I wait for Minna to hold out her hand. She’s standing as still as a statue, so I reach down and take her small hand in mine. It’s icy cold, as if she’s in shock. An unfamiliar thrill runs up my arms as I hold her hand and slip on the ring. I hold my hand out and there’s another long pause, before she picks up the ring and eases it onto my finger.
“I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!”
I step forward and lift up the dense lace veil. My chest tightens and my heart starts to thump as Minna looks up at me. It’s like there’s no floor beneath me and I’m suspended in time staring at her face. I didn’t expect this.Her. She’s beautiful, in an unusual way, like a goddess in an eighteenth-century painting. All dark hair and mysterious eyes. Except she doesn’t look mysterious, she looks petrified.
There’s a murmur from the audience. They must be wondering why I haven’t kissed my gorgeous bride yet.
I lean down, whispering in her ear. “I’m going to kiss you now. Like in the contract.”
She nods, her face frozen. I put my hands on her shoulders and lean further, pressing my lips on hers. A thousand fireworks go off at once. My dick hardens like a rock, chafing against the seam of my pants, my heart thumping faster. Her lips are soft under mine, her scent so powerfully seductive that I want to throw her over my shoulder and run upstairs to strip off that heavy gown and…
I break the kiss. Minna’s chest is heaving as she gazes up at me. There’s some color in her cheeks now and she doesn’t look as scared. A ripple of laughter comes from the crowd, along with a round of applause. Palladio barks excitedly a couple of times.
The celebrant claps his hands together. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you for the first time…Mr. and Mrs. Harrington.”
I’m the one in a daze now. What was that kiss? This was meant to be business, not pleasure. All I’m aware of is my overwhelming need to kiss her again. I take her hand and march down the aisle, the applause continuing as we go out to the hall and enter the small side room.
I close the door as Minna leans against the wall.
“I think I’m about to faint.” Her voice is breathy.
I stride over and put my hands around her waist. There’s a sofa by the fireplace and I lift her up, carrying her over and placing her carefully down. I start undoing the lacing around the bodice of the dress as she takes big, gasping breaths. The white lacy fabric barely contains her lush curves and my mind is filled with the kind of fantasies I thought I’d left far behind in my teenage years.
She shakes her head. “It’s not the dress. It’s all this. Did we just getmarried?”
“As per the contract…”
Her cheeks flush and I’m mesmerized by the pink flooding her skin. “Don’t you dare contract me! I’ve never seen a release form that requires you to get married in order to honor it.”
“What release form? Surely you read the contract? About the marriage?”
She blinks. “I was hired for a photoshoot. To bring a wedding dress and pose for some photos. I signed what I thought was a release form. I’ve done cosplay shoots before, but never one like…that!”
I’m going to kill the idiot who was meant to organize the wedding today. And Daniel. He should have picked up on this.
I crouch down beside her, wanting to reassure her. Put some levity into this situation. Flirt with her, play the part of the fickle playboy she’s expecting now she knows who I am. “Don’t panic, goddess. We aren’t married.”
She lets out a long, shuddering sigh. For some reason, that sigh makes me want to wrap her in my arms. Since that’s impossible, I’ll settle for making her smile, if I can.
I shrug. “Thanks. My ego is big enough that your obvious relief won’t crush me. I was last year’s most eligible bachelor in at least two trashy gossip magazines.”
Minna smiles, just a little. “So, what is all this? Do you have a marriage fetish, or something?”
That reference makes the corners of my mouth twitch. “A marriage fetish? I hadn’t heard of that one before. Like Bluebeard?”
Her eyes widen. “I hope not. I haven’t got long left if so.”
“You don’t need to worry. I can understand why you might be confused if you didn’t read the contract.”
“Remember, I didn’t even know it was a contract, Mr. Harrington.” Her gorgeous eyes flash.
“Call me Kade. We are meant to be married after all.”
Daniel rushes in through the door. “Everything alright?”
I shake my head. “No. We need to have words. How long do we have before all the reception nonsense?”
My assistant is pale. He’s probably wondering if he’s going to lose his job in the next hour. “Five minutes? Everyone is gathering outside on the terrace.”
