by Cat Johnson
“So when is Luke’s wedding? Have they set a date yet?” The wheels were definitely turning in Silver’s brain.
“I asked Annie about that. It’s going to be sometime over the long break. She said she’ll mail out the invitations as soon as she gets the details settled. It’ll be at Luke’s family ranch in Montana. So obviously you two both need to be there so it won’t look totally out of the blue when sometime after their wedding you tell everyone you eloped.”
Wow. This lying was going to give him an ulcer in addition to his bad shoulder, but Aaron was sure on top of things. Garret was in such a daze he was lucky he’d remembered to put on his boots this morning. Forget about remembering to talk to Annie about her wedding before they left the event yesterday.
He swallowed hard. “Okay.”
Silver hoisted herself out of the chair and lobbed her coffee cup into the trash. “I guess we should get going to the clerk for that license. Then I better get back to work. Can one of you text me when you find out what time our appointment for the ceremony is?”
The ceremony. Garret swallowed hard. “Um, sure.”
So he and his soon-to-be brother-in-law would be making the appointment for his and Silver’s wedding. This day really couldn’t get much stranger. Then again, maybe it could.
He watched Silver’s ass sway as she sashayed through the door. She was wearing heels, dressy-looking slacks and a sweater, pretty much the opposite attire of what he’d seen her in this weekend at the competition. Apparently, she was used to having two separate lives, her work life and her private one. Somehow Garret was going to have to span them both as her official husband of record for her insurance, as well as remain her secret lover as far as their friends and family were concerned. At least for the foreseeable future.
Things were going to get real interesting.
Silver listened to her students struggling to get the harmony of the song for the upcoming chorus concert. She played along with them on the piano, but today her mind wasn’t in the task. She cringed as the class hit a sour note, but it was no worse than her stumbling musical accompaniment.
Why did the music room’s piano always sound so out of tune? She’d convinced the administration it had to be tuned before the start of each school year, and still it sounded like crap. Maybe it only grated on her nerves so badly today because she was on edge waiting for the text from Aaron or Garret. Honestly, how she thought she could come back to work and keep her mind on her classes after getting a marriage license on her lunch break was beyond her.
She thought she’d been okay with this casual marriage of convenience, but as her fingers once again hit the wrong key on the piano, she wondered if it was more important to her than she’d let herself believe.
And on top of it all, she’d been dodging phone calls from Beckie since she’d been back. Silver knew her best friend only wanted to see how the weekend had been, but how in the world could she tell her? Beckie lived by a different moral compass than Silver. She would rather die than break a law, or even bend one. Getting married for the insurance would be a huge no-no in Beckie’s book. She would be absolutely horrified Silver would even consider it, forget about actually do it. She’d probably do her best to talk Silver out of it and Silver didn’t need that pressure right now. On the other hand, how could she not tell her? Beckie knew Silver too well. She would know immediately if she tried hiding the truth from her.
Nope, the best course of action would be to avoid all contact, at least until after it was a done deal. Then Silver would consider if Beckie could handle the truth, or a portion of it, after the fact.
Maybe Garret was right, this was a bit more complicated than she’d first assumed.
One glance at the clock told her there were only ten more minutes in this class. Thank God for that. These kids didn’t deserve a teacher who couldn’t concentrate on even a few simple chords.
The phone in her pocket vibrated and Silver jumped. It had to be the text about the appointment for the ceremony. She itched to stop playing and read it, but they were only halfway through this eternally long song.
Crap. She couldn’t stand it any longer.
Without warning, mid stanza, she lifted her hands off the keys and stood. The students stopped singing in reaction. “That’s sounding great. We still have a way to go but there are weeks before the concert. How about we end class a few minutes early today and start fresh next time?”
A chorus of “yay” that sounded far more harmonious than the song followed that announcement. Maybe they were capable of working as a group after all. Silver shook her head and pulled out her phone. The readout said Aaron. She’d kind of been hoping it would be from Garret. They were about to be married and yet her brother was there at every turn playing chaperone. It was getting very annoying. She sighed and opened the text.
Today at four. Good?
Silver smiled and texted back. Good!
Let Aaron play mother, father-of-the-bride and wedding planner if he wanted, because she had a plan to get some time alone with Garret. Their relationship had been built on sneaking around from the start. The sex during their secret marriage might as well be too. It added to the excitement of being with him.
Silver halted in the process of stashing her phone back in her pants pocket. Relationship. Had she really just thought that word? And had she meant it? She thought she did. It felt like a relationship.
While still in her hand, the phone vibrated again. She glanced down. Garret. Her heart rate picked up speed as she opened the text. See you at four.
The children could have been wreaking havoc in the room and she wouldn’t have noticed. Her hand shook as she texted back to her soon-to-be husband. Can’t wait.
As the bell rang and class officially ended, the group of students filtered out and Silver realized she still had two more classes to get through. Then she’d have to go home and change. She couldn’t get married in her work clothes. What did she have to wear? It wasn’t like she had prepared for this. It also wasn’t like this was a real wedding, not in the conventional sense of the word.
Then why did it feel so damn real?
The next group of students began to stream in through the door. Silver glanced at the wall clock one more time and blew out a big, slow breath. It was going to be a long afternoon leading up to four.
Chapter Fourteen
Inside the office of the justice of the peace, standing in front of the judge, Garret took Silver’s hand in his and it started to feel even more real. Really real.
He looked nice in one of Aaron’s white button-down shirts and a tie. Even his regular jeans and cowboy boots, shined up for the occasion, didn’t detract from how hot he looked all dressed up. The best she’d come up with was a white cotton dress with tiny blue flowers on it. She wasn’t a girly girl. It wasn’t like she had a closet full of options to choose from or the time to shop for something.
But even so, Garret had smiled when he’d seen her arrive at the town office. He’d held a small bunch of tiny white tea roses in his hand. Her bridal bouquet. He’d handed it to her as he kissed her on the cheek and told her she looked beautiful. She hadn’t stopped shaking since then.
Silver drew in a deep breath as her heart raced. Next to them stood Aaron, the only witness they’d come with. A secretary from the town office was there as the second witness. Before them stood the justice of the peace, saying all the official stuff he was supposed to say to make this thing legal. She couldn’t have told anyone what exactly he’d said. It was all a kind of buzzing noise in the background behind the loud pounding of her own pulse.
“Are there rings?”
The question cut through her thoughts. Crap. She hadn’t even thought of—
Aaron stepped forward. “Yes, sir.”
Silver’s eyes opened wide as she turned to see the two familiar gold bands in his open palm. Matching filigree etched both the smaller and the larger circles. “Grandma and grandpa’s rings?” She brought her gaze up to meet he
r brother’s as he nodded.
“Yup. Mom gave them to me after Grandma died. I guess she figured I’d be the first one to get married.”
Her gaze cut to Garret, watching them silently, and then to the justice of the peace. She couldn’t reassure Aaron right now that she’d give the family heirlooms back to him after this marriage ended, so instead she just said, “Thanks.”
Next thing she knew, Garret was slipping the band onto her trembling finger and they were proclaimed husband and wife. They signed some papers, but after that ring went on her finger it was all a blur. Silver knew she had to concentrate extra hard to stop her hand from trembling as she took the pen and signed her name. She was aware of Garret as he dug into his wallet for cash to pay the fee.
Then they were free to go. Go where? That was the question. It wasn’t like they’d be able to have a wedding night with Aaron around. Or even a reception since there was only one person in the world close to them who knew they were married.
“Smile.” Aaron’s voice brought her head around as they stood in the lobby of the building.
She frowned as he aimed his phone at her and Garret. “What are you doing?”
“Taking your picture.” Aaron cocked his brow at her. “People are going to expect a wedding photo. That’s what people who get married do.”
Garret took a step closer and wrapped his arm around her. He dipped his head low. “Just smile and let him take it. Then we can go get a drink.”
He needed a drink too. Garret must be as shaken by all this as she was. Good to know. They were pretty compatible in more ways than in bed.
Silver, for once, did as told. She leaned into Garret and smiled. The happy couple—that was them. When they finally got rid of Aaron and she got to jump Garret in her bed, then she really would be happy. Him too, she assumed.
Aaron snapped the picture. “Good. Now one more.”
Might as well make it a good one. She turned, planning to plant a kiss on Garret’s cheek. He turned his head just at the same moment she leaned in and she connected directly with his lips.
“Good one. “ The camera in Aaron’s phone clicked. “That’ll convince them.”
Silver pulled back just a bit. Garret’s gaze stayed focused on hers. Oh, yeah. They needed to get alone. And this time, her need had nothing to do with the pressure of her piercing on her clit. This need seemed to originate from deeper inside. Silver swallowed and took a step backward.
She glanced at Aaron, then back to Garret. “Shall we go celebrate?”
“Oh yeah.” Garret’s voice sounded breathy.
As they cleared the door of the courthouse and reached the parking lot, pure desperation took over. Silver needed time with Garret. She wouldn’t be able to wrangle time alone with him tonight, unless they somehow got Aaron drunk enough to pass out so he wouldn’t notice Garret sneaking out of his apartment.
But Silver had another idea. “So I figured I’d take the morning off tomorrow and Garret and I can handle the insurance stuff. They may want us to come to the office in person so I think we should probably go alone. You know, so it looks authentic and all.”
It was all a lie. She’d already called the health benefits representative and they’d told her all she had to do was call to add Garret to the policy, but Aaron didn’t know that.
“Okay. Makes sense.” Aaron nodded. “Can you get off work?”
“Sure, I just have to let them know. And most of my classes are in the afternoon anyway.” She glanced at Garret. “Sound okay to you? Can you be at my apartment first thing in the morning so we can get an early start?”
“Oh, yeah. Sure. The earlier the better, I guess…so you can get to work as soon as possible.” Garret smiled.
He was so in tune with her. Even though they’d only known each other a short time, the look in his eyes told Silver he knew exactly what she was planning. Oh, they’d get to the insurance stuff, eventually, but first, they’d get to her bed.
The knock on the door came bright and early. Her husband was good at taking direction. Her husband. The word sent a tingle straight through her. She opened the door, but that was the last thing she did under her own power. Garret pushed through with the same look of determination she’d seen on his face when he was on top of a bucking bull. He kicked the door shut with one boot while lifting her with both of his hands.
His mouth covered hers as her feet left the ground. Striding past the open kitchen and living room, he carried her toward the only other room in the apartment, the bedroom.
He slid his tongue between her lips. She tasted the minty flavor of his toothpaste. He must have woken up with the sun, brushed his teeth and headed right over to her place.
He had to release her mouth as he dropped her onto the mattress. She took the opportunity to do her first wifely nagging. “Garret, be careful of your shoulder.”
“To hell with my shoulder. Last night was the longest night of my life. I hardly slept at all knowing I’d be here this morning with you. Doing this.” His focus never left her, even as he toed off his boots and started stripping.
Silver smiled. “I know. I’ve been going crazy too.”
His eyes were nearly slits as he stared at her while pushing his pants down his muscular thighs. “I want you naked. All the times we’ve been together, we’ve never even seen each other completely undressed.”
Garret pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor. He kneeled on the edge of the bed wearing only boxer shorts that did nothing to hide his excitement. She’d have those off him soon enough.
“That’s why I didn’t bother getting dressed this morning.” In fact, the only thing she had on was an oversized T-shirt and a pair of panties. She pulled the shirt off and watched the appreciation in Garret’s expression.
His gaze dropped, taking her all in. “Belly ring. Nice. I’ve seen the hood piercing and the thigh tatt. What else have your clothes been hiding from me? I’m your husband now. You have to show me.” He grinned.
She rolled over onto her stomach. “Just this.”
Behind her, Garret groaned. She felt his fingers trace the G-clef tattooed at the base of her spine. “Nice. Different. I like it.”
Silver glanced at him over her shoulder. “I couldn’t have just a typical tramp stamp, now could I?”
“Nothing about you is typical.” He knee-walked closer. With a hand on each of her hips, he yanked her panties down. He traced her butt cheeks with his palms. “And this is very nice too. God, I love your ass.”
She enjoyed the feel of his big, rough hands on her bare skin. “Then I’m surprised you haven’t tried doing anything with it when we’ve been together.”
His hands stilled. “I didn’t realize that was an option.”
“Sure it is. For both of us.”
There was motion behind her, then an empty condom wrapper dropped to the mattress in her sightline and Garret’s length was nestled between her thighs.
“Oh, really.” His back covered hers and his mouth pressed close to her ear. “For both of us?”
“Mmm hmm.” Silver nearly lost track of what she was saying as Garret ran his tongue along the outside of her ear. “Wouldn’t you enjoy a little role reversal? You might like a little ass play. I know I would. I’ve always been fascinated by those big strap-ons in the sex shops.”
“Jeez, woman.” His laugh rumbled against her back. “Sometimes you scare the hell out of me.”
“Good. Then my plan to keep you on your toes is working.” Rolling over beneath him, she smiled and grabbed his ass, now bare. “Don’t want you getting bored.”
“It’s working just fine. Definitely not bored.” Garret drew one of her nipples into his mouth.
“This is the first time I’m seeing all of you too, you know.” Silver took the opportunity to take in her new husband’s body as well. She traced the tip of her finger over the barbed wire tattoo ringing his bicep. “What else are you hiding from me?”
He lifted his head and she fe
lt the cold air pucker her wet nipple. “No piercings, I can tell you that.”
“Too bad. I always wanted to be with a guy with a nipple ring.” She grinned.
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Garret slid down her body, kissing a path as he went.
“Any other tatts? No tramp stamp?” She grinned.
His green eyes focused on her face even as he crept lower. “Sorry, no tramp stamp for me, but I have been deciding what to get next. Maybe bull’s horns like Luke’s got.”
She was going to respond that he should try to come up with something different than what another rider had, but she never got it out because Garret had spread her legs wide and was currently fingering her hood ring. Then he sucked it into his mouth and tongued her clit and she couldn’t have cared less what ink he had or would get, as long as he kept doing what he was doing to her now.
Her hips rose off the bed as he brought her closer to orgasm. Their first time together as a married couple was as good as their premarital sex had been. Why she’d thought it would be different, she wasn’t sure. Something about the institution had led her to believe that it changed things, at least that’s what she’d heard.
Actually, there was one change in their sex this time, but it wasn’t a bad thing, and she’d brought it about herself. As Garret slid his cock into her, he wet his fingertip, reached beneath her and pressed just the tip inside her ass. She certainly didn’t mind the change. She lifted higher, rising to meet him thrust for thrust as her body clenched around his. He kept her in his emerald gaze, his attention never leaving her face as he set a slow, lazy pace.
Morning sex with him was nice. There was no rushing today. No worries Aaron or Skeeter would walk in and interrupt them. No fear parking-lot security would catch them in the dark. It was just the two of them with no clothes and no worries in between.
Garret lifted her hips higher and plunged deeper, his eyes finally drifting closed as his mouth opened on a breath. Her muscles tightened, coiling for release. His breathing quickened along with her own. She was so close that when he pressed his finger deeper inside her, the orgasm hit hard. With her eyes slammed shut, she heard Garret’s cries echo her own as he came with her.