Page 30 of Bride on the Dotted Line

He smiles, and a warm shiver slides down my spine.

“By the power vested in me,” the officiant says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.”

My eyes lock with Nick’s. At the corner of my vision, I see the photographer move in to capture the finale, the shot that’s going to seal the deal. Mason and Lena lean forward in their seats. Victor crosses his arms, eyes glittering.

Showtime.

Nick looks at me. There’s a camera click to our right. The officiant makes a gesture with her palms:go on.He squeezes my hands.

“Okay?”

“Okay,” I say.

We lean in, and our lips meet in a brief, featherlight touch. It’s gentle, tasteful. The pad of his thumb glides up the back of my hand, so delicate I wonder if he knows he’s doing it.

The camera clicks, then clicks again. There it is: the kiss we promised our lawyers. It’s finished.

But it’s not finished for me.

I don’t know why I do it. I just do. It’s the same impulse that pushed me to write my number on his wrist all those days ago. Like he and I are caught in a dance, or a game of chess, and it’s the only logical next move. Instead of pulling away, I press my mouth firmly to Nick’s.

I kiss him.Reallykiss him.

Nick stiffens, startled, but his lips are so soft, I can’t will myself to stop. I release his hands and twist my fingers in his lapels, pulling him down to meet me.

“Sienna?” he murmurs against my lips. His potent, intoxicating smell is everywhere, in my nose, filling my lungs, setting up shop in my brain. When I don’t move away, he falls into it with me. He exhales hard, circles an arm around my waist, and kisses me back. The feeling is …

Wow.

Our mouths press and linger; once, twice, three times. I’m off my feet—he’s lifted me up against him. The guests are clapping. The camera clicks, clicks, clicks.

And, just as quickly, it’s over.

We untangle. Nick sets me on my feet. He’s breathing hard, a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. I think he’s going to kiss me again. He stares at my mouth. I stare back at him, my heart in my throat.

Then the world comes back into focus. The guests are standing, still clapping. Someone throws a handful of confetti. I take a shaky breath, and Nick and I turn into a camera flash, heading down the aisle together.

We’re married.

Chapter 12

Sienna

Lena

Sienna. You have got to be kidding me.

Mason

What. The fuck. Was that.

Sienna

What are you talking about?

Lena

Is Nick with you?

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