Page 33 of Shes my 1 Try

“What? Are you saying we’re…illegal?”

“No! God no. Not like that, anyway. I mean…fuck, how do I explain this?” Spinning away from her, the neon lights of the building in front of me hold the only answer I can think of.

A soft hand lands on my forearm, prodding me to turn and when I do, Wiley’s alarmed face peers up at me. “Please try, Asher, even if it sounds insane. What I’m feeling it’s… too important to throw away.”

Her admission, however slight, boosts my own and I cup her face, kissing her deeply. “Wiley,” I breathe, breaking our kiss. “You’re my forward pass. The one that everyone thinks is crazy and yet it gets past all of them and makes for the most amazing play. Wiley, I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I don’t care what anyone else says, I know what I feel.”

“And what do you feel?” she pleads, her eyes darting back and forth to mine, assessing, begging.

“I…I love you, Wiley Nolan. I have, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you. And if this is too soon or you’re not?—”

“I love you too,” she cuts me off, lifting up on her toes and throwing her arms around my neck. “I guess your cousin was right, huh?”

“We won’t let her know that.” I shrug with a laugh, sliding one hand around her waist. “But yeah, I guess there is such a thing as love at first sight.”

Pulling her close, I lean down, inhaling her exotic perfume. A million things I want to say tumble through my mind. My need for a deeper connection with Wiley just as powerful. And behind it all the glowing neon sign.

“Asher?” Taking a step away from her, I get down on one knee and take her hand in mine.

“Wiley Nolan, will you marry me?” Disbelief, shock and probably a thousand other emotions ripple across her features as she shifts her attention between me and the wedding chapel, we’re in front of, a crowd gathering around us.

“Your forward pass, huh?” She works hard to contain her emotions. Those full lips of hers trembling and I nod, kissing the back of her hand. “I’ll be your forward pass, Asher Scott, and damn anyone who tells us it’s wrong.”

“Is that a, yes?” I ask, panic settling in my chest like a caged beast, someone in the crowd around us calling out the same question.

“Yes, Asher. It’s most definitely yes, cute boy,” she beams, launching herself into my arms, her mouth crashing into mine in a searing kiss, the crowd erupting in applause.

“C’mon, cute girl,” I manage, breaking our kiss, my heart doing fucking somersaults as I scoop her up into my arms and head into the chapel.

“Hey,” she laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Isn’t this what you’re supposed to do after we’re married?”

“Trust me,” I kiss her again, her mouth like heaven, and whisper, “You’re gonna need me to carry you everywhere because after we’re married, I’m gonna fuck you senseless.”

“Promise?” She raises an eyebrow, brushing her nose against my ear, the heat from her breath stoking the fire rising within me.

“Until the day I fucking die.”

THIRTEEN

Wiley

We both know our Las Vegas marriage isn’t legal, but as far as I’m concerned, Asher Scott is my husband and I’m his wife. He even bought me a ring.

As the flight home lands in Sydney, I find myself wishing it would be delayed somehow, so the outside world can’t intrude on this little bubble we’ve made. But my business can’t be put on hold. And Asher has a game tomorrow. Thankfully, it’s in Sydney.

As we collect our luggage, Asher tucks a strand of my unkempt hair behind my ear, leaning down to it. “I think we’ll need to hold off on more…marital relations tonight.”

“Need to build up your stamina, husband dearest?” I tease, but I understand he needs to rest and focus on his game.

“You’ll pay for that, little wilding,” he jokes, slapping my ass.

“Yes please,” I play along, as he grabs both of our suitcases.

Ines is waiting for us outside, arguing with a ride share driver, trying to get her to move. “About time,” she yells, flipping the guy double parked the bird. “This asshole was about to wish he didn’t get out of bed this morning.”

“Well, don’t just stand there, lover boy,” Ines nods at Asher. “Get those bags in the back.”

Offering him a smile, rolling my eyes, he obliges and loads our bags before jumping in next to me, his hand finding its way into mine.

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