Claiming His Wedding Night

He shivered. ‘Out of control. Scared.’

She bit her lip. ‘Why were you scared?’

He clenched his teeth. ‘Because I cared. About you. Only I didn’t know how to deal with those feelings. When you got so upset it hurt to see you like that and I just wanted to get away. I didn’t think you would leave—’

‘I didn’t think there was any point in staying,’ she said flatly. ‘I thought you didn’t love me.’

His eyes met hers. ‘I can see why you would think that.’ Looking away, he ran a hand over his face. ‘I grew up not knowing what love was. I didn’t understand how to love someone or be loved. I didn’t have relationships. I had sex. And sex was just a way of feeling things without actually having to care.’

His voice cracked.

‘When I met you that changed. I started to see the world differently. But it was still all so new, and I found it hard.’ He shook his head. ‘I should have come after you.’

There was a lump in her throat. ‘I was to blame too.’ She bit her lip. ‘I should have stayed and fought for our marriage.’

He breathed out slowly. ‘Upstairs, you said you loved me and that you wanted to try again. Was that true?’

Hesitating, she stared at him in silence. But she knew the truth was written all over her face anyway. ‘Yes. But I won’t be your mistress, Malachi.’

He shook his head, his eyes damp, his face pale and strained. ‘I don’t want you to be my mistress.’ Reaching out, he gently took hold of her hands in his. ‘But I do want you to forgive me for blackmailing you. And treating you so badly.’

His hands tightened around hers.

‘I’m so sorry, Addie. I know I don’t deserve you, and I should have let you go tonight. Let you find someone kinder and better than me. But I can’t. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t allow you to leave because I love you. And my life is nothing without you.’

Breathing out unsteadily, she looked down at his hands. ‘Does that mean you’re not going to sue me?’ she said softly.

He shook his head. ‘It wasn’t a binding contract.’

She smiled weakly and then pulled away slightly.

‘What about divorcing me?’

She felt her heart tumble over as he shook his head.

‘Absolutely not.’ Gently, he pulled her towards him. ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easily. You’re my wife, and as soon as we get out of here I’m telling the entire world.’

She looked up at him, her mouth trembling. ‘I don’t know, Malachi. It all sounds perfect in here. But we can’t stay in a lift for the rest of our lives.’

He grinned. ‘It’s tempting, but—trust me, sweetheart. I can make this work.’ He frowned. ‘Which is more than can be said for this lift...’

Her eyes narrowed. ‘You broke the lift?’

He nodded. ‘It would appear so. See that flashing light—that means it’s locked.’

‘Locked!’

He gave a helpless shrug. ‘I was a little distracted.’

‘So what happens next?’ she asked slowly.

His eyes dropped to her mouth. ‘We have to wait. Just for a couple of hours.’

She lifted an eyebrow. ‘I see. I suppose we’ll just have to think of a way to pass the time.’

His hands slid slowly round her waist. ‘Do you have any ideas?

‘Actually, I do.’ She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him gently on the lips.