I’m considering climbing him when he breaks the kiss.
I’m sure my eyes are wild as I struggle to rein in my emotions.
Because that kiss…that wasn’t just for show.
Was it?
Chapter Thirteen
Declan and I don’t have time to talk about the kiss. Or the engagement ring.
We walk down the aisle together, and the second we exit the courtroom, a reporter hounds us with a microphone pointed at our faces.
Declan deftly avoids any questions by saying our wedding is a private affair. The security at the door hands me my coat, and then he leads us to the back doors and out to Declan’s rental car. We’ve just climbed in when Jamie Beth comes rushing out of the courthouse.
“Can I ride to the reception with you two?” she asks.
She climbs into the back and spends the entire ride peppering Declan with questions about the four additional couples at the courthouse.
“My other cousins flew in without warning me,” Declan says, a hint of a smile in his voice. “Colton found out about our wedding from Cam, who can’t keep his damn mouth shut. Although, I’m sure Brayden would have said something too. The younger Wilds are close, and those guys seem to tell each other everything. It’s annoying as hell.”
He doesn’t sound annoyed, though. He says it with affection, and I get the sense he loves his family very much.
“I’m no sports fanatic,” Jamie says as she props her elbows on the backs of our seats and leans her head in between us. “But is one of your cousins Dylan Wild?”
“Yep.” Declan nods. “My other cousin, Colton Wild, plays for the Cougars also.”
“They’re on the same team?” I say. “That’s awesome.”
Declan nods. “They were drafted together. They’ve done super well. I’m proud of them.” He chuckles as we pull into the driveway at Wild Ranch. “I’ve been in the pros for so long that I always think of them as kids. Even though they’re both married with kids themselves now.”
He pulls up to the main house at the ranch, and I exclaim at the large white tent set up in the open field directly next to the house.
“Is this for the reception?” I ask him.
He nods, and his cheeks flush almost shyly. “It connects to the back porch, and there are space heaters running inside to keep it warm. I know we’re just doing this marriage for business reasons, but I still wanted you to have a fun party after. It’s been a lot to take in—getting to know me and all the Wilds in such a short time. You’ve handled it all so gracefully.”
I smile at him. “That’s sweet of you to say. Although to be honest, neither you nor your family has been any kind of a hardship. Quite the opposite.”
The air thickens inside the truck as we stare at each other. My hands itch to touch him. I keep them crossed on my lap, forcing myself to resist him.
When a throat clears behind us, we both jerk to awareness.
“Let’s go hit the party, shall we?” Jamie Beth opens the door, and the moment is broken.
As soon as we reach the tent, Declan is swarmed by Wilds. His parents come first, and he introduces me carefully to them.
“This is my wife, Mia.” He puts his arm around me in what feels like a protective measure.
It takes me by surprise, but then I see the way he and his father are engaged in a staredown. It almost looks like Declan is warning him to behave and be polite.
“So you’re marrying my son for above-board reasons, I assume?” Tyler Wild asks me. “He’s quite successful and has a lot going for him. We don’t need a gold-digger.”
His father doesn’t pull any punches apparently. His eyes assess me suspiciously, and while I’m not exactly a fan of his bluntness, I can’t blame him.
“Dad.” Declan’s voice is steel. “This is your only warning. I don’t want to have to ask you to leave.”
But I force a smile. “Of course, sir. Your son is a wonderful person. I consider myself lucky to have met him. I only want the best for him,” I finish lamely.
