Page 77

I slide the papers into my drawer, then round the desk to her. I hold out my hand, and she places her much smaller one in mine. I urge her to her feet.
When I look into her eyes, she meets my gaze. I only see clarity in hers. That beguiling honesty which appealed to me from the beginning. Then there’s her beauty. Her luscious curvy body. Her responsiveness to me—as confirmed by the way her breathing speeds up. I run my thumb over the ring on her finger, and a fierce possessiveness fills me. One I don’t question too closely. She’s mine. She’s going to be my wife. I’m going to tie her to me. I’m going to take care of her. Cherish her. Protect her. I’m going to make love to her. I’m going to fuck her. I’m going to ensure she never lacks for anything. And perhaps, in time, that will compensate for the fact that I might not be able to love her. Perhaps, everything else I offer her will be enough? I bend my knees and peer into her eyes. "You won’t regret this."
37
Priscilla
You are enough, exactly as you are.
-Cilla’s Post-it note
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Edward Chase, former priest, officiant at our wedding, and Tyler’s half-brother smiles at us. "You may kiss the bride."
We are on the patio in Tyler’s backyard. It overlooks the garden which, in turn, looks out on Primrose Hill. Using his considerable clout, Tyler sped up the process and here we are, within forty-eight hours of my having signed that agreement, getting married.
By mutual consent, we decided to keep the wedding low-key. It's us and Serene. Tyler didn’t mention it to any of the Davenports. He's going to call Arthur right after, and then the entire clan will find out, he said.
I messaged my friends. No way, could I not inform them. Harper and Grace are traveling and couldn’t make it. Zoey is here and agreed to be one of our witnesses.
We asked the gardener to be our other witness, and he was very happy to oblige.
When Tyler and I told Serene we were getting married—and that it meant she could call me Mama—she barely looked up from her toys.
“You already are my mama,” she said. Then she went right back to playing.
Tyler and I just stared at each other, a little stunned, a little amused. Serene had already arrived at the conclusion we were still trying to wrap our heads around. To her, we were already a family.
I’m wearing a new dress I picked out from Karma West Sovrano’s bridal collection online. It fits like it was made for me. I also ordered the wedding bouquet I came across at Columbia Road flower market fromThe Tilting Tulip. It's owned by Theresa Sutton Sovrano, who's married to one of the Sovrano brothers and related to Karma. Imagine that?
I also ordered a dress for Serene, and a corsage she wears around her wrist. She had a wonderful time spinning around in the dress like little girls love to do, then proceeded to watch the ceremony unfold with a curious look on her face. She was so very well behaved. She clapped when Tyler placed my wedding band on my finger and smiled hugely when I did the same for him. Tyler’s is a simple band. Mine is another family heirloom, which fits perfectly with my engagement ring.
Tyler lowers his chin, and I’m lost in his mismatched gaze. I’m drowning in those sparks that flare in his eyes. Then his lips touch mine, and I flutter my eyes shut. Hard lips, firm, authoritative. A tingle spirals down my spine. My thighs clench. My pussy flutters. Then he licks into my lips, and I part them on a sigh. Instantly, he sweeps his tongue in over mine. My pulse rate ramps up. Goosebumps shimmer on my skin. My entire body feels like it’s on the verge of catching fire. He wraps a strong arm around my waist and brings me in closer. Heat from his body surrounds me, corrals me in place. All of my senses are focused on his kiss. A syrupy, drugging sensation fills my bloodstream.
When he finally lifts his head, my eyelids feel so heavy I can barely drag them open to meet his gaze. He looks serious, jaw set like stone. The intensity radiating off him is staggering—fierce, focused—and it sends my heartbeat into overdrive. My stomach flips, a flutter of nerves and want.
He opens his mouth, but before he can speak, a voice calls out.
"Did you really think you could get married without us catching wind of it?" We turn in unison to see Brody headed toward us. "Congratulations." He slaps Tyler on the shoulder and shoots me a smile. "I hope the two of you are very happy together."
I hope he comes to love me one day, the way I know I already love him.
"Thank you," I murmur.
“How did you guys find out?” Tyler glares at Brody, then turns on Edward. “You told them?”
We hadn’t asked Edward to keep it a secret, strictly speaking.
“Guilty as charged.” He tilts his head.
"Thank you for conducting our wedding." I nod in Edward’s direction.
"The pleasure was all mine…Mrs.Davenport." His smile widens.
Mrs. Davenport?Jeez. That…sounds…strange.
Brody leans in, apparently, to kiss me on my cheek, but Tyler steps between us. "What do you think you’re doing?"
"Kissing the bride?"