Page 21 of The Marriage Mission

Their hands squeezed slightly, a tangible connection amidst the vows, reinforcing their bond as they turned to face their future together. The reverend’s final blessing echoed around them, sealing their commitment as they prepared to step forward into a new life that was now theirs to define.

"You may now kiss the bride."

"Wait? What?"

The reverend turned to Jacqui. "I said you may now kiss your husband, my dear."

"Right now? In front of everybody?"

"Since when are you shy?" came Nãinai's voice from the front pew.

Jacqui looked to Noah in a panic. First his eyes, then his mouth. Then at some spot on his shoulder, as though she couldn't handle even the sight of his lips.

Noah maneuvered them until he had his back to everyone, blocking out her family and friends from sight of what he was about to do. Only the minister, Fish, and Jacqui's sister, could see Noah move in on his wife.

His wife. Jacqui was now his wife. The knowledge of it sent his blood racing. Unfortunately, all he saw was panic in her eyes.

"Tell me what you want to do," Noah whispered, caring only for her comfort.

"I… I suppose we have to."

"We don't have to do anything you don't want to."

"We don't?"

"Hmm." Noah shook his head, speaking low and gentle. "It's entirely up to you. I'll do whatever you want."

Jacqui's hand came to rest on his chest as she gazed up into his eyes.

"Do you want me to kiss you here, Jacqui? In front of all of these people? Or do you want to wait until we get home?"

That snapped her out of it. Jacqui glared. But she must have realized she couldn't say anything cutting. So she rose up on her tiptoes and pressed a quick peck to his cheek.

"There. You all satisfied?"

"We're all fine," called Nãinai. "But I don't think your husband is."

Nainai was both right and wrong. Noah had gotten a taste of his wife. When he got her alone, he'd gorge himself on the full meal.

Soon.

ChapterFourteen

She'd asked them not to do this. It was the first time Jacqui's staff had disobeyed her. There was nothing she could do to retaliate. Not when a good portion of the town was watching.

The reception at Chow Town was in full swing. Strings of lights twinkled from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow over the assembled guests. The air was alive with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of music that filled the space between conversations. Jacqui stood near the entrance, watching as her employees and friends clapped Noah on the back, welcoming him into their close-knit community with hearty embraces and cheerful toasts.

She glared at the scene, feeling like she was back in culinary school all over again. One of those times when she'd prepped a protein or sauce that was stellar only to have the head chef, always a male, get the credit for the finished dish.

Today at her wedding, she'd been there, too. She'd been at the altar with Noah. She'd said those same solemn vows. Why was he getting all of the claps on the back and congratulations?

Possibly because she was in a corner near the entrance while everyone else was at the center of the restaurant. Meanwhile, Noah grinned and greeted her people like he had just won the high school homecoming game and kissed the cheerleader. That would make her the cheerleader.

Jacqui brought her fingers to her lips, brushing them lightly across the surface where his kiss still lingered. It had been just a quick peck, a soft brush of lips that marked their union. Yet somehow the sensation had imprinted itself in her memory, stubbornly refusing to fade.

As a chef, Jacqui had always been obsessed with flavors, with identifying and understanding each component that danced on her palate. Noah’s kiss, brief as it was, had left a complex taste that she couldn't quite decipher. Her mind wandered through the possibilities.

There was a hint of herbs, perhaps basil, one of her favorites, which she often added to her water bottle along with a slice of cucumber. Then there was the spice, like cayenne, sharp and thrilling, hinting at depths to his personality she was only just beginning to explore. Underlying it all, there was something unexpectedly sweet, a note of warmth that suggested caramel or honey, which softened the sharper edges of the spice and herb.

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