Chapter 26
“Well, folks,” Lisa said as they came back from break. “This is what you get with live TV. We saved Ms. Kat for last, and—after some technical difficulties—we’re nearly out of time altogether.”
She shot a look Zander’s way. “Be ready to say what you will. You’ll have exactly three minutes to do so. And then,” the host continued, excitement flashing over her face, “we hear how Kat would like to spend the next few weeks of her life.”
A wave of nausea swelled in Zander’s gut. Who was to say if Kat would come out this time at all? Sure, Lisa was fed updates on her private earpiece, but a no-show would heighten the drama and get viewers talking.
“Please welcome, for real this time, the queen of Married at First Meet or, as Zander so cutely dubbed her, Princess of the Pillows.”
Zander’s pulse spiked as he watched the curtain in the corner once more. At last it moved, just a bit, then gave way altogether as Kat stepped out in a red dress that was made for her.
The audience cheered loudly as she strode across the stage in a pair of matching heels. Zander joined them in the applause as his heart pounded out approval of its own in thunderous claps.
Zander stood to his feet as she neared. Duke did too. Kat shook hands with his brother first.
“Nice to finally meet you,” Duke said, cupping her hand in his.
“Likewise,” she said with a laugh. She reached for Zander’s hand next, yet as Zander offered it in return, Kat surprised him by pulling him in for a half-hug. She brought her lips to his ear next. “Zander,” she said in a low, sultry tone.
His skin came alive with goosebumps. Hadn’t he just told her how much he loved hearing his name on her lips?
Zander took his seat, feeling more confident than he had just seconds ago. The partial hug, the whispered gift of his name, they had to mean something.
“As much as I’d like to see the awkward interactions between the real Duke and our lovely bride, I’m afraid we’ve got to cut right to the chase. Because what we’re here for today, is to give Zander a chance to set things right. So without further ado, Zander…” She waved a hand in his direction.
The moment Kat set her wide brown eyes on him, Zander felt hints of that peace he’d been longing for since she left. He wanted her closer more than anything.
“What I did—stepping in for Duke—I did for a whole lot of reasons. I hated the idea of a young bride being stranded on her wedding day, on live TV no less.” He motioned to the camera crew surrounding them and shrugged.
“I was worried about the repercussions too. The stain it would leave on Duke and the rest of my family if he didn’t show.
“So I stepped into his place, waited for you to walk down the aisle, and nearly lost my breath the moment I saw you—the beautiful woman who’d shown up at my office just weeks prior. That’s when my motives started to change.
“I had no idea we’d get whisked away to the honeymoon spot before Duke got back, but there was a very big part of me that was glad I did.”
Zander glanced back at Duke before continuing. “Once this guy realized I was falling in love with you, he gave me the go ahead. Said that I’d made it all awkward by falling in love with his wife, so I should just…explore what we had together, me and you.”
Memories of that time flooded his mind, prodding at the strangling regret once more.
“I wish I would have told you then, on that day, exactly who I was. But I didn’t, and I’m sorry.
Kat,” Zander continued. “You said the worst part about your ex lying to you was that the man you fell in love with didn’t even exist. I want you to know that that’s not the case here.
When I told you about my past relationship, that was my story, not Duke’s.
When I gave you details about my work, my family, my preferences, all of that was me. ”
“Even the part about kids?” Kat suddenly asked.
“Oh, that they hate me?” Zander asked. “That’s the one thing that actually pertained to Duke.”
The audience chuckled.
“Thanks a lot,” Duke mumbled.
Zander set his gaze back on the woman before him. “I love you, which leads to our very pressing question of the night. Will you, Kat Morgan Benton, forgive me, and consider spending the next six weeks by my side?”
Quiet fell over the stage as he fixed his eyes on Kat.
“I do,” Lisa blurted. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. What do you say, Kat? You can say yes to Mr. Zander here about his invitation to stay with him, or you may opt to spend that time with Duke instead, and get to know the man our special formula matched you up with. What will it be?”
Kat bit at her lip for a blink before glancing at Duke.
Zander’s pulse spiked even higher. Sweat broke over his brow.
“I love you too, Zander,” she said. “I forgive you, and I’d love to spend more time by your side.”
Zander was on his feet in a blink. He dashed in, wrapped his arms around Kat, and pulled her in for a warm, healing embrace. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Well, there we have it, folks. Looks like the makings of a happily ever after to me. Tune in for episodes featuring this blissful couple’s time together over the next few weeks.
“Then, come back for yet another live episode where Mr. and Mrs. Benton will decide whether they’ll continue living as a married couple or part ways entirely. Until then, send some love to Mr. Duke, here. He’s looking a little lonely, wouldn’t you agree?”
Zander heard the crowd go wild as he locked lips with the woman of his dreams. Whether that cheer was for his and Kat’s reunion or a response to Lisa’s comment about Duke, he wasn’t sure.
But one thing, at least, was certain—he couldn’t wait to put his days of going by Duke’s name behind him. As she came in for another kiss, a second thing became clear—with Kat back in his life and warm in his arms, Zander felt whole once again.
Reuniting was a blissful thing, and Kat planned on enjoying all the benefits that came along with it.
Butterflies fluttered through her belly as she waited for Zander to join her in the limo. He’d insisted on hiring a moving crew to get things from her place to his, and Kat didn’t argue. It meant she’d have more time to spend with him.
She spotted him through the tinted window as he stepped out of the studio.
He’d already loosened his skinny tie and unfastened the top buttons of his neatly pressed shirt.
Kat bit back a grin as she reminded herself that he was heading her way.
That he’d spend, at least, the next six weeks with her.
The driver opened the door for him, and Zander gave the man a nod. “My place, please.” He climbed in, sank in the reclining seat beside Kat, and shot her a look. “Guess I could have said our place.” He lifted a brow. “How attached are you to your apartment?”
Kat considered that. “I’ll let you know once I see your place.”
Zander grinned. “Good answer. Because what I’m most attached to is you.”
He came in, kissed her, then pulled back to meet her gaze. “I love you, Kat.”
Kat reveled in the feels that rushed through her. Warmth. Joy. Hope. Thank heavens she hadn’t lost sight of what they had. She brought her hand to his face, traced her fingers along his chiseled jaw, and gave him another short kiss.
Then, with her lips a breath’s space from his, she returned the sentiment. “I love you too, Zander.”
His lips were on hers in the next breath. This time, his kiss was driven, heated, and strong enough to make her weak.
He wrapped a solid hand along her lower back, pulled her onto the reclined seat with him, attending to her every step of the way with fervent kisses. When his heated mouth moved to her ear, a rush of goosebumps rippled over her skin.
A whimper passed her lips as his kiss was hers once again. A thought occurred to her that he’d been holding back before. As wonderful as their honeymoon kisses were, Zander had likely been conflicted in those moments.
It was obvious now, as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss, that he was not holding back any longer. That knowledge was a thrill of its own.
Sure, their official honeymoon in the Maldives had been cut short, but the way Kat saw it, this was the beginning of round two. She and Zander’s chance to go deeper—this time, unhindered by the secret he kept.
A vision of a butterfly came to mind. Kat assumed she’d transformed long ago, when she gained confidence as a young adult. But now, as she curled up to the man she hoped to spend her life with, she could feel a new transformation taking place.
Finally, after years of mistrusting herself and men alike, Kat had reached new heights. She’d been able to forgive Zander for deceiving her. She’d been able to see that—inwardly—he was truly the man he’d claimed to be.
Finding that faith again, feeling that trust once more, gave Katrina Aponi wings she never knew were there. And though she was bound to the man in her arms—in more ways than one—she had never felt so free.