One Hour to Midnight (38 page)

He leaned closer, his mouth took hers in a hot drugging kiss. She moaned softly as his lips moulded and caressed, then turned urgent.
 

Leon lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "I love you, Veronica, more than you will ever know. More than I ever thought it possible to ever love another woman."
 

"And I love you," she whispered needing him with an urgency that caught at her breath. A hot, feverish hand flattened over his hard chest, her fingers spreading wide until she touched the hard nubs of his nipples through his shirt.
 

"I need you." The words came out as a whimper. "Please Leon."

His tongue touched her earlobe and she gasped as the hot sensation sent her body and mind into free-fall.

"I can't imagine my life without you in it." His whispered words sent her wild with desire.
 

Fire raced through her veins like streaks of lightning. She tilted her hips in an insane need to get closer, to mesh her body with his in a primitive dance. She drew in his fresh male scent until it made her dizzy.

Gripping his shirt, she ripped it open, buttons flew everywhere. Her hands were on his flesh caressing, kneading and moulding until his breathing became harsh and his heart pounded against her breasts
 

With a guttural groan her caught her, lifted her off him and carried her to the bed, ripped back the covers and laid her on lavender scented sheets. Leon stood over her, his eyes glittering with desire, proud and so male. With a small secretive smile she returned his gaze and then lifted her arms.
 

"Come."

It was the last word either of them spoke, lost in the crush of their kiss as the past merged into the future in one glorious starburst of passion.

Chapter Twenty-Three

V
eronica surveyed the assembled guests with a satisfied smile.

Leon was in deep discussion with José and Milas. From their expansive gestures, she guessed some business or political matter was under discussion.

Kathleen and Cassie were cooing over the baby kicking her heels in the bassinette.
 

Tania walked up to her rubbing a hand over her hugely pregnant belly.
 

"I could be seriously jealous of you, Vic," she said blowing a fringe of red hair off her forehead. "How come you look so slim and gorgeous six months after delivering a baby?"

"When your baby arrives, you'll soon forget these last two uncomfortable months." Veronica shepherded Tania towards one of the comfortable chairs that had replaced some of the fragile pieces in the reception lounge. "Sit down and take the weight off your feet."

Tania sank into the chair with a heavy sigh. "Can't come soon enough for me, I've forgotten what my feet look like."

Veronica made a show of studying her friend's feet. "They look like normal feet to me, not like blowfish."

"Very funny. At least these chairs will hold my weight."
 

Veronica laughed softly. "During the last semester of my pregnancy, when Leon hosted social events for overseas guests, I issued an ultimatum. Comfortable chairs in this room or he'd be without a hostess!"

"No guesses about who won." Tania gave her a shrewd glance. "I don't see Sonia."

Veronica pulled a face. "She's on her way. She's bringing Andreas and Katya."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Two years at Craven have changed that young man. I insisted they be invited. A christening is a time to unite families."

"You are far more tolerant that I would be."
 
Tania wriggled in the chair seeking a more comfortable spot. "Where's your son?"

"In the circle surrounding the baby where else? He adores her."

"How is he, Vic?"
 

A soft sigh escaped Veronica. Jordan's health was an on-going concern to them all. "So far his blood work is good, and we're quietly hopeful he won't need Briar's cord blood."
 

"But it's good to have the insurance."
 

"It is at that." Veronica looked up as new guests were ushered in. "I need to go."

As she walked to greet Sonia and the two teens, Veronica couldn't help reflecting on how much had changed in the past two years. Leon glanced over, his brow furrowed and she responded with a reassuring smile.
 

José was beside her as she reached the door, kissing his wife's cheek. "No problems?'

"I'd forgotten what Melbourne traffic is like."
 

"Sonia, Katya, it's good to see you both." Veronica gripped the other woman's hands and kissed her warmly. Two years of happy marriage had cemented a genuine friendship between them.
 

Sonia gave her a humorous once over. "I could be seriously jealous looking at you. Six months after having a baby and you look gorgeous."

Veronica laughed. "And how is Rose? Are you missing her?"

"We are," José growled, answering for his wife, "but it's only for a week. Her Nonna's thrilled to have sole custody though."
 

Veronica looked past Sonia to the tall young man who waited quietly.
 

"Andreas." Conscious of her quickened heartbeat, Veronica stepped forward and held out her hand. "I'm so pleased to see you."

The teen took both her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "Thank you for inviting me, and for giving me a second chance, Veronica. I'm so sorry for the fright I gave you."

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Andreas." Veronica titled her head a little to one side, and gave him a warm smile. "And I think you managed to frighten yourself."

He chuckled softly, his pale grey eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're not wrong."

"Don't take this wrong, Andreas, but you're so like your father, it's uncanny," she said leaning up to kiss his cheek. "He was a charmer, and I'll bet you're already beating girls off with a stick."

A dull flush spread up under his tan. "Maybe, but I only take after him in looks."

Veronica gripped the teen's hands tightly, giving them a small shake as she leaned closer, so she wasn't overheard. "Andreas, I will only say this once,
you are not your father
. He made mistakes and he paid dearly for them. His gambling was a sickness."
 

It hurt to see the flash of hope in the in the teen's eyes.
 
"You think?"

"I know." Veronica said very quietly. "Sometime this weekend Andreas, remind me to tell you about my parents."

"Parents? They were no more your parents than the moon is made of cheese," Kathleen said with acerbic candour as she came up behind them and caught Veronica's words. "Your daughter wants her mama."

"Tired of playing Grandma?" Veronica asked with a playful smile. "Kathleen have you met my nephew and niece, Andreas and Katya?"

Kathleen gave Andreas a studied look. "Well, young man, you going to take after your dead-beat father?"

Sonia made an agitated movement and Veronica saw José grip her arm, and caught the infinitesimal shake of his head.
 

"Not if I can help it?" Andreas met the older woman's eyes without flinching.

"Good." Kathleen gave him another stern look. "Remember, you're the leader of these young ones. If you don't let yourself down, you won't let them down. There are a lot of people depending on you."
 

"Yes, ma'am. I won't let them down."

"Don't worry about letting other people down, young man. The most important person not to let down is yourself."
 

As Veronica watched, Andreas's spine stiffened and he held himself fractionally taller. "I'll do my best never to let myself or anyone else down."

"That's all anyone can ask of you, Andreas." Kathleen gave him one of her rare smiles. "You'll do."

She turned to Sonia, giving her the same sort of measuring glance. "And you don't need to spring to this young man's defence, mama. Your job's done, now you must demonstrate your faith and trust in the son you raised."

Kathleen walked off leaving Sonia spluttering and José chuckling. "That's telling you."

"Who's she?" Sonia gave Veronica a shell shocked glance.

Veronica laughed softy. "Kathleen's the mother of my heart, and Briar's Grandma."
 

"I could be seriously scared of making that lady angry."
 

Andreas's muttered comment made Sonia and Veronica look at each other and burst out laughing. The teenager gave them a baffled glance that only made them laugh harder.
 

"Mum, Briar's crying." Jordan came up and tugged at Veronica's arm.

Veronica glanced over and saw Leon picking up their daughter from the crib. "Your dad's got her. Can you take care of Katya and Andreas, Jordan? Introduce them to your friends and get them refreshments, okay?"

Jordan took his task seriously. As three youngsters walked across to the buffet table, the two women watched them. Sonia turned to Veronica, "Thank you for insisting they come. How is Jordan?"

"He has to have blood work done every week, but fingers crossed, so far, so good.
 
And your kids and Jordan have very close family ties." Veronica gave Sonia a sober glance. "Life's far too short for us not to give them the chance to become friends."

José leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Wise as well as kind hearted.
 

Leon walked across to her, jiggling Briar trying to distract her. "Our little princess wants her mama."
 

He slipped an arm around her waist, glancing from one to the other. "Everything okay?"

"Andreas just met Kathleen," she said with droll humour.

"And?" Leon asked settling Briar closer to his shoulder, one large hand splayed across her back.

The little girl nestled her face against his neck in absolute trust. Leon looked so natural, so mouth-wateringly desirable, wearing their baby. Veronica's heart turned over in her breast.

"I could be seriously scared of making that lady angry."
José mimicked Andreas's words with wicked accuracy. "But I'm sure that lad grew inches in stature as we watched."

"And he's sure not alone," Leon muttered with great feeling. "I live in fear and trembling. She once threatened to cut off my balls and shove them down my throat."

José let out a huge guffaw of laughter making heads turn in their direction.

"Just don't hurt her ewe lamb and you and your male apparatus are quite safe." Veronica grinned.

"Minx," Leon kissed Veronica's cheek. "Have I told you I love you?"

"Yes. But I never tire of hearing it." She leaned up and kissed him, uncaring who was watching.

"Get a room, you two," Milas said coming up behind them. "And talking of rooms, Kathleen's insists Tania gets off her feet and have a rest."

"Why are you standing here jabbering, man," Leon said with great feeling, "You've had your orders."

"That's one lady you don't want to piss off," José said with great feeling.

Veronica couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. "You are all such wimps. Kathleen's got a real soft heart."
 

Leon grinned at her. "I'll believe you, darling, thousands wouldn't."
 

The End

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About the author

I am a New Zealander born and bred, a mother, grandmother and recently a great grandmother...what can I say...we started young.

Most of my stories are set in our wonderful country in the antipodes. I've always written, freelancing for local and National newspapers, but Romance is my true love.

I've been a reader of romance from the moment my sister introduced me to The English Women's Weekly and their wonderful serialised romances. I fell in love with the genre.

I know the world is full of heroes. I have my own hero right here at home to prove it. We fell in love when we were young teenagers...and believe me we heard all the old chestnuts...you're too young to know your own minds. Young love never lasts. It gives me great pleasure half a century on to thumb my nose and say, "You know what? You were all wrong!"

Why Romance? I write romance because to me first and last...family matters.

I've always been a scribbler. To me writing is both a pleasure and a cathartic outlet for stress and grief.