THE TEXAS WILDCATTER'S BABY Read Online Free PDF

interfered. Rand was escorted one way, Ginger another. A flurry of preparations followed.
    Two hours later they were all together again, surrounded by two hundred of their closest family and friends.
    This wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a temporary legal formality, Rand thought in surprise. But standing next to the flower-strewed arbor in his parents’ backyard, with a string quartet playing and his brother Colt stepping in to serve as best man, it sure felt like a real wedding. And, if the sweetly vulnerable look on Ginger’s face as she floated down the aisle on her mother’s arm was any indication, she was completely taken aback by the unexpected authenticity of the moment, too.
    Colt teased Rand affectionately as Ginger neared. “I understand why you were in such a hurry to get a ring on her finger.”
    Ginger was beautiful, Rand thought, taking the opportunity to drink her in. Never more so than right now in her wedding finery.
    The ivory-satin gown lovingly cupped her breasts, nipped in at her waist and left her arms and shoulders bare. The full skirt fell in a seductive swirl past her ankles. A sparkling tiara, attached to a short veil, was threaded through her upswept copper hair. As she neared him, her eyes met his. Held. As he took her hand in his, her delicate cheeks grew pink and her soft lips parted. Her chest rose as she took in a deep, enervating breath.
    And then the ceremony began.
    * * *
    G INGER HADN ’ T BEEN this caught up in the ceremony the first time she’d been to the altar. To be feeling so breathless with excitement was...well, completely unprecedented, unexpected. And, she forced herself to admit, unrealistic. Yet, standing there with her hands clasped in Rand’s large, capable palms, looking deeply into his midnight-blue eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a little swept away.
    Maybe it was the way he looked in that dark tuxedo, the striking contrast of the stark white shirt against the suntanned hue of his skin. Or how closely he had shaved, and the way his mahogany hair shone in the evening light. All she knew was that he smelled so damn good, like a sun-drenched forest just after a spring rain. That he felt so warm and was so tall and strong.
    Maybe it was true, she thought, that women did instinctively search out the best specimen to father their children.
    Right now, he seemed like the perfect mate.
    To the point, it was easy to promise to have and to hold from this day forward.
    At least, she added mentally, until the day their baby was born.
    Then they’d see.
    As she gazed into his eyes, she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
    That, too, would be reassuring. Because it would mean they might have all the trappings of a real marriage.
    But “real” was, like this union, in the eye of the beholder.
    The minister’s voice rose, interrupting her thoughts. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” The reverend smiled broadly. “Rand, you may kiss your bride.”
    And heaven help them both, he did.

Chapter Three
    But it wasn’t just any generic end-of-the-wedding-ceremony-with-everybody-watching kind of kiss, Ginger thought in stunned amazement. It was a knock-your-shoes-off, make-you-tingle-from-head-to-toe embrace that weakened her knees. And had her surrendering to the warm, sure pressure of his mouth in a way she had never ever yielded before.
    Not even to him. Not even during that fateful night when they’d made the baby she was carrying inside her.
    This was something new. Something wonderful. Something suddenly and unexpectedly sanctioned.
    And darn it all if Rand didn’t take full advantage of the situation. Both arms wrapped around her, he brought her closer, until she was hanging on to him, soaking up everything about him—his strength, his scent, his warmth and tenderness. He was amazingly solid and real, so very masculine and persuasive. A low helpless sound escaped her throat, and Rand continued kissing her with the same quiet,