The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride by Jenn Roseton

glad that today would mark the next phase of her marriage to Alex.
    After they walked off the plane, Alex handled everything in his usual efficient manner. In fact, he seemed to be efficient at everything . Apart from consummating the marriage. A small giggle tried to erupt from her lips, but Laura tamped it down.
    “ What’s so funny?” he inquired, ushering her into the waiting silver town car.
    “ Nothing.” She bit her lip, hoping the small jab of pain would stop her from laughing. Somehow, she didn’t think her husband would find it amusing.
    His eyes darkened as he watched the small movement of her teeth. Blushing, Laura scrambled into the soft leather seats, her eyes widening when Alex slid in beside her, pulling her to him.
    She was conscious of his hard, muscled thigh brushing her soft one all the way to the penthouse. Instead of holding her hand, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. She rested her head against his chest, savoring the physical closeness.
    Although the private plane had been extremely comfortable, Alex had buried himself in newspapers the whole time, leaving her to her thoughts and the latest fashion magazines - which seemed comprised of more stick-thin models than she thought existed. She hadn’t seen any clothes that looked like they would remotely suit her, and she’d shuddered at the price tags. Perhaps she could put in a request for some magazines she would actually be interested in reading, next time they used the plane.
    The town car drew up to Alex’s elegant building. Tony, the driver, carried the suitcases to the elevator, and in the next moment, the elevator whisked her up to the penthouse, Alex standing beside her in the golden cage.
    Laura’s nerve endings sparked as she looked at her husband. Would tonight be the night they became intimate?
    Alex set the cases down when they reached the front door. She admired how he preferred to do things like that himself, instead of requesting Tony to carry the cases all the way to the front door of the penthouse. The door swung open and Alex swept her up in his arms.
    “ Alex!” Laura clutched his shoulders for support.
    “ Welcome home, Mrs. Trask.”
    She melted at the tenderness on his face. If she hadn’t already begun falling for him, she knew she would have started right now.
    “But you carried me over the threshold at the ranch,” she couldn’t help protesting, wondering why she couldn’t just enjoy his attentions.
    “ That was our honeymoon. This is where we’ll be living.” He strode into the penthouse, carrying her easily.
    Laura relaxed against him. It felt so good to be in his strong arms. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to worry whenever he boosted her onto a horse or picked her up that she was too heavy for him.
    Gently setting her down, he looked into her eyes. “Welcome home, Mrs. Trask,” he repeated, tilting her chin up. He slanted his mouth over hers and her eyes fluttered closed. Bliss.
    Laura’s hands crept up to his shoulders as the kiss deepened. He molded her to him, his hands caressing her back as the minutes sped by.
    Finally, just when Laura wondered if she was brave enough to tug him toward the bedroom, he stepped back with a wrench, abruptly ending the kiss. “I’ll get the bags,” he said hoarsely, a flush of arousal staining his cheekbones.
    Watching him pick up the bags in the doorway, Laura wondered if she would ever make love with Alex.
    ###
    Half an hour later, she sat opposite Alex in the living room on a comfortable leather sofa in the conversation nook. He’d shown her how to use the coffee machine - it seemed even fancier than the one at the ranch - and now she sipped a very chocolaty mocha laced with cinnamon.
    “ I’ll provide a driver for you,” he announced, sitting opposite her on a matching sofa.
    Laura wrinkled her nose. “That’s not necessary. I’ve got a car.”
    “Which looks like it mightn’t last much longer.” He frowned when she opened her