Page 94 of The Christmas Trap

When the noise dies down, Brody grins at the assembled crowd. "Change of plans, folks. My wife and I are leaving on our honeymoon right away."

30

Brody

"You chartered a helicopter?" Lark stares down at the passing countryside covered in white. Luckily, the snow had stopped by the time we reached the helipad. Visibility was good so our pilot had clearance to take off.

We’re in the passenger cabin, separated from the cockpit and insulated against the engine and rotor noise.

We changed our clothes into something more suitable for traveling in a side room at the Town Hall. We’re also wearing noise-cancelling headsets with voice-activated microphones, so we can talk easily.

"It was my conversation with Arthur that gave me the idea,” I admit.

“Oh?” She looks at me with curiosity.

“He told me to not waste any more time.”

His exact words were, ‘If you want to spend time alone withyour wife, then you should follow your heart.’I took him at his word and ordered the chopper.

I also asked for our bags to be unloaded from the car and moved to the helicopter.

I intended to take her on our honeymoon after the reception. But I couldn’t wait to be alone with her. With snow falling, and a blizzard on the way, it made sense to leave early and fly out before it hit.

"He was okay with us skipping the reception at his place?" She leans back in her seat.

"He didn’t protest." I reach out to take her hand in mine. "I’m sorry I didn’t check in with you first. I figured you wouldn’t mind getting out of there without having to attend the reception."

She purses her lips. "It would have been good to spend more time with my parents."

When I stiffen, she throws me a sideways glance. "Kidding. No, I didn’t want to be quizzed further by my parents. They met you. They got to attend the wedding. As did my friends. And your grandfather. As far as they’re concerned, we’re married. No one can refute that.”

I rub my thumb over her knuckles. She shivers. And that pleases me enormously. I want her to be aware of me.

I want her to feel as affected by my nearness as I am by hers. "I’m sorry I put you in that spot. I’d have wanted a little more time for us to get to know each other before the wedding. But the invitations had gone out, and your parents were planning to come, and since Arthur was pressuring me too, it made sense to do it now."

She nods, a fold between her eyebrows hinting that her mind is preoccupied.

"What are you thinking?"

She hesitates. “Thanks for not telling my parents about my ex cheating on me. I?—”

“I will always be in your corner.” I squeeze her hand.

She swallows. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Our gazes catch. The air between us sparks with awareness. Her eyes are shadowed.

"You can share anything with me, Siren.”

Her lips part. She glances to the side. "I married you because I wanted my ex to feel like he was losing out. And because I didn’t want my parents and my friends to think of me as a loser."

"AndImarried you so I could inherit." I twist my lips. "It seems to me that I win this challenge."

She chuckles, some of the tension going out of her shoulders.

I lean in, my voice rough. “I’m serious. When I imagine waking up next to you every morning—your hair a mess, your skin warm from sleep—it doesn’t feel wrong. It feels…like home.”