Dax (Arizona Vengeance 4)

When that’s finished, she asks, “Do you two have personalized vows written?”

Regan quietly replies, “No. The standard ones are fine.”

If Anita feels anything is remiss—as in she has a couple who is unusually subdued on this happy occasion—she doesn’t let on. In fact, we are treated with nothing but cheery optimism and happiness from the woman.

“Well, let’s stand,” she says as she pulls a sheet of paper from another folder.

We all rise from our seats. Without any thought to whether it’s the right thing or not, I reach out and take Regan’s hand in mine. It forces her to shuffle two steps closer to me, and I grip it tight. I can feel the clammy sweat of her palm mixing with mine, and I note she doesn’t squeeze me back.

“Will there be a ring exchange?” Anita asks.

“No,” I say, and I can’t help but look at Regan. She turns her head, and I’m given an encouraging smile in return. I can tell it feels wrong to her as well, but she’s still committed to this.

Anita doesn’t seem fazed by the lack of rings, and maybe it’s not all that traditional with this type of marriage. Who knows, but there’s no time to ponder.

Anita begins by addressing me. “Calvin—”

A moment of panic hits as I realize I’m binding myself to a woman for all eternity. At least in the traditional sense of why we do marriages, but then that’s immediately quelled when I feel Regan finally give my hand a squeeze.

“Dax,” I correct Anita. “I go by Dax.”

“Sure,” she replies with a tinkling laugh. “Dax… do you take Regan to be your wife?”

“I do,” I say, my words coming out strong and sure.

Because I am sure.

“Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others forevermore?”

Fuck, that’s a commitment, but there’s nothing in there that dissuades me. The word “love” should, but not really. I do love her.

Like a sister, of course.

“I do.” And then I give a slight squeeze to Regan’s hand, but I get nothing back this time.

Anita turns a bright smile to my soon-to-be wife. “Regan… do you take Dax to be your husband?”

“Yes,” she replies quietly, but there’s no hesitation. I turn to her again, finding her eyes pinned solemnly on the paper Anita is holding.

“And do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others forevermore?”

“Yes,” she replies. For some reason, a rush of something warm and comforting sweeps through me. Regan angles her face to me. For a moment, we just stare at each other. In the quiet, the enormity of what we’re doing seems both oppressive and welcoming at the same time.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Anita announces proudly, and we both turn to her. “You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Monahan.”

A bolt of what feels like pure electricity slams into me as I never once thought about there being a kiss at the end of these vows. I had considered whether to buy a ring, but ruled it out as unnecessary. I never once thought about there being a proclamation I was to finalize this contract with a kiss.

I turn my entire body to Regan, a question in my eyes. She stares with a look of utter confusion. I can feel the expectancy and excitement bubbling off Anita as she happily waits for the best part of any wedding ceremony.

Yes, this marriage is fake, but fuck if I want Anita to really understand that. We’re getting married so Regan can have insurance, and I’m fairly sure that’s no less fraudulent than marrying someone from another country so they can get residency here. And I definitely don’t want any of this to blow back on Regan in a negative fashion. I have money and clout, and I could withstand the scrutiny and potential legal ramifications. It would not be fair for her to do so, so I make a command decision.

Putting my hands on Regan’s shoulders, I pull her toward me. Those green eyes of hers flare wide as she realizes what I’m going to do, but there’s no hesitancy within her posture. Her body is supple and yielding. She lets me pull her in as I bend my head. Lightly but with feeling, I brush my lips over hers.

“Oh, now,” Anita scoffs loudly, and we both twist to see her. “Don’t be shy. This is a momentous occasion. The kiss to seal your vows is everything in a marriage. Now go on, Dax… give your woman a kiss that says this is the happiest moment of your life.”

Jesus fuck.

Regan starts to pull away from me, but I’m not about to make any type of scene. Besides… can’t say the idea of kissing Regan is a turn off. On the contrary, I’ve given way too many of my thoughts over to the notion of what it would be like the last few days since she reentered my life.