Page 34 of An Inevitable Marriage

Ignoring the delusional voice inside my head, I squeezed the fingers wrapped up in mine. Once, twice, and then one more time was all it took for our gazes to finally meet. And shit, I wasn’t prepared.

Time didn’t just slow down, it stopped. No one moved. No one even breathed. It was just Snow and me and the erratic rhythm of that beating thing inside my chest.

What the fuck?

“You need to say your vows.” The words came out grittier and harsher than I’d intended. Evident when Rafe loudly cleared his throat. I bet if I looked his way right that second, he’d mouth, “Stupido.”

Or maybe he’d tell me—like he’d done on many occasions over the past couple of weeks—not to screw this up.

If I were smart, I’d listen to him.

“I, Everlee Rose—” she finally started her vows, voice soft and uncertain.

My brows drew together. Maybe this wasn’t such a fabulous idea after all. But then again, she’d agreed to it. More than once, too. So why didn’t I feel any better about myself?

“… I offer myself with my faults and my strengths.”

If we walked out now, we could return to our lives. Nothing was final.

“In as much as you both have consented, by the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss!”

Fuck.

Too late now.

I shot a quick glance at the judge. She watched us with a sparkle in her eyes and an expectant smile on her lips. Confusion creased my forehead until her last three words rang through my ears.

You.

May.

Kiss.

A few internet searches had assured us kissing wasn’t necessary. There were tons of couples who weren’t comfortable with public displays of affection. But the way this judge stared at us; I wondered if she’d think something was amiss if I didn’t lock lips with my bride.

And if Snow’s doe-caught-in-headlights expression was anything to go by, she didn’t know what to do either.

Apparently, it was up to me to decide.

Which I did.

Or maybe someone controlling my body made the decision. That was the only way I could explain what happened next.

Eradicating the space between us, I slipped one hand around the back of her neck and into her hair. The soft strands brushing against my skin sent a violent spark up my arm, almost like a zap of electricity that struck and lingered.

The sensation only intensified when I gripped her chin with the thumb and forefinger of my free hand to tilt her head backward.

Not allowing myself to back out, I inched my face closer to hers until our lips touched. Nothing but a slight brush of my mouth over hers. Enough for anyone watching to believe I’d given her a chaste kiss.

But instead of pulling back, I lingered. Long enough for the feel of her soft lips against mine to unlock something carnal deep inside me. Like a ravenous beast waking up from years of sleep.

It was another new, unfamiliar feeling.

I didn’t like it.

My head snapped back as if her mouth had just burned me.

“What’d you do that for?” she immediately whispered.