Page 31 of Whispers in the Dark
“Now, we will move on to the exchanging of rings.”
“Oh…” I shake my head. “We’re not…” My words die on the tip of my tongue as Mauro reaches into his pocket and pulls out two rings, holding them flat in his palm. “You got us rings?” I ask, stunned. When did he have time to do that? “I should have thought of that. I just didn’t think you’d…” I didn’t think he’d want them. I thought he would think it would make this feel too real. I lean in closer to get a better look. One is a large, black-plated tungsten band, clearly meant for Mauro. The other is a delicate platinum band, set with the most beautiful display of diamonds I’ve ever seen. “Mauro,” I breathe, blinking a few times. “This is too much.”
His fingers curl around the rings, hiding them from view.You don’t like it?
“No, it’s not that. It’s beautiful,” I abruptly respond. “Probably the most exquisite piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen, but you spent too much on it. On me. I’m not worth—”
He grips my chin, his eyes boring into mine. There’s so much he wants to say, swirling in his dark irises. His knuckles brush against my skin, and I let out a sigh as his hand cradles my cheek.
“Should we, umm, continue?” Alan asks.
My eyes stay locked with Mauro’s as he nods. He drops his hand and finds my left one, bringing it between us. My heart races beneath my rib cage as butterflies swarm my stomach.
“Great.” Alan clears his throat, turning the page in the book in front of him. “With these rings, you are pledging your love, now and forever, between one another.”
Mauro carefully slips the ring onto my finger, and I find that it fits perfectly. With a tremble in my touch, I take the thick black band from Mauro and then slide it onto his finger, showing him a nervous smile.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Alan declares, closing the book before him with a smile. “You may kiss the bride.”
The butterflies drop in my stomach one by one as nerves take over.
How could I have forgotten about this part?
I swallow hard, feeling my chest expand with each deep breath I take.
We’re about to share our first—and probably only—kiss…in front of Alan.
I internally groan. This couldn’t be any less romantic if I tried. Not that it should be, since this is all pretend. But who knows if I’ll ever get married again and have the chance to—
Mauro’s eyes shift away from me and land on Alan, a silent threat permeating the air.
“I’ll umm,” Alan murmurs, “meet you two at my office to sign the license when you’re ready. Congratulations.” With a sense of urgency, he bypasses us and exits the room, closing the door tightly behind him, leaving just the two of us.
Alone.
The pounding of my heart echoes in my ears. Oh God, am I sweating? I quickly adjust my posture. Yup, I’m definitely sweating.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
Maybe I should just play it cool and suggest we don’t have to go through with this, so I can avoid the pain of rejection?
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I say, “We don’t have to—”
But that’s all I get out before Mauro slides his hand around the side of my neck, threading his fingers through my hair as he pulls me toward him and captures my lips in a kiss.
I’m momentarily stunned, frozen like a statue while his warmth envelops me in a comforting embrace. That is, until my mind and body catch up and realize what is happening.
Suddenly, I’m transported into one of my romance novels, where the hero just saved the damsel and kisses her as if it’s the last thing he’ll do before his untimely demise.
My body melts into Mauro’s chest, my fingers curling into his shirt as my eyes close.
I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life.
I mean, sure, I’ve kissed men before.
But none of those kisses comes anywhere close in comparison.
None of them has ever ignited every nerve ending in my body with such an overwhelming need for more.
