Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(22)
It hits me. How selfless she’s being. Yeah, she’s gonna get her therapy, but I don’t know a lot of people who would do this for my family.
Once again, I repeat after Frannie. “Paige, I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows. I honor you with all that I am and all that I have. With this ring, I thee wed.” As I slide the band on her finger, my chest gets tight.
Paige pulls out a thick gold band that makes me do a double-take. Where the hell did she get that? After she drags it on my finger, she says her part. I swallow as her eyes get glassy, and that tightness in my chest grows.
When she’s done, Frannie opens her arms again. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rhett Walker, you may kiss your bride!”
My brothers, who got the memo to go whole hog about this and act like this is the real deal, hoot and holler, and Baylee and her mother cheer. Harlan lets out a wolf whistle. Their exuberance catches me off guard.
It’s the only reason I can think of that makes me take Paige into my arms, tilt her lithe body backwards, and kiss her like my life depends on it.
10
PAIGE
As I cling to Rhett for dear life, his mouth descends to mine in what I can only describe as the world’s best first kiss.
His lips are firm but soft, and his breath is minty. And he’s close enough that I can smell that amazing woodsy cologne I’ve always loved.
For those blissful ten seconds, the entire planet stops spinning, and I let out a quiet sigh.
If it wasn’t for his arm pressed to my back when he straightens me, I would slump to the floor.
When he finally lets go, I wobble and grab onto his arm.
Rhett leans over and whispers, “Shoulda warned you. I’m a good kisser.”
He looks so pleased with himself. “I should let you walk around for the rest of the day with lipstick on your face. Come here.” Arrogant bastard.
When he leans down, I’m struck by how handsome he is. I’ve always thought that, obviously, but right now, with that shit-eating grin on his face, his good looks are downright sinful. I grab his scruffy face and wipe away my gloss. As my thumb slides over his bottom lip, he nips it.
I gasp and let out an embarrassing giggle. His grin deepens, and my whole body heats.
Baylee’s flash yanks me out of his hypnotic gaze, almost blinding me, and I blink several times. Rhett and I agreed someone should take some pics to make this seem official, and my best friend offered.
Miss Frannie calls out, “May I present Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Walker.”
Fifteen-year-old me is ecstatic. She’s doing backflips down the aisle.
The real me knows that kiss was all for show. With Rhett’s banker sitting in the second row, of course my “husband” was going to play this up.
Aunt Syl yells, “Who wants to bet we get a visit from the stork in nine months?”
Everyone laughs except me and Rhett.
Because that would certainly throw a wrench in our plans.
As we step away from the podium, Rhett places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to Harlan and his wife.
“Y’all sure do make a pretty couple,” the older man says.
He looks vaguely familiar. I probably met him when I was a kid and don’t remember. Wild Heart is a small town, and I’d be surprised if there were many people I don’t know.
I shake his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I heard you and the Walkers go way back.”
“Sure do. I’ve known these boys my whole life, so you best be good to this one.”
Laughing, I nod. “Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”
“You know, we’re gonna be neighbors. I just bought the property across the way from the Walker Ranch, so I’ll be seeing y’all around.”
Rhett’s brows lift. “You bought the Gibson property?”
Harlan nods. “Just a few months ago. They needed the money, and I figured, what the hell, maybe we’ll give this ranching thing a go. My son Jimmy thought we should diversify.”
“Well, holler if y’all need anything.” Rhett invites Harlan and his wife back to the ranch, and after a round of hugs from our friends, we head to his truck. I watch his brothers cram into Jace’s vehicle.
I wish one of them would join us. It would be nice to have someone to break the silence.
Holy crap. I just married Rhett freaking Walker. I glance down at the thin band on my finger, and it gives me a strange sense of nostalgia. I remember pretending to marry Rhett when I was little, walking down the dirt path behind my house and holding my hair brush like a bouquet. My ratty old teddy bear did a poor job standing in for the groom.
“You okay?” His deep voice startles me.
“Yeah.”
“Sorry about that kiss back there. Was it too much?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been married before. How did you kiss Amber?”
He thinks on that a moment. “Not like that. I just gave her a peck.”
Huh. Interesting. “Well, I think Harlan bought it. That’s all that matters, right?”
When he nods but doesn’t say anything, I start to worry. “Was my fake wedding announcement okay?”
He clears his throat. “It was fine.”
Fine? I thought he’d be excited about it. “Is there anything you need me to do at the reception besides moon over you and pretend I’m the happiest bride in town?”