he felt the drunken punch of passion that always staggered him. With her slender curves pressed to his, he had to resist the urge to simply drag her to the tiled floor and have his way with her.

Dragging his mouth from hers, he clamped his arms around her and tried to control his rampaging desire. It was ridiculous how much he wanted her. Being married had not slowed that down one bit.

"All right." He took a breath. "I think a dip in the water will be enough to cool me down." Kissing her on the forehead, he deliberately moved away and went inside to grab towels.

Kara leaned against the wooden railing to keep her wobbly knees from giving way. Pressing a hand to her jittery stomach, she sighed.

"Ready?" He came back armed with a picnic basket Eileen had packed and several fluffy towels.

"What's in that?" she asked, pointing to the basket.

"Lots of goodies." Taking her hand, he dragged her down the steps and ran with her over the soft white sand.

Dumping the things a few feet away from the gently rushing water, he headed toward the beckoning waves with her hand clasped firmly in his.

"It's warm."

"And we're isolated." He waded out until the water reached his waist. "I didn't even ask. Can you swim?"

"And if I say no?" she asked archly, skimming the water through her fingers.

"I would have to divorce you. I'm a fish." He demonstrated by sinking below the surface.

"Show off," she muttered. She exhibited a shallow dive that brought her a few feet under. It felt wonderful! She screamed when he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her even further down.

"Good. At least you won't drown." Lifting her in his arms, he waded out into the deep and left her to dive under.