A thready laugh eked out of me. Gideon James wanted to know why I was single.
Maybe what I’m asking . . .
It wasn’t what he was asking, it was why.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gideon
This morning, when I’d woken up and put myself through my normal five-mile run and strength training—chest and back—nothing could’ve convinced me this day would end any differently than any other. I’d thought perhaps I’d meet Taya later, and whether we ended up in bed was neither here nor there. No matter what, I’d get up tomorrow, do another workout—legs and arms—and go to the office. I didn’t care if it was Saturday or Sunday. I would be in the office.
Instead, tomorrow morning, I’d be waking up married.
Opulence surrounded us. I’d been little more than a distant authority figure in Silver Linings Chapel, but now I could see everyone’s hard work firsthand. From the moment we’d entered, we’d been treated like royalty.
The two women working either had no idea who I was or they were pretending not to know me. Unlike theclub, I’d never stepped foot in this place except for when it had first opened. When I said my name for the marriage license, neither of them flinched. Confidentiality was required of every employee with the Silver logo on their paycheck, but today, I was incredibly grateful for our diligence.
I had no fucking clue how I would explain this to anyone who knew me, and I would not be telling the truth. The idea of lying skated over my skin, leaving an inky stain. I wasn’t a deceitful person, but this was a necessity and I was known for doing what had to be done.
Autumn had the giggles next to me. We’d just said our vows.
Marriagevows.
The younger of the two attendants—Christ, she was probably half my age—grinned at us like this was her favorite part.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Desire wound its way through me, heading downward. It must be the wine. I only drank for business. The stuff had no reason to be present in my personal life. Tonight, the two were combined.
I could kiss my bride. I wasn’t usually anticipating a kiss this much, but Autumn’s lips were fucking kissable, plump from the way she kept licking them. I’d barely been able to look away from her mouth all night. When I did try to rip my gaze off them, my attention wanted to drop down to her chest. My palms itched to test the weight of her generous breasts.
“A kiss.” Autumn giggled, then she looked at me. Her pretty amber eyes widened and she swallowed. All traceof humor was gone, and I got immense satisfaction from the way she couldn’t keep her attention off my mouth.
What was this pull between us? It had to be my fury at her and the rest of the Bailey crew.
This was necessary. Yet I didn’t need the reminder as I swayed forward. I caught her around the waist, and Jesus, she was as lush as she looked. A guy could lose himself in her body. She had padding in all the right places. I’d never considered myself to have a type, but she was definitely in the running.
Her hooded gaze was on me. “Are we really going to kiss?” she whispered.
“Yes,wife.”
“What happened to firecracker?—”
I cupped her chin and caught her mouth. I barely stopped a groan before it slipped out. Her lips were as deliciously soft as the rest of her. They parted slightly, and I dove in, unable to stop myself. I blamed my recent dry spell.
She tasted better than anything I’d had on my tongue all night. Sweeter than the champagne, more savory than anything on the charcuterie board, and more potent than the bourbon in her Bloody Mary.
Her arms wrapped around my neck and a squeak left her. Dimly, I realized I was tipping her backward. I was bent over her like I was a vampire and she was my virgin snack.
Lust punched me below the belt. I doubted she was a fucking virgin, but my mind continued to veer toward the thought of sex with this woman. I straightened, keeping her hugged close to me. More reluctantly than I would’ve ever guessed, I broke our kiss.
At our side, the officiant grinned. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. James.”
Autumn’s eyes flared, the name change catching her off guard. I hadn’t put much thought into it—like this whole fucking night—but I was a king at capitalizing on opportunity. Having her go by Autumn James would serve me better. It would keep her family from ripping this marriage apart.
I’d do that myself when I got what I needed.
Autumn
