Page 78 of Rebel Heart
His lips curved into a smile. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
I smiled back. “I was so disappointed when I bought this dress the day I went shopping with my sister, because I didn’t have anywhere to wear it. Thank you for giving me a reason.”
“I know they say it’s supposed to be bad luck to see the bride before she walks down the aisle, so we’ve already got one strike against us. Would it hurt us worse if I kissed you now, too?”
I stepped forward, pressed my body against his, and drove my fingers into his hair at the back of his head. As his hands settled on my hips, I said, “We’ve been daring about everything we’ve done from the start, and I think it’s been working out okay. Do you really want to change things up now?”
Beau’s fingers pressed in at my hips, and he dipped his head, so his lips could brush lightly against mine as hewhispered, “You really do have a rebel heart, Jules. It’s wildly seductive.”
If he had wanted a response, I couldn’t provide one. Because Beau captured my mouth in a claiming kiss that made my knees weak. It took no time at all for me to become completely caught up in him and our kiss that I was ready to pull him into the apartment and close the door behind us.
Beau had slightly more sense and control. He tore his mouth from mine and asked, “Are you ready to do this?”
“I’ve been ready since you asked me last night.”
“Then we need to go if we’re going to make it on time.”
Unwilling to risk being later, I was out the door in a flash, and Beau and I were on our way. Everything passed in a bit of a blur, much like the first half of the day, until I was standing before Beau, hands linked, listening as the judge spoke. Until we were there, I hadn’t realized how lucky we’d gotten. Evidently, we needed to file for the marriage license, pay a fee, and schedule the ceremony. We’d been fortunate enough that there was a spot open for the ceremony today.
But none of that mattered to me now. I was here, getting married to Beau. And the way he was looking at me told me everything was going to be perfect for us. That no matter what was ahead, we were going to be okay.
“And now we’ve reached the part where many couples wish to exchange a token as a symbol of their loveand unending devotion, like a ring. Now, Mr. Easton, do you have such a gift for Miss Westwood?”
“I do,” Beau answered.
My heart nearly beat right out of my chest as his eyes met mine, and he winked. Beau reached inside his pocket, pulled out a velvet ring box, and opened it. Inside sat a simple band of diamonds. It was so simple and delicate, and it was absolutely perfect.
He pulled out the ring, took my hand in his, and slid the ring on as he repeated the vows after the judge.
“And Miss Westwood, did you have a ring to offer Mr. Easton in exchange?”
Beau gave my hand a squeeze and whispered, “It’s okay.”
Apparently, he believed he was the only one who’d thought ahead. “I do.”
Surprise littered his features as I reached for my purse and pulled out the simple white gold band. It was a far cry from the chunky silver rings I was accustomed to seeing on his fingers, so I hoped he’d still wear it.
I took Beau’s large hand in mine and repeated the vows as I slid the ring on his finger. And the moment it was settled there, something washed over me.
We hadn’t made any declarations of love, nor did we know everything about each other, but somehow, this man was now mine.
I lifted my chin and met his stare. Something in his eyes told me he had similar thoughts moving through him. He was mine, and I was his.
The judge said a few more words, but all I heard was, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal the union with a kiss.”
Beau smiled, framed my face in his hands, and kissed me, soft and sweet.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Easton.”
“Thank you,” I said, positively beaming.
When Beau and I made it outside, he took me into his arms and spun me around. “We’re married.”
Laughter spilled out of me. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t believe you got me a ring.”
“Well, I didn’t want the rest of the world thinking you were a free agent.”
