by Schultz, JT
His mouth curled into a grin. “Can I drive?”
She studied him, and for a fleeting moment, wished it was her he was asking about and not the car. “If it will make today easier. Fine.”
Richard thought for a moment, tilted her head and smiled. “So, what kind of car is it?”
Toni grinned and shrugged her shoulders. “A nice one.” Why bother to tell him? He’d find out soon enough—besides, she was passing him the keys. Better the keys to the car than the key to her heart.
If someone had told Richard a week ago he’d be driving a brand new blue Porsche Boxter GTS, with a beautiful blonde next to him in a white suit dress while they looked for a wedding chapel, he would have declared the person insane. Yet, here he was. He had to give Toni credit though. The woman had great taste in cars. Correction—great and expensive taste in cars.
“There’s one.” Toni’s manicured pink nail pointed in the direction of a small and slightly—or in this particular case, an extremely cheesy looking chapel.
“That works.” Did it really matter where they got married?
He pulled the Porsche into the parking lot and turned off the ignition. Neither he nor Toni made any effort to get out of the vehicle. He glanced down at the engagement ring on her finger, on loan from the jeweler. An emerald cut solitaire diamond weighing in at 2.5 karats with pink diamonds on either side. The ring was worth close to $75, 000.
She must be a hell of an interior designer to get it on loan for a year.
“Well, shall we?” she asked turning to him with apprehension etching itself across her pretty features.
He nodded and got out of the car. One thing he liked about the woman who would soon be his wife, she stayed in the car and allowed him to get the door. At least she was a lady.
He opened the car door and offered her a hand, which she accepted. His body came to life from the simplest touch as she stepped out. The suit dress in an off-white silk clung to every curve and reminded him of her amazing shape. A strange expression crossed her face and her brow crinkled.
“Richard…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Maybe we should look for a different chapel.” Her tone was off and he glanced at the small cheesy building.
Love Me Tender Wedding Chapel. No…It couldn’t be.
The door opened and he was proven wrong. There stood an Elvis impersonator. “Welcome! Wow that car matches my Blue Suede Shoes.”
His mouth fell open as he stared at the scene before him. True, it didn’t matter where they got married. Not this though—this was…no.
“How are we going to explain this to your mother?” Toni glanced at him with her big brown eyes wide in shock or trauma—he wasn’t sure—nor did it matter.
The fake Elvis chuckled. “Hey Little Girl, why don’t you bring your Teddy Bear on up.”
“Oh, dear,” Toni breathed in horror.
“We’re not explaining this to my mother, because it’s not happening.” He turned to his bride-to-be. “Sweetheart, get back in the car. Now.”
She didn’t need to be told twice and slipped back into the Boxter.
Richard dashed around to the driver door and practically jumped inside. He didn’t bother with his seatbelt, he just started the car.
“Don’t get All Shook Up,” the Elvis called and Toni whimpered.
“We’ve decided to live in sin.” He shouted to the Elvis and slammed the gearshift in reverse. He tore out of the parking lot and on to the road.
“We’ve decided to live in sin?” Toni repeated his statement then burst out laughing. “Omigod, I haven’t been that scared in a long time.”
“The whole thing was terrifying.” Richard glanced at her and chuckled. “That would have been a nightmare.”
Toni turned and smiled. “We didn’t even get up to the door and we’ll have something to talk about for the next year.”
He suddenly realized that they normally didn’t have a problem talking. Actually, conversation came easy between them—maybe too easy. He spotted another chapel on the other side of the street.
Forever Yours. Better—at least I don’t think it’s an Elvis song.
“There’s another one, let’s just get this over with.” His mind started to mull over the fact that if he had met Toni under different circumstances—sure he would have been attracted all right—but she wouldn’t have made it much past a month if even that long. Things with her were too comfortable—and too comfortable led to commitment. The one thing he openly admitted he wasn’t into. Maybe once upon a time—but not now.
“Pretty.” Her tone was flat and he wasn’t sure if it was nerves or her picking up on his thoughts.
He brought the car to a stop and again after getting out opened her car door and led her up to the door of the chapel. She stepped in before him and they walked in a bit deeper. An older couple stepped up and smiled. “Well aren’t you just a lovely couple,” the woman gushed. “Welcome to Forever Yours. Are you here to get married?”
No, we’re sightseeing. “Yes.”
“Do you have the paperwork son?” the older gentleman asked.
He nodded and reached into his suit pocket. His finger grazed the rings they had picked up just prior to going to city hall. Richard withdrew the license and passed it to the other man. “There you go.”
“Did you not get a bouquet?” The older woman asked Toni.
She shook her head. “Oh, I don’t need one.”
The older woman patted her arm. “Nonsense, every bride needs a bouquet.” She linked her arm through Toni’s and led her away from Richard. “We’ll get you all set up, while your handsome man sets things up with my husband.
Toni met Richard’s gaze and blinked. Sadness stared back at him as she disappeared into another room.
“My wife loves weddings.”
He turned to the older man and forced a smile. “I can tell.”
“Well let’s go in the chapel and my wife will deliver your bride shortly.”
Bride.
He shook his head and swallowed back memories. “Wonderful.” He didn’t mean to sound sarcastic or even bitter, but that’s how the word had fallen off his tongue.
He glanced around the chapel. It was rather nice, considering what city they were in and what they had almost experienced.
Toni returned with the older woman. This time she held a bouquet of pink roses.
“She didn’t want to walk down the aisle.” The woman shrugged as she glanced at her husband.
“It was a lovely gesture,” Toni replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’d rather just get this over with.”
“Awe,” the older woman declared. “A nervous bride, isn’t that sweet?”
Adorable.
“It is sweet,” her husband agreed. “It’s nice when the couples really care about each other.”
And this is hell. Not to mention the beginning of a prison sentence.
“Okay, kids. This is going to be totally painless.”
Said the dentist before a root canal.
Your names would be?” he smiled at Toni.
“Antonia and that’s Richard.”
“Wonderful. Such a good-looking couple.” He turned to Richard. “Now all you have to do is read the teleprompter screens behind each other.”
“Good thing I wore my contacts.” Toni whispered and hung her head.
“You wear contacts?” He turned to the woman by his side in surprise.
She met his gaze. “Most of the time.”
Richard glanced up at the screen. His stomach knotted when he saw the words insert bride’s name.
“Antonia, place your hands in Richard’s after you give your pretty bouquet back to my wife.”
Toni passed the bouquet to the smiling old lady, and then placed her hands in Richard’s. He ignored the familiar tingle of heat her lightest touch sent rushing over his entire body.
“Okay, son, go ahead.”
Richard swallowed back the s
udden wave of nausea. “Antonia, I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife. I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live.”
His gaze skimmed over the next words and the knot tightened. “I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”
Well, a year, but reverend and his wife don’t need to know that.
The minister turned to Toni. “Okay my dear, your turn.”
“Richard, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to…” Her voice faded as she hung her head.
The older woman and the minister exchanged a concerned look, then chapel lady stepped toward Toni. “It’s okay dear. It’s normal to be scared.”
She released her hands from his and turned to older woman. “No, I’m scared of spiders. I just hit terrified. Everything is going to be different.”
“It is.” The older woman offered her a warm smile then glanced at Richard before returning her attention to Toni. “It’ll be okay. Something special brought you to our chapel.”
Yep. A court order.
“I was scared when I got married almost fifty two years ago. However, I loved him and I knew that was a good start.”
He sighed and knew he should say something, the last thing either of them needed was her deciding thirty days in jail would be better. So far though, she had rearranged her life more than he had. “It’ll be okay,” he reassured her. A weak grin turned up the corners of her mouth. She was definitely beautiful and indeed hesitant.
She turned, studied him a minute, but remained quiet. A thoughtful expression crossed her face. “I think so,” she finally whispered. She turned to the minister. “Sorry.”
“Ready to try this again?”
Toni nodded then turned to Richard. He held out his hands and again she placed hers in his. Her gaze met his and she offered him a small smile. “Richard, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live.”
She glanced at the teleprompter screen, winced then returned her gaze to him. “I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”
“Wonderful,” The minister encouraged. “Do you have rings?”
Richard released her hands and reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew the two rings. He held out his hand and she removed the one that didn’t match her engagement ring.
“Okay, Richard, go ahead take Antonia’s hand and read the screen again.”
“I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore.” He slipped the ring on her slender finger.
The minister turned to Toni. “Your turn dear.”
She swallowed hard, glanced at the screen behind Richard then met his gaze. Toni took his hand and nodded once. “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.” She slid the platinum band on his finger and glanced down to see her hand still holding his.
“With the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.”
“We did it,” he whispered.
She nodded.
“You may kiss the bride.” The minister cheerfully added.
Oh God, no!
“It’s okay. I think we’re good,” Toni assured with a smile.
The minister chuckled. “I don’t consider a couple married until they kiss. Don’t be shy.”
The minister’s wife giggled. “Those are the rules.”
He glanced back at Toni. Yesterday he’d almost kissed her. Now he had no choice. He stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. A quick peck and they could get out of there.
Richard lowered his head toward hers and her lashes fluttered closed. The hand with her ring fell on his shoulder at the same time his mouth brushed against her full lips. They were even fuller and softer than he imagined and he lingered a moment. Her body eased against his and he deepened the kiss. His tongue caressed her lower lip and she let out a small gasp. His tongue entered and entwined with hers. His heart started to race and his body burned as he savored the flavor of her. He laced the fingers of his other hand in her hair and his groin stiffened. Richard’s hold tightened on her waist and she moaned softly against his mouth. Heat coursed through his entire body and he was glad his suit jacket covered the effect tasting Toni had on him.
“Now, that’s a kiss.” The minister’s voice cut in and reminded Richard where he was.
He lifted his head as her lashes fluttered open. For a fleeting moment, she looked slightly dazed and her breath was ragged and shallow. He couldn’t blame her; the kiss was off the chart—hot. Richard scanned her face. Right then and there he knew there would be no kissing, because too many of those kisses were going to land them in bed.
He bit down on the side of his tongue. Richard didn’t even want to imagine what kind of heat that would cause. A flash went off and both he and Toni turned to the beaming old lady with a camera.
“I know your marriage is going to be one that lasts.” She nodded her head. “You two definitely won’t be back here. That was the kiss of a couple who was meant to be.”
He and Toni both glanced at each other and smiled over the craziness—it was better than laughing. She shook her head; the sweet chapel lady was wrong.
Richard released his hold on Toni and they both turned. The camera went off again and he knew two things. One, the wedding pictures should be interesting and two, no more kisses, ever.
Toni was relieved to be in the elevator heading up to the office. After the wedding things had been fine, civil and comfortable. Except that she couldn’t erase the wedding kiss from her mind. Never had she been kissed where her knees had actually weakened. She chalked it up to the moment, to the fact that they found each other attractive. There was no way could she allow herself to think it meant anything else and refused to set herself up for disappointment and heartache.
This is a sentence—not a relationship.
Her mind returned to the balcony in Vegas where they had sat working on their tablets and catching up on work. They had a drink, casual conversation and comfortable silence.
Since they had turned their phones off—both agreeing to leave a message that told callers they were getting married—the father’s had blown up their voicemail. Apparently, in the three days they were gone, an exchange of gifts had occurred, thanks to her friend Felix—event planner extraordinaire—and the brother of one of Richards clients.
“Do you think your father will show up at the office?” Toni finally asked, since Richard had gone back to being quiet.
The moment they stepped on the plane to head back to California everything had changed. She figured the reality of the situation had set in and their sentence was in full swing.
“I doubt it.” He glanced over at her and shook his head. “The man lives at court, the golf course and caving to my mother’s wishes and whims.”
The elevator stopped and the door opened into the lobby of Stewart Locke Investments. Mona was right. The place was dreary and outdated. Thus, Toni had been called into service. Actually, she figured it was guilt because Toni had not only cancelled her buying trips but a couple out of state jobs.
“Good morning Mr. Bryson and Ms. De—”
“Bryson—the last name is Bryson.” Toni corrected. “But just call me Toni. Mrs. Bryson is my mother-in-law.”
Richard halted and turned to her. “You’re taking my last name?” His voice was a mere whisper, but she didn’t miss the surprise in his tone.
“Yes. That’s how things are done in my family. Besides, your mother might hav
e a fit if I don’t and go back to her threats of selling.” She sighed and offered a smile. “I’ll get my driver’s license changed this afternoon at the DMV after I drop the papers and photo evidence off at Andrew’s office for good ole Judge Masters.” She too whispered. The last thing either of them needed was anyone knowing the details of their new life.
He studied her a moment and a range of emotions crossed his face. “Thank you.”
Though his tone was sincere, there was something off. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what. She nodded, since words failed her.
“I mean it. Thank you—you’re right about my mom.”
“I figured,” she breathed.
“Antonia Louisa Deluca!” her father called. The only time he used her middle name is when she was in trouble.
She spun on her high heel and faced her father. Oh yeah he was pissed. “You forget yourself. I’m a Bryson now.”
His eyes widened slightly as her father-in-law walked up and bounced his gaze between the two. “Richard why don’t you take your pretty wife into your office so we can have a word with you kids.”
Richard darted a skeptical glance and she forced a smile. “After you, honey.”
He turned and walked toward his office. Toni followed him in and both fathers followed. Her dad shut the door then turned to her and her husband. “What the hell were you two thinking with that stunt?”
“Gee, Daddy, which stunt would that be? The one in front of the Elvis wedding chapel, the one where we actually got married or the one where we thought your lives should be as uncomfortable, just for a fleeting moment, as ours have been since you both decided to meddle?”
Richard nodded his head. “Toni is right, there is some clarification required.”
“I had livestock show up while court was in session,” his father exclaimed. “It was disruptive, and set the hearing back due to uncooperative chickens.”
“You mean they didn’t heed your orders in the court room?”
Judge Bryson glared at her and they locked gazes. “You—should’ve been a lawyer.”
“Forgive me, but I find that train of thought irrelevant at this point and inadmissible.” She flashed him a saucy grin.
