Momentary Marriage (17 page)

Jared kept surprising her, like when he announced his intention of helping her move the small stuff from her apartment to his. The man certainly didn’t act like a millionaire.

He hefted her heaviest box with a mere rippling of muscle. The sight almost made her wish the professional moving men weren’t handling the few pieces of furniture. Watching Jared move was more engrossing than a night at the theater.

Dumping more books into a box, along with her bills and blank checks, she acknowledged that the man actually seemed interested in her family. In her. When they’d first agreed to this marriage, she hadn’t envisioned them sharing personal information. In desperation to right her wrongs against Amy and Doug, she’d bartered a year of much-anticipated, but not yet experienced, mind-blowing sex for his willingness to play her love-struck husband.

But for some reason, she hadn’t thought about spending quiet moments together. Hadn’t really considered the hundred daily intimacies they’d share.

Heck, Jared had even seemed tolerant of her admittedly different mother, something Kelsey’s previous male companions hadn’t managed. One boyfriend had even called Chloe a parasite. But Jared, while surprisingly understanding about the difficulties she and her sister had encountered as children, seemed to accept her mother as the mixed blessing she was. He was altogether an unusual man.

Kelsey felt drawn to him. Of course, she’d always thought he was a decent man, despite his teasing comments and gloves-off business style. Otherwise, she’d never have accepted his proposal, regardless of how urgent her need to make things right for her sister. But closer contact had revealed him to be strong and sensible as well as considerate and thoughtful.

More dangerous because of all that. He made her want to trust him. She couldn’t let herself fall for him, though.

There was no denying that his presence made her heart beat faster, his touch sending it into supersonic speed. She’d never been indifferent to him, not since she’d first met him.

Being with him left her itchy and breathless, like taking the first puff of a cigarette when your body craved more. Jared was like that. He packed a punch that could be addictive. She’d just have to be sure she didn’t inhale.

If he could warm her just by threatening to break her father’s face, make her feel so cherished with a simple hug, how much more of…everything would she feel when she lie in his arms?

*
**

“…then he grabbed me and kissed me!” Amy exclaimed, her face lit up with excitement.

“Wow.” Kelsey sat back in her desk chair, thrilled that her sister’s dreams were coming true. When Amy had swept into her office, minutes ago, carefully shutting the door behind her, Kelsey hadn’t known what to expect.

Now, Amy paced the small section of clear floor, dodging a chair and several stacks of files. “We ended up making love for an hour! It was beautiful and incredible. He’s the most wonderful man alive!”

“You and Doug…?” Kelsey stared at her sister in bemused fascination. “You actually did the nasty? Right then?”

“Uh huh,” her sister said, giggling. “You wouldn’t believe how…inventive he is.”

Kelsey threw up a hand. “No details, please! Not yet. I’m still getting used to the thought of the two of you as a couple. Later, we can exchange sisterly confidences when I’ve adjusted.”

“Take your time,” Amy told her smugly. “The hot romance of Amy and Doug has just begun.”

Reaching out, Kelsey grabbed her sister, bringing her exuberant pacing to a halt. “Amy, you don’t have any doubt that he’s the right man for you?”

“None,” Amy said firmly. “I love him and I know he loves me.

“Good,” Kelsey replied as she hugged her, feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. “Then everything is all right.”

“For you, too!” Amy exclaimed, resuming her buoyant progress around the small room. “You’re getting married to the man of your dreams tomorrow and the man of my dreams is finally getting a clue. We’re both gonna be so happy!”

“Yes,” Kelsey confirmed, ignoring the flutters in her midsection. “We’re going to be very happy.”

CHAPTER TEN

Kelsey stood at the altar, heart racing, her hand in Jared’s. The minister read from a small book, his face serious.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Jared and Kelsey….”

The man’s words faded and ran together. She was conscious of the oddity, standing here where she’d seen her mother so many times. Only this time it was her wedding, her groom standing darkly confident beside her.

Behind them sat a chapel full of friends and co-workers. Chloe sat sobbing quietly in the second pew. Somewhere in the church, she’d seen Doug sitting next to Amy.

All the times she’d watched her mother participate in this same ceremony hadn’t prepared Kelsey for her own. Regardless of the reality that few marriages amounted to little more than side-trips, it still felt monumental, life-changing. She hadn’t expected the moment to feel so meaningful.

She’d walked down the aisle alone over Amy and Jared’s protests. He’d actually wanted her to contact her father to do the job, which was at odds with Jared’s own professed desire to rough the man up.

Tom Barrett, Jared’s father, had offered to escort her down the aisle, sweet man that he was. But she’d gently declined. She was entering into this thing with her eyes open, and though she was woman enough to enjoy the spectacle of a modern wedding, she didn’t feel the need of borrowed fatherly support. Until she’d heard the bridal march and every eye in the church turned in her direction. That had been different, certainly more daunting than she’d expected.

Walking down the flower-bedecked aisle, she’d pushed aside the unusual moment of self-consciousness and focused on Jared, standing tall and relaxed as he waited for her.

Handsome in his black tuxedo, he’d seemed completely calm when he took her hand. His touch had a settling effect on her, calming the jitters somewhat.

As the minister droned on, stressing the significance of marriage, Kelsey’s thoughts were drawn to Jared. He’d stepped forward into the breach just when she needed him, as fascinating and sexy a groom as she could have hoped for.

The minister read from his book, quoting Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s, “How Do I Love Thee?”

Kelsey felt the words roll over her, sweet and full of idealism. When they’d met with the reverend, he’d explained the order of service, how he’d start with opening remarks, read some sort of poetry and then move to the question of intent.

This part, he’d said, was a public statement, a promise of commitment to each other in front of witnesses. The vows that came later would be their promises to each other.

“Kelsey,” the minister said, “will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him….”

Listening to the familiar words, Kelsey couldn’t help wondering if her mother knew them by heart…couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to be able to really believe in them.

When the preacher stopped speaking, she said, “I will.”

Her voice sounded uneven to her own ears and Kelsey was relieved when the man turned to Jared.

“…comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her….”

“I will,” Jared said, his words deep and calm.

“These promises you make to the community,” the pastor said, “and they are important, but most significant are your vows to each other.”

The jewel-toned stained glass window behind the man glowed.

“Repeat after me,” the reverend intoned, looking at Kelsey.

She turned to face Jared, an echo of the official’s words coming off her tongue with surprising ease.

“I, Kelsey Alden Layton, take you, Jared Michael Barrett…to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward…for better for worse, for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Her words seemed to echo in her head, surprising her with their strength. In all her anticipation of this moment, she’d never expected to be moved by it, never thought her own promises would draw forth such a wave of longing.

She then put on the wedding band Jared had insisted on wearing, his hand strong and warm as she slid the circle of silver over his knuckle.

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.

“You’re exaggerating,” she scoffed, very aware of his long fingers tangled with hers. They were alone and not headed to bed, yet his most casual touch made her breath come unevenly.