Chapter Nineteen ***

“Then let’s get you to bed,” he said in a soft whisper. “I have very special plans for us for tomorrow and you’re going to need all the sleep you can get.”

He leaned into her and kissed her briefly before walking with her through the parlor and down the hall. He stopped outside the door to the master bedroom and looked down at her again, a strange twinkle in his eyes that caused her stomach to lurch unexpectedly.

“Here, or one of the other rooms?” he asked her, and she immediately understood.

She bit her lower lip as she reached for the handle to the door and pushed it open. She couldn’t keep the smile from her lips when she saw the expression cross his face. He looked shocked, exhilarated and thrilled, and without a second thought, she was lifted into his strong arms and carried across the threshold. As he kicked the door shut, she felt her heart start a wild tango with her breathing, his lips finding hers, and in an instant, they were falling slowly to the cool covers of the large