Page 54 of Big Bad Wolfe

“No?” A dark, glossy brow arched. “Excellent facsimile, then.”

Zane’s unexpected smart-assed mode teased a smile from her. “I … I’m mad at myself.”

“What for?”

“Because Mia and I talked you into this insane plan, and...”

The wry brow notched higher. “You honestly think either of you could shanghai me into doing anything I don’t want to?”

Jillian assessed the determined warrior in front of her. No white knight here … but dark and haunted by shadows.

She’d already talked him into staying and taking responsibility for Casey. Then, yes, shanghaied him into marriage. She swallowed again. “I … I’m afraid, and mad—not at you, atmyself—because I have no idea if this crazy fake marriage will even work, or if it’ll backfire on us—and Casey.”

And because I’m horribly afraid I now want something I can’t have.

He stepped closer, until he was only inches away. “This isn’t a fake marriage.” His voice deepened. “You are my wife. And I protect what’s mine. Iwillprotect you and Casey. Until my final breath.”

Tears resurged, flooding her eyes.

“Don’t cry. For Christ’s sake don’t cry.” Zane reached inside his jacket and withdrew a slim, hinged rectangular blue leather box. “Here. I bought you something.”

Jillian blinked. “You got me a present?”

“I believe it’s customary for the groom to give the bride a gift.”

“But … I didn’t get you anything.”

“Damn. Well, in that case—” He gave her a teasing smile, cocked his arm. “I suppose proper wedding etiquette says I should toss it over the cliff.”

“Beast. Don’t you dare!” She snatched the box from his hand, stared wonderingly at it. “You bought me a present. Thank you.”

He chuckled. “The present is actuallyinsidethe box.”

“Ha, ha.” Then all the oxygen evaporated from her lungs as she opened the lid and moonbeams played over the long double strand of exquisite pearls. “Oh!Oh, how did you know I love pearls?”

“I didn’t.”

Trembling, she bit into her lip until it stung. “Why did you do this? Is it to keep up appearances?”

Zane lifted the pearls and draped the smooth opalescent orbs around her neck. “I saw them in the jewelry store where we got our rings and they made me think of you. They’re not sharp and cold, like other gemstones. They’re warm, and natural, and vibrantly alive. They glow like your skin in the moonlight.”

One callused fingertip traced her skin below the line of pearls around her neck and down her collarbone, to where the strands caressed the bare skin just above her breasts. A shiver raced up her spine and her heart fluttered beneath his touch. “Jillian, I bought them for you because I wanted to. I married you because I wanted to. And damn me to hell—” He inhaled shakily. “I’m going to kiss you right now because I want to.”

He tugged the pearls, pulling her to him, and his mouth took hers, hot and fierce and demanding.

For a fleeting heartbeat of precious seconds, everything clicked into place.

Perfection.

One of Zane’s hands tangled in her hair, the other gripped her waist as he deepened the kiss, staking his claim. He devoured her voraciously, recklessly, a man starving for sustenance only she could give.

The world began to whirl in a giddy maelstrom of emotion and sensation, the stars spinning around them in white, sizzling sparks. Jillian banded her arms around his neck, her senses sizzling with the same brilliant glow. She’d never felt this spiritual bond with anyone else. Only Zane.

How was it possible that kissing him fused them together not only in body, but also in mind, and in heart?

How was it possible that the one man in the universe who was all wrong for her might actually be theonlyman in the universe who was right for her?

She was tired of waiting for some elusive white knight. Tired of always playing it safe.

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