Page 121 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

I laugh before I can stop myself.

Lucian removes his sunglasses.

“What?” I demand. “You’re staring at me.”

“You’re laughing.”

“I do that occasionally.”

“Not with us.”

He’s right. And I’m a little shocked that it’s happening at all.

Caleb places his palm at the small of my back and guides me toward the ordering window. “Come on, wife. Let’s feed you before you begin analyzing the psychological implications of tacos served from a former wedding chapel.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“I assumed it would be.”

A woman with silver threaded through her dark hair is taking orders at the window.

Then, when it’s our turn, her entire face changes, her wrinkles deepening as she flashes a genuine smile. “Caleb Pierce.”

His eyes lighten with something that might be affection.

The woman plants both palms on the counter and leans through the opening. “You have some nerve coming back here looking like that.”

He glances down at his black shirt and trousers. “Like what?”

“Expensive.”

Lucian chuckles.

“Hello, Rosa. I’ve missed you.”

She reaches through the window and cups his cheek.

This is the man who moves through the world with a controlled readiness that warns sensible people to keep their distance.

Rosa pats his cheek as if none of that impresses her in the slightest. “You’re too thin.”

“I’m not.”

“Rich men are always thin. They eat food arranged with tweezers.”

I laugh.

Her attention shifts to me, then immediately drops to the rings on my hand.

“Oh.” Her brows climb. “This is interesting.”

“Sophie,” Caleb says, “this is Rosa Morales. Rosa, my wife.”

Lucian steps beside us. “Our wife.”

Rosa looks from one man to the other, then back to me.

I brace myself for questions.