Page 46 of The Run Option

“Wonderful! I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Augustus says while raising his eyebrows and grinning.

I meet Willow’s gaze. We didn’t talk about this part. Everything has moved so fast that somehow the part where we’d have to kiss slipped my mind. Not that I hadn’t imagined kissing her; I’d done that plenty. But this particular part of the ceremony hadn’t come up in conversation.

I open my mouth to say something–though I’m not sure what–but Willow cuts off my words by grabbing the collar of my shirt and pulling me down. She pushes up on her tiptoes and brushes her lips against mine, ever so softly. Her kiss is agonizingly chaste, akin to wisps of clouds and falling flower petals. Soft but gone much too soon. She pulls back before I can respond in kind, to pull her to me and give her a kiss she won’t forget.

“Congratulations!” Augustus cheers, but I can’t stop staring at Willow. She’s smiling, but it looks forced, or maybe nervous.

“That was so beautiful,” Soleil says from nearby. I glance at her. “I have just a few more photos I’d like to take of you two, then I’ll let you enjoy your wedding night.” She pulls her camera away from her face and winks.

“Thank you for officiating, Augustus,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as off as I feel.

“Of course. I’d say I hope to see you again, but that wouldn’t be good,” he chortles.

I smile as my stomach twists. “Maybe we’ll see you at a friend’s wedding,” I say and he nods.

“Yes, that I will hope for. Have a wonderful day, and I hope your marriage grows into a garden even more beautiful than the one we’re in.” He claps me on the shoulder before walking away.

“You two stand right there for a moment, I’m going to get a couple shots without Augustus under the arbor,” Soleil says before clicking away.

I grasp both of Willow’s hands again. “You kissed me,” I say, hopefully too quiet for Soleil to hear.

“You were standing there like a deer in headlights. I had to do something.”

“I didn’t want to kiss you without your permission,” I say and she blanches.

“Jase, I’m so sorry I didn’t think about that. I shouldn’t have–”

I cut her off by pulling her close and leaning down to her ear. “You never need permission to kiss me, Mrs. Kingsley.”

When I pull back, there’s a blush creeping up her neck that makes me smirk.

“Don’t expect the same sentiment to be returned,” she says, reverting to sass, likely to cover her reaction.

I chuckle. “I won’t. I’ll only kiss you if you ask me to.”

“That’s not going to happen,” she says quickly, too quickly.

“Says the woman who just forced me to kiss her.”

Her mouth drops. “I can’t stand you.”

“The ring on your finger says otherwise.” I run my thumb over her knuckles.

“It’s fake.”

“I can assure you the diamonds are very real.”

She swats my shoulder and I laugh.

“You know what I meant,” she says in a huff.

“Yes, I know,” I say, giving up my teasing as Soleil walks closer to us.

I release one of Willow’s hands to cup her cheek. She leans into my touch just barely, her eyes fluttering shut. Did she see Soleil getting closer too? Or is this her body saying things she wouldn’t dare?

I tamp down the rising desire within me. Not kissing her is an agony I’m likely going to have to get used to. But as I gaze down at her soft, full lips, I’m not sure I’m strong enough for this torture.

Chapter twenty-one

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