Page 56 of Wed to the Devil

I glance over to see Aunt Minnie standing beside Talia. She is glaring at me, her wild gray curls springing from her head like sea spray. A quick peek at Olivia’s sulky expression makes me feel like I am missing something. Talia must have told them something to make them so mad.

I can’t think of anything else I did to deserve their ire.

Tristen elbows me. I snap my eyes forward, looking at the reverend for help.

“Do you have the rings?” he asks.

My neck heats. “Tristen has them.”

I hold out my hand impatiently. Tristen drops the rings in my palm. I feel like a robot as I take them, saying the words the reverend gives me as I slide the ring on her finger.

“Do you, Remington Darren Morgan, take Talia Rachel Chance to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

I look down into Talia’s face. She is blushing, looking as though she wishes that an earthquake would come and sweep her into the sea. I take her hand and realize for the first time that she might not want to be here.

Turning her delicate wrist over in my hand, I place a kiss on the pulse point of her wrist. Talia’s expression softens and she reaches up to cup my jaw.

“I do,” I swear. The words are a part of the ceremony that everyone is here to see. But I lock eyes with my wife, drawing her hand over my heart. Everyone might hear me speak, but my words are only meant for Talia.

The reverend intones, “And do you, Talia, take Dare to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

A tiny furrow appears between her eyebrows. “I do.”

The reverend looks between Talia and I. He gives us a somber smile.

“By the power vested in me by God and the state of Maine, I am pleased to declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I drag Talia in, kissing her like her lips are air and I’m a man who is suffocating. Her taste is sweet and minty, her tongue snaking against mine. She puts a hand on my chest, pushing me away gently. The reverend clears his throat and I reluctantly let her go.

“May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan!” the reverend calls out.

Talia takes my hand and we turn to the crowd. There’s a genuine smile creasing my mouth as we rush down the aisle. I slide my arm around my bride, the woman that I’m now given to protect.

ChapterEighteen

TALIA

Ipress my fingers against my tulle lace wedding dress and try to keep a straight face. I’m getting the worst stitches in my ribs just from standing here in the backyard of the beach estate at the Cliffs. I try to look the part of the cheerful bride as I stand next to Dare. It’s just that my wedding dress doesn’t allow me that much latitude of movement. And yet there are at least ten layers of clothing between my fingertips and my bare skin.

I sigh loudly.

Dare looks over at me, raising an eyebrow. He nods his head toward the man talking to us, indicating that perhaps I am being rude. He slips his hand around my waist and hugs me, putting his head close to my ear.

“Are you okay? I know Ms. Darcy is telling a very long-winded story, but I’m afraid I have to listen to it if I want any chance of doing business with them in the future.”

I feel the eyes of Ms. Darcy on me. She’s a dour looking woman in an undoubtedly very expensive yet still frumpy dress. I smile and take his hand, kissing his knuckles. “I’m going to the ladies room. And I should check on my Aunt Minnie and my friend Olivia. Can I catch up with you in a little while?”

Dare’s lips twitch and he makes a show of placing a single kiss on my bare neck.

“Be careful. I saw my brother Burn stroll in about twenty minutes ago so I know he’s lurking around here somewhere. I hate to impose on your wedding day, but Frick and Frack have been given explicit instructions not to let you out of their sight.”

I shiver at the feel of his lips on my skin and give him a lopsided grin, squeezing his hand one last time.

“Okay, I hear you. I’ll be back soon.”

Heading toward the house, I use the restroom fairly quickly and massage my ribs with great relief. I keep having painful pinpricks of sensation after I pull my dress down and exit the house again. I spot Frick standing just outside the door as I exit and nod to her. She straightens and gives me a nod in return.

I scan the crowd, looking for Olivia. And I quickly find her sitting at a table, a handsome young man on either side. Olivia picks at an imaginary piece of lint on her bridesmaid dress and nods at something one of the men says. As soon as she sees me, she perks up. Standing, she excuses herself and runs over to me.

---