Momentary Marriage(48)
He met her gaze, the glimmer of a smile in his eyes, as if they shared a secret, which of course, they did. He knew she didn’t mean the words, couldn’t mean them, despite the soft flutter of her heart.
The reverend spoke to Jared, “Repeat after me.”
“I, Jared Michael Barrett, take you, Kelsey Alden Layton…,” Jared’s voice was strong and sure, his face serious now. “…to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward…for better for worse, for richer for poorer….”
Kelsey’s throat felt tight as she met his steady gaze, his hand firmly holding hers. Tenderness, panic and a sense of disequilibrium gripped her.
“…in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”
His words seemed to echo in the church, heightening her sense of unreality.
Kelsey stood there, her hand clasped in his as he slipped a silver band on to her finger, nestling it next to her sapphire engagement ring. Meeting his gaze, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry.
Everyone had forbidden dreams, things they knew couldn’t come true. Hers was especially foolish, given the proof she had against it. But as she stood at the altar, her hand in his, she wanted to believe, wanted to live in her own taboo fantasy. A husband to love her forever, to stay by her side. She couldn’t imagine a man who better fit the fantasy than Jared.
The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur. The minister offered a blessing and then pronounced them husband and wife, telling Jared, “You may kiss the bride.”
Kelsey turned toward him, expecting the traditional peck on the lips, only to find herself drawn into his arms. Jared held her, his expression serious as he bent slowly to press his mouth to hers.
He kissed her thoroughly, his mouth as hot and lazy as if they were alone in a bedroom instead of standing in a crowded chapel.
She forgot their guests.
With his arm around her waist, holding her tightly against his body, she could almost feel his heartbeat, the power of his body straining against hers. His mouth plundered hers, their tongues meeting, breath intermingled. She lost track of time.
He kissed her as if she were a treasure he’d long searched for and finally found. Kelsey shivered beneath his touch. Dreams were like this, hazy and too good to be real. She never wanted to wake.
The laughter in the church brought her back to the moment when Jared slowly released her.
“Uh umm, yes,” the reverend said, hiding a smile as he began his closing words.
Kelsey stared at him vacantly, not hearing his words, her body still humming from Jared's kiss. Good God, what would tonight bring? Would he turn her brain to complete mush in an hour?
They left the church ten minutes later, Jared tugging her down the aisle to the limousine waiting to take them to the hotel where the reception would take place.
Kelsey tumbled into the back seat, dazed and breathless from their run down the aisle. All of the sudden, she felt lighter than she had in days. She scooted back, pulling her wide, billowy skirts in as far as she could to make room for Jared.
The dress was a wonder, whipped up by a designer friend of Mary Barrett. Although it had the traditional full skirt, it was cut so simply with no lace or bows, that she didn’t feel like a doll on parade. Truthfully, she’d never felt more beautiful or elegant than when she’d put on the deceptively-simple white silk dress earlier that day.
Jared slid into the limo beside her, pulling the door shut.
Acutely conscious of his nearness, she leaned back against the seat, trying to find a light note. “You raced me out of there like the devil was on our heels.”
“Not far from it,” he said with a grin, leaning back himself. “You haven’t met my Aunt Millie and her husband. If we’d have walked down the aisle, she’d have cornered us and taken half an hour to offer congratulations.”
“Aren’t they coming to the reception?” she asked, her heart rate settling.
“Yes,” Jared acknowledged with a comical grimace. “But this way the guests won’t have to wait while we talk with them.”
“It’s a good thing we took the pictures before the ceremony,” Kelsey commented, smiling.
“Forethought,” he said, tapping his temple.
“You mean, we broke with wedding tradition and let the groom see the bride before the wedding just so your Aunt Millie couldn’t corner us afterwards?”
“Yep,” Jared said, taking her hand in his. “It takes strategy to know how best to deal with my family.”
Kelsey looked at their intertwined hands, his darker than hers, wondering at how natural his affectionate gesture seemed despite the fact that there was no one looking on.