The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride by Jenn Roseton Read Free Book Online

without incident.
    They exchanged rings. Small diamonds studded her gleaming gold band while Alex’s was plain gold. When the officiant pronounced that Alex could kiss his bride, Laura’s knees started to tremble. He’d only kissed her once before - was she ready for Alex to kiss her in front of three strangers?
    She was. The moment he gathered her in his arms, she became lost to the world. His lips claimed hers, softly at first, and then with increasing hunger. Laura forgot there was anyone else in the room, until a soft “ahem” brought her back to reality.
    Blinking, she clutched Alex’s shoulders to steady herself as he reluctantly loosened his embrace. Laura tried to stem the blush rising to her cheeks as they faced their witnesses.
    “Congratulations, dear.” Helen kissed her cheek. “You too, Alex.” She winked at him.
    “ Thanks, Helen. Walt.”
    “ What are you two going to do now?” Walt inquired
    Alex looked at his gold Rolex watch. “We’ve got a plane to catch. We’re going straight to my ranch for three nights.”
    Laura blinked, a little surprised at his answer. She knew they were going to Wyoming that day, but surely not this very minute? No cake, no celebratory meal, not even a glass of fancy champagne? Although, she supposed, they did have one when she accepted his proposal. Her shoulders drooped for a second. She hadn’t even packed her favorite chocolate bar.
    “ Lovely.” Helen smiled at them. “But make sure you give Laura time to catch her breath.”
    “ I will,” Alex promised, looking down at his bride, tenderness and desire glinting in his eyes.
    A rush of awareness ran through her. Maybe … maybe this marriage would be a success?
    After thanking the officiant and saying goodbye to Helen and Walt, Alex guided Laura back to the town car. She stared down at her sparkling ring, tracing the elegant diamonds with the pad of her finger .
    “ How long will it take us to get to Wyoming?” She raised her eyes to meet his.
    He took her hand. Laura wondered if Alex would hold her hand every time they were in a car. She wasn’t about to complain, though.
    “About three and a half hours . Then a forty minute drive from the airport to the ranch.”
    During the drive to the airport, Laura couldn’t stop thinking about tonight. Would Alex make a move on her? Would he expect to consummate the marriage tonight? What would she say?
    Peeking at him from beneath her lashes, she caught her breath. She was married to this sexy man. But why had he married her? Surely a good-looking billionaire like Alex could have any woman he wanted. Why had he wanted to marry her? And what would he think when he caught his first glimpse of her body … nude?
    She’d packed her prettiest lingerie, and had even splashed out yesterday and bought an elegant white silk nightgown today, using her own money, not Alex’s. Just in case …
    But would he like her curves? Her ample breasts? Her soft, plump figure? Although she was on her feet a lot when catering parties, she needed to taste each dish in the kitchen to make sure it was perfect. And when she came home from a long day at work, the last thing she wanted to do was hit the gym.
    What would Alex think when he saw her naked?
    The thought haunted her all the way to the airport. She tried to shove it to the back of her mind, and finally succeeded when they pulled up outside a private area.
    Alex ushered her out of the car and into a small office. “Hey, Mr. Trask.” A man with dirty blond hair greeted them. “The plane’s ready and waiting.”
    “Good.” Alex nodded, looking pleased. “My wife and I will see you on board.”
    His wife.
    Panic hit her. She really was married to Alex. This wasn’t a surreal dream where she would wake up any second. Although it had seemed real for a second when he’d kissed her at the end of the ceremony, Alex referring to her as his wife brought it all home to her.
    Till death do us part.
    Or we divorce. After all, hadn’t