Page 22 of Temporary Wife Temptation

“We’re finishing our dance at last,” he said before his possessiveness overwhelmed him. She gave him a ghost of a smile, but fatigue lined her features. He tucked her head under his chin to hide his frown. After their dance, he led Natalie back to their table and reached for her hand. “Are you all right?”

“Of course.” He studied her face, his thumb drawing slow circles on her wrist. She was pale under her makeup with dark blue half circles under her wide eyes. Seeming to notice his concern, she forced a smile. “I’m fine, Garrett.”

He grunted, unconvinced by her reassurance, but the stubborn jut of her chin said there was no whisking her away for an early night. With a resigned sigh, he turned his attention to the crowd and sucked in a quick breath.

“Sophie has my father wrapped around her little pinkie.”

She looked adorable in her cream-colored dress with pink and white flowers dotting the skirt, and his dad held her like a precious treasure. When he lifted the baby high in the air, she rewarded him with a squeal and an infectious giggle, peppered with wet raspberries. His father laughed out loud for the first time in what seemed like years. How will Dad take it when Sophie and Natalie leave for New York in the winter? Something close to dread stabbed at his gut.

“She’s a charmer.” Natalie watched them with a soft, sweet smile, then met his gaze and held it. “And, Garrett, it’ll be okay. Sophie and your family won’t have a chance to get too attached. She’s with her grandparents, and what little time I have with her I’ll be guarding greedily.”

Her voice trembled slightly. She obviously didn’t want anyone to get hurt, either, especially their family. She continued to search his face, worry and vulnerability in her expression. He nodded, unable to trust his voice, but his heart twisted when she gave him a tremulous smile.

This was their wedding day—alluding to the end of their marriage left a bad taste in his mouth. Capturing his bride’s hand, he planted a kiss on her palm, wanting to distract her from her thoughts. He flashed a wolfish grin when she gasped and turned a lovely pink. For good measure, he brushed his lips against the sensitive skin of her wrist, and a shiver ran through her.

“Garrett,” she breathed.

Her voice was low and husky, and reckless lust flared in him again. He’d made sure their first kiss as husband and wife was short and chaste. But sitting so close to her, her soft fragrance entangling his senses, he wanted to claim her—to have a real wedding night. Damn it. He dropped her hand and sat back in his seat. When he saw Mike waving him over, Garrett rushed to his feet. “Duty calls.”

“Does your duty entail joining that group over there with everyone holding a bottle of champagne?” Natalie said with a wry smile. “I think there’s a bottle with your name on it.”

His best man held a bottle in each fist and lifted them over his head, confirming her suspicion. “It’s not easy, but someone has to do it,” Garrett said.

She laughed and gave him a gentle push toward them. “Well, go then.”

“I’ll be back.” Without thinking, he dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, the easy affection startling him. That bottle of champagne was sounding better by the minute.

When Garrett reached his friends, he grabbed a bottle out of Mike’s hand and tipped down a good quarter of it.

“Thirsty?” His friend quirked an eyebrow at him.

“Very.”

“Oh, what the hell.” Mike shrugged and followed suit. “Gentlemen, Garrett beat us to it and drank half his bottle already. Let’s drink to our unexpected groom. May you not be an ass to your stunning new bride so she will tolerate you till the end of days.”

“Thank you for that touching speech.” Garrett lifted his bottle to his friends and drank.

Shouts of laughter and cheers rang through the crowd, and much imbibing ensued. His emotions back in check, he risked a glance at Natalie. Her chair was empty and a flash of irritation hit him. He’d run from her a moment ago and now he wanted her where he’d left her. He conceded he was being an ass. Still, his gaze sought her out in the crowd.

He found her on the dance floor, being twirled by his father. He was smiling down at Natalie and she was biting her lip as though she was on the verge of tears. Garrett’s stomach lurched in alarm. After shoving his champagne bottle at Mike, he rushed to her side.

When he reached the dance floor, her smile was still a bit watery but she didn’t seem upset and his dad was chuckling.

“May I cut in?” Garrett said.

“Of course. She’s all yours.” After kissing Natalie on the cheek, his father strolled off.

“What happened?” He watched his dad join Sophie and Mrs. Kim—Natalie’s firecracker neighbor. He’d met her during the move, and survived her intense grilling.

“What do you mean?”

“Why were you about to cry?”

Her mouth opened, then closed. “How did you know?”

“I saw you.” He brushed aside her question impatiently. “Tell me.”

“Your father just welcomed me to the family. He said... I was his daughter now.” Her voice broke, and tears sprang to her eyes. “I don’t even remember my mom, and my dad couldn’t stand me. Even with Traci gone and Sophie’s adoption in the air, your dad made me feel like I was part of a family. Like I wasn’t alone. What he said was a gift—a gift I don’t deserve—but I’ll cherish it forever.”

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