Accidental Protector: A Marriage Mistake Romance Read online

  “That he is.” Dad pats my hand as I slip it around his elbow. “He brought out the woman I always knew was in you. Not like that other clown.”

  We smile and I nod. We don't mention Charlie by name. Not since Carol Pratt came crawling to Mom, dying from the shame of what he did, offering to help pay for this wedding as a peace offering to her best friend, my mom, and one final lesson to her idiotic son.

  Dad gestures to the open door and we start walking. “You know, I always hoped you wouldn't marry that last guy,” he says. “Even before his trip to Aruba. Something didn't sit right. But your ma was so sure. Have to admit, you had me scared. I thought you’d put a stop to it long before you did.” He stops and kisses my cheek. “Always remember, Mindy, you can’t kill yourself making others happy. Only they can do that.”

  I have to blink back tears. “I know, Daddy. Noah showed me.”

  “Good. And a good man.” He shakes his head as we start walking down the hallway again. “Now, if only your mother stop panicking over the last minute details...”

  I laugh and wave a hand at the hallway, the walls of the church in Scottsdale. The very same one I was baptized in as a baby. “She seemed plenty happy planning this wedding.”

  Dad nods.

  “Mom was amazing, details and all. You, too, Dad. You didn't have to do this –”

  “Yes, I did. I wanted to.” We turn the corner, where my sisters, Alice and Grace, both dressed to stun, are waiting.

  “Well, thank you again. For paying for everything.”

  “It’s the least we could do,” he says. “I’m proud of you, Mindy. Damn proud.”

  Jess skirts around us and waves toward the men waiting along the wall on the other side of the double set of doors. She gets the couples situated.

  The groomsmen, Eli and Brad, both wearing black tuxes with green cummerbunds, with my sisters. Then she loops her arm through Wayne Richardson’s, gazing up at him with pure devotion in her eyes.

  “On the count of three,” she says. “One. Two. Three.”

  As soon as the first couple starts walking up the aisle, she turns to my dad. “Don’t let her run off now.”

  “I won’t,” he says.

  “Is Noah up there?” I ask. She can see the altar, and I can’t.

  “Yes,” she says. “In his white tux with dark blue cummerbund. Looking slightly nervous.”

  “Good. Then there’s no chance I’ll run,” I say, flashing a grin. “He needs me.”

  Brad’s laugh echoes off the walls. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

  “Go!” Jess points down the aisle.

  A few heartbeats later, she and Wayne step forward, and Dad and I step into the doorway.

  Noah is there, looking at me. Painfully handsome. Perfection incarnate.

  Hercules reborn, made just for me. Waiting for eternity.

  I see my life since we met and I smile. A bit harrowing at times, and rough, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

  Each step I take brings me home.

  Closer to the amazing life I know we’ll have together.

  Then I’m finally there. Staring, wide-eyed, ready for this.

  My father kisses my cheek and hands me over. I’m giddy. Can’t stop smiling.

  The preacher begins, talking about love and lives together, reading a few select passages. I’m hearing, but not listening.

  How can I when Noah looks at me, his blue eyes teasing what's yet to come? I’m thinking of that, too. My mind lurches in a thousand directions, before it calms and slips into the moment.

  This beautiful, unforgettable completeness.

  I do listen carefully when we share our vows, knowing I’ve never spoken or heard more truthful words.

  When the end comes, and Noah hears he can finally kiss me, my heart rejoices. It overflows when we turn to face the pews full of family and friends, introduced for the very first time as Mr. and Mrs. Noah Bernard.

  Then there's just his heat. His mystic, otherworldly, infinitely wonderful kiss.

  It glides against my tongue. It livens my soul. It takes me to the highest part of heaven and lets me know forever.

  “Goddamn, you're beautiful, darlin',” he whispers, pulling away. “Beautiful and mine.”

  The next few hours are a whiplash ride of fun and enjoyment as we share a delicious catered meal in the church basement. I left all the details to my mother. My parents had a small civil ceremony at City Hall once upon a time, so I knew that deep down, this was her dream.

  I wanted it this way, too. A simple, authentic wedding – nothing like the complications and expenses of Charlie's version.

  The fun in the planning also kept my mind off the fact Noah agreed to work with the FBI as a contractor after catching Lucient, to finish helping mop up the Martinez cartel. That had been a tough month.

  He'd left after setting up an anonymous scholarship for Harkness' kids, using the money in the bag Lucient had given him. One more loose end he swore he'd tie up, and Noah was as good as his word.

  Me worrying about him down in Arizona. Our reunion when he'd returned was earth-shattering.

  Sex so incredible, it's going to take major effort to make this honeymoon even better.

  Thankfully, we're both up to the challenge.

  The other reason I wanted this big casual wedding is because I want the entire world to know I'd marry Noah a hundred times over. I want to share the same immense pride he casts in every glance on our wedding day.

  After an eternity, we leave the church via the front door, with a long line of people peppering us with birdseed. Running down the steps, we climb in the first of two waiting limos.

  As it drives away, Noah cups my face with both huge hands. “Unlike the last limo ride we took together, I’m gonna remember this one, darlin'. This, too.”

  He kisses me so hard, so good, so deep.

  Kisses me until I have to force our lips apart to catch my breath. Then, so very happy, I go back in for more. “Me, too.”

  There’s a chartered jet at the airport, waiting to fly us away with most of the wedding party, less my sisters because they're too young.

  We're Reno-bound. Where else?

  Brad wanted to commission a plane from the bureau to fly us all, but Noah put a stop to that and hired one himself, saying Eli would never board a FBI commissioned plane.

  He wouldn’t have either. Though extremely nice, Eli has a grudge and distrust against the government like no tomorrow.

  Spending our wedding night in Reno was my idea.

  After we return from our honeymoon, and then our extended honeymoon, where we'll visit the best opera houses in the world, we’ll settle down in Redding. Noah will go back to private investigations, and I'll seek a job at the historic theater there – all thanks to Aunt Judy.

  She’s been in Scottsdale the last two weeks, helping with wedding prep. She'll stay another week, sightseeing with my parents, plus Jess and Wayne.

  Noah and I have been in Scottsdale for the past week, staying in my parents' basement. Tonight, we'll spend the night in the honeymoon suite of the casino where we first met.

  “Happy?” he asks, clinking his glass of champagne against mine as we wait for the airplane to take off.

  “You're kidding, right?” I take a sip. “Extremely.”

  “Had to make sure, Lucky,” he says, leaning in, pushing his fingers through mine. “Because I know damn well you're gonna be a whole lot happier later under me.”

  I laugh, playfully pushing him away, then go in for a teasing kiss of my own. Give and take. That'll always be our bedrock.

  Wayne and Jess take the seats across from us, while Brad and Joyce, a sweetheart of a girl he met last week and convinced to fly to Scottsdale for the wedding and then Reno, and Eli and Matilda, a gorgeous, tanned, fun-loving gal, sit across the aisle from us.

  There's no lack of conversation, or champagne, during the flight.

  My stomach and face hurt from laughing by the ti
me we land, but I wouldn't change a thing. Just like everything since the moment I met Noah.

  We hit the casino still wearing our wedding garb. Party like there's no tomorrow.

  Incredibly, I hit a jackpot on the same freaking machine I hit the night Noah and I first got married, and then take it to the blackjack table. It's strangely satisfying to reenact what brought us together with clear heads.

  Other than my clothing, and the fact I’m already married to him, it’s practically a rerun of our first encounter. Except this time, it's meant to be, right down to a quick drink at the bar.

  He scoops a handful of my chips off the table. “Come on, Lucky. Got one more surprise planned before we head off to our room.”

  Curious, I collect the rest of my chips and follow him, more than ready to head up to our room. We haven’t even seen it yet. The front desk had taken care of our luggage and handed us a key when we checked in. It's supposed to be magnificent, a high-end suite.

  Seriously, what could be worth delaying that?

  I don’t have a purse, so Noah stuffs the cash in his pockets and then grabs my hand. As we approach the front door, I skid to a stop. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see,” he says, tugging me forward.

  There’s another limo. I give him another what’s-going-on look.

  He just laughs.

  Ready for whatever new adventure he has in store for us, I climb in. Not caring where we're going, I loop my arms around his neck. “Kiss me, darlin'”

  “Only for the rest of my life.”

  We take advantage of the ride, kissing and teasing the loving hell out of each other. I’m throbbing and so ready to be taken by the time the ride ends.

  I pull myself together, somewhat, while he’s climbing out, and then put my hand in Noah’s and let him help me out of the car.

  “What is this?” I ask, looking at the little chapel lit up with neon lights.

  “This place, beautiful, is where you became Mrs. Noah Bernard.”

  “Oh my God. Here? Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” he says, pulling me toward the door.

  An Elvis impersonator meets us at the entrance. A fairly good-looking one who's actually the King's spitting image.

  As we step inside, I turn to Noah. “Holy hell. Tell me again, what are we doing here?”

  “This is where we're having our real wedding dance.”

  My heart, which was already full, swells a bit more. “Noah.” I shake my head, too lost for words.

  It's absurd and sweet and yes, a little ridiculous, but sweet.

  “I love you so much. Even when you're crazy.”

  “I’d settle for half as much as I love you.”

  Smiling, I stretch onto my toes for a kiss.

  “Ah, excuse me, ma'am?” Elvis says. “We only schedule fifteen minutes per couple.”

  “Got it,” Noah says.

  “Fifteen minutes?” I mouth.

  “It's a living. Gotta keep the line moving.” He shrugs, then twirls me around as the music starts.

  Dancing with him sets my body on fire, the parts that aren’t touching him as much as those that are. We kiss and laugh, and he twirls me around until I’m nearly dizzy. Or maybe it's just because I'm happy.

  After three songs, serenaded by Elvis on an ancient-looking mic, which isn’t nearly as cheesy as I’d imagined, Noah pays Elvis, and we walk back out the door to the waiting limo.

  “Okay. So, maybe that was worth the fifteen minutes.”

  Noah climbs in next to me. “Thought you’d get a kick. I know you, darlin'.”

  “You thought ri –” A familiar face has me leaning around him to get a second look.

  “What's wrong?” His voice trails off as he twists, catching sight of the couple climbing out of the limo behind us.

  “That’s...isn't that...?”

  It is.

  “Brad and Joyce,” Noah finishes.

  The couple laughing and running toward the chapel doors.

  Noah looks at me. Frowning.

  I shrug. “I haven’t seen them since I hit the slots.”

  “Me, either.” His frown increases. “Have you seen Jess since then?”

  A shiver tickles my spine. “No. Have you?”

  “No.”

  Our limo pulls away from the curb, and out the window, we both watch Elvis escort Brad and Joyce inside.

  Noah turns to me. “She wouldn’t...fuck, they wouldn't...”

  “Surely not!” We share a look. “Should we do something?”

  I try to bite back the smile pulling at my lips. Jess is an amazing woman, who I’ve come to know very well the past few months. However...

  “I'm afraid Jess is still a bit miffed at Brad for blaming Wayne for allowing her to escape.”

  Noah wipes a hand over his face, trying to hide a smile as hard as I am. “That better be booze. If I find out that girl's been spiking anybody else's drinks, I'll –”

  “Noah? Our wedding night. Not our problem.”

  I’m the first one to give in. He relaxes, too, after a moment.

  We're still laughing when we arrive back at the casino.

  This time, we walk past the gaming floor and into the elevators. He closes the gap between us before the door shuts. His gaze, from my head to my toes, consumes me. Scorches me.

  One minute, I'm standing there, just admiring the view of my jaw-dropping husband.

  The next, I’m pinned to the wall, being thoroughly kissed, nipped, caressed, manhandled.

  Aroused to the point I want him to take me now. Here.

  In the elevator. When the bell dings, we half-stumble out and run for our room.

  He opens the door, I shoot in and spin around, arms up, waiting for him to close it and kiss me again. And again. And then, oh yeah, again.

  This is what I need. What I’ve craved since walking down the aisle this morning.

  Him. Noah. Hercules.

  All of him in all his immense and sexy glory.

  Knowing he wants the same just feeds my anticipation. I turn, slowly, and look at him over my shoulder. “Help me out of this, please.”

  I close my eyes at the touch of his hands, the thrill of the zipper falling to my waist. It's a slow, delicate tease.

  He tucks his hands inside my dress, around my waist, pulling me back against him. Then I feel his bulge.

  He’s hard. Ready. God, I want him.

  “Comfortable now, Lucky? Got what you wanted?”

  “Not yet,” I whisper, running my hand over his face, savoring his stubble.

  His smile says he's read my mind.

  His thick hands work lower, dipping into the waistband of my panties, exploring my wetness as his lips nuzzle my neck. “Here, darlin'? This what you need?”

  I lean my head back as his fingers find my pussy, urging me open, teasing my clit with the softest strokes.

  Too freaking soft. I want him to take me hard.

  A moan ruptures out of me. “Yeah!”

  “Really?” He presses his cock harder against my ass. “You don’t want this next?”

  Reaching up, I push my dress off my shoulders, letting it fall in a rumpled pool around my feet. Then I spin around and push his suit coat off his shoulder, his arms. “I want you, Noah Bernard. Everything you're going to give.” I unbutton his shirt next, speed moving my fingers. “Every last bit of you.”

  I press my lips to the underside of his chin. Reaching down, I cup his hard-on. “More than once. Every hour. All freaking night.”

  “Lucky...” his growl becomes that irresistible thunder I love.

  Within seconds, we're naked. Maybe wedding night sex should be slow, tender, meaningful, but we're too ready. Too much need, driving us together, skin-on-skin.

  It's also the first night we've dispensed with the condoms. I've been on the pill for several weeks, oh-so-ready to have my man without anything between us. My pussy throbs before he's even in me, hurting every nano-second he isn't.

&nbs
p; With another knowing growl, Noah grabs me, throws me firmly down on the bed, and pounces. My legs are open. Trembling. Pleading.

  “Fuck, Mindy. You're hotter than I imagined, and it's damn near all I've imagined today.”

  Smiling, I believe him.

  He dips his head, takes one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking until I’m nearly insane. His tongue is the same bewildering miracle as the rest of him. Equal parts amazing, infuriating, and mine.

  I grab his cock, twine my fingers around it, giving it a serious pump. “I want you inside me. Please, Mr. Bernard.”

  “Right now?”

  “No, yesterday,” I snap, laughing at the sarcasm.

  Actually...it's true.

  His teasing works too well. Drives me fully insane, but I love it. Love it.

  And I love it when I fall into his bright blue gaze, my whole body tingling, craving, begging. “Noah, please.”

  “Don’t ever let it be said I don’t give my wife what she wants, on demand.” He enters me with a solid, intense thrust. I'm gasping, and his body instantly hardens. Deliciously. “Fucking hell. That pussy's a whole lot tighter without the rubber.”

  He isn't wrong. It's incredible, taking him so deep, nothing left between us except our own heat and pulse and –

  Oh, hell!

  Noah thrusts again. Harder, and harder still, that animal rhythm building between us.

  His hips slam into mine a minute later, grunting, and we're losing ourselves. Fully surrendering to the carnal delights a husband and wife are entitled to.

  Arching up, ready to match him thrust for thrust, I groan. Releasing a pent-up whine from the back of my throat. I grasp his ass, squeeze his flexing muscles, bulging as he drives ever deeper.

  “You'd better know you're gonna come like mad tonight,” he whispers, his blue eyes trained on mine in the world's hottest staring contest. “Come for me, Lucky. Show me how sweet my wife's pussy comes when she's full of her husband's cock.”

  Sweet hell. Do I have any choice?

  “I will,” I whimper, pinching my legs to his, drawing him into me. Then I match his feral look with mine. “Just as long as you come with me.”

  My words drive him on. We're crashing together at a frantic pace.

  The mattress gives and takes, launching my hips to meet his again and again, then we both fall as he drives his dick inside me. Pressing himself so deep in me, into the depths of the mattress.