Page 36 of An Inevitable Marriage

Her lips stretched wide, too wide. “Eager to be alone with your bride?”

My ticking jaw matched Rafe’s rhythm. “Something like that.”

The smile never left her face as she pointed out where we had to put our signatures. Needing out of that suffocating room, I’d barely scribbled my name when I headed for the door. The tension coiling my insides slowly relaxed with every step I took.

I almost felt relief wash over me when my fingers finally curled around the cool metal.

“Oh wait, before you go.”

What now?

Hand still on the knob, I dropped my chin to my chest and closed my eyes.One. Two. Three. Opening my eyes again, I schooled my features and faced the judge.

She’d come out from behind her desk and had both hands wrapped around something.

“Would you mind if I take your picture? It’s a tradition. Kind of.”

When I just stared at her, she pointed toward the back of her office. “I have a photo of every couple I’ve married on that wall over there. It’s an everyday reminder that true love exists.”

I felt Snow’s gaze searing into me before I even looked down to meet it. Her stare bored into mine. I shook my head. I didn’t want my damn picture taken.

Snow arched her brow. I shook my head again. She licked her lips and then turned her attention to the judge.

“That’s a really nice tradition. We’d love to add to your wall.”

“The fuck we would.” Thankfully, only Snow heard me.

I was sure she had a smart-ass remark ready for me, but unfortunately for her, the judge spoke first.

“Wonderful. If you could stand over here, I’ll be quick, and you two can be on your way.

With a grunt, I trailed behind Snow as we took the spot the judge had pointed toward. Standing side by side, we faced the judge. This wasn’t ideal. We might’ve been next to each other, but we weren’t even touching. Plus, there was enough space between us to park a damn fire truck.

No way the judge would believe in our undying love for each other.

Shit, how did we convince this judge our picture belonged on her wall of lovers?

I wasn’t sure, but I had to try. My company depended on it.

Sucking in a subtle breath, I moved to the side and snaked my arm around Snow’s waist. My touch startled her, and she turned to face me just as I tugged her body flush against mine. Toe to toe, chest to chest, there wasn’t an inch of space separating us.

And when our gazes collided, whatever she saw burning in mine had her sucking in a deep, sharp breath. The sound lifted the hairs on my arms and sent goosebumps sprinting over my skin.

Click.

“Oh my goodness, I think this is my favorite photo yet.”

Thankfully, the judge snapped me out of whatever the heck had just happened.

“Happy to help.”

With a brusque nod to the judge, I released Snow just enough to take her hand and drag her behind me out of the judge’s chambers before the woman asked us to consummate the marriage on her desk or something.

“Hey!” Snow yanked her hand from mine and stopped walking. We were almost at the entrance of the courthouse. “I am not a dog, and my arm is not a leash. You can’t justwalkme whenever you feel like it.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she shot me with a glare so fierce I felt tempted to cup my balls just to make sure they were still there.

“I can walk just fine on my own, thank you very much.”