Page 68 of Hayes

"It does." Turning around, he headed for the door. "Go sit by the fire."

Hugging her chest, Camelia walked over to the easy chair by the fire and started taking off her boots. She was married! It seemed so surreal, and she had to keep reminding herself that she was now Mrs. Hayes Marsden. She had no problem letting go of the DeWinter name at all and embracing her husband's. It felt natural.

"Warm enough?" He came back into the room and dumped their things into a corner.

"Yes. I can make hot chocolate," she suggested.

"I don't want you doing anything. There is already a pot on the stove. I instructed Mrs. Granger to take care of everything so we don't have to do any cooking. All I need to do is warm it up."

"Are you trying to win husband of the year?"

"Something like that." He gave her a fleeting smile as he left the room. Stepping into the small kitchen, Hayes took a breath to steady himself before setting about to get the hot chocolate and the slices of their wedding cake.

He was deliberately staying away from her for now. The anticipation of making love to her was making him acutely nervous for some reason. But he knew why that was. She was now his wife, something he had given up hope of ever happening, and it was taking its toll.

Pouring the hot chocolate into two cups, he cut two large slices of cake and put them on a tray before heading out of the kitchen. She had switched from the chair to a double sofa in front of the table.

Placing the tray in front of her, he sat and took off his boots before taking up his cup. "This is nice."

"I think I can find another more appropriate word to describe what this is." Cradling the cup between her hands, she turned so that she could stretch her legs on his lap. "You are my best friend."

His thick brows arched at the sudden change of subject, and she shrugged. "It just hit me that even when we were teenagers, we had tons of friends because we were both so popular.

But you were the one I wanted to confide in, the only one I was not afraid to show my vulnerability to. I could tell you anything and know without a doubt that you were either going to agree with me or tell me bluntly that it was not a good idea.

Telling you stuff, even the painful ones came naturally and it's still the same. I stood next to you exchanging vows and I wondered what I ever did to deserve something so wonderful."

His chest was constricted and for a few seconds he could not say anything. Putting away his cup, he took hers away and held her hands. "It's the same with me," he told her hoarsely.

"When you left, I not only lost my girl, the love of my life, but my best friend as well and that was why it felt so awful, why I couldn't get over you’re leaving. When I took over the company, you were the person I wanted to tell, to ask for your idea or what you thought was the best course of action.

I have a full complement of board members, people in key positions who have been with the company for years and I wanted to ask you what you think of such and such." Lifting her hand, he kissed it slowly, his eyes holding hers. "It's always you, always will be and no one else."

"Hayes?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I am not hungry anymore," she whispered suggestively.

"Neither am I. Shall we retire, my sweet wife?"

"Say it again."

"My wife." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I am feeling quite broken up about it myself." Removing her legs, he rose and held out his hand for hers. Placing it in his, she allowed him to help her up. He did not let go of her hand until they were in the bedroom where, to her surprise, there were rose petals strewn on the gaily patterned quilt.

"You arranged this?"

He nodded. Turning her around, he unzipped the clingy lime green sweater dress she had changed into after the ceremony.

His breath caught inside his throat as the sheer lace teddy was revealed.

Turning her to face him, he let his eyes wander over the lush flesh, lingering on the plump bosom that had grown more generous since the pregnancy, before going to her stomach where she had started showing slightly.

"It's a good thing I never knew what you were wearing under that dress." His hands spanned her waist, thumbs caressing the slight bulge. "My baby is growing inside you." Lifting his head, he stared at her, eyes luminous with emotions. "I cannot tell you how humbled I am."

"So am I." Lifting her left hand, she cradled his jaw. "And now I would very much like my husband to make love to me."

"I think I am going to need a minute," he teased shakily. Leading her toward the bed, he pressed her down so that she was sitting. Stepping back, he hurriedly took off his clothes before kneeling in front of her. "I want to take my time," he told her hoarsely. "But three weeks–"