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He pulled back, his dark eyes clear and bright. “About that present.”
He settled her into a chair.
After shrugging off his jacket, he got on bended knee—a position she rarely saw him in. Not even when he proposed. Rather, he stood before her, towering over her as he asked the question.
He held out his arm. “Unbutton my cuff.”
Oh, perhaps they were starting their honeymoon early. She was ready, a twinge going off between her legs. The small buttons gave way without a fight, revealing the dark hair that dusted his skin. The twinge? It rose to a burn. No aphrodisiac could have a greater effect than merely touching Richard’s strong forearms.
His gaze never left her face. “Roll it up.”
He turned his bare arm over, and she sucked in a quick breath. A brand new tattoo, a Phoenix, a little red and raw, stared up at her. Her name was etched underneath in a beautiful script.
“It’s you,” he said. “You’ve burned and risen every time, mi tesoro. And I love you for it. Now, I carry with me your courage.”
She traced the tiny wings of the bird. Tiny, inked feathers graced two large wings that appeared in mid-flight. Its large eyes stared right at her. “She’s beautiful.”
“Like you.”
She raised her lashes and drank in his beautiful eyes. “Uncanny.”
His brows pinched together in question. She also had a surprise. But how could she tell him what she’d done? First, she hadn’t talked to him about it before going ahead. That would have ruined the surprise. She only hoped he’d be pleased.
Her breath quickened. “I have something for you, too.”
She’d wanted to reveal it to him when they reached their honeymoon destination—two weeks on Makepeace Island in Australia. They were to leave immediately after the reception. She’d prayed she could keep it secret until then. But now was better.
She sucked in a long breath and stood. “Please forgive me that I didn’t get permission first.”
“You can stand.” He chuckled and righted himself.
“No, I mean …” She tried to turn around, but her dress got caught on the chair and his legs. She ended up pitching into the chair. “Ooof.” Clumsy much?
His arm banded around the waist and righted her. “Trying to run away?” His deep growl flashed an image of the big bad wolf in her mind. She wouldn’t mind being chased by him.
“Can you help me with my dress?”
“Charlotte.” His tone was both warning and questioning. He swiped his finger along the back of her neck, sending a shudder down her spine. “Attempting to seduce me?”
“No. I mean, yes, always, but … please?” She had to look over her shoulder to catch his face. He had her pressed to his chest. She grabbed fistfuls of her dress and tried to yank the hemline up.
He let go of her and stepped backward. “Eager. Need help?” Once more, his laughter reached her ears. He wasn’t mad, rather amused.
“Please. I have something to show you—”
“On your ass?”
A giggle erupted from her own throat. “Yes, actually.”
The energy in the room dropped. Though teasing, he’d guessed the truth. She’d surprised him, all right.Move quickly.Her dress would be wrinkled beyond belief, and everyone downstairs would think they were up here having sex, but really, who cared?
Now, with her arms full of fabric, her legs were free to move her around. She pushed her butt out.
“No panties. Had I known, I might have had us up here earlier,” his deep voice said. “And had I known about this …” His fingertip traced the crescent moon tattoo on her cheek. She couldn’t see it now, but that morning in the mirror, it also had looked a little red and raw, given it was only a week old.
“It’s a sign of rebirth,” she said quickly. “So, when you …”
“Spank you, fuck you, I’ll see it.” His voice matched his raw words.
