Part 30 (1/2)
Kate raised herself up to take him in, and then held perfectly still, celebrating the joy of their joining.
His arms tightened around her, his kiss became hungrier.
She tore her lips free. ”Reid...”
”What, honey?”
”We keep forgetting the condom.”
”I haven't forgotten.”
Kate stared at him. ”What're you saying?”
”That I want what you want, no matter what it is.”
”Do you mean it? You want kids? With me?”
”I want you to have everything you've ever dreamed of, and for some reason you've staked your claim with me. I'd never deny you the chance to be a mother, as long as you know you may not have me around-”
She swooped down on him, kissing that thought right off his lips. ”I'd rather have thirty amazing, magical years with you than fifty okay years with someone else.”
”Thank you, darlin'.” His fingers pressed into her hips, and his erection lengthened inside her. ”Can we get back to what you started here?”
”Most definitely.”
They flew back to Nashville early the next morning. The storm was long gone, and the skies were clear and sunny, with puffy white clouds off in the distance. Sitting next to Reid in the c.o.c.kpit reminded Kate of their trip to Memphis and the monumental event that had occurred there.
”What're you smiling about, darlin'?”
”I'm thinking about the first time I ever flew with you.”
”Reluctantly, if I recall correctly.”
”You hadn't told me you were a pilot, and then you pop it on me out of nowhere. What was I supposed to say?”
”You were supposed to say, 'Reid, I trust you with my life, and if you tell me you're a great pilot, I believe you.'” Hearing him imitate her tone had her staring at him, speechless.
”How'd you do that?”
”Do what?”
”Perfectly imitate me.”
He reached over to rest his hand on her leg. ”I've heard your voice in my dreams for years. I know how you sound.”
Touched by his words, she said, ”It's a little unnerving how well you do it.”
”Now you do me.”
She raised an eyebrow. ”Didn't I already do you this morning?”
He tossed his head back and laughed. ”I meant imitate me, though I do love how you think.”
Kate thought about his challenge for a moment. ”Harder, darlin',” she said in his accent. ”Yeah, like that.” She glanced over to find him looking at her with eyes gone hot with desire. ”How'd I do?”
”Pretty good. How about you say that to me when we get home and I can actually do something about it?”
”Sure,” she said, laughing. ”You got it.” She watched the scenery go by in a sea of brilliant blue. ”So pretty.”
”Yes, it is.”
”Last night was fun, huh?” Bertha's family had arrived en ma.s.se with pots of chili, cornbread, salad and brownies. Kate had sung with the kids, autographed CD cases and posed for pictures with each of them.
”Sure was. Those kids will never forget their night with you.”
She rested her hand over the one he had on her leg. ”I'll never forget the night we officially got engaged.”
”Neither will I.” He squeezed her thigh. ”So when do you want to tie the knot?”
”I've been thinking about that. What would you say to doing it over the holidays when my family is in Nashville?”
”That soon? You don't want to plan a big s.h.i.+ndig?”
She shook her head. ”You're the one telling me there's no time to waste, and besides, everyone I'd want there will be in town. Maybe if he knows we're getting married, my dad will come.”
”And if he doesn't?”
Kate didn't want to think about the possibility of getting married without him there to give her away, but she refused to put a damper on their celebratory mood. She shrugged. ”Then I guess we'll do it without him.”
”I sure hope it doesn't come to that.”
”So do I. He left me a message last night that he wants to talk some more, but I'm not really ready to talk to him after what he said yesterday.” She glanced over at him. ”Anyway, how about we get married on your birthday?”
”You remember my birthday?”
”Sure, I do. I remember that I couldn't wait to get back to Nashville the day after Christmas to help you celebrate.”
”Sounds good to me.”
”We can do it at my house with a JP, some food, music. Nice and simple. That'd be just what I want-if it's okay with you.”
”I told you-whatever you want is okay with me.”
”Are you always going to be so easy to get along with?”
”Making you happy makes me happy.”
She looked down at her gorgeous ring, which sparkled in the bright sunlight. ”I feel very happy today, as well as lucky and hopeful.”