Page 33 of Wed to You-
“I’m going to do it.” She laughed at herself for her foolishness and then cursed herself at the insanity of her decision.Great day! I’ve gone off the deep end.
On edge, she headed to the kitchen. Baking always calmed her because it was something she associated with her mother. She knew a batch of cookies wouldn’t completely settle her nerves, but at least she’d have something to bring to the picnic when she accepted Jagger’s proposal. As she mixed the flour and sugar, she worked to rationalize her decision. When that didn’t work, she reminded herself of how daring she’d once been, before the realities of death, loss, and debt had shrunk her world. As far as striving for an exciting life, marryingJagger could be the most interesting adventure of them all.
Chelsea blewout a breath as she walked from her car, making her way toward the river. She was late, partly because she couldn’t decide what to wear and also because marrying Jagger was the craziest idea she’d ever considered. Even as she walked toward the area Jagger said he’d be waiting at, she stopped several times and turned back to her car with the intention of going to work at the diner, because the alternative was idiotic. Each time she wavered, she ultimately continued forward toward this crazy, ridiculous plan.
She saw Jagger and Kaden sitting through the trees. Kaden pointed toward the playground, while Jagger handed him something. As she drew closer, she could see Jagger was trying to get him to eat before running off to play. He scanned the area, stopping as he saw her. At first, surprise flashed in his blue eyes. Then he smiled a wide, relieved smile.
He stood and walked toward her. “You came.”
She wasn’t sure what to say, because the situation was so surreal. So she nodded.
His hands went to her arms. He pulled her to him and dipped his head, his lips brushing her cheek as they made their way toward her ear. “I’m so glad.” Then he shocked her by capturing her lips with his. Immediately, she was distracted by the warm and gentle sensuous slide of his lips across hers that sent shockwaves of pleasure all the way to her toes. He tasted like lemonade and sin, her new favorite flavor.
He pulled away abruptly, his brows knitting together as his eyes studied hers for a moment. Then a slow, knowing smile grew on his face, and he kissed her again with the same leisurely, sensuous brushof his lips over hers as his hands slid behind her back and held her tight against his firm body. His tongue slid across the seam of her lips but didn’t invade her mouth. He didn’t have to for her body to heat, for desire to pool deep in her belly, for her mouth to part and invite him in.
When he pulled away, he smiled, his gaze holding hers for a moment, before it lifted, and he peered over her, looking behind her. Then he returned his attention to her. “Do you think they bought that?”
It was like a cold bucket of water had been poured over her, shocking her back to reality, and all the warm sensual feelings evaporated. His actions were a part of the role he was playing.Well, of course they were!
It was in that moment that Chelsea realized she was in over her head. She liked kissing Jagger. She liked the way he tasted and the shivers his kisses sent coursing through her body. But it was dangerous to let herself go there. She couldn’t fall for the man whose actions were a deception to keep custody of Kaden. If her reaction to this short kiss was any indication, it would be all too easy to develop deeper feelings for him.
What concerned her most was she might find it difficult to separate out the fiction from the reality if he continued to kiss her like that as part of his act. The lines might blur. Her hormones liked him. It would be too easy for her heart to follow them, to develop feelings deeper than this plan allowed. Since he was clear that he didn’t see love in their future, falling for him would be dangerous to her heart.
She should change her mind, right then and there, because she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to be on guard in protecting her feelings and her heart 24/7.
He took her hand and pulled her toward the blanket. “Kaden and I were just about to eat. I brought extra, hoping you’d come.” He flashed her a smile. Not the devilish, flirty one, but something worse.It was tender, grateful, making her heart warm to him. He pulled her hand up, brushing his lips over her knuckles. “Danger, danger,” went off like a siren in her mind. She started to pull away, but he stopped again and looked at her.
“This means a lot to me, Chelsea. Kaden is my life.” There was so much gratitude and relief in his gaze. And just like that, she was going to follow through. She nodded and was about to continue to the blanket when she decided to share another concern. “Jagger, what if being married isn’t enough either? What if Kaden’s mother suc—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “I refuse to think about that. I’m going to do all I can to make sure he stays.”
For a moment, she wondered just how far he might go to keep Kaden. She knew Jagger socially, but she didn’t really know what he was capable of. She was starting to get a sense of it.
He smiled, and the dazzle of it blinded her for a moment. “I promise, it’ll be okay.”
Feeling a bit helpless, she nodded.
“Miss Beemer!” Kaden jumped up and ran to her. “Are you staying with us?” She wondered if Jagger had talked to Kaden about their arrangement. Well, not their arrangement, but the possibility of their getting married. Her heart did a little twist in her chest at the word marriage. She was completely nuts.
“She’s joining us for lunch.”
“Yay! Come sit with me.” He sat on the large, thick blanket spread under a grove of trees and patted the spot next to him.
Complying, she sat.
“Miss Z packed our favorites.” Jagger sat across from them and reached into the large basket. “PB and J for Kaden. Roast beef for me. And one more of each so you have a choice.”
“No barbecue?”
Jagger grinned. “We haven’t mastered that yet. Perhaps you’ll be able to make some for us.”
“I’ll have the roast beef.”
“We also brought potato chips and carrots.” Kaden waved a baggie of carrot sticks.
“It’s not a picnic if you don’t have those things.” She put an arm around Kaden and gave him a little squeeze. “I brought cookies.” She reached into her oversized purse and pulled out a large plastic bag with chocolate chip cookies.
“Ooh, can I have one?” Kaden’s bright blue eyes pleaded with her.
