Page 192 of Mad As Hell

Ryan’s eyes never left mine, his hands warmly holding mine as we swore our lives to each other.

The pastor turned to me. “Do you, Madison Porter—”

My breath caught, and Ryan squeezed my hands with a wink.

He’d known. Somehow he’d known what I was worried about. Sure, the paper would say Madelaine Cabot, but this moment was for me. For us.

“—take Ryan Cain to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the pastor finished.

“I do,” I said, barely able to speak around my smile.

“And do you, Ryan Cain, take Madison Porter to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

His expression softened. “I do.”

“Do you have rings you wish to exchange?”

Ryan let go of one of my hands to pull a silver band from his pocket.

I stared at the band in wonder, an unasked question in my eyes.

He winked at me. “It was Nana’s. But we’ll get you your own—”

“I love it,” I breathed, cutting him off. It was perfect. Simple and elegant, just like the engagement ring. I didn’t need something flashy to prove I belonged to this man.

He took my left hand and slipped the ring on my finger. “I love you, Maddie. Yesterday, today, and every tomorrow until the day I die.”

I took the ring off my thumb. His brow furrowed, so I said simply, “Your grandpa.”

His eyes shut for a second and he nodded, his throat working.

I pushed the band onto his finger. “I love you, Ryan.”

The pastor smiled as he watched us. “It’s my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”

Like Ryan would ever wait for permission to kiss me.

He pulled me into his arms as his lips crashed against mine. Instead of a chaste, simple kiss most couples would exchange in front of people, he teased my mouth open as his hands framed my face to angle my face just where he wanted me.

He licked into my mouth with languid strokes, his tongue curling around mine as he coaxed me into a deeper kiss. I clutched at the front of his shirt until someone started clapping. Then I pulled away with a blush, ducking my head as we turned to face everyone.

My eyes landed on Mr. Harris first, his eyes misty with unshed tears as he applauded. “Welcome to the family, Maddie.”

Ryan wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head. “I’m never letting you go.”

I snaked an arm around his waist, snuggling closer. “Same.”

CHAPTER 50

MADDIE

By the time Corinne came home a few hours later, the luncheon that Ms. Flounders had set up for us was eaten and the decorations had vanished. I’d changed out of my gown and into another dress Bex had bought me. This one was white with tiny purple flowers dotting it, and I’d kept the underwear, including my matching corset, on, since Ryan hadn’t seen them yet.

Somehow I’d managed to sneak away to get changed while he helped tear down all the decorations with the others.

Probably a good call because, once I got my husband into bed, I wasn’t letting him out for a while. We couldn’t go on an actual honeymoon, but we still had a few days left at Brookfield, so I’d take what I could get.

I walked down the steps as Corinne barreled into the front door with a sparkly pink collar. She triumphantly held it up for me to see. “Look what I got my puppy!” She turned to Ms. Wallace as she came in behind her. The caregiver looked exhausted, but the affection in her eyes set me at ease.

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