Page 11 of True Stars Collide

She placed one hand on his muscular thigh, smiling to herself when his muscles tensed beneath her fingers. Not so indifferent to her touch after all.

He placed one hand over hers and squeezed.

The officiant smiled at them. “Lula here will be your official witness. So, without further ado, we are gathered here today…”

His words filtered in and out of her consciousness, again like a dream. But then he said her name and she focused.

“Do you, Zoe, take Liam to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

Her heart galloped in her chest. Death? It’s all a performance. Use your training, girl.

She turned and met Liam’s shadowed emerald eyes. “I do.”

He sucked in a sharp inhale and his fingers tightened over hers.

The officiant repeated the vows to Liam, who gazed into her eyes and said, “I do.”

“Wonderful. You may kiss the bride.” The old guy clapped his hands.

Liam slanted his mouth against hers. She melted into him and her lips parted, deepening the kiss. Sparks danced along her skin and heat bloomed in her belly. No question their chemistry was real.

The officiant cleared his throat. Loudly. “Congratulations. We’ll be right back with your certificate. Go ahead and exchange your wedding rings. Hold tight.”

He hurried back into the small building, their witness trotting along by his side.

Liam reached for the bag containing their rings. He turned toward her with the small velvet box. “Give me your left hand.”

She swallowed and complied, despite her unsteady hands. He slid the ring onto her finger, and it snapped in place with the finality of a key turning in a lock. The coolness of the platinum band against her over-heated skin and the weight of the J.Lo worthy stone somehow rendered the entire situation even more real.

Time to break the tension. She waved her hand under the overhead track lights of the limo, the sparks blinding in the dim light of the interior. “I’m not sure if the diamond’s big enough, can’t believe you skimped.”

Liam’s lips twitched. “We Brits aren’t like you Americans with the giant diamonds. I mean, who would’ve thought ten carats wouldn’t satisfy you? Besides, your hands are tiny.”

“No excuses. And your turn.” She pulled his ring out of the other jewelry box. Also platinum, it had a meteorite black stripe through the middle. “Yours is very rock and roll. It will compliment your skull ring.”

When he reached for it, she shook her head. “No, my turn.”

He extended his powerful artistic hand, and she slid the ring in place. Just like her own, it fit like it had been custom made. Without releasing his fingers, she lifted her gaze to his.

His eyes were hooded, his jaw tight. For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Tension thickened the air, and everything intensified. The intimacy of the moment was overwhelming, and words failed her.

He cleared his throat, then pulled away. “Another drink?”

Suddenly exhausted, she shook her head. “I feel pickled straight through from this day. A bottle of water would be great, though. Do we have any?”

“Good call. Water it is. I’m ready to be back in the hotel and go to bed.”

His words hung in the air.

“Not together. We’ve got our own rooms. And this marriage is on paper and in public but is not real behind closed doors.” He headed to the other end of the limo and fetched them two bottles of water.

“Of course. The honeymoon suite will be our safe zone.”

The officiant chose that moment to appear and offered her the certificate. “Okay, congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. May you have a long and happy life together. Good night.”

“Thanks and good night.” She stared down at the certificate showing both of their names and the words “holy matrimony.”

“It’s done. Let’s get back.” And with that romantic comment, Liam reclined against the smooth leather seat and closed his eyes.

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