When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(60)

He blinks at me for a moment. Then a grin curves the corners of his mouth. “Piper Ross, you lied to your mother?”

I squirm a little. “Not really. I let her assume whatever she wanted.”

“Shit, baby. I’m impressed, but how long do you think it will take before she realizes that we’re more than a fling?”

“She said I should marry the right man while continuing my affair with you.” I don’t bother mentioning Beverly. Besides, my mother isn’t known for always telling the truth.

“What the f*ck is wrong with that woman?”

“It’s…what she’s accustomed to, but I don’t want that. I don’t want her life.”

“What do you want?” For the first time in my life, I see Jase as a man with vulnerabilities and it breaks my heart.

“I want…” My heart speeds up and I let my words trail away.

“It’s okay, kitten. Just tell me,” he says encouragingly.

“I want to marry the right man, which means that I…” I begin again. I can do this. I can tell him what I want and what I think will keep us safe. “Marry me, Jase.”





Chapter 20





Piper


He stares at me, his sexy blue eyes wide. “What?”

“Marry me. We can go to South Carolina instead of applying for a marriage license here. You’re allowed to travel there, right?”

He nods. “Yeah.”

“We’ll go there, marry, and come back as Mr. and Mrs. Simmons. My parents won’t expect this response from us. They expect us to roll over.” I give him an encouraging smile. “If you marry me, they won’t touch you—their reputation won’t be able to take the hit in their eyes.”

“What about Rowan?” he asks, running a hand over his face. I can see that it’s shaking, but I can also see that he’s considering my words.

“Seth can protect her. Plus, Rowan’s business has the support of so many people now, especially on the state and federal level with her Jailbird to Jobs program. My father might think he’s powerful, but he’s not.”

“Are you sure, kitten?” he asks. “I don’t want to get married and then you regret it.”

I grab his hand as the consequences of our potential marriage hit me. “I won’t regret marrying the love of my life.”

“I don’t have a ring for you.”

“I don’t care.”

“But is it enough for you?”

What he’s really asking is if he’s enough. “You are more than enough for me. Marrying you is something that I never expected, not in my wildest fantasies.” Tears fall on my cheeks. “You’re so worried that one day I’ll wake up and wonder why I made the mistake of falling for you, but when you and I…when we fall in love, it’s not a mistake because neither of us gives our love to whoever happens to come along. For better or for worse, Jase Simmons, you have me for the rest of my life.”

This time there is no hesitation at all when he says, “Let’s go now. We’ll take my Mustang.”

“I’ll call Ginger to let her know I won’t be in tomorrow.”

“Shit. Your job. I know Emmett can hold down things for me, but your career is important.”

“Jase, when are you going to get it through your head that you are more important to me?” I lace my fingers with his. “Besides, it’s not as if I’m asking off to play hooky. I’m getting married. We’re getting married.”

“We’re getting a honeymoon?”

I giggle and blush a little. “Yes.”

A slow, sexy smile covers his face. “Then you’d better tell your boss you need the entire week off.”





Jase


I’d like to say that I remember every detail of our ceremony, but I’d be lying. What I do remember? The sweetness of her face, the way the wind blew her hair around, and the sound of the waves as they lapped at the shore. How her eyes sparkled as brightly as the diamonds in her ears. How she said her vows in a strong, clear voice. How I couldn’t stop shaking. How good it felt when the preacher pronounced us husband and wife.

We got married at a seaside chapel near Charleston. Piper assures me that everything was perfect, even for a hasty marriage.

I know it was perfect for me, and since I trust her to tell me the truth, I know it was perfect for her as well. But now…we’re in a small cottage near that seaside chapel and we’ve eaten dinner, taken showers, and changed. It’s our first night together as husband and wife.

To be honest, I’m nervous as f*ck. So nervous that I didn’t bother to have shower sex with her. Hell, she washed my body and played with everything she could reach while I stood there, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m a married man. A man married to the woman of his dreams.

How amazing and terrifying is that?

“Jase?” Piper softly calls my name and I turn to look at her. In a simple baby blue nightgown, she takes my breath away. Sure it’s see-through and barely covers her ass, but she looks like an angel.

Lit candles brighten the bedroom and rose petals cover the bed. At least I had sense of mind to do that for her.