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Pivoting toward the end of the aisle, he waited several loaded seconds for Avalynn to appear.
And when she did…
Christ, his heart was thundering so loud. Her gaze found his, and the expression she wore had his fingers curling with the urge to run to her and touch her.
“She’s stunning,” he choked out.
At his side, Jennings murmured his agreement. He knew that his parents and her momma occupied the seats at the front. His team stood guard at the entrances to the tent, and extra security had been hired to guard the gate of Chez Nous.
As Avalynn took her first step toward him, then another and another, it struck him that this wasreallyhappening.
He was marrying this woman.
Fact was, he’d marry her even if it didn’t mean saving her from being maligned and keeping her safe.
He was in love with her.
She moved forward with Clay on her arm. No one present questioned his boss’s role of stand-in for her father figure.
The closer she came to the arbor where he waited, the more color bloomed in her high cheekbones. Her face glowed. Her eyes shone.
And he lost what was left of his heart.
When she reached him, he noted that she was shaking. He’d know. He knew her reactions, her expressions, her body…
She came to a stop in front of him. As he held out his hands, she did the same. Their fingers brushed. He closed his around her silky fingers and squeezed as their gazes held.
Her chest heaved.
So did his.
We’re really doing this. I’m making her mine.
He wasn’t going to let his mind slip to the truth of it all—that he would only have her until this case was over and arrests were made, then what? The marriage annulled or a divorce.
She took a step closer, and the officiant began to speak in a soft, low voice that was only amplified by a microphone on the lapel of her jacket.
He heard a sniffle from the audience. He didn’t need to look out to know his momma was crying. The woman might be tough enough to raise five boys and deal with an ornery husband, but she did have a tender side too.
His heart filled with love for not only his parents and his brother for being present but every single person here to witness this moment.
A strange moment, but no less magical. From the venue to the dress his bride wore that hugged her tantalizing curves, that he couldn’t wait to run his hands all over, everything was perfect.
Candles glowed. The scent of vanilla wax mingled with Avalynn’s perfume to create a memory that he’d never, ever forget.
If someone had told him a year ago that he’d be standing here reciting his vows—and fucking meaning them—he would have laughed in their face and asked if they were drunk. Or if he were drunk. Because only too much alcohol would get him here.
Now, he couldn’t think of any other place he wanted to be.
“I invite you to seal your love with a kiss as we all look on as witnesses.”
He and Avalynn’s stares connected for a throbbing heartbeat. Slowly, he leaned in. She moved a step closer, head tilted up with those pretty lips on offer.
Lowering his head, he brushed his mouth over hers, all the sensation and emotion burning inside him as bright as those candles dotted around the tent. Her taste flooded him, and he deepened the caress, angling his head and possessing her mouth in front of all the people that mattered.
She parted her lips, her soft tongue darting against his. A growl seared in his throat, but he swallowed it. He’d save that for the bedroom.
Julius had no intention whatsoever of heeding his boss’s advice. He would consummate this union every way, in every position—and for hours on end.
