As the song played on, he whispered into my ear, “You know what would really seal the deal on our newlywed act tonight?”

“Sneaking into a broom closet?”

Holden laughed and I felt it vibrate in my chest. “That would do it.” We swayed from side to side a few times before he continued. “I prefer something a little more private, less rushed. If we left here right now, we’d have tongues wagging for sure.”

“What about my girls’ night?” I asked, thinking I no longer cared about girls’ night or making friends or belonging. Not if this man was offered up as an alternative.

“They’ll understand. We’ll go say goodbye, tell Maeve happy birthday one more time, thank them for including you, give Presley the key to our place, and make our escape. I’ll take your hand and pull you urgently toward the door, rush you home, and, as far as anyone knows, ravish you until sunrise.”

“Hmm,” I said into his ear, because our bodies were flush now, and I could feel that he was hard. “I’m in, under one condition.”

“Which is?”

“You have to actually ravish me once we’re home.”

The hand on my lower back dipped down to my butt and pulled me into him more firmly. “You drive a hard bargain, but okay.” He pulled his head back enough to look into my eyes, grinning, and then he kissed me. Thoroughly enough that someone hollered, “Get a room, Henrys!”

When we came up for air, I said, “I can tell you’re definitely up for the task.”

“Mm-hmm,” he growled, “and now I need to think about beer recipes for the rest of the song so I’m able to walk out of here.”

As we left the bar five minutes later, my hand in Holden’s and multiple people calling out goodbyes, the strangest sensation swept through me. I was Holden Henry’s wife, which made me welcome by association like I’d never been before in this town. I was starting to make friends with people who seemed like genuinely good, caring women. For the first time in my life, I was beginning to feel like I belonged.

I had to keep reminding myself, as Holden tugged me toward his Mustang, that this was exactly what he’d said it was… an act.

Chapter 17

Chloe

Holden didn’t end up ravishing me until sunrise.

He’d ravished me so thoroughly by about one a.m., though, that I was still warm and sated as I opened my eyes for the day a few hours later.