Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
My heart raced and a rush of something that felt dangerously like possessiveness made my hands grip hers more tightly. Irritated with myself, I released my hold ever so slightly, so she’d think it was just a reassuring squeeze.
The registrar focused on me again and asked me to repeat his words.
I cleared my throat once he was done, hoping I remembered it correctly. “I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I, Murray Ruairidh Shaw, do take thee, London Olivia Wetherspoon, to be my lawful wedded wife.”
The witnesses were provided by the registrar. I’d wanted to tell Tierney and Ramsay the truth so they could bear witness at the ceremony, therefore cementing the lie and making it more believable. But London had vehemently disagreed with the suggestion. She felt Tierney would talk her out of it.
It was London’s turn for her fingers to flex nervously in mine. I could feel her palms had grown clammy too, betraying her nervousness, despite her placid expression. Her melodic, accented voice tugged at my gut in a way that reinforced how difficult these coming weeks were going to be for me. “I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I, London Olivia Wetherspoon, do take thee, Murray Ruairidh Shaw, to be my lawful wedded husband.”
Husband.
I was a husband again.
Fear pricked through all the other emotions, but I stuffed it down, refusing to believe I could be foolish enough to choose another woman as dangerous as Jill.
London had confirmed yesterday my suspicions about her past; I’d recognized certain quirks within her demeanor over the past eighteen months. While she hadn’t wanted to go into the details of the abuse, I knew there was no way she was lying about her ex. No one could fake her reactions, specifically the one she’d had on Main Street when he’d called to threaten her.
My feelings didn’t matter in the face of that.
London would feel nothing but safe in my home. Even from me and my attraction.
Suddenly, the registrar was presenting our rings. Yesterday afternoon, I’d gone into Mrs. Gilchrist’s antiques store after discussing it with London. We got our ring sizes using a tool online. We might as well plant the rumors first, and I knew Mrs. Gilchrist wouldn’t be able to resist telling someone that Murray Shaw bought two vintage gold wedding bands from her. Luckily, she had two bands in her collection that fit us both.
Later I would find an engagement ring that was perfect for London. Just to keep up the pretense, of course.
I smirked to myself as I took the smaller band and slid it onto London’s ring finger. The antiques store owner had been filled with a million questions, growing visibly more agitated as I smiled coyly at her, refusing to answer.
She’d find out soon enough who the rings were for.
London’s hand shook a little as she picked up the larger band to slide on to my ring finger. A spark of unease crackled to life as she had to force it over my big knuckle until it slipped into place. Jill had had the same trouble when we got married. I’d made some joke about my too big hands. She’d laughed and murmured against my mouth as we’d kissed that she was looking forward to my big hands being all over her body that night.
It seemed unreal that the woman I married that day turned out to be someone I didn’t even recognize.
London isn’t Jill.
This isn’t a real marriage.
London must have seen something on my face because she frowned in concern. I wiped my expression clean as the registrar raised his voice and announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Shaw.”
I froze, somehow having forgotten that part of the ceremony.
Fuck, I couldn’t take a kiss from London without her permission. Not after she’d—
My thoughts were cut off as London grabbed hold of my lapels to pull me down into her kiss. I grunted with surprise, my hands reaching tentatively for her, caught between not wanting to give us away and not wanting to overstep my boundaries. I settled on resting them lightly on her waist, her heat seeping through the fabric of her dress as she moved her lips against mine.
Just like that I was overwhelmed by the lightly floral scent of her perfume, by the faint taste of something fruity on her soft lips. As need began to build in my gut, it took a whole lot of willpower not to kiss her like I wanted to, thoroughly and deeply. Instead I kept it PG, brushing my mouth over hers in gentle strokes. She shivered against me and I bit back a groan, abruptly breaking the kiss.
London’s cheeks were slightly flushed, a hazy look in her eyes that made me want to find the nearest bed.