Page 321 of The Christmas Wife

"Nothing's up between us. My best friend, Knight, is her brother. Trust me, he’d be more than pissed off if there was anything between me and Abby."

"When has that ever stopped you?" I scan his features. "Or wait. Maybe you actually feel something for this girl. Is that why you prefer to trade smoldering glances with her than act on what you’re feeling?"

"Smoldering glances?" He shakes his head. "Just because you’re in love doesn’t mean the entire world has to follow suit."

"Aha!" I smile smugly "So you are falling for her?"

"Eh, no, of course not. I don’t intend to be romantically involved with anyone, anytime soon."

"Famous last words." I pat his hand. "I’ll remind you of it when you’re standing in my position."

"I don’t think my tastes tend toward white, gowns."

I laugh. "You know what I mean."

"I’m not getting married. Not for a long, long time. And speaking of" —he turns toward the doorway leading to the lawns— "you don’t want to be late for your wedding."

53

Hunter

The crowd quietens. The hair on the back of my neck prickles. I turn to find her stepping onto the aisle, and my breath catches. Goddamn, she’s a vision. A goddess come to life. I’m not sure how she managed to change outfits so quickly, but all of her efforts are worth it. The white gown covers her shoulders then dips slightly to hint at her cleavage. The fabric nips in at her waist then flares over her spectacular hips, before dropping down to her toes. The lace outlines her arms, and her gorgeous skin peeks through the netting. As Cade escorts her up the aisle, she’s breathtaking, sublime, exquisite. And I’m the luckiest man on this planet.

They reach me. Cade kisses Zara’s cheek, shakes my hand, then places her hand in mine. I kiss her fingertips, and the crowd oohs and aahs. Zara smiles up at me. I lower our arms, then both of us turn toward Edward.

He glances between us and a smile tips up his lips. I see his lips move and must make the appropriate response, as doesZara. Then, I’m turning to face her again. I pull the platinum band from my pocket and slide it onto her finger next to her engagement ring.

She does the same.

"Guess we both had the same idea, hmm?" I smirk.

She laughs. "Seems we’re finally on the same page."

"Does this mean you’re going to stop your verbal sparring?" I step closer; so does she.

"What do you think?" she murmurs.

"I think" —I wrap my arm about her waist and pull her into me— "that you’ll never stop keeping me on my toes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way."

She looks up into my eyes. Her golden eyes lighten until they resemble pools of sunlight. "I love you, husband."

My heart fills my chest. Warmth pulses through my veins. I pull her closer, then dip my head until my lips brush hers. "I love you more than myself. I promise to respect our differences. I swear I’ll put you and our family before anything else."

Her chin trembles. "Your country needs you, too."

"And I promise to serve with passion and dedication and do more than my best to steer the course of our future."

"You make me proud." She tips up her chin, and I close my mouth over hers. I kiss her deeply. She parts her lips, and I sweep my tongue over hers. I suck on her mouth, until a moan spills from her lips, until she sways into me, until she melts in my arms, and I pull her even closer into my chest. I kiss her and kiss her until, finally, the sound of clapping reaches me. Then I soften the kiss, brush my lips once, twice over hers, before I pull back. Her chest rises and falls, her skin flushed. Her breathing is ragged, and when she finally flutters her eyelids open, her eyes are more silver than gold.

"That was some kiss." She clears her throat.

"A promise. A pledge. My allegiance to you and my child you carry in your belly."

She swallows. "You’re going to make me cry."

"Only as long as they are tears of joy." I cup her face. "I love you, Zara."

A chair crashes to the ground, then, "Tiny!" a woman’s voice yells. We look up to find the Great Dane has broken free from Isla’s grasp. He’s galloping toward where the drinks are being poured at a table halfway up the garden.

---