Page 22 of The Marriage Mission

This combination, much like Noah himself, was unexpected—a blend of strength and warmth, spice and sweetness. It was a flavor profile that was entirely unique to him, reflecting his complex nature and the life he'd led before they'd come together. As Jacqui stood there, analyzing the remnants of their kiss, she realized she was more than curious—she was captivated.

She was also captured.

Noah caught her eye from across the room, a knowing smile curling his lips as if he could sense her thoughts. She turned away. But turning away from him made her remember the maneuver he'd used when they'd been on display.

Tell me what you want.

No one ever asked her that. Aside from Bunny. But Jacqui hadn't felt the tug of war to kiss Bunny at the same time as she wanted to punch her.

It had felt good to be blocked from everyone else's sight. It had felt good to have him take the decision away from her. That one or two moments had been the vacation she'd needed over these last years of responsibility. And now it was gone.

“Ready to go home?” Noah asked, his voice a gentle hum over the buzz of the remaining guests.

Jacqui’s heart did a little skip.Home. The word felt both foreign and incredibly right. She hadn't forgotten this part of their deal. She'd planned for it. So she nodded, swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat.

“We’ll see you next week, boss,” Nia called out, raising her wineglass in a half salute.

Jacqui scoffed, her business-owner instincts kicking in despite the day’s emotions. “I’ll be back at work in the morning, on time.”

An awkward silence fell over the small group that had gathered around. Smiles faltered. Eyes darted between Noah and Jacqui. Everyone was suddenly unsure how to react.

They knew Jacqui well—her dedication, her tireless work ethic. But this was her wedding night. A buzz went around the room as though they all were trying to decide if she was joking or not.

As if on cue, the tension broke. One by one, their faces cracked into knowing smiles, the earlier hesitation dissolving into amused chuckles. Jacqui, puzzled, turned just in time to catch Noah shaking his head at her with a broad grin, clearly indicating that she would not, in fact, be back to work in the morning.

Jacqui’s eyes widened in outrage, but no one saw. Noah wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, as any newlywed husband might do to his new bride. She was married. She was taking her new husband home.

She knew the parameters of the restaurant. She had the prenup. But what were they going to do in her house? For three months?

As Jacqui settled into the passenger seat of Noah's truck, the contrast between the tidiness of her own car and the chaos inside his struck her immediately. Maps were haphazardly folded and stuffed into the side door pockets, various camping gear was piled in the back seat, and an assortment of snack wrappers and coffee cups adorned the cup holders and floorboards. The air was a mix of pine air freshener battling against the earthy scent of dirt and firewood—a clear testament to his recent outdoor adventures.

"Your truck looks like a pigsty." Jacqui gingerly moved a crumpled-up jacket to make more room for herself.

"Yeah, I've been mostly living out of it. Camping a lot. Haven’t really lived in a house since I left my parents’ place to join the military. It’s been bases, hotels, or the great outdoors ever since."

"Sounds lonely."

So was her house, since her sisters had struck out on their own. Jules lived in an apartment across town. Jami was traveling the world, living out of a suitcase.

"I like the freedom, and the stars are more friendly than any ceiling I’ve known."

The truck's headlights cut through the darkness of the night, casting long shadows on the road ahead. Inside the cab, the soft glow of the dashboard illuminated Noah's profile, highlighting the lines of his face, the curve of his jaw, and the slight furrow of his brow as he concentrated on the road.

Moments later, his truck came to a gentle halt in the driveway of Jacqui's neatly kept home. He cut the engine, and the quiet of the evening wrapped around them like a soft shawl. Jacqui reached for the door handle, ready to escape into the familiar sanctuary of her house.

Noah's voice stopped her. "Wait."

Curious, Jacqui paused, watching as Noah quickly climbed out of the truck and moved around to her side. The crisp night air whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing rhythm. Under the soft glow of the porch light, Noah opened the passenger door with a gallant flourish.

Deciding to play along with whatever he had in mind, Jacqui extended her hand to him, expecting perhaps a gentle guide out of the truck. Instead, Noah took her hand and then used his other to lift her from her seat and into his arms.

"What are you doing?" Jacqui demanded as her feet dangled above the ground.

"It's tradition. The husband is supposed to carry the wife over the threshold. It’s good luck."

"I'm heavy," she warned, half-expecting him to set her down.

Noah just shrugged, adjusting his hold on her. "I work out. And I can bench press a lot more than you think."

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