Page 15 of Fairy Tale Husband

Laura looked stunned. “A temporary marriage? You spent all your money on a temporary marriage? Ican’t believe this! What happens when it ends? You’ll be right back where you started. No job. No money. No place to live. How will that help? Mrs. Marsh still wins and you’ll have gone through all this for nothing.”

“Jake won’t let that happen,” Wynne insisted stubbornly. “He says he isn’t interested in a permanent relationship, but I think he’ll change his mind.”

“You’re willing to gamble everything on a bunch of maybes? You’re willing to risk losing—”

“I won’t lose a thing,” Wynne interrupted, her voice sharper than she’d intended. She took a deep breath, fighting for composure. “Please, Laura. Let’s not argue. This is my wedding night and I’m so happy. Wait until you meet him. You’ll see what I mean. You’ll understand why I’m so certain he’s the right man.”

“You’re spending the night with him?” Laura demanded apprehensively.

Wynne nodded. “He’s asked me to and I’ve agreed. Icame by to pick up my overnight bag and check on you. Is everything all right?”

“Oh, everything’s fine here,” Laura claimed. “Blissfully quiet. But what about you? Maybe you should—”

Wynne cut her off. “Maybe I should get my bag and join my husband,” she said with gentle finality.

Laura raised her hands in surrender. “Okay. Igive up. It’s your life to live as you see fit.”

“Don’t be angry,” Wynne pleaded. “You’re my best friend. Try to be happy for me. I’ve been dreaming of this moment all my life. Ihave an incredible husband and a whole new life ahead of me.”

“Right. Besides, look at the bright side,” Laura said dryly. “If things don’t work out, you have an automatic escape clause.”

“Oh, Iwon’t need it,” Wynne claimed, flashing an impish smile. “And if I have anything to say about it, neither will Jake.”

CHAPTER THREE

JAKE stood in front of the hotel window looking out at a starlit night, lost in the darkness of his thoughts. Would Wynne come? Or would she have second thoughts about the wisdom of their marriage andrun?

He didn’t want to care one way or the other. But he did. His future hung in the balance, the choices made by a pint-size elf the determining factor. He clenched his hands, jamming them into the pockets of his robe. Damn. He’d never felt so out-of-control in hislife.

And he didn’t like the feeling.

A knock sounded at the door. Not a soft, tentative rap, but a rapid, eager tattoo. Suppressing a smile of satisfaction, he strode to the door, flinging itopen.

Wynne stood on the threshold, her green eyes peeping at him from beneath wispy white bangs. “Hi,” shesaid.

He lounged in the doorway, his tension fading beneath the sunny warmth of her smile. “Hi, yourself.”

She tilted her head to one side. “Were you afraid I wouldn’t show?” she asked gently.

Was he so transparent? “The thought crossed my mind.” He forced out the admission, and stepped aside so she could enter.

“You’ll find I’m really quite trustworthy,” she assured, glancing around the suite with interest. “But since you don’t know me very well, Ican understand you not realizing that.”

“Thanks for filling me in,” he retorted dryly, taking herbag.

Her gaze settled on him, the passion and vitality in that one look as powerful as a physical blow. It never ceased to amaze him how different she was from all the other women he’d known. How had so much zeal been bundled into such a tiny package?

“You’ve showered,” she said, stating the obvious. “Would you mind if I did, too?”

“Be my guest. There’s another of these hotel robes hanging on the door. Feel free to use it.”

“Thanks, but I have a nightgown.” She gestured toward the case he held. “If you wouldn’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.” He tossed the bag to her. “But you won’t need it. Not for long.”

A hectic flush chased across her cheekbones and Jake regretted the crassness of his remark. There were times he felt like the proverbial bull in the china shop. This was definitely one of them. She gave a shrug that showed amazing sangfroid considering her obvious embarrassment, and crossed to the bathroom.

She seemed so young and fragile from the back, her shoulders fine-boned, the graceful sweep of her neck highlighted by the short pixyish cut of her hair. He’d never realized the nape of a woman’s neck could look so vulnerable. Asudden urge to protect her gripped him, until he realized the only protection she needed was from her husband.

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