way is up or down. He smiles at me, sweet and affectionate as always, still holding me as I come back to awareness of what’s around me. We’re not alone. Once again, that kiss was for show. And the fact that I unconsciously wrapped my hands around his shoulders just helps sell the act.
It’s all an act, I remind myself as I peel my hands away from him, clearing my throat and looking down at my bouquet. Some of the flowers on the edge are a little smushed from where I held it against him during the kiss. With my free hand, I fluff them up a little, trying to repair the damage. I’m not sure it does any good, but at least it gives me something to do.
“Congratulations,” says the officiant, holding out a hand for Colt to shake first, then me.
I nod and smile my thanks, and then Delores is at my elbow. “That was perfect,” she gushes. Leaning in close, she whispers, “Maybe we can get you some acting credits too. You’re a natural.”
Nodding, I force my smile wider. “Sure. Yeah.” But I’m not. I’m not acting. No matter how much I tell myself this isn’t real, it is. We’re legally married. I have real feelings for Colt. Or I could if I let myself. Nothing between us is an act.
And that’s the problem.
Chapter Fifteen
Colt
“I’ve had your things moved to the Honeymoon Suite, and a brunch will be up for you shortly,” says Delores as we walk back to the hotel. She holds out a small paper folder to Alexis, but when Alexis doesn’t take it, Delores hands it to me, her face inscrutable, but the way her eyes dart between me and Alexis tells me she’s concerned. The Botox probably keeps her from wrinkling her brows together like a normal person.
Keeping one hand on Alexis’s back to guide her to the elevators, I accept the keys to our room and nod at Delores. “Thanks for all your help.”
She waves away my thanks and holds out a business card. “Of course. Give me a call if you two need anything. I’ll be in touch.” And with that, she leaves, weaving her way through the busy lobby, leaving Alexis and me on our own. We’ve been getting long looks and I think a few people might’ve snapped pics with their phones, because while Alexis’s band wasn’t mega famous, this was where they got together and built their initial fan base.
Turning Alexis to face me, I loosely drape my arms around her waist. We’re still in public, so I also have that excuse ready for touching her if I need it. But mostly it’s because she seems to need the anchor. “Shall we?” I ask, nodding toward the elevators, conscious of the need to get her out of the public eye.
Her lips hitch up in the smile that no longer fools me. “Of course. We’re officially on our honeymoon, right?”
“Right.” I return her an equally false smile, because sharing a honeymoon suite with a wife who doesn’t want me to touch her is going to be torture. Slow, drawn out, nearly unbearable torture.
Because every time we kiss, every time we touch, it feels right. And now she’s my wife, and nothing will change.
This isn’t … I had no plans to get married right now. I wasn’t dating, wasn’t looking for a serious relationship. But having a front row seat to my oldest brother’s relationship, and also witnessing Brendan and Lauren working through theirs … well, I thought I’d have something more like that when I got married.
And I know this is business, and I know this was all my idea, but the reality of standing on the beach and promising myself to another person without my brothers standing by my side, without my family witnessing it, without anyone I care about here hit me like a ton of bricks.
But it’s too late. We’re here. We’re doing this. Time to make the best of it.
I gently tip her chin up and place a soft kiss on Alexis’s lips, needing my own sense of connection and grounding to get to the next step.
When I end the kiss, she stares up at me, once again wearing those cerulean contacts. It makes her eyes harder to read, but there’s no disguising the vulnerability in her gaze.
“C’mon,” I whisper. “Let’s go check out our suite.”
She gives me a trembling smile and nods. “Okay.”
Lacing our fingers together, I lead the way to the elevators. We