The ceremony began and Tate concentrated on that, not letting himself think about more than putting on a show. The vows seemed to be said by someone else, the wedding rings exchanged by another couple. He wouldn’t let himself become sentimental. This was how it would be with any other woman.
Soon it was time to kiss the bride, and that’s when Tate felt something inside him stumble. He’d missed kissing her.
He managed to look deep into her eyes, fully aware everyone would think the stare meant love. Only Gemma would see what he was truly saying.
Kiss like we mean it.
He dipped his head and placed his lips against hers. They were cool, and he could deal with that. He wanted cool between them. This show wasn’t the place for passion. This was about sealing their vows with a kiss.
And then her lips quivered slightly, and without warning his mouth took on a life of its own. Her lips parted, her taste burst into his mouth.
A loud noise broke them apart, but it was reluctant on both sides. He caught the same sense of shock he felt reflected in Gemma’s eyes before he turned to see that Nathan had dropped his toy car on the parquet floor.
“I think your little boy wants the attention now,” the female celebrant said, and everyone laughed.
The ceremony was over.
“Yes, he’s a natural,” Tate agreed, glad to ignore how the softness of Gemma’s lips had clung to his.
For show?
He didn’t think so, he told himself, not happy about his part in that kiss either—nor the aftereffects of it. He’d thought he was immune to her. Now he knew he wasn’t. How easily he could succumb to her charms again. He’d just have to make sure her lips weren’t beneath his too often, if at all. Today was the exception.#p#分页标题#e#
“You’d better get used to the interruptions,” an uncle said, approaching them with his wife at his side. Then the older man chuckled. “Look, Gemma’s blushing already.”
Tate saw pink tingeing her cheeks. “My blushing bride,” he teased for the benefit of the others as he slipped her arm through his.
The official photographer took a couple of pictures, then others came up to wish them well, and somehow he and Gemma were separated. Frankly, he was surprised so many guests could come at such short notice. On the other hand, everyone liked good gossip, he thought with a touch of cynicism as he glanced through the French doors leading out to the terrace.
The extensive lawn had a large tent set up with tables and chairs as well as a dance floor. The landscaped gardens flowed down to a man-made lake. They’d decided not to have a formal wedding feast, merely the ceremony and as few speeches as possible, but plenty of food and drink and dancing if anyone was inclined.
His mother caught up with him, now minus her grandson. “Where’s Nathan?” he asked.
“Bree’s showing him off.”
He smiled as he caught sight of his younger sister getting Nathan to clap hands for a few of the guests.
“That was a really lovely ceremony, darling.”
He dragged his focus back to his mother, and the trace of hardness he always felt for her returned. “Yes, it was very convincing.”
Her eyes flickered, noting the change in him, but she ignored it. “I do so wish Gemma’s parents could have been here. It would have been nice if her father had walked her down the aisle.”
“She was adamant about not interrupting their Mediterranean cruise.”
“Hmm,” his mother said, a frown creasing her forehead. “Something’s not quite right there.”
He agreed with his mother’s assumption, but he had too much on his mind to worry about something that didn’t concern him. “That’s what Gemma wanted, so we respected that. It’s none of our business.”
Darlene sighed. “What a pity Drake couldn’t make it either.”
Tate stiffened. “Yes,” he lied.
He hadn’t called his best friend until a few days ago. He’d intended to point out it was best the other man didn’t come to the wedding, but before he could say the words, Drake had wished him well and told him he couldn’t get away. Tate knew that was just Drake’s way of being a good friend, but it had been a relief.
“He’s in Japan, you said,” his mother continued as Gemma joined them.
“Drake’s in the middle of trade negotiations.” He felt Gemma freeze.
Tate wanted the subject changed.
Now.
“Still, he’s your best friend. He should have been here.”
Tate forced a smile for his new bride as he again slipped her arm through his. He wished his mother would shut the hell up. “Everything looks great, don’t you think, Gemma?”