Page 38 of Tangled Vows

She reached out a shaky hand, and I slipped the rings onto her finger, reciting the final words of our vows. She did the same, her fingers trembling as she placed the cool metal band onto my finger.

“You may now kiss your bride,” the officiant announced. I took the bouquet from Shayla’s hands and passed it to Claire before rubbing my suddenly damp palms down my pants legs. This wasn’t our first kiss, but it was the first one anyone would witness. We may have practiced this, but I was still nervous.

I gently cupped Shayla’s face, tilting it up to mine. I couldn’t kiss her like I had in her office. That was too intimate, too unbridled. This needed to be sweet and loving. I had to control myself this time.

Her lashes lowered as I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. I rested my hand on her hip, trying to keep my touch PG for our audience. Her dainty hands slid up my chest, and she rested her palms against my pecs. The muscles jumped involuntarily at her touch, and a tiny moan escaped her lips. The sound went straight to my cock, and I had to remind myself we weren’t alone.

The hand gripping her hip curled around her back, and I pressed her closer, reveling in the feel of her body against mine. I parted her lips with my tongue, and she slowly opened to me, letting me inside. With her face cradled in my hand, I kissed herslowly, reverently, not rushing or plunging inside like I wanted to. It was sweet and controlled, just like a wedding kiss should be, and I savored the moment, knowing it would be the only one I ever had.

29

SHAYLA

“You did what!” my mom screeched, and I winced.

“We got married while in Vegas,” I repeated, holding out my hand to show her the ring. As if that would help ease the blow.

Her mouth fell open as she glanced from me to Easton and back again. Easton wrapped an arm around my waist in silent support and pulled me into his side. His hand splayed possessively over my hip, and it didn’t matter that it was all for show. The contact set my skin ablaze.

“It was kind of spur of the moment,” Easton explained, this time sticking to the script. “We just didn’t want to wait any longer. Neither of us wanted a big wedding, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

My mother’s face softened as some of the shock fell away.

“So, you’re happy? This is what you want?” she asked, and I nodded.

“It is,” I replied, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. It wasn’t at all what I wanted, but what I wanted was irrelevant. I did what I had to do.

“Well, then, I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you,” Easton and I said in unison. A dreamy look overtook her features.

“You two are already so in sync.” I wanted to gag. She was reading too much into this, but I wouldn’t burst her bubble. We needed her to believe we were in love, even though we most definitely were not. Though I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t imagine falling for him. After everything he did to make our wedding special—like getting us rings when the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind, then making sure I had a pretty white dress—I guessed he wasn’t so bad. He could be sweet and thoughtful when he wanted to. He was unbelievably attractive and could even be funny at times. It would be easy to let myself get caught up in this fake marriage with him. But I had to remind myself not to let my heart get involved. If I did, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he would break it.

“So that’s the good news,” I said, steering the conversation in a new direction.

“What’s the bad news?” she asked, her face falling. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

“What?” I shrieked.

“I mean, that wouldn’t necessarily be abadthing. You are married now, and I always wanted grandchildren.”

“No,” I rushed to assure her, my panicked gaze shooting to Easton. His face had paled, and he looked a little green around the gills as though the thought terrified him. “I’m not pregnant.” It never crossed my mind that she’d think that was the reason for our shotgun wedding.

“Okay…” she drew out, brows lifted in inquiry.

The words stuck in my throat. I needed to tell her about the change in our living situation, but I worried this would crush her. It had always been the three of us together, and now I was flying the nest, and she’d had no warning.

“She’s moving in with me,” Easton responded, sensing my hesitation.

A look of resignation settled on her face, and she nodded somberly.

“Of course. You’re newlyweds. I would expect you’re ready to start your lives together.”

“I’ll still be over often, and I’ll take you to your treatments whenever I can,” I assured her.

“And you’re welcome to visit us any time. We’re only ten minutes away,” Easton added, and I shot him a grateful look.

Her brows shot to her hairline. “You are?”

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