Page 24 of Rekindling Desire

I nodded and wrote Crystal. Meeting Damien’s stare, I handed him the pen. “Your turn.”

“That’s the last time. From this day forward, your name is Gabriella Louise Sinclair.”

“Maybe I’ll choose to use my maiden name.”

He smirked as he signed his own name. “We can discuss this after our guest leaves.”

Recalling the sting of my behind from earlier, I said, “If you’re offering me a deal, I think I need to work on my negotiation skills.”

Damien handed the pen to the pastor. “You’re the last signature.”

She signed her name. “There. You are official. I’ll take this to the clerk’s office personally in the morning.”

Damien pulled out his phone. “Let me take a picture of it.” He snapped a photo. As we said goodbye to Pastor Abrams, Damien handed her a white envelope. “Thank you again for all you’ve done.”

“You don’t need to…”

Damien gently pushed the envelope toward her. “Our appreciation. Keep it, donate it. The choice is yours.”

Pastor Abrams nodded. “Thank you both. It’s been a pleasure.” She looked at me. “Stay safe and well.” She smiled at Damien. “Your father will be in my thoughts and prayers.”

“Thank you.”

After she left, I asked, “How much did you pay her?”

“Having you as my wife is priceless.”

“How much?”

“Enough to guarantee she follows through on filing the license tomorrow.” He looked around the suite and back to me. “You’re beautiful, Ella. I wish I could take you to a tropical paradise.” He teased a strap of the dress. “Where clothing is optional.”

“I like the dress. Thank you again.”

“I told you that I like dressing you. Your suitcase was packed for Ashland, Wisconsin, not Tampa, Florida. I didn’t want you succumbing to heatstroke before you signed that paper.”

“My hero.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” He took a step closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me to him. “Ella, this wedding has been so much less than you deserve. I promise to keep my word and give you the most lavish wedding you can possibly dream of once life settles.” He took a deep breath, his chest pushing against my breasts. “I don’t want to keep our marriage a secret.”

I stiffened in his arms. “Damien, I don’t want to be divorced.”

“Neither do I.” He smiled a lopsided grin. “Rekindle. Pastor Abrams was right about a lot of things she said.”

“What did she say?”

“Our contingency plan is in place, but we shouldn’t concentrate on that. She also said to be open and honest. I’m being honest—I want the whole fucking world to know we’re married.”

Open.

Honest.

“So, keeping something from one another this early in our marriage isn’t a good idea?”

“If it’s that you’re not wearing panties, I think we can fit a fast fuck into our schedule.”

I playfully slapped his shoulder. “Yes, I’m wearing panties. I don’t want to fly back to Indiana with your come on my thighs.”

His navy orbs sparkled as his eyebrows danced.

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