Chapter 9
We’d made it to the judge’s chambers. Although the sadness still hadn’t left her eyes, Snow did a damn good job at convincing the judge we were a happy couple who couldn’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.
She was so bloody convincing, I had to remind myself the way she stared at me was just for show and not because she genuinely thought I’d hung the moon and stars.
It was…unnerving.
And probably the reason I had to ask the judge to repeat what she’d just said. Thankfully, she, too, believed Snow’s little display and gave me a look of understanding before she said, “It’s time to say your vows.”
Ah, yes, the vows.
“Right.” Sucking in a deep, steadying breath, I took Snow’s hands in mine.
That first touch of my skin against hers had a new uneasiness teasing every nerve ending inside my body. My heart kicked up a few gears, and my mouth turned into a damn desert.
I swallowed and swallowed and fucking swallowed, cursing the damn universe over how long it took to shake the craziness and find my voice.
“I, Liam Theodor Maxwell, take you, Everlee Rose Sutton, to be my wife. In this moment, I promise before these witnesses to love you and care for you all of our days. I accept you with your faults and your strengths, even as I offer myself with my faults and my strengths.”
Thick, black lashes fanned her rosy cheeks when Snow closed her eyes and subtly shook her head. Behind my breastbone, my heart thudded violently. Each thump against my ribs was deliberate and painful. Something I could only describe as fear suddenly slammed into me, sinking its claws deeper and deeper with every nanosecond those green irises stayed hidden from me.
It made no sense.
What did it matter if she walked away now? If I tried, I could easily find someone else to take her place. The world was full of people who wanted nothing more than to take, take, take.
No, it has to be her.
Ignoring the delusional voice inside my head, I squeezed the fingers wrapped up in mine. Once, twice, and then one more time was all it took for our gazes to finally meet. And shit, I wasn’t prepared.
Time didn’t just slow down, it stopped. No one moved. No one even breathed. It was just Snow and me and the erratic rhythm of that beating thing inside my chest.
What the fuck?
“You need to say your vows.” The words came out grittier and harsher than I’d intended. Evident when Rafe loudly cleared his throat. I bet if I looked his way right that second, he’d mouth, “Stupido.”
Or maybe he’d tell me—like he’d done on many occasions over the past couple of weeks—not to screw this up.
If I were smart, I’d listen to him.
“I, Everlee Rose—” she finally started her vows, voice soft and uncertain.
My brows drew together. Maybe this wasn’t such a fabulous idea after all. But then again, she’d agreed to it. More than once, too. So why didn’t I feel any better about myself?
“… I offer myself with my faults and my strengths.”
If we walked out now, we could return to our lives. Nothing was final.
“In as much as you both have consented, by the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss!”
Fuck.
Too late now.
I shot a quick glance at the judge. She watched us with a sparkle in her eyes and an expectant smile on her lips. Confusion creased my forehead until her last three words rang through my ears.
You.
May.
Kiss.
A few internet searches had assured us kissing wasn’t necessary. There were tons of couples who weren’t comfortable with public displays of affection. But the way this judge stared at us; I wondered if she’d think something was amiss if I didn’t lock lips with my bride.
And if Snow’s doe-caught-in-headlights expression was anything to go by, she didn’t know what to do either.
Apparently, it was up to me to decide.
Which I did.
Or maybe someone controlling my body made the decision. That was the only way I could explain what happened next.
Eradicating the space between us, I slipped one hand around the back of her neck and into her hair. The soft strands brushing against my skin sent a violent spark up my arm, almost like a zap of electricity that struck and lingered.
The sensation only intensified when I gripped her chin with the thumb and forefinger of my free hand to tilt her head backward.
Not allowing myself to back out, I inched my face closer to hers until our lips touched. Nothing but a slight brush of my mouth over hers. Enough for anyone watching to believe I’d given her a chaste kiss.
But instead of pulling back, I lingered. Long enough for the feel of her soft lips against mine to unlock something carnal deep inside me. Like a ravenous beast waking up from years of sleep.
It was another new, unfamiliar feeling.
I didn’t like it.
My head snapped back as if her mouth had just burned me.
“What’d you do that for?” she immediately whispered.
We were still close. Close enough the warmth of her breath blew over my lips with every low word leaving hers.
The thumping inside my chest grew stronger and louder. What was I supposed to tell her when I didn’t even know the answer to her question?
What did I do that for, in-fucking-deed?
Dropping my hands even faster than I’d placed them on her, I put some much-needed space between us. Unfortunately, the little distance wasn’t sufficient to provide me with an escape from those eyes. Gaze unnervingly fixed on me; Snow slowly lifted her fingers to her ruby lips.
Blood rushed through my veins, burning a white-hot path straight to my groin. I shifted from one foot to the other as my mind provided a vivid image of me stepping up close enough to drag my thumb over her lush bottom lip. I’d mess up the color on her lips, creating a beautiful red smear down her cheek.
Then I’d dive in and ruin the rest with my mouth.
Shit.
These fucked-up thoughts needed to take a damn hike.
“You have…” Snow’s soft voice sounded, snapping me out of my fantasy. What would she say or do if she knew what scenario played out inside my head?
A fucking disaster, that’s what this was. How was I supposed to live with this woman when these were the kinds of turns my thoughts took in her presence? Shit, how the hell was I supposed even to reel them in?
I’d never had a problem like this. Not once.
Snow cleared her throat, intruding on my thoughts yet again. I blinked, then blinked again before she finally came into focus. Trembling fingers pointed toward my mouth, then slowly shrank back to touch her own lips.
“It’s red.” Her voice was so soft, I’d bet I was the only one who’d heard her.
A good thing, since it took me a few moments to understand what she was trying to say. It took even longer to search my pockets for something to wipe the stain from my lips. When I came up short, Snow quickly grabbed her purse.
Tissue in hand, she moved closer and lifted onto the tips of her toes. I was more than a head taller than her and needed to bend down to meet her halfway. I was immediately assaulted with enough scents and aromas to drive me insane.
I couldn’t quite figure out what it was: strawberries and something floral. It was tropical, almost like a sunny day on a secluded island.
Fuck, she smelled so damn lovely.
“Don’t do it again,” she whispered close to my ear.
The feel of her breath against my skin sent a bone-rattling shiver through my body. I wanted to twist my head and taste those lips again, but I’d do it thoroughly this time.
Fucking hell. There was something very wrong with me. Maybe I needed to see a doctor. Or a therapist. This wasn’t normal.
“I won’t,” I grumbled.
“Good.”
Her gaze locked on to mine, and I swear, I drowned in the bewitching green of her irises. It was just me and her and that stare and the fucking uneasiness crawling over my skin.
The longer we stood like that, the more it felt like those eyes tried to peer into the darkest depths of my soul. My blood burned hot. Too bloody hot. Need or irritation? I couldn’t be sure. I just knew if I stayed there any longer, I’d succumb to the sudden, gnawing need to claim her luscious red mouth and find out if I’d taste strawberries.
With a silent grunt, I snatched the tissue from her fingers and took a few deliberate steps back.
“Where do we sign?”
The gruff tone in my voice had both Rafe’s and the judge’s gazes snapping to mine, eyes narrowing and brows furrowing in unison.
I would have laughed at how comical it was if it wasn’t for the myriad of unfamiliar feelings running amok inside my body.
That and the annoyed expression on my friend’s face.
Rafe’s jaw pulsed a few beats too fast, and I knew he was ready to throw some Italian insults my way. But then the judge’s stare zeroed in on my mouth, or more accurately, the red stain I still hadn’t wiped off.
Her lips stretched wide, too wide. “Eager to be alone with your bride?”
My ticking jaw matched Rafe’s rhythm. “Something like that.”
The smile never left her face as she pointed out where we had to put our signatures. Needing out of that suffocating room, I’d barely scribbled my name when I headed for the door. The tension coiling my insides slowly relaxed with every step I took.
I almost felt relief wash over me when my fingers finally curled around the cool metal.
“Oh wait, before you go.”
What now?
Hand still on the knob, I dropped my chin to my chest and closed my eyes. One. Two. Three. Opening my eyes again, I schooled my features and faced the judge.
She’d come out from behind her desk and had both hands wrapped around something.
“Would you mind if I take your picture? It’s a tradition. Kind of.”
When I just stared at her, she pointed toward the back of her office. “I have a photo of every couple I’ve married on that wall over there. It’s an everyday reminder that true love exists.”
I felt Snow’s gaze searing into me before I even looked down to meet it. Her stare bored into mine. I shook my head. I didn’t want my damn picture taken.
Snow arched her brow. I shook my head again. She licked her lips and then turned her attention to the judge.
“That’s a really nice tradition. We’d love to add to your wall.”
“The fuck we would.” Thankfully, only Snow heard me.
I was sure she had a smart-ass remark ready for me, but unfortunately for her, the judge spoke first.
“Wonderful. If you could stand over here, I’ll be quick, and you two can be on your way.
With a grunt, I trailed behind Snow as we took the spot the judge had pointed toward. Standing side by side, we faced the judge. This wasn’t ideal. We might’ve been next to each other, but we weren’t even touching. Plus, there was enough space between us to park a damn fire truck.
No way the judge would believe in our undying love for each other.
Shit, how did we convince this judge our picture belonged on her wall of lovers?
I wasn’t sure, but I had to try. My company depended on it.
Sucking in a subtle breath, I moved to the side and snaked my arm around Snow’s waist. My touch startled her, and she turned to face me just as I tugged her body flush against mine. Toe to toe, chest to chest, there wasn’t an inch of space separating us.
And when our gazes collided, whatever she saw burning in mine had her sucking in a deep, sharp breath. The sound lifted the hairs on my arms and sent goosebumps sprinting over my skin.
Click.
“Oh my goodness, I think this is my favorite photo yet.”
Thankfully, the judge snapped me out of whatever the heck had just happened.
“Happy to help.”
With a brusque nod to the judge, I released Snow just enough to take her hand and drag her behind me out of the judge’s chambers before the woman asked us to consummate the marriage on her desk or something.
“Hey!” Snow yanked her hand from mine and stopped walking. We were almost at the entrance of the courthouse. “I am not a dog, and my arm is not a leash. You can’t just walk me whenever you feel like it.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she shot me with a glare so fierce I felt tempted to cup my balls just to make sure they were still there.
“I can walk just fine on my own, thank you very much.”
Her hands smoothed over her dress, and not for the first time, I thought of how stunning she looked. The purple fabric hugged every inch of her hourglass figure as tight as a lover would.
And then were those legs and those heels.
Screw me, this woman was a damn bombshell.
And now she was my wife.
My wife.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. There was no time to figure it out.
Snow straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“That piece of paper we signed did not give you permission to put your hands on me.”
Pinning me with one last glare, she spun on her heel and marched out of the courthouse, leaving me with no choice but to hurry after her.
I wasn’t too surprised to see Tristan waiting with a way-too-big shit-eating grin on his face. What did surprise me was the presence of two other people.
Zach de la Fuente and his wife stood a few feet from Tristan. Now, I knew they could have been there for any reason, but the way their gazes were glued to us, it wasn’t that big of a stretch to believe they were waiting for us, too.
The question was, why?
Sure, I’d done business with the guy, but I didn’t think it warranted him coming over to congratulate us on our nuptials.
In fact, how did he even know?
Oh yes, isn’t his wife—
“Nat, you’re here.”
Snow took off and barreled into Zach’s wife. Not even a second later, the two were locked in a tight embrace. According to the file Tristan had sent over, Snow’s parents used to work for Natalie’s father. I guessed that was how they’d met and became friends.
A frown pulled my brows low. I couldn’t imagine the fit my grandfather would’ve had if any of his grandchildren befriended the help.
“All right, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, it’s time to celebrate.”
As usual, we heard Rafe before we even saw him. However, I didn’t need to turn around to see that the man was skipping down the steps with a grin that matched Tristan’s.
I wanted to punch him.
“Aw, look at that.” Rafe slung an arm over my shoulder and used his free hand to pat my chest. “Our Liam is all grown up with a wife and a company he gets to keep.” He gave me one last smack, this one harder than the other. “I believe the words you are searching for are: Thank you, Master Rafael. Where would I be without—”
I elbowed him in the ribs, causing his last word to come out in a huff. My gaze was still on Snow. The two women had broken apart and were happily chatting away. Close enough I could hear their voices but still far enough for me not to make out what they were saying.
I didn’t care. I was too busy taking in every single thing Snow did. Every time she laughed, she tucked her hair behind her ear, even when there were no strands to tuck. I suspected her left hand stayed glued to her chest to cover her magnificent cleavage.
It was a shame, really. The woman had a body that would make any man weak at the knees, and yet she didn’t seem comfortable unless she was completely covered up.
I wondered about that.
Until she stole a subtle peek at me and not only stopped my thoughts dead in their tracks but also knocked the breath from my lungs.
My skin tightened, stretching over my bones.
Holy shit, this was unsettling. And she? She was fucking gorgeous.
Thwack.
Something hard registered against my chest. It took me a second to realize Rafe had smacked the back of his hand into me.
“What the fuck, man?” I glared at him.
Undeterred by my annoyance, he shook his head and laughed. So did Tristan, who had somehow moved closer without me even realizing.
“At least he can’t keep his eyes off his wife.”
I didn’t care for the hint of amusement in Tristan’s tone.
“A good thing since he’ll be stuck with her for…how long was it again?”
“Five years,” I gritted out.
“Ah yes, five years.” Tristan shuddered as he dragged his hand through his hair. “Sounds more like a death sentence to me.”
I snorted. Tristan rarely slept with the same woman twice. One time, when he’d had too much to drink, he’d blamed his parents for his commitment issues. We didn’t press for any more than that.
All three of us were poster children for fucked-up childhoods. And none of us wanted to talk about it.
“Speaking of,” Rafe piped up again. “Celebration time?” Holding his fists close to his chest, he shimmied from side to side.
“What are you doing?” I thought it, but Tristan asked it.
Rafe stared at us like we were stupid. “Dancing.”
“Stop. Just stop. My eyes will never be able to unsee that.” To prove my point, I squeezed my lids together and pinched the bridge of my nose.
I wasn’t even surprised to find the idiot shimmying even more when my attention was back on him.
“I’m serious,” he said. “Let’s go out. Have some fun.”
My gaze instantly found Tristan’s. He was just as worried as I was. There was only one person who could push Rafe’s buttons, and whenever he and his father had words, Rafe usually drowned out the argument with a whole lot of drinking and partying.
I was about to ask what happened when Rafe took a few steps in Snow’s direction.
“We have much to celebrate, yes?” His voice was so loud I was sure the people inside the courthouse could hear him.
“Could you be any louder, man?” I gritted out behind him.
He waved me off with a flick of his wrist and spoke again. “You two should come, too. We’ll eat, drink, and dance.”
“Thank you, but we’ll have to sit this one out,” Zach answered, wrapping his arm around his wife and pulling her close.
Natalie smiled at her husband as she smoothed her hand over her stomach. “Sorry.”
A pang of I didn’t exactly know what slammed into me. What would it feel like to be part of such a unit, to have someone look at you like you were their entire world?
What would it feel like to have Snow look at me like that?
Why the fuck do I even care?
Pushing the thoughts away, I forced myself back to the moment just in time to see Rafe turn his attention to Snow.
The bastard had some nerve flashing his charming grin—the one that got him into way too many women’s pants—at her.
My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides.
“How about you, donna pericolosa? You wanna come party with us? I promise you’ll have a good time.”
Why the fuck was he calling Snow a dangerous woman? And who exactly would show her this good time he was bragging about?
Blood rushed through my veins in every which way. The thrashing of it so loud, I barely heard her speak over the whooshing inside my ears.
“Actually, I’d like to go—” She swallowed the rest of her sentence and blinked furiously. Her mouth slowly moved, but no sound came. She did this for I didn’t even know how long before she finally released a long, heavy sigh. Her gaze met mine. “Can I go back to your place and unpack?”
Myplace. That wasn’t entirely true anymore, now was it? Sure, I owned it on paper, but for the next five years, she’d live there, too.
In a few short strides, I closed the distance between us. Curling my fingers around her wrist, I lifted her hand and dropped the keys into her open palm.
“It’s not just my place anymore.”
The way her gaze bored into me unsettled every single nerve ending inside my body. So much so I released her and immediately went to where my friends stood.
“Are we celebrating or what?”