Wishes In The Wind Part 39

Dustin chuckled, moving sensuously against her, stirring as if the past frenzied moments had never occurred. "You tell me, my lady. Is now too soon?"

"Now would be ideal," she a.s.sured him, lifting her arms around his neck.

"Good. Then perhaps this second time will be slow and tender." His words ended on a groan as Nicole arched up, took him deeper into herself. "Then again," he amended huskily, "perhaps not."

Long, languorous hours later, Nicole curled contentedly in her husband's arms, whole and happy and utterly replete ... despite the fact that they had yet to master slow, tender, and prolonged.

"Sleepy?" Dustin murmured, kissing her shoulder.

"Yes and no. Too tired to stay awake, too exhilarated to sleep. Besides," she added, sighing, "I don't want to sleep. I want to make this night last forever."

"It will, darling. I promise you, it will." He propped himself up on one elbow, gestured toward the window. "The stars are out," he observed.

"I know. I've been watching them shine down on us."

"Have you? And have you also been wishing?" he prompted softly.

She smiled, shaking her head. "I have no need to. All my wishes have been fulfilled." A slight pause. "All but one."

"And what wish is that?"

With aching tenderness, Nicole touched her locket, met her husband's gaze. "To have your child."

A look of profound emotion crossed Dustin's face. "I love you, my beautiful stargazer," he said huskily. "And there's only one wish that means more to me than your having my child, and that wish is right here in my arms."

"I'm no longer a wish," she breathed, laying her palm against his jaw. "I'm very much a reality."

"Not merely a reality." He turned his lips into her palm, renewed desire shimmering to life. "A dream come true."

This time, at last, was slow, tender ... and very, very prolonged.

Afterward, they slept in each other's arms, neither of them aware that, as a result of their last precious union, the wishing locket was blissfully empty, the fulfillment of Nicole's ultimate wish nestled safely in her womb.

But the locket knew. That final wish soared forth, an unknown but nonetheless tangible dream come true, deemed by fate to join the miracles of twilight and stargazing.

There it twinkled in the darkness and sailed joyously on the wind.

A Biography of Andrea Kane

Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels-including fourteen historical and twelve contemporary novels-that have been published in sixteen countries and translated into more than twenty languages. Whether she's writing about Regency England, America on the brink of civil war, or New York Police Department detectives caught up in mayhem and murder, Kane's ability to create unforgettable stories has earned her a loyal worldwide following.

Kane published My Heart's Desire, her first historical novel and the first book in the Barrett Family series, in 1991. Others quickly followed, including Samantha, the second book in that series; Echoes in the Mist and Whispers in the Wind (the Kingsley in Love series); and the acclaimed Black Diamond, Thornton-Bromleigh Family, and Colby Coin series. Stand-alone historic romances include Dream Castle (1992), Masque of Betrayal (1993), Emerald Garden (1996), and The Music Box (1998).

Kane's groundbreaking romantic thriller Run for Your Life (2000) became an instant New York Times bestseller. This was followed by a series of suspense novels featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete "Monty" Montgomery. Kane's current contemporary series introduced FBI special agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. Other thrillers include No Way Out, Scent of Danger, Twisted, I'll Be Watching You, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, and, most recently, The Line Between Here and Gone.

Kane is a self-proclaimed "cerebral" type, and prides herself on her questioning, a.n.a.lytical mind, which has led to her pa.s.sion for mysteries. She has spent many happy hours with the cla.s.sic novels of Agatha Christie, trying to outsmart Hercule Poirot.

She is also a die-hard sentimentalist. She cries at old movies and believes in striving for happily-ever-after. In Kane's words: "The idealist in me loves writing romance, and the pragmatist in me loves writing suspense. I feel very fortunate that I'm able to combine the two, and give you books that keep you at the edge of your seat, but at the same time, make you care."

Kane lives in New Jersey with her family.

Andrea Kane as a little girl, with her first puppy, Inky, named for the black spots on his white back.

An eight-year-old Kane, a proud sleepaway camper for the first time.

A photo from Kane's trip to the Thousand Islands (on the border of Canada and the United States) to research and write My Heart's Desire. Kane toured the area by boat.

Kane and her husband, Brad, trying to simulate a novel's cover pose while wearing period clothing.

Kane and her daughter, Wendi, outside Buckingham Palace during a weeklong research trip to England in 1998.

Kane and her daughter at Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Kane believes that the castle is the most romantic place for creative inspiration.

The first Kane family cruise, to Bermuda: rough waters but happy faces.

Kane posing with friends in various period costumes.

Kane's publication party and her first book signing for the release of My Heart's Desire in 1991.

Kane's original New Jersey Romance Writers team; she was first conference chair and then president of the organization.

Kane and Wendi at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in San Antonio, in full costume.

Acknowledgments.

TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO rode the tidal wave of deadline with me, each in their own incomparable way: Pat, whose emotional support defies words.

Laura, whose encouraging countdown calls made my telephone answering machine a friend rather than a foe.

Helen, who researched obscure historical facts on a moment's notice and has yet to be unnerved by my urgency or to come up empty-handed.

Lisa, whose equestrian knowledge was surpa.s.sed only by her consummate faith and friendship.

Plunk, who reads each book as if it were her own and demands almost as much of me as I do of myself.

And most of all, to my family, who withstood the grueling weeks of absenteeism, exhaustion, and tension, and who ultimately cheered beside me when Nicole and Dustin's story turned out to be all I prayed it would be.

My thanks to you all.

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