His tongue traced my lower lip, and I opened for him, and oh God, this was not a courthouse kiss. This was not a business arrangement kiss. This was—
Someone cleared their throat.
We didn’t stop.
Thorne’s hand tightened in my hair, angling my head for better access.
Another throat clear, louder this time.
Thorne pulled back slowly, reluctantly, his breathing ragged. His forehead rested against mine for a moment, his eyes still closed, his hand still tangled in my hair.
When he finally opened his eyes, they were unfocused, dazed, and he was looking at me like he’d also forgotten where we were.
“Well,” Judge Morrison said, sounding thoroughly amused. “I’d say you two will do just fine.”
Kate was grinning so wide I thought her face might split. “I should’ve brought popcorn.”
Thorne’s hand dropped from my hair, but slowly, his fingers trailing through it like he didn’t want to let go. He stepped back, putting distance between us, and I watched that broody façade fall right back in place.
“Congratulations,” the judge said, handing Kate some papers. “You’re officially married.”
Married.
I was married.
To the man who’d just kissed me like he’d been thinking about it since Kate’s office.
My lips felt swollen. My face was hot. And I was pretty sure my legs weren’t working properly.
“We should go,” Kate said gently. “Sign the paperwork, make it official.”
The paperwork took ten minutes. I signed my name—Maddie Cooper, keeping my last name like we’d agreed—and watched Thorne sign his in bold, efficient strokes.
His hand was shaking slightly.
Husband and wife.
For the next six months.
We walked out of the courthouse together, and the spring air felt cold after the warmth of the building.
“Your flowers,” Kate said, handing me the forgotten bouquet. “You dropped them.”
During the kiss. I’d dropped them during the kiss because I’d needed both hands to hold onto Thorne before I melted into a puddle.
“Thanks,” I managed, taking them back.
Kate was already heading to her car, giving us privacy I didn’t know what to do with.
“So,” I said, because someone had to break the silence. “That was...”
“Yeah,” Thorne said, his voice rough.
We stood there, newly married, not quite looking at each other.
The air between us felt charged. Different.
“I’m parked over there,” I said, pointing to where I’d left my car in a panic. “I have all my stuff. Should I just... follow you? To the cabin?”
