Her fears settled a little at his reassurance, and she turned to face her wedding vows with a semblance of confidence. The judge spoke the words that would bind them together, first getting Cole’s agreement to the marriage, then waiting for Darci to answer. Before she could open her mouth, there was a commotion in the hallway.

“Darci, I refuse to allow this madness.” Her mother sailed into the room with all the regal splendor of the Queen Mother. Turning to the judge, she said, “These two don’t love each other and shouldn’t be allowed to marry.”

Cole’s lips tightened. “Is there a law that says we have to prove our love before the wedding ceremony?”

The judge peered over his glasses at the family drama playing out before him, his expression not changing. “Love is not required, but I like to see some sense of commitment before I bind two people together.”

Cole looked down at Darci, and she felt the. force of his determination reaching out to her, demanding her support. “We’re committed, I can promise you that. Aren’t we, Darci?”

She nodded, more than willing to let him fight this particular battle. Her reserves of strength had been used up hours ago, and now she just wanted to lean on the strong man at her side. Just long enough to recover, to regroup.

“Darci, I refuse to allow you to do this.”

Darci was finally forced to face her mother. Pushed to fight a battle that should have been fought years ago, she spoke the words that needed to be said. “I’m over twenty-one, Mother. You have no say in the matter.”

“Then I’ll no longer consider you my daughter. You and that man will not be welcome in my home.” The woman waited silently, certain her daughter would give in and walk away from Cole.

The betrayal knifed through Darci as she turned her back on her only living blood relative. Placing her hand in Cole’s, she calmly voiced her agreement to the marriage, ignoring the tears stinging at her eyes. Cut adrift in a sea of emotions, she turned to lift her face to her husband for the traditional kiss.

He leaned closer. Just before his mouth touched hers, he murmured, “And the show begins.”

His lips touched her cheek, then slid to her mouth, and she forgot all about right and wrong, obligation and commitment. This was her husband and she wanted him. They had a budding friendship between them, a common goal, and maybe the rest would come with time and patience.

Tentatively, she touched her tongue to his lips. With a low groan, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, staking his new ownership thoroughly and completely.

His warmth enfolded her, threatened to consume her, as their tongues met for the first time.

And all her childhood fantasies paled in the face of reality.