Page 13 of Tactically Tied

He didn’t have time for the formality or fanfare. He only had one chance to make this marriage happen, and it needed to be fast. The suit was his camouflage, blending him in with the small-town folks filing in and out of the courthouse. This wasn’t a battle where he could charge in with full colors flying. No, this was about slipping past Jami’s defenses, making her his before she even realized what had happened.

It was strange—he had faced down some of the toughest food critics in the world, battled it out in high-stakes cooking competitions, and yet, standing here, waiting for Jami’s decision, he felt more nervous than he had ever been in his life.

Jami was absolutely breathtaking in that simple white sundress. The fabric clung to her in a way that made Jed's mouth water. Her almond-shaped eyes were framed by lashes long enough to sweep a man off his feet. Her skin—golden and warm—reminded him of buttered toast, his favorite comfort food.

Her long, toned legs peeked out from beneath the hem of her sundress. They were the kind of legs that made a man want to take a step back just to admire the view. Strong, graceful, like she could run the world if she wanted to. He knew those legs—had spent years sneaking glances at them during high school, especially when she wore those cut-off shorts in the late spring when the Home Ec kitchens were hot.

Her hair was down today. The waves tumbled over her shoulders, and as much as he loved the way it framed her face, he wished it was up. When her hair was pulled back, it showed off the elegant line of her neck, her delicate shoulders. He’d lived for the days in high school when she wore tank tops. Instead of focusing on the dough rising in his ovens, his eyes would drift to her shoulders, her neck, the way her skin gleamed under the warm kitchen lights. He could still remember the way the fabric of her tank tops clung to her, leaving her shoulders bare, just close enough to touch but always just out of reach.

And now here she was, so close again. All Jed could think about was how much he wanted to press his lips to the curve of her shoulder, feel her skin beneath his fingertips. It was intoxicating—the way her presence stirred up memories he had buried long ago, making his heart beat faster with each passing second.

He could barely focus on anything else. Not the courtroom, not the reality show, not even the vows they were about to say. If she agreed to say them along with him. And then, when the ceremony was done, he’d finally get to taste her again.

That one and only kiss from her was better than any dish he had ever created, better than anything he’d ever tasted. His stomach grumbled from want of another taste, another bite.

No, that wasn't true. Jed would do more than taste Jami Chou. He'd do more than bite her. If given the chance, Jed would devour the woman standing before him.

The door to the courthouse office swung open, and a woman with a clipboard poked her head out, glancing between them with a friendly smile. “Are you two here to be married?” she asked, oblivious to the storm of emotions rolling through Jed’s chest.

The silence stretched, thick with tension. Jami’s eyes darted to his, wide and unsure. The thought of her saying no, of her walking away, gnawed at Jed's insides like a knife twisting in his gut. But then she did something that made his heart stumble in his chest.

She let out a soft breath and reached out. Her fingers brushed against his arm before she took it, her grip firm and certain. She'd made her choice.

Jed's gaze was still locked on her lips. On that lower lip he was dying to bite. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure, but he could barely think straight. She had taken his arm. That meant yes. That had to mean yes.

The clipboard lady smiled warmly. “Right this way, then.”

They stepped into the small courtroom together, and as they crossed the threshold, Jed felt a sense of finality wash over him. In just a few moments, Jami Chou was going to be his wife.

He barely took in the courtroom as he was led inside. He hardly heard a word the judge said. Jed knew there were vows being exchanged—promises, words about love, honor, and all that. But right now, he was underwater. Everything sounded muffled and distant. The only thing his mind could focus on was Jami. Standing next to him in that simple white sundress, looking like she belonged with him.

He repeated the words the judge told him to say, but his brain did not register a single one. His eyes were locked on Jami’s lips, soft and slightly parted. All he could think about was the kiss.

Cool metal met his skin as she slipped a ring there. Then he did the same to her. This was near the end. It was almost time to take what he'd craved. What he'd hungered for for the last five years. His body was thrumming with anticipation, with need. And then, finally, the judge said the words he’d been waiting for.

You may now kiss the bride.

Jami’s eyes widened, like she’d forgotten that part. Too bad, because it was happening. Jed wasn’t about to let her slip away. Not now. Not ever.

Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. His other arm slid around her shoulders, holding her in place, trapping her against him. She was soft, warm, perfect against him.

He knew he should wait, should ask for her permission, but he couldn’t hold back. Not with her. Not with the way his entire body had been aching for this moment since the first time he’d kissed her all those years ago.

He was a starving man, and she was the feast he had been waiting for.

Jed dove for her lips, capturing her mouth with his in a kiss that was anything but chaste. The second their lips met, a spark ignited between them. The tendrils of smoke rose up to meet his lips as a fire roared to life. She tasted just like he remembered—all buttery goodness—like the best part of the toast after the butter melted perfectly into every crevice. But this—this was so much more. She was all-consuming, and he couldn’t get enough.

Jami's body melted into his. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she gave in to him. The sound sent a shockwave of heat through Jed. He deepened the kiss, getting lost in her, pulling her even closer. His senses were overloaded—the feel of her, the taste of her, the warmth of her body pressed against his. It was everything he had ever wanted, everything he had dreamed of for years, and now it was real.

He could’ve stayed like that forever, drowning in her. A throat cleared somewhere in the distance. It was a sharp, insistent sound that broke through the haze of the kiss.

“You might want to save some of that for the wedding night," the judge said, his voice tinged with amusement. "Or, by the looks of it, maybe it’ll be more like a wedding afternoon.”

Jami’s face flushed hot against Jed's cheek. She pulled away, her own cheeks burning bright.

Jed kept her close, his arms still wrapped around her waist. He wasn’t letting her get too far. Not now. Not ever.

CHAPTEREIGHT

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