Page 141 of Reclaiming Adelaide

And then there was that.

My protruding stomach with our son kicking away at my innards. There was no way I could stand for a full ceremony while he stepped on my bladder.

We took our positions at the front while his friends sat down, excited to support him. There was no one here for me, aside from maybe Becca. She’d become the sister I never had, but that was it. Ivy kept to herself, not that I blame her, and Liz was busy being a new mom. That left Jake and me. Not that I’d complain.

He leaned into me, his breath on my lips. “You look beautiful.” Jake traced the backs of his fingers down my belly, sending fire between my legs.

Lately, it was the simplest touch, and he’d have me panting like a dog in heat. I closed my eyes and chewed on my lower lip, imagining him pulling me into a hall closet and thrusting into me with my dress at my hips. He’d have to wrap his hand around my mouth because my moans of ecstasy were for his ears only. He didn’t like to share, not even the pleasure I’d experienced from his touch.

“Your cheeks are red, sweets. What are you thinking about?”

His seductive voice drew me out of my daydream. “Hmm?”

“Finally,” Alek said, breaking the trance between us.

I glanced away from Jake’s penetrative stare and to the man in a black judge’s robe billowing around him as he walked. His shiny black shoes peaked out with each step like obsidian reflecting the lights above.

Jake shook his hand as he took his place before us. “Thanks for doing this on short notice.”

“It was hard to deny the check on my desk,” Judge Rascome said, laughing. “Just don’t ask me to do it again.”

“Till death do us part, right?” Jake patted the man’s arm, then let go of his hand. Apparently, they’d known each other for a long time. I guess criminal brokers needed friends in high places… well,formercriminal broker.

“That’s the spirit. Are we ready to begin?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.” Leaning into the judge, I whispered, “Make it quick, please.”

He chuckled as he gestured towards our locked hands.

“She doesn’t do well in society,” Jake said.

“Then let’s make this quick.” He winked with a lopsided smile. “Please place the rings on each other’s fingers.”

Tears burned my eyes as Jake pulled mine from his pocket and slipped a specially designed ring, combining both my mother’s and his mother’s sets into one unique band and setting.

I pulled Jake’s out from between my swollen breasts and slid his father’s warm metal band on his finger.

“Repeat after me. I, Adelaide Leaver…”

Jake caressed my hand with his thumb as tears burned my eyes with each profound word.

“And Jake…”

I glanced down at his polished shoes across from mine, his black suit pants hung perfectly tailored over the tops, leading up to his black belt and shining silver buckle.

“You may kiss the bride,” he said, startling me as if it came out of the blue.

Jake slipped his hands around the nape of my neck, tipping my lips to his, and sealed our marriage with a sensual kiss that curled my toes and made my racing heart beat faster.

Cheers and rounds of applause erupted in the small room, bringing a heat up my neck and a smile to my face.

“Well, Mrs. Murray, should we have a party?”

“A party? Oh, no.” I shook my head with conviction. Couldn’t we just slip into our home and have a party of our own? Did we have to include others on this day?

“Too bad,” Jake whispered in my ear as Judge Rascome placed our marriage certificate before him. Jake signed the document, then handed me the pen. “I have something for you.”

I scratched my signature across the document and turned to him with a smile. “Oh, do you now?”

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