Wait a sec…
Marcus did a double-take just as Harper took matters into her own hands – and his cheeks. She splayed a hand on either side of his face and pulled it to hers, sliding her mouth across his like a leech that had just been granted its final meal. Goodness, she was kissing him with every ounce of passion that her tall body could possess… and he was responding.
It was like he’d been possessed by another person, because within seconds his arms were around her, pulling her close. It wasn’t until someone tapped him on the shoulder that the whistles and catcalls hit him as he dragged his mouth from Harper’s reddened one, noticing the sultry acknowledgement in her eyes as she stood there eyeballing him like he was dessert.
Man, she was doing good things to his ego…
“PDA,” he said huskily, reminding her of one of the ‘rules’.
“SMH…” she whispered back – and he had no clue what that meant. Marcus was still focused on that kiss and what it could mean for them.
They walked out of the magistrates’ office – hand in hand. Marcus felt like he’d been hit with a ton of bricks and was clutching the marriage license like a drowning man would cling to a life preserver. Beside him, looking starry-eyed and in a blissful daze was his new bride – correction,his wife,with whom he’d renewed his vows as far as anyone knew.
The sight of her happiness struck him… aswonderful. Normally, he would have said ‘odd,’ but it was kinda flattering to have someone knocked silly by just kissing you or simply knowing they ‘belonged’ to you now. He wasn’t a guy known forbeating on his chest, but dang it – she made him feel that way with a singular look.
“I don’t suppose you’re hungry – are you?” he asked simply, and that starry-eyed look turned to him and went supernova.
“Are you asking me out?”
“I am.”
“Oh-em-gee,” she breathed, laying a hand over her heart in excitement. “Yesss…”
This kind of admiration was really feeding something in his soul that was desperately starving for attention and drinking her in. Marcus might not get the glory on the ice like the starting team, but that fandom and majesty were there shining in Harper’s eyes for the world to see was really something.
“Keep looking at me like that, and I’m gonna need sunblock,” he chuckled, getting out his keys. “You wanna ride with me? I’ll bring you back to your car when we’re done.”
Harper nodded and whispered something under her breath like ‘I can’t believe this is happening,’and he couldn’t fight back his smile or the rush of happiness that came with doing something to make her feel good.
Yeah, for a moment, he thought he’d been tricked into marriage, but honestly, it had been his idea after grasping onto her proclamation. He could have called her a liar, tossed her out of the event, or any number of things… instead, he’d taken a look at the blonde bombshell wearing a Wolverine’s uniform, with the furry mask propped under her arm, and had literally been struck dumb. Never in a million years would he have pictured someone like her under that mask.
It sure as heck wasn’t Toby’s grizzly face.
Opening the passenger side of the car, he saw Harper fan herself and chuckled at her excitement. “Where to?”
“Anywhere you want…”
“Wife,” he tested and heard her make a little noise in her throat as she sat down, that did weird things to his psyche. “Where would you like to go for breakfast?”
“Tim’s, I suppose,” she said simply. “I’m a very easy girl and never really go out much, so I guess Tim Hortons?”
Nodding, he shut her door and walked around to his driver’s door – and paused when it hit him. Opening the door, he slid into the seat and looked at her once more.
This might have been a huge mistake, an incredible blessing, or fate… whatever it was, he had just bound himself to this woman for the rest of the season – or life – if he chose to stay there.
Their marriage would be what they made of it – and he already felt like a million bucks seeing the stars in her eyes.
And then she turned to him.
“Is everything all right?” she asked softly, her whole being thrumming with happiness so potent he could see it.
“I think it might be,” he replied openly, realizing maybe Christmastime was really a time for miracles – because he might be looking at one right now. “I really think things are going to be okay… wife.”
Harper made a little noise, her expressive eyes widened, and that smile?
That smile was everything.
7
