Because if the nuptials and you may kiss the bride didn’t make this real, seeing all this sure as shit did.

Those nerves the tequila tamed? Yeah, they’ve come roaring back with a vengeance.

“Oh. Wow,” Jase says as he follows behind me. “All that’s missing is the vibrating bed.”

“Are those still a thing?” I ask, distracted as I move around and peek into the bathroom that’s larger than my entire studio.

“I’m sure they are somewhere,” he says. “We stayed in some pretty shifty places when we first started out, but I can’t say I ever saw one.”

“This suite is . . . gorgeous. Over the top. Ridiculous.” Completely unnecessary. I smile when I see my luggage is on the far end of the room. Clearly, someone must have packed it up and brought it here for me. I don’t know how I feel about that—someone doing things for me. “I’ll—uh—get changed. I’m sure you want to get back to Los Angeles and as far away from this as soon as possible.”

“Hey.” I yelp as Jase grabs my hand and whirls me out as if we’re dancing and then back into him. I land solidly against his chest and am greeted by his grin and a flutter in my lower belly. “This is some crazy shit, isn’t it?”

“It is,” I say and try not to think about his lips being so close. “Probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Give it time. You’re married to me now. I’m sure there will be more times to stretch those wings of yours.” He chuckles as I become fully aware of every single place we’re pressed against each other.

“Noted.” Why do I sound so breathless? “Um. I’ll go get changed. My bag. It’s over there.”

“True,” he says but doesn’t let go of me. “It is.”

“I’m sure you want to get back home for . . . whatever. In Los Angeles. Away from here.”

“Do I make you nervous?” he murmurs, his eyes flickering to my lips before locking on my gaze.

My body wars between sense and desire—neither of which I want to win. This is fake. This whole scenario. We kissed. We got married. I’m normal and totally not his type.

“Yes.” I smile. “You do. Because we both know that we’re standing here thinking about the kiss while knowing the only reason we are is because of the poignancy of the moment. You don’t like women like me, and I just broke up with someone after two years so sure, it was a great kiss, but the moment surrounding it elevated it.”

“Cookie, no amount of talk is going to dampen my ego. That was a damn good kiss and you and I both know it.”

I step back from him, needing to break from his compelling charm. “I can admit it. Easily.”