“I’m not referring tothat,” she replied quickly, her eyes searching his. “I’d love the companionship that this marriage could bring us both, your friendship would be a blessing, and to be a part of your world for a little while… when this is over, I’m still going to want you as my friend. I hope you could consider me one, Marcus.”
He swallowed, feeling himself falling into those large brown eyes that stared at him with such openness. What would they look like if she actually cared about him?
“Have you done this before?” he hesitated, asking something like that, but he had to know. It wasn’t uncommon to have women chasing hockey players – but they usually went for the big names, not a benchwarmer like him. “You’re not a puck bunny who’s been married to another player – are you?”
“No,” she flinched and looked away. “You would be my first husband ever. I’ve not dated much because guys think I’m too tall. I’ve never slept with anyone… and I sure haven’t been married before.”
“Good,” he said gruffly and then nodded. “And you’re not too tall.”
“Five-foot-ten says otherwise.”
“I’m six-foot-four, which makes you short in my book,” he shot back, but the bite wasn’t there in the slightest. He offered her a slight smile at her shocked look before it melted into a grin as she gave his hand a slight squeeze. She was right – this could go either way; they just had to make a few steps in whatever direction they chose.
“I like you teasing me,” she whispered softly. “We’ll be fine.”
“Keep lobbing little tidbits and facts at me - and I’ll keep teasing you,” he replied in a hushed voice, nodding. “We should go in and get this done. People are starting to look, and while I’m not a starter for the team, I’ve been on the news before.”
“They’re looking because my new husband ishot,” she chuckled, tugging his hand forward in the most outrageous way that had him smiling unexpectedly at the compliment.
Him? Hot?
Maybe marriagecouldmean friendship like she mentioned – because it sure as heck was awfully flattering.
It was almost an hour before they had a chance to exchange their vows, and Marcus couldn’t help but be aware of people now taking photos with their cell phones or videotaping this whole farce. He knew Harper was aware too, because she had a nervous look on her face as she glanced around… and then fell into her role when she said her vows.
“I promise to love you, cherish you, obey you in just about everything… and bug you every evening to tell me good night,” she said emotionally and he felt a lump in his throat at her words.
This was fake.
This was all pretend, wasn’t it?
It sure didn’t feel like it right now as he stared into her eyes, feeling something unfurl in his chest. They were exchanging promises, committing to be each other’s partner in life for the time being, and this meant something to him that he didn’t expect nor could he put into words. It was his turn to say hisvows, so he was going to have to attempt it, but everything he was thinking felt flat.
This was so much more – and he recognized it.
“Harper,” he began hoarsely and saw a few people reach for tissues out of the corner of his eyes, dabbing at their own. “From the moment I met you, our life has been a whirlwind…” and Harper smiled at him, chuckling softly like it was some mysterious shared secret.
Ha! If they only knew…
“And we’ve never looked back, have we?”
“No,” she whispered, adjusting her clammy hands in his own sweaty ones. Goodness, he was nervous!
“Since we’re renewing,” he said openly for the audience as she winked at him. “You already know how I feel, what I think, in fact, you know everything about me – the simple man before you… but, if you need to hear it again, I’m yours,” he whispered thickly, a little surprised at how easy the words were to say to her. “And if you need me to tell you good night, then I will.”
“I do,” she whispered tearfully, nodding.
“I do too,” he replied, just as equally emotional, because this was it.
Married.
They weremarriedon paper and for the whole world to see. A hockey player for the Quebec Wolverines had literally just married the fill-in mascot of the team to secure his job – and if that wasn’t the most insane thing in the world? He kept thinking about Harper’s rules, her requests for PDA, and breathless whispers between them, plus all the other tiny details of such a strange arrangement between them.
“Mr. Shaw – you may kiss your bride.”
Kiss?
Kiss Harper?
