Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding

With a crash of drums, the song ended, and Ryan caught her, hauling her against him and leaning over her while he looked into her eyes. “I’m going to love you until you are drowning in need,” he whispered, making her blaze with desire.

The band began a slow ballad. He swung her up and she moved into his embrace. Breathing fast, their thighs brushing, they held each other tightly. Fast and slow, the music played, and they continued to dance for another hour. Ashley was barely aware of anything around them—the other diners, the waiters, their table being cleared. Even the wedding had been temporarily forgotten.

Finally, when a number ended, Ryan took her hand. “If you want to get back to Dallas, we’ll have to go now. Of course, if you want to stay the night, this is my hotel and we can have a suite.”

She shook her head. “Let’s get back to Dallas.”

They returned to the table so she could get her purse, then left the hotel and rode back in the limo to the plane. As the jet lifted over Houston and she saw the splash of twinkling lights, her gaze shifted to the diamond on her finger. In one unforgettable day her life had changed forever, taking a turn she’d never dreamed would happen.

She was still stunned by all that had occurred, unable to lose her apprehension over Ryan’s arbitrary ways. His profile, his straight nose and firm jaw indicated his determination to get what he wanted in life.

He was gazing out a window. He’d shed his coat and pulled off his tie, and had his shirt partially unbuttoned. She could see tufts of dark hair on his chest, and inhaled, remembering vividly how it felt to kiss and caress that chest.

With his long legs stretched out and his thick hair tangled by the wind, he was blatantly attractive.

She was marrying this man in two weeks! Whenever she thought about it, the realization stunned her. When he wanted something, he went after it exhaustively, and she’d better remember that. In this case, she knew it wasn’t a wife he wanted, but his baby. She was merely a means to an end. But she had believed him when he told her he wouldn’t ever try to take away her baby. Was she being foolish and gullible to accept that as truth and take him at his word?

One more reminder that she was marrying a stranger. Yet she was getting to know him. Most of the time their evening together had been exciting, and she’d had a great time.

She had to plan a large wedding for herself in two weeks. And then she would have a real wedding night with Ryan. Every nerve in her body tingled each time she thought about it.

As if he could sense what was on her mind, he shifted to face her and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “What are you thinking?”

“The wedding,” she said, hoping he couldn’t guess that she had been thinking about their wedding night.

“Shall we get back to some planning?” He glanced at the monitor and saw he could take off his seat belt. Standing up, he disappeared toward the front of the plane, to return a minute later with a legal pad and a pen. He handed them to her.

“You can make notes if you want. Monday, I’ll give you a list of guests. I suspect you know everyone in that town you’re from.”

She nodded. “We just about do, but I don’t intend to invite all of them.”

“Do what you want. Get the dress you want. You can take care of all the details. I’ll handle the honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?” she asked, startled. “Why? We’re not in love, and I’ve asked for no sex after our wedding night. I can see the wheels turning in your mind. You expect to seduce me!” she declared.

“We’ll get off by ourselves and get to know each other,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. He looked as if he owned the world and expected everyone to do what he wanted them to. “Plan on a week.”

“A week!” she sputtered. “Well, I’m not even going to argue with you about it,” she said in exasperation. “Pick someplace warm and sunny. I don’t like snow.”

His enticing smile coaxed her to relax and stop fighting him. “See, we’re getting to know each other.”

“You don’t have to continually remind me,” she said. “What time of day shall we have the wedding?”

“Morning, and later we’ll feed everyone lunch and have a blast. Then we’re off on our honeymoon. How’s that?”

“Fine with me,” she said. “Rehearsal Friday night.”

‘You’ll need help getting out invitations, won’t you?”

She shook her head. “I can do it through my office and send you the bill.”

He nodded, and she wondered if he was going to object to any plans she made, and suspected he wouldn’t, no matter how exorbitant the price tag.

“Just remember, I have the baby’s best interests at heart.”

‘You mean, you have Ryan Warner’s best interests in mind,” she snapped, and he leaned forward to put his hands on the arms of her seat.

“I have your concerns in mind, too. I promise you’ll see that I do.” His face was close, and her anger warred with her craving. Being with him was an emotional battle, while physically, there was only one response—desire. She looked at his mouth and thought about his kisses, and in spite of her anger at him, wanted to lean those last few inches closer and kiss him.

He moved nearer and his lips brushed hers. She shut her eyes and relaxed. When he covered her mouth with his, she moaned.

Snapping open the buckle of her seat belt, he pulled her to him, sitting back in his seat and lifting her to his lap, to hold her close while he kissed her hard. Ashley’s heart pounded and her breathing became erratic. Forgetting their disputes, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him in return, wanting so much more.

As they kissed, she knew time was passing and desire was growing more intense by the second. To slow things down, she pulled away reluctantly.

“You’re irresistible, Ashley,” he said gruffly, touching her throat.

“You know how I react to you,” she replied, moving off his lap and straightening her clothes, sitting down to smooth her skirt and buckle up again. His steady look made her heart thud. Struggling for composure, she stared out the window at the black night, the pinpricks of lights occasionally showing in the distance.

“I don’t know how you’ll react,” he replied solemnly after a few minutes’ silence. He reached over to caress her cheek. “But I intend to learn how you respond to each touch and kiss.”

“You’re coming on strong, Ryan,” she whispered, finding his words as effective as a touch. “Let’s get back to some other topic. The wedding, if you want.”

With a long, intense look, he shrugged. “We didn’t discuss where we’ll live after we marry. How about my condo? Then we can build a house, so we’ll have more room when the baby comes, or soon afterward.”

Astounded, she stared at him. “I hadn’t thought about where we’d live,” she said, thinking about his sprawling, plush condo in an exclusive, gated area. She also thought about her own place, which was smaller, far more simple. “That’s fine, Ryan. None of this seems real to me.”

“It’s real,” he said. “Come back over here in my lap and I’ll convince you it’s real.”

She shook her head. “My mind boggles over all the abrupt changes. Things I never expected to have happen are occurring one right after the other.”

“Also, in the next week, find a decorator. Do my bedroom over—colors, new furniture—so the place is both of ours. We should start married life with a new bed. Spend whatever you want.”

She stared at him in consternation and amazement. “You can be so strong willed and then so generous.”

“Maybe you’ll discover that I’m really a nice guy.”

“I know you’re a nice guy,” she said. “Until you want something.”

He smiled. “You can do any other rooms over in my condo, too—or all of them if you want to.”

She laughed. “You plunge full steam into everything you do! Okay, I’ll look at your bedroom. A new bed for us would be great,” she said, and the thought made her breathless.

“And I can’t wait to try it out with you.”

“You’ll make me blush.”

“Just makes you look even more gorgeous.”

He fished in his billfold and handed her a card. “Charge everything you want to this.”

“Ryan, you’re being generous.”

“You’ll be my wife, Ashley. It’s like doing it for myself,” he answered casually. “Another thing we haven’t discussed is your job.”

“See?” she said. “This is what I was talking about. I knew you would step in and take charge of everything.”

“I believe we’re agreeing on most all of this. You know we have to make each one of these decisions. And I’m leaving a lot of the wedding plans solely up to you.”

In fairness, she knew he was right. “So what have you decided about my job?”

He gave her a fierce look that made her draw another sharp breath. “If you want to quit immediately, that’s fine with me.”

“No, I don’t want to stop working yet.”

“You have to before you have the baby. How about three months before, at the latest?”

“How about two?”

He nodded. “If that’s what you’d like. As long as you’re in good health, that’s fine with me. And don’t do any heavy lifting. I can send a man to help with any moving or carrying, since it’s just you and two other females.”

“I don’t think we need a man,” she said, smiling.

“Who carries those tall candlesticks and things like that for weddings? Who loads them into a truck and then into the church?”

She shrugged. “All right, I do or my assistant does. But I can’t afford to pay some guy to hang around and carry stuff.”

“I’ll pay him. Give him some odd jobs around the place. I’ll get someone who’s young and strong and going to college, so he’ll be part-time for you. How’s that?”

“Fine, Ryan,” she said, knowing it was useless to argue, and that it would be a big help to her. “Actually, I’ve thought about trying to get someone part-time for that very reason. It’ll be good. I just didn’t see how I could justify his pay.”

“Now you don’t have to.”

“Thanks, Ryan,” she said quietly. “You’re being incredibly generous.”

He shrugged. “I can afford to be, and we’re going to be family soon.”

She drew a deep breath and wondered how long it would take her to adjust to her new status. They rode in silence for a time, until he asked her about growing up on the farm.

“What happened to your mother?” Ryan asked.

“She died in a fire in the barn when I was sixteen. She did a lot of farming, just like Dad. She loved it and so does my brother. What happened to your mother?”

Ryan smoothed his trouser leg over one knee. “We couldn’t afford health insurance and she kept saying nothing was wrong. She had a stroke and died.”

“How old were you?”

“Eighteen. Damn, I hated it.”

“When that happened, you had your close friends, Nick and Jake, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, and their friendship saved me. Emotionally and financially. We swore we’d help each other—I think I told you all about that.”

“You did and it was amazing. All of you have success.”

“Yeah, it’s gratifying. Life has been generous to all of us. I don’t ever want to be poor or hungry again. When I was growing up, we had some bad moments. But we were a tight family and all got along, and that’s more than a lot of families have.”

“Yes, it is. So did we, and I’m thankful for my family. Jeff, my brother, is twenty-one, four years younger than I am,” she said. Ashley recalled that the weekend she’d met Ryan, she’d learned he was thirty-two.

They talked as they flew back to Dallas, and when they finally returned to her apartment, she faced him at the door. “It was quite a day and night, Ryan,” she said solemnly, looking at her hand. “The ring is beautiful.”

He brushed long strands of her hair from her face. “This marriage will work, Ashley. You’ll see.”

“You are the most supremely confident person I’ve ever known.”

He shrugged. “I have strong feelings about our marriage.”

“Our marriage, our baby … I can’t get accustomed to everything that’s happened. Thank you for dinner. The ring is spectacular, Ryan, but this is just crazy. You’ve given me this gorgeous ring, taken me dancing in Houston, and we’re standing here politely saying good-night.”

“You have other options,” he said.

She shook her head. “I’m not ready for them.” She slipped her arm around his neck, stood on tiptoe and brushed his cheek with a light kiss.

Instantly, he wrapped both arms around her and covered her mouth with his. His tongue stroked hers and she clung to him, all arguments and differences dissolving. In their place was a white-hot yearning—for more of his kisses, all of his passion, those hands and lips that could give her ecstasy. For a few minutes she gave free rein to her feelings, yielding to her hunger for him. When she finally pushed against his chest, he released her.

“That’s all tonight, Ryan,” she whispered. “Thank you, and I’ll see you Saturday when you get back in town.”

He nodded and took her key from her fingers to open her door for her. She stepped inside, switched off her alarm and faced him.

“Good night, Ashley,” he said. In long strides he headed to his car. She watched until the motor started, and then she closed and locked the door. Leaning against it, she held up her hand, looking at the huge ring. Sadness, anger, amazement all filled her. With a ring on her finger and a wedding to orchestrate, she should be ecstatically happy, but she wasn’t. She couldn’t brush aside the concern she felt about Ryan for his high-handed ways.

Ashley wasn’t tired yet, so she sat at her desk, writing memos, making notes, jotting numbers to call to make arrangements about flowers, food and music for the wedding. When she crawled into bed later, she lay in the dark, thinking about her future.

At least she could tell her family about the baby. She guessed all of them would be overjoyed.

Six

Saturday morning, sunshine streamed into Ashley’s bedroom and she rolled over. She had one serene moment and then remembered all she had to do. She tossed aside the covers and got up to shower.

Shopping for a dress took only two hours. As she stood in front of the mirror, looking at the strapless white silk gown with a long straight skirt and removable train, she knew it was the one she wanted. While she stared at her reflection, she ran her hand over her tummy, which was still amazingly flat. She credited that fact to her height of five feet nine.

All during the morning as she shopped, made calls and planned, a gamut of emotions plagued her. One minute she would be apprehensive about a loveless union, and the next excited over the prospect of marrying Ryan.

At noon, while she dressed to go to the farm, another huge bouquet of mixed flowers arrived. She stared at the card and shook her head. The blossoms were beautiful, but they really held no meaning and couldn’t calm her jitters about her future with Ryan. Far more meaningful had been his phone calls while he was in Chicago. They had talked long hours into the night, and each minute spent that way was a plus.

At two o’clock, when she swung open her door and Ryan stepped inside, her pulse gave its usual lurch. Dressed in a black knit shirt and black slacks, he radiated vitality. His gaze reflected his approval of her jeans and pink knit shirt. She wore her hair in one long braid. He placed his hands on her hips and studied her, turning her first one way and then another.

“Look at you in those tight jeans. Are you sure you’re pregnant?”

“Very sure,” she answered dryly.

He shook his head. “You don’t look it in the least.”

“I’ve decided it’s because I’m tall,” she said, while he continued to inspect her.

“You’re beautiful, Ashley, and I’d rather stay here.”

“Thank you. However, we’re going to meet my family, who are waiting,” she reminded him.

“I know, but you’re too enticing in those jeans.”

“Want me to find something baggy?”

“And spoil my day? Never! Let’s go meet the family.”

As they drove out of the city, Ryan glanced at her. “One topic we didn’t settle. When do we announce that you’re expecting a baby?”

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I’d just as soon tell the family now. I see no reason to announce it to others yet, but our families might as well know. And know why you’re marrying me.”

“Right there is a reason to wait to tell them.”

She shook her head. “Now’s the time, Ryan. When they find out why, your family will try to talk you out of this marriage, and that’s okay.”

“No, they won’t. They’ll know I’m doing what I want, and they know me well enough to realize that I wouldn’t marry you simply because of the pregnancy.”

She gave him an annoyed look of disbelief.

“You’ll see, Ashley. I still say we’ll have a good marriage.”

“Without love, I don’t see how.”

“Every time you declare this union hopeless, I have to insist that I think love will come.”

She bit her lip and looked out the window, knowing the futility of their continual dispute over the future. If only he would give love a chance to come, and then ask her to marry him!—then it would be a joyous event.

“I made arrangements with the church, and it’s reserved when we wanted it,” Ryan said. “I booked the country club and the band for the reception.”

“We’re moving right along, because I’ve arranged for the musicians for the wedding. I have the florist and have told him what I want. My dress is selected, along with what I’d like for the bridesmaids, and I’ve started my guest list. I need yours as soon as possible.”

“I’ll get it to you Monday afternoon. I can have my secretary pull one together, and I’ll add to it.”

“I’ve ordered cakes. Being a wedding planner cut days off making the arrangements, because I know what I want without having to pour through pictures and listen to descriptions. I could get a caterer for the reception, but I imagine the club will handle the food.”

“They will. I told them you’d call to make arrangements,” he said.

“And you don’t care what I choose?”

“Not at all, and expense is no problem.”

“Then it should be simple to arrange,” she said. “As soon as we get the attendants confirmed, and the invitations in the mail, we’ll be ready.”

“I’ve reserved a private room at the club for the rehearsal dinner the night before and you can call them about the menu for that, too.”

“Fine. Someday we’ll have to think about baby names, but not this soon.”

“I’ll make a list of names I like and you do the same.”

“And my guess is there won’t be one name on your list that’s on mine.”

He smiled, glancing at her. “You think we’re that different?”

“Absolutely,” she declared.

He reached over to take her hand and place it on his warm thigh. Instantly, she thrilled to the intimate contact. “I’m eager for the wedding,” he said in a husky voice. “And even more excited over the wedding night and loving you again.”

She licked her lower lip, drawing her palm slowly along his thigh until she heard him inhale.

“Just a little more of that, Ashley, and I’m pulling off the road,” he said hoarsely.

She withdrew her hand and returned it to her lap, gazing at the changing countryside as they sped east. Before long, the highway was lined with tall pines and thick woods.

When they approached the two-story, white farmhouse, she told him about its history. “Each family has built onto the place, but the original structure dates back to the late 1800s. The flood last year took some of the outbuildings and crops, but the house has never been in water.”

“No regrets about leaving here?”

“Absolutely none. Farming is hard work. You’re constantly fighting the elements. Maybe I still resent the farm for taking away my mother.”

“Yeah, the way I blame hard times for robbing me of mine,” he said gruffly. He took Ashley’s hand. “Our baby is going to have opportunities, Ashley, and endless love.”

For the first time she felt a bond with Ryan that had nothing to do with sex. A glimmer of hope flared as they shared feelings for the rough times in their pasts. She brushed a light kiss on his knuckles. “I hope you’re right,” she said. “I’ll have to admit, we’re alike about wanting to be in control.”

Flashing a wicked grin, he chuckled. “So, you’ll admit you like control just as much as I do.”

“I suppose,” she said, smiling at him.

When her father swung open the door, his blue eyes were filled with curiosity. “Ashley,” he said, taking her into his arms for a hug. When he released her, she turned. “Dad, this is Ryan Warner. Ryan, please meet my dad, Ben Smith.”

They shook hands and her father stepped back. “Come in. This is my mother, Ashley’s grandmother, Laura Smith.”

An attractive gray-haired woman in black slacks and a white cotton shirt stood behind him and smiled at them, causing crinkles around her large, blue eyes. Beside her was Ashley’s brother, Jeff, who was also blue eyed and tall.

After introductions, they settled in the family room, with its high ceilings, braided rugs, family pictures and shelves of books.

Curiosity filled her father’s eyes, but soon everyone was chatting, and her dad told tales about the farm and when Ashley and Jeff had been kids.

Looking relaxed and as if he had known her family for years instead of just an afternoon, Ryan relayed stories of his two-month stint on a horse ranch and his one attempt at bull riding, which had everyone chuckling. His stories were amusing, but Ashley realized that if he had done what he was telling them he had, he had a streak of a daredevil in him.

Over dinner, Ashley passed bowls of steaming mashed potatoes, thick brown gravy, slices of pot roast and hot biscuits. Ryan consumed a large enough amount of food to delight her grandmother, who liked serving guests and relatives.

As they relaxed after dessert, Ashley caught Ryan’s attention and gave him a long look. “Folks, we have something to tell you,” she said, pausing as all her family turned to her. “Ryan has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.”

Her grandmother gave a cry of joy and came around the table to give Ashley a hug, while her father and brother stood to shake Ryan’s hand.

“Congrats, sis,” Jeff said, grinning at her. “I didn’t think this would ever happen.”

She laughed, because she knew he was teasing her, and she was relieved to have made the announcement. When she turned to her father, she was surprised to see a solemn expression on his face, a searching look in his eyes.

Her first thought was that he knew she didn’t want to marry Ryan, but he congratulated her, hugged her and gave her best wishes. They all adjourned to the family room, while she and Ryan answered questions and let everyone know the plans made so far.

Again she knew that if they were aware of all the circumstances, they would try to talk her out of it. Her father might not, because of the financial help Ryan would provide the baby.

She didn’t want to wait until the end of their visit to tell them that news, but they wanted to hear wedding details and mark calendars. Finally, she thought there was a good moment, and she crossed the room to sit on the arm of her dad’s chair. “We have another announcement that right now is for our families only,” she said, gazing at Ryan, feeling as if she were in a dream. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Ashley’s grandmother shrieked and hugged Ashley once more, while Ben shook hands with Ryan, congratulating him, before he turned to Ashley to hug her. He gazed at her again with a somber perusal. “That’s the most wonderful news possible! I’ll be a grandfather!”

His words contradicted his expression, but she was relieved anyway.

“Congrats, sis,” Jeff said. “I’m going to be an uncle! That’s sweet!”

They talked about the baby and the wedding, and then moved on to other topics.

Finally Ashley stood. “Anyone want a glass of water?” she asked. When no one did, she went to the kitchen. Jeff had discovered that Ryan played football, as he had. They both shared an interest in pro teams, and she left them talking avidly.