His fingers tightened around hers as he drew her round to face the celebrant, giving her another glimpse of his strength.

His physical power both frightened and excited her. He would be a dominant lover. Powerful and passionate and primal, taking no nonsense from her. She could see him now, stripping her quite roughly before throwing her onto the bed.

Such thinking robbed her of her breath, and her brains.

The celebrant launching straight into the ceremony was a relief, giving Natalie time to scoop in several deep breaths. But her thoughts remained totally scattered during the next ten minutes. She must have made all the right verbal responses. But she had no memory of their marriage at all. Not till that moment when the celebrant told Mike that he could kiss the bride.

That woke her up.

Mike was holding both her hands by this stage, the spray of orchids having long been handed to Alanna. He turned her to face him, staring deep into her eyes as he slowly, very slowly, lifted her hands to his mouth, pressing his lips, first to her grandmother’s wedding ring, and then against each startled fingertip.

Shivers ran down her spine with every touch, her eyes widening with surprise.

This was not the kind of lover she’d imagined earlier. This was a man with finesse. And lots of erotic experience. As much as Natalie had thrilled to the fantasy of Mike acting like a caveman with her, what he was doing at that moment was also very effective indeed.

Already, she craved for him to take one of her fingers into his mouth, to suck on it. Her mind whirled with the mental picture of his sucking on other, far more intimate parts of her body, her lips falling open to provide more air for her suddenly panting lungs.

His eyes narrowed on her mouth, oh, so knowingly, his hands dropping hers to cradle her face. He was going to kiss her now. Properly.

Her lips stiffened at first contact with his—perhaps out of some lingering, long-held fear—but all too soon they softened and trembled apart, inviting him in. When his tongue slid down deep into the warm, wet orifice behind her teeth, her arms slid around his back, wanting him close, then closer still.

Natalie totally forgot where she was. This was what she’d thought about and dreamt about for the last month. Being in Mike’s arms. Being able to kiss him and touch him.

His body felt as good as it looked. And he kissed even better than she could have possibly imagined.

Mike’s abruptly putting her aside only a few seconds later came as a shock. So was the cold glare he gave her before turning away to accept everyone’s congratulations, leaving Natalie to struggle helplessly with the aftermath of his kiss. Her heart was racing, her face felt hot, and her nipples were like bullets inside her dress.