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The way Harrison kisses me is feverish and confident, yet it settles something inside me that feels like it’s been lost, wandering around for an eternity, looking for its way back home. His lips move against mine, but our tongues never meet. I want to push my luck because that’s what I’ve done my whole life, and if this is the only kiss I get with my childhood crush, then you bet I’m going to go all in. Trailing my hands to the back of his neck, I hold him against me as I open my mouth, peeking my tongue out and licking his lips. When I feel a rumble in his chest at the contact, I do it again and suddenly, our tongues are duelling for dominance.
A throat clears somewhere near us, breaking us both apart too soon for my liking. Our chests heave in sync as we stare open-mouthed and ravenous at each other. The wetness left on my swollen lips from his kiss chills as the air hits it.
“Ah-hem.” The sound happens again, and I turn my head to see my best friend and her boyfriend both smirking. I step away from Harrison, immediately missing the feel of his body against mine, and focus on the floor as I try to recover from that kiss.
“I hope you both have a happy life together and enjoy the rest of your day,” the registrar says next to us, making it sound like this is a conveyor belt operation. Which I guess it sort of is.
Nora grabs my arm and pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations, Mrs Clarke,” she says, but when she’s got me close enough to whisper into my ear, she continues, “That kiss, Zo. We need to talk.”
I pull back and smile at her, but it’s forced because all I can think about is how I know that kiss won’t be enough. It hasn’t satiated the need that I feel for him. A need that’s been ignited and grown with all the small touches and glances that’s been happening more and more the longer we’ve spent together. And now I’m more terrified than ever to be alone with him.
Harrison hugs Grayson, but the whole time his eyes are on me. It’s the kind of stare I can feel all over, the kind I crave from him daily, but right now it’s torture, and I’m certain I’m not the only one suffering. I think we both know exactly where wewantthis to go. But we both know we shouldn’t.
He only dips his attention to take my hand and lead me from the town hall. Walking in step with our friends, we turn to the nearest restaurant, a little pub on the corner. Seeing as though we opted for an early evening wedding, the place isn’t that busy, and we find a table without fuss.
“So, when do you tell your brothers, and can I please be there?” Grayson asks, sitting down opposite me and Harrison.
Nora thwacks his chest and glares at him. “I know you think you’re cute, but you’re just annoying.”
Grayson gleams at her. “Are you getting mad at me, shorty? Because you know I’m all for that.”
“Guys,” I groan as I rub my temples, not needing to hear my friends talk about their sex lives right now. “Grayson, you can tell them if you really want to be there so badly. I’m cool with not being there at all.”
“Zo, you know we have to do it. Together.” The word sounds so final and when Harrison takes my hand, our rings connecting, brushing the metal together, I know it’s no longer me versus my family. He’s got my back. Even if it is fake.
“Do we though?” I reply, dragging my gaze away from our connecting fingers to look into his dark eyes.
He pins me with a stare that tells me our first marital spat is going to end with him winning because who the fuck can say no to those eyes? I huff, conceding to the fact that he is right and we already have plans with my family tomorrow. Then we have plans with his sister the week after. It’s a lot to deal with all at once, but once it’s done, we can finally get what it is we both need from this agreement. But when Harrison’s calloused thumb brushes over the back of my hand, I’m struggling to remember what that was again.
Chapter 24
Zoey
“Idon’twanttodo this,” I admit, turning to face Harrison, a pout playing on my lips.
“You might’ve mentioned that,” he says, ignoring my petulance, taking my hand and striding towards my parents’ house with me trailing behind. I have to practically jog to keep up with him. Damn him and his long legs.
Okay, I guess he’s immune to my pouting. Noted. That still doesn’t make me want to go in there and be fed to the lions.
He stops in front of the front door, taking in the multitude of door knockers and I watch as his hands shift between all four, hesitantly reaching for each of them, and I have to stifle a laugh. Then he mutters ‘fuck it’ and uses his knuckles to knock. My smile grows wider because that’s exactly what I do.
When Owen opens the door, my body goes into flight mode, and I pull my hand away from Harrison’s as a sudden rush of fear bursts through me. I’d like my husband to at least get past the threshold before he’s jumped by one of my brothers.
Owen’s eyes immediately narrow at the sight of us, but I launch myself at him as a distraction. His stiff arms wrap around me in a hug that makes me feel his suspicion already. “Hey, big bro. How’s things?” I say, stepping into the house.
“I’m fi—wait, did you and Harrison come together?” he asks, straight to the point. Never misses a trick. That’s Owen.
“We didn’t,” I shriek just as Harrison says, “We did.”
Owen’s frown deepens, his focus flicking between us as he tries to figure out who is telling the truth.
“Let’s go inside, man,” Harrison says calmly, slapping Owen’s shoulder as he passes him.
“You’re both acting weird,” Owen replies, letting us pass but crossing his tattooed arms over his chest.
“We are?” I wobble, nerves getting the better of my voice.
His scowl deepens as he looks between us, then he turns and huffs in the direction of the kitchen and I deflate.
