When I looked at our names on the license, I sighed. “Does this mean the marriage is legal?”
“I think it does.”
“Oh.” The awkward silence was horrible. “I’ll meet you back at the house.”
He didn’t give me the opportunity to leave, taking my arm and gently pushing me against my car. When he crowded my space, his scent had me swooning.
Just like always.
But this wasn’t anything I could handle right now.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want to lose you over this.” For all the forceful things the man had said, demands made and arrogance displayed, the afternoon light was a perfect backdrop to see the hurt in his eyes.
“I just need time. That’s it.” I kneaded his shirt, unable to squelch my fears and I hated myself for it. “But I’ll see you at home. We can come to the party together tonight. Okay?”
He let me go, immediately yanking out his sunglasses. He was also the master of being able to hide his feelings.
“Sure.”
It took him a few seconds to move away so I could climb into my car. Before I closed the door, I overheard his harsh whisper.
“I’m never letting you go.”
And deep inside, a little thrill brought a smile to my face.
CHAPTER 29
Donatello
A reception.
For a married couple who were supposed to be happy as could be.
There was a significant amount of love in the air, but it had nothing to do with Emmeline and myself. Well, maybe I was exaggerating. I adored the woman, every little thing about her.
More than ever now that I’d lived with her on and off for a week. Granted, I hadn’t moved in, merely taken up space as her protector. Yet I’d been so close that I’d caught sight of the real woman.
Including the woman who adored soft PJs to sleep in, not fancy lingerie. She also had a stuffed tiger that she kept by her bed, refusing to explain to me as to why she had the creature.
And I adored the way she brushed her teeth, so methodical that I’d stood in the doorway twice just watching her. Until she’d shooed me out like I was a stalker instead of her husband.
Husband. I was her husband.
Damn it.
I had the ring and the license to prove it.
Just not the wife, other than from afar. And damn if she wasn’t more beautiful tonight than I’d ever seen her.
Yes, she was darting looks in my direction, keeping track of where I was and she was doing a good job of pretending that she was happy. But she wasn’t. She was miserable and that ate me alive. Damn it.
“She doesn’t want to be married,” I said to no one because no one was standing in proximity.
Only they were.
Jaxon flanked my side and I immediately bristled.
“What do you want?” I snarled before throwing back the last of my drink. What would cure my anger was taking him outside the house and finishing what had been started a week before.
