Merger (Triple Threat Book 3) by Kit Tunstall, R.E. Saxton Read Free Book Online Page B

took her hand in his and prepared to slide on the wedding band they had purchased at Harry Winston, he suddenly found it difficult to breathe .
    After clearing his throat, he chalked it up to a reaction to the strong scent of incense clinging cloyingly in the air. He’d never been a fan of the stuff, and that had to be the reason why his lungs were tight and his eyes burned. He cleared his throat again, and the reaction went away a moment later. It was simply a coincidence that it coincided with the moment she said, “I do,” which practically sealed their marriage at that particular moment. There were legalities to deal with, but as soon as she’d agreed, she was his.
    He had no explanation for why he got choked up again a moment later when it was his turn to say, “I do,”, and he pressed on through, ignoring the reaction as he focused on completing the ceremony and claiming Lily Faulkner as his wife.
    As soon as she had signed the marriage certificate, a wave of relief went through him. Now he had everything he needed to secure his family’s future and keep them safe from the threat of prosecution. No wonder he was giddy with relief, his heart pounding with excitement. The worst was over, or would be after he confronted her father.
    ***
    They spent the night in Vegas before flying home, and he had the driver take them directly to his house. He ignored her objections and protests about needing to retrieve her possessions from the sorority house. “Is there anything you can’t replace?”
    After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head. “No, I guess not.”
    He nodded. “That’s settled then. There’s no reason to go back to that hellhole and risk facing those barracudas again. I’m going to protect you, since you’re my wife, and that means taking you to my home.”
    She let out a little sigh, looking annoyed with him, which made him want to chuckle. “Fine, you Neanderthal.”
    He did chuckle then. “Guilty as charged, dear wife.”
    She shivered in pleasure, either from the endearment or the way he brushed his lips against her knuckles when he brought her hand to his mouth. He was certain if he lifted up the dress she’d worn for traveling home, he’d find her wet and ready for him. The thought was intoxicating, and he couldn’t keep his hands to himself as he pulled her onto his lap and began to kiss her with all the pent-up passion that had built between them during the last few hours of the flight.
    If they hadn’t been on a commercial flight, he would have spent the trip from Vegas back home making love to her in ten different ways, but even in first-class, there was no opportunity for such a display. Now, he had her all to himself, and he planned to enjoy it.
    It was only when they reached his house, alerted to the fact by a subtle chime from his driver as he opened the security gate, that he spared a thought for the coming showdown with her father. The thought was unpleasant, and he shoved it aside as he focused on Lily instead, sweeping her from the car, across the threshold, and up the stairs as quickly as possible.
    ***
    It was Lilly who prodded him to meet her father, and Dominic was disconcerted to realize he had spent the last two days immersed in his bride, who had insisted on tearing herself away to attend classes. During the hours she was gone, he’d accomplished very little in the way of work, but he tried not to think about why he might be procrastinating. His mind was still in vacation mode. That was all there was to it. He was also rehearsing how he would approach her father, and what he would say, so no wonder he was too preoccupied to be the one to suggest she set up a meeting.
    It was still slightly startling when she told him they were having dinner with her father that night after she came back from her Tuesday classes. Since it was the whole reason he’d married her, he didn’t protest her making plans without his input. He was relieved to have the operation moving