Page 42 of Something Borrowed

I’m too deep in this. No matter which direction I turn in I will be in trouble.

Decide to marry Rufino and be committed to one man for the rest of my life, even though I’m only twenty-three. Or run out of here and go back to my father who will send me away to a convent where I will rot my years away learning how to be a lady.

I could never change who I am.

I never will.

Ultimately, there is no choice.

I have to marry Rufino if he is offering me an escape from everything else.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Rufino

The hesitation in her eyes sparks anger inside me.

I don’t think she understands that I’m not giving her a choice in the matter. She will marry me.

She will be mine.

“You are marrying me, Verity. This is the only way for us to be together. Now, do you trust me or not?” I snap at her, not wanting to, but losing my patience. It was hard enough to get her away from those guards and now she wants to toy with me.

“I trust you.” She whispers, biting her lip and sending a bolt of desire through my body. The nervous expression in her eyes turns me on. It makes me want to rip her clothes off and take her right here.

“Good. Then do as I say and be a good girl.” I take her hand and she follows, tipsy and swaying behind me into the reception area.

“We’re ready.” I tell the woman behind the desk.

“Aright, just go through there.” She points to a big wooden door which is currently being pushed open from the other side.

“Wait. Stop.” Verity shouts in horror.

I growl as I turn towards her, ready to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to the alter.

“Verity, I told you to be a good girl.” I warn her.

“I need aveil.” She says her eyes wide with serious concern.

“Oh.” I say, looking around.

A drunk couple stumbles through the now open doors and into the reception area.

“Where am I going to get aveil?” Verity ask again, sounding even more worried.

The bride of the other couple comes stumbling over to Verity. “Do you want to borrow mine, sweetie?” She slurs her words, hanging onto Verity, giggling as she pulls the sheer white lace loose from her own hair.

“Oh, yes,please. Thank you so much.” Verity helps her unclip her veil and between the two of them they pin in into Verity’s hair.

I grin as I watch her, not able to believe that she is about to become my wife.

When she turns towards me again she is smiling, the veil is sitting to the left. I reach out and straighten it, nodding with satisfaction. “You are beautiful, Verity.”

“I know.” She says with all the sass I am accustomed to from her.

We walk through the wooden doors together - into a tiny, but very elegant church. The priest greets us with a warm welcome and encourages us to step up to the alter.

My eyes are on her the entire time he is talking.

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