Chapter 5 #2
I look up over my shoulder and wait.
“Cara,” he murmurs.
I turn and face him fully.
“What is it?”
“I know this isn’t what you’ve probably imagined yourself having to do.”
“It’s not,” I answer playfully.
Grant’s expression gets more stoic.
“It’s okay. It’s part of our jobs. I’m a big girl, remember?”
“I know, but I have to get this off my chest.”
“Okay.”
Grant looks more serious than I’ve ever seen him before. I give him my undivided attention, wanting him to know I take this seriously too.
“I promise to take care of you during this mission. While you’re my wife on paper, you’re mine to protect.
I promise to not let you get hurt in any capacity.
I will take care of you in sickness and in health.
You and I both know we’re bound to run into a few issues requiring care. Do you understand?”
I suck in a deep breath as his words penetrate.
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Good. I know we won’t make personal vows in there, so I wanted to make sure you knew where I’m at before we move forward.”
Grant goes to open the door, only this time it’s me stopping him. He peers down at me, and for the first time in my life, I feel small. Normally, my five-foot-ten stature makes me feel bigger than even some men, only not around Grant.
“I promise to take care of you , Grant Sinclair. While you’re my husband, nothing will happen to you either. Do you understand?”
Grant’s eyes simmer with something different than they ever have around me. I’m not sure what it is. Certainly not desire or lust, but something deeper than that.
“I do.”
“Good.”
I smile widely.
“Now let’s go get married. What do you say?”
He grins back.
“After you, Ms. Collins.”
I pull open the door but turn back slightly before going into the room.
“Not for much longer.”
Grant makes a slight groan that I must be imagining in this moment. I focus back on the people waiting and mentally prepare to say I do.
“You’re so pretty!” Ruby squeals.
Although she knows what this situation really is, Ruby is a sucker for love. Of course she’s excited to be here as my witness.
“Thank you,” I answer.
“Ms. Collins, I’m Rob, Mr. Sinclair’s assistant. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says as we shake hands.
“You as well.”
I focus on the judge behind his desk.
“Ms. Collins, Mr. Sinclair. Let’s get you two married.”
He steps out in front of his desk. Grant and I position ourselves in front of him as Ruby and Rob take seats in nearby office chairs.
“Thank you for doing this for us, Sam,” Grant says.
“A favor paid back,” Sam replies.
Grant focuses his attention on me.
Sam starts to run through the motions of the wedding. Grant and I repeat our lines to one another. It’s all very impersonal.
I think I’ll take the impromptu vows we made to one another outside of this room as our real vows instead.
As I stare at my soon-to-be husband, I realize that this could be a good situation for the two of us. Despite my concerns with some of the ways he’s let me down in the field, I don’t think Grant will let me down as a husband.
Maybe Grant doesn’t have to be my rival; maybe he can become a friend when this whole scenario is over with.
It's time for us to exchange rings.
Ruby gets up and hands me Grant’s first. Holding the platinum band in my hand, I play with it slightly for a moment. As I hold his hand in mine and slip the ring on his finger, suddenly, this impersonal situation feels like the most personal thing I've ever experienced.
Grant's hand flexes as he takes it back. Rob stands and hands Grant my ring. I notice that he also purchased a new ring instead of using the one that the agency had given us.
It feels as though Grant and I have been on the same page about everything since we found out about this mission and the need to work together. Almost as if we’ve been having the same line of thought on how to move forward, just like partners would.
This may all be pretend, but there's something more happening between us as we exchange rings. It's not love or lust but rather an understanding and appreciation of the situation we’re in.
It feels as though Grant and I both have mutual respect for one another.
This shouldn't have been this unexpected, but given how much turmoil and animosity we face in the field, I just didn't see it coming. I had been so busy worrying about the facade that I didn’t consider the truth that could be between us.
It's all a promising sign that perhaps over the next few months, we'll be able to make it out alive, or at least not kill each other.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Sam says and takes a large step back.
Grant takes my hands in his and gently plays with my new piece of jewelry. He focuses on our connection just for a moment before gazing into my eyes.
He steps forward, and I notice that same look from earlier has returned to his face. It’s powerful and means more to me than he probably realizes.
As he goes in to kiss me, my heartbeat quickens. Before he places his lips on mine, he pauses.
“Are you okay with this?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
Grant gives me a slight gesture before our lips connect. Fireworks ignite in my body as our connection holds. It’s as if sparks are going off everywhere from this slight touch, and I can’t get enough.
The way his smooth lips feel against mine is undeniable. If it were anyone else I was experiencing this next-level kiss with, I would naturally want to deepen it.
I pull back, needing to get away from the all-consuming feeling of wanting more and watch as a startled look flickers over Grant’s expression.
This time, as I stare into his eyes, there’s no confusion as to what I’m seeing. Grant looks exactly the way I must look to him, utterly taken aback by what just transpired between us.
Ruby and Rob clap beside us, bringing us out of our lust-filled haze.
“Now, time for the paperwork,” Sam says as he walks behind his desk. Grant and I take the two seats in front of it as Ruby and Rob stand nearby.
I feel as though the fireworks are still shooting off underneath my skin just from being in his proximity after that kiss.
“Here is the marriage license. If you can sign here, and Mrs. Sinclair, if you can please sign here,” Sam says nonchalantly.
It’s the first time that I’m being referred to as Mrs. Sinclair. The idea of it suddenly doesn’t seem as far-fetched as it did minutes ago.
“And then, if you two can please sign here and here,” Sam says to Ruby and Rob.
“Are you okay?” Grant whispers to me.
“Yes,” I murmur.
“Good.”
Sam places the certificate in front of Grant before trying to find another set of paperwork.
“And here is the prenuptial agreement. I take it all attorneys have seen it?” Sam asks.
My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I focus on Grant.
“You want a prenup?” I croak.
Grant studies me for just a moment before looking at Sam.
“This will no longer be necessary,” he says as he stands.
I stand up as well, still in confusion. That’s a sudden change of pace.
“It’s okay if you do. My team recommended it as well,” I add.
I need to play the role of Cara Collins, private contractor extraordinaire, not Cara Collins, lovesick bride. If Grant wants this, I will sign it with no ill will.
Grant cups my shoulders in his hands, and the warmth sets off sparks all over again. He rubs his hands gently on them.
“I understand.”
Two simple words that hold so much meaning.
In a haze, I gesture my gratitude.
How can he simply understand? There’s more to unpack at a future date.
“If that’s all, then enjoy your evening. I have a case I need to get to,” Sam says.
I try to put my professional mask back on and not dive into the feelings I’m experiencing as I follow Grant out of the office. Ruby and Rob are right behind us. I can’t show any hint of confusion in front of anyone after that interaction.
“Cara, I’ll take us to San Diego.”
“I have a car service waiting outside.”
“I’m sure Ruby here can take care of that,” he counters.
Grant’s eyes stay focused on me. He’s not letting me out of his sight. Why does it make heat crawl up my skin and a hint of pink flush my cheeks?
“Okay.”
I turn to Ruby, whose eyes are twinkling.
“Let’s go get my bags.”
“Perfect,” Grant answers.
Another time I’m simply going along with Grant Sinclair’s plans. I hope this doesn’t become a pattern.