Only Christmas

“What is taking so long? You have someone at the front door?”

“We can’t stop her if she tries to make a run for it.” I yank the tie off and toss it away. It’s not important right now.

“She look like she wants to make a run for it?”

“Not that I know of, but you’re the one who sent up a spa team. I’m guessing that shit takes time. Women take forever to get ready. I think.”

“I’ve waited long enough,” I declare before going to find my bride. I want this done. My mother is already blowing up my phone wondering when I’ll be arriving. She apparently has a giant party planned for tonight. I actually don’t think it will be so unbearable with Aspen on my arm.

“Waited long enough? You haven't even known the woman for twenty-four hours,” Marco grumbles behind me but follows me still. I knock on the master bedroom door but don’t wait for a response before I open it. It is, after all, not only my room but my hotel.

Aspen spins around to face me. The photographer continues snapping pictures of her every move. She’s in a long, flowy white dress, looking every bit of the angel that I thought she was from the moment I found her in my bed.

“You’re breathtaking.” I clear the space between us. She parts her pink lips to say something, but no words come out. “Let's get on with it,” I say before she says something that I won’t like. Such as she’s not doing this.

“Are you sure?” she manages to say as I pull her from the room, not giving any notice to the women who were helping her get ready. She’s all I can see at the moment. “This is kind of crazy.”

“You’re not changing your mind,” I tell her as we enter the main living room area where the judge is waiting. I had to call in a few favors for this one, but Judge Adams and his wife are going to ring in the new year on a tropical island at one of my newest resorts.

“I didn’t say that I was. I was making sure you weren’t changing your mind.” She gives me a soft smile that hits me in the center of my chest. The hell is she doing to me?

“Why would I do such a thing?” Aspen peeks around at the other people in the room. I know everyone is staring at us.

She leans in close. “This is a bit crazy.”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve been told what I was doing was crazy. I didn’t listen then, and it got me to where I am today. I trust my gut.”

“And it’s telling you to marry me?”

“Demanding it.” As are other parts of me, but I keep that to myself.

“I have so many questions still.”

“We’ll have all the time in the world for that. After we’re married. Now begin,” I order the judge before Aspen can try to ask any questions. I’m not giving her any reason to run if she doesn’t care for any of my answers.

“Dearly beloved—”

“Short version,” I cut in.

Judge Adams gives me an irritated look. I give him one right back, and he continues on. Aspen lets out a small gasp when I say my vows and slip a ring onto her finger. The pear-shaped diamond is simple but large enough that no one will ever miss it.

Her hand trembles as she takes the ring from Marco. She says her vows next then slips the cool metal ring onto my finger that binds me to her forever. An unexpected sense of relief fills me once it’s in its place. I’ve never given marriage much of a thought, especially with how my mother treats it. But I rather enjoy seeing my mark on her hand. She’s mine.

“You may kiss your bride.”

Something primal rises inside me when the judge says those words. I claim Aspen’s mouth, making it clear to her how our marriage will be. She’s mine, and there is no going back.

Ever.

10

Aspen

No sooner does the kiss end than Hunter has me signing on the dotted line before he’s shoving everyone out the door of the hotel suite. The photographer tries to snap a few more quick pictures, but Hunter isn’t really having it. I don’t understand why he called for her to come if he’s not going to let her do her job. He almost seems a bit out of sorts.

I stand there, not sure what I’m supposed to do next. We didn’t talk about any details. This is clearly one of those arranged marriages, which I didn’t think was still a thing. At least not in my world.

“I’ve never had sex,” I blurt out as the door closes behind the last person. I swear I’m going to glue my mouth shut soon so I don’t keep saying these things out loud.