Page 56 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

An hour later the vicar pronounced us man and wife. Rachel clapped in delight, while Dan, who had been pressganged into being our second witness, beamed brightly.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

Matt and I stared at each other. I was shocked at the wedding band in the place of my engagement ring and Matt just kept that intense gaze of his on my face. I looked down at my hand and when I raised my head Matt swooped in, catching my mouth in a soul shattering kiss that robbed me of air and went on for ages. Until the vicar delicately cleared his throat. I think it was due to Matt’s wandering hands and my muffled whimpers of lust.

“Hello, wife,” Matt said in a husky tone, his face resonated with joy and I felt my thoroughly kissed lips widen into a smile.

I was a wife. I washiswife.

“Hi, husband,” I giggled at that, giggled like a silly schoolgirl. Oh the shame. I needed to stop giggling at once. I was a married woman now. More giggles escaped.

Matt laughed and swept me up in his arms before spinning me around. I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted kisses all over his face. He stopped spinning and I grinned at him, hands cupping his cheeks.

“We’re married.” I said in disbelief.

“Yes, Mrs Bradley, we’re married.”

“DuMont-Bradley.” Came my reminder.

“Congratulations, Mr Bradley.” Rachel drew nearer and the flash of her smart phone startled me. Matt frowned at her and she averted her eyes before saying with slight defiance, “For posterity.” Then she snapped a few more as Matt and I got lost in another kiss.

“I can’t believe we eloped.” I exclaimed when Matt lowered me tothe ground. He kept his arms around my waist, resting his forehead against mine and bestowing one of his killer smiles on me.

“It was your idea,” he teased. “And I must say it’s the best idea you’ve had to date.”

I tried to scowl at him but my mouth wouldn’t obey. Instead I grinned and kissed him. “What do we do now, Matt?” I asked excitedly.

His smile slowly disappeared to be replaced by a look of such open longing that I felt my face heat up rapidly. “Blushing?” he murmured with naughty thoughts simmering in his eyes.

“Ah, no. Shall we go to the Magna Carta Memorial now? That was the original plan after all and it’s not even midday as yet.”

Matt stepped back, keeping one arm around my waist as he beckoned to Rachel. She came closer, her previous excitement was immediately replaced with a professional air. “Rachel, please contact my family members and notify them their presence is requested at my Kensington home. Don’t reveal the reason why, but tell them to arrive,” Matt tilted his head at me. “Let’s say around six-ish?” I just nodded in agreement. He turned back to Rachel. “And call George, tell him to have my chef prepare dinner for us all.”

“Yes, Mr Bradley. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Matt glanced at me again and I shrugged. Why was he looking at me? I was still trying to process being married. Oh my God.

“Crap.” I said, smacking my hand against my forehead. I really wanted to use a stronger word but there was the church issue to bear in mind.

“What’s wrong, poppet?”

“People aren’t going to think this is a shotgun wedding, are they? Because I am not having that.”

Rachel laughed then immediately covered her mouth with one hand while her eyes jumped frantically from me to Matt. “I’m so sorry, Mrs Bradley! I didn-”

“It’s fine.” I tried not to look stun. Mrs Bradley. Matt’s mom was going to kill me. Correction, Mrs DuMont-Bradley, I hadn’t given up my maiden name. I was still me, right? Just someone’s wife now, but still me. Rachel was still stressing and I elbowed Matt lightly. He drew his attention away from my lips and waved a dismissive handthrough the air.

“My wife says the strangest things, Rachel. Don’t worry about it.” Then he stopped and squeezed my hip, a pleased smile tickled the edges of his mouth as he murmured softly, “My wife. I have a wife.”

Matt turned me into his arms and all I heard before my lips got ravished was a very meek, “I’ll go make those calls at once, Mr Bradley.” from Rachel as she clicked clacked away in her heels.

“We’re married.” Was that pure excitement in his voice?

I nodded. “Yep, we got hitched. You’re my ball and chain, my old man,”

He tapped my butt lightly at the old man comment then stroked my cheek right before he pulled me flush up against his body. “Forget the memorial. I’m taking you home. Bloody hell, poppet! We’re married!”

The New Year had taken a good turn.

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