Venice in the Moonlight (23 page)

She closed the distance between them and took his hands. She kissed his palms, hoping to chase away his sadness. “But he couldn’t.”

He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her scent. “He sent me home to think about it. There is hope if I want to take the risks.”

Her stomach knotted in fear. “What do you mean?”

“I could lose my sight completely or die from an infection.”

He talked of his death so casually, as if it didn’t matter, that she wanted to strike him. She would have to convince him not to have the operation. It was a foolish risk. But then she remembered his world of blurred images and frustration and knew she couldn’t be so selfish.

He kissed her cheeks and when he tasted her tears, he hugged her against his chest. “I cannot return to the doctor for six months. I have plenty of time to make a decision.”

She broke their embrace and tried to rein in her fear, but she needed him to understand. “Forgive my tears. It is wonderful news, but it scares me. I cannot bear to lose another person I love.”

“You love me?” His voice held a mixture of doubt and hope. He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Say it again.”

She hadn’t meant to say it. She knew her feelings were stronger than affection, but until this moment, she hadn’t realized how deeply rooted he was in her heart. “I . . . love you. But if you go and do something foolish—like die—I will hate you forever.”

He took her hands in his and placed them over his heart. “I promise I will not die.”

His lips found hers. They kissed until every inch of her body tingled with anticipation. When he finally let her draw a shaky breath, his face became serious. He cupped her cheeks and rested his forehead against hers. “Since the day we first met, I did not want any woman but you. With you by my side, blind or not, I will be forever happy. I love you, Marietta.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. She had longed for a man that would love her faithfully, and now she had found him. Happiness filled her until she felt she might burst. Nico’s hands left her face and slowly moved down her neck and over her bosom until they rested on her waist. He pulled her forward until their hips touched, and she felt his desire.

She knew he waited for her consent. Warmth flooded her body. She tangled her fingers in his dark curls and pulled his mouth to hers. She gave him a long, deep kiss. “Make love to me, Nico. Make love to me until the moon rises and sets.”

A wicked grin spread across his face. “I don’t need my sight to do that.”

Marietta giggled. She had no doubt he could fulfill her request.

She brought his fingers to her lips so he could feel her smile. Maybe someday he would see it instead, but if not, she knew they’d be all right. The only thing that mattered was their love for each other.

Cera’s Place

Available from all major e-book retailers and CreateSpace

San Francisco saloon owner Cera Cassidy offers redemption to any woman looking for honest work. At Cera’s Place, men can get a decent hot meal with a whiskey, but if they want anything more, they have to take their desires elsewhere. One summer night, a distraught Chinese girl bursts through the swinging doors with a shocking tale of murder, kidnapping, and prostitution. Outraged, Cera vows to set things right.

Jake Tanner, a scarred ex-soldier haunted by the horrors of the Civil War, is on a mission to fulfill a friend’s dying wish. The trail has brought him to Cera’s door. Captivated by her Irish beauty, he wants to join her fight—but will she let him?

Elizabeth McKenna’s debut novel is a fast-paced adventure filled with memorable characters that will leave you wanting more. Get lost in a time gone by and fall in love today!

The Gypsy Casts a Spell

Available for free on
http://elizabethmckenna.com/

Vadoma Taits has the “sight” and has seen her own death. On Vadoma’s last day on earth, her cousin stabs a man during the annual autumn fair. In a race against time, Vadoma sets out to save her cousin from the gallows. When the village’s Marquis rebuffs her pleas for mercy, she turns to desperate measures.

Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so when a psychic told her she would write a book, she felt obligated to give it a try. She combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write her debut novel
Cera's Place
. Her short story,
The Gypsy Casts a Spell
, is available for free on her website 
ElizabethMcKenna.com
. She hopes you will enjoy her latest novel,
Venice in the Moonlight
, as much as others have enjoyed her previous works.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and sassy Labrador. When she isn't writing, working, or being a mom, she's sleeping.

Website/blog:
http://elizabethmckenna.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMcKennaAuthor

Twitter:
 
@ElizaMcKenna

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/Elizabeth_McKenna