Part 196 (2/2)

but Emma McAvoy Latimer. A new person. And, in vowing her love and her

life to Drew, she was beginning a new life.

It didn't matter that he had to race off directly after the ceremony to

the recording studio. She understood the demands and the need for

premium session time better than anyone. It had been her idea to be

married quickly, quietly, and in the middle of the making of his new

alb.u.m. It gave her time to prepare the hotel suite where they would

spend their wedding night. She wanted it to be perfect.

There were flowers now, banks of hothouse roses, orchids, narcissus. For

her own pleasure, she arranged them personally, setting tubs and vases

throughout the rooms, down to a basket of flowering hibiscus she set in

the bath.

A dozen candles waited to be lit, all white and scented with jasmine.

Champagne chilled in a crystal bucket. The radio was on low, to enhance

the mood.

She indulged in a long bath, fragrant with oils. She creamed and

powdered her body, and enjoying the female ritual, dabbed more scent at

every pulse point. Like the room, like the night, she wanted her body

to be perfect for him. She brushed her hair until her arm went numb.

Then slowly, drawing out the pleasure of it, dressed in the white silk

and lace peignoir.

When she studied her reflection in the cheval mirror she knew she looked

like a bride. Closing her eyes, she felt like a bride. Her wedding

night. The most beautiful night of her life. Now she would know what

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