Rush to the Altar Read online

  “Since Bianca’s keeping Anna for the rest of the day, shall we get changed and go for a ride?” she heard Nicco murmur.

  Her sister rose on tiptoes to kiss him. “I’d love it.” Nicco blew Ann a kiss, then climbed in the back of the limo with his wife.

  A ride!

  That was it!

  Since Nicco believed the best wedding present she could give Riley was the news that she’d learned some basics of riding and was willing to fool around with him, why not bestow his gift right now?

  If Riley were in love with her, she’d want to kidnap her husband for as long as she could get away with it. But he wasn’t in love! In fact the sooner he possessed her, the sooner he’d get bored and want to be anywhere else except with her.

  She couldn’t stand that.

  What if she were able to put him off for a while? Anything to delay the inevitable until they got to know each other better. Maybe by some miracle he’d learn to love her a little.

  After waving them off, Riley moved toward her with a look in his eyes that set her heart pounding unmercifully. He cupped her face. “Dear Lord— I thought this moment would never come.”

  His lips roved over her features, sending fingers of delight through her system. “You have the most perfect mouth and eyes and hair I’ve ever seen. Father Luigi would tell me it’s a sin to want you as much as I do, but I don’t particularly care.”

  He began to kiss her. Slow sensual kisses that built in rhythm, melding their mouths and bodies, arms and legs. He lifted her in his arms and carried her inside the cabin to the bedroom. Their bedroom now.

  The world spun. She felt the mattress against her back. Riley followed her down, then he was opening up another world to her she had no idea existed.

  With each caress of his hands and mouth, he provoked a primitive response she was helpless to withhold. The intensity of her desire coursed through her like shock waves.

  Intellectually she knew a man and woman were sexual beings, but she’d never been awakened to this side of her nature before.

  This had to stop before she lost heart, soul, identity, will, everything he was capable of stealing from her.

  “Riley—” she cried, wrenching her lips from his.

  Passion glazed his eyes. “What is it, sweetheart?” His breathing sounded shallow. “Am I going too fast for you?”

  She rolled her head back and forth. “It’s not that, but I was hoping to give you your wedding present first.”

  He covered her throat with kisses. “You’re all the present I want.”

  Afraid she’d waited too long she said, “You wouldn’t say that if you knew what it was.”

  She felt a quickening in his body before he expelled his breath and rolled away from her.

  He probably thought she wanted to retire to slip on a black lace nightgown she’d bought just for him. Whatever he thought it was, he’d be wrong. Yet she had caught his attention—enough for his curiosity to take hold.

  “I won’t be long.” She kissed his lips, but when she would have darted from the bed, he pulled her back to devour her with a hunger that left her unsteady.

  “I’m counting to ten.”

  By the time she reached the bathroom, the dress he’d undone had fallen to the floor in a flimsy white pool. Her high heels and garland were somewhere on the floor between the lounge and the bed.

  Thankful she hadn’t had time to unpack her suitcase Nicco had brought over earlier, she slipped on some new tan jeans and a kelly-green cotton sweater. From her purse she pulled out the remote that opened the door to Nicco’s private office. She slipped that in her pocket.

  “What’s taking you so long?” he called to her from the bedroom.

  Once she’d put on her new tan sneakers and hung up her dress on the bathroom door peg, she was ready. “I’m coming.”

  At this juncture Riley was standing by the bed, tying the belt of his dark blue toweling robe. When he saw her in the doorway, his eyes did a double take. The look of shock on his handsome face was priceless.

  “Oh! I should have told you to change into casual clothes,” she said in an offhand manner. “Your present isn’t on board. We’ll have to drive to it.”

  He raked a hand through his black hair in what she recognized as a gesture of extreme frustration. It was kind of frightening and exciting to tease him like this.

  “How did you plan to get to where we’re going? The only form of transportation we have is my motorcycle which is locked up inside the engine room.”

  “I know. Since we don’t have a car, I guess I’ll have to ride on the back of it.”

  His black brows furrowed ominously. “What’s going on, Ann?”

  “Nothing,” she answered in a quiet voice, injecting the slightest tone of despair. For effect, her eyes filled with tears. She was an actress after all, and had learned how to cry tears on demand. “I-it doesn’t matter.”

  “The hell it doesn’t!” he ground out. “If it’s that important to you, then of course we’ll go. But I happen to know motorcycles terrify you. Why don’t you call for a taxi while I get dressed.”

  For Riley, he was being very sweet about this. Much sweeter than she would have been if the shoe were on the other foot. They’d only been married five hours, yet already she’d learned he could put her needs above his own. That was something important to find out about a husband, even if their marriage was only temporary she reminded herself.

  “All right. I’ll wait for you on shore.”

  So far, so good.

  Ten minutes later Riley emerged from the cabin wearing faded denims and a navy pullover. He looked fantastic in anything he wore. His gaze scanned the road leading down to the water.

  “No taxi yet?”

  “I—I decided not to call for it after all. It seems ridiculous when you have a perfectly good bike. If you’ll promise not to go too fast, I’ll try riding with you.”

  As he stood there staring at her, she could tell he didn’t know what to think.

  “You don’t have to do this, Ann. I ride a bike for a living and don’t expect my wife to share that interest. Whatever the reason for your fear, I respect it.”

  Every word that came out of his mouth made her love him a little more.

  “I realize that, but I at least ought to be able to ride behind you if I have to. What if there were an emergency of some kind?”

  His hands had gone to his hips in that male stance she loved. “Next week I intended on buying you a car for your wedding present. Now you’ve spoiled my surprise.” But he smiled as he said it.

  Oh, Riley—I love you so much you’ll never know.

  “I didn’t mean to do that.” She smiled back. “The thing is, I really do want to give you your gift now.”

  One brow lifted. “It’s that good is it?”

  “Yes.” Convinced Nicco had known what he was talking about in the wedding present department she said, “As long as you’ll be the one driving and can tell me exactly what to do, I’d like to try.

  “Now that I’m married to a pro racer, I’d feel like a fool if someone found out Mrs. Riley Garrow had never even sat on the back of a bike.”

  Her comment brought a tinge of admiration to his eyes. It shouldn’t have thrilled her. She shouldn’t care so much.

  “Give me a minute and I’ll bring it out.” That was excitement she’d heard in his voice just now. A different kind of excitement than he’d displayed during their brief moment of rapture in the bedroom.

  When he moved his bike out on deck, she noticed he was wearing his helmet and leather jacket. After firing it up, he drove across the plank in the Garrow inimitable style, then parked it in front of her. He climbed off exhibiting an eagerness that was unmistakable.

  “You’ll have to get used to wearing a helmet and jacket. These will have to do for now.”

  “What about you?”

  His eyes smiled. “Unless this famous present is in Switzerland, I’m not concerned.”

  Ann ch
uckled. “Not quite. I—I hid it in a place you wouldn’t think to look for it.”

  “Is that so.” He stole a kiss from her astonished mouth. She’d captured his attention in a big way now.

  “Yes,” she came back breathlessly. “Nicco’s private office.”

  He gave an incredulous shake of his dark head. “The plant is closed.”

  “No problem. Callie gave me her remote. So tell me what I have to do first.”

  “Let’s put you in this.”

  He removed his jacket and helped her on with it. The warmth from his body heat enveloped her. But it was the feel of his hands sweeping her hair back that produced an almost erotic sensation before he lowered the helmet and fastened the chin strap. The shield was still up.

  It was a good thing she’d had three full days of practice wearing the riding gear Nicco had picked out for her. They took some getting used to. Now she didn’t think about it.

  “How does it feel?”

  “Confining.”

  The masculine hands resting on her shoulders kneaded them with gentle pressure. “Ann—at any point you’re not comfortable with this, I’ll have your promise that you’ll tell me.”

  He was nervous.

  Who would have guessed this mattered so much to him? More than ever she understood Nicco. When Callie stole his bike out from under him and took off, she really set her hooks in him.

  “The plant’s not that far from here. I’ll be fine.”

  She noticed the way Riley’s chest rose and fell. He was having a struggle with himself.

  “When I get on the bike, you climb on behind me and put your feet on the pegs. Then slide your arms around my waist and hold on tight locking your fingers together.”

  Nicco had practiced this with her enough times she knew what to do.

  “Okay.”

  “You lower your shield like this.”

  After he’d shown her, he straddled the bike, then helped her to get on. “How are you doing?”

  It was sheer joy to flatten herself against his back. “Fine.”

  “There’s time to change your mind.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I swear I’ll do everything in my power to protect you,” his voice throbbed. “You’re a brave woman. Do you know that?”

  If he thought that about her, then this whole exercise was worth it. She had a hunch a man like Riley would value courage above even physical beauty in a woman.

  He started the motor. “Here we go.”

  His takeoff was so smooth, they seemed to glide right up the road of the embankment. Once they’d merged onto the main highway, he kept his speed with the flow of traffic and stayed in the right lane. Not once did he make any surprise moves that would frighten her.

  Riley was being so careful with her, she wanted to cry. Instead, she pressed against him, enjoying the feel of his big hard body.

  Too soon they reached the Danelli plant. Riley drove into the parking area and pulled around the side in front of Nicco’s private door.

  He came to a stop with the gentleness of a snowflake landing on your cheek.

  She climbed down and removed the helmet. He shut off the motor and set the stand before levering himself from the bike. Their eyes met and clung.

  “You didn’t panic once.”

  Ann could hardly breathe for the admiring expression in his soft gray gaze. “With Riley Garrow at the controls, why would I.”

  He crushed her in his arms. “I’m proud of you.” They rocked back and forth for a minute.

  There are more surprises in store for you, my love.

  She kissed the edge of that firm male jaw before removing his jacket. “Come inside with me.”

  The remote undid the lock that allowed her to open the door. He followed her down the hall to Nicco’s suite. An adrenaline rush escalated her excitement.

  “Wait here,” she cautioned. “I’ll be right back.”

  After putting his helmet and jacket on a chair, she walked through another door to the back room.

  Her beautiful lavender and purple bike sat in the middle of the floor like a proud little lady. After riding it almost constantly for three days, she’d grown very attached to it.

  Nicco had not only outfitted her with a lavender helmet, he’d given her a lavender and cream leather jacket, pants and gloves to match. Everything sat on the shelf.

  It was his considered opinion that attractive colors reduced accidents because other drivers noticed you right away.

  “Ann?”

  His impatience delighted her.

  “One more minute!”

  Galvanized into action, she lifted the stand and walked her bike through to the office.

  Riley was half-lounging against the edge of Nicco’s desk. When she emerged from the back room with it, he took one look and straightened in shock.

  “Do you like your present?”

  “Sweetheart—” He sounded as if he didn’t quite know how to couch his words. “You’re a generous woman by nature, and I’m overwhelmed with your desire to please me. But I only need one bike, and it’s outside.”

  Ann had never had so much fun in her life.

  “This isn’t everything.”

  He shook his head. “You’re all that matters to me. I don’t want gifts.”

  Oh, yes you do, Riley Garrow. You just don’t know it yet.

  “Indulge me a little longer?”

  “Do I have a choice?” he whispered. Her brand-new husband sounded as if he’d reached the point where he couldn’t take much more.

  “No. I promise you’re going to like it.”

  Spinning around, she hurried in the back room once more and donned all her riding gear, making certain to put the remote in her leather pocket.

  When she entered the office the second time, she pretended she was a model on a walkway and paraded past him putting a wiggle in her step.

  “As you’ll notice ladies and gentlemen, this year Mr. Nicco Tescotti is showing the latest in his fall collection for the woman in the family who’ll be looking smart as she roars to the supermarket on her new Danelli Supercharger.”

  Riley stood there so mesmerized, she didn’t hear one peep out of him.

  “This particular outfit was designed expressly for the wife of Mr. Riley Garrow, the latest racing sensation to come along in decades. To quote Mr. Tescotti, ‘Mr. Garrow is the secret weapon in our arsenal.’

  “In a twist on the tradition of the knights of old who wore their favorite lady’s color, Mrs. Garrow will be sporting her knight’s favorite color. It’s her tribute to him while he breaks one speed record after another across Europe and elsewhere.”

  Satisfied with her performance, she reached for her bike. “Shall we go for a spin, Mr. Garrow?” she threw at him.

  He didn’t move. In fact he looked planted to the floor. Her joy was full.

  “Would you mind opening the door for me?”

  Like a sleepwalker, he finally did her bidding. She pushed her bike outside into the twilight.

  He followed with his jacket and helmet in hand. His eyes had narrowed to silvery slits. “How long have you known how to ride?” his voice grated.

  She pressed the remote to lock up, then slipped it inside her leather pocket. “Three days. Beat you home!”

  “Ann— Stop!” He sounded terrified.

  Bubbling with laughter, she started her bike and took off. Nicco and Callie had ridden enough with her in city traffic that she felt comfortable as long as she didn’t do anything foolish.

  Through the sideview mirror she could see a green-and-black motorcycle gaining on her. The traffic was light on a Saturday night. She increased her speed a couple of notches to stay ahead of him.

  He was making ground fast and furiously, heedless of the speed limit postings. The thrill of the chase was upon her. She was determined to reach the barge first.

  When he could see that she rode well enough for a novice, maybe she could talk him into taking a short ride in the moun
tains where they could enjoy a late dinner.

  Anxious to put off the moment when they went to bed for the first time, she pushed faster, loving the way the bike leaped ahead, accelerating like magic at her touch. For the first time she could understand what all the excitement was about.

  You could go anywhere on one of these things in half the time it took everyone else. In the freedom of the open road, the weight of the world left you and you felt you had wings.

  Euphoric over her plans thus far, she turned at the light and came to the private road that led down to the embankment. Riley was almost upon her now.

  On an enormous high, she wanted to impress him. If he could cross the plank without problem, so could she. But she’d underestimated her speed. When she applied the rear brake with her right foot, the bike slid. She turned the handlebars to make the correction, not realizing the brake had locked up. In the next instant she found herself tipping sideways into the shallow water.

  Her surprised cry was joined by a yelp from Riley who’d plunged in after her. With Herculean strength he lifted her into the barge and removed her helmet.

  “Are you all right?” he cried frantically.

  She nodded between coughs from the water. “I— I’m fine. D-do you think I broke my new b-bike?”

  “Forget the damn bike!” he bit out before she heard him swear a string of invective several blocks long.

  “What in heaven’s name possessed you to try anything so dangerous?” By now she was cradled in his arms. She felt his hands travel everywhere examining her for injuries. He had no idea what his touch was doing to her.

  Ann had no idea he could tremble so hard. She felt it resonate to the depth of her being.

  “I wanted to show you I could ride as well as Callie. Now I understand what they say about pride.”

  He pressed his forehead against hers. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

  “I’m fine, Riley. If you want to know the truth, I feel perfectly stupid.”

  “It was a stupid thing to do,” he raged, but it didn’t have quite the fierce anger to back it up this time.

  “I know. I promise I’ll never do anything that dumb again.”