Page 42 of The Acquisition

With his free hand he tucked my hair behind my ear, and his smile became more carefree. "Don't disappear inside your head. I'm sure we'll be back to bickering in no time."

Caroline shook her head. "I can't believe it," she muttered under her breath.

Colt turned his head to her and raised his eyebrow in question.

"Maybe this isn't such a dumb idea," she said with a shrug of her shoulder. "I think the two of you might be perfect for each other."

Chills raced up my body, but I shut that shit down fast. Things like that didn't happen to me.

Caroline clapped her hands, dragging our attention back to her. "Well, it isn't a fairytale setting, but I had my staff set up our large conference room for the ceremony. It's better than Judge Kilroy's office, trust me on that."

She didn't wait for us to discuss further. She simply stood and strolled out of the room, expecting us to follow her.

My mouth gaped open when we entered the conference room. Flowers and candles filled the space. That might have stolen the focus if not for the floor to ceiling windows with views of the city and Mt. Rainier looming in the background.

Suddenly, I was regretting getting ready so quickly. Not that I needed hours to feel comfortable in my body, but this was my wedding, and according to Colt, the only one I'd ever have.

Colt proved once again he could read me like no one had ever been able to before. His large hands cupped my face, tilting my eyes up to his. "You're beautiful. I prefer you like this. I feel like I can see you, the real you, when you're less done up."

It wasn't that I ever overdid my clothes and makeup, but today I wore nothing more than tinted lip balm and mascara. Something about being alone with Colt made me feel like I didn't need the extra armor to face the world. My dress was a simple peach shift, but with the way he looked at me I felt more beautiful than when I was dressed in couture and flawlessly made up.

We turned and faced Judge Kilroy. He watched us with an amused expression. He opened the book in his hands and began the simple ceremony.

The fact that we were marrying without our family and friends stopped mattering once he started talking. The only person I could focus on me was Colter.

I winced when the judge asked for the rings. We hadn't gotten around to that, not that either of us could wear them with us getting married in secret.

Colter reached into the pocket of his slacks and pulled out three rings. He gave me a shy smile as he slid a beautiful pink diamond solitaire on my finger and a matching platinum band with tiny diamonds embedded in it.

He dropped his ring in my hand after he slid the rings on my finger. They were a matching set, only his was a bit wider and had fewer diamonds.

"When?" I asked.

He shoved his hand through his hair, messing up his thick, wavy locks. "I got them when you insisted on going to Sabrina's. I never intended to leave you there."

Judge Kilroy cleared his throat. Right, we had a ceremony to finish. I repeated my vows and placed his ring on his finger. Colt lifted my hand and kissed the knuckle behind my rings.

"By the power vested in me, by the state of Washington, I pronounce you husband and wife," the judge finished the short ceremony.

Colt didn't wait for permission. He took me into his arms and kissed the hell out of me.

"Let's go home," he whispered in my ear.

I shivered. Whatever might happen in the future, I planned to enjoy this moment. I hadn't had many special moments in my life, and I had a feeling this was one I didn't want to miss.

SIXTEEN

COLTER

As soon as the marriage certificate was signed, I grabbed Jana's hand and dragged her out of Caroline's high-rise office to my car. The need to get her home consumed me.

"What's the hurry?" she asked. Her cheeks were flushed, so I knew she was aware why I was in a rush.

"I need you and a bed. Now."

She sucked in a breath, but for once she didn't argue with me. I knew she wanted me too, but I wasn't sure if she was still fighting it.

The traffic gods smiled down on us, and we made it back to my place, our place, in record time. I led her to my private elevator inside the garage and watched every floor light up as the elevator rose.

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