Page 125 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

“You’re not playing fair,” I breathed out through absolute pleasure.

“I know,” he groaned against my neck before he ravished it.

I had to grip his shirt to steady myself. “Okay. I’ll marry you tomorrow,” I stuttered out. Holy Hannah.

That did it. He practically tackled me, pressing his body against mine while his smile matched my own. “I’m going to make you very happy for the rest of our lives.”

“You already do.” Honestly, I’d never known I could be so happy amid so much worry, heartache, and just plain crazy days that wiped me out physically and emotionally. Between running the restaurant and trying to be there for our families and all the ugly things we read about ourselves online every day, it was a lot. But, when Brant would wrap his arms around me and tell me it would all be okay, I believed him. He believed in the truth and the law. He believed in us and in his family.

I brushed my fingers across his lips. “Are we really doing this?”

“Yes.”

“What should I wear?”

He lowered his head until his lips were an inch from mine. “We’ll figure it out in the morning.” His mouth moved over mine, and suddenly nothing else seemed to matter. Tomorrow I was going to become Mrs. Brant Holland.

~*~

It didn’t seem real standing in front of Judge Brown in his chambers, facing Brant, who was dashing in his black suit and navy tie. It matched my navy flare dress. We looked more like we were going to the prom than getting married. I’d thought I might be nervous, but I was as calm as I had ever been. The only regret I could think of was that we should have done this sooner.

“Brant, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Brant squeezed my hands, which he held firmly in his own. “I do.”

My eyes welled with tears. It was my turn next.

“Kinsley, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do!” I said a little too loudly, unable to contain my excitement and making everyone laugh. And I do mean everyone—well, at least our families. Our consciences had gotten the better of us last night, so we’d called them all early this morning. It was a good thing too. Dani had said she would have cut Brant if we had gotten married without her. Pregnancy hormones were a beast. But the deal was they had to be at the courthouse by ten. They’d all re-arranged their schedules. So as not to arouse the suspicion of the press, we had made them arrive at varying times, and they had been ushered in through the back like we were smuggling in drugs. This is what our lives had come to.

“Brant, you may place the ring on Kinsley’s finger.”

Brant slipped on a beautiful diamond wedding band that went with my engagement ring. I didn’t know one finger could hold so much bling.

“Repeat after me,” Judge Brown said. “I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.”

Brant, with exactness, recited the beautiful words. I repeated the process. Then the best words ever spoken came.

“By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

He didn’t need to tell Brant twice. Brant pulled me to him and, in dramatic fashion, dipped me down before pressing his lips against mine. And let me just say, he didn’t hold back. This was no church kiss. His tongue danced right into my mouth and did all the magical things that left me breathless. All the while our family could be heard cheering in the background. Well, not Whitney and Gemma, who I believed I heard say, “Gross.” Good thing they didn’t know we were off to bake cookies right after this and what that entailed.

When Brant pulled me back up, our eyes locked. In the sea of blue that swirled in his eyes, I saw forever. It was a beautiful sight.

“I love you,” I whispered, though it seemed wholly inadequate to describe my feelings.

“I love you, Mrs. Holland.”

Best. Words. Ever.

Chapter Thirty-Six

I sat on Brant’s lap, curled against him on one end of the jet’s leather couch. I didn’t think I would ever get used to private jets, but I had to say I was grateful not to be on a plane full of people who might recognize us.

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