Page 27 of Crashing the Altar
“I’m sure I can manage.” It took effort to keep my tone light and breezy with his claiming touch on me.
“Any requests?” His hot breath fanned my face with every word, and my thighs pressed together at his husky tone, low enough that only I could hear.
“Nothing too fancy. I’ll have to take it off when I work, so I don’t want to feel guilty about not wearing it much.”
He hummed in understanding, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot below my ear. “Be back soon.”
A rush of cool air followed his departure, and I shivered, hugging my waist. The saleswoman was still waiting patiently for me to join her, so I stepped forward, offering my apologies for keeping her waiting. “Sorry about that.”
Her eyes shifted over my shoulder before returning to meet mine. “It’s no trouble at all. You two been together long?”
The love I felt for Tripp filled my chest like a balloon. “Our whole lives.”
A soft smile curved on her lips. “Let’s find you something special for your big day, then, shall we?”
We briefly discussed my preferred style, and she gathered a few options before ushering me toward a dressing room. Before closing the curtain, she asked, “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
The memory of Tripp’s hands on me earlier sparked inspiration.
“Got any lingerie for sale?”
Chapter 7
Tripp
Icouldn’tremembermuchof the drive from Wichita to the tiny border town in Colorado where Penny had found us a chapel that performed same-day marriages.
It took breaking every speed limit posted in our attempt to get there before they closed for the day, and even so, we burst through the front door with only minutes to spare.
We knew there was a chance they might turn us away. Their website clearly stated that their final ceremony of the day took place thirty minutes prior to closing. But the receptionist took one look at us—slightly disheveled and breathing heavily from our mad dash across the parking lot—and decided to make an exception.
It probably had more to do with the offer to triple their normal rate in cash, but I’d like to think she was a romantic at heart and couldn’t bear the injustice of making us wait even one more day to be legally wed.
The next few minutes passed by in a haze. I vaguely remember being led to the altar before Penny walked down the aisle toward me and stole mybreath away. The service being recited by the minister fell on deaf ears as I got lost in her emerald eyes and the feel of her hands held in mine.
But I sure as hell snapped to attention when he uttered the six most beautiful words strung together in the English language.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
I was still waiting to wake up. Because the vision set before me—my best friend in a new wedding dress with her face scrubbed clean of makeup andmyring on her finger—couldn’t be real.
The most beautiful girl in the world beamed up at me, her cheeks flushing pink when all I could do was stare at her in disbelief.
A single palm skimmed up my chest, coming to rest over my racing heart.
“Tripp?”
My name, uttered softly by that angelic voice, had my lungs filling with air, and I finally took action.
One of my hands tangled in her wild curls that looked like she’d spent hours riding on horseback when, in reality, were the result of my crazy girl’s insistence on leaving the windows down as we drove. Its partner found its way to cradling her face, holding it steady as I lowered my head until my mouth was barely a breath away from hers.
“Tell me I’m not dreaming.” My eyes slid shut as I stroked her soft cheek.
I felt her lips lift into a smile. “Want me to pinch you to double-check?”
A chuckle vibrated my chest. “No need. You being a smartass is enough to confirm I’m very much awake.”
“Happy to help, husband.”
